OpenAI, Anthropic, Waymo Dominate Record $189B February VC Funding – AI Takes 90%
Global VC hit a staggering $189 billion in February, the highest ever for the month, with AI startups capturing 90% ($171B). OpenAI led with $110B at $730B valuation, followed by Anthropic's $30B Series G and Waymo's $16B – these three alone took 83% of total funds.
Intelligence Stream
Defense Contractors Like Lockheed Removing Anthropic's Claude After Trump Ban
Major U.S. defense firms are purging Anthropic's AI tools following a Trump administration directive banning federal use of Claude over safety and alignment concerns. This escalates the Pentagon-Anthropic rift, forcing contractors to certify Claude-free workflows.
Microsoft and Alphabet Pour Billions More into AI Infrastructure
MSFT and GOOGL ramp up massive AI capex despite concerns, committing billions to datacenters and models amid hyperscaler spending spree.
Veea Launches VeeaVision AI for Real-Time Edge Automation
Veea (NASDAQ: VEEA) commercially launches edge AI vision app powered by IoT for intelligent visual automation.
Pentagon's Anthropic Ban Raises Questions on DoD AI Readiness and FY26 Budgets
The DoD's designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk prompts contractors to pivot models, but experts warn it hampers military AI adoption amid FY26 spending plans.
Google Gemini AI to Order Groceries, Book Rides in Agentic Beta
Gemini app gains multistep agentic capabilities for tasks like grocery ordering and ridesharing, rolling out in beta in US and South Korea.
AI companies are spending millions to thwart this former tech exec's congressional bid
A super PAC backed by AI giants is deploying $125M to block pro-regulation candidates, including a former tech exec running for Congress amid 2026 election battles.
Sources: Pentagon's Anthropic Crackdown Based on Dubious Legal Grounds, Ideology
Insiders claim the ban stems more from politics than real risks, potentially exposing compliant contractors to lawsuits while stalling DoD AI progress.
Pentagon dispute bolsters Anthropic reputation but raises questions about AI readiness in military
Anthropic's stand against unrestricted military AI use enhances its ethics rep but exposes DoD readiness gaps amid China rivalry. OpenAI steps in as alternative.
Anduril aims at $60 billion valuation in new funding round
AI-powered defense startup Anduril is raising funds at a $60B valuation, nearly doubling from $30B in under a year, fueled by demand for autonomous drones and military AI.
Claude Code rolls out a voice mode capability
Anthropic launches voice interaction for Claude Code, allowing developers to dictate and converse during coding sessions for more natural workflows.
Deepen AI Announces Seed Round to Scale Sensor Fusion for Physical AI
Deepen AI raised seed funding led by Majlis Advisory to advance ground-truth data for robotics and physical AI applications.
Securing AI Inference: The Overlooked Security Frontier in 2026
Experts at conference highlight inference attacks as bigger enterprise risk than training, urging defenses for deployed AI models.
AMD and Meta Platforms Announce Massive 6GW GPU Deal, Challenging Nvidia’s Dominance
Meta has inked a multi-year pact with AMD for 6GW of AI compute using custom Instinct MI450 GPUs and EPYC CPUs, valued at $60-100B over five years with first GW online late 2026. The deal includes performance warrants for Meta to buy up to 160M AMD shares, positioning AMD centrally in AI infrastructure.
Santander and Mastercard Complete First AI Agent Payment
Banking giant Santander partnered with Mastercard for the world's first payment executed by an AI agent, marking a milestone in autonomous AI commerce.
Alibaba Qwen Tech Lead Junyang Lin Steps Down
Junyang Lin, the public face and tech lead behind Alibaba's acclaimed Qwen open-source models, has departed the team amid ongoing developments.
AI Adoption Becomes Standard in the Creator Economy, Report Finds
New report reveals AI is now essential for content creators, boosting efficiency in video, images, and ads amid rising competition.
AI contract restrictions could threaten military missions, US official says
Pentagon under secretary Emil Michael warns that Biden-era AI contracts with sweeping restrictions could halt operations mid-combat, citing Anthropic's Claude terms that block planning involving 'kinetics'. OpenAI amended its deal to allow lawful uses, while Anthropic faces bans. Officials push multi-vendor strategy to avoid lock-in.
Anthropic's AI Safety Policy Just Changed: No More Automatic Pauses on 'Dangerous' Models
Anthropic updated its Responsible Scaling Policy to evaluate potentially dangerous models case-by-case instead of auto-pausing development, aiming for more flexibility amid rapid AI advances.
