Chinese tech giants double down on AI investments
Alibaba and Tencent have backed Kuaishou's Kling AI in a $2.8 billion fundraise, according to a source familiar with the matter. The investment signals China's largest tech companies are doubling down on artificial intelligence as competition with U.S. firms intensifies. Kling's valuation was not disclosed, but the deal is one of the largest AI fundraises in China this year.
New Chinese AI models challenge OpenAI and Anthropic
A new inexpensive Chinese AI model is catching up with Anthropic and OpenAI on their home turf, analysts say. Since DeepSeek shocked markets early last year with its cheap but powerful model, global consumers have faced a widening gap between Chinese offerings with lower prices and less capability versus U.S. models that have soaked up billions in development costs.
AI industry sees major moves across the board
Anthropic is discussing a new custom AI chip with Samsung as it seeks to reduce dependence on Nvidia. OpenAI proposed handing the Trump administration a 5% equity stake, the Financial Times reported. Microsoft launched a new firm dedicated to helping companies adopt AI with a $2.5 billion commitment. Mark Zuckerberg told Meta staff that AI agent development is progressing slower than expected.