NEWS YOU CAN’T MISS

$5M vs. Billions: Has China Just Cracked AI?

In a twist that's sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and Wall Street, Chinese startup DeepSeek has achieved what was thought impossible.

They've created an AI model rivaling ChatGPT and other leading competitors, but with three game-changing differences:

1. Built for Just $5M, Not Billions: While U.S. tech giants insisted world-class AI requires billions in investment, DeepSeek's team of mathematicians found innovative ways to optimize their model using older, cheaper hardware. Led by 40-year-old Li Qiang, they proved that clever mathematics could trump massive computing power.

2. 90% Cheaper to Use: The savings extend to consumers too — DeepSeek's model costs just a fraction of what users pay for ChatGPT and similar services. This dramatic cost reduction could make advanced AI accessible to individuals and businesses who previously couldn't afford it.

3. Available to Everyone: Unlike most U.S. companies keeping their AI models locked away, DeepSeek released theirs as open source, making it freely available worldwide. This stands in stark contrast to the secretive approach of companies like OpenAI and Google, with Meta being the notable exception.

The Shockwave Effect: The success has sent tremors through the tech industry. U.S. tech giants lost $1 trillion in market value as investors questioned whether the "spend big to win big" AI strategy was wrong all along. Even more interesting? DeepSeek achieved this despite U.S. restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to Chinese companies.

This David versus Goliath story suggests that stellar talent — which exists all over the globe — will find ways to innovate, even with limited resources.

In response to Palantir CEO Alex Karp's dismissive "Where are the Chinese?" comment about AI innovation outside the US — well, it looks like they've just crashed the party in spectacular fashion.

P.S. Try it out at https://www.deepseek.com

Meet Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics

Celebrating Peggy Johnson, this week’s Woman in AI 🥳.

From mobile technology pioneer to robotics visionary, Peggy Johnson is writing the next chapter of automation as CEO of Agility Robotics, the $1.2 billion company behind Digit – a humanoid robot now working alongside humans in Amazon warehouses.

But her journey to the robotics frontier is just as fascinating as the robots she now oversees.

• After earning her Electrical Engineering degree from San Diego State University, Johnson spent 25 years at Qualcomm, where she transformed mobile technology with the BREW platform – essentially creating one of the world's first app stores – generating a stunning $3 billion in revenue.

• Known for her deal-making prowess, Johnson caught Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's eye, becoming his first executive hire in 2014. There, she orchestrated the game-changing $26 billion LinkedIn acquisition and launched M12, Microsoft's investment arm for backing promising tech startups.

• She then took the helm at Magic Leap, steering their augmented reality technology (which overlays digital information on the real world) toward groundbreaking business applications.

Now at Agility Robotics, Johnson is scaling up production of Digit, a two-legged robot that can walk and handle boxes just like a human warehouse worker. Her leadership has earned her countless accolades, including spots on Forbes' 50 over 50 and recognition as one of the most powerful women in tech.

Beyond the boardroom, Johnson serves as a director at BlackRock and champions research as a board member of the Huntington's Disease Society of America, proving that technological innovation and social impact can go hand in hand. ♥️

Would You Trade Your Favorite Barista for a Robot?

Coffee lovers, say hello to ADAM. It never spills, never burns the beans, and won’t judge you for your fifth cup of the day (we’ve all been there).

The robot barista was designed by US-based Richtech Robotics to automate your daily brew and free up time for baristas. It uses AI to chat with customers, offer drink recommendations, and neatly prepare complex coffee recipes with its two agile arms.

ADAM is already in action—it is Illinois’ first humanoid drink robot, serving boba tea and specialty coffee inside a Walmart in Rockford, with plans to expand to 240 locations.

ADAM might remember your order perfectly, but can a robot really replace the banter, the personality, and the human touch that make coffee runs more than just caffeine stops? What do you think?