X Suspends Revenue Sharing for Unlabeled AI-Generated Conflict Posts
Platform updates policy to penalize creators posting AI-generated content on armed conflicts without disclosure, amid concerns over misinformation.
AI Adoption Becomes Standard in the Creator Economy, Report Finds
A new report highlights AI as an essential tool in content creation, now standard practice for creators across platforms.
Google Releases Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite: Cost-Efficient Model for High-Scale Production AI
Newest Gemini variant offers adjustable thinking levels and top efficiency for developers, now in preview via Gemini API.
OpenAI Rolls Out GPT-5.3 Instant to All ChatGPT Users for More Accurate Responses
Update aims to reduce 'cringe' outputs and improve reliability, now live for everyone.
US Agencies Phase Out Anthropic Claude for OpenAI and Google AI
State, Treasury, HHS, and others switch from Claude amid Trump-ordered phase-out over contract disputes on military safeguards; OpenAI secures DoD classified network deal.
Hacked traffic cams and hijacked TVs: How cyber operations supported the war against Iran
New reports detail AI-assisted cyber attacks hijacking Iranian infrastructure like traffic cams and TVs to disrupt operations during conflict.
U.S. Considers New Caps on Nvidia Chips Exports to China
Amid escalating tensions, the U.S. is eyeing restrictions on advanced AI chips from Nvidia to China, causing shares to slip in late trading.
Activist Investor Elliott Takes $1B Stake in Pinterest, Betting on AI-Driven Growth
Elliott Management discloses a $1 billion position in Pinterest, advocating for accelerated AI enhancements to boost user engagement and revenue.
Broadcom Earnings Preview: $8.2B AI Revenue Guidance in Focus
AVGO reports Q1 FY2026 after close on March 4, with analysts eyeing AI accelerator growth and potential beat on hyperscaler demand.
NEAR Co-Founder: AI Agents Will Be Primary Users of Blockchain
Illia Polosukhin predicts AI agents will dominate blockchain interactions, handling wallets, swaps, and governance as the new front-end interface for crypto.
Logicalis 2026 CIO Report: Surging AI Investments Outpace Readiness
CIOs report racing to deploy AI faster than infrastructure allows, per Logicalis survey of global leaders.
Chrome Speeds Up Release Schedule Amid AI Browser Competition
Google accelerates Chrome updates to counter rising AI-powered browsers from startups.
Google launches Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite preview: Fastest, most cost-efficient Gemini 3 model
Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite rolls out in preview via API/Vertex AI; 45% faster output than prior, dynamic thinking for tasks. Optimized for high-volume, low-latency agentic/data extraction.
Nvidia Stock Poised for March Surge on AI Momentum
Analysts bullish on NVDA with $263 PT, citing datacenter dominance ahead of GTC.
Huawei Pioneers Mobile AI Era with GigaUplink and Autonomous Networks at MWC
At MWC 2026, Huawei and partners unveiled AI-centric networks for mobile AI, including GigaUplink for ultra-high speeds and advanced autonomy.
14.ai Emerges from Stealth with World's First AI-Native Customer Service Agency
14.ai launched an autonomous AI agency for customer service, handling complex interactions without human oversight using multi-agent systems.
IEC Group Releases AI in Talent Intelligence & Development Study 2026
IEC's report maps 20 AI tools transforming talent acquisition, upskilling, and HR workflows across enterprises.
Anthropic's Claude App Dethrones ChatGPT as #1 iPhone App Amid OpenAI-Pentagon Backlash
Claude surged to the top of Apple's App Store following controversies over OpenAI's defense deal, with users citing privacy and ethics concerns driving the switch.
CommerceIQ Launches Retail AI Agents Outperforming Traditional Tools
New suite of AI agents combined with human oversight claims 10-100x better results than SaaS reporting for brands.
Goldman Sachs: AI Investments Show No Broad Productivity Gains
Goldman Sachs earnings call highlights lack of meaningful AI impact on economy-wide productivity, with benefits limited to just 30% in specific areas despite massive corporate spending.
Huawei Pushes Agentic Operations as New Paradigm for Trillion-Dollar Market
At MWC, Huawei showcased AI agents evolving from hype to habit, proposing infrastructure for agentic AI in enterprise operations.
CloudZero Launches Claude Code Plugin for AI Cost Intelligence
New plugin integrates cost monitoring directly into Claude Code workflows, helping devs track AI spend in real-time.
