Welcome to the cutting edge ⚔️ 

Read time: 6 min

Today’s Slate

• CES Part 2! Its a doozy

• Google doubled down on AI

• NVIDIA raises the stakes

• AI agents are coming

• The Tesla Model Y refresh is coming

• China is making big energy moves on Earth and in space

• The. Future. Is. Here.

CES 2025

We’re back with more news from CES! This year was a big one, and as promised, we’re here with a second edition (you can catch up with last week here). To be honest, we still feel like there is so much more to tell you. Check out some more highlights below.

Spatial Computing

NVIDIA

Gaming

Robotics

Transportation

Now Lets Take a Look at Something Else…

Artificial Intelligence

The Highlights

• Google is Streamlining AI Teams: Google is consolidating its AI teams, moving the AI Studio team and the Gemini API development team under Google DeepMind to accelerate AI development.

• DeepMind’s Role in AI Innovations: Google DeepMind, formed from the merger of DeepMind and Google Brain, is responsible for major AI innovations, including the Gemini models.

• Faster AI Development: The reshuffling aims to enhance collaboration and speed up the process of turning AI research into developer-ready tools and products.

• Focus on Public Availability: Engineers from the restructured teams noted that DeepMind will focus on creating more publicly available APIs, open-source tools, and resources.

• Google’s Push for AI Leadership: Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the need to scale Gemini and accelerate AI advancements to maintain leadership in the AI space.

• Recent AI Team Shifts: In recent months, Google has moved several AI-related teams—including responsible AI and research teams—to DeepMind.

• High Stakes for 2025: Pichai highlighted that 2025 will be crucial for Google to close gaps in its AI offerings and establish a leading position in the market.

Our Vision

Google's restructuring under DeepMind demonstrates its dedication to advancing AI innovation at an accelerated pace. By consolidating teams and focusing on scalability, Google aims to provide more robust tools, open-source solutions, and responsible AI practices. The company envisions a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into daily life, driving productivity, sustainability, and innovation across industries. With an emphasis on accessibility and ethical development, Google DeepMind seeks to lead the AI space by delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower developers, businesses, and consumers alike.

The Highlights

• Nvidia's AI Capitalization: Nvidia's revenue, profitability, and stock price have soared since the rise of ChatGPT and other generative AI services.

• Increased Investment Activity: In 2024, Nvidia participated in 49 AI funding rounds, a sharp rise from 34 in 2023 and 38 in the prior four years combined.

• Growth of NVentures: Nvidia's corporate VC fund, NVentures, significantly ramped up its investments, engaging in 24 deals in 2024 compared to only 2 in 2022.

• Most Active Tech Corporation in AI: Nvidia was the top investor in AI startups over the past two years, participating in 83 deals, surpassing Alphabet (73) and Microsoft (40).

• High-Profile AI Investments: Nvidia backed notable AI startups such as OpenAI ($6.6B round), xAI ($6B round), and Inflection ($1.3B round).

• Diverse Investment Portfolio: Nvidia invested in a wide range of AI sectors, including autonomous driving, AI cloud computing, robotics, and content creation tools.

• Key AI Funding Rounds: Some of Nvidia's significant investments include Scale AI ($1B), Cohere ($500M), and Perplexity ($500M).

Our Vision

As AI continues to revolutionize industries, Nvidia’s strategic investments in innovative startups are paving the way for a transformative future. With its growing support for AI-driven technologies across sectors like autonomous driving, robotics, and content creation, we can expect a future where AI becomes even more integrated into our daily lives. Over the next few years, AI advancements will likely enhance efficiency, creativity, and connectivity, fundamentally changing how businesses operate and people interact. Nvidia’s vision for the future suggests a world where intelligent systems help solve complex problems, unlock new opportunities, and drive continuous innovation.

Agents

Transportation

The Highlights

• Exterior Updates: The refreshed Model Y features a sleeker front design with a smoothed bumper, squintier headlamps, and a new front light bar. The rear now includes a full-width red taillamp across the hatchback.

• Interior Enhancements: Interior upgrades include ventilated front seats, a redesigned steering wheel, and a rear-seat display that offers climate controls and entertainment options.

• Improved Cabin Experience: Tesla likely improved material quality and soundproofing, similar to the Model 3, which enhanced overall in-cabin comfort.

• Uncertain U.S. Specs: U.S. specs haven't been confirmed, but differences in trims and powertrains between China and North America are expected.

• Pricing and Availability: Pricing for the refreshed Model Y hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected to remain close to the current $44,630 starting price. The North American release is expected soon.

Our Vision

Tesla's refresh of the Model Y signals the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of the competitive EV market. Looking ahead, we expect further innovations in autonomous driving technology, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Tesla aims to enhance both driving experience and safety through continual software updates and hardware improvements. The company's focus on expanding its lineup, refining battery technology, and reducing production costs will ensure that its vehicles remain accessible and appealing to a wide range of customers. With these advancements, Tesla continues to shape the future of electric mobility.

Energy

Space

The Highlights

• China’s Ambitious Space Solar Power Plan: China is pursuing space-based solar power to generate energy in orbit and beam it to Earth. This project is led by senior rocket scientist Long Lehao and is compared to the significance of building the Three Gorges Dam in space.

• Historical Concept and Past Challenges: The idea of space solar power has existed since the 1940s, but previous studies, including those by NASA, found it too expensive and risky due to the challenges of launching massive materials into orbit.

• China’s Advancements in Rocket Technology: China is developing the Long March-9 heavy-lift rocket, planned for 2033, which could help launch the massive solar arrays into geostationary orbit. However, the success of this rocket project remains uncertain.

• Global Interest and Competition: Other nations, including the U.S., Japan, and Europe, are also exploring space solar power. Projects like ESA’s SOLARIS initiative and Japan’s wireless power transmission experiments show growing global interest in this technology.

• Geopolitical and Energy Implications: Space solar power could offer 24/7 clean energy, providing energy independence and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The first nation to achieve this would gain significant geopolitical leverage, positioning China as a leader in the space economy.

Our vision

Space-based solar power could revolutionize global energy by providing a continuous, weather-independent source of clean power. It could reduce reliance on fossil fuels, help nations achieve energy independence, and lower carbon emissions. However, it may also intensify geopolitical competition as countries race to control this technology. Advancements in heavy-lift rockets and wireless power transmission could pave the way for new space industries, including orbital infrastructure and commercial ventures. The nation that masters space solar power first would gain a strategic advantage in both energy exports and space exploration, reshaping global power dynamics and accelerating the shift to renewable energy.

There’s a reason 400,000 professionals read this daily.

Join The AI Report, trusted by 400,000+ professionals at Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Get daily insights, tools, and strategies to master practical AI skills that drive results.

Sign up now for free and work smarter, not harder.