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AI data centers keep growing throughout the United States.

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AI data centers continue expanding across the US - Fox News

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AI data centers continue expanding across the US

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AI May Assist Small-Cap Stocks in Surpassing Mega-Cap Tech Competitors, Offering This ETF a 20% Potential Gain.

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AI Can Help Small-Caps Beat Megacap Tech Rivals. That Gives This ETF 20% Upside. - Barron's

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AI Can Help Small-Caps Beat Megacap Tech Rivals. That Gives This ETF 20% Upside.

Meta AI's head, Alexandr Wang, discussed the launch of Muse Wonder, codenamed Watermelon, in a recent interview, emphasizing its goal to enhance the functionality of both personal and professional digital assistants. This model aims to help users navigate obstacles when completing everyday tasks, such as making dinner reservations or checking availability, without resorting to stalling or waiting for user input.

To utilize the capabilities of Muse via the personal agent app, individuals will need to subscribe, either for $20 monthly or for a more comprehensive $100 subscription. This release reflects Meta's strategy to diversify its revenue streams beyond its traditional online advertising business.

Unveiling Muse Wonder, the latest AI model touted as the most sophisticated for powering virtual assistants, comes with a caveat: it requires payment for access. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, introduced the associated Muse Charm device during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park on September 23, 2026.

Meta shared via a blog post that this new model includes what they describe as the most advanced protective measures against potential cyber misuse, although these safeguards are currently only available for users who opt for the paid version.

Following the app's launch last month, Muse quickly rose to prominence in Apple's App Store. While the app can be downloaded for free, users can take advantage of subscription plans for extended features.

Wang mentioned that Meta’s AI team is actively monitoring Muse for any issues or incidents related to the agent, aiming to identify and rectify user concerns. Some individuals have taken to social media, alleging that the agent improperly accessed their personal messages, a claim Meta has denied.

To foster user understanding and trust, Wang indicated that the company is working on better informing users about the app's functionalities and permissions. He noted, "There are definitely situations where users have previously authorized various communications and may forget about those permissions later in a conversation." The goal is to educate users thoroughly to build confidence in the product's reliability.

For developers, Muse Wonder will be accessible through the Meta Model API, which will be priced higher than standard subscriptions given that it is a "much larger model and at the frontier level." Wang assured that its pricing would remain competitively lower than other leading models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

Additionally, an enhanced version, Muse Wonder Full, will be available exclusively to developers subscribed to the Muse Code AI agent subscription plan, which costs $50 or $200 per month. 

As Meta collaborates with companies to establish business standards involving AI bots, it continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the artificial intelligence landscape.

Meta launches Muse Wonder AI model in new trial to gauge users' payment readiness.

A bright, sunlit modern living room at dawn. On a minimalist white pedestal sits the new Muse Wonder device, its sleek shell bearing a large Meta logo. Warm rays stream through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating swirling translucent ribbons of color that form tiny icons of art, music and stories. Each ribbon loops around a gleaming gold coin token. In silhouette, an adult figure stands before the pedestal, hand hovering between reaching out and pulling back—capturing the tension of deciding whether to pay.

Meta debuts Muse Wonder AI model in latest test of users' willingness to pay - CNBC

- Meta's Muse Wonder model aims to enhance digital assistants' problem-solving capabilities without user delays.  
- Subscription costs for Muse personal agent app range from $20 to $100 monthly.  
- Users report issues with privacy; Meta works to educate users about app functionalities.

"When you do real-world tasks, you're going to get roadblocks and you're going to get things that come up or various setbacks," Wang said. "We specifically tried to train the model to be able to try other approaches instead of stalling and then checking back in with the user at any time."

Meta AI chief Alexandr Wang said in an interview on Monday that the company developed Muse Wonder, codenamed Watermelon, to improve the capabilities of "personal and professional agents" so they don't stumble on tasks like booking dinner reservations and checking for availabilities.

To access the model, users of the Muse personal agent app will need to sign up for a monthly subscription of $20 or $100. The release underscores Meta's efforts to create new AI-derived revenue sources outside of its core online ad business .

Meta debuted its latest artificial intelligence model, Muse Wonder, and says it's the most advanced option for powering digital assistants. But it doesn't come for free.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., reveals the Muse Charm device during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

Meta said in a blog post that the latest model "offers our strongest safeguards to date" against "cyber misuse." Those protections only come with the paid model for now.

Muse shot up to the top of Apple's App Store after Meta introduced the AI agent app last month. The app is free, with subscription plans available for more usage.

Wang said Meta's AI team has been monitoring for agent-related "incidents or issues" with Muse in order to understand problems and resolve them. Some users have complained on social media that the agent accessed personal messages without authorization, which the company has disputed.

Meta is trying to better inform people of how to use the app to avoid certain problems, Wang said.

"I think there are certainly instances users have authorized various communications or whatnot earlier in a conversation, and then may have forgotten about that," Wang said. He added that the company is educating users on such matters "to ensure that consumers can trust the product going forward."

Muse Wonder will also be available to coders who pay to access the company's related Meta Model API. Wang said that offering will cost more than the standard subscriptions because it is a "much larger model and at frontier level." He said it will still be priced "meaningfully below" leading models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

An even more powerful variant of Meta's latest model, dubbed Muse Wonder Full, will only be available to developers who sign up to the company's software engineering focused Muse Code AI agent under a $50 or $200 a month subscription plan.

WATCH: Meta partners with companies to set standards for doing business with AI bots.

Meta debuts Muse Wonder AI model in latest test of users' willingness to pay

NVIDIA and Cisco have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative with the Ultra-Dense Small Form Factor Pluggable (USFP), a state-of-the-art 400Gb/s-per-lane optical module designed for next-generation AI factories. This innovative technology aims to enhance the hardware ecosystem for AI, allowing builders to expand their Ethernet AI fabrics while keeping an established deployment approach across various data center generations.

The USFP module offers remarkable improvements, delivering four times the bandwidth density and 1.3 times the power efficiency compared to existing 200Gb/s-per-lane optics. This advancement provides AI factories with the capability to connect a greater number of computing systems without introducing additional network layers, all while using less energy to transmit each bit of data.

As AI models advance and the demand for inference increases, there is an urgent need for AI factories to interconnect more computing resources while efficiently managing network complexities and costs. The USFP facilitates this by doubling the capacity from 200Gb/s to 400Gb/s per lane, ensuring operators can fully utilize their infrastructure investments and maintain streamlined operations.

The initial USFP transceivers will integrate 16 full-duplex lanes into an octal small form factor (OSFP) design, with future plans to extend to 32 lanes or more. This enhancement allows for the connection of additional 1.6Tb/s endpoints without the necessity for extra network layers, effectively increasing total capacity to a remarkable 12.8Tb/s.

Mirroring the size of existing OSFP modules, the USFP significantly boosts bandwidth while improving front-panel density and overall power efficiency, which enables AI builders to enhance computational capabilities within the same network footprint. Consequently, this reduces the proportion of power dedicated to networking within AI factories.

According to Gilad Shainer, NVIDIA's Senior Vice President, the initiative illustrates the importance of reevaluating even the smallest connections to build the world’s most extensive AI factories. He emphasizes that through USFP, NVIDIA and Cisco aim to revolutionize pluggable optics, linking more computational resources with enhanced efficiency designed for the next phase of AI factories.

Bill Gartner, Cisco's Senior Vice President, highlighted the need for an interconnect architecture that scales performance without complicating operational models. He noted that developing pluggable optics at 400Gb/s per lane goes beyond merely extending existing designs; the collaboration aims to enhance serviceability and operational simplicity while optimizing performance at each layer of the system, from silicon to network operating systems.

