Thursday, March 12, 2026

The US-China Race for AI Dominance

The ongoing competition between the US and China for artificial intelligence leadership is intensifying, with both countries making substantial investments in AI research and development. This rivalry not only shapes technological advancements but also has broader implications for global economic and military power dynamics.

Stryker Shipping Still Down in Attack Claimed by Pro-Iran Group

Stryker Corp., a medical technology company, is grappling with a significant cyberattack that has rendered its ordering and shipping systems inoperable. The breach, claimed by a group linked to Iran, has halted the processing of new orders, although Stryker can still access orders made prior to the attack and plans to ship them once systems are restored.

AI Impact on Software Won’t Trigger Wave of Downgrades, S&P Says

S&P Global Ratings has stated that the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence on the software industry will not be significant enough to trigger a widespread wave of credit rating downgrades. While AI has the potential to fundamentally alter software companies, S&P emphasizes that these changes will occur unevenly and will vary from one company to another, mitigating the risk of a general decline in credit quality.

Anthropic’s Claude AI can respond with charts, diagrams, and other visuals now

Anthropic has enhanced its Claude AI chatbot, enabling it to automatically generate interactive charts, diagrams, and other visuals during conversations. This feature allows Claude to insert relevant images directly into chats based on context, improving user engagement and understanding. Users can also request specific visualizations, making the tool more versatile in educational and professional settings.

Morgan Stanley Raises KeyCorp (KEY) Price Target to $26

Morgan Stanley has increased its price target for KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) from $24 to $26 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating, reflecting optimism about the banking sector's outlook. The firm noted potential tailwinds such as stronger loan growth and expanding net interest margins, even as the sector has recently outperformed the broader market. Additionally, Robert W. Baird upgraded KeyCorp to Neutral from Underperform, citing valuation concerns following a recent selloff in regional bank stocks.

Gumloop lands $50M from Benchmark to turn every employee into an AI agent builder

Gumloop has secured $50 million in Series B funding led by Benchmark to enhance its platform that enables non-technical employees to build AI agents for automating complex tasks. The investment comes as the company experiences increased demand from major clients like Shopify and Instacart, prompting a scale-up of its sales and engineering teams. Gumloop's intuitive design allows employees to easily create and share AI agents, fostering a culture of automation within organizations.

Wonderful raises $150M Series B at $2B valuation

Wonderful, an Israeli AI agent startup, has successfully raised $150 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its valuation to $2 billion just four months after a $100 million Series A. The round was led by Insight Partners, with participation from existing investors, and will enable Wonderful to expand its operations and workforce significantly to meet growing demand for its customer service AI platform across various sectors.

Rivian R2 launch: Here’s what $57,990 gets you

Rivian has officially unveiled the pricing and specifications for its R2 SUV, aiming to make electric vehicles more accessible with a price range between $45,000 and $57,990. The initial model, the R2 Performance with the Launch Package, will be available this spring, featuring dual motors, all-wheel drive, and an estimated range of 330 miles. Future versions will include a standard model with a lower price point and varying battery ranges, contingent on the success of the initial rollout.

How AI is helping improve heart health in rural Australia

Google is collaborating with leading Australian health organizations to enhance heart health in rural communities through a new initiative backed by a $1 million AUD investment. By leveraging Google's Population Health AI, the program aims to identify health risks early and facilitate over 50,000 health screenings in remote areas, enabling more proactive and personalized care for residents who are at higher risk of heart disease.

Rivian R2 prices revealed: you’re going to have to wait longer for that $45,000 version

Rivian has revealed that the first version of its R2 electric SUV will be the Performance trim, priced at $59,485, with deliveries starting in spring 2026. While the company maintains a $45,000 starting price for the base model, this version will not be available until late 2027, leading to skepticism about whether most customers will pay the lower price.

Dyson’s new stain-spotting AI robovac is now available

Dyson has launched its Spot+Scrub Ai Robot, an advanced autonomous vacuum cleaner that utilizes green lasers to identify and clean stains effectively. Priced at $1,199, the Spot+Scrub features lidar navigation for improved obstacle detection and a multifunction dock that cleans the roller mop while charging. This model builds on the capabilities of its predecessor, the 360 Vis Nav, with significant upgrades in stain detection and cleaning efficiency.

Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as 'tool to pressure enemy,' Iran's new supreme leader says

In his first public address since taking office, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei asserted that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as a strategic tool against adversaries, while also demanding the immediate closure of U.S. military bases in the region. His comments come in the wake of escalating tensions and have already led to a surge in oil prices, with predictions that they could reach $200 per barrel.

