Abu Dhabi's MGX fund, launched in March 2024, is actively investing up to $10 billion annually to position the emirate as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The fund, led by CEO Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi and supported by powerful figures like Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, has already backed major players such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, viewing each as serving distinct segments of the AI market. Meanwhile, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced a new $150 million strategic AI ventures fund for Indian startups on February 18, 2026, during the India AI Impact Summit. This fund, managed by Qualcomm Ventures, targets AI development for cars, smart devices, robots, and mobile phones, building on Qualcomm's history of over 40 investments in India since 2007.
In a significant development on February 17, 2026, Meta and Nvidia announced a multiyear partnership aimed at strengthening Meta's artificial intelligence infrastructure. This collaboration will help Meta build advanced data centers for AI training and enhance its core business operations. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed that the full Nvidia platform will be available to Meta's engineers, while Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated they plan to use Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform to deliver "personal superintelligence" to users. This partnership also focuses on optimizing AI models for Meta's messaging service and other infrastructure initiatives.
The influence of AI extends deeply into enterprise software and market sentiment. Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI, predicted on February 18, 2026, that AI could replace over half of current enterprise software, enabling companies to develop custom solutions faster and more affordably. Mistral AI is already assisting over 100 businesses with this transition and plans to open its first Indian office this year. On the sales front, Gong's Revenue AI tools are proving effective, with PayPal seeing a 17% improvement in sales prediction accuracy and a 22% faster time to revenue. Similarly, eStore Factory's SellerQI tool helped an Amazon brand cut advertising costs, reducing ACoS from 52.66% to 33.42% and boosting sales by 9.6% to $5,707.00 by November 2025.
Despite some market turbulence driven by concerns about tech companies overspending on AI, as observed on February 17, 2026, other AI-focused companies show strong performance. Cadence Design Systems reported robust fourth-quarter earnings on February 18, 2026, with $1.99 adjusted earnings per share and $1.44 billion in revenue, with analysts noting that AI is more likely to enhance rather than replace complex chip design software. Beyond Nvidia, companies like Snowflake are seeing rapid adoption of their AI platform by 688 customers generating over $1 million in annual revenue. Palantir Technologies reported strong growth in its AI platform, with US commercial revenue increasing 137% to $507 million, while Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) saw its data center revenue climb 39% to $5.4 billion, fueled by demand for its Instinct MI440X AI accelerator.
Key Takeaways
- Abu Dhabi's MGX fund, launched March 2024, plans to invest up to $10 billion annually in AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI.
- Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced a $150 million strategic AI ventures fund for Indian startups, managed by Qualcomm Ventures, on February 18, 2026.
- Meta and Nvidia formed a multiyear partnership on February 17, 2026, to strengthen Meta's AI infrastructure, including building data centers and utilizing Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform.
- Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch predicts over 50% of enterprise software could be replaced by AI, with Mistral AI working with over 100 businesses and planning an India office.
- Gong's Revenue AI tools helped PayPal improve sales prediction accuracy by 17% and reduce time to revenue by 22%.
- eStore Factory's SellerQI AI tool reduced an Amazon brand's ACoS from 52.66% to 33.42% and increased total sales by 9.6% to $5,707.00 by November 2025.
- Cadence Design Systems reported strong Q4 earnings on February 18, 2026, with $1.99 adjusted earnings per share and $1.44 billion in revenue, with AI expected to enhance its offerings.
- Snowflake's AI platform gained rapid adoption, serving 688 customers with over $1 million in annual revenue.
- Palantir Technologies saw its AI platform drive US commercial revenue up 137% to $507 million.
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) reported a 39% increase in data center revenue to $5.4 billion, driven by demand for its Instinct MI440X AI accelerator.
Abu Dhabi's MGX Fund Makes Big AI Investments
Abu Dhabi's MGX fund is making large investments in artificial intelligence companies. The fund was created in 2023 and officially launched in March 2024 to help Abu Dhabi become a global leader in AI. MGX plans to spend up to $10 billion each year on companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. Its leaders, Ali Osman and David Scott, say the fund is carefully managed and seeks unique opportunities. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a powerful royal, helps MGX access these deals.
MGX Reveals Strategy for Top AI Investments
Abu Dhabi's MGX fund shared its strategy for finding special AI investment chances. The fund gets unique opportunities through powerful leaders like Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and Mubadala chief Khaldoon Al Mubarak. MGX also has a New York office with experienced investors and partners with other global funds. Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi became the CEO when the fund launched in 2024. MGX aims to invest $10 billion annually and has already backed OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, seeing each as serving different parts of the AI market.
Qualcomm CEO Pledges $150 Million for Indian AI Startups
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced a new $150 million fund for artificial intelligence startups in India. This "strategic AI ventures fund" will be managed by Qualcomm Ventures. Amon made the announcement during his visit to India for the India AI Impact Summit on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Qualcomm believes AI will reshape industries and sees India's startup scene as very important. The company has already invested in more than 40 Indian companies since 2007, including Jio Platforms and MapMyIndia.
