Cloud Computing

Nebius Group shares surged in premarket trading after announcing a $19.4 billion agreement with Microsoft. Nebius will provide cloud computing power for AI workloads, generating an expected $17.4 billion in revenue through 2031. The deal highlights the increasing demand for specialized AI infrastructure. Nebius, which spun off from Yandex in 2023, specializes in GPUs for AI model training and boasts investors like Nvidia and Accel. The partnership also boosted shares of competitor CoreWeave, reflecting broader optimism in the AI infrastructure market.

Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares surged over 19% driven by strong cloud computing results and AI chip development news. Cloud revenue grew 26% YoY, fueled by AI services, with AI-related product revenue experiencing triple-digit growth for the eighth consecutive quarter. The company’s investments in AI and its entrance into China’s competitive “instant commerce” market are viewed favorably despite temporary earnings pressure. Overall, positive sentiment followed a solid earnings report with significant net income increase and promising e-commerce revival signs.

Alibaba (BABA) reported a mixed Q1 fiscal year performance. Net income beat expectations with a 78% jump, driven by equity gains and the Trendyol sale. Revenue, however, fell short of estimates. Cloud computing revenue soared 26%, fueled by AI demand, with AI-related product revenue growing at a triple-digit rate for the eighth consecutive quarter. Despite macroeconomic headwinds in China, Alibaba’s stock showed resilience. Investors are optimistic about AI initiatives and investments.

As the demand for AI computing resources grows, Alibaba Cloud introduces cost-effective solutions. A basic cloud server is priced at $68/year, while the “Bailian LLM + Cloud Server” bundle, ideal for LLM inferencing, is available for a limited time at $119 (originally $1029.19). This bundle includes a standard cloud server and a Bailian LLM Inferencing Savings Plan. This offer lowers the barrier for AI development, especially for developers, SMBs, and research teams. New users can deploy LLM inferencing affordably, but supplies are limited.

Unicom Online showcased its AI-powered smart home innovations at MWC Shanghai, focusing on seamless integration of technology into daily life. Key offerings include the AI-driven ZhiJia TongTong smart voice control device (learning, security, communication), YunZhi devices leveraging cloud computing, the Unicom Cloud Disk storage service, intelligent phone services, and smart home security solutions, all aimed at enhancing convenience and user experience. The company continues to demonstrate its open approach to integrating artificial intelligence, and their desire to make technology accessible to every family.

AWS is aggressively expanding its global infrastructure and securing NVIDIA’s AI chips to meet surging demand, anticipating billions in annual AI revenue. While AWS revenue increased in Q1, it lagged behind competitors like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. CEO Matt Garman highlighted datacenter expansions, collaboration with NVIDIA on GB200 chips, and willingness to host OpenAI models, advocating for cross-platform partnerships.