Gig workers feel pain at the pump as gas prices hit 21-month highs

As gas prices soar to their highest levels since May 2024, gig workers like rideshare driver Alvaro Bolainez are feeling the financial strain. The average price of unleaded gas has jumped 22% in just one month, forcing many in the gig economy to rethink their driving habits and seek additional income sources to cover rising costs.

Accenture (ACN) is Poised to Benefit from AI Implementation Contracts

Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) is gaining attention from investors as it stands to benefit from upcoming AI implementation contracts, despite facing a significant stock decline of 36.46% over the past year. In its latest quarterly report, the company announced revenues of $18.7 billion, reflecting a 5% increase in local currency, indicating resilience amid market challenges.

How multi-agent AI economics influence business automation

NVIDIA has unveiled the Nemotron 3 Super, an advanced multi-agent AI architecture that enhances business automation by addressing key challenges such as context explosion and the thinking tax. With a capacity of 120 billion parameters, this model enables organizations to maintain extensive workflow states and improves efficiency, making it a critical tool for industry leaders like Siemens and Palantir as they automate complex tasks across various sectors.

Oil reserves, tariff investigations, airline fuel prices and more in Morning Squawk

In a significant move to address supply disruptions caused by the Iran war, the International Energy Agency has agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from its reserves. Despite this unprecedented action, oil prices surged approximately 5%, with Brent crude briefly reaching $100 per barrel. Concurrently, the U.S. plans to tap its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, releasing 172 million barrels over the next 120 days, as concerns about ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persist.

Disney+ is launching vertical video today, here’s how it works

Disney+ has officially launched its vertical video feature, 'Verts', for subscribers in the US, with plans for a global rollout. Users can now access a vertical video feed by tapping the new Verts icon, allowing them to swipe through scenes from movies and shows, add content to their Watchlist, and start playback seamlessly. This initiative aims to enhance user engagement and modernize content discovery on mobile devices.

Apple launches new ‘Hello Apple’ Instagram account

Apple has officially launched a new Instagram account, @helloapple, to expand its social media reach beyond its existing @apple account, which boasts 36.2 million followers. The new account features six initial posts, including a mix of promotional content and engaging visuals, suggesting a strategy aimed at a younger, Gen Z audience.

Google Maps gets its biggest navigation redesign in a decade, plus more AI

Google Maps has unveiled its most significant navigation redesign in ten years, integrating AI features like Ask Maps, which allows users to interact with a chatbot for trip planning and location inquiries. Additionally, the new Immersive Navigation provides a 3D view of routes, improving usability with features that help users anticipate upcoming turns and conditions. These updates are rolling out today in the US and India on mobile platforms, with further expansion planned.

FIFA is rebuilding world football operations on AI. The World Cup is just the first test

FIFA is revolutionizing the logistics and analysis of the 2026 World Cup by integrating AI technologies, marking it as the most AI-driven tournament to date. With 48 teams and 104 matches, FIFA is directly managing operations across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, a significant shift from previous tournaments that relied on local organizing committees. Key innovations include the Football AI Pro, which will provide all teams with advanced analytical tools, and an intelligent command center designed to streamline operations for the expected six billion viewers.

Microsoft's Rajesh Jha, head of experiences and devices unit, to retire

Rajesh Jha, a prominent Microsoft executive leading the Experiences + Devices unit, has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2026, after over three decades with the company. Jha has overseen key products like Windows and Microsoft 365 applications, and he will continue in an advisory role post-retirement. His departure comes alongside a planned succession that includes the promotion of Jeff Teper to executive vice president and other leadership changes within the company.

Social media giants urged to tighten child safety after UK rejects blanket ban for teens

UK regulators Ofcom and the Information Commissioner's Office are calling on social media companies to implement stricter measures to protect children online after lawmakers voted against a blanket ban for users under 16. They have specifically urged platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook to enhance age verification processes and address issues like child grooming, with a response deadline set for April 30.

Palantir is still using Anthropic's Claude as Pentagon blacklist plays out, CEO Karp says

Palantir Technologies is continuing to utilize Anthropic's AI model, Claude, despite the Pentagon's recent designation of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk. CEO Alex Karp stated that while the Defense Department plans to phase out Anthropic's services, Claude remains integral to military operations in Iran. Karp also noted that Palantir intends to incorporate other large language models moving forward.

Chinese brain interface startup Gestala raises $21M just two months after launch

Gestala, a Chinese startup focused on non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, has raised $21.6 million just two months after its launch, achieving a valuation between $100 million and $200 million. The funding, co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture, will support research and development, team expansion, and the establishment of a manufacturing facility, with the goal of completing its first prototype by year-end 2026.