The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, with significant advancements in technology, investments, and regulations. In this news brief, we'll explore the latest developments in AI, from SoftBank's financial struggles to the emergence of a new AI giant, Reddit.
Japan's SoftBank Reports Loss Amid AI Investment
Japanese technology company SoftBank Group Corp. reported a 369.2 billion yen ($2.4 billion) loss for the fiscal third quarter, despite quarterly sales rising 3% from the previous year to 1.83 trillion yen ($11.9 billion). This comes barely a month after the company announced an investment of up to $500 billion into an artificial intelligence project called Stargate with President Donald Trump. SoftBank's financial performance tends to swing wildly due to its investments in various companies.
Google's CEO Praises China's DeepSeek
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai praised Chinese startup DeepSeek for its work in artificial intelligence, saying it has done "very good work" that shows how global AI is. Pichai expects Alphabet to be a leading player in the AI space but acknowledged that others will also be there.
The Need for a Third Way in AI
The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, co-chaired by France and India, attempted to lay the foundations for multilateral coordination to oversee the emergence of AI technology. However, the summit faced strong divergences in approach, with the UK and US declining to sign the final declaration due to concerns about national security and governance.
The AI Challenge for the Channel
The democratization of AI has forced channel partners to evolve from security product resellers to strategic cyber resilience advisors. Companies are looking to AI to optimize their workday, improve customer service, and introduce new products quickly and efficiently. However, this has introduced major cybersecurity and compliance risks, and business leaders and security teams must strike a balance between innovation and security.
Harrison Ford Brings Attention to AI in Video Games
Harrison Ford spoke out against the use of AI in video games, praising voice actor Troy Baker's performance in the recent game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The SAG-AFTRA union has been on strike since July, demanding compensation when AI performances are generated from their work and consent and transparency around Gen AI technology.
The Billion-Dollar AI Company No One Is Talking About
Reddit, a social media platform and discussion site, has become a crucial player in the AI revolution. The company has one of the largest human conversation datasets in the world, which is valuable for training AI models. Reddit has seen significant growth, with 1.21 billion monthly active users, and is likely to invest more in the platform to improve user experience and scale its reach.
Dutch Government Backs Tech Startups with AI Investments
The Dutch government has unveiled plans to bolster its tech sector by cutting red tape and investing heavily in artificial intelligence. The country aims to compete with tech giants in the US and China and has seen a 47% increase in venture capital investments in 2024. However, only 104 startups received over 100,000 euros in funding, highlighting a reliance on foreign capital.
Key Takeaways
- SoftBank's financial struggles highlight the risks of investing in AI.
- Google's CEO praises China's DeepSeek for its work in AI.
- The AI Action Summit faced divergences in approach, with the UK and US declining to sign the final declaration.
- The democratization of AI has introduced major cybersecurity and compliance risks.
- Reddit has become a crucial player in the AI revolution due to its large human conversation dataset.
- The Dutch government is investing in AI to bolster its tech sector and compete with global giants.
- The reliance on foreign capital highlights the need for more investment in European startups.
Sources
- Japan's SoftBank reports loss weeks after announcing AI investment with U.S. President Trump
- Google's CEO Pichai says China's DeepSeek has done very good work
- Artificial intelligence: The need for a third way
- Got $3,000? 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term
- How to Steer AI Adoption: A CISO Guide
- UK and US decline to sign global AI declaration, citing security and governance concerns
- The AI challenge for the channel
- How Harrison Ford brought a strike over use of AI in video games to the world’s attention
- The billion-dollar AI company no one is talking about - and why you should care
- Dutch Government Backs Tech Startups With AI Investments