The AI sector continues to attract significant investment and strategic shifts across various industries. Voice AI startup Deepgram recently secured $130 million in Series C funding, pushing its valuation to $1.3 billion, with plans to expand globally and enhance its AI models for understanding spoken communication. Cybersecurity firm Torq also raised $140 million in Series D funding, bringing its total to $332 million and its valuation to $1.2 billion, aiming to scale its AI SOC Platform for businesses and government agencies. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon strongly defended the bank's substantial $18 billion annual tech budget for 2025, emphasizing the vast opportunities AI presents and the bank's commitment to developing in-house AI platforms. Companies are increasingly leveraging AI for infrastructure and specialized applications. CoreWeave, a player in AI infrastructure, saw its stock surge, though valuation analyses present mixed views, with some suggesting it's overvalued while others see potential undervaluation based on different metrics. Riot Platforms is strategically pivoting towards AI-focused data centers, funding this expansion with $161.6 million from December Bitcoin sales. In public safety, Axon Enterprise is gaining analyst attention for its growth in AI and drone technology, with its stock showing a 6.9% return in seven days. Tempus AI reported an exceptionally strong sales forecast, expecting an 83% year-over-year revenue increase in its fourth quarter to $367 million, with major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Eli Lilly utilizing its datasets for drug development. The competitive landscape among tech giants in AI is intensifying, leading to significant market shifts. Alphabet's market value recently hit $4 trillion, making it the second-largest company behind Nvidia, a testament to its success with the Gemini AI model and tensor processing unit chips. Apple reportedly chose Alphabet's Gemini to power an AI version of its Siri assistant, a deal potentially worth $1 billion annually. Palantir Technologies received analyst upgrades, including from Citi Research, driven by confidence in its Artificial Intelligence Platform and growing government contracts, such as the U.S. Navy ShipOS deal. However, not all AI-related news is positive; Adobe Inc. faces its most pessimistic analyst views since 2013, with firms like Oppenheimer and Goldman Sachs downgrading its stock due to strong competition from AI companies like OpenAI. Emerging AI applications are also making headlines, showcasing the technology's diverse reach. Serve Robotics, a company deploying food delivery robots, garnered significant attention after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised its efforts at CES. Serve Robotics operates the largest sidewalk delivery fleet in the US with over 2,000 robots and anticipates a tenfold revenue increase in 2026. Meanwhile, SES AI Corporation showcased its advanced AI-enhanced battery technology and Molecular Universe platform at CES 2026, aiming to solidify its position with tech partners and commercialize its discovered electrolytes through a joint venture with Hisun New Energy Materials.
Key Takeaways
- Deepgram raised $130 million in Series C funding, valuing the voice AI startup at $1.3 billion, with plans for global expansion and acquisitions.
- Torq secured $140 million in Series D funding, bringing its total to $332 million and valuation to $1.2 billion, to expand its AI SOC Platform for cybersecurity.
- JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon defended the bank's $18 billion annual tech budget for 2025, highlighting significant AI opportunities and internal platform development.
- Alphabet's market value reached $4 trillion, making it the second-largest company behind Nvidia, driven by its Gemini AI model and tensor processing unit chips.
- Apple reportedly selected Alphabet's Gemini to power an AI version of its Siri assistant, a deal potentially worth $1 billion annually.
- Palantir Technologies received analyst upgrades, including from Citi Research, due to confidence in its AI Platform and growing government contracts like the U.S. Navy ShipOS deal.
- Adobe Inc. faces its most pessimistic analyst views since 2013, with downgrades from Oppenheimer and Goldman Sachs, citing strong AI competition from companies like OpenAI.
- Serve Robotics, praised by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, operates over 2,000 food delivery robots and expects a tenfold revenue increase in 2026 after Q3 revenue jumped 209% to $687,000.
- Tempus AI reported a strong sales forecast, expecting Q4 revenue to increase by 83% year over year to $367 million, with major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Eli Lilly using its datasets.