Qualcomm Boosts India AI Startups with $150 Million Fund
Qualcomm plans to invest up to $150 million in India's fast-growing artificial intelligence and technology startup scene. Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon announced this on February 18, 2026, at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The investment will come through Qualcomm Ventures and will support startups working on AI for cars, smart devices, robots, and mobile phones. Qualcomm has a long history of investing in India, backing over 40 companies since 2007, including Reliance Jio and MapmyIndia. The company aims to help develop new AI technologies that will change future industries.
Mistral AI CEO Predicts Big Shift to AI Software
Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI, believes that over half of current enterprise software could be replaced by artificial intelligence. He shared this view on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the India Accelerates event in New Delhi. Mensch explained that AI allows companies to develop custom software very quickly and more affordably. Mistral AI is already working with over 100 businesses to help them switch their IT systems to AI. The company also plans to open its first office in India this year and will partner with local companies for infrastructure.
AI Fears Create Market Uncertainty
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the S&P 500 index closed close to its record high. However, growing concerns about artificial intelligence are causing turbulence in the markets. Investors are now worried about more than just tech companies overspending on AI. This anxiety is also changing how investors view longer-term US government debt, as they are no longer avoiding it.
Meta and Nvidia Partner to Boost AI Systems
Meta and Nvidia have started a multiyear partnership to strengthen Meta's artificial intelligence infrastructure. This collaboration, announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, will help Meta build data centers for AI training and improve its core business. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said they are bringing the full Nvidia platform to Meta's engineers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated they will use Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform to bring "personal superintelligence" to everyone. The partnership will also optimize AI models for Meta's messaging service and other infrastructure efforts.
Top AI Stocks Beyond Nvidia for 2026
This article looks at artificial intelligence stocks beyond Nvidia for investors in 2026. Snowflake, led by CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy, saw its AI platform gain quick adoption, serving 688 customers with over $1 million in annual revenue. Palantir Technologies, with CEO Alex Karp, showed strong growth in its AI platform, with US commercial revenue up 137% to $507 million. Advanced Micro Devices AMD, under CEO Lisa Su, saw its data center revenue grow 39% to $5.4 billion due to demand for its Instinct MI440X AI accelerator. Each company offers a different way to invest in the growing AI market.
Gong's Revenue AI Helps Big Companies Boost Sales
Gong is showing how its Revenue AI tools are being used by large businesses to improve sales. PayPal, for example, saw a 17% improvement in how accurately it predicted sales and a 22% faster time to get revenue using Gong's tools. Executives from Wayfair and Twilio also discussed using AI to coach their teams based on real sales data. These examples suggest that Gong's AI is helping big companies become more efficient and predict revenue better.
AI Tool Helps Amazon Brand Cut Ad Costs Boost Sales
eStore Factory used its AI-powered tool, SellerQI, to help a US foot care brand improve its Amazon advertising. The tool found where ad money was being wasted and redirected budgets to better-performing keywords. This led to a significant improvement in advertising efficiency, with the ACoS dropping from 52.66% to 33.42%. By November 2025, the brand's total sales increased by 9.6% to $5,707.00. Jimi Patel, founder of eStore Factory, stated that SellerQI provides clear, real-time data to guide decisions and improve efficiency.
Cadence Design Systems Beats Earnings AI Fears
Cadence Design Systems reported strong fourth-quarter earnings, surpassing what analysts expected. The company announced adjusted earnings of $1.99 per share and $1.44 billion in revenue on Tuesday, February 18, 2026. Despite earlier fears that artificial intelligence would hurt software stocks, analysts now believe Cadence is protected. Experts from JPMorgan and Wells Fargo say chip design software is too complex for AI to easily replace. Instead, AI is expected to help Cadence improve automation for customers and increase its earnings.
Sources
- OpenAI, Anthropic Deals Power Abu Dhabi’s $100 Billion AI Bet
- Abu Dhabi’s MGX talks AI investment strategy, deal access
- Qualcomm chief pledges $150mn fund for AI startups in India visit
- Qualcomm to Invest Up to USD 150 Mn in India's Growing AI Ecosystem
- More than 50% of enterprise software could switch to AI, Mistral CEO says
- What the 10-year Treasury’s move toward 4% says about AI anxiety in markets
- Meta and Nvidia Team to Bolster AI Infrastructure
- Forget NVIDIA: This is the AI Stock to Buy in 2026
- Gong Showcases Revenue AI Adoption Among Enterprise Customers
- eStore Factory uses an AI-driven tool to cut Amazon ad waste and boost sales efficiency for a US foot care brand
- This software stock was hit hard on AI disruption fears. Now it’s proving detractors wrong
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