Tobias

Microsoft has suspended certain cloud and AI services to a division within the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) following an internal investigation prompted by a report alleging the use of Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure by the IDF Unit 8200 to track Palestinian phone calls. President Brad Smith confirmed evidence supporting elements of the report. The decision follows internal pressure from employees concerned about the ethical implications of the company’s technology. Unit 8200 may be considering migrating its data to Amazon Web Services (AWS). The incident highlights the responsibilities of tech firms regarding government use of their services.

OpenAI and Databricks, valued at $500B and $100B respectively, are deepening their collaboration with a $100M multi-year commitment. This partnership aims to simplify enterprise access to OpenAI’s GPT-5, integrating it seamlessly with data stored in Databricks. This move allows Databricks customers to easily leverage advanced AI and gives OpenAI a stronger foothold within the enterprise data ecosystem, competing with rivals like Snowflake and Oracle in the rapidly evolving AI integration landscape. The partnership promises revenue growth and simplified AI adoption.

CoreWeave (CRWV) expanded its partnership with OpenAI, securing a $6.5 billion deal. This brings their total contracted revenue from OpenAI to $22.5 billion. CoreWeave provides specialized compute infrastructure for AI and machine learning, utilizing high-density Nvidia GPUs. CEO Michael Intrator emphasizes CoreWeave’s ability to power demanding AI workloads. The deal highlights the escalating demand for computational resources in AI and CoreWeave’s position as a key infrastructure provider, alongside players like Microsoft. This signals both growth for CoreWeave and increasing concentration of resources in the AI sector.

Nscale, a UK-based AI infrastructure firm, secured $1.1 billion in Series B funding led by Aker, with participation from Nvidia, Nokia, and Dell. This investment will fuel the expansion of AI-ready data centers to meet the surging demand for compute power driven by AI model development. Nscale collaborates with OpenAI on the “Stargate” project, building data centers in the UK and Norway, aiming for significant Nvidia GPU deployments by 2027 focusing on secure and energy-efficient AI infrastructure.

The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into SAP, focusing on potential anti-competitive practices within its on-premises software support services. The probe will examine if SAP’s policies unfairly restrict competition in the aftermarket for maintenance and support, potentially limiting options and increasing costs for businesses. SAP believes its policies comply with EU rules and is cooperating with the Commission. The investigation arrives as SAP transitions to cloud-based services and could influence its future business practices. SAP shares dipped following the announcement.

Copenhagen-based startup Light, founded in 2022, secured $30 million in Series A funding led by Balderton Capital to expand its AI-driven financial automation software. Light aims to streamline accounting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting for businesses. The company plans to use the funding to grow its team and establish a presence in both the US and Europe. Light differentiates itself by offering an agile, user-friendly AI solution for rapidly scaling companies, targeting larger enterprises seeking to overcome inefficiencies in their financial processes.

Nvidia’s substantial investment in OpenAI, potentially reaching $100 billion, focuses on AI supercomputing with the first deployment in late 2026. A key aspect is OpenAI’s strategy to lease Nvidia’s GPUs, optimizing capital expenditure and shifting financial burden. OpenAI aims to address compute scarcity, financed partly through Nvidia’s equity and Oracle’s balance sheets. Analysts highlight potential interdependencies and question the generation of tangible assets, while Altman emphasizes focusing on real demand and revenue from services.

Xiaomi plans to launch its EV business in Europe by 2027, including opening showrooms. Xiaomi will assess the future viability of manufacturing locally but will likely modify an existing model rather than developing a new one specifically for Europe. This move positions Xiaomi alongside other Chinese EV manufacturers competing for market share in Europe amid increasing tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. The company aims to be a top-five global player within 15-20 years, making a local factory a potential necessity.

Instagram has reached 3 billion monthly active users, as announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This marks a significant growth from the 2 billion users reported in October 2022. The platform’s success is attributed to its visual format and evolving features. In related news, Instagram has implemented new default privacy settings, setting all underage accounts to private. This reflects growing concerns about online safety for younger users.

Xiaomi has launched its Xiaomi 15T series globally, challenging Samsung in the smartphone market. The 15T and 15T Pro offer high-end specs at competitive prices (649 and 799 euros respectively), targeting consumers seeking premium features without the premium price. With improved camera capabilities, a large display, and substantial battery, the series aims to compete with Samsung’s A and S series. Xiaomi is expanding its product ecosystem beyond smartphones into home appliances, mirroring Samsung’s strategy and intensifying competition across various sectors.