India Boosts Deep Tech with $25B Fund

Key Takeaways

• <ul><li>McDonald's uses AI to recommend dynamic menu prices, with Big Mac prices varying 21% between two Fresno locations just two miles apart</li><li>India commits $25 billion to deep tech startups, backed by $11 billion in government funding and $11.6 billion invested over the past decade</li><li>OpenAI plans to place 5% of its company value in public hands using an Alaska Permanent Fund-style model</li><li>Ken Griffin pledges $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University to establish a global AI research and education leadership position</li><li>Entravision Communications saw AI advertising revenue grow over 200% year over year, boosting margins significantly</li><li>Oracle's Wisconsin AI data center Project Lighthouse faces delays until early 2028 or as late as April 2029 due to power infrastructure issues</li><li>GTT Communications launched Defense Halo, an AI-native network defense platform offering real-time threat detection and remediation</li><li>Instagram's Edits app now includes an AI creative assistant that suggests trending topics, captions, and video scripts based on creator performance data</li><li>Airbnb introduced AI search tools using text and voice prompts, along with dynamic filters tailored to user preferences</li><li>China's power surplus gives it an edge in AI data center construction, with AI centers using only 5% of China's power growth versus 48% in the U.S.</li></ul>

McDonald's uses AI to set burger prices that vary by location

McDonald's is using AI to recommend different prices for the same menu items at different restaurants. The system analyzes how much customers in an area are willing to pay and suggests optimal prices. A Big Mac in Fresno, California was found to cost $5.69 at one location and $6.89 at another just two miles away. McDonald's says franchisees still make final pricing decisions and the tool is not mandatory.

Inside McDonald's push to have AI price your Big Mac

McDonald's is using artificial intelligence to set menu prices across franchises worldwide. The technology estimates what customers are willing to pay at each location. This means the same item can cost different amounts even within the same city. The system has been in use in some form since at least 2019.

McDonald's reportedly using AI to dynamically price its burgers

McDonald's has been using AI to dynamically price menu items in the US and some global markets. The system recommends prices based on customer willingness to pay and shares suggestions with franchisees at least three times a year. A Big Mac in one Fresno store cost $5.69 while another two miles away charged $6.89, a 21 percent difference. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski has discussed pricing tools with investors and the company says the system is a tool, not a mandate.

Axcelis Technologies benefits from AI and power semiconductor spending

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ: ACLS) was highlighted in American Century Investments' second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The company's shares outperformed due to rising capital spending on AI and power silicon carbide chips. This growing demand boosted sales of Axcelis' ion implantation systems and services. The company's strategic expansion also supported earnings growth and investor confidence.

AI advertising growth drives Entravision Communications strong results

Entravision Communications (NYSE: EVC) saw strong share performance due to AI-driven advertising growth. The company's AI advertising technology scaled rapidly according to American Century Investments' Q2 2026 investor letter. Revenue from the advertising technology and services segment grew more than 200% year over year. This growth improved the company's margins and sentiment compared to traditional media peers.

Oracle Wisconsin AI campus faces power delay risks

Oracle shares fell 1.8% after a report said its Wisconsin AI data center project, Project Lighthouse, faces major delays. The 500-acre campus in Port Washington cannot run computers until American Transmission Co. builds a new high-voltage power line. State regulators revoked initial approval and restarted the review process. Power may not arrive until early 2028 or as late as April 2029. Oracle also warned about delays at a separate New Mexico project called Project Jupiter.

India commits $25 billion to deep tech startups

India is creating a $25 billion funding pool for deep tech startups in areas like AI, semiconductors, drones, and space tech. The government committed $11 billion through the Research Development Infrastructure Fund, with matching funds from investors expected to reach $25 billion total. Over the past decade, India invested $11.6 billion in deep tech. In 2025, Indian deep tech startups raised a record $3 billion, but this is far below the $136 billion raised by US deep tech startups in the same period. Only 2% of Indian investors can write checks over $10 million, which remains a major barrier.

Instagram adds AI assistant to help creators post better

Instagram announced that its Edits app will now include an AI creative assistant for creators. The tool pulls data from a user's Instagram account, including likes, views, video retention, and shares. It can suggest trending topics, caption ideas, audio tracks, and video scripts. The assistant claims to spot patterns over time that basic metrics alone cannot reveal. Creators can ask open-ended questions about why certain content worked or failed.

OpenAI public stake plan draws mixed reactions

OpenAI announced it would place 5% of its company value in public hands using a model similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund. The move sparked debate about democratizing AI and whether it is feasible. The idea of applying Common Heritage of Humanity principles to AI dates back to a 2019 United Nations resolution. That resolution called for a global approach to AI development that considers all nations and peoples. Experts say applying these principles requires governments, corporations, and civil society to work together over a long period.

GTT launches AI-native network defense platform

GTT Communications launched Defense Halo, an AI-native network defense platform that detects vulnerabilities and threats in real time. It provides AI-generated remediation plans before attackers can exploit weaknesses. The platform creates a real-time model of a customer's network, visualizing all connections and enabling threat hunting. It runs on GTT's global Tier 1 backbone with AI inference hosted in the US, UK, and EU. Analysts say placing AI inside the network reduces latency and blind spots compared with traditional security tools.

Carnegie Mellon gets $3 billion AI investment from Ken Griffin

Citadel CEO Ken Griffin pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University. The investment aims to make the school a global leader in artificial intelligence research and education. University President Farnam Jahanian discussed the funding on Special Report. The money is expected to boost AI innovation and impact higher education and the American workforce.

China firms trail globally but power surplus helps AI race

Chinese companies have profit margins around 4.5 percent, well below the nearly 9 percent of global peers. Returns on capital sit near 6 percent compared with over 11 percent worldwide. However, China has a power surplus that gives it an edge in building AI data centers. Natixis said AI data centers would use only about 5 percent of China's power growth, compared with 48 percent in the United States. China's exports of power equipment for AI data centers have become a key engine for export growth.

Airbnb adds AI search and more social travel features

Airbnb launched new AI search tools that let users find properties using text or voice prompts. The app now shows dynamic filters based on preferences, like cribs or playgrounds when you search for baby-friendly stays. CEO Brian Chesky said the company is taking a careful approach to AI search to protect conversion rates. Airbnb also expanded social features so travelers can see connections' past trips and discover neighborhood recommendations based on guest reviews.

Sources

• McDonald’s using AI to price burgers? Same Big Mac can cost more nearby
• Inside McDonald’s push to have AI price your Big Mac
• McDonald's Is Reportedly Using AI To "Dynamically" Price Its Burgers
• Axcelis Technologies (ACLS) Capitalizes on Accelerating AI and Power Semiconductor CapEx
• AI Driven Advertising Growth Fuels Entravision Communications (EVC) Shares Strong Performance
• Oracle shares slip on unconfirmed report of delays at Wisconsin AI mega-campus
• India’s $25 billion deep-tech bet: Can it close the gap with US, China? Where will the money be invested?
• Instagram is adding an AI ‘assistant’ to tell you how to post
• Applying Common Heritage of Humanity Principles to Artificial Intelligence — The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs
• GTT Launches New AI-Native Network Defense Platform
• Carnegie Mellon University receives $3 billion AI targeted investment from Citadel CEO
• China’s firms face profit squeeze, but AI power edge offers hope: Natixis
• Airbnb adds AI search, more social features