SoftBank's $22.5B Bet on OpenAI and Meta's $2B Manus Acquisition - Enterprise AI Brief #48
January 02, 2026 -
Enterprise AI Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to the latest edition of the Enterprise AI Brief, where we bring you the most recent developments in the world of artificial intelligence and its impact on various industries. This week, we have a range of stories highlighting significant partnerships, acquisitions, and technological advancements. Coforge is set to acquire Encora for $2.35 billion, marking a major move in the tech industry. Meanwhile, SoftBank plans to acquire DigitalBridge for $4 billion, further expanding its portfolio in the AI sector.
In other news, Meta has acquired AI startup Manus for $2 billion, signaling its continued investment in AI technologies. Additionally, SK Telecom has unveiled Korea's first hyperscale AI model, showcasing the rapid advancements in AI capabilities. Stay tuned as we delve into these stories and more, providing you with insights into how these developments might shape the future of AI in business.
Welcome to the latest edition of the Enterprise AI Brief, where we bring you the most recent developments in the world of artificial intelligence and its impact on various industries. This week, we have a range of stories highlighting significant partnerships, acquisitions, and technological advancements. Coforge is set to acquire Encora for $2.35 billion, marking a major move in the tech industry. Meanwhile, SoftBank plans to acquire DigitalBridge for $4 billion, further expanding its portfolio in the AI sector.
In other news, Meta has acquired AI startup Manus for $2 billion, signaling its continued investment in AI technologies. Additionally, SK Telecom has unveiled Korea's first hyperscale AI model, showcasing the rapid advancements in AI capabilities. Stay tuned as we delve into these stories and more, providing you with insights into how these developments might shape the future of AI in business.
Coforge to Acquire Encora for $2.35 Billion
Indian IT services provider Coforge plans to acquire AI firm Encora for $2.35 billion to enhance its AI capabilities and expand in the U.S. and Latin America. Read more
AIM Intelligence, LG, and OpenMind Partner for AI Safety Research
AIM Intelligence, a South Korean AI startup, is collaborating with LG Electronics and U.S.-based OpenMind on AI safety research. The partnership focuses on defining dangerous situations for physical AI and creating a comprehensive dataset. Read more
TGI Solar and Genesys Info X Partner for AI Platform Launch
TGI Solar Power Group Inc. and Genesys Info X have announced a strategic partnership to launch FUSED88.com, a management platform utilizing AI and ASI. The platform aims to enhance project and human capital management globally. Read more
MEDIROM Partners to Deploy 'Proof of Human' Tech in Japan
MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies has teamed up with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to roll out 'Proof of Human' verification technology across Japan. The initiative aims to help differentiate humans from AI online, with verification sites planned nationwide. Read more
Jet.AI and CCE to Develop 50MW AI Data Center in Nevada
U.S. AI data center developer Jet.AI and infrastructure firm CCE are collaborating to build a 50MW data center in Moapa, Nevada, utilizing existing utility infrastructure. The project is estimated to cost $500 million. Read more
TIER IV and JR Central Partner for Autonomous Mobility
TIER IV has formed a strategic alliance with Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) to enhance autonomous mobility solutions in Japan, focusing on integrating autonomous driving with railway services. Read more
AEON Partners with United Stables for AI Payment Solutions
AEON has announced a partnership with United Stables to integrate the $U stablecoin into its payment solutions, enabling real-world payments through AEON Pay at over 50 million merchants. Read more
SK hynix and Kioxia Collaborate with NVIDIA on AI SSDs
SK hynix and Kioxia are working together to develop SLC-based AI SSDs to improve data processing in data centers, with NVIDIA contributing a software platform for optimization. Read more
Brand Engagement Network Partners with Global Ad Agency for AI Solution
Brand Engagement Network Inc. has signed an agreement with a global advertising agency to create an AI engagement method for a pharmaceutical client, with expected revenue of $250,000 in Q4 2025. Read more
