Polyacrylate, a synthetic crystal derived from petroleum, is a key component in most disposable nappies. It doesn't decompose easily, persisting for centuries and releasing microplastics into soil and groundwater. The hygiene sector has traditionally relied on it due to its superior absorption capabilities, but the environmental impact has raised concerns.
Throughout its fifty-year journey, Mastercard has operated primarily as a message-passing network, ensuring swift and reliable transaction authorizations between banks. While settlements occur on a separate, slower path, the system remains highly dependable and profitable. This acquisition signals Mastercard's move toward adapting its robust network for the evolving digital payment landscape and stablecoin integration.
Meta has entered a new five-year agreement with Dutch neocloud provider Nebius Group, pledging up to $27 billion for AI infrastructure development. This deal builds on their existing partnership and includes one of the earliest large-scale deployments of Nvidia’s latest Vera Rubin chips. Following the announcement, Nebius shares jumped 14% in pre-market trading. This collaboration marks one of the largest AI infrastructure investments to date.
Travis Kalanick, the entrepreneur behind Uber, has quietly launched Atoms, a robotics company specializing in warehouse operations. This stealth venture employed thousands of workers before its public reveal and is guided by a vision of 'gainfully employed robots,' mirroring Uber's impact but within the logistics industry. Kalanick's new project marks a shift from ride-hailing to automated labor solutions, continuing his legacy of disruption.
Google Maps has introduced its most transformative update in ten years, integrating Gemini technology to elevate user experience. The new Ask Maps feature allows users to interact with the map using natural language queries, simplifying location searches and directions. Immersive Navigation offers a reimagined 3D mapping experience, providing clearer and more intuitive guidance. This update marks a significant leap since the launch of Street View, addressing practical needs like finding charging stations with minimal wait times.
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is gaining increasing attention within the AI community. This article explores what MCP entails and why its significance is rising rapidly. Despite the widespread availability of APIs, MCP introduces new ways to enhance AI interactions and capabilities. Its growing relevance highlights a shift in how agents utilize context to improve performance and intelligence.
Microsoft has unveiled Copilot Health, a secure and dedicated space within its AI assistant designed to consolidate personal health data from sources like wearables, electronic health records, and lab results. Leveraging AI, Copilot Health creates what Microsoft refers to as a 'coherent story' of an individual's health status. The service began accepting waitlist registrations on March 12, 2026, with a gradual rollout planned.
Elaia, a Paris-based venture capital firm supported by Bpifrance and Université PSL, has successfully closed its third deep-tech seed fund with a final amount of €134 million, exceeding its initial €120 million goal set at the first close in March 2024. This milestone highlights strong investor confidence in Elaia's strategy and the deep-tech startups it backs.
On March 11, EU lawmakers reached a political agreement to amend the AI Act by explicitly banning AI-generated intimate images created without consent. This legislative change is a response to the recent Grok scandal and was driven by a coalition of 57 European Parliament members advocating for stronger protections. The update highlights the EU's commitment to regulating AI technologies to prevent misuse and protect individual privacy.
Gestala, a Chinese brain-computer interface (BCI) startup founded just two months prior to its latest funding round, has raised $21.6 million, marking the largest early-stage BCI funding round in China. The round was heavily oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor interest. Founded by Phoenix Peng, who previously launched NeuroXess—an implantable BCI company focused on restoring communication and motor skills for patients with severe neurological conditions—Gestala aims to develop non-invasive ultrasound-based brain technology to broaden BCIs' applications.