Apple introduces MacBook Pro with all-new M5 Pro and M5 Max
Apple launched redesigned MacBook Pros powered by M5 Pro/Max chips boasting faster Neural Engines, GPU Neural Accelerators, and up to 4x AI performance for running LLMs on-device.
AI’s hidden bias: Chatbots can influence opinions without trying
Yale study shows AI chatbots like GPT-4o subtly shift users' political views through latent biases in neutral summaries, leaning liberal vs. Wikipedia. Prompting can amplify shifts. Raises alarms on unintended opinion influence.
With NSF Award, WSU Crop Scientist Harnesses AI to Identify Higher-Yielding Wheat
Washington State University researcher receives NSF grant to use AI for breeding higher-yield wheat varieties, tackling food security challenges.
Addepar Unveils Addison, Native AI for Investment Workflows
Wealth management platform Addepar introduces Addison, an AI copilot delivering actionable insights across portfolios.
HHS Starts Phasing Out Anthropic's Claude from Health Tools
The Department of Health and Human Services is directing staff to stop using Claude following Trump's order labeling Anthropic a security risk over Pentagon dispute. This extends the federal pivot away from Claude amid ethics clashes on military use.
Fig Security emerges from stealth with $38M to help security teams deal with change
Israeli cyber vets launch Fig Security with $38M to track data flows in complex stacks amid AI shifts, alerting on changes impacting security.
CloudEagle.ai Launches Autonomous Enforcement for AI Governance Crisis
Amid rapid enterprise AI adoption, CloudEagle.ai released a tool for autonomous policy enforcement to address governance gaps. It automates compliance checks for AI usage. The move targets the 'AI gold rush' lacking oversight.
The Pentagon’s fight with Anthropic was the first real test for how we will control powerful AI. The bad news: we all failed
Pentagon labeled Anthropic a 'supply chain risk' after it refused unrestricted military access, sparking debate on AI governance in democracy. OpenAI filled the void with a Pentagon deal, amid agencies like HHS ditching Claude. Highlights AI outpacing policy, with risks of nationalization.
Studies Show Developers Using AI Code Tools Work Longer Hours
New research reveals AI boosts code output but leads to more post-release bugs and extended hours, questioning productivity gains.
Silicon Valley Recruits Challenger to Unseat Rep. Ro Khanna
Tech billionaires back a candidate to primary progressive Rep. Ro Khanna, who has clashed with industry on AI regulation.
Meta Platforms Tipped as Top Magnificent Seven AI Play
META leads pack with Llama models and AI infra bets, undervalued vs peers.
wearemighty Launches SecretSauce AI for Always-On Brand Content
Singapore-based wearemighty unveils SecretSauce, an AI platform generating scalable, on-brand content for marketing teams.
Google's March Pixel Drop Brings New AI Personalization and Gemini App Integration
Pixel devices get enhanced Circle to Search, Gemini for multi-step tasks like grocery ordering and restaurant bookings, plus Now Playing app and custom icons. Updates aim to make AI more proactive in daily use. Pixel Watch adds security features.
Accenture to Acquire Ookla to Strengthen Network Intelligence with Data and AI
Accenture announced plans to buy Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, to enhance enterprise network insights using AI and data analytics.
OpenAI Rolls Out GPT-5.3 Instant to All ChatGPT Users
The update to ChatGPT's most popular model improves conversational flow, reduces hallucinations by up to 26.8%, cuts unnecessary refusals, and delivers more natural, accurate responses based on user feedback.
LLMs Can Unmask Pseudonymous Social Media Users With High Accuracy
Research shows large language models can deanonymize burner accounts by analyzing posting patterns, raising privacy concerns on platforms.
Massive AI Deals Drive $189B Startup Funding Record In February 2026
Global VC funding surged to a record $189 billion in February, propelled by blockbuster AI investments in labs like OpenAI and Anthropic amid booming demand. The frenzy contrasts with slumping public software stocks.
Ayar Labs Raises $500M Series E Led by NVIDIA and AMD for AI Optical Interconnects
Chip startup Ayar Labs secured $500M at $3.8B valuation to scale co-packaged optics, replacing copper bottlenecks in AI data centers with light-based I/O.
OpenAI Amends Pentagon Deal Amid Surveillance Backlash
Following user uproar and uninstall surges, OpenAI revises its defense contract to explicitly bar mass surveillance uses.