With USFP's capability to handle 400Gb/s electrical signals, it introduces a two-dimensional array connector that reduces wear and improves signal integrity, thereby making the installation process more reliable. This advanced connector allows room for future expansion to 32 full-duplex lanes, while it also optimizes performance even at lower speeds.

Additionally, the USFP can dissipate power up to 100 watts without requiring a dedicated cooling system, which simplifies switch design and enhances reliability, all while maintaining the operational maturity and serviceability of existing pluggable technologies. The optical designs under USFP promise reduced latency and power consumption, allowing system designers to cater to the specific deployment requirements of AI factories.

NVIDIA and Cisco are also collaborating with TE Connectivity and Amphenol to develop USFP modules, connectors, and cages, with more partners anticipated to join this effort. This unified form factor lays the groundwork for advancing high-density pluggable infrastructure within 400Gb/s-per-lane fabrics, which is essential for building a comprehensive ecosystem that supports AI factory builders.

This partnership builds on precedent work to ensure interoperability between NVIDIA Spectrum-X™ Ethernet networking and Cisco Silicon One-based Ethernet networks, simplifying the deployment of AI infrastructure across enterprises, neoclouds, and sovereign clouds.

Plans are in motion for NVIDIA and Cisco to establish an open industry specification for USFP, which will emerge through a future community-led multi-source initiative.

NVIDIA and Cisco Launch New Pluggable Optics Design to Enhance AI Factory Scaling

A bright, sunlit AI data hall with floor-to-ceiling windows casting warm natural light over rows of high-density server racks. In the foreground, a close-up of a technician’s gloved hand sliding a sleek, golden-tipped pluggable optics module into an open slot. One rack bears a large Nvidia logo, the adjacent chassis features a prominent Cisco logo. Soft daylight highlights the polished fiber connectors and coiled optic cables below, evoking the next wave of scalable AI factories.

NVIDIA and Cisco Introduce New Pluggable Optics Form Factor to Scale AI Factories - NVIDIA Newsroom

- USFP enables 400Gb/s-per-lane optical signals, enhancing AI factory network capacity to 12.8Tb/s.  
- It offers 4x bandwidth density and improved power efficiency, optimizing AI infrastructure more efficiently.  
- NVIDIA and Cisco collaborate with industry partners to establish a robust USFP hardware ecosystem.  

New Transceivers Enable AI Builders to Scale Compute Within the Same Network Footprint While Reducing Networking’s Share of the Power Budget

News Summary:

Ultra-Dense Small Form Factor Pluggable (USFP) is designed to be the first module to support 400Gb/s-per-lane electrical signals, enabling capacity up to 12.8Tb/s so AI factory builders can scale Ethernet AI fabrics, while extending a proven deployment model across multiple generations of data center networks.

USFP delivers 4x the bandwidth density and 1.3x the power efficiency of 200Gb/s-per-lane optics so AI factories can connect more computing systems without adding network tiers, while using less power to move each bit of data.

NVIDIA and Cisco are working with TE Connectivity and Amphenol to build a multi-source hardware ecosystem around USFP.



NVIDIA and Cisco today announced plans for Ultra-Dense Small Form Factor Pluggable (USFP), a new high-density 400Gb/s-per-lane optical module designed to equip the hardware ecosystem for the next generation of AI factories using pluggable transceivers.

As AI models grow and inference demand expands, AI factories must connect more computing systems while managing network complexity, power and costs. Moving more data per watt and per switch helps operators make better use of their infrastructure investments.

Scaling AI factories requires more bandwidth per connection and more connections per switch. When a switch reaches its capacity, further network expansion can require additional switch layers and optical links, increasing latency, power consumption and costs.

USFP is designed to enable AI factory builders to scale from 200 Gb/s per lane to 400Gb/s-per-lane Ethernet AI fabrics, while extending a deployment model proven at scale across multiple generations of data center networks. With USFP, customers can embrace next-generation optical technology and meet the performance demand of AI workloads without overhauling their data center infrastructure.

The first planned USFP-based transceivers will pack 16 full-duplex lanes in an octal small form factor (OSFP)-sized footprint supporting both switches and SuperNICs, with the ability to expand to 32 and more lanes in the future. By doubling both the lane count and bandwidth per lane, USFP enables AI fabrics to connect more 1.6Tb/s endpoints without adding network tiers. Customers will be able to achieve 12.8Tb/s of overall capacity with USFP.

Comparable with an OSFP-sized module, it delivers 4x the bandwidth and front-panel bandwidth density, with approximately 1.3x the power efficiency, versus 200Gb/s-per-lane pluggable modules. This means AI builders can increase their compute scale within the same network footprint, while decreasing networking’s share of the overall AI factory power budget.

“Building the world’s largest AI factories starts with rethinking the smallest of connections,” said Gilad Shainer, senior vice president NVIDIA. “With USFP, NVIDIA and Cisco are building an ecosystem to reinvent pluggable optics — connecting more computing with greater efficiency to power the next generation of AI factories.”

“AI builders need an interconnect architecture that can scale performance without locking them into a more complex operating model,” said Bill Gartner, senior vice president and general manager of optical systems and optics at Cisco. “Cisco and NVIDIA recognized that scaling pluggable optics to 400Gb/s per lane would require more than another incremental extension of today’s module designs. Through our collaboration, USFP is designed to deliver a new level of bandwidth density while preserving the serviceability, deployment flexibility and operational simplicity of pluggable optics. By taking a full-stack approach — from silicon and systems to optics and the network operating system — we can optimize every layer to deliver the performance and scale the next generation of AI networks will require.”

More AI Infrastructure From Every Switch

Designed for electrical signals of 400Gb/s per lane, USFP uses a new two-dimensional array connector with a two-step insertion design that engages high-speed contacts after the module is inserted, reducing contact wear, improving signal integrity and making insertion force more predictable. The connector technology allows for further scaling of lane count to 32 full duplex lanes and more in the future. Because the connector is designed for 400Gb/s performance, it also offers improved performance at 200Gb/s per lane.

USFP supports power dissipation of up to 100 watts without needing a separate, dedicated embedded cooling circuit within the transceiver, reducing switch design complexity and improving reliability. Together, these capabilities enable higher-bandwidth fabrics while preserving the mature deployment, serviceability and manufacturability of existing pluggable transceivers.

All USFP configurations support optical designs that reduce latency and power consumption by simplifying signal processing. Support for a broad range of optical technologies and connection distances gives system designers the flexibility to meet unique AI factory deployment needs.

A Hardware Ecosystem for Next-Generation AI Factories

NVIDIA and Cisco are collaborating with TE Connectivity and Amphenol to build USFP cages, connectors and modules, with additional partners expected to join. The shared form factor gives suppliers a common foundation for developing high-density pluggable infrastructure for 400Gb/s-per-lane fabrics to build a robust ecosystem for AI factory builders.

The collaboration builds on NVIDIA and Cisco’s existing work to ensure NVIDIA Spectrum-X™ Ethernet networking and Cisco Silicon One-based Ethernet networks work together seamlessly, simplifying AI infrastructure deployment for enterprises, neoclouds and sovereign clouds.

NVIDIA and Cisco plan to create an open industry specification for USFP through an upcoming community-led multi-source project.

NVIDIA and Cisco Introduce New Pluggable Optics Form Factor to Scale AI Factories

Microsoft is poised to increase its utilization of proprietary artificial intelligence chips following years of dependency on Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs), as it aims to enhance its AI infrastructure. The company introduced its third-generation Maia AI accelerator on Monday, signaling a shift toward leveraging its own silicon for managing incoming requests.

