Alibaba Tops China’s Internet & Retail Rankings, Eyes AI Supremacy
Alibaba has been ranked the world’s most admired Chinese internet and retail company by Fortune, placing third globally in the sector behind Amazon and Alphabet. The tech giant climbed five spots from last year, though it didn’t break into the overall top 50. Meanwhile, Alibaba Cloud is making waves in AI, launching its Qwen 2.5-Max model, which it claims outperforms DeepSeek’s latest AI.
China’s CXMT Advances DRAM Tech, Defies US Sanctions
ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has reached a key milestone in China’s semiconductor race, developing DDR5 DRAM chips using a 16nm node process. This advancement narrows the gap with global leaders like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, despite U.S. sanctions aimed at restricting China’s access to advanced chip technology. The 16-gigabit chip, built on CXMT’s G4 DRAM technology, features 20% smaller memory cells than its predecessor, boosting storage density. As DDR5 is set to dominate the market through 2027, CXMT’s progress signals China’s resilience and growing competitiveness in the global semiconductor industry.
Unitree Predicts Humanoid Robot Breakthrough by 2026
Chinese robotics firm Unitree, known for its quadruped robot dogs, is betting big on humanoid robots. The company forecasts a major leap in capabilities by 2026, with improved AI-driven perception, comprehension, and task execution unlocking clear commercial applications within five years. Unitree made headlines during China’s Spring Festival Gala, where 16 AI-powered humanoid robots performed a synchronized folk dance—the world’s first large-scale autonomous humanoid performance.
EU Targets E-Commerce Giants: New Rules for Safer Online Shopping
The European Union is set to make e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon Marketplace liable for dangerous or illegal products sold online. A proposed customs reform would require these platforms to provide data before goods arrive in the EU, enabling better inspection and compliance checks. Currently, buyers are considered importers, but the reform shifts responsibility to retailers, mandating them to collect duties, VAT, and ensure regulatory compliance. A new central EU customs authority (EUCA) will screen shipments before arrival, tightening control over online imports.
IBM's AI-Powered Surge: Software Growth Fuels Optimism
IBM exceeded Q4 profit expectations, driven by a strong performance in its software division as businesses ramped up IT spending, particularly in AI and cloud infrastructure. The software segment saw its highest revenue jump in five years, boosting IBM’s profit margins. The company forecasted at least 5% revenue growth in 2025, signaling confidence in its AI strategy. IBM’s open-source AI models contrast with paid alternatives from rivals like Microsoft. However, consulting revenue dipped 2%, reflecting a shift toward long-term AI integration deals.
US Tech Giants Embrace DeepSeek’s AI Despite Rising Scrutiny
Despite mounting scrutiny, Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek is making waves in the US tech industry. Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon have swiftly integrated DeepSeek’s R1 model, praising its high reasoning efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Nvidia has added R1 to its NIM microservice, while Microsoft and GitHub now support it on Azure. Amazon Web Services has also enabled developers to leverage the model. DeepSeek’s rapid rise has raised concerns about overspending on Nvidia GPUs, causing stock fluctuations. With its open-source approach and competitive performance, DeepSeek is proving to be a disruptive force in AI.
Samsung Faces AI Chip Struggles Amid US Export Curbs
Samsung Electronics warned of weak AI chip sales due to US export restrictions on China, impacting its HBM chip business. The company, lagging behind SK Hynix in supplying high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to Nvidia, plans to launch improved HBM3E chips in March. Samsung’s Q4 profit fell 29% from Q3, with smartphone and PC demand remaining weak. The company also dropped its Exynos chip for the Galaxy S25, relying entirely on Qualcomm. Analysts say Samsung’s 2025 success hinges on meeting Nvidia’s demand for 12-layer HBM3E chips, as rivals SK Hynix and TSMC report record profits.
