Latest Technology News
Etched Raises $500M to Challenge Nvidia in AI Inference
AI chip startup Etched secured about $500 million in funding to develop specialized inference hardware for running AI models at scale and low cost. This investment highlights the shift toward Nvidia alternatives as demand grows for production inference in apps and enterprise tools. Apple's multi-model AI strategy may further drive this trend.
Deepgram Raises $130M at $1.3B Valuation for Voice AI
Voice AI startup Deepgram raised $130 million at a $1.3 billion valuation to expand internationally, build new models, and pursue acquisitions. Voice interfaces are increasingly vital for AI in customer support, workflows, transcription, and analytics. This reinforces voice as a key AI interaction mode.
Haiqu Secures $11M for Hardware-Aware Quantum OS
Quantum software startup Haiqu raised $11 million to develop a hardware-aware software stack for efficient near-term quantum applications. It addresses compute-intensive workflows and optimization challenges in pre-fault-tolerant quantum systems. This aims to make quantum computing more practical.
Intel Stock Surges 9% on Apple Design Win and 18A Success
Intel shares rose over 9% to a two-year high after a major design win with Apple and success in 18A node manufacturing. KeyBanc upgraded Intel to Overweight with a $60 target, noting sold-out 2026 server CPU capacity. This signals Intel's IDM 2.0 turnaround and US silicon resurgence.
Siemens Unveils Digital Twin Composer at CES 2026
Siemens launched Digital Twin Composer at CES 2026, integrating digital twins, NVIDIA Omniverse, and real-time data for industrial AI. PepsiCo used it to boost throughput by 20% and cut Capex by 10-15% via virtual simulations. It enables AI agents to test changes pre-physically.
Siemens Expands AI Copilots Across Industrial Chain
Siemens announced nine new AI-powered copilots for Teamcenter, Polarion, and Opcenter to streamline design, compliance, and manufacturing. These tools reduce errors, speed market time, and drive efficiency. In life sciences, Dotmatics integration accelerates drug discovery by up to 50%.
NVIDIA and Lilly Launch AI Co-Innovation Lab for Drug Discovery
NVIDIA and Eli Lilly announced a co-innovation lab using BioNeMo and Vera Rubin for AI-driven drug discovery, incorporating robotics and physical AI. It aims to reinvent medicine discovery and production. This multidisciplinary effort tackles complex drug development challenges.
China Deploys Frontier Tech from Labs to Real-World Use
China rapidly deploys innovations like humanoid robots at Hefei Airport for cleaning tasks and autonomous vehicles on roads. Quantum computing handles industrial calculations, accelerating tech commercialization. This showcases fast lab-to-market transitions.
IBM Outlines 2026 Goals for Agentic AI Leaders
IBM recommends 2026 resolutions like embracing multiagent orchestration, building governance for autonomous systems, and embedding security in AI deployments. Gartner predicts 40% of gen AI interactions will use agents by 2028. Organizations must scale beyond pilots amid rising complexity.
Cognizant: AI Can Unlock $4.5T in US Labor Productivity
Cognizant's report reveals AI could unlock $4.5 trillion in US labor productivity today, with 93% of jobs potentially affected. AI accelerates faster than projected, but highlights implementation limits. It emphasizes rapid workforce transformation potential.
2026 AI Trends: Autonomous Agents and Multimodal Systems
AI in 2026 will feature autonomous agents, persistent memory for context, and multimodal integration of text, images, audio, and video. Infrastructure shifts include redesigned chips, liquid cooling, and nuclear power for data centers. Jobs evolve toward oversight and judgment.