Microsoft's Azure cloud platform stands as a significant asset in its AI strategy, hosting various models for clients. Tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and GitHub Copilot deliver AI-enhanced solutions to software developers and office employees. Although the company has developed internal models, they have yet to achieve prominence in a landscape dominated by competitors such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

The increasing demand for sophisticated processors and the market's desire for diverse options have opened new avenues in chip development. Nvidia's GPUs have long been the gold standard for AI workloads and populate Microsoft's current data centers, where they also support model training for OpenAI and Anthropic.

As market demand surges, AI model leaders are diversifying their silicon sources, incorporating offerings from companies like Amazon, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Cerebras, Google, and more recently, Microsoft.

For general computing tasks, Microsoft already employs its own central processing units alongside chips from Intel and AMD. Finance chief Amy Hood remarked at a Goldman Sachs conference last month that the adoption of its own chips has contributed to "margin improvement over the course of a decade."

In 2023, Microsoft launched its first AI chip, the Maia 100, followed by the Maia 200 earlier this year. CEO Satya Nadella mentioned in July that the Maia 200 provides "30% better performance per dollar than the latest generation hardware in our fleet" and that it effectively runs OpenAI models.

Production for the Maia 300 is set to commence in 2027, with ambitious plans for multi-gigawatt deployments within the Maia family, as highlighted in a blog by Executive Vice President Scott Guthrie. However, General Manager Alistair Speirs indicated that a detailed timeline remains undecided.

"We keep some flexibility there since this is a rapidly evolving field, and we need to deploy the most suitable silicon for our models at the right moment," Speirs noted.

Microsoft aims to install 96 Maia 300 chips in each data center rack—double the capacity compared to the Maia 200. The new version is expected to process up to seven times more AI tokens per rack and achieve 40% greater token efficiency per megawatt when compared to traditional GPUs.

"We require new architectures to enhance performance and optimize power usage," Speirs explained. "Power efficiency directly impacts operational costs for data centers."

Jim Kleewein, a technical fellow at Microsoft, mentioned that various components of Microsoft 365 Copilot should see performance improvements with the Maia 300.

In a client update on Wednesday, analysts from Evercore ISI projected that the Maia chips will account for roughly 10% of Microsoft's AI chip expenditures by the first quarter of 2027 and recommended purchasing Microsoft stock.

Despite this push towards self-reliance, Nvidia remains a crucial player in Microsoft’s strategy. CEO Jensen Huang recently spoke at an event where Microsoft revealed a Surface laptop featuring an Nvidia processor. Furthermore, when it comes to model training, Microsoft continues to collaborate with Nvidia and AMD, according to Speirs.

In contrast to Google's Tensor Processing Units or Amazon's Inferentia and Trainium, Microsoft’s accelerators are not available for hourly rental by external companies.

"To date, they have yet to be tested outside of Microsoft," remarked Patrick Moorhead, CEO of advisory firm Moor Insights and Strategy.

Microsoft plans to increase use of its own AI chips, decreasing reliance on Nvidia.

A bright, sunlit semiconductor cleanroom: a technician in a crisp white lab coat holds up a freshly etched silicon wafer stamped with a bold Microsoft logo, natural light streaming through skylights. In the softly shadowed background, a rack of Nvidia chip boxes gathers dust, hinting at a shift away from outside suppliers.

Microsoft to rely more on homegrown AI chips, reducing dependence on Nvidia - CNBC

- Microsoft will increasingly use its own AI chips, starting with the Maia 300.  
- The Maia 300 aims to double the chip density and improve performance per power.  
- Microsoft’s chips are unique to its operations, unlike competitors' rentable processing units.  

Microsoft will ramp up use of its homegrown artificial intelligence chips after years of reliance on Nvidia's graphics processing units, as the software giant attempts to bolster its AI stack.

Starting with its third-generation Maia AI accelerator, unveiled on Monday, Microsoft said it will mainly rely on its own silicon to handle incoming requests.

Microsoft's greatest strength in AI has been its Azure cloud, which runs a series of models for clients. Its Microsoft 365 Copilot and GitHub Copilot offer AI-powered services to software engineers and other office workers. And the company develops in-house models, though they've yet to make a big splash in a market dominated by OpenAI , Anthropic and Google .

The emerging opportunity in chips stems from unrelenting demand for advanced processors and a desire in the market for choice. Nvidia's GPUs have been the standard for AI workloads and models, and they fill Microsoft's existing data centers, while also serving to train models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

But as demand keeps growing, the model leaders have embraced a variety of silicon from companies including Amazon , Advanced Micro Devices , Cerebras , Google and, in recent months, Microsoft.

For general-purpose use, Microsoft already taps its own central processing units as well as silicon from Intel and AMD . Finance chief Amy Hood said at a Goldman Sachs conference last month that use of its own chips has helped with "margin improvement over the course of a decade."

Microsoft introduced its inaugural AI chip, the Maia 100, in 2023. It touted the Maia 200 this past January, and CEO Satya Nadella told analysts in July that Maia 200 "delivers 30% better performance per dollar than the latest generation hardware in our fleet" and said it was handling OpenAI models.

Production of the Maia 300 starts in 2027. Microsoft is targeting multi-gigawatt deployments of chips in the Maia family, according to a blog post from Executive Vice President Scott Guthrie. But Alistair Speirs, a general manager, declined to provide a timeline.

"We reserve a little bit of optionality there, because this is an industry that's changing very fast, and we want to deploy the right silicon for the right models that we're using at the right time as well," Speirs said.

Microsoft expects to pack 96 Maia 300 chips into each data center rack, double the number for the Maia 200. The new version can run through up to seven times more AI tokens per rack, with 40% more tokens per megawatt when compared with GPUs.

"We need new architectures that will give us essentially better performance, better use of the power that we have," Speirs said. "You can think of power translating pretty directly into operational cost for something like a data center as well."

Parts of Microsoft 365 Copilot should speed up with Maia 300, said Jim Kleewein, a technical fellow at the company.

In a note distributed to clients on Wednesday, Evercore ISI analysts estimated that Maia will represent about 10% of Microsoft's spending on AI chips by the first quarter of 2027. The analysts recommend buying Microsoft shares.

Nvidia will still be a big part of the equation. CEO Jensen Huang spoke at an event last week where Microsoft announced a Surface laptop containing an Nvidia processor. And when it comes to training models, Microsoft partners with Nvidia and AMD, Speirs said.

Unlike Google's tensor processing units or Amazon's Inferentia and Trainium, Microsoft's accelerators can't be rented by the hour to other companies.

"Nobody has tested them outside of Microsoft yet," said Patrick Moorhead, CEO of advisory firm Moor Insights and Strategy.

WATCH: Melissa Otto: Nvidia is the bellwether of the AI trade

Microsoft to rely more on homegrown AI chips, reducing dependence on Nvidia

In Singapore, the leaders of Intel and Broadcom have raised concerns that capital access may pose a significant challenge to the ongoing expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, even as the demand for computing infrastructure continues to surpass available supply.

During the DBS Asia Future Forward Conference, Broadcom's CEO Hock Tan emphasized that securing financing might become a more pressing limit on AI development than the actual shortages of chips or power supply. He stated, “What I think might be the biggest constraint is capital,” highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure to support increasingly advanced AI models.

Echoing Tan's sentiments, Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan noted that the rising cost of capital poses a challenge, as there are lingering doubts about whether heavy investments in AI will yield sufficient returns. "If there's any challenge in the front, it's capital and the cost of capital," he remarked, adding that stakeholders are eager to see a return on investment (ROI) over the long term.

Their comments underscore a growing concern for the AI industry, which has invested heavily in data centers, advanced chip production, and power infrastructure in anticipation of escalating demand for computing power.

