Google's A4X VMs, xAI's Supercomputer Cooling, and OpenAI's SoftBank Transition - Daily AI Brief #114

February 22, 2025 - Daily AI Brief

Hi there,

Welcome to today's AI Brief. xAI is set to build a wastewater plant to cool its supercomputers, while OpenAI plans to transition its compute needs to SoftBank by 2030. Google has unveiled its A4X VMs featuring Nvidia technology for AI applications, and the EU has approved €920 million for Infineon's chip plant in Dresden.

In other news, Apple has launched priority notifications in iOS 18.4, and both Google and Meta have criticized EU AI regulations. Nvidia's CEO commented on the market's reaction to DeepSeek's R1 model, and 1X has introduced the Neo Gamma humanoid robot for home use. Additionally, DeepSeek plans to open-source its AGI research.

Top stories

xAI to Build Wastewater Plant for Supercomputer Cooling
Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, plans to construct an $80 million wastewater treatment plant in Memphis, Tennessee, to cool its Colossus supercomputer. The facility will process 49.2 million liters of wastewater daily, easing local water supply demands. Read more
OpenAI to Transition Compute Needs to SoftBank by 2030
OpenAI plans to move its computing power source from Microsoft to SoftBank, aiming for 75% data center capacity from the Stargate project by 2030. This decision is driven by anticipated increases in operational costs. Read more
Google Unveils A4X VMs with Nvidia for AI
Google has launched its A4X virtual machines powered by Nvidia's GB200 NVL72, aimed at enhancing large-scale AI workloads. The new VMs promise a significant performance boost over previous models and are part of Google's AI Hypercomputer architecture. Read more
EU Approves €920M for Infineon's Dresden Chip Plant
The European Commission has approved a €920 million funding package for Infineon's new chip fabrication plant in Dresden, Germany, as part of the MEGAFAB-DD project. The facility aims to produce discrete power technologies and analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits by 2031. Read more
Apple Launches Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4
Apple has introduced a 'Priority Notifications' feature in the iOS 18.4 developer beta, utilizing Apple Intelligence to manage alerts on the Lock Screen. This update aims to enhance user experience by distinguishing important notifications from less critical ones. Read more
Google and Meta Criticize EU AI Regulations
Executives from Google and Meta voiced concerns over the European Union's strict AI regulations at the Techarena Conference, citing delays in product launches and innovation. Read more
Nvidia CEO on Market Reaction to DeepSeek's R1 Model
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addressed market reactions to DeepSeek's R1 model, clarifying its role in boosting AI adoption rather than reducing computing needs. This follows a temporary drop in Nvidia's stock value. Read more
1X Launches Neo Gamma Humanoid Robot for Homes
1X, a Norwegian robotics company, has unveiled its new humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, aimed at performing household tasks like making coffee and vacuuming. The prototype focuses on safety and user interaction, marking a home-first approach in its development. Read more
DeepSeek to Open-Source AGI Research
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, will open-source five repositories to enhance transparency and community collaboration. This move comes as the company faces scrutiny over data misuse allegations and potential US legislative actions. Read more

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