Cognizant is gearing up for its fourth significant acquisition in just 18 months, targeting Astreya, a San Jose-based managed services company specializing in AI infrastructure. This strategic move aims to close a crucial gap in Cognizant's AI builder strategy by strengthening its capability to design, build, and operate the physical data centers that power enterprise AI applications.

General Motors is deploying Google Gemini to about four million vehicles in the U.S., upgrading model year 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC cars with an over-the-air update that replaces Google Assistant. This significant AI integration comes amid concerns over GM's data-sharing practices and an impending FTC consent order, highlighting both the technological advancement and regulatory challenges the company faces.

China's commerce ministry has submitted an official 30-page notice to the European Commission, cautioning that the EU's proposed Cybersecurity Act, which mandates the removal of certain vendors from European networks, may provoke reciprocal actions against European businesses operating in China. This follows concerns over the draft law specifically targeting technology companies Huawei and ZTE, signaling escalating tensions in tech and trade relations.

LG Electronics is engaged in talks with Nvidia following a visit from Nvidia's Madison Huang. The discussions aim to expand LG's ambitions in physical AI, integrating Nvidia's capabilities to move AI technology beyond research labs into practical factory applications. This potential partnership comes at a time when physical AI innovations are gaining momentum, and it offers Nvidia a significant ally in consumer electronics. LG confirmed these ongoing discussions on Wednesday, highlighting areas of cooperation including robotics, AI data centers, and mobility solutions.

Over the last twenty years, software has shaped the path of venture capital investment, driven by its efficiency, scalability, and exceptional capacity to deliver high returns. Investors have consistently backed SaaS solutions, digital marketplaces, and infrastructure technologies that leverage rapid growth, low incremental costs, and swift deployment. However, the focus is now shifting as future tech innovations will emphasize creation over coding alone.

Amazon Web Services unveiled a new suite of AI-driven business applications, marking a strategic move away from merely providing cloud infrastructure to directly offering software that powers business operations. This shift places Amazon in direct competition with major players like Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce within the $300 billion SaaS market. One of the highlighted offerings is Amazon Connect Decisions, designed to enhance business decision-making through AI integration.

Christopher Gray created Scholly as a tool to help students secure scholarships, inspired by his own experience securing $1.3 million for college at Drexel University. A Birmingham native and the first in his family to attend college, he designed the app to connect students with financial aid tailored to their profiles. After selling the app to Sallie Mae, Gray was reportedly fired when he raised concerns about the sale of student data.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at Cheong Wa Dae, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Science and ICT. The new AI campus in Seoul is set to open within the year. Hassabis also agreed to send at least 10 engineers from Google’s US headquarters to support the initiative. During the meeting, he presented President Lee with a Go board featuring his signature as a symbol of collaboration.

Overview Energy's satellites will continuously capture sunlight in geosynchronous orbit and transmit it as near-infrared light to current ground-based solar facilities. These installations then convert the light into electricity, enabling solar farms to generate power overnight without expanding land use, grid connections, or ground infrastructure. Meta has formalized a partnership with Overview Energy to implement this innovative energy solution for its AI data centers.

Schroders Capital and Teachers’ Venture Growth have joined as new investors in Vinted’s recent €880 million secondary share sale. The deal provides early investors and long-serving employees with liquidity. Although Vinted is "IPO-ready," it has not announced a timeline for going public. The company reported a 36% increase in revenue for fiscal year 2024, reaching €813 million, while net profits quadrupled. Vinted, a Lithuanian-based second-hand marketplace, has grown into one of Europe’s largest consumer-to-consumer platforms.