NVIDIA's PersonaPlex, Alibaba's Qwen 3.5, and UK AI Investment - Daily AI Brief #394

February 17, 2026 - Daily AI Brief
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Welcome to today's AI Brief.

Glean is transitioning to AI middleware for enterprises, aiming to enhance business operations. NVIDIA has introduced the PersonaPlex AI Model, designed to improve personalized AI experiences. Meanwhile, Cognizant is expanding its AI partnership with Wallenius Wilhelmsen to further integrate AI into logistics.

Infosys and Anthropic have partnered to bring AI solutions to regulated industries, while Unilever collaborates with Google Cloud for AI transformation. In defense technology, SpaceX and xAI are competing for a Pentagon drone tech prize. Additionally, the India's AI Impact Summit is addressing AI and copyright issues.
Simulations Plus Extends FDA and NIEHS Collaborations
Simulations Plus has extended its research collaborations with the U.S. FDA and NIEHS to advance AI-driven food and chemical safety assessments. The projects aim to modernize safety evaluations using computational models and non-animal research methods. Read more
Glean Transitions to AI Middleware for Enterprises
Glean is shifting its focus from being an AI search tool to serving as an intelligence layer that connects enterprise systems with AI models, integrating with platforms like Slack and Salesforce. Read more
NVIDIA Launches PersonaPlex AI Model
NVIDIA has launched PersonaPlex, a conversational AI model that offers customizable voices and roles through text prompts, enhancing natural conversation capabilities. Read more
Cognizant and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Expand AI Partnership
Cognizant has expanded its partnership with Wallenius Wilhelmsen to transform the logistics company's core applications and infrastructure using AI-driven efficiencies. Read more
Infosys and Anthropic Partner for AI in Regulated Industries
On February 17, 2026, Infosys and Anthropic announced a strategic collaboration to develop AI solutions for regulated industries, focusing on enhancing automation and compliance. Read more
Unilever and Google Cloud Partner for AI Transformation
Unilever and Google Cloud have announced a five-year partnership to enhance Unilever's business using AI and data technologies. This collaboration aims to improve brand discovery, measurement, and marketing for Unilever's global brands. Read more
SpaceX and xAI Compete for Pentagon Drone Tech Prize
SpaceX and xAI are participating in a Pentagon contest to develop voice-controlled, autonomous drone swarming technology, with a $100 million prize at stake. Read more
AI and Copyright Discussed at AI Impact Summit in India
At the AI Impact Summit, Government of India Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of reaching a consensus on AI and copyright issues, with discussions focusing on AI's role in the film and media industries. Read more
Applied Materials Expects Revenue Boost from AI and Memory Demand
Applied Materials anticipates a revenue increase in the second quarter, driven by investments in AI computing and a tightening memory market. The company forecasts revenue of around $7.65 billion, surpassing analyst expectations. Read more
Luma AI Opens Riyadh Office and Partners with Publicis Groupe
Luma AI has opened a new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and partnered with Publicis Groupe Middle East to enhance AI-driven creative communications in the MENA region. Read more
UK Government Invests £58 Million in AI Programme
The UK Government has announced a £58 million investment in an AI development programme to promote economic growth and job creation. Read more
Blackstone Invests in Neysa for AI Infrastructure Expansion
Neysa, an Indian AI infrastructure startup, has received up to $1.2 billion in financing from Blackstone and other investors to boost its GPU capacity and support India's AI computing needs. Read more
Tangible Raises $4.3 Million for AI Fintech
London-based fintech Tangible has secured $4.3 million in seed funding to enhance its AI-powered platform for 'hardtech' firms. Read more
T-Mobile US Launches AI Platform for Live Translation
T-Mobile US has announced the launch of a real-time AI platform integrated into its network, enabling phone call translations in over 50 languages without additional apps or hardware. The Live Translation beta service will begin this spring. Read more
Anthropic Donates $20 Million for AI Regulation
Anthropic has announced a $20 million donation to Public First Action to support AI governance and public education on AI risks. This funding addresses concerns about AI's rapid development and the need for regulatory frameworks. Read more
ServiceNow Acquires Pyramid Analytics
ServiceNow has acquired Pyramid Analytics to enhance its AI-powered business intelligence capabilities. The acquisition aims to improve access to business intelligence through generative AI, integrating AI with traditional analytics for streamlined data access and task automation. Read more
Endor Labs Acquires Autonomous Plane for AI Security
Endor Labs has acquired Autonomous Plane to enhance its AI-native application security platform with full-stack reachability analysis, improving vulnerability prioritization and security. Read more
U.S. Air Force Launches $237M RAPID ARA Initiative
The U.S. Air Force has launched the RAPID program to enhance AI in intelligence analysis, with a budget of $237 million. The initiative seeks white papers to develop secure information sharing technologies for military use. Read more
Alibaba Launches Qwen 3.5 AI Model
Alibaba has introduced Qwen 3.5, a new AI model that is more cost-effective and capable than its predecessor. The model is designed for autonomous task execution and outperforms competitors in benchmark tests. Read more
Embedded LLM Launches EU AI Grid at Munich Conference
On February 14, 2026, Embedded LLM introduced the EU AI Grid at the Munich Cyber Security Conference, aiming to establish a network of locally managed AI infrastructure across Europe. Read more
UC Sees Decline in Computer Science Enrollment
The University of California has experienced a 6% drop in computer science enrollment, the first since the dot-com crash, as AI programs gain popularity. Read more
Nscale Secures $1.4 Billion Loan for AI Expansion in Europe
Nscale has obtained a $1.4 billion loan to fund AI infrastructure projects in Norway, Portugal, Iceland, and the UK, following a recent equity raise. Read more

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