Latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) News
Gartner Predicts Global AI Spending to Reach $2.52 Trillion in 2026
Global spending on AI is forecasted to hit $2.52 trillion in 2026, a 44% increase from the prior year, driven by AI infrastructure like optimized servers growing 49%. This growth reflects organizational maturity and proven business value, moving AI past the hype cycle's 'trough of disillusionment'.
Additional $401 billion in infrastructure construction is expected.
NVIDIA and Eli Lilly Launch $1B AI Lab for Drug Discovery
NVIDIA and Eli Lilly announced a $1 billion, five-year joint AI lab in the Bay Area to integrate pharma scientists with AI engineers. Using NVIDIA's BioNeMo stack, it aims to accelerate protein and biology models for faster target-to-candidate decisions.
The initiative treats compute as core R&D infrastructure, potentially improving assays and simulations.
Illumina Unveils Billion Cell Atlas to Tackle AI Data Bottleneck in Biology
Illumina released the Billion Cell Atlas on January 13, 2026, capturing responses of 1 billion cells to CRISPR changes across 200+ disease-relevant lines. It standardizes multi-omic data for better model training and target validation.
This could reduce reliance on costly animal studies by stress-testing hypotheses.
AstraZeneca Acquires Modella AI for Multimodal Oncology Modeling
AstraZeneca agreed to acquire Modella AI in mid-January 2026 to integrate pathology images, molecular profiles, and clinical outcomes in oncology R&D. The move addresses biomarker discovery challenges in real-world pipelines.
It enhances multimodal analysis for improved drug development.
Demis Hassabis Predicts AGI in 5 Years with Key Breakthroughs
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis stated humanity is 1-2 breakthroughs from AGI within 5 years, needing 'world models' and agentic systems. AI will drive a golden age of science in drug R&D, materials, and energy.
DeepMind plans a 2026 automated lab in the UK for materials synthesis using Gemini and robots.
e& and IBM Unveil Enterprise-Grade Agentic AI at Davos
At the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 19, 2026, e& and IBM launched agentic AI via watsonx Orchestrate for governance and compliance. It shifts from NLP chatbots to action-oriented AI in core systems.
The collaboration advances digital empowerment and sustainability.
Agentic AI Set to Deliver First Predictive Drug Pipeline in 2026
Agentic AI will transform R&D to R&P, enabling the first predictive drug pipeline in 2026 by replacing screening labs with predictive engines. It promises faster, more accurate drug development processes.
The shift integrates AI deeply into pharmaceutical workflows.
US Stargate Project Drives $500B AI Infrastructure Investment
The Trump administration's Stargate Project, partnering with ARM, Nvidia, Oracle, Softbank, and OpenAI, plans $500 billion over four years for US AI infrastructure. AI energy use may rise from 2% to 15-20% of US total by 2030.
Focus shifts to building infrastructure over regulation for defense and security.
Mila and Bain Urge Canada to Build AI Companies from Research Leadership
On January 19, 2026, Mila and Bain & Company called for Canada to convert its AI research strength into domestic companies. This aims to capitalize on Canada's AI moment.
The report emphasizes turning leadership into economic growth.
CEO Confidence in Revenue Hits 5-Year Low Amid AI Investment Struggles
Only 30% of CEOs are confident in 2026 revenue growth as many fail to convert AI investments into returns, per PwC's 2026 Global CEO Survey. AI creates a divide between leaders and laggards.
One-in-eight CEOs note AI's impact on strategies.
AI Becomes Core in Drug Discovery by 2026, No Longer Optional
By 2026, AI will centrally shape target selection, biology analysis, and drug discovery processes. It moves from support to essential role.
Expectations are for transformative efficiency gains.
World Economic Forum Highlights AI for Climate and Health Impact
WEF spotlights companies like CATL using AI for EV battery design, cutting cycles by 50%, and Landing Med for AI cytology in women's health. Phagos achieves 95% accuracy in phage therapies; Deep Principle automates materials simulations.
These deliver real-world climate and health solutions.