Multiverse Computing Launches CompactifAI App for Offline Edge AI
New app compresses AI models for edge devices, enabling offline inference without cloud dependency.
Scientists Create Pocket-Sized AI Vision Model Using Monkey Neuron Data
Researchers shrunk an AI vision model to tiny size by training on macaque monkey brain data, hinting at biological efficiency for edge AI devices.
Infosys and Intel deepen strategic collaboration for enterprise AI
Infosys and Intel expanded their partnership to accelerate AI adoption in enterprises globally, unlocking value through advanced AI solutions.
Huawei releases 115 industrial intelligence showcases at MWC
Huawei unveiled 115 AI-driven industrial cases with global partners at MWC Barcelona 2026, focusing on intelligent transformation across sectors.
UMEVO launches Note Plus, ChatGPT-powered AI notetaker
UMEVO released Note Plus with mind maps, custom summaries, and unlimited AI transcription using advanced models.
Santander and Mastercard Run Europe's First AI-Executed Payment Pilot
Santander and Mastercard tested Europe's inaugural AI-driven payment execution, streamlining transactions with real-time intelligence. The pilot showcases AI in fintech operations. Success could accelerate agentic AI in banking.
Scientel Runs 6 Trillion Parameter LLM on Ohio Supercomputer
Scientel achieved a milestone by executing a 6T parameter LLM on Ohio State OSC systems, highlighting scalable inference advances. DeepSeek R1 noted as breakthrough. Pushes boundaries for large-scale AI compute.
AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series Brings NPUs and Upgraded Graphics to Desktop AM5 Socket
AMD announces Ryzen AI 400 CPUs targeting business PCs with enhanced NPUs for AI workloads, newer GPUs, and compatibility with existing AM5 motherboards.
Big Google Home update lets Gemini describe live camera feeds
Google's latest Home app update introduces Live Search, where Gemini analyzes real-time camera feeds to describe events like package deliveries or driveway activity. It also boosts model quality for sharper answers and better smart home context awareness.
FDA grants breakthrough designation to RecovryAI generative chatbot
In first for clinical AI, FDA signals regulatory path with breakthrough status for RecovryAI, accelerating reviews for AI diagnostics and treatments.
Dyna.Ai Raises Eight-Figure Series A for Agentic AI in Fintech
Agentic AI startup Dyna.Ai landed a multimillion-dollar Series A to scale autonomous AI agents for financial services. The funding accelerates deployment amid rising demand for intelligent automation.
Searcherries releases AI Search Statistics Report: 59% say AI reduces traditional search
New report reveals nearly 60% of users believe AI search tools will replace or reduce reliance on conventional search engines.
Georgia lawmakers advance bills to regulate AI and algorithms
State Senate passes measure targeting AI transparency; House considers algorithmic accountability amid concerns over bias and deepfakes.
Nexi Group and Google Cloud ink MoU for agentic commerce in Europe
Paytech giant Nexi partners with Google Cloud to build autonomous AI agents transforming payments and e-commerce across Europe.
Huawei Proposes AI-Centric All-Optical Network at MWC 2026
Huawei unveiled vision and products for AI-optimized optical networks to boost bandwidth and reliability for AI services.
Claude outage disrupts thousands as login errors spike
Anthropic's Claude hits second outage in 24h, affecting web/app but sparing API amid surging demand.
Meta patents AI model to keep deceased users' profiles 'alive'
Meta has patented an AI system that generates posts and comments mimicking dead users' past behavior to maintain their online presence. The tech analyzes psychology and grief dynamics for realistic interactions.
Multiverse Computing Launches CompactifAI App for Offline AI on Edge Devices
New app enables advanced AI models to run on-device without cloud or internet, targeting quantum-inspired efficiency for edge computing.
Perplexity accuses News Corp of trying to 'entrap' its AI chatbot for copyright lawsuit
Perplexity claims Dow Jones and New York Post conducted a 'fishing expedition' by prompting its AI to reproduce paywalled content to build a copyright infringement case.
Legal tech's hidden mobile-AI gap stalls genAI adoption
GenAI excels on desktops but mobile limitations hinder lawyers' on-the-go workflows, per Harvey exec.
Meta rolls out AI shopping tool to US testers
Meta is testing an AI-powered shopping assistant in the US, rivaling features in ChatGPT and Gemini, to enhance e-commerce discovery via natural language.
Senhwa Biosciences partners with AI biotech CellType on immunotherapy evolution
Senhwa signed a strategic MOU with Y Combinator-backed CellType to leverage AI in advancing CX-4945 into next-gen immunotherapy.
