Markets
Nvidia and Salesforce lift Wall Street despite narrow market breadth
The Nasdaq gained 1.6% as two AI-linked companies surged, but most S&P 500 members fell and Treasury yields edged higher.
Etiqueta: <span>Artificial Intelligence</span>
Tech
Alibaba launches HK$80 billion share placement to finance AI expansion
The $10.2 billion sale of 710 million shares would fund full-stack AI capabilities and become Hong Kong’s largest primary follow-on offering.
Mergers & Acquisitions
SafetyCulture becomes Mitti and links AI risk detection to an insurance expansion
The Australian software company is unifying workplace operations and commercial insurance under a new name, using inspection data, computer vision and AI-assisted development to pursue a much larger market.
Tech
Apple builds a China-specific AI model with Alibaba support
The proprietary model adds a new layer to Apple’s planned Chinese AI stack, where Qwen integration and Baidu technology are also expected, but the companies have not explained how responsibilities will be divided.
Markets
AI and chip gains put South Korean shares near the end of a seven-week slide
The Kospi rose 0.82% to a three-week high in an intraday snapshot, extending a five-session rebound to 9.4%, while foreign buying, a firmer won and lower bond yields supported sentiment.
Markets
Silver Lake explores a take-private of Workday after months of talks
The potential transaction could rank among the largest software buyouts ever, but no agreement, price or financing package has been announced and the discussions may still end without a deal.
Finance
Wall Street holds near records as weak retail sales split the rate and growth outlook
A surprise decline in retail spending reduced expectations of a September rate increase but sharpened the contradiction between supportive borrowing costs and the risk that high inflation is meeting slower growth.
Finance
Alibaba introduces paid Qwen office tiers from 200 yuan a year
Three annual subscription levels and separately priced video credits create a paid layer around Qwen’s office assistant, while Alibaba keeps the core chatbot available without charge.
Tech
DeepSeek seeks nearly USD 8 billion at USD 74 billion valuation after funding pause
DeepSeek has reportedly resumed talks for a second funding round of nearly USD 8 billion at an estimated USD 74 billion valuation, only months after raising USD 7 billion at USD 52 billion. Discussions remain in progress and terms may change; the proposed capital is tied to data-centre and chip requirements as the Chinese AI developer expands paid access to its models.
Public Affairs
EU begins enforcing AI transparency rules for chatbots, deepfakes and synthetic content
From 2 August, providers and deployers of specified AI systems must disclose machine interaction and label defined synthetic or manipulated content. The AI Office and national authorities can enforce the obligations, with corporate fines reaching EUR 15 million or 3% of global annual turnover.
Tech
JD.com brings AI helmets to couriers as China’s delivery platforms automate the last mile
JD.com’s helmet combines voice control, a camera, route guidance and safety functions. Full-time couriers will receive the first devices free before a broader rollout whose timing and scale remain undisclosed.
Finance
Ellis AI raises $10 million to connect private-credit managers’ fragmented operations
Ryan Williams’ new company emerged from stealth with seed backing to connect documents, accounting systems and spreadsheets, flag discrepancies and assist portfolio monitoring while keeping material decisions with human experts.