Tech

Tim Cook announces AI’s importance at Apple meeting

Tim Cook announces AI as Apple’s next key focus during first all-hands meeting amid competitive pressures and internal challenges

Published

4 months ago

August 3, 2025

Ahron Young

Tim Cook announces AI as Apple’s next key focus during first all-hands meeting amid competitive pressures and internal challenges

In Short:
– Tim Cook emphasised AI as Apple’s major focus, likening its importance to past tech revolutions.
– He acknowledged delays in the Siri project and called for faster AI integration amid talent challenges.

Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed employees in a rare all-hands meeting at the Steve Jobs Theater, emphasising artificial intelligence as the company’s next major focus.

According to Bloomberg, Cook stated that AI is essential for Apple’s future and compared its significance to previous technological revolutions, such as the internet and smartphones.

The meeting followed a successful third-quarter earnings report and addressed concerns about Apple’s slower pace in AI development.

Cook stated, “Apple must do this. Apple will do this.”

Internal Challenges

Cook also acknowledged significant delays in the Siri project, revealing that the dual-version strategy was inadequate for quality expectations.

The enhanced Siri, labelled “V2”, now aims for a launch in spring 2026. Cook encouraged faster integration of AI in products amid internal talent struggles, with engineers leaving for competitors.

Major structural shifts have occurred in Siri’s development team, and Cook hinted at potential acquisitions to expedite Apple’s AI objectives.

Tech

China blocks ByteDance from using Nvidia chips in new data centres

China blocks ByteDance from using Nvidia chips, tightening tech control and pushing for domestic AI innovation amid U.S. restrictions.

Published

8 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Harvey Vargas

China blocks ByteDance from using Nvidia chips, tightening tech control and pushing for domestic AI innovation amid U.S. restrictions.

Chinese regulators have moved to block ByteDance from deploying Nvidia chips in newly built data centres, tightening control over foreign technology used by major Chinese tech giants. The decision comes after ByteDance made substantial purchases of Nvidia hardware amid fears of shrinking supply from the United States.

Washington has already restricted the sale of advanced chips to China, allowing only weakened versions into the market. Beijing’s latest move reflects its push to reduce dependence on U.S. technology and accelerate home-grown AI innovation.

The ban places operational and financial pressure on ByteDance, which must now work around a growing pile of Nvidia chips it is no longer allowed to use. Domestic suppliers like Huawei are expected to step in as China intensifies its pursuit of tech self-reliance.
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Tech

OpenAI launches shopping research tool for ChatGPT users

OpenAI launches shopping research tool to enhance e-commerce experience ahead of holiday season spending boost

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI launches shopping research tool to enhance e-commerce experience ahead of holiday season spending boost

In Short:
– OpenAI’s “shopping research” tool helps users find detailed shopping guides tailored to their preferences.
– Users can access Instant Checkout for purchases while ensuring user chats are not shared with retailers.

OpenAI has launched a new tool called “shopping research,” coinciding with an increase in consumer spending ahead of the holiday season.This tool is aimed at ChatGPT users seeking comprehensive shopping guides that detail top products, key differences, and the latest retailer information.

Users can customise their guides based on budget, features, and recipients. OpenAI notes that while the tool takes a few minutes to generate responses, users can still use ChatGPT for quicker queries like price checks.

When users ask specific prompts, such as finding a quiet cordless stick vacuum or a gift for a niece who loves art, the shopping research tool will appear automatically. It can also be accessed via the menu.

Shopping Research

OpenAI has been expanding its e-commerce capabilities, with the introduction of the Instant Checkout feature in September, enabling purchases directly through ChatGPT.

Soon, users of the shopping research tool will also be able to use Instant Checkout for making purchases.

OpenAI assures that shopping research results are derived from publicly available retail websites and will not disclose user chats to retailers, although it does warn that inaccuracies may occur in product availability and pricing.

Shopping research is now available to OpenAI’s Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users logged into ChatGPT.

Tech

Big Tech’s record debt fuels AI infrastructure concerns

Big Tech raises over $120 billion in debt to fund AI infrastructure amidst market instability concerns

Published

5 days ago

November 22, 2025

Ahron Young

Big Tech raises over $120 billion in debt to fund AI infrastructure amidst market instability concerns

In Short:
– Major U.S. tech firms raised over $120 billion in debt for AI, replacing cash strategies, causing investor concerns.
– Significant bond issuance raised market credit spreads, with fears over debt sustainability and investment returns increasing volatility.

Major U.S. technology companies have raised over $120 billion in debt this year for artificial intelligence infrastructure, shifting from their traditional cash-funded strategies.

The change has generated concerns among investors regarding market stability and expected returns.In September, four prominent hyperscaler companies issued nearly $90 billion in public bonds. Alphabet raised $25 billion, Meta $30 billion, Oracle $18 billion, and Amazon $15 billion in its first U.S. dollar bond sale in three years.

Only Microsoft has avoided borrowing from debt markets recently. Total debt issuance has increased substantially from an average of $28 billion over the past five years.

The surge in debt has exacerbated U.S. investment-grade credit spread widening from 74 basis points in mid-September to 84 basis points in mid-November. Alphabet and Meta both paid around 10-15 basis points over their existing debt for these new offerings, indicating investor caution. Oracle’s long-term bonds have faced scrutiny, declining by about 8% and trading at 65 cents on the dollar, with some analysts predicting a potential downgrade to junk status.

Market Pressures

AI capital expenditure is expected to hit $600 billion by 2027, up from $200 billion in 2024. Despite significant borrowing, around 80-90% of planned expenditures rely on cash flows. The mounting debt concerns have contributed to market volatility.

Following Nvidia’s earnings report on November 19, stocks initially rallied before a sharp reversal, with the S&P 500 declining 3% this month due to doubts about AI investment returns.