LinkedIn ages like fine wine in Microsoft’s cellar 28 Jun 2023 In contrast to souring Meta and Twitter, the drier social media app is flourishing. Although veiled by its parent’s cloud dominance, the 2016-vintage acquisition has tripled in value from its $26 bln price tag. Business-related data also will help it keep maturing in the AI era.
AI’s deflationary winds will blow away profits 27 Jun 2023 Artificial intelligence could add $8 trln a year to world GDP, McKinsey estimates, defying the gloom about robots replacing humans. Though companies should benefit from lower costs, consumers could use the technology to find better deals. It all adds up to lower prices.
Big Tech backlash swells the AI gold rush 26 Jun 2023 Cloud provider Databricks is buying a machine learning startup for $1.3 bln, almost six times its valuation earlier this year. Models backed by Microsoft and Google dominate artificial intelligence. But a bet that companies want to control their data is pumping up smaller rivals.
Masayoshi Son’s new AI push merits a pinch of salt 22 Jun 2023 The SoftBank founder said he would place further bets on artificial intelligence after taking a pause. Some of his investments may pay off. But Arm is his only real AI win from a $112 bln portfolio, his credibility has taken a knock, and his war chest is smaller than it looks.
AI’s regulation naysayers protest too much 21 Jun 2023 Lawmakers in the European Union and elsewhere are scrambling to draft artificial intelligence rules. Industry leaders like OpenAI boss Sam Altman warn the approach is too onerous. Yet the risks of pandering to special pleading exceed the dangers of stifling a nascent industry.
SoftBank’s Arm IPO set for double stroke of luck 13 Jun 2023 The chip designer may score Intel as an anchor investor in its planned US float. Meanwhile, customers like $975 bln Nvidia have soared amid an artificial-intelligence frenzy. It makes the company’s puffy valuation hopes slightly less implausible – but not necessarily sustainable.
‘Reverse CFIUS’ threat will be deterrent enough 8 Jun 2023 Team Biden is nearly ready to unveil a plan to restrict some $15 bln of US investment in Chinese tech. The process probably will be even messier than one used to review inbound capital aimed at sensitive domestic sectors. Extra red tape alone, however, should serve its purpose.