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Recent developments highlight a shift in AI focus from foundational models to application-specific fine-tuning and autonomous agents. Chinese startups like DeepSeek prepare to launch advanced AI agents, while US and Chinese firms compete in monetization and technological innovation, signaling a new phase in AI's commercial and strategic landscape.
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Global markets rallied as US stocks hit new highs amid expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Investors focus on economic data, including inflation and jobs, with US markets reacting to signs of a slowing labor market and easing inflation. Asian markets also gained, influenced by US policy outlooks.
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Jack Ma has returned to Alibaba’s campuses, taking a more active role than in years, amid a broader push into AI and local services. Meanwhile, Alibaba is expanding its super-app ecosystem with new AI-powered features, competing fiercely with Meituan and others in China’s digital economy.
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Chinese tech firms, including Ant Group and Alibaba, are advancing humanoid robotics with new models and investments. Ant Lingbo Technology showcased its R1 robot at a major conference, while Alibaba-backed X Square Robot secured significant funding. Tesla also hints at its humanoid ambitions in China, signaling a competitive global race.
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As of September 22, 2025, Nvidia has announced a $5 billion investment in Intel and a strategic partnership to develop AI data center and PC products. This follows China's ban on domestic firms purchasing Nvidia's AI chips, including the RTX Pro 6000D, amid ongoing US-China trade tensions. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed disappointment but remains supportive of both governments.
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China’s Cyberspace Administration has ordered domestic tech firms to stop testing and cancel orders for Nvidia's AI chips, citing national security concerns. The move follows previous restrictions and impacts Nvidia’s market access in China, amid ongoing US-China tech tensions.
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizes building small, highly talented teams for AI research, focusing on talent density and flat management. The company is investing heavily in AI talent and infrastructure, with recent hiring freezes to consolidate efforts. The approach aims to accelerate AI development without organizational bloat.
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Recent data highlights shifts in global travel, with UAE travelers influenced by AI-driven marketing, Chinese outbound travel surging during holidays, and Nepal experiencing a sharp decline in Chinese visitors due to protests. These developments reflect evolving consumer behaviors and geopolitical impacts on tourism.
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China is intensifying efforts to develop self-sufficient AI chips amid US restrictions. Huawei announced a breakthrough in domestic AI hardware, while Beijing is pushing to reduce reliance on US technology by building a comprehensive local supply chain. Meanwhile, US-China relations show signs of pragmatic cooperation despite ongoing strategic competition.
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Alibaba and Nvidia announced significant increases in AI investments, with Alibaba aiming to become a full-stack AI service provider and Nvidia investing $100 billion into OpenAI. These moves reflect a global race for AI dominance, with both companies projecting trillions in future spending and technological breakthroughs.
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China's industrial robot installations reached a record 295,000 in 2024, driven by government investment and domestic firms surpassing foreign suppliers. The surge supports manufacturing amid population decline, with humanoid robots emerging as the next phase. Experts highlight China's strategic push in automation to maintain economic competitiveness.
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Recent developments in Chinese AI highlight efforts to improve model efficiency, safety, and robustness. Companies like DeepSeek, Anthropic, and Ant Group are releasing new models and techniques to address long-standing challenges such as computational costs, data poisoning, and evaluation transparency, shaping the future of enterprise AI.
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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. reported a record NT$452.3 billion ($14.8 billion) net profit in Q3, driven by strong demand for AI chips and data center investments. The company is expanding in the US and Japan, with a $100 billion U.S. investment plan, amid ongoing trade tensions and global chip demand growth.
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Huawei launches HarmonyOS 6 with new AI agents and a short-range wireless transfer feature. Apple promotes AI development in China, with the launch of the iPhone Air supporting eSIM, amid ongoing regulatory and geopolitical negotiations. Both companies deepen ties with Chinese authorities and consumers.
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Hong Kong's legislature passed a bill establishing a licensing framework for ride-hailing services, expected to start in late 2026. The law requires platforms and drivers to meet specific standards, aiming to regulate the industry and balance competition with taxis. Industry stakeholders express cautious optimism amid unresolved details.
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Mandarin Oriental's shareholders will receive $3.35 per share in a $4.2 billion deal, while Alibaba and Ant Group are set to buy the top floors of One Causeway Bay for HK$2.2 billion. Meanwhile, US bank JPMorgan Chase plans to consolidate offices in West Kowloon, reflecting a busy period for Hong Kong's commercial real estate and corporate landscape.
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Internal documents reveal AWS is losing early-stage startup customers to AI-focused platforms, as startups delay traditional cloud adoption and shift toward specialized AI tools. Meanwhile, a global AWS outage impacted users across continents, highlighting ongoing cloud vulnerabilities. These developments signal a major transformation in cloud computing driven by AI innovation.
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Goldman Sachs forecasts a 12% annual profit growth and 5-10% valuation expansion for Chinese stocks, despite recent setbacks from US-China tensions and market volatility. Analysts see medium-term earnings driven by AI, government reforms, and capital rebalancing, with upside potential through 2027.
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Apple's latest iPhone 17 series, launched in September, has outperformed previous models in key markets, with demand rising sharply. Meanwhile, the company is scaling back production of the iPhone Air due to slow sales, and shifting some manufacturing to Vietnam amid geopolitical and supply chain adjustments. The move reflects broader supply chain diversification efforts.
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Chinese firms are increasingly exporting services, technology, and culture abroad, diversifying from traditional manufacturing. This shift is driven by domestic overcapacity and intense competition, with companies earning more revenue overseas. Goldman Sachs forecasts continued growth in China's overseas earnings, signaling a significant change in its economic model.
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Starbucks will sell a 60% stake in its China operations to Boyu Capital for $4 billion, aiming to expand from 8,000 to over 20,000 stores. The deal provides Starbucks with capital and local expertise amid declining sales and rising local competition.
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The European Commission is moving to delay and relax key digital regulations, including AI and data privacy laws, citing the need to boost competitiveness. Critics warn this marks a retreat from Europe's leadership in digital rights, amid US and Chinese competition. The changes aim to simplify rules for businesses, especially startups, but raise concerns over privacy and innovation.
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A fire at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court complex has resulted in at least 128 deaths and over 70 injuries. The blaze spread rapidly across seven buildings, with authorities suspecting flammable materials and construction issues contributed. Investigations and safety inspections are underway.