As interest rates rise, financing for tech firms heavily investing in AI infrastructure may become more complicated. Higher bond yields could drive up the costs associated with building data centers and acquiring chips, potentially placing financial strain on projects that require years to realize returns.

Hock Tan mentioned that while the industry has faced numerous supply chain bottlenecks over recent years, he expects these issues to start alleviating as production capabilities improve. “In the last two years, we have seen a series of bottlenecks that keep coming out, but we overcome it," he explained. He further indicated that wafer shortages might be resolved by 2028 or 2029, and that power supply could also improve with the introduction of new infrastructure.

Despite these financial challenges, both executives expressed optimism about the near-term demand for AI computing infrastructure. Hock Tan noted, “There is more demand for compute infrastructure than we can supply,” suggesting this imbalance might continue until at least 2029, possibly stretching into 2030.

Lip-Bu Tan from Intel also stated that the next two to three years are unlikely to see a significant downturn in growth, driven by the increasing adoption of AI technologies and the consequent demand for computing resources.

However, the executives cautioned that sustaining this growth in the long run will require rapid business adoption of AI and a demonstration of valuable economic benefits. Broadcom’s CEO warned that the need for computing infrastructure may diminish if expectations regarding the adoption of advanced AI models are not met or if their performance improvements start to plateau. Lip-Bu Tan further highlighted that businesses must showcase tangible results from AI investments, such as enhanced efficiency and novel business models.

CEOs of Intel and Broadcom caution that a shortage of capital might pose the greatest obstacle to AI development.

A shadowy industrial chamber with a towering AI processor mounted on a steel pedestal, bathed in a single warm spotlight. Two thick metal conduits arch in from opposite sides—one stamped with the Intel logo, the other with Broadcom’s—each pouring a sparse trickle of gold coins that spill through cracks and clatter onto the concrete floor. Scattered coin piles and drifting dust motes fill the dim, moody space, symbolizing the capital crunch threatening to choke AI’s growth.

Intel, Broadcom CEOs warn capital crunch could become AI's biggest bottleneck - CNBC

- Intel and Broadcom CEOs warn capital access may hinder AI expansion more than supplies.  
- Rising borrowing costs could complicate funding for AI infrastructure construction and investments.  
- Demand for AI computing infrastructure is strong, but economic returns must follow investment.  

SINGAPORE — The chief executives of Intel and Broadcom warned that access to capital could emerge as a major constraint on the artificial intelligence boom, even as demand for computing infrastructure continues to outstrip supply.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan said financing could become a bigger obstacle to AI expansion than shortages of semiconductors, memory chips or electricity, as the industry races to build the infrastructure needed to power increasingly sophisticated models.

"[What] I think might be the biggest constraint is capital," Hock Tan said at the DBS Asia Future Forward Conference in Singapore on Monday.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan echoed concerns about financing, pointing to the rising cost of capital and questions over whether companies investing heavily in AI will eventually generate sufficient returns.

"If there's any challenge in the front, it's capital and the cost of capital, and then the other part is in the longer run, people want to see the ROI," he said.

Their remarks highlight an emerging challenge for the AI industry, which has poured enormous sums into data centers, advanced chips and power infrastructure in anticipation of surging demand for computing capacity.

The warnings come as rising borrowing costs threaten to complicate financing for technology companies investing heavily in AI infrastructure. Higher bond yields could make it more expensive to fund data center construction and chip purchases, potentially putting pressure on the economics of projects that may take years to generate returns.

Hock Tan said the industry has repeatedly encountered supply bottlenecks over the past two years, but expects some of those constraints to ease as production capacity expands.

"[In the] last two years we have seen a series of bottlenecks that keep coming out, but then we overcome it," he said. "Memory shortage today might not be that way a year from now."

He suggested that wafer shortages could ease by 2028 or 2029, while power availability could also improve as new infrastructure comes online.

Despite the financing concerns, both executives remained bullish on near-term demand for AI computing infrastructure.

"There is more demand for compute infrastructure than we can supply," Hock Tan said, adding that the imbalance could persist through 2029 and potentially into 2030.

Intel’s Tan similarly said the industry was unlikely to experience a significant slowdown over the next two to three years, citing growing adoption of AI applications and demand for computing power.

But sustaining that growth beyond the next few years will depend on how quickly businesses adopt AI and whether the technology delivers meaningful economic benefits, the executives said.

Broadcom’s Tan cautioned that demand for computing infrastructure could slow if the adoption of advanced AI models disappoints or improvements in their capabilities begin to plateau.

Lip-Bu Tan, meanwhile, emphasized that companies would increasingly need to demonstrate tangible returns from AI investments through improved efficiency and new business models.

Intel, Broadcom CEOs warn capital crunch could become AI's biggest bottleneck

At the Busan International Film Festival, renowned French actress Isabelle Huppert addressed concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence on the acting profession, asserting that she hasn't experienced a direct threat as of yet. During a press conference for Marc Fitoussi's latest comedy, "All About Corinne," which is featured in the festival’s prestigious Gala Presentation, Huppert quipped about potentially needing to learn Korean and Japanese. "I was unaware of my Korean-speaking abilities; all I know is 'annyeonghaseyo' [hello]," she remarked humorously.

When queried about AI's potential to disrupt the acting landscape, Huppert expressed a level of optimism, noting, "It really is me acting. So far, my image remains on screen, and I hope it stays that way." While she acknowledged the theoretical risks AI poses to the industry, she likened it to past fears about the decline of cinemas or the extinction of vinyl records, emphasizing how such concerns often turn out to be exaggerated.

In addition to addressing AI, Huppert revealed her upcoming collaboration with famed filmmaker Dario Argento, stating her excitement about the project, which is slated to begin next year.

Fitoussi, with whom Huppert has had a productive relationship, mentioned he is contemplating a new project and is eager to work with her again. "It's premature to discuss it in detail, but I recently saw a film featuring Joan Crawford that intrigues me, and the idea of remaking it with Isabelle is very appealing," he expressed.

In "All About Corinne," which premiered earlier in Locarno, Huppert portrays Corinne Maclou, a seasoned extra who clings to her aspiration of acting while nurturing a friendship with another performer. The film also features prominent actors like Sandrine Kiberlain appearing as themselves and is set to release in South Korea next spring.

When discussing her portrayal of an extra, Huppert credited Fitoussi's strong script and dialogue for guiding her performance, adding that being an extra, while unique, is still a legitimate job. "I play an extra, but I could just as easily take on any profession. Hence, I didn't find it particularly challenging," she explained.

Huppert challenged the notion that the film depicts the acting world solely through a lens of nostalgia, pointing out its inherent cruelties. She articulated that the film industry is indicative of broader hierarchical societal structures where power dynamics exist. "This theme resonates beyond cinema; it's applicable to any organization characterized by disparities in authority," she noted.

Fitoussi shared that the concept for "All About Corinne" started almost humorously, envisioning one of France's most prolific actresses in a role where she seldom gets to act. He reached out to Huppert prior to drafting the script, saying, "Her agreement is what propelled me to write." He also approached Kiberlain and others who play fictionalized versions of themselves early in the writing process.

Having previously explored the lives of extras in his 2008 documentary "Des Figurants," Fitoussi drew inspiration from one particular subject who wore a pink scarf to attract directors' attention. In his new film, Corinne’s whimsical hairstyle plays a similar role. "These characters strike me as quite poignant; they're somewhat overlooked and invisible. It was rewarding to portray them as heroic figures for the duration of the film," he expressed.

Additionally, Fitoussi mentioned he had begun penning a script where Huppert would take on the role of a truck driver but halted the project upon realizing Juliette Binoche had recently portrayed a similar character in an American film. However, he hinted at the possibility of revisiting that idea in the future.

Huppert arrived in Busan on the morning of the press conference following a reading of a novel by Nobel Prize-winner Han Kang in Seoul, alongside her co-star from Hong Sang-soo's "A Traveler's Needs," Lee Hye-young. This event was part of a special presentation at the Avignon Festival, which featured Korea as this year's guest country. Huppert's appearance in Busan is her third, while it marks Fitoussi's inaugural visit to South Korea. Notably, Huppert was recently appointed as the first female president of the Cinémathèque Française.

Isabelle Huppert Claims AI Hasn’t Supplanted Her Yet: ‘It’s Truly Me Performing’

A warm, sunlit theater stage bathed in natural light. Isabelle Huppert stands center, mid-monologue, script pages in hand. To her side, an empty modern director’s chair labeled “AI” faces the audience. Behind her, a small monitor flickers with faint, glitching lines of code, underscoring that the human actor remains irreplaceable.

Isabelle Huppert Says AI Hasn’t Replaced Her Yet: ‘It Really Is Me Acting’ - Yahoo

- Isabelle Huppert feels AI hasn't threatened her acting career at the festival.  
- She emphasizes the film industry’s hierarchical nature, portraying both cruelty and dreams.  
- Huppert is set to star in Dario Argento's upcoming film next year.

Isabelle Huppert has yet to be pushed aside by AI, the French star said at the Busan International Film Festival, though she has heard she may soon be speaking Korean and Japanese.

"I didn't know I spoke Korean. I just know how to say 'annyeonghaseyo' [hello]," Huppert said at a press conference for Marc Fitoussi's comedy "All About Corinne," which is screening in the festival's Gala Presentation section.

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"It really is me acting. So I haven't yet been threatened, confronted with that admittedly grim prospect," Huppert said when asked whether AI is wiping out acting jobs. "So far I've seen that it's still my face on screen, and I hope that continues," she added.

Huppert allowed that AI is a threat in theory, but compared it to fears that cinemas would disappear or that records would die out, only for vinyl to make a comeback. "Maybe I'm wrong to be optimistic, I don't know," she said.

Huppert also confirmed she will appear in a film by Dario Argento. "I'm very happy about it. I think it will be some time next year," she said.

Fitoussi, for whom "All About Corinne" marks a fourth collaboration with Huppert, said he is in the early stages of a new project and would like to work with her again.

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"It's a bit too early to talk about it, but in any case I saw a film with Joan Crawford that really excites me, and imagining a remake with Isabelle tempts me quite a lot," Fitoussi said.

"I hope so," Huppert replied.

"All About Corinne," which premiered in Locarno, stars Huppert as Corinne Maclou, a veteran extra who has never let go of her dream of acting, and follows her friendship with another actor. Sandrine Kiberlain and other well-known performers appear as themselves. The film will open in South Korea next spring.

Asked how she approached playing an extra, Huppert said the strength of Fitoussi's screenplay and dialogue did much of the work, and that while being an extra isn't a job like any other, it is still a job. "I play an extra, but I could just as well play any other profession. So for me it didn't present any particular difficulty," she said.

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Huppert pushed back on the idea that the film looks at the acting profession only with warmth, noting it carries a certain cruelty in many situations. She said she sees the film industry in the story as one example of a deeply hierarchical society. "Obviously that applies to any similar organization where there are those who have power and those who don't. It isn't necessarily about demonizing the world of cinema either," she said.

Fitoussi said the project began almost as a joke, with the idea of casting one of France's busiest actors as someone who never gets to act. He called Huppert before writing a word. "It's because she said yes that I started writing," he said. He also contacted Kiberlain and the other actors playing themselves before he began the script.

The director first explored the world of extras in a 2008 documentary, "Des Figurants," and borrowed from one of its subjects, a woman who wore a pink scarf in the hope of catching a director's eye. In the new film, Corinne's odd tuft of hair serves the same purpose. "In any case, these are characters I inevitably find very moving, because they're a bit like losers, a bit invisible. And it was nice to make them heroic for the length of a film," Fitoussi said.

He also revealed that he had started writing a film in which Huppert would play a truck driver, but stopped after learning that Juliette Binoche had shot an American film in a similar role. He said he will likely return to that script one day.

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Huppert arrived in Busan the morning of the press conference after performing a reading of a novel by Nobel laureate Han Kang in Seoul with Lee Hye-young, her co-star in Hong Sang-soo's "A Traveler's Needs." The pair first staged it at the Avignon Festival, where Korea was the guest country this year. It was her second stage appearance in Seoul, following Robert Wilson's "Mary Said What She Said."

This is Huppert's third visit to Busan and Fitoussi's first trip to Korea. Huppert, who has appeared in three Hong films, was elected this year as the first female president of the Cinémathèque Française.

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Isabelle Huppert Says AI Hasn’t Replaced Her Yet: ‘It Really Is Me Acting’

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President Donald Trump's recent initiative to substitute the term "artificial intelligence" with "super intelligence" has been met with ridicule, yet there seems to be minimal impact on how leading tech companies label their offerings.

On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social to declare that anyone using "Artificial Intelligence" rather than "Super Intelligence" is deemed an "enemy" by the White House.

Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) shared his message on X, simply remarking, "Artificial Intelligence." Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) humorously noted on X that "Artificial Intelligence is a term historically reserved for politicians."

On September 29, Trump issued an executive order entitled "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence," which mandates federal agencies to replace mentions of "Artificial Intelligence" and "AI" with "Super Intelligence" and "SI" in their official documents and communications.

Additionally, Trump has established a Super Intelligence Force, headed by the Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, to lead the country’s efforts to stay at the forefront of technology.

In spite of a recent luncheon at the White House that included key figures from the tech industry, such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the majority of the tech sector has not adopted Trump's terminology. The attendees agreed to a nonbinding safety accord but continue to refer to their technology as "artificial intelligence" and "AI" in public statements.

Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have also maintained the use of the established terms in their latest communications. However, the XAI division of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. has announced plans to rebrand itself as SpaceXSI, a move shared by Elon Musk on X, coinciding with the White House's terminology shift. Notably, SpaceX still uses "AI" in its recent blog posts.

Trump's campaign to promote "super intelligence" has also been linked to a remarkable surge in the registration of ".si" Slovenian internet domains, according to the BBC. Klara Herman, a spokesperson for the registry, reported that in September, there were 44,000 registrations of ".si" domains, marking a staggering 2,199% increase from the previous month. 

As the technology landscape evolves, many investors are exploring avenues beyond traditional stock portfolios to diversify their holdings. Strategies include investing in real estate, fixed-income opportunities, and alternative asset classes that align with shifts in the economy. Various platforms now offer access to vetted commercial real estate and innovative investment options for those looking to expand their portfolios in a resilient manner.

Trump Claims Labeling It as 'Artificial Intelligence' Labels You the 'Enemy,' Yet Marjorie Taylor Greene Appears Unconcerned

A dimly lit debate stage under a single warm spotlight, the U.S. flag draped behind two podiums. On the left, a silhouette of Donald Trump points angrily at a hovering, stylized AI-brain emblem labeled “ENEMY” in glitchy letters. On the right, Marjorie Taylor Greene stands with arms crossed and a smirk, unphased by the glowing symbol. Dramatic shadows and rich sepia tones heighten the tense political standoff.

Trump Says Calling It ‘Artificial Intelligence’ Makes You the ‘Enemy,’ But Marjorie Taylor Greene Doesn't Seem to Care - Yahoo

- Trump demands replacing "Artificial Intelligence" with "Super Intelligence," calling detractors enemies.  
- Major tech companies, including OpenAI, continue using "Artificial Intelligence" despite Trump's request.  
- Registrations for ".si" domains surged 2,199% in September amid Trump's terminology push.  