Adani Group to Invest in AI and Unmanned Defence Systems
Adani Group is set to invest ₹1.8 lakh crore in the defence sector, focusing on artificial intelligence and unmanned systems to boost India's military capabilities and reduce import dependency. Read more
SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge for $4 Billion
SoftBank Group Corp. plans to acquire DigitalBridge Group, Inc. for $4 billion to enhance its AI infrastructure. The acquisition aims to expand SoftBank's data center and connectivity capacity, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026. Read more
Garuda Aerospace Partners with Salesforce for AI CRM Solutions
Garuda Aerospace has announced a collaboration with Salesforce to implement AI-powered CRM solutions aimed at enhancing customer experiences and supporting expansion efforts. Read more
Adani Group Opens AI Centre in Maharashtra
Adani Group has inaugurated the Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati, Maharashtra. The centre is focused on advancing research and training in AI applications. Read more
Skyward Specialty Enhances AI Underwriting with Sixfold Partnership
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group has partnered with Sixfold to improve its AI-powered underwriting processes, aiming to enhance decision-making and efficiency. Read more
Brivo and Eagle Eye Networks Merge for AI Security Platform
Brivo and Eagle Eye Networks have announced their merger to create a unified AI-driven security platform, combining access control and video surveillance under the Brivo Security Suite. Read more
Meta Acquires AI Startup Manus for $2 Billion
Meta Platforms Inc. has acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup, for over $2 billion. The acquisition aims to integrate Manus's technology into Meta's platforms while maintaining its operational independence. Read more
Sigma Software Joins NVIDIA Partner Expert Program
Sigma Software has partnered with NVIDIA to enhance its AI capabilities by joining the NVIDIA Partner Expert Program. This collaboration provides access to advanced AI technologies to better serve clients in various industries. Read more
Cloudhands Launches Unified AI Platform and Appoints New Executives
Cloudhands, Inc. has announced the launch of its unified AI platform, which integrates multiple AI models into a single interface. The company has also appointed Tom Hebert as President and David Novick as Chief Marketing Officer. Read more
Octopus Energy Spins Off Kraken as AI Business
The UK-based clean energy company Octopus Energy has separated its software division, Kraken, into an independent entity valued at $8.65 billion following a $1 billion funding round. Read more
SoftBank Invests $22.5 Billion in OpenAI
SoftBank Group Corp. has increased its stake in OpenAI to approximately 11% with a $22.5 billion investment. This is part of a larger $40 billion commitment made in March 2025. Read more
CapitaLand India Trust Sells Stake in Data Centres for 7 Billion Rupees
CapitaLand India Trust has sold a 20.2% stake in three data centre assets to the CapitaLand India Data Centre Fund for 7 billion rupees. The assets will include AI capabilities and sustainable designs. Read more
Nvidia in Talks to Acquire AI21 Labs for $3 Billion
Nvidia is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Israeli AI startup AI21 Labs for up to $3 billion. The acquisition would enhance Nvidia's language model capabilities and expand its presence in Israel. Read more
Nukkleus Acquires Tiltan Software Engineering
On December 30, 2025, Nukkleus Inc. announced its acquisition of Tiltan Software Engineering Ltd., enhancing its capabilities in defense AI simulation and navigation systems. Read more
Novacore Partners with Cocoon for AI Infrastructure
In a recent agreement, Novacore Innovations will provide NVIDIA Blackwell-powered GPU servers and cloud computing infrastructure to Cocoon, a decentralized network launched by Pavel Durov. This partnership aims to enhance AI capabilities for Cocoon. Read more
Baidu Plans Spin-off for AI Chip Unit Kunlunxin
Baidu has announced its intention to spin off its AI chip subsidiary, Kunlunxin, and list it separately on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This strategic move is aimed at boosting Kunlunxin's visibility in the market and attracting investment in the AI chip industry. Read more
YY Group Partners with Graymatics for AI Video Analytics in Singapore
YY Group Holding Limited and Graymatics-SG Pte Ltd have announced a strategic partnership to distribute Graymatics' AI-powered video analytics solutions in Singapore, aiming to enhance adoption across various sectors. Read more
ECARX Invests $23M in Lotus Technology for AI Mobility
The investment by ECARX in Lotus Technology aims to enhance their collaboration in AI mobility, focusing on automotive technology advancements. Read more
Samsung Launches AI-Powered Portable Projector
Samsung Electronics has announced the global launch of The Freestyle+, an AI-powered portable projector, ahead of its showcase at CES 2026. Read more
NTT Data to Launch AI Platform for IT Development by 2026
Japanese company NTT Data plans to introduce a generative AI platform by fiscal 2026 to streamline IT systems development and address labor shortages in Japan's tech industry. Read more
Atos Group Sells South American Operations to Semantix
The Atos Group has agreed to sell its South American operations to Semantix, as part of its 'Genesis' transformation plan. This transaction will involve around 2,800 employees and aims to boost Semantix's AI and data services capabilities. Read more
Huawei to Launch AI Solutions and Chip in South Korea
During a press conference in Seoul, Huawei announced plans to introduce AI computing cards and the Ascend 950 chip in South Korea next year, aiming to compete with Nvidia by offering integrated AI infrastructure solutions. Read more
SK Telecom Unveils Korea's First Hyperscale AI Model
On December 27, 2025, SK Telecom introduced A.X K1, a hyperscale AI model with 519 billion parameters, marking a significant step in Korea's AI development. Read more
Goldman Sachs Finances AI Power Campuses in Texas
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is co-leading a financing project to build private power campuses for AI in Texas. The initiative, in partnership with Newmark Group Inc., aims to support data centers with modular natural gas-fired generation, as announced by developer GridFree AI. Read more
MiniMax Secures $600 Million for Hong Kong IPO
Chinese AI startup MiniMax has received backing from Alibaba and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority for its Hong Kong IPO, aiming to raise over $600 million. Read more
Nota AI to Enhance Samsung's Exynos 2600 with AI Tech
Nota AI will provide its AI optimization technology for Samsung Electronics' Exynos 2600, aiming to boost mobile AI model performance. Read more
Create Capital Vietnam and Haimaker.ai to Develop $1 Billion AI Data Centers
A joint venture led by Create Capital Vietnam JSC and Haimaker.ai plans to develop a $1 billion network of AI data centers in Vietnam, aiming to enhance digital infrastructure and provide AI services. Read more
Vedanta Launches V-Spark DeepTech Ventures
Vedanta has introduced V-Spark DeepTech Ventures, a new unit focusing on AI, machine learning, and deep tech, with Amitesh Sinha as CEO. The initiative aims to invest in companies transforming the energy, mining, and natural resources sectors. Read more
Caterpillar Expands Due to AI Data Center Demand
Caterpillar is seeing a surge in sales in its power and energy business, driven by the demand for generators from AI-supporting data centers. The company plans to invest $725 million to expand its Lafayette, Indiana plant, with expected annual sales growth of 5% to 7% through 2030. Read more
We hope you enjoyed this article.
Consider subscribing to one of our newsletters like Enterprise AI Brief or Daily AI Brief.
Also, consider following us on social media:
More from: Enterprise
12/31
SoftBank Completes $22.5 Billion Investment in OpenAI
12/30
Meta Acquires Manus AI for Over $2 Billion
12/26
Nvidia to License Groq’s AI Chip Technology in $20 Billion Agreement
12/22
OpenAI Improves Compute Margins to 70% Amid Push for Profitability
12/19
Anthropic Opens Agent Skills as an Industry Standard for AI Workflows
More from: Corporate Investments
12/31
SoftBank Completes $22.5 Billion Investment in OpenAI
12/30
Meta Acquires Manus AI for Over $2 Billion
12/18
Amazon Names Peter DeSantis to Lead New AI Organization
12/18
Blue Owl Withdraws from Oracle’s $10 Billion Michigan Data Center Project
12/04
Clipbook Raises $3.3 Million Seed Round to Expand AI Platform for Communications
Subscribe to Enterprise AI Brief
Weekly report on AI business applications, enterprise software releases, automation tools, and industry implementations.
