anthropic launches openai while apple expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• Reliance plans a $110 billion investment over seven years to build India's AI computing infrastructure, including 10 gigawatts of green energy capacity.
• The University of Maryland's Smith School of Business is integrating AI, including Agentic AI, into its master's programs to prepare students for an AI-driven economy.
• AMC Theatres rejected the AI-generated film 'Thanksgiving Day' due to significant public backlash, highlighting concerns about AI content in entertainment.
• Author Michael Pollan argues that AI can 'think' but lacks consciousness, which he links to human feelings, vulnerability, and having a body.
• Flat Branch Home Loans implemented Tidalwave's AI technology, achieving a 90% application-to-submission conversion rate and reducing borrower abandonment.
• Emotionally intelligent AI chatbots are gaining user trust for emotional support, prompting experts like Rosalind Picard to warn about the need for regulation.
• DXRG launched DX Terminal Pro on February 24, 2026, an Onchain Agentic Market on the Base blockchain where AI agents compete for 21 days to prove token resilience.
• Pope Francis has expressed concerns about AI's impact on humanity's openness to truth, beauty, and wonder, emphasizing that data access does not equate to meaning.
• Anthropic's Claude saw an 11% increase in daily active users after a Super Bowl ad campaign criticizing OpenAI's ChatGPT for testing ads.
• Claude surpassed OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Gemini to enter the top 10 free apps on the Apple App Store following its ad-free positioning.

Reliance invests $110 billion in India's AI future

Reliance, led by Mukesh Ambani, plans to invest about $110 billion over seven years to build AI computing infrastructure in India. The company is constructing large data centers, with over 120 megawatts of capacity expected by late 2026. This move aims to make India technologically self-reliant in AI and reduce the cost of AI services. Reliance will use its green energy capacity to power these centers and partner with Indian businesses and institutions to integrate AI across various industries. The goal is to boost AI adoption in India and create new job opportunities.

Mukesh Ambani announces $110 billion AI ecosystem plan for India

Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, revealed a $110 billion investment over seven years to build India's AI ecosystem. This plan includes creating massive data centers, using 10 gigawatts of green energy, and establishing a nationwide edge-compute network. Ambani stated that India needs to develop its own AI capabilities rather than relying on others, aiming to significantly lower AI service costs. The initiative will foster partnerships with startups and research institutions to embed AI in sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare. Ambani believes this will create high-skill jobs and position India as a global AI leader.

UMD Smith integrates AI into master's programs

The University of Maryland's Smith School of Business has updated its master's programs to formally include Artificial Intelligence. New degree names reflect this focus on AI and emerging technologies like Agentic AI. The school aims to prepare students to lead in an AI-driven economy by integrating AI into cutting-edge instruction and learning experiences. Dean Pratik Patel highlighted the enhanced curricula, balancing AI capabilities with essential human skills. This move ensures graduates are not only proficient users of AI but also strategic leaders in its application.

AMC Theatres rejects AI film after public backlash

AMC Theatres will not screen the AI-generated short film 'Thanksgiving Day' after facing significant online criticism. The film, which won a contest, was set to be shown before features nationwide. Public outcry on social media led AMC to inform Screenvision Media, the company managing the pre-show content, that its locations would not participate. While AMC was not involved in the film's creation, the controversy highlights growing concerns about AI content in entertainment. It is unclear if other theaters will screen the film.

Michael Pollan: AI can 'think' but lacks consciousness

Author Michael Pollan argues that while Artificial Intelligence can simulate thought, it will never achieve consciousness. In his new book, 'A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness,' Pollan explains that true thought is linked to feelings, vulnerability, and the experience of having a body, which AI lacks. He believes AI chatbots can report feelings but they are 'weightless' because they cannot suffer. Pollan also expresses concern that technology is reducing the space for spontaneous thought and warns that consciousness is under siege from companies seeking to monetize attention and attachments.

Flat Branch Home Loans uses Tidalwave AI for mortgage sales

Flat Branch Home Loans has launched a new point-of-sale system and mobile app powered by Tidalwave's AI technology. This system has successfully converted 90% of applications to submissions, significantly reducing borrower abandonment. Flat Branch is the first independent mortgage bank to fully implement Tidalwave's agentic platform. The new system aims to provide a faster and more intuitive experience for borrowers and loan officers. Tidalwave's technology streamlines the application process through automated communication and document management.

Emotionally intelligent AI raises concerns about regulation

A growing number of people are seeking emotional support and advice from AI chatbots, with many trusting them more than institutions. AI companies are developing models that are better at detecting and responding to human emotions, leading to deeper human-machine relationships. Experts like Rosalind Picard warn of a potential crisis due to the unregulated rise of emotionally intelligent AI, especially as companies explore advertising and revenue models. The development of AI that mimics human emotion raises questions about its impact on well-being and the need for regulation.

DXRG launches AI agent battle market on blockchain

DXRG has launched DX Terminal Pro, the first Onchain Agentic Market (OAM), on February 24, 2026. This platform pits AI agents against each other in a 21-day competition on the Base blockchain, where only the strongest token survives to enter public markets. Participants stake AI agents and capital to trade in Uniswap V4 pools, with underperforming tokens being eliminated and their liquidity transferred to the winner. This 'blockchain Darwinism' model aims to prove token resilience before public trading, building on a previous large-scale AI financial simulation.

Pope Francis addresses AI challenges for the Church

Pope Francis acknowledges the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence and the new challenges it presents for the Church. He has expressed concerns about AI's impact on humanity's openness to truth and beauty, and its capacity for wonder. The Pope emphasizes that accessing data does not equate to deriving meaning, which requires confronting existential questions. While not advocating for baptizing AI, he highlights the need to consider AI's implications for faith and human values. The pontiff's focus on AI reflects its increasing presence and influence in society.

Anthropic's Claude gains users after Super Bowl ad campaign

Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot saw an 11% increase in daily active users following its Super Bowl ad campaign, which criticized OpenAI's decision to test ads on ChatGPT. The ads, titled 'Betrayal' and 'Deception,' depicted AI assistants showing ads mid-conversation, highlighting Claude's ad-free approach. This campaign boosted Claude into the top 10 free apps on the Apple App Store, surpassing rivals like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman responded defensively, calling the ads dishonest, but marketing experts suggest this reaction was a strategic error.

Sources

• Reliance unveils $110B AI investment plan as India ramps up tech ambitions
• Reliance to invest ₹10 trillion to build AI ecosystem: Mukesh Ambani at AI summit
• UMD Smith Formally Anchors AI in Key MS Programs
• AMC Theaters Will Refuse to Screen AI Short Film After Online Uproar
• Michael Pollan says AI may 'think' — but it will never be conscious
• Tidalwave partners with Flat Branch Home Loans on AI mortgage sales platform
• The Unregulated Rise of Emotionally Intelligent AI
• DXRG Launches First Onchain Agentic Market: AI Agents Battle for Survival in Blockchain-Powered Arena
• Artificial Intelligence is growing fast, making the Church face new challenges
• Claude users spike 11% after Super Bowl as Anthropic mocks OpenAI's move to bring ads to ChatGPT