Today in AI

• News roundup

• Today’s big story

• This week on the podcast

• AI events

News roundup

The top stories in AI today.

NEW LAUNCHES

The latest features, products & partnerships in AI

• Cognizant’s new AI agents let you prototype without code

• Dropbox’s ‘Dash’ gives you AI-powered insights into your content

• Motorola embraces AI with new large action model

• Center for Universal Education launches task force to assess AI in education

• Nvidia enhances AI cyber defense with new container protection app

• YouTube Music may add long-awaited playlist feature

• PCMAG introduces new series to teach you clever and inspiring ways to use AI

• Adobe teases AI tools for 3D scenes and animation

MONEY FLOWS

Economics, Wall Street, investing & fundraising

• Tech giants back AI search visualizer Tako with major investment

• Magic Leap founder raises $20M for new AI startup SynthBee

• Brookings publishes new study projecting AI’s long-term fiscal impact

• AI chip stocks dip: Is now the time to buy?

• Can Wall Street’s 2-year rally continue with so much AI concentration?

• What investors should know about AI tools for crypto

• US to invest $750M in Wolfspeed for advanced chip production

• Decagon lands $65M for agent-powered customer service system

IMPLEMENTATION

Announcements, strategies & tools

• How Heineken is using generative AI to boost innovation

• How to separate real innovation from AI hype

• Predictive, prescriptive and generative AI — how each is impacting our world

• If you want a job in AI, experts say better have domain expertise

• TikTok’s Smart+ promises AI gains for marketers — but it’s still a black box

HARDWARE

Computers, phones, chips & AI powered devices

• AI weather reports expand to more Pixel devices

• Android users get free access to Google’s Gemini AI assistant

• Samsung Galaxy S24 FE comes with free $100 Amazon gift card

• Arm expands ecosystem for efficient AI data center chips

• Boston AI chipmaker valued at $4.4B relocates to California

• Amazon partners with Databricks to boost AI chip competitiveness

• This AI-powered dog collar gives your pet the gift of speech

What’s happening in AI right now

Betting big on silicon

The semiconductor industry is experiencing seismic shifts as artificial intelligence drives innovation, investment, and talent acquisition. Recent developments highlight the fierce competition among tech hubs, companies, and nations to secure a leading position in the AI-powered future.

Silicon Valley's magnetic pull

Boston-based AI chipmaker Lightmatter's recent relocation to Mountain View, California, underscores Silicon Valley's enduring allure for tech talent and investment. The company, which specializes in photonic computer chips using light for calculations and data transfer, secured a whopping $400 million investment round, valuing it at $4.4 billion. This move highlights the ongoing competition between tech hubs to attract AI talent and companies, with California maintaining its edge over emerging contenders like Boston.

Lightmatter's success story isn't just about location; it's a testament to the growing investor confidence in AI-related technologies. Founded in 2017 by MIT graduates, the company aims to push AI capabilities beyond current limitations, potentially reshaping the landscape of AI hardware development.

Global collaboration and innovation

While individual companies make headlines, industry-wide collaboration is also gaining momentum. Arm's expanding Total Design ecosystem, now boasting over 30 participating companies, is driving innovation in AI computing and infrastructure. This collaborative approach is fostering global partnerships and creating real-world solutions for GenAI computing, potentially setting a new standard for sustainable AI infrastructure development.

The ecosystem's growth demonstrates the industry's recognition that solving complex AI challenges requires diverse expertise and resources. As major frameworks and operating systems increasingly run on Arm architecture, the company's influence in shaping the future of AI data centers grows.

Government investment and geopolitical implications

The U.S. government's recent $750 million investment in Wolfspeed, a North Carolina-based silicon carbide semiconductor company, highlights the strategic importance of domestic chip production. This move aligns with the Biden-Harris administration's goals to strengthen U.S. manufacturing capabilities in critical technologies and maintain technological leadership.

With China emerging as a formidable competitor in the semiconductor industry, such investments carry significant geopolitical weight. The focus on critical technologies like AI, electric vehicles, and clean energy underscores the broader implications of semiconductor innovation beyond just computing power.

Market dynamics and talent crunch

As the semiconductor industry approaches $1 trillion in revenue by 2030, it faces a critical talent shortage. The sector needs to add over 100,000 skilled workers annually to meet demand and keep pace with technological advancements. This shortage could potentially slow progress in AI, 5G, and autonomous vehicles.

The talent crunch is exacerbated by an aging workforce, lack of diversity, and global competition for limited talent. Industry leaders are grappling with how to address these challenges, proposing solutions such as agile workforce planning, upskilling programs, and improved retention strategies.

Looking ahead

The semiconductor industry's evolution, driven by AI innovation, presents both challenges and opportunities. As the sector grapples with talent shortages and geopolitical pressures, it continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in computing. For business leaders, staying informed and agile in this rapidly changing landscape will be key to capitalizing on the transformative potential of AI-powered semiconductors.

We publish daily research, playbooks, and deep industry data breakdowns. Learn More Here

AI events

Best way to get AI literate? Go to some awesome events.

We’re thrilled to share that COAI is partnering with HumanX 2025—the AI conference that’s set to redefine the future of technology. Taking place on March 10-13, 2025 at The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, this forum is where the brightest minds in AI will gather to shape what’s next. And we want you to join us!

Why attend HumanX?
HumanX isn’t just another tech conference. It’s a unique opportunity to:

• Connect with industry leaders, C-suite executives, policymakers, and innovators from around the globe.

• Learn from top-tier speakers like Kevin Weil, Clara Shih, and Sridhar Ramaswamy about the latest AI trends and how they’re transforming cross-functional industries.

• Explore personalized strategies and solutions to drive your business forward with AI.

Whether you’re a startup, an established business, or an AI pro looking to make meaningful connections, HumanX is the place where AI meets opportunity.

Exclusive offer for our community
As a valued member of our community, we’re excited to extend an exclusive offer to attend HumanX 2025. Register now with our code HX25p_coai and save $250 on general admission!

This week on the podcast

Can’t get enough of our newsletter? Check out our podcast Future-Proof.

In this episode, the hosts Anthony Batt and Shane Robinson with guest Joe Veroneau from Conveyor discuss outsmarting paperwork. Conveyor is a company that helps automate security reviews and document sharing between companies. They use AI technology, specifically language models, to automate the process of filling out security questionnaires. This saves customers a significant amount of time and improves the quality of their responses.