Artificial Intelligence

Deloitte’s UK CFO Survey reveals a strong pivot towards technology, particularly AI, for productivity and growth. CFOs anticipate significant tech investment increases, treating it as a structural rather than discretionary cost. AI optimism has surged, though risk appetite remains subdued, suggesting a preference for defined AI use cases and measurable outcomes. Despite growing confidence, external uncertainties and a cautious approach to capital expenditure persist, emphasizing the need for demonstrable business value in digital initiatives.

Rising labor costs and tight delivery margins are pushing Grab towards automation. By acquiring Infermove, Grab is bringing robotics expertise in-house to develop AI for real-world delivery challenges. This move aims to selectively integrate robots into specific delivery segments, complementing human couriers rather than replacing them, to improve efficiency and manage costs while maintaining service quality in complex urban environments.

CNBC is now accepting applications for the 2026 Disruptor 50 list, focusing on AI companies deploying technology at scale for tangible business value. Submissions are due February 23rd. Companies founded after January 1, 2011, are eligible. The selection process will evaluate scalability, growth, and technology implementation, reflecting a shift towards pragmatic, enterprise-centric disruption and public market readiness, even for capital-intensive ventures.

SoftBank has finalized its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, with the last installment of approximately $22 billion transferred recently. This makes SoftBank a major shareholder, holding over 10%. The funding will fuel OpenAI’s AI infrastructure projects, including the “Stargate” venture. This significant capital underscores the booming AI market and OpenAI’s ambitious expansion plans.

Nvidia is reportedly close to a $20 billion acquisition of AI chip designer Groq. This move would significantly enhance Nvidia’s AI hardware capabilities. Groq, known for its high-performance AI accelerator chips, recently secured substantial funding. The deal, if completed, would be Nvidia’s largest to date and reflects the intense demand for specialized AI silicon. Groq’s core assets are included, but its cloud business is excluded. This acquisition aligns with Nvidia’s aggressive strategy to dominate the AI ecosystem.

Britain’s railways are set for a billion additional journeys annually by mid-2030s. This growth hinges on AI transforming operations from predictive maintenance to traffic control and safety monitoring. AI will optimize energy use, enhance passenger flow, and improve journey planning, all while necessitating robust cybersecurity measures to protect increasingly interconnected systems. The industry faces a choice: lead AI integration or be overwhelmed by its complexity.

Novo Nordisk’s FDA approval for the first oral obesity pill marks a significant shift, democratizing weight management beyond injections. This move, priced affordably, boosts Novo Nordisk shares and intensifies competition with Eli Lilly. The article also covers Dominion Energy’s offshore wind project halt, Skydance Media’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Alphabet’s data center acquisition, and the EV sector’s recalibration amidst slower-than-expected demand. Instacart is ending controversial AI pricing tests due to consumer concerns, and US gasoline prices have hit four-year lows.

Visa has successfully piloted hundreds of AI-driven transactions, marking a significant step in integrating AI agents into e-commerce. This move aligns with industry trends, as competitors like Mastercard and Amazon are also developing AI shopping tools. A Visa survey indicates nearly half of U.S. shoppers already use AI in their purchasing decisions. Visa plans to expand its AI pilot programs globally and is collaborating with over 20 partners to shape the future of intelligent commerce.

BMO Capital Markets has upgraded Amazon Web Services (AWS) forecasts, predicting robust 2026 growth fueled by accelerating customer commitments and AI integration, like Anthropic’s Claude. This, alongside a strong Q3 performance and market anticipation, suggests a significant rebound for Amazon stock, with analysts reiterating an “outperform” rating and an increased price target.

Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Year” for 2025, “slop,” reflects growing concerns about AI-generated content. Defined as low-quality, AI-produced digital material, it signifies a shift from traditional meanings. Social media and music platforms are awash with AI “slop,” leading to revenue but also criticism. Spotify has removed millions of AI tracks, and user adoption of AI platforms like ChatGPT is slightly declining, suggesting a reevaluation of AI’s quality and authenticity as its novelty fades.