amazon launches microsoft while apple expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• Amazon plans to invest $200 billion in AI infrastructure, a 56 percent increase from last year, contributing to investor concerns about an AI spending bubble.
• OpenAI's GPT-5, in partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks, reduced protein production costs by 40 percent using an autonomous lab system.
• Investors are growing wary of massive AI spending by companies like Amazon and Microsoft, while Apple's more cautious approach has seen its shares rise.
• The AI chip market is projected to reach $132.7 billion by 2030, with North America leading demand for GPUs and specialized AI accelerators.
• The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mandates increased AI use in the U.S. military and bans Chinese-made AI models for intelligence.
• Evolutionary biologist Holly Elmore advocates for a global pause on advanced AI development, citing risks of "one-shot" catastrophic events.
• AI is transforming the security industry, with firms like New Vision Security using it to reduce video search times from hours to seconds.
• High school students are adapting career plans due to AI's impact on entry-level jobs, with 70 percent of job skills expected to change by 2030.
• India and Brazil are emerging as "anti-AI trade" markets, offering potential stability for investors amidst broader AI-related market concerns.
• Analytics leadership courses are evolving to prepare leaders for managing AI-informed decisions, emphasizing judgment and accountability.

Evolutionary biologist urges global pause on advanced AI

Holly Elmore, an evolutionary biologist and executive director of PauseAI US, warns that advanced AI development is too risky. She compares the current situation to the Radium Girls tragedy, where unknown dangers led to severe illnesses. Elmore argues that AI could cause "one-shot" catastrophic events, such as automated bioweapons or social disruption. She believes experiments with such high-stakes technology should pause globally, as the potential danger could cripple civilization. Her talk was featured on the Berkeley News podcast on February 6 2026.

Aronofsky and Time launch AI history series

Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky's AI studio Primordial Soup and Time magazine launched "On This Day... 1776," a year-long series of short videos. These videos use AI tools to create photorealistic scenes with historical figures like George Washington, showing events from the American Revolution. Critics have called the series "embarrassing" and "ugly as sin." However, the creators expect the quality to improve as their AI tools and team skills develop. Humans write the script, record dialogue with voice actors, and handle music, editing, and visual effects, while AI generates the video shots.

India and Brazil markets shine as anti-AI trade

India and Brazil are becoming known as the "anti-AI trade" in the financial world. These emerging markets could offer a safe option when the broader market is weak due to worries about artificial intelligence. Their unique market positions suggest they are ready to perform well. The Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai, India, represents one of these promising markets.

Amazon spends big to win AI competition

Amazon is investing heavily to gain an advantage in the artificial intelligence race. The company's high spending on AI infrastructure has made some investors nervous. Despite market concerns, Amazon believes these large investments are necessary for its future success. The company aims to lead in AI, which involves significant spending on computing power and advanced technologies.

Leading analytics in the AI era

Analytics leadership courses must now prepare leaders to manage decisions made with artificial intelligence. AI quickly produces insights, but leaders must understand its limits and take responsibility for outcomes. A good course focuses on AI as a leadership challenge, not just a technical trend. It teaches leaders to recognize when AI falls short in understanding business context or risk. True authority comes from judgment and accountability for AI-informed decisions, not just technical knowledge.

OpenAI GPT-5 cuts protein production cost by 40 percent

OpenAI's GPT-5, in partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks, successfully used an autonomous lab to conduct experiments. This system reduced the cost of producing proteins through cell-free protein synthesis by 40 percent. GPT-5 proposed experiments, which robotic labs then carried out, feeding results back to the AI model. Over two months, the system tested more than 36,000 reaction compositions, finding new ways to optimize protein production. This breakthrough could make medicines, diagnostics, and industrial enzymes faster and cheaper to create.

AI sparks questions for Grammy Awards music

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence in the music industry is causing discussions about its impact on the Grammy Awards. Mark Benincosa spoke with KCBS in San Francisco about how AI might change what kind of human creativity gets recognized for awards. As AI creates more music, the future of award-winning sounds becomes a key question for the Grammys. This topic was discussed on February 6, 2026.

North Dakota security firm uses AI for faster monitoring

New Vision Security in Bismarck, North Dakota, uses artificial intelligence to greatly improve its security services. Owner Cameron Fleck explains that AI helps them monitor homes and businesses with specific details, like gender or vehicle color. This technology, first highlighted during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, reduces video search times from hours to mere seconds. AI also helps the company gain more business, especially from data centers needing remote monitoring. The security industry is changing with AI, allowing for smarter and more efficient protection.

Investors worry AI spending bubble may burst

Investors are growing concerned that the large spending on artificial intelligence might be creating a market bubble. Major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft saw their shares drop significantly this week after committing huge amounts to AI infrastructure. Amazon alone plans to spend $200 billion, a 56 percent increase from last year. Analysts like Paul Markham and Mamta Valechha note that investors are questioning the return on these massive investments. In contrast, Apple's more cautious approach to AI has seen its shares rise, suggesting investors are becoming more selective about where they put their money.

New defense law boosts AI and limits China tech

The latest National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, focuses on boosting AI use in the U.S. military while also separating from Chinese technology. It directs the Army, Navy, and Air Force to use AI for vehicle maintenance and expands robotic automation. The NDAA also sets up rules for AI safety, requiring oversight and tracking of AI system effectiveness and ethics. Furthermore, it bans Chinese-made AI models for intelligence and restricts defense purchases of certain batteries and drones from foreign entities of concern. This law aims to strengthen U.S. defense capabilities and secure its technology supply chains.

AI chip market to reach 132.7 billion by 2030

The market for AI training chips is growing fast and is expected to reach $132.7 billion by 2030, with North America leading the way. These chips, including GPUs and specialized AI accelerators, are crucial for handling large amounts of data and complex calculations needed for AI. The demand is driven by the rise of generative AI, natural language processing, and computer vision. Continuous improvements in chip design and increased investments from cloud providers and governments are also fueling this expansion.

Teens adapt career plans as AI changes jobs

Artificial intelligence is changing the job market, especially for entry-level positions, causing high school students to rethink their career plans. Experts believe AI could eliminate many white-collar jobs, prompting some teens to consider hands-on fields like healthcare. Others are learning to use AI in their chosen careers, as skills in AI are becoming increasingly important. Companies like Microsoft encourage students to experiment with AI, and LinkedIn data suggests 70 percent of job skills will change by 2030. College students are now advised to build professional skills early, focusing on specific abilities rather than just job titles.

Sources

• Berkeley Talks: An evolutionary biologist makes the case for pausing AI
• Why Darren Aronofsky thought an AI-generated historical docudrama was a good idea
• India and Brazil Are the Anti-AI Trade. Why Their Markets Are Ready to Shine.
• Amazon Isn’t Afraid to Spend to Win the AI Race. It Needs the Edge.
• 9 Things to Look for in an Analytics Leadership Course in the AI Age
• OpenAI Connected GPT-5 To An Autonomous Lab To Conduct Experiments, System Brought Down Protein Production Cost By 40%
• AI raises questions about future sounds for Grammys
• Local security provider talks benefits of AI
• Investors Concerned AI Bubble Is Finally Popping
• Latest NDAA Supports AI Safety, Innovation, and China Decoupling
• AI Training Chip Market to Reach US$ 132.7 Billion by 2030 at 29.2% CAGR | North America Leads with 38% Share
• AI is upending entry-level jobs. Three teens tell us how they’re responding