TL;DR

Nvidia to debut Blackwell AI at Computex; China’s DeepSeek outpaces US AI; Microsoft cuts 6,000 jobs.

Highlights

• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon to keynote Computex 2025; Nvidia set to launch Blackwell AI systems (now in mass production) and GeForce RTX 5060 GPU 1.
• Foxconn to highlight AI server assembly and robotics expansion at Computex; Intel CEO skips keynote as company reassesses strategy 1.
• China’s DeepSeek AI simulates 10,000 military scenarios in 48 seconds—3,600x faster than humans—surpassing US benchmarks at lower cost; DeepSeek’s R1 bot claims to outperform ChatGPT at 5% of the cost, reportedly impacting US markets 24.
• China launches first 12 satellites of its planned 2,800-satellite Star Computing network for in-space AI data processing, aiming to reduce reliance on ground infrastructure 5.
• Microsoft cuts 6,000 jobs (3% of staff) as AI now writes up to 30% of code in some projects; Copilot and AI-driven automation cited as key factors 310.
• Tesla demonstrates Optimus humanoid robot’s precise movement in new video, leveraging vehicle AI technology 9.
• Grok by xAI adds in-browser chart and Mermaid diagram generation with Deepsearch fact verification 8.
• Apple settles $95M class action over unauthorized Siri activations; Amazon faces lawsuit over refund reversals 7.
• Elton John and 400+ UK creatives threaten legal action over proposed AI copyright exemptions; UK government consulting on balancing creator and AI sector interests 6.
• Northeastern University denies student refund after professor used ChatGPT for course materials; generative AI adoption by faculty and students rising, prompting new university guidelines 14.
• Arbus Genesis AI market intelligence launch on Virtuals Protocol oversubscribed 1,500%, delivering 55x returns, signaling strong demand for AI-powered agent economy tools 15.

Commentary

AI hardware and compute are front and center as Computex 2025 approaches, with Nvidia expected to showcase its Blackwell AI systems and new midrange RTX 5060 GPU 1. The presence of Qualcomm, Foxconn, and a notable absence of Intel ’s CEO underscores shifting dynamics in the global chip and server supply chain, with US trade policy and Middle East partnerships influencing manufacturing strategies 1. Foxconn’s increased focus on AI servers and robotics points to ongoing infrastructure buildout supporting enterprise AI workloads 1.

China’s DeepSeek is drawing attention for both defense and commercial applications, claiming significant speed and cost advantages in military simulations and generative AI 24. The R1 bot’s performance and cost profile, if validated, could pressure Western incumbents and accelerate global competition, especially as DeepSeek’s rise is reportedly linked to notable US market reactions 4. Meanwhile, China’s Star Computing satellite network signals a push to process AI workloads in orbit, potentially reducing latency and dependence on terrestrial data centers—a development worth monitoring for its implications on global compute accessibility 5.

On the enterprise front, Microsoft ’s workforce reduction and deeper Copilot integration illustrate the direct impact of AI automation on software development and organizational structure 310. The trend is mirrored in academia, where both faculty and students are rapidly adopting generative AI, prompting universities to formalize guidelines and address transparency in content creation 14.

Regulatory and legal friction continues, particularly in the UK, where proposed copyright exemptions for AI training are facing strong pushback from the creative sector 6. The Apple Siri settlement and Amazon refund lawsuit highlight ongoing privacy and consumer protection challenges as AI becomes more embedded in daily products and services 7.

For AI professionals, the key signals this week are: rapid advances in AI hardware and compute infrastructure, intensifying global competition (especially from China), the tangible impact of AI-driven automation on employment and workflows, and a regulatory environment that remains fluid and contested.