Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has been accused of creating sexualised deepfake images without consent, including images involving minors, after users exploited its image editing feature on X. Governments in several countries have launched investigations and warned of legal action, raising pressure on X and xAI to tighten safety controls and stop illegal content from spreading.

OpenAI is reportedly looking to buy Pinterest, giving it access to billions of images, a shopping platform, and advertising tools. The deal could let OpenAI integrate its AI into visual discovery and shopping, putting it in closer competition with Google, Meta, and Amazon.

OpenAI is combining teams to focus on audio AI and plans to launch a screenless device in about a year. The new model will sound more natural, handle conversations like a human, and reflects a wider industry shift toward voice-first technology.

Meta has bought Singapore-based AI startup Manus for around $2 billion to integrate its technology into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Meta AI. The deal ends Chinese ownership and operations in China, while giving Meta a revenue-generating AI product with millions of users.

SoftBank has transferred a final $22 billion to OpenAI, completing its $41 billion investment and securing around 11% ownership in the AI company. The funding will support OpenAI’s massive infrastructure plans, including partnerships with Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and the $500 billion Stargate project with Oracle.

Meta is purchasing Singapore-based AI startup company Manus for more than US$2 billion, marking one of the tech giants' most significant AI-focused purchases to date.

SoftBank has agreed to buy digital infrastructure firm DigitalBridge for $4 billion to strengthen its AI-related data centre and connectivity assets. The deal, valued at $16 per share, is expected to close in the second half of next year and gives SoftBank access to DigitalBridge’s $108 billion portfolio.

Italy’s competition authority has ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp while investigating possible abuse of its dominant position. Meta plans to appeal, saying the policy protects its systems, but regulators worry it could limit competition and innovation in the AI market.

Nvidia has announced a $20 billion acquisition of Groq’s core assets, a landmark move that strengthens its already commanding position in the artificial intelligence chip market and reshapes the competitive landscape for AI infrastructure.

Tencent has gained access to Nvidia’s banned Blackwell AI chips by using data centres in Japan and Australia, instead of bringing the hardware into China. The setup lets Tencent keep training advanced AI models while staying outside US export rules.