- Riot Platforms is shifting to AI-focused data centers, funding this expansion with $161.6 million from December Bitcoin sales.
Axon Enterprise Stock Gains as Analysts See AI and Drone Growth
Axon Enterprise stock is gaining attention from analysts who see strong growth in its public safety technology. The company's recurring revenue, along with its use of AI and drones, is driving this interest. Axon's share price recently reached $631.73, showing a 6.9% return in 7 days. Some analysts believe the stock is undervalued, with a fair value around $822.50 per share. However, others note its high price to sales ratio of 19.6x, suggesting the market already expects significant future growth.
CoreWeave Stock Jumps Amid AI Buzz But Valuation Mixed
CoreWeave's stock has seen a recent surge, with its share price reaching US$89.93. The company is gaining attention for its role in AI infrastructure and high performance computing. One analysis using discounted cash flow suggests CoreWeave is overvalued by 173.4%, with an intrinsic value of US$32.89. However, another analysis based on price to sales ratio indicates the stock might be undervalued compared to its fair ratio of 25.78x. Investors are weighing these different views on the company's future.
Riot Platforms Shifts to AI Data Centers Funded by Bitcoin Sales
Riot Platforms is moving towards AI-focused data centers, funding this expansion with December sales of 1,818 Bitcoin which brought in US$161.6 million. The company's stock price is US$16.45, showing recent gains after a previous decline. Many analysts believe Riot Platforms is undervalued, with a fair value estimated at US$26.44 per share. However, its current price to earnings ratio of 37.3x is higher than the industry average, suggesting investors are already paying a premium for future growth in AI data centers.
Palantir Technologies Gets Analyst Upgrades for AI Platform Growth
Wall Street analysts, including Citi Research, have upgraded Palantir Technologies due to strong confidence in its AI-driven software. They highlight the company's Artificial Intelligence Platform and growing government contracts, like the U.S. Navy ShipOS deal. Investors are watching for the upcoming Q4 results and any updates to 2025 guidance. While some see the stock as potentially undervalued, others like Goldman Sachs have a "sell" rating, citing concerns that AI is democratizing design and limiting growth.
SES AI Shows Off AI Batteries at CES and Research Conference
SES AI Corporation showcased its advanced AI-enhanced battery technology and Molecular Universe platform at CES 2026 and the Gordon Research Conference. These presentations aim to strengthen its position with tech partners and future users. The company also signed a term sheet for a joint venture with Hisun New Energy Materials to commercialize its discovered electrolytes. SES AI's future relies on turning these technological advancements into commercial contracts and revenue. The company projects $199.7 million in revenue and $19.9 million in earnings by 2028.
Deepgram Voice AI Startup Raises $130 Million at $1.3 Billion Value
Deepgram, a voice AI startup, successfully raised $130 million in Series C funding, bringing its valuation to $1.3 billion. CEO Scott Stephenson initially was not seeking capital, but investors like AVP, Alkeon, and Tiger Global convinced him. The company, founded in 2015, aims to create AI that truly understands spoken communication, including intent and emotion. This funding will help Deepgram accelerate its growth in the booming voice AI market.
Deepgram Voice AI Company Secures $130 Million for Global Growth
Deepgram, a voice AI technology startup based in San Francisco, raised $130 million in funding, valuing the company at $1.3 billion. AVP led the investment round, with support from new and existing investors like Tiger Global and In-Q-Tel. Deepgram provides AI models that help businesses create smart voice agents for real-time conversations. The company plans to use the funds to expand into Europe and Asia-Pacific, add more languages, and make acquisitions, including its recent purchase of OfOne for drive-thru AI. Over 1,300 organizations, including NASA, use Deepgram's technology.
Tempus AI Stock Jumps on Strong Sales Forecast and Growth
Tempus AI's stock rose over 4% on Monday after the company announced a very positive sales forecast. Tempus expects its fourth-quarter revenue to increase by 83% year over year, reaching $367 million. The company reported a record total contract value of over $1.1 billion by December 31, 2025, and signed data deals with more than 70 clients. Major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Eli Lilly are using Tempus's datasets for drug development. CEO Eric Lefkofsky stated the company is in an "exceptionally strong position" heading into 2026.
