AI Hardware Heats Up, Apple Integrates Local AI, and More
Today’s AI news is a mix of hardware innovation, software integration, and a reminder of AI’s growing influence on our daily lives. From a potential Nvidia rival to Apple’s local AI models powering app features, here’s a summary of the most important AI stories.
The biggest headline is the emergence of a new AI hardware startup, Unconventional, Inc., founded by Naveen Rao, formerly the head of AI at Databricks. The company is reportedly seeking a massive $1 billion in funding at a $5 billion valuation, with backing from a16z. The goal? To build a competitor to Nvidia, which currently dominates the AI chip market, using a novel approach. This suggests a significant shift in the AI landscape, with more players entering the hardware arena to challenge the existing giants.
Meanwhile, Apple’s iOS 26 is rolling out, and developers are already leveraging Apple’s local AI models to enhance their apps. This means AI-powered features are becoming more integrated into our mobile experiences. This highlights a trend towards on-device AI processing, which offers privacy and efficiency benefits compared to cloud-based solutions.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the increasing presence of AI, Consumer Reports has published a guide on how to turn off AI tools like Gemini, Apple Intelligence, and Copilot in various apps and devices. This is a useful reminder that users still have control over their AI experience and can choose to limit its integration into their lives.
In the realm of AI and physical understanding, Quanta Magazine reports on the V-JEPA system, an AI model that learns to understand the physics of the real world by watching ordinary videos. This is a fascinating area of research that could lead to AI systems with a more intuitive understanding of their environment.
Finally, Chess.com announced a partnership with Perplexity, the developer of the AI-integrated web browser Comet. This collaboration aims to bring benefits to the Chess.com community.
The AI landscape is evolving rapidly. Today’s news highlights advancements in hardware, software integration, and fundamental research, and practical advice for managing AI in our lives. It’s a complex picture, but one thing is clear: AI will continue to shape our world in profound ways.