Peter Thiel sells $290M in PLTR stock as Palantir surges nearly 6% on AI-driven rally
Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel filed to offload up to 2M shares worth ~$290M amid a stock surge tied to its AI platforms' role in recent US-Israel military ops.
Sabre unveils AI-native Mosaic platform in once-in-a-generation rebuild
Travel tech firm Sabre launched its AI-first unified cloud platform Mosaic at ITB Berlin, aiming to transform the industry with advanced AI capabilities.
Databricks Opens 13000 SQM Amsterdam Office to Accelerate Benelux Expansion
Databricks launches a massive new office in Amsterdam to boost data and AI growth in Europe, signaling aggressive expansion in the region.
COMPUTEX 2026 Brings the Global AI Ecosystem to Taipei
COMPUTEX 2026 announces 1,500 exhibitors and 6,000 booths focused on AI, positioning Taipei as a global AI benchmark with visitor pre-registration now open.
Alibaba Releases Qwen 3.5 Small Models: 0.8B-9B Series Rivals Larger OSS on Laptops
Alibaba's Qwen team launched Qwen3.5-0.8B, 2B, 4B, and 9B models optimized for on-device use, achieving GPT-OSS-level performance with multimodal vision and tool-calling.
Scientel achieves 6 trillion parameter LLM run on supercomputer
Scientel ran a 6T parameter LLM using DeepSeek model on Ohio State OSC supercomputer, advancing large-scale AI training capabilities.
OpenAI amends DoD deal to curb mass surveillance
OpenAI updated its Pentagon contract with explicit limits on surveillance applications following backlash and Anthropic's refusal.
HONOR Advances Its AI Vision at MWC 2026 with Robot Phone, Humanoid Robot and Magic V6
HONOR showcased its Augmented Human Intelligence ecosystem including the Robot Phone with embodied AI for natural interactions, Magic V6 foldable smartphone, and new tablets/laptops at MWC Barcelona.
HONOR Advances Its AI Vision at MWC 2026 with Robot Phone, Humanoid Robot and Magic V6
HONOR unveiled AI-powered robot phone, humanoid robot, and Magic V6 foldable at MWC, pushing boundaries in AI device ecosystem and robotics.
Giving LLMs a personality is just good engineering
AI systems like Claude and ChatGPT require human-like personalities in post-training to filter harmful outputs, enhance usefulness, and align with human values, countering skeptics' calls for tool-like presentation.
OpenAI amends Pentagon contract amid surveillance backlash
Facing criticism echoing Anthropic's concerns, OpenAI adds limits on mass surveillance to its DoD agreement.
HONOR Advances Its AI Vision at MWC 2026 with Robot Phone, Humanoid Robot and Magic V6
HONOR unveils innovative AI hardware including a robot phone, humanoid robot, and the Magic V6 chipset, pushing boundaries in mobile and robotics AI at MWC.
OpenAI amends A.I. deal with the Pentagon amid surveillance concerns
OpenAI updated its Pentagon contract with added protections against mass surveillance use, responding to backlash and ethical worries post-Anthropic fallout.
OpenAI amends Pentagon contract amid backlash over surveillance concerns
Sam Altman admits the OpenAI-DoD deal was rushed and adds explicit limits on mass surveillance use, following Anthropic's refusal and public outcry.
Anthropic makes switching from competitors easier with new transfer memory tool
Claude now imports preferences and context from rival AIs, updating memory automatically to pick up where users left off.
Huawei Launches Next-Generation Voice Virtual Agents for AICC
At MWC 2026, Huawei unveils hyper-human voice AI for contact centers, advancing conversational tech.
Nvidia Pours $4B Into Photonics To Scale AI Data Centers
Nvidia announced $4B investments ($2B each) in Lumentum and Coherent for advanced laser optics and silicon photonics to enable gigawatt-scale AI factories and next-gen infrastructure.
Canadian AI powerhouse Cohere rumored to eye public listing soon
Cohere is spotlighted as a leading AI contender alongside OpenAI and Anthropic, with speculation building around a potential IPO amid the booming AI sector.
Lee Sedol returns 10 years after AlphaGo defeat to demo 'agentic AI' with Enhans
Go legend Lee Sedol partners with agentic AI startup Enhans for a global campaign showcasing AI as creative partner. Event features Sedol building a game via AI collaboration. Highlights evolution from AlphaGo rivalry to symbiotic human-AI creation.