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UnitedHealth’s $3 billion AI push has bots calling doctors
The largest US health insurer plans to invest $3 billion in AI over 2026 and 2027. UnitedHealth executives say they’re seeing a 2-to-1 return, as AI automates cumbersome manual processes and makes workers more efficient. Executives say the technology can reduce friction for patients while lowering costs.
TD said in a statement to Reuters the deployment is "standard practice across the industry." "In various parts of our business, we use automated solutions to improve insights and better allocate resources," the company said. "This is not AI and not specific to any business or matter, the tool allows managers to more accurately manage workflows, team capacity and performance. Where deployed, colleagues are informed about where they are used and for what purpose."
AI, AI Sir! Indian execs back in the classroom for a fresh chapter
Online education companies such as Coursera, Eruditus, upGrad and Simplilearn are reporting a sharp rise in enrolments over the past year $2 trillion a year over the next five years - with generative AI, agentic AI and AI-led business transformation emerging as the most sought-after areas of learning.
Trump tells Axios he no longer views Anthropic as national security threat
Senior Anthropic technical staff were scheduled to meet with Trump administration officials earlier this week to discuss a dispute over foreign access to its most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5. The company last week disabled access for all users to those models after Trump ordered Anthropic to block foreign nationals from accessing them.
AI spending boom could trigger sharper downturn than dotcom crash: Professor Aswath Damodaran
Valuation expert Aswath Damodaran warns the AI boom's massive capital expenditure, largely debt-funded, could lead to a more painful downturn than the dotcom crash. He notes tech giants are shifting to capital-intensive models, unlike the equity-funded dotcom era. This extensive infrastructure investment, coupled with "big market delusion" and overconfidence, risks widespread economic fallout if projections falter, potentially causing significant job displacement.
SpaceX valuation hinges on uncertain AI economics, says Professor Aswath Damodaran
SpaceX's massive market debut, reaching a $2 trillion valuation, is largely fuelled by AI ambitions, according to valuation expert Aswath Damodaran. While Starlink contributes significantly, he cautions that the AI business is nascent with uncertain economics and high costs. Damodaran warns against equating growth with value, emphasising that even compelling narratives must align with financial realities for sustainable investment.
Intel hires former SK hynix chief Lee Seok-hee to lead advanced packaging
Intel has appointed former SK hynix and SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee as a senior vice president in its foundry business. Lee will lead advanced packaging and system integration efforts, a crucial area for Intel's push into next-generation AI systems. His extensive experience in high-scale technology and manufacturing is expected to bolster Intel's capabilities and customer commitments in this vital segment of the semiconductor industry.
Andhra Pradesh govt inks deal with Canva for visual communication in govt schools
The deal was struck on June 18 between the Education Department, Samagra Siksha and Canva, which will also benefit teachers and Education Department officials.
India's data centre pipeline hits 8.33 GW as AI demand reshapes digital infra: Knight Frank India
India's data centre sector is witnessing an unprecedented infrastructure build-up, with the total development pipeline across major markets reaching 8.33 GW, according to Knight Frank India. The scale of future supply, driven by accelerating artificial intelligence adoption, cloud computing growth and data localisation requirements, is more than five times the country's current live data centre capacity of 1.6 GW.
Apple explains why watchOS 27 drops support for Apple Watch series 6, 7, 8 and Ultra
Apple is ending support for five older Apple Watch models with watchOS 27, citing performance needs for new AI-powered features and an enhanced Siri. Devices like the Series 6 and original Ultra won't get the latest software, though they'll receive security updates. This move prioritises a seamless, intelligent Siri experience across devices, with the update expected this fall.
Amazon MGM drops Luca Guadagnino's Sam Altman film 'Artificial'
Luca Guadagnino's upcoming film 'Artificial,' starring Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, has been dropped by Amazon MGM Studios despite nearing completion. The movie, detailing Altman's brief ousting and swift return to OpenAI, is now being shopped to other distributors. Amazon cited a belief that a different studio could better serve the film, while expressing continued respect for Guadagnino.
Flipkart extends lead in Indian e-commerce, Myntra widens lead in fashion, says BofA
Flipkart Group solidifies its e-commerce dominance in India, with Myntra leading the online fashion segment, according to a Bank of America Securities report. Despite intense competition, consumer demand remains robust, defying concerns about slowing discretionary spending. The report highlights resilient growth across various internet sectors, including online travel, quick commerce, and logistics, with AI adoption poised to enhance customer experience and optimize costs.
Lutnick’s Anthropic crackdown claims new power over AI models
The US government has taken an unprecedented step, using export control laws to restrict foreign access to advanced AI models from Anthropic. This move, citing national security concerns over potential 'jailbreaks,' has sparked debate about government intervention in AI development and usage. Industry experts warn this could lead to broader government oversight and potential disruptions for AI companies and their global clientele, prompting calls for diversified AI supply chains.
Bain Capital CLO tranche defaults in post-2008 first for Europe
A European collateralised loan obligation managed by Bain Capital has defaulted on its most junior tranche, marking the first such failure since a regulatory overhaul over a decade ago. The note returned significantly less than its par value, though other investors were paid in full. This event highlights growing pressure on some older CLO deals as underlying asset quality deteriorates, exacerbated by recent market volatility.
Abu Dhabi's MGX weighs multi-billion deal for data centre operator DayOne
Abu Dhabi's AI investor, MGX, is reportedly exploring the acquisition of Singapore-based data centre operator DayOne, signaling a significant global expansion. While DayOne has been planning a $20 billion U.S. IPO, MGX may not match that valuation. This potential deal could mark MGX's first Asian acquisition as it aims to invest over $100 billion across the AI sector.