Machine Learning

NVIDIA Advances Physical AI with Project GR00T for Humanoid Robots NVIDIA is accelerating the development of physical AI with the announcement of Project GR00T and the Cosmos world foundation model at its GTC 2026 conference. Project GR00T (Generalist Robot 00 Technology) is a general-purpose foundation model designed to empower humanoid robots to understand natural language and learn complex skills by observing human actions. To support this initiative, NVIDIA is releasing new simulation frameworks within Isaac Sim and new AI models. The company is deepening its partnerships with leading robotics firms like ABB Robotics, FANUC, KUKA, and YASKAWA, integrating its Omniverse and Isaac simulation platforms to develop and test sophisticated robot applications via digital twins. Furthermore, NVIDIA is collaborating with companies such as Skild AI and Workr to deploy AI-driven robotics for intricate manufacturing tasks like electronics assembly. ...

Nuro Tests Self-Driving Cars in Tokyo, Marking First International Expansion U.S. self-driving startup Nuro has commenced testing its autonomous vehicles on public roads in Tokyo, representing the company’s first international deployment. The vehicles are currently operating with safety drivers present. This expansion is notable as Nuro claims its system did not require pre-training on local Japanese driving data, a capability it refers to as “zero-shot” autonomy. The company’s technology is designed to learn the fundamental principles of safe driving, allowing it to adapt to new environments like Tokyo’s dense and complex streets, which feature left-side driving and different traffic patterns from the U.S. Backed by investors including Nvidia and Toyota, Nuro has established a local office and deployed a small number of test cars to begin data collection. The company is also partnered with Uber and Lucid Group. ...

Samsung Enters AI Smart Glasses Market with Project HAEAN Samsung has officially announced its entry into the AI smart glasses market with ‘Project HAEAN’, revealed at MWC 2026. The device will feature an eye-level camera and connect to a smartphone for processing, a design choice aimed at keeping the glasses lightweight. Positioned as a direct competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, which currently dominate the market, Samsung’s offering is slated for a 2026 launch. The smart glasses are being developed in partnership with Qualcomm and Google, leveraging their respective expertise in chips and AI. This move from Samsung is expected to significantly intensify competition in the nascent AI smart glasses sector. ...

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning AI Industry Sees Major Developments in Early March 2026 The artificial intelligence sector has experienced a flurry of significant activity in early March 2026, marked by major infrastructure adjustments and new AI model advancements. In a notable development, Oracle and OpenAI have reportedly canceled plans to expand a major AI data center in Texas. This facility was a key part of the ‘Stargate’ infrastructure project, but disagreements over financing and evolving demands from OpenAI led to its cancellation. Concurrently, the AI model landscape continues its rapid evolution with OpenAI’s launch of GPT-5.4, a new model boasting enhanced reasoning and coding capabilities. Adding to the industry’s momentum, the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) has released Olmo Hybrid, a new open-source 7B-parameter model demonstrating improved data efficiency. These events highlight the dynamic nature of the AI industry, with simultaneous shifts in both large-scale infrastructure and the continuous innovation of AI models. ...

Northwestern’s Evolving Robots Showcase ‘Athletic Intelligence’ and Self-Repair Researchers at Northwestern Engineering have pioneered a new class of modular robots, dubbed “legged metamachines,” that exhibit athletic intelligence and can dynamically adapt to their environment. These robots are built from autonomous, LEGO-like modules, allowing for assembly into numerous configurations. A standout feature is their remarkable ability to recover from damage; for example, if a leg breaks, the remaining parts can continue to function and reconfigure for mobility. The designs were optimized using an AI-driven evolutionary algorithm that simulated natural selection to identify the most efficient and versatile body types for movement. According to the researchers, these are the first robots to be evolved within a computer and then successfully deployed in a real-world outdoor environment. ...

IIT Kharagpur Launches New School for Applied AI to Boost Industry Innovation The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has announced the launch of its new School of Digital Engineering, Applied Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. This new school is designed to be a premier hub for research and innovation, with a strong focus on industry integration to promote the real-world application of AI technologies. According to the institution’s director, Suman Chakraborty, this initiative represents a significant shift in institutionalizing applied AI. The ultimate goal is to position IIT Kharagpur as a leading global center for developing responsible and sovereign AI for key sectors like healthcare and manufacturing. ...

AI Transforms Financial Data Preparation and Visualization Artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools are becoming essential for finance professionals, streamlining the preparation and visualization of data. These AI-powered technologies help identify ideal client profiles and buyer personas, enabling financial practices to target the best-fit businesses. The adoption of AI is a significant trend, with a recent global report noting that early adopters gain a competitive edge but also face increasing risks, highlighting the dual nature of integrating emerging tech into the financial sector. ...

Telefónica and Nokia Pioneer New AI-Agent API Monetization Models Telefónica is exploring how agentic AI can shift revenue models for network APIs away from traditional per-call pricing. In a collaboration with Nokia, Telefónica has been testing AI software agents to support network API use as part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. A key application, showcased with Mavenir, is a ‘No-Show Prediction’ agent designed to forecast attendance and trigger interventions, reducing missed appointments in sectors like healthcare and retail. According to Telefónica’s Alex Harmand, other monetizable use cases include identity orchestration, context-aware risk scoring for payments, and network quality optimization for enterprise clients. ...

Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles Autonomous Vehicles Set for Breakout Year in 2026 The autonomous vehicle industry is poised for a significant turning point in 2026, with analysts projecting the global fleet to grow tenfold by 2030. This rapid expansion is fueled by AI advancements that are successfully reducing deployment costs and timelines. Companies like Waymo are expanding services to new cities, and the global robotaxi market is expected to surpass 100,000 vehicles. The growth of autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs) will also demand major investments in charging infrastructure and data centers. European hubs like London are becoming key testing grounds for new autonomous vehicle pilots from international firms. ...

AI & Machine Learning: Quantum Breakthroughs, Marketing Shifts, and Physics-Informed AI This week in AI and Machine Learning, researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have developed a method to track the real-time fluctuations of qubits, a significant step towards more stable quantum computers. In the business world, Coca-Cola is increasingly turning to AI to inform its marketing strategies, moving from a price-focused approach to one of persuasion. Meanwhile, a new AI algorithm from EPFL incorporates Newton’s third law to ensure physical simulations remain stable and accurate over extended periods. ...