In the tech world, Meta is making big moves in AI, hiring top talent like Shengjia Zhao from OpenAI as chief scientist for its Superintelligence Lab, reporting to Alexandr Wang, formerly of Scale AI. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is investing heavily, including \$14.3 billion in Scale AI, to compete with OpenAI and Google in developing advanced AI models, even partnering with Amazon Web Services to promote its Llama AI model. Meanwhile, China is also pushing for AI leadership, showcased at a Shanghai forum featuring DeepSeek and discussions on Trump's AI plan, with Premier Li Qiang and tech leaders from Alibaba and Huawei in attendance. Unitree is offering an affordable humanoid robot for under \$6,000, while Google is investing \$37 million to boost AI in Africa, including a new AI Community Centre in Accra, Ghana, and funding for food security and African language support. AI is also impacting education, with Saudi Arabia adding AI education to schools, and Loudoun County schools implementing AI security cameras. Virginia is using AI to cut government red tape, expecting to save taxpayers \$1.2 billion annually, while Oklahoma lawmakers plan to study AI's use in various sectors. Despite significant AI investment, GIC, managing \$800 billion in assets, doesn't foresee an AI bubble yet. Wall Street anticipates a busy week following record highs, with investors watching earnings reports and job market data.
Key Takeaways
- Meta is aggressively pursuing AI leadership, hiring Shengjia Zhao from OpenAI to head its Superintelligence Lab and investing heavily in talent acquisition, including Alexandr Wang from Scale AI.
- Meta's AI investments include \$14.3 billion in Scale AI and a partnership with Amazon Web Services to promote its Llama AI model.
- China aims to be an AI leader by 2030, with a Shanghai forum highlighting its AI goals and featuring DeepSeek.
- Unitree is offering a humanoid robot, the R1, for under \$6,000, showcasing advancements in Chinese robotics.
- Google is investing \$37 million in AI across Africa, including a new AI Community Centre in Accra, Ghana, and funding for food security.
- AI is being integrated into education, with Saudi Arabia adding AI education to schools and Loudoun County schools using AI security cameras.
- Virginia is using AI to reduce government regulations, projecting annual savings of \$1.2 billion.
- Oklahoma lawmakers will study AI's impact on finance, law, and public policy.
- GIC, a Singaporean investment fund managing \$800 billion in assets, does not currently see an AI bubble.
- Wall Street is anticipating a busy week with earnings reports and job market data after recent record highs.
Meta spends big to win AI race hiring top talent
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants Meta to lead in AI, even if it doesn't help the company right away. He's spending a lot to hire top AI researchers and engineers, sparking a talent war with companies like OpenAI and Google. Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and hired its CEO, Alexandr Wang, to lead the Meta Superintelligence Lab. Meta is also partnering with Amazon Web Services to help businesses use its Llama AI model. Some analysts wonder if Meta's focus on superintelligence will help its business.
Meta hires OpenAI's Shengjia Zhao to lead superintelligence AI group
Meta has hired Shengjia Zhao from OpenAI as the chief scientist for its new superintelligence AI group. Zhao helped create the original ChatGPT. He will report to Alexandr Wang, who joined Meta from Scale AI. Meta is trying to develop new AI models that are as good as or better than humans. Zuckerberg announced the news on Threads.
Meta hires OpenAI engineer Shengjia Zhao for AI superintelligence lab
Meta's Mark Zuckerberg announced that Shengjia Zhao, formerly of OpenAI, is the new chief scientist at Meta's Superintelligence Lab. Meta is investing billions to lead in AI and compete with Google and OpenAI. The company is also investing $14.3 billion to acquire and hire Alexandr Wang, former Scale CEO. Meta has been hiring AI experts from Apple, OpenAI, and Safe Superintelligence.
China's AI Forum focuses on DeepSeek and Trump's AI plan
China's top AI forum in Shanghai will focus on China's AI goals and competing with the US. The conference will feature discussions on DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model, and Donald Trump's AI Action Plan. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend, along with tech leaders from companies like Alibaba and Huawei. China wants to become a leader in AI by 2030. The forum will also showcase Chinese humanoid robots.
Unitree offers affordable humanoid robot for under $6000
Unitree is selling its R1 humanoid robot for under $6,000. The robot weighs 25kg and has 26 joints. It uses AI to recognize voice and images. Unitree's CEO Wang Xingxing met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in February. The new robot was announced at China's biggest AI conference. Chinese companies are working on humanoids for factories, homes, and military use.
Virginia uses AI to cut government red tape
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is using AI to cut government regulations. The AI will scan regulations and guidance to find redundancies. It will also compare Virginia's regulations to other states. The AI will make recommendations, but humans will make the final decisions. The state has already cut nearly half of its government guidance documents and expects to save taxpayers $1.2 billion annually.
GIC is not worried about an AI bubble
Singapore's GIC, a large investment fund, says it doesn't see an AI bubble yet. This is despite lots of investment in AI and related areas like semiconductors and data centers. GIC manages about $800 billion in assets. The fund says the large amount of money going into AI means investors need to be careful.
Oklahoma lawmakers to study AI, water, and dark money
Oklahoma lawmakers will study several topics, including AI, during the interim. They will look at how AI is used in finance, law, and public policy. They will also study water depletion and the use of dark money in elections. The House interim study process will begin August 4 and end November 6.
Google invests millions in AI across Africa
Google is investing $37 million to boost AI in Africa. This includes a new AI Community Centre in Accra, Ghana. Google is investing $25 million in AI for food security. They are also giving $3 million to the Masakhane Research Foundation to support African languages in AI. Google will also fund AI startups and provide 100,000 scholarships for AI and digital skills training.
AI lessons for education and the job market
AI is becoming more common in education and work, making things easier but also changing how we learn and work. Students are using AI for research, but this can hurt their thinking skills. AI can help learning if used correctly. The job market needs people with skills in AI, data analysis, and problem-solving. Saudi Arabia will add AI education to its schools to prepare for these changes.
Loudoun County schools add AI security cameras
Loudoun County Public Schools will use AI-powered security cameras in all schools. The cameras will detect weapons and analyze behavior. The system will alert staff to potential safety issues. The school division is also changing its bag policy for football games and testing metal detectors. The school division is also adding panic buttons for staff and hiring more security officers.
Wall Street awaits busy week after record highs
Wall Street is expected to open higher on Friday, building on recent record highs. Investors are looking ahead to a busy week with earnings reports, job market data, and a tariff deadline. Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are both up 0.1%.
Sources
- Meta is shelling out big bucks to get ahead in AI. Here’s who it’s hiring
- Meta Says Open AI Hire is Superintelligence Group Chief Scientist
- Meta poaches Shengjia Zhao, a key engineer from OpenAI
- DeepSeek, Trump’s Plan Steer Agenda at China’s Premier AI Forum
- China’s Unitree Offers a Humanoid Robot for Under $6,000
- Youngkin unleashes cutting-edge AI technology in effort to slash Virginia's government red tape
- Singapore's GIC downplays AI bubble fears, flags 'mixed' valuations
- Oklahoma lawmakers to tackle dark money, water and artificial intelligence during the interim
- Google Unveils Major AI Investment Drive Across Africa
- AI lessons for education and the job market
- AI Security Cameras, Increased Stadium Security Among LCPS Safety Enhancements
- Wall Street hovers near records in premarket trading as attention turns to next week's busy schedule