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

President Donald Trump's push to replace "artificial intelligence" with "super intelligence" has drawn mockery and little apparent change in how major technology companies describe their products.

Greene, Thomas Massie Mock Trump's AI Demand

On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social and said that the White House considers anyone using the term "Artificial Intelligence" instead of "Super Intelligence" an "enemy."

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Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) shared his post on X, responding with just two words: "Artificial Intelligence."

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also weighed in, joking on X that "Artificial Intelligence is a term historically reserved for politicians."

Artificial Intelligence is a term historically reserved for politicians. pic.twitter.com/JMcRtV25J1 — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) October 8, 2026

Trending: Avoid the #1 Investing Mistake: How Your 'Safe' Holdings Could Be Costing You Big Time

Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Replace AI With SI

Trump's Sept. 29 executive order, titled "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence," instructs federal agencies to replace "Artificial Intelligence" and "AI" with "Super Intelligence" and "SI" in official communications, websites, reports and other non-statutory documents.

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The president has also established a Super Intelligence Force, led by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, to coordinate federal efforts to ensure the U.S. maintains its leadership in the technology.

OpenAI, Anthropic Still Use Artificial Intelligence

Despite a White House luncheon attended by major technology executives, including Meta Platforms, Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai and Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang, the industry has yet to broadly adopt Trump's preferred terminology.

The executives signed a nonbinding safety accord, but their companies continue to use "artificial intelligence" and "AI" in recent public communications.

See Also: Skip the Regrets: The Essential Retirement Tips Experts Wish Everyone Knew Earlier.

OpenAI and Anthropic have also continued using the established terminology in their latest blog posts.

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Space Exploration Technologies Corp. XAI division, however, has confirmed plans to rebrand as SpaceXSI. Elon Musk announced the change on X, following the White House's push for the new terminology.

However, SpaceX has also continued to use "AI" in its latest blog post.

Trump's Super Intelligence Push Sparks Domain Boom

The debate has also coincided with a surge in registrations of Slovenian internet domains ending in ".si," according to the BBC.

Registry SI spokesperson Klara Herman said 44,000 ".si" websites were registered in September, a 2,199% increase from August.

Image via Shutterstock/ noamgalai

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Entertainment franchises can become valuable long-term assets when they successfully expand across multiple platforms. Skybound Entertainment, the company behind The Walking Dead and Invincible, develops original intellectual property that spans comics, television, film, video games, merchandise, and licensing. With more than 250 IPs in its portfolio and a strategy focused on retaining franchise rights while scaling successful stories across media, Skybound offers investors exposure to the growing entertainment and creator economy through a private company rather than traditional public market investments.

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Trump Says Calling It ‘Artificial Intelligence’ Makes You the ‘Enemy,’ But Marjorie Taylor Greene Doesn't Seem to Care

Taipei, Oct 12 (Reuters) - TSMC, the leading global producer of advanced AI chips, is poised to announce a record-breaking sixth consecutive quarter of profits, fueled by a surge in technology infrastructure investments. 

Analysts have noted robust demand for TSMC’s (2330.TW) AI chip manufacturing capabilities and its innovative chip packaging technology, CoWoS.

The company is anticipated to reveal a remarkable 65% increase in net profit for the third quarter, reaching T$746.3 billion ($23.4 billion), based on an LSEG SmartEstimate generated from 16 analysts. This estimate prioritizes insights from those analysts with a track record of consistent accuracy.

An earnings conference call is scheduled for Thursday at 0600 GMT, where TSMC will discuss its fourth-quarter performance and offer updated guidance for the full year.

If the net income surpasses T$706.56 billion, it will set a new record for the company and mark its 11th consecutive quarter of profit growth. Last week, TSMC reported a 50% year-on-year revenue increase for Q3, exceeding expectations and setting a new high.

In a report dated October 6, Morgan Stanley analyst Charlie Chan projected TSMC would likely revise its full-year revenue growth forecast to the low-to-mid 40% range, up from its previous guidance of over 40%, spurred by strong interest in its 3-nanometer chips.

Regarding future expansions, TSMC is investing a substantial $265 billion to establish chip manufacturing facilities in Arizona, including an additional $100 billion announced in July for this initiative. 

Recent reports indicate that TSMC is also exploring potential investment opportunities in Texas. Last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared plans for a Terafab AI chip complex, hinting that TSMC could lease part of this facility.

Analysts expect TSMC to address these Texas expansion discussions during their upcoming call. Chan noted that further expansion in Texas might soon become necessary due to increasing customer demand and limited capacity at the Arizona site projected five years down the road.

However, Phelix Lee, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, believes there is no pressing need for immediate expansion into Texas, as some fabs planned in Arizona are still in the development stage. He suggested that Texas could be a strategic consideration for the 2030s or 2040s, given its established semiconductor ecosystem and workforce. "It may serve as a proactive measure to anticipate future US trade policies and other regulations," he remarked.

During its July earnings update, TSMC raised its capital expenditure forecast for the year to between $60 billion and $64 billion, up from a prior estimation of $52 billion to $56 billion at the upper range.

So far this year, TSMC's shares listed in Taipei have surged by 63%, closely mirroring a 69% climb in the overall market.

TSMC anticipated to announce its sixth consecutive quarter of record earnings driven by the AI surge.

A sunlit TSMC semiconductor fab interior, warm natural light streaming through high windows onto robotics gently handling silicon wafers engraved with glowing AI circuit patterns; in the background a large digital display shows a soaring profit chart and golden “Q6 Record” figures, TSMC logo prominently etched on a gleaming metal wall, conveying unprecedented success.

TSMC expected to report sixth straight quarter of record profit thanks to AI boom - Reuters

- TSMC's Q3 net profit is projected to rise 65% to T$746.3 billion.  
- Company reports 50% revenue growth, setting a new quarterly record on Thursday.  
- TSMC is exploring expansion in Texas amid strong demand for AI chip production.  

Summary

Companies Net profit forecast to jump 65% to T$746.3 billion in Q3

Earnings call scheduled for Thursday at 0600 GMT

TSMC a major beneficiary of AI boom

Third-quarter revenue up 50% to a new record, TSMC said Thursday

TAIPEI, Oct 12 (Reuters) - TSMC, the world's largest manufacturer of advanced AI chips, will likely report a sixth consecutive ‌quarter of record earnings, driven by booming infrastructure spending in the tech sector.

Analysts say demand for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's (TSMC) (2330.TW) , opens new tab AI chipmaking capacity, as well as its advanced chip packaging technology, CoWoS, remains strong.

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On Thursday, TSMC is expected to report a 65% surge in third-quarter net profit to ⁠T$746.3 billion ($23.4 billion), according to an LSEG SmartEstimate compiled from 16 analysts. SmartEstimates place greater weight on forecasts from ​analysts who are more consistently accurate.

An earnings call at which it will provide fourth-quarter and updated full-year guidance is scheduled ​for 0600 GMT.

Any result above T$706.56 billion would mark the company's highest-ever quarterly net income, as well as its 11th consecutive quarter of profit growth.

Last Thursday, it posted a 50% year-on-year rise in third-quarter revenue , beating market forecasts and hitting a new record high.

In an October 6 report, ​Morgan Stanley analyst Charlie Chan said he expected TSMC to raise its full-year revenue growth forecast to the low-to-mid ​40% range from its current guidance of more than 40%, driven by strong demand for its 3-nanometre chips.

TEXAS EXPANSION PROSPECTS

TSMC is investing $265 billion ‌to ⁠build chip factories in the US state of Arizona, including an additional $100 billion that was unveiled in July.

In September, Reuters reported that TSMC was evaluating a potential investment in Texas. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also said last week that his companies would build and operate the Terafab AI chip complex, with TSMC potentially subleasing a part of it.