Serve Robotics Gains Attention From Nvidia CEO and Analysts
Serve Robotics, a company that makes food delivery robots, gained significant attention after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised it at CES. The company operates the largest sidewalk delivery fleet in the US with over 2,000 robots, partnering with major brands like Uber and DoorDash. Serve Robotics saw its third-quarter revenue jump by 209% to $687,000, and management expects a tenfold revenue increase in 2026. Wall Street analysts are very positive, with one analyst, Michael Latimore, predicting a 77% upside for the stock to $26.
Adobe Faces Bearish Analyst Views Amid Growing AI Competition
Wall Street analysts are showing their most pessimistic views on Adobe Inc. since 2013, citing strong competition from AI companies like OpenAI. Oppenheimer recently downgraded the stock, joining other firms concerned about Adobe's growth in the AI era. Analysts worry about slower revenue growth, inconsistent product launches, and a potentially weaker competitive position. Adobe's shares have fallen significantly, including a 6.4% drop this year, and Goldman Sachs also downgraded the stock to "sell."
AI Generated Signals for Atrium Mortgage Debentures
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JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Defends High Tech and AI Spending
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon strongly defended the bank's significant spending on technology and AI during its fourth-quarter earnings call. He stated that the bank's annual tech budget was around $18 billion in 2025, emphasizing the need to stay ahead of both traditional rivals and new fintech companies. Dimon sees huge opportunities in AI, even though it is not the main driver of increased costs. JPMorgan is also launching its own in-house AI platform for shareholder voting and training thousands of employees in AI tools.
Alphabet Reaches $4 Trillion Value as AI Success Continues
Alphabet's market value reached $4 trillion as its shares rose, making it the second-largest company behind Nvidia Corp. This growth solidifies its position as a major winner in the AI market. Apple reportedly chose Alphabet's Gemini to power an AI version of its Siri assistant, with a potential payment of $1 billion per year. The company's stock has performed exceptionally well, gaining 65% in 2025 and 4.8% this year. Alphabet's Gemini AI model and tensor processing unit chips are key drivers of this success.
Torq Secures $140 Million for AI Powered Cybersecurity Platform
Torq, a cybersecurity company, raised $140 million in Series D funding, bringing its total funding to $332 million and its valuation to $1.2 billion. Merlin Ventures led the investment, supporting Torq's goal to expand its AI SOC Platform for global businesses and government agencies. This platform uses AI agents to manage security tasks, quickly handling alerts and allowing human analysts to focus on major threats. CEO Ofer Smadari highlighted the company's significant revenue growth and adoption by Fortune 100 customers.
Sources
- Assessing Axon Enterprise (AXON) Valuation After Analyst Focus On Recurring Revenue AI And Drone Growth Potential
- Is It Too Late To Consider CoreWeave (CRWV) After The Recent AI Infrastructure Buzz?
- Riot Platforms (RIOT) Valuation Check As Bitcoin Sales Fund AI Data Center Expansion
- Wall Street Analyst Upgrades on AI Platforms Might Change The Case For Investing In Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
- How Investors Are Reacting To SES AI (SES) Showcasing AI-Enhanced Batteries At CES And Research Conference
- This AI Founder Says He Wasn’t Looking for Capital. Investors With $130 Million Changed His Mind
- Voice AI startup Deepgram raises $130 million at $1.3 billion valuation
- Why Tempus AI Stock Rose Today
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang "Loves" This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Company. The Stock Could Soar 77% in 2026, According to 1 Wall Street Analyst
- Adobe Analysts Turn Most Bearish Since 2013 as AI Threat Looms
- Trading (AI.DB.F) With Integrated Risk Controls
- Jamie Dimon defends JPMorgan's tech spending
- Alphabet’s rise to $4 trillion cements status as AI trade winner
- Torq Raises $140 Million for Agentic AI-Powered Cybersecurity Platform
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