Chinese open-source AI models have surged to nearly 30% of global AI usage, with prominent contributions from Alibaba's Qwen, DeepSeek's V3, and Moonshot AI's Kimi K2, according to OpenRouter and Andreessen Horowitz. This growth from 1.2% in late 2024 to 30% showcases China’s rising influence, now nearly matching global averages. The report underscores China's emergence as a leading AI power, further intensifying competition with the US despite existing restrictions on technology access.0
Mastercard plans to launch Agent Pay in February 2026 for cardholders in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. This innovative solution leverages AI to facilitate secure transactions and enhance shopping experiences. "You have robots available for you...they can do things for you that make your life easier," notes Pablo Fourez, Mastercard’s Digital Director. With 40% of surveyed consumers expressing comfort in using AI agents for purchases, this initiative aims to transform commerce by integrating real-time assistance.
ByteDance's AI smartphone, the Nubia M153, faces backlash as major Chinese apps restrict its functions over security concerns. In response, ByteDance announced it would limit its AI assistant, Doubao, preventing it from accessing financial services and competitive games. This follows actions from platforms like Alipay, owned by Ant Group, which cited unfair practices. User Chen Tang reported that major apps cannot be operated via Doubao, marking a significant shift in the device's usability and market reception.
ChatGPT has announced it will disable app suggestions that resemble advertisements. This decision aligns with user feedback aiming to enhance the conversational experience by eliminating perceived promotional content. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated, "We want to prioritize genuine user interactions." The change reflects a commitment to user trust, potentially increasing engagement and satisfaction among the platform's growing user base, which surpassed 100 million last year.
Japan's Keidanren and South Korea's KCCI have pledged to cooperate on AI and semiconductor technology, despite lacking specific commitments. Japan's METI has invested approximately $300 million to develop 1.4nm technology by 2028. Meanwhile, South Korea plans a 26 trillion won support package for semiconductor initiatives. Both countries are eyeing contracts from government-backed projects, with firms like Rapidus targeting 2nm output by 2027. This collaboration may bolster long-term industry growth.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has imposed new restrictions on Google following its ruling of illegal monopoly under the Sherman Act. Google must now limit long-term default search agreements to one year, impacting its $15 billion deal with Apple and extending to generative AI contracts. The ruling mandates Google to share search interaction data with competitors while establishing a technical committee to oversee compliance. Google's appeal plan remains unconfirmed amid these developments.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) records over 700 million daily transactions for six consecutive days in December, with the first five days exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore in transaction value, a significant milestone. This achievement surpasses previous monthly highs, reflecting increased consumer activity following salary payments. With UPI accounting for 85% of India's digital transactions, industry experts predict it is on track to reach a billion transactions per day by next year, heralding further growth in the fintech sector.
Microsoft’s aggressive integration of AI across its ecosystem, including Windows and Office, raises significant privacy concerns among users. Features like Recall, criticized for data security risks, reflect a trend of prioritizing functionality over user consent. Experts warn this could damage trust as Microsoft navigates the balance between innovation and potential backlash. As the company invests billions in AI, maintaining user confidence is crucial for sustaining its technological ambitions.
Google has announced major upgrades to Chrome's autofill feature, introducing deeper Google Account integration and Google Wallet support. Users can now automatically fill in personal details and retrieve saved loyalty card and travel information, reducing repetitive data entry. The updated Android UI offers clearer suggestions while improved address recognition enhances accuracy across regions. "We’re rolling out four improvements to better anticipate your needs," states Google, aiming to streamline online interactions effectively.
Australia’s law prohibiting social media accounts for children under 16 takes effect on December 10, seeking to protect youth from online risks. Tech giants like Meta have already deactivated hundreds of thousands of accounts. Violations can result in fines up to 49.5 million AUD ($33 million). Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner, emphasized the need to safeguard children from harmful design features on these platforms. The global implications of this law could influence similar regulations worldwide.