Analysts expect TSMC to address questions ​about its potential expansion plans ​in Texas.

In his report, Chan ⁠said an expansion in Texas could become necessary given growing customer demand and limited space at TSMC's Arizona site in five years' time.

Phelix Lee, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, however, ​saw limited urgency for TSMC to expand into Texas, given that some of its ​planned fabs in ⁠Arizona have yet to be built.

"Texas is a good location for a 2030s or 2040s expansion grand plan, given its long history of semiconductor ecosystem and talent pool," Lee said. "It may be a dangling carrot to preempt potential US trade and other policies."

On ⁠its ​July earnings call , the company raised its capex forecast for this year to ​between $60 billion and $64 billion from a previous prediction at the high end of $52 billion to $56 billion.

TSMC's Taipei-listed shares have gained 63% so far this year, ​broadly in line with a 69% rise for the broader market (.TWII) , opens new tab

Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

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TSMC expected to report sixth straight quarter of record profit thanks to AI boom

In their inaugural debate held on Sunday night, Republican Senator Darline Graham of South Carolina and her Democratic challenger, Annie Andrews, engaged in a lively exchange covering significant topics such as President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” escalating prices for fuel and consumer goods, the ongoing conflict in Iran, and the rise of AI data centers.

South Carolina, known for its strong Republican leanings, continues to support Trump among its GOP constituents. Nevertheless, as the campaign approaches its climax, the contest has become increasingly competitive, with Democrats expressing optimism about their chances of unseating Graham, who was appointed to her brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat following his unexpected passing in July. To bolster Graham's campaign, a leading Senate Republican super PAC has committed $5 million.

The debate, streamed from Columbia by South Carolina ETV, began with Graham acknowledging the poignant significance of the date, marking exactly three months since her brother’s death at 71.

Andrews, a pediatrician by profession, attempted to cast Graham as an out-of-touch figure who fails to challenge Trump or his unpopular policies, dubbing her “the White House’s ambassador to South Carolina.”

In contrast, Graham labeled Andrews as the “most radical liberal” candidate ever to run in South Carolina, accusing her of aligning with the Democratic Socialist Party. “Annie Andrews won’t stand up to the Socialist Democratic Party; she’ll join them,” Graham claimed—a description that Andrews firmly disputed.

Andrews responded, “I’ve been told my opponent would come out here and call me Bernie or Ocasio, but my name is Annie Andrews, and that should be clear. I stand for the Second Amendment, favor secure borders, and support deporting illegal immigrants who break the law. The difference between Sen. Graham and myself is that I will challenge my own party and always prioritize South Carolina.”

Both candidates are vying for a complete six-year Senate term, with the potential to make history as South Carolina’s first elected female senator. Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener also participated in the debate.

The candidates debated various pressing issues. With Social Security under threat, Andrews proposed increasing contribution caps for wealthier individuals without raising the retirement age. She accused Republicans, including Graham, of seeking to privatize Social Security, allowing “Washington insiders” to profit. “My opponent is here to do the bidding of those insiders,” she stated.

Graham defended her understanding of South Carolinians' plights, recounting how Social Security benefits were crucial for her and her brother after their parents passed away. She argued that Andrews’ concerns about Trump’s legislation were misplaced as it resulted in tax reductions for service industry workers and Social Security.

On the topic of affordability, Graham expressed empathy for those living paycheck to paycheck and acknowledged the current high gas prices. She endorsed the suspension of the gas tax and suggested relaxing drilling regulations to stabilize costs in the long term.

Andrews attributed the soaring gas prices to Graham’s votes against measures to limit Trump's military engagement in Iran. “The war is precisely why gas and diesel prices are at record levels, impacting farmers and causing overall costs to surge,” she argued. “My opponent has repeatedly chosen to support the continuation of the war.”

Andrews also pointedly criticized Graham for having stated previously that “national security is not my thing.” She questioned how South Carolinians could trust her with a Senate seat given that lack of focus. “If your surgeon said appendectomies weren’t really their specialty, would you let them operate?” she asked. “Why would we give Darline Graham a full term in the U.S. Senate when she seems unserious and unqualified?”

In response, Graham emphasized her desire for the war to end, expressing a belief in “peace through strength.” She countered Andrews' critique by asserting that honesty is paramount in public service and claimed Andrews has been misleading voters with inconsistent positions.

The candidates also discussed the proliferation of data centers, a significant issue in this election cycle. Andrews launched an attack on Graham, dubbing her “Data Center Darline,” and proposed a two-year moratorium on new data centers, arguing for local control over energy rates.

Graham countered that halting data center construction could jeopardize America’s standing in the competitive AI landscape against countries like China. She defended her support for the Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to transfer high energy costs associated with data centers from consumers to the companies themselves.

“Under her Bernie Sanders-esque plan, a two-year moratorium would threaten national security, leaving us lagging behind,” Graham warned. She asserted that decisions regarding data centers should be made by local communities rather than imposed by the federal government. “I believe in local decision-making; she prefers a top-down approach.”

South Carolina Senate candidates clash over Iran conflict, AI, and Trump in heated debate

A tense debate stage bathed in warm spotlight and flickering orange glow, flames licking the bases of two wooden podiums where rival senators gesture passionately; behind them, the South Carolina flag is projected onto a dark wall. One podium bears a glowing circuit-chip emblem, the other a small map of Iran marked with a tiny explosion icon. Above, a bold banner reads “TRUMP” in fiery letters. The audience sits in deep shadow, the atmosphere charged and dramatic.

South Carolina Senate rivals spar over Iran war, AI and Trump in fiery debate - NBC News

- Sen. Darline Graham and challenger Annie Andrews debated key issues including gas prices and AI.  
- Andrews criticized Graham for her ties to Trump and her record on national security.  
- Graham defended her record while attacking Andrews as a radical liberal and deceptive politician.

Republican Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews clashed Sunday night in their first and perhaps only debate of the general election, tangling over President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” the high costs of gas and goods, the Iran war and AI data centers.

South Carolina is a ruby-red state where Trump remains popular among Republican voters. But the race has tightened in the closing stretch of the campaign, and Democrats believe they have a shot at knocking off Graham, who was appointed to fill her brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after his sudden death in July. The top Senate Republican super PAC has pledged to spend $5 million to shore up Graham’s campaign.

At the start of the debate, hosted in Columbia by South Carolina ETV, Darline Graham noted that Sunday night marked exactly three months since her brother unexpectedly died at age 71.

Andrews, a pediatrician, sought to portray Graham, who previously led a state agency, as an inexperienced empty suit who refuses to stand up to Trump or his unpopular policies. She mocked Graham as “the White House’s ambassador to South Carolina.”

Graham attacked Andrews as the “most radical liberal” to run in South Carolina and as sympathetic to the Democratic Socialist Party. “Annie Andrews will not stand up to the Socialist Democratic Party; she’s only going to join them,” Graham said — a characterization Andrews rejected.

Graham has “been told to come out here and call me Bernie, Ocasio, Mamdani — that’s what’s in her script. But the truth is my name is Annie Andrews, and there shouldn’t be any confusion about that,” Andrews said. “The truth is I support the Second Amendment, I believe we need a secure border, and we need to deport illegal immigrants who break the law. ... The real difference between me and Sen. Graham is that I will stand up to my own party, and I will always put South Carolina first.”

Graham and Andrews are running for a full six-year Senate term; the winner will make history as the first female senator elected from South Carolina. The debate also featured Libertarian Kasie Whitener.

Graham and Andrews tussled over issue after issue. As the country faces Social Security insolvency, Andrews said she would raise caps to make wealthier people pay more but would not hike the retirement age. She added that Republicans like Graham want to privatize Social Security so “Washington insiders” can profit. “Unfortunately, my opponent is in the race to do what Washington insiders tell her,” she said.

Graham shot back that she understands what people in her state are facing. When her parents died at a young age, Social Security benefits helped her and her brother survive. Graham said Andrews’ criticism of Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” is misplaced because it lowered taxes on tips and Social Security. “You called it the one big, ugly bill, so here you are deceiving the people of South Carolina,” Graham said.

On affordability, Graham said she has “lived paycheck to paycheck” before and acknowledged that “gas prices are high right now. ... I feel the pain, too.” She said that she supports suspending the gas tax and that easing regulations on drilling would permanently bring prices down.

Andrews pinned blame for high gas prices on Graham, who she said voted several times against a war powers resolution to restrict Trump’s war with Iran.

“The war is the exact reason we now have record-high gas and diesel prices. Farmers are getting crushed, and everything costs more,” Andrews said. “My opponent is the only one who had the opportunity to vote to end the war, but three times in a row she voted to continue it.”

Andrews also dinged Graham for admitting during a previous debate that “national security is not my thing.” “South Carolina, if your surgeon said that appendectomies aren’t really his thing, would you still hand him a scalpel? No,” Andrews said. “So why would we hand Darline Graham a full term in the U.S. Senate? She is unserious and unqualified.”

Graham retorted that she wants the war to end, like everyone does, but said she believes in “peace through strength.” Then, she went after Andrews over the national security quip.

“But talking about not my thing, let’s talk about what’s not your thing. Your thing apparently is not being honest with the people of South Carolina. At least I’m honest. If I don’t know something, I am glad to say it, and I’ll say it again tonight,” Graham said without getting specific. “But you have, you are deceiving the people of South Carolina. You have flip-flopped on everything. There’s so many social media posts out there to prove it. Shame on you!”

The proliferation of data centers, which power artificial intelligence companies, has become a major flash point in the midterm elections.

Andrews went right after Graham on the issue, nicknaming her “Data Center Darline.” Andrews said her data-center plan calls for a “two-year moratorium, protections to ensure your rates don’t go up and a return to real local control.”

Graham fired back that stopping construction of all data centers would allow China to win the race for AI dominance. She said she voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to shift higher energy costs from building data centers from consumers onto AI companies.

“Under her Bernie Sanders plan, a two-year moratorium, that is dangerous to the national security of our country, because in two years China is going to be so far ahead [that] we are going to be in so much trouble,” Graham said, adding that local communities should decide whether data centers get built in their backyards.

“I want communities to decide. She wants the federal government to decide.”

South Carolina Senate rivals spar over Iran war, AI and Trump in fiery debate

Nvidia is reportedly exploring an acquisition of Reflection AI, a U.S.-based company known for developing open-weight artificial intelligence models. This information was revealed by a report from the Financial Times on October 10, which highlighted the White House's interest in U.S. open-weight models as a means to compete with Chinese offerings.

Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated to the Financial Times that the talks are still in their initial stages, and various scenarios for the deal could emerge. One possibility discussed is an "acqui-hire," where Nvidia would focus on recruiting Reflection AI's talent and licensing its technology, avoiding the extensive regulatory hurdles that usually accompany a full acquisition. Furthermore, Nvidia might consider increasing its financial backing of Reflection, having already invested an impressive $800 million in the organization.

The report emphasized Nvidia's recent strategic shift toward promoting open-weight AI models, which allow users to personalize and deploy the technology on their own hardware. These models can be significantly more cost-efficient for businesses compared to advanced alternatives like Claude or ChatGPT.

In July, Nvidia established an AI safety coalition with numerous prominent companies such as Capital One, CrowdStrike, DoorDash, Microsoft, IBM, and SpaceX, following a cybersecurity breach where OpenAI’s models targeted the tech firm Hugging Face. The coalition underscored a pressing reality: organizations need the capacity to inspect, adapt, and deploy advanced AI on their own infrastructure to respond effectively in urgent situations.

The formation of this coalition has highlighted a critical debate within the industry: whether the most sophisticated AI models should remain under developer control or if businesses should have the option to download, modify, and operate these underlying weights on their own.

Insights from the report particularly resonated with CFOs of mid-sized firms, who are grappling with a more pragmatic question rather than a philosophical one. They need to assess whether the flexibility, savings, and control associated with open-weight AI justify the responsibility for the underlying infrastructure.

This decision-making process will become increasingly vital as AI continues to integrate deeper into finance, procurement, treasury, compliance, and enterprise software environments. The CFO’s challenge is to discern where their company should outsource complexity to a provider versus where it can manage that complexity in exchange for increased control, customization, or reduced marginal costs.

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Nvidia Plans to Acquire Open-Weight AI Company Reflection

A corporate plaza at sunrise under warm natural light, two sleek glass towers side by side—one with a huge Nvidia logo emblazoned on its facade, the other bearing the name “Reflection” in polished metal letters. Between them stands a monumental mirror sculpture that casts the Nvidia logo’s reflection onto the Reflection building. In the foreground, two silhouetted executives in business attire shake hands, their long shadows stretching across the plaza, hinting at the merger about to take place.

Nvidia Looks to Purchase Open-Weight AI Firm Reflection - PYMNTS.com

- Nvidia is in talks to acquire Reflection AI, focusing on open-weight AI models.  
- The potential deal may include hiring staff and licensing technology instead of outright acquisition.  
- Nvidia aims to promote customizable open-weight AI models, offering cost savings for businesses.  

Nvidia is reportedly in talks to acquire Reflection AI, a U.S. maker of open-weight artificial intelligence models.

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That’s according to a report Saturday (Oct. 10) by the Financial Times (FT), which noted that the White House has been counting on U.S. open-weight models to rival those from China.

Sources with knowledge of the matter told FT that the discussions are in an early phase, and that the deal could play out in various ways.

These include an “acqui-hire,” with Nvidia hiring staff and license technology without the lengthy regulatory review typically involved in a full acquisition. In addition, Nvidia could also decide to deepen its investment in Reflection, the sources said. Nvidia has already invested $800 million into the company, the report added.

The report added that Nvidia has in recent months been focusing more and more on encouraging a market for open-weight AI models, which users can customize and run on their own hardware. These models can be much cheaper for businesses to operate than the most advanced versions of things like Claude or ChatGPT.

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Nvidia in July launched an AI safety coalition with companies including Capital One, CrowdStrike, DoorDash, Microsoft, IBM, SpaceX, following a cybersecurity incident in which OpenAI models targeted tech company Hugging Face.

“That incident showed a practical truth: when defenders cannot inspect, adapt and run advanced AI on their own infrastructure, their ability to respond is constrained at exactly the moment speed matters most,” the coalition’s announcement said. “Companies and countries need open frontier defensive tools and techniques so critical industries can build security systems across a multi-vendor ecosystem and avoid single points of failure.”

As PYMNTS wrote at the time, this development has “underlined the marketplace implications of whether the most capable AI models should remain controlled by their developers, or whether businesses should be allowed to download, modify and operate the underlying model weights themselves.”

That report looked at the issue from the point of view of CFOs at middle market firms, who are facing a question more financial than ideological: not whether open-weight AI will defeat proprietary AI. It is whether the savings, flexibility and control offered by open models are sufficient to justify assuming more responsibility for the infrastructure beneath them.

That tradeoff will become more critical as AI moves increasingly begins to operate across finance, procurement, treasury, compliance and enterprise software.

“The CFO’s role is to decide where the company should pay a provider to absorb complexity and where it should accept that complexity in exchange for control, customization or lower marginal costs,” the report added.

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AI data centers keep growing throughout the United States.

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