Tobias

A proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee by the U.S. government is causing alarm among American startups, potentially hindering their growth by restricting access to crucial foreign talent, especially in IT and engineering. Founders fear the fee is prohibitively expensive, disproportionately impacting early-stage companies and forcing them to consider less qualified domestic applicants. Legal tech firms report a surge in inquiries as startups grapple with uncertainty. VCs worry about stifled innovation, reduced investment, and a potential shift of talent and capital to countries like the UK and Canada.

India aims to become a key player in the global semiconductor industry through its “Semiconductor Mission,” approving multiple projects with billions in investment. The plan focuses on building a comprehensive domestic supply chain, attracting fabrication, testing, and packaging facilities. While India possesses a large pool of engineering talent, experts caution that inconsistent progress and insufficient investment, compounded with challenges related to infrastructure, talent retention, and IP protections, may hinder the realization of its ambition. The country needs a dynamic ecosystem beyond just incentives to attract and retain major investments.

Nvidia and OpenAI CEOs responded to President Trump’s policy of raising H-1B visa fees to $100,000. This shift aims to prioritize American workers, potentially impacting tech and finance reliant on foreign talent. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang supported streamlining immigration, even with extra costs, coinciding with a $100 billion Nvidia investment in OpenAI data centers. Sam Altman echoed the need for attracting top talent, hinting at acceptance of higher fees for efficiency. The new fees’ effect on innovation and potential relocation of R&D remain concerns, though current H-1B holders outside the US are exempt.

Apple’s stock rebounded after the iPhone 17 launch, overcoming earlier 2025 losses. Strong demand, indicated by extended iPhone 17 delivery times (18 days vs. iPhone 16’s 10 days), and a rebound in China fuel the surge. While Apple’s 2025 stock performance lagged due to lower AI investment, new products integrate AI features like real-time translation in AirPods Pro 3 and proactive health alerts in Apple Watch. Investors await further AI announcements to assess Apple’s competitiveness in the AI landscape.

Nvidia is investing $100B into OpenAI to build AI-powered data centers demanding 10 gigawatts. This requires millions of Nvidia GPUs, doubling their output. The first $10B unlocks with the first gigawatt completed. Nvidia’s stock surged, reflecting the collaboration’s strategic importance. OpenAI aims to scale infrastructure for 700M weekly users, driving AI research and product development. While Nvidia remains the preferred supplier, competition in AI chips is growing. The partnership strengthens Nvidia’s dominance in the AI landscape and is “additive” to prior financial commitments.

The Trump administration has introduced a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application, effective Sunday. This aims to generate revenue and encourage companies to hire American workers. Renewals and existing visa holders are exempt, though exceptions exist for immigrants essential to national interest. The tech and finance sectors heavily utilize H-1B visas, particularly for STEM roles, citing talent shortages. Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are top sponsors. The move sparks debate about its impact on the U.S. economy and the recruitment of skilled foreign workers.

Oracle appoints Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as co-CEOs, replacing Safra Catz who becomes executive vice chair. This move highlights Oracle’s focus on its cloud infrastructure amid the AI boom. Oracle benefits from its Gen2 platform, Nvidia GPUs, and strategic AI partnerships. Demand is strong, with Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) up 359%. Oracle’s stock has surged, reflecting investor confidence in its AI-driven strategy. The co-CEO structure aims to leverage technical expertise and industry knowledge for further growth.

Luxshare’s shares soared on reports of a potential partnership with OpenAI to manufacture a consumer AI device, targeted for release in late 2026 or 2027. Leveraging ChatGPT, OpenAI aims to create a screen-less smart speaker, challenging Apple and Amazon in the voice assistant market. Luxshare, a key Apple supplier, is reportedly developing a prototype. OpenAI has strategically hired Apple hardware experts and partnered with Jony Ive’s firm, signaling a serious push into AI-powered hardware, including potential robotics applications.

Apple’s iPhone Air features the A19 Pro chip with integrated neural accelerators in the GPU cores for enhanced AI. The device also debuts Apple’s first in-house wireless chip, N1, and the second-generation C1X modem, signaling a move towards greater control over core components. These chips offer improved power efficiency and performance. While Qualcomm and Broadcom aren’t immediately threatened, analysts foresee Apple gradually phasing out reliance on external suppliers, potentially including U.S. manufacturing. Apple emphasizes on-device AI for privacy and efficiency.

Meta’s new $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses feature a built-in display and a neural interface wristband for intuitive control. Launching Sept. 30, the glasses offer practical AR functionality like message viewing and live captions, prioritizing utility over immersive entertainment. A small display in the right lens, coupled with hand gestures enabled by the EMG wristband, allows users to control the glasses, activating apps and adjusting volume. While the display clarity has compromise, the wristband and voice command function show potential for expanded AR applications.