Meta Redefines AI Terms While Microsoft Invests Billions

Major AI companies are actively redefining their approach to advanced intelligence, moving away from the term "artificial general intelligence" (AGI) due to its vague definition and negative connotations. Companies such as Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic are now adopting new phrases like "personal superintelligence," "humanist superintelligence," and "useful general intelligence." This shift reflects the evolving understanding of AI capabilities and also impacts contractual agreements, including those involving OpenAI and Microsoft. Staying competitive in frontier AI demands substantial financial commitment. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman estimates that "hundreds of billions of dollars" will be necessary over the next five to ten years for developing the best and safest superintelligence models. Suleyman views Microsoft as a "modern construction company" building vast AI infrastructure, suggesting these high costs create a structural advantage for large corporations, making it challenging for startups to compete. His mission emphasizes Microsoft's self-sufficiency in advanced AI development. Concerns about AI's impact extend to various sectors, from education to national security. Pre-K teachers, for instance, are hesitant to adopt generative AI, with only 16% using it compared to 53% of K-12 teachers. Their primary worry centers on the developmental appropriateness of AI tools for young children, particularly regarding screen time and its effect on social skills. Meanwhile, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a draft "Cyber AI Profile" to guide organizations in securely adopting AI and managing its unique cybersecurity risks, open for public comment until January 30, 2026. Geopolitical and policy discussions also highlight AI's growing influence. Geoffrey Cain alleges that China has leveraged AI to hack American entities, claiming Western tech firms like Microsoft and Amazon, through their cloud operations in China, inadvertently provide vulnerabilities. On the legislative front, the House passed the SPEED Act, supported by OpenAI, Micron, and Microsoft, to accelerate permitting for AI infrastructure by reforming the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act. However, the bill faced opposition from most Democrats concerned about environmental protections. In Texas, some universities are reportedly using AI to modify course descriptions, removing specific words related to race and gender. Investment trends show a shift towards humanoid robotics, with 17 recent deals, yet experts like Daiva Rakauskait of Aneli Capital warn of a potential AI market bubble bursting within two to three years. Investors are advised to prioritize strong company fundamentals. In practical applications, AITX's subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), introduced RAM, the ROSA Accessory Module, to integrate advanced AI features into existing third-party security cameras. For legal professionals, LawQi launched an affordable Library Resource option, costing under $1 per month, offering interactive AI training for all law firm staff, covering essential skills like prompt engineering and ethical use. Looking ahead to 2026, AI and corporate reforms are expected to significantly influence investor choices across Asia, with Japan, Korea, China, and India presenting new opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Major AI companies, including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic, are moving away from the term "artificial general intelligence" (AGI), adopting new phrases like "personal superintelligence" and "useful general intelligence."
• Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman states that staying competitive in frontier AI will require "hundreds of billions of dollars" over the next 5-10 years, giving large companies a structural advantage.
• The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a draft "Cyber AI Profile" to guide organizations in securely adopting AI and managing its unique cybersecurity risks.
• The House of Representatives passed the SPEED Act, supported by OpenAI and Microsoft, aiming to accelerate permitting for AI infrastructure by reforming the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act.
• Investment in AI is increasingly shifting towards humanoid robotics, with 17 recent deals, but experts warn of a potential AI market bubble bursting within two to three years.
• Concerns are raised that China has used AI to hack U.S. entities, with claims that Western tech firms like Microsoft and Amazon's cloud businesses in China create vulnerabilities.
• Pre-K teachers show significantly lower generative AI adoption (16%) compared to K-12 teachers (53%), primarily due to worries about AI's impact on young children's development.
• AITX's subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), launched RAM (ROSA Accessory Module) to integrate advanced AI features like autonomous detection and voice interaction into existing third-party security cameras.
• LawQi introduced an affordable Library Resource option, costing under $1 per month, to provide interactive AI training for all law firm staff, covering prompt engineering and ethical use.
• AI and corporate reforms are identified as key drivers for investor choices in Asia for 2026, with Japan, Korea, China, and India expecting new opportunities.

AI companies create new terms to replace AGI buzzword

AI companies are moving away from the term "artificial general intelligence" or AGI. They find AGI poorly defined and it has developed negative associations. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic are introducing new terms such as "personal superintelligence," "humanist superintelligence," "useful general intelligence," and "powerful AI." This shift is happening as AI advances and the meaning of "human-level intelligence" becomes unclear. The change also affects contracts, like the one between Microsoft and OpenAI, which had an AGI clause.

Microsoft AI CEO says frontier AI will cost hundreds of billions

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman stated that staying competitive in frontier AI will cost "hundreds of billions of dollars." This massive investment is needed over the next five to 10 years. Suleyman aims to build the best and safest superintelligence models in the world. He compared Microsoft to a "modern construction company" building vast amounts of CPUs and AI accelerators. Suleyman believes big companies have a structural advantage due to these high costs, making it hard for startups to compete. His mission is to make Microsoft self-sufficient in developing its advanced AI models.

Texas universities use AI to change race and gender course words

A report from The Texas Tribune reveals that some Texas universities are using AI. They use AI to change how race and gender are discussed in course descriptions. The AI searches for and removes specific words related to these topics. This action aims to reshape the content of university courses.

Pre-K teachers slow to adopt AI due to child development worries

Pre-K teachers are slower to adopt generative AI compared to K-12 teachers. Only 16% of pre-K teachers use AI, while 53% of K-12 teachers do. A national survey found that general tech resistance is not the main reason. The biggest concern for pre-K teachers is whether AI tools are right for young children's development. They worry about too much screen time affecting social and communication skills. Experts suggest policymakers and companies should ensure AI supports both teachers and students, with better training for educators.

AI and corporate changes guide Asia investor choices for 2026

For 2026, AI and corporate reforms will greatly influence investment decisions in Asia. As global trade tensions lessen, local economic factors and policy changes become more important. Japan and Korea expect benefits from corporate governance reforms. China's policy stimulus and India's financial measures will create new opportunities. Investment in artificial intelligence will broaden, with a stronger focus on company earnings. Money managers like Fidelity International and T. Rowe Price Group Inc. are watching these trends.

NIST shares draft guide for safe AI cybersecurity use

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, released a draft guide for secure AI adoption. This "Cyber AI Profile" adapts the existing NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 to address AI's unique risks. It provides guidance in three main areas: securing AI systems, using AI for cyber defense, and stopping AI-powered cyberattacks. The draft aims to help organizations confidently adopt AI while managing new threats. NIST developed this guide with over 6,500 contributors, and it is open for public comments until January 30, 2026.

AI money moves to humanoid robots amid bubble worries

Investment in AI is now shifting more towards humanoid robotics, but concerns about a market bubble are growing. Venture capital reports show AI still leads investment, with industrial humanoid robotics seeing 17 deals recently. Experts like Daiva Rakauskait from Aneli Capital compare the current AI boom to the dot-com bubble. She predicts an AI bubble could burst within two to three years. Despite impressive robot demonstrations, commercial uses are still limited due to challenges like cost and reliability. Investors are advised to focus on strong company fundamentals and revenue rather than just rapid growth.

China's AI hacks West using keys from US tech firms

China has used artificial intelligence to hack American companies and government agencies. The author, Geoffrey Cain, argues that Western tech companies gave China this advantage. Microsoft, for example, reportedly allowed Chinese nationals access to its systems for years. Microsoft and Amazon are now trying to move their supply chains out of China. However, their extensive cloud businesses in China still make them vulnerable to exploitation by Chinese hackers. The article suggests that any company with ties to the Chinese government should be excluded from U.S. defense infrastructure.

AITX RAD launches RAM to add AI to old cameras

AITX's subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices RAD, introduced a new product called RAM. RAM, the ROSA Accessory Module, is a hardware platform that brings advanced AI to existing third-party security cameras. It enables features like autonomous detection, voice interaction, and escalation through SARA. This module integrates easily with current surveillance systems, improving them without needing a full replacement. RAM offers real-time threat identification, two-way communication, and automated responses. The company expects RAM to greatly expand the market for its AI-powered security solutions.

LawQi offers affordable AI training for all law firm staff

LawQi launched its Library Resource option, providing interactive AI training for law firms. This training costs under $1 per month and helps all staff, from lawyers to administrative workers. The platform offers self-guided learning with an embedded AI assistant, course materials, and real-time feedback. It teaches essential skills like AI communication, prompt engineering, and ethical use. LawQi's CEO, Colin Lachance, states this training fills a gap where firms invest in AI tools but lack skill development. The program has proven effective with major bar associations, helping legal professionals apply AI skills daily.

House passes bill to speed up AI infrastructure permits

The House of Representatives passed the SPEED Act, a bill aimed at making it easier to get permits for building AI infrastructure. This act seeks to reform the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act, which currently slows down projects. The bill would shorten review times and reduce the period for environmental lawsuits. Big Tech companies like OpenAI, Micron, and Microsoft support the SPEED Act, seeing it as vital for the U.S. to compete in AI. However, most Democrats opposed the bill due to concerns about its impact on environmental protections and specific amendments. The bill now moves to the Senate, where further discussions on permitting reform are expected.

Sources

• AI companies are sick of their favorite buzzword — so they’re inventing new ones
• Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman says it will cost 'hundreds of billions' to keep up with frontier AI in the next decade
• Some Texas universities using AI to reshape course discussions on race, gender: report
• Pre-K Teachers Are Hesitant to Use Artificial Intelligence —Why?
• AI, Corporate Reform Shape 2026 Trade Choices for Asia Investors
• NIST releases draft AI cybersecurity framework profile to guide secure AI adoption
• AI investment shifts toward humanoid robotics as bubble concerns grow
• China’s AI has hacked the West — we gave them the keys
• AITX's RAD Introduces RAM, the ‘ROSA Accessory Module’, Expanding Agentic AI to Existing 3rd Party Cameras
• Full-Firm Interