Embedded LLM officially launched the EU AI Grid at the Munich Cyber Security Conference on February 14, 2026, with founder Ghee Leng Ooi playing a key role. This initiative aims to establish a federated network of locally owned AI infrastructure across Europe, treating AI as a utility. The grid ensures data remains within the EU, keeps economic benefits local, and helps Europe comply with the upcoming EU AI Act, fostering innovation while safeguarding its digital future. The first segment of the grid began operations in Vilnius, Lithuania, on January 22, 2026, with plans to expand into Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and Italy.
In the financial sector, BTDUex initiated its 2026 Global Smart Trading Competition, featuring a substantial $283 million prize pool and 150,000 entry slots. Participants compete in spot and derivatives markets, with top traders eligible to win up to 1,000,000 USDT. Meanwhile, Applied Materials Inc. settled a US export compliance investigation, agreeing to pay $252.5 million over five years. The company also strengthened its partnership with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. to collaborate on next-generation AI chips at Applied Materials' new EPIC Center. Okta Inc. is expanding its AI-powered identity solutions, partnering with the PGA of America, and targeting $3.6 billion in revenue and $414.2 million in earnings by 2028.
The societal implications of AI are also in focus. Bryan Kirschner, an AI strategist and "AI millionaire," advocates for higher taxes on wealthy individuals, suggesting a 9.9% "millionaires tax" on earnings over $1 million to fund essential services in Washington state. Simultaneously, companies are leveraging AI to combat AI-generated fraud, which produces fake documents like resumes and IDs. Apollo Chief Economist Torsten Slok suggests AI will enhance jobs rather than replace them, predicting modest productivity gains over the next decade. Legendary programmer John Carmack believes AI will empower individuals with strong "agency" who are willing to accept AI advice and act quickly.
However, the nature of human-AI interaction raises questions about genuine connection. AI can offer responsive and seemingly personal interactions, but it lacks "lived continuity" and the capacity for mutual change and shared history, leading some to describe these as "anti-relationships." This distinction is crucial, as confusing AI interactions with true human bonds could fundamentally alter expectations for relationships, emphasizing that real human connection requires mutual growth and shared experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Embedded LLM launched the EU AI Grid on February 14, 2026, a federated network for sovereign AI, with founder Ghee Leng Ooi.
- BTDUex's 2026 Global Smart Trading Competition offers a $283 million prize pool and 150,000 entry slots, with top prizes up to 1,000,000 USDT.
- AI millionaire Bryan Kirschner advocates for a 9.9% "millionaires tax" on earnings over $1 million to fund essential services in Washington state.
- Applied Materials Inc. settled a US export compliance probe for $252.5 million and partnered with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. for next-generation AI chip R&D.
- Okta Inc. is expanding AI identity solutions, partnering with the PGA of America, and aims for $3.6 billion in revenue and $414.2 million in earnings by 2028.
- AI is increasingly used both to generate fraudulent documents and to combat these new forms of scams.
- Apollo Chief Economist Torsten Slok predicts AI will enhance jobs rather than replace them, with modest productivity gains expected over the next decade.
- Legendary programmer John Carmack suggests AI will empower individuals with strong "agency" who are willing to accept AI advice and act quickly.
- Human interactions with AI are described as "anti-relationships" due to AI's lack of "lived continuity" and inability for mutual change and shared history.
Embedded LLM launches EU AI Grid for sovereign AI
Embedded LLM officially launched the EU AI Grid at the Munich Cyber Security Conference on February 14, 2026. This new system treats artificial intelligence like a utility, similar to electricity. It creates a federated network of locally owned AI infrastructure across Europe. The EU AI Grid ensures data stays within the EU and keeps economic benefits local. It also helps Europe follow the upcoming EU AI Act, fostering innovation while safeguarding its digital future.
Embedded LLM unveils EU AI Grid for European control
Embedded LLM launched the EU AI Grid at the Munich Cyber Security Conference on February 14, 2026. This new system treats artificial intelligence like a utility, similar to electricity, ensuring local control and economic value. The first part of the grid started at Telecentras in Vilnius, Lithuania, on January 22, 2026. The grid is expanding to Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and Italy. Ghee Leng Ooi, founder of Embedded LLM, and Paulius Kuncinas, Executive Partner, spoke about the importance of this infrastructure, with European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius also highlighting the need for operational AI capabilities for defense.
BTDUex launches massive AI trading competition
BTDUex launched its 2026 Global Smart Trading Competition with a huge $283 million prize pool. The competition offers 150,000 entry slots for traders in spot and derivatives markets. It ranks participants based on "final net profit," encouraging smart fund management over high-risk strategies. This event uses BTDUex's AI-driven trading system to gather data and improve its technology. Top traders can win up to 1,000,000 USDT, with rewards for all 150,000 participants.
Washington AI millionaire urges higher taxes on wealthy
Bryan Kirschner, an AI strategist at IBM and a 30-year Seattle resident, believes wealthy individuals like himself should pay more taxes. His company was recently bought by IBM, making him an "AI millionaire." Kirschner argues that Washington state's tax system needs change to fund essential services like affordable housing and mental health. He suggests options such as a 9.9% "millionaires tax" on earnings over $1 million. Kirschner states that higher taxes would not affect his lifestyle and would help the community.
AI creates anti-relationships without true connection
This article explores whether humans can truly have relationships with artificial intelligence. It explains that AI can seem attentive and personal, but it lacks "lived continuity" and cannot change or grow like a human. The author calls this an "anti-relationship" because AI offers responsiveness without real give-and-take or shared history. While AI can be helpful, the article warns that confusing AI interactions with genuine human connection could change what we expect from relationships. It emphasizes that true human bonds require mutual change and shared experiences.
Applied Materials settles probe partners with Samsung
Applied Materials Inc. has settled a US export compliance investigation, agreeing to pay $252.5 million over five years. The company also announced a stronger partnership with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. This alliance will focus on research and development for next-generation AI chips. Their collaboration will happen at Applied Materials' new EPIC Center in Santa Clara, California. They will work on advanced packaging, inspection, and materials engineering to drive innovation in the semiconductor industry.
Companies use AI to combat AI generated fraud
Artificial intelligence is now being used to create fake documents like resumes, IDs, and payslips, leading to real financial fraud. In response, companies are starting to use AI technology to fight against these new types of scams. For example, a fintech startup in Bengaluru caught a job candidate who used AI to create a misleading resume. The candidate passed early interviews but failed when asked to explain real-world scenarios, revealing the fraud. This shows how AI is becoming both a tool for fraud and a defense against it.
Economist says AI will enhance jobs not replace them
Apollo Chief Economist Torsten Slok notes that while AI is widely discussed, its impact is not yet clearly visible in major economic data like employment or productivity. He suggests that AI might have a "J-curve effect," meaning it takes time for its benefits to appear. Unlike past tech revolutions, fierce competition among AI developers is driving prices down for users. Slok believes AI will likely improve jobs in some areas rather than replace workers everywhere. Studies from Penn Wharton Budget Model and the Congressional Budget Office predict modest gains in productivity from AI over the next decade.
Okta expands AI identity solutions with PGA and APAC
Okta Inc. is expanding its AI-powered identity solutions, notably through a new partnership with the PGA of America. This collaboration will secure employees, golf professionals, and fans. Okta also appointed Dan Mountstephen to lead its Asia Pacific and Japan operations and is setting up local platforms in India for data residency. These moves aim to boost Okta's growth by focusing on AI-driven experiences and meeting regional data rules. The company's goal is to reach $3.6 billion in revenue and $414.2 million in earnings by 2028.
John Carmack says AI helps people with high agency
Legendary programmer John Carmack suggests that artificial intelligence will allow people with less intelligence but strong "agency" to succeed. He believes that as AI automates smart tasks, those willing to "egolessly accept AI advice" and act quickly will gain an advantage. Carmack explains that success will depend more on using AI effectively than on being the smartest person. He warns that this shift relies on AI systems being trustworthy and unbiased. This idea suggests a big change from the information age, where intelligence was key, to an AI age where bold action matters more.
Sources
- Embedded LLM Launches the EU AI Grid at Munich Cyber Security Conference (MCSC) to Meet EU Demand for Sovereign AI Capability
- Embedded LLM Launches the EU AI Grid at Munich Cyber Security Conference (MCSC) to Meet EU Demand for Sovereign AI Capability
- From Trading to System Intelligence: BTDUex Drives the Evolution of the AI Trading Ecosystem with its Global T
- I'm an AI millionaire in Washington. Tax me
- AI and the Anti-Relationship
- Applied Materials Clears Export Probe And Deepens Samsung Alliance On AI Chips
- Code wars: How companies are turning AI on itself to fight fraud
- AI is everywhere except in the data, suggesting it will enhance labor in some sectors rather than replace workers in all sectors, top economist says
- Does Okta’s AI Identity Push with PGA and APAC Moves Change The Bull Case For OKTA?
- AI Will Enable People With Lower Intelligence But High Agency To Thrive: John Carmack
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