OpenAI Taps Thinking Machines as First APAC Services Partner to Boost Enterprise AI
Thinking Machines Data Science is now OpenAI’s first official services partner in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This strategic collaboration aims to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across APAC. Thinking Machines will provide businesses with specialized training for ChatGPT Enterprise, support for building custom AI applications, and expert guidance on integrating AI into daily operations. The partnership will initially target Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand, with future plans to expand into other markets and develop tailored services for key sectors like finance, retail, and manufacturing. This initiative directly addresses the challenge many regional companies face in converting AI adoption into tangible business value.
Databricks Acquires MLOps Startup Tecton to Enhance Real-Time AI
Databricks has announced its acquisition of Tecton, a machine learning startup known for its feature store designed for real-time AI applications. The deal, to be paid in Databricks’ private shares, is set to enhance the Databricks platform by integrating Tecton’s low-latency data preparation and serving technology. This integration will empower Databricks customers to deploy AI agents more quickly and reliably for critical use cases such as real-time fraud detection, risk scoring, and personalization. Tecton was founded by the former Uber engineers who created the Michelangelo MLOps platform. The two companies already share multiple customers, and Databricks was a previous investor in Tecton.
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Anthropic Endorses California’s SB 53 Bill for AI Safety and Transparency
AI research firm Anthropic has officially supported California’s Senate Bill 53, a legislative proposal designed to enhance transparency and safety in the development of advanced AI models. The bill mandates that large-scale AI developers publish detailed safety and security protocols outlining how they plan to mitigate potential catastrophic harms. Anthropic’s endorsement is significant, as it diverges from the position of many other major tech companies that have advocated for a single federal standard over state-level AI regulation. SB 53, a revised version of a prior bill, prioritizes transparency over imposing rigid technical requirements and includes provisions for whistleblower protections and mandatory reporting of major safety incidents.
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International Motors and PlusAI Launch Autonomous Truck Trials on Texas I-35
International Motors has commenced customer fleet trials for its second-generation autonomous on-highway tractors. In partnership with PlusAI, the company is deploying the trucks along the critical Interstate-35 logistics corridor between Laredo and Dallas, Texas. The trials are being managed from International’s dedicated autonomous hub in San Antonio. These tractors feature an advanced sensor suite, a factory-installed computer, and the latest AI-powered SuperDrive™ autonomous driving software from PlusAI. The program’s objective is to validate the real-world performance and commercial viability of autonomous technology to improve safety and efficiency in the logistics industry.
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Innoviz to Supply LiDAR for Level 4 Autonomous Trucks in Major OEM Deal
Innoviz Technologies has been selected by a major commercial vehicle OEM to supply its LiDAR sensors for an upcoming series production of SAE Level 4 autonomous trucks. Under the agreement, Innoviz will provide its InnovizTwo sensors for the OEM’s data collection fleet, starting this year. Innoviz will also adapt its software to meet the truck manufacturer’s specific integration requirements. These Level 4 autonomous trucks are expected to operate on various highway and regional routes across North America, aiming to help fleet operators reduce costs, increase vehicle uptime, and enhance overall road safety.
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Qualcomm and Google Cloud Partner on Agentic AI for In-Vehicle Experiences
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Google Cloud are expanding their partnership to integrate agentic AI into automotive experiences. This collaboration will merge Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent, which is powered by Gemini models, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions. The initiative aims to equip automakers with the necessary tools to develop and deploy multimodal, hybrid edge-to-cloud AI agents. This will enable more personalized and sophisticated AI agents that can redefine the in-car customer journey. The partnership seeks to accelerate the integration of next-generation AI experiences into vehicles, ensuring they remain up-to-date and improve over their lifecycle, building on previous collaborations in AI-enabled cockpits and Android Automotive OS.
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Rutgers Business School Embeds Generative AI into Core Curriculum
Rutgers Business School (RBS) is actively integrating generative AI technology into its coursework to better prepare students for the modern workforce. This initiative is part of a school-wide directive to incorporate AI across all fields of study, stemming from a partnership with Google that provides AI-powered tools to both students and faculty. For instance, a marketing professor now requires students to use an AI tool to generate a marketing plan and then write a critique of it, grading them on their critical analysis. In a supply chain management course, students leverage AI to analyze forecasts they create. Another professor employs a custom GPT for negotiation scenarios, allowing students to practice various styles and receive instant feedback. The school’s strategy is to use AI to automate mundane tasks, thereby freeing up students to focus on critical thinking and applying concepts to real-world business challenges.
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Deutsche Telekom Launches T Cloud to Bolster European Digital Sovereignty
Deutsche Telekom has launched its new cloud offering, T Cloud, with the strategic goal of enhancing Europe’s independence in digital infrastructure. Announced at the Digital X event in Cologne, T Cloud will provide public cloud solutions from highly secure data centers in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It also includes a private cloud platform for businesses, featuring support for migrating SAP applications. A specialized AI offering, T Cloud AI, is planned for 2026 in collaboration with NVIDIA to deliver a secure and sovereign infrastructure for AI solutions. T Cloud prioritizes security with GDPR-compliant infrastructure, a zero-trust architecture, and 24/7 monitoring from a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC).
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UNM-Led Team Wins $4M NSF Grant to Design Room-Temperature Photonic Quantum Computer
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $4 million grant to a research team led by the University of New Mexico (UNM) to design a photonic quantum computer. As part of the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) program, this ambitious project aims to create a quantum computer capable of operating at room temperature. By utilizing photons as qubits, the researchers aim to unlock ultra-fast processing speeds for solving complex problems that are intractable for classical computers. This funding will accelerate the team’s progress toward developing a fully programmable photonic quantum computer on a single integrated chip.
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