SoftBank in talks to invest $25bn in OpenAI

The investment follows a SoftBank taking a $1.5 billion stake in OpenAI last yearJapanese conglomerate SoftBank reportedly in discussions to invest between $15 billion and $25 billion in OpenAI, according to a recent report from the Financial Times.If it goes ahead, the investment will make SoftBank OpenAI’s largest financial backer and would significantly expand the Japanese company’s presence in the AI sector.“The talks are ongoing and the amount that SoftBank could invest in primary equity into OpenAI is a moving target,” said an anonymous source.In addition to this potential investment in OpenAI, SoftBank has already committed $15 billion to Stargate, recently announced a joint venture between involving Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank.The Stargate Project is a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative to build advanced US-based AI data centres. Announced at the White House last week, it aims to invest $500 billion over the next four years to build new AI infrastructure in the US, starting with deploying $100 billion immediately.SoftBank’s CEO Masayoshi Son is the chairman of the joint...

Read More........ → February 07, 2025

India’s non-fossil, fuel-based energy capacity reaches 217.62 GW: Centre

New Delhi, (IANS): India’s total non-fossil, fuel-based energy capacity has reached 217.62 GW (as of January 20), and addressing regulatory, financial and infrastructural challenges world be crucial this year towards meeting the clear energy goals, the government said on Wednesday.With continued policy support, increased investment, and a focus on emerging technologies, India is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets and solidify its status as a global leader in the clean energy transition, according to a statement by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.In 2024, the country made significant strides in solar and wind energy installations, policy advancements, and infrastructural improvements, setting the stage for ambitious targets in 2025.With a commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, India is emerging as a global leader in clean energy.The year 2024 saw a record-breaking 24.5 GW of solar capacity and 3.4 GW of wind capacity added, reflecting a more than two-fold increase in solar installations and a 21 per cent rise...

Read More........ → January 28, 2025

The multi-billion dollar startup sector is bouncing back – 8 big trends will shape 2025

Rod McNaughton, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata RauStartups have always been at the forefront of innovation. But factors such as artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and decentralisation are set to reshape industries in 2025. Businesses are defined as startups when they are in the initial stages of development. They are characterised by the potential for rapid growth and external funding. And they are also sensitive to economic shifts and investment uncertainty. For Australia and New Zealand, startups play an important role in overcoming geographic and market constraints. They can also help address both countries’ persistent productivity challenges. Industry body Startup Genome estimates Sydney’s startup ecosystem was worth US$72 billion in 2024 with more than 3,000 startups. New Zealand’s ecosystem is valued at $9 billion across 2,400 startups. Both Australia and New Zealand have weathered global challenges such as recent slowdowns in investment activity when startups struggled to secure funding. But venture investments in both countries recovered well in 2024...

Read More........ → January 22, 2025