Global AI Spending to Reach $2.5 Trillion in 2026, Gartner Predicts
According to a new forecast from Gartner, Inc., worldwide spending on artificial intelligence is projected to hit $2.52 trillion in 2026, a significant 44% increase from the previous year. The report identifies the build-out of AI foundations as a primary driver for this growth, with AI-optimized servers accounting for 17% of the total and AI infrastructure expected to contribute an additional $401 billion.
John-David Lovelock, a distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, emphasized that successful AI adoption depends on human capital and organizational readiness, not just financial investment. He also noted that with AI in the ‘Trough of Disillusionment’ in 2026, enterprises will likely acquire AI capabilities through their existing software providers.
Iveco and PlusAI Partner for Level 4 Autonomous Trucks in Spain
Iveco and its long-term partner PlusAI are launching a new project in Spain to deploy heavy-duty trucks equipped with Level 4 Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS). The collaboration will see two Iveco S-Way vehicles, powered by the PlusAI SuperDrive virtual driver, operating autonomously for logistics operator Sesé. The trucks will navigate a crucial 184-mile freight corridor between Madrid and Zaragoza.
In cooperation with the Government of Aragon, the vehicles will undergo several years of rigorous testing with a safety operator present. This initiative marks a significant step in commercializing autonomous trucking in Europe. Meanwhile, PlusAI is preparing to go public through a partnership with Churchill Capital Corp IX.
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Texas Instruments Expands Semiconductor Portfolio for Autonomous Vehicles
Texas Instruments is bolstering its automotive portfolio with new semiconductors designed specifically for autonomous vehicles. The expanded range of compute, sensing, and networking devices aims to support scalable Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and higher levels of vehicle autonomy.
Central to this expansion is the TI TDA5 family of high-performance automotive SoCs (System on Chips). These processors are engineered for centralized computing and sensor fusion, making them ideal for systems targeting up to SAE Level 3 autonomy. This strategy aligns with the industry trend of creating scalable platforms that can be adapted across various vehicle models, enabling the incremental rollout of advanced autonomous features while managing cost and power consumption.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Debuts Ad Campaign Using ‘Hybrid AI’ Technology
In an industry first, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new advertising campaign using a ‘Hybrid AI’ approach. This innovative method merges human creativity with generative AI, combining live-action film, CGI, and photography. A key technical milestone of the project, developed with Blunt House and nmatic.ai, is the creation of the world’s largest AI digital twin of a single object—a Fred. Olsen cruise ship.
This reusable virtual model eliminates the need for repeated physical shoots, offering greater flexibility for future campaigns. The Hybrid AI production model is also highly efficient, promising to deliver content up to five times faster and at a 70% cost saving compared to traditional methods.
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IBM Announces Sovereign Core Platform for Cloud and AI Workloads
IBM has announced IBM Sovereign Core, a new software platform designed to help organizations meet digital sovereignty and compliance requirements for their cloud and AI workloads. Built on Red Hat OpenShift, the platform gives businesses enhanced control over their data.
Sovereign Core enables the deployment of isolated workloads within specific geographic boundaries. Crucially, it ensures that all authentication, authorization, and encryption keys remain entirely under the organization’s control. The platform is designed to operate on existing infrastructure, including on-premises data centers and regional clouds. A technical preview will be available in February, with general availability slated for mid-2026.
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EeroQ Announces Breakthrough in Quantum Computing’s ‘Wire Problem’
Quantum computing firm EeroQ has announced a major breakthrough in solving the industry’s critical ‘wire problem.’ The company demonstrated a control chip that can transport its unique qubits—electrons floating on superfluid helium—across a chip without loss or error. This achievement is made possible by a novel wiring and control architecture that dramatically reduces the number of physical control lines needed.
EeroQ’s engineers have successfully managed many electrons with just a few dozen wires. The company projects this method is highly scalable, potentially allowing for the control of approximately one million electrons with fewer than 50 control lines, a significant step toward building large-scale quantum computers.
Microsoft’s January 2026 Patch Tuesday Addresses 114 Vulnerabilities, Including an Actively Exploited Zero-Day
Microsoft’s first Patch Tuesday of 2026 addresses 114 security vulnerabilities, including eight rated as critical. A key fix targets an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability in the Desktop Window Manager (CVE-2026-20805). This information disclosure flaw could allow an attacker to access sensitive system memory.
The January security update resolves a wide range of issues, including:
- 58 privilege escalation flaws
- 22 information disclosure vulnerabilities
- 21 remote code execution (RCE) bugs
Additional updates for Windows 11 address a power management issue on devices with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), remove certain modem drivers, and fix networking issues in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
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European Commission Initiates Consultation on Open-Source Strategy to Bolster Digital Sovereignty
The European Commission is seeking to bolster the EU’s digital sovereignty with a new European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy. The initiative, now open for public consultation, aims to reduce the region’s dependence on non-European technology providers by treating open-source software as core infrastructure.
The Commission notes that while 70-90% of modern software uses open-source components, the primary commercial benefits often go to large tech companies outside the EU. The ‘Call for Evidence’ is open until February 3, 2026, inviting input on scaling up European open-source solutions. The final strategy, expected in Q1 2026, will create a framework to support the entire open-source lifecycle.
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