Tobias

AMD has forged a $60 billion multiyear deal with Meta for AI GPUs, aiming to challenge Nvidia. A key aspect is Meta potentially receiving nearly 10% of AMD’s stock without upfront cost, contingent on performance. This strategy, offering equity stakes to secure partnerships, contrasts with Nvidia’s approach of leveraging its dominant market position. While AMD’s stock rose on the news, the equity concessions highlight Nvidia’s strength in the AI chip landscape.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given AI firm Anthropic a Friday deadline to grant broad military access to its models or face severe repercussions, potentially including designation as a “supply chain risk” or invocation of the Defense Production Act. This ultimatum arises from a dispute over AI usage, with Anthropic seeking ethical assurances against autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, while the DoD demands agreement to “all lawful use cases.” Despite a significant DoD contract, Anthropic has other major commercial clients and substantial funding.

Workday’s stock plummeted after its earnings report, driven by a subdued financial outlook that failed to impress investors. While the company beat Q4 expectations, its guidance for the upcoming periods fell short of analyst predictions. This downturn is compounded by broader market anxieties surrounding AI’s potential impact on established software companies. Furthermore, a recent CEO transition adds to the uncertainty. Despite these headwinds, Workday is actively pursuing AI integration, reporting significant revenue from its AI products.

David Luan, head of Amazon’s Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) lab, is leaving the company less than two years after joining via an acqui-hire of his startup, Adept. Luan plans to “cook up something new,” focusing on teaching AI new capabilities as AGI development progresses. His departure follows a reorganization of Amazon’s AGI division, now led by Peter DeSantis. The FTC is scrutinizing acqui-hire deals, including Amazon’s acquisition of Adept, due to potential circumvention of regulatory oversight. Amazon declined to comment.

PayPal’s stock surged nearly 7% following a Bloomberg report that fintech rival Stripe is considering acquiring either the entire company or specific business units. This news comes amid PayPal’s recent stock decline and intensified competition. While PayPal faces growth challenges, Stripe is experiencing rapid expansion, recently achieving a $159 billion valuation. Stripe has focused on product development and growth, with an IPO not currently planned.

CNBC’s World’s Top Fintech Companies list, in partnership with Statista, is now accepting applications for its fourth edition. This ranking celebrates global fintech innovators, from established leaders to emerging startups in areas like payments, wealth management, and insurance. This year, a new category for RegTech companies has been added. Fintech’s growth, fueled by digital transformation and AI, continues to reshape financial services. Investment remains strong, with nearly $45 billion invested in the first half of 2025. Companies can apply through Statista’s portal by April 24, 2026, detailing their innovative tech-driven financial products and performance metrics.

U.S. stock futures are flat as investors digest tariff uncertainties following a Supreme Court ruling and President Trump’s new duties. In AI, Meta inked a major deal with AMD for GPUs, diversifying its supply chain after a similar Nvidia agreement. Eli Lilly launched a more convenient pen for its obesity drug, Zepbound, as competition in the GLP-1 market intensifies. Meanwhile, violence in Mexico following a cartel leader’s death disrupts trade and travel.

Waymo, an Alphabet company, has expanded its robotaxi service to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, bringing its total U.S. operational cities to ten. This move deepens its autonomous vehicle dominance amidst a competitive landscape. The company plans a phased rollout, aiming for general availability in these new markets by late 2026, while continuing to address public trust and regulatory scrutiny.

Google is building its first Minnesota data center in Pine Island, utilizing 480 acres to support AI and cloud services. The project includes a significant renewable energy commitment through an agreement with Xcel Energy, facilitating 1,400 MW of wind, 200 MW of solar, and 300 MW of battery storage. While facing some local concerns about environmental impact and resources, the city has approved preliminary plans, anticipating substantial tax revenue. Google pledges to cover all energy costs and grid upgrades, ensuring no additional burden on existing ratepayers.