Technology News
Latest technology news and updates
Total: 301
Microsoft Unveils Maia 200 — A 3nm AI Inference Chip Aimed at Denting NVIDIA’s Dominance
Microsoft has launched Maia 200, a TSMC 3nm AI inference chip the company says outperforms Amazon’s Trainium v3 and Google’s TPU v7 on low-precision workloads while improving inference cost-efficiency by about 30% versus its current fleet. The release underscores hyperscalers’ push into custom silicon to reduce reliance on Nvidia GPUs, but success will depend on software tooling, ecosystem adoption and independent benchmarking.
Space Solar Remains a Lab Project, Not a Grid Solution—Laplace Says Technology Still in Exploration
Laplace cautions that space‑based solar power is still a technical research endeavour, not a commercial reality. Significant engineering, economic and governance hurdles must be overcome before orbital solar can rival terrestrial renewables.
AI’s Hunger for Memory Could Keep Global Chip Shortages Dragging On Until 2027
Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi warns that the current memory-chip shortage, driven by heavy demand from AI data centres, is likely to last through 2026 and potentially into 2027. Concentrated production, long lead times for new fabs and booming demand for HBM mean elevated prices and allocation pressures may persist, benefiting memory suppliers but squeezing device makers and other industries.
EU Opens Formal Probe into X’s ‘Grok’ Chatbot, Raising Stakes for AI Oversight
The European Commission has opened a formal DSA investigation into Grok, the AI chatbot on Elon Musk’s X, to evaluate systemic risks such as misinformation and user harm. The probe reflects the EU’s strengthened regulatory posture toward platform governance and AI oversight, and could lead to fines, operational constraints or mandated safety measures.
With RMB5bn War Chest and a Star Founder at the Helm, a Chinese Large‑Model Start‑up Bets on Hardware to Prove Value
Jieyue Xingchen has raised over RMB5 billion in a B+ round and named Yin Qi, founder of Megvii and current chair of Qianli Technology, as chairman to accelerate commercialization of its large models. The start‑up aims to marry its foundation models with device partners — phones and cars — to create a full productisation chain, betting that terminal deployment will prove its commercial value.
Alibaba’s Qwen3‑Max‑Thinking: China’s Latest Push to Match Western ‘Thinking’ Models
Alibaba has launched Qwen3‑Max‑Thinking, a flagship inference model its team says matches top Western 'thinking' models on key benchmarks. The model emphasizes reasoning, instruction following and agent capabilities and is aimed at commercial integration across Alibaba's cloud and services. The announcement underscores China’s accelerating push to develop indigenous, production‑ready large language models, though benchmark claims require independent validation.
Apple’s new AirTag widens the net for lost things — louder, farther and greener
Apple’s refreshed AirTag, launched in China at 249 yuan, improves precision locating with a second‑generation UWB chip, extends Bluetooth range, and makes the speaker louder. The update emphasises recycled materials, deeper Apple Watch integration, and a secure item‑sharing feature for partners such as airlines, while reiterating existing anti‑stalking and privacy protections.
Alibaba Debuts Qwen3‑Max‑Thinking, a Tool‑Enabled Inference Model Aiming to Rival GPT‑5.2
Alibaba has launched Qwen3‑Max‑Thinking, an inference model that combines adaptive tool calling and test‑time scaling to improve reasoning, factual accuracy and alignment. Alibaba claims benchmark parity with leading models such as GPT‑5.2‑Thinking, and has deployed the capability in Qwen Chat, signalling rapid commercialisation within its cloud and consumer ecosystem.
Alibaba Unveils Qwen3‑Max‑Thinking, a Trillion‑Parameter Inference Model Aimed at Beating Western Rivals
Alibaba has released Qwen3‑Max‑Thinking, a trillion‑parameter inference model it says surpasses leading Western models on multiple benchmarks, with stronger agent tool‑calling and reduced hallucinations. The company is opening trials on PC and web, positioning the model for broad commercial use while leaving independent verification of its claims outstanding.
Pony Ma Bets on Another Red‑Envelope Blitz to Jump‑Start Tencent’s AI App
Tencent will give away 10 billion yuan in Spring Festival red envelopes via its new AI app Yuanbao, aiming to reproduce the viral growth that WeChat achieved in 2015. The campaign underscores Tencent’s strategy of using cultural moments and heavy subsidies to drive rapid user adoption of new services, even as it faces competitive and regulatory pressures.
China’s Zhijiang Lab Plans 100-Satellite ‘Three‑Body’ AI Constellation by 2027, Pushing Models Into Orbit
Zhijiang Laboratory has announced plans to field a 100‑satellite ‘Three‑Body Computing Constellation’ by 2027, with 39 satellites in development and 10 AI‑capable units due in 2026. The constellation will run a domestic foundation model on‑orbit to enable satellite autonomy, rapid calibration and multimodal data fusion, signalling China’s push to embed AI in space systems.
China’s Guoxing Unveils Ambitious Orbiting AI Supercluster — 2,800 Satellites to Power ‘Silicon‑Based Agents’
Guoxing Aerospace has revealed plans for a 2,800‑satellite space compute network aimed at serving autonomous ‘silicon‑based’ agents and large AI models, with initial nodes already launched. The programme promises low‑latency global compute via laser‑linked low Earth orbits but faces substantial technical, economic and geopolitical hurdles before it can scale.