Tech

Amazon is closing all 19 of its UK Fresh supermarkets, shifting its focus to online grocery delivery. A recent review highlighted significant growth opportunities in this area. Five Fresh locations will become Whole Foods Market stores, adjusting the physical retail strategy. This move reflects a broader effort to streamline its grocery business and optimize capital. CEO Andy Jassy emphasizes the strong performance of online grocery, with plans for same-day grocery delivery in the UK. Analysts cite intense competition in the UK grocery market as a factor.

The FTC is suing Amazon, alleging it used “dark patterns” to deceptively enroll consumers in Prime and obstruct cancellations. The FTC claims Amazon violated consumer protection laws by employing misleading interface designs, while Amazon denies these allegations, asserting transparency. A recent ruling found Amazon in violation of the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, potentially strengthening the FTC’s case. This trial is a critical test of the FTC’s effort to combat manipulative online designs and could have far-reaching implications for the subscription economy and Big Tech’s business practices.

BYD, the Chinese EV manufacturer, has a contingency plan to address potential disruptions to its Nvidia chip supply, despite no current directive from the Chinese government to cease their use. According to Executive VP Stella Li, BYD’s vertical integration and strong in-house technology offer backup solutions, similar to how they navigated the Covid-19 semiconductor shortage. While Nvidia’s automotive chips are currently unaffected, a potential ban in China could significantly impact the autonomous driving ecosystem, prompting domestic chip development and posing challenges for automakers reliant on Nvidia.

Global semiconductor stocks surged after Nvidia announced a $100 billion investment in OpenAI, signaling a strong commitment to AI infrastructure. TSMC and SK Hynix saw significant gains. European markets mirrored the positive momentum, with STMicro and Infineon rising. However, ASM International’s revenue shortfall impacted other equipment manufacturers like ASML. Analysts remain bullish on the long-term outlook for chip equipment vendors due to strong demand for AI-related technologies.

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.