China’s AI Boom Lures Top U.S. Graduates as Startups Gain Momentum
China’s AI sector is drawing talent from elite U.S. schools like Harvard and Stanford, as emerging firms like DeepSeek and Manycore Tech gain global recognition. Manycore, a spatial software startup and one of Hangzhou’s “Six Dragons,” has seen a surge in applications, including from Silicon Valley returnees. The shift comes amid rising U.S. immigration uncertainty and a growing demand for AI talent. As China’s AI landscape rapidly evolves, top-tier talent is increasingly choosing homegrown innovation over traditional tech hubs.
Meituan Joins China’s AI Race with Billion-Dollar Chip Investments
Meituan, China’s leading food delivery giant, is investing billions in AI training chips, with plans to ramp up spending further this year, CEO Wang Xing revealed. The move aligns with a broader trend among Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba, which recently pledged 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) for AI and cloud infrastructure over three years.
PDD Misses Revenue Estimates as China’s Weak Spending Persists
E-commerce giant PDD Holdings, operator of Pinduoduo and Temu, reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue, reflecting continued weak consumer demand in China despite deep discounts and government stimulus. Competition from Alibaba and JD.com, which both posted stronger results, further pressured PDD’s domestic business. However, the company’s international arm, Temu, remains a bright spot, attracting budget-conscious shoppers globally. Still, looming U.S. trade policy changes threaten Temu’s low-cost advantage.
Google Bets Big on Cybersecurity with $32 Billion Wiz Acquisition
Alphabet is acquiring Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion, marking its largest deal ever as it aims to strengthen Google Cloud against Microsoft and Amazon. Wiz, known for scanning cloud platforms for security risks, will continue operating independently while expanding its multi-cloud support. The deal, which follows Google’s $5.4 billion Mandiant acquisition, highlights its push to reduce reliance on ad revenue and grow its 12% cloud market share.
Perplexity AI Eyes $18 Billion Valuation Amid Search War with Google
AI startup Perplexity is in talks to raise up to $1 billion at a staggering $18 billion valuation—double its last reported figure—as it seeks to expand its AI-driven search platform. Backed by Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and SoftBank, Perplexity is ramping up competition against Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT with features like Deep Research and the upcoming Comet browser. However, the company faces plagiarism accusations from major media outlets.
BMW Partners with Huawei to Build Smart In-Car Ecosystem in China
BMW is teaming up with Huawei to integrate the HarmonyOS operating system into its vehicles, enhancing digital connectivity for Chinese consumers. With nearly a quarter of BMW app users in China relying on Huawei devices, the collaboration will introduce features like the HarmonyOS-based BMW Digital Key in 2024 and the Huawei HiCar system in locally produced Neue Klasse models by 2026. BMW is also working with Chinese tech firms on AI-powered mobility innovations.
AI Breakthrough Promises Faster, More Accurate Weather Forecasting
A new AI-powered weather prediction system, Aardvark Weather, could revolutionize forecasting by delivering highly accurate predictions tens of times faster while using a fraction of the computing power. Developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, Microsoft, and ECMWF, the AI model bypasses traditional supercomputer-based methods, making forecasting more accessible and cost-effective. It has the potential to improve natural disaster predictions and provide tailored forecasts for industries like agriculture and renewable energy.
