📰 International AI Press Digest – July 30, 2025
Meta Faces EU Probe Over WhatsApp AI Integration
Italy’s Competition Authority is investigating Meta for pre-installing its AI assistant in WhatsApp without consent, risking fines up to 10% of global revenue.
Why this matters: Europe’s regulators are drawing a hard line on non-transparent AI bundling, reshaping how Big Tech can embed intelligence into apps.
🧠 Skild AI Unveils “Skild Brain” for Universal Robot Intelligence
Backed by Amazon and SoftBank, Skild AI launched a general-purpose model that can control any robot—assembly arms to humanoids—enabling tasks like stair climbing and self-righting.
Why this matters: A single “brain” for all robots vastly simplifies automation deployment across industries.
☁️ Microsoft Renegotiates OpenAI Partnership
Microsoft is in advanced talks to lock in OpenAI tech access—even post-AGI—extending its cloud and co-development rights through 2030.
Why this matters: This deal will cement the balance of power between leading cloud providers and AI innovators for the next decade.
🇨🇳 China Doubles Down on AI Self-Reliance at WAIC 2025
At the Shanghai AI conference, China showcased a 2× growth in domestic AI firms and a $139 million subsidy program to wean startups off foreign tech.
Why this matters: Tightened US export controls are accelerating China’s push for an independent AI ecosystem and chip-model integration.
🔗 Mega-Deals Reshape AI Hardware Landscape
– Tesla & Samsung: a $16.5 B deal to make Tesla’s AI6 chips in Texas through 2033
– Foxconn & TECO: share-swap alliance to build modular AI data centers globally
– Groq nears $600 M raise at a $6 B valuation
Why this matters: These partnerships secure the supply chains and capacity needed for the next surge in AI compute demand.
🗣️ Soul App Demonstrates Full-Duplex Conversational AI
Soul App debuted real-time, two-way speech AI at WAIC, enabling uninterrupted dialogue without turn-taking delays.
Why this matters: Full-duplex AI promises more natural interactions in customer service, telehealth, and social platforms.
⚠️ Sam Altman Warns of “Total” Job Losses
OpenAI’s CEO cautioned that AI could fully displace roles like customer support and introduce national-security risks if left unchecked.
Why this matters: His stark warning intensifies the call for robust workforce transition policies and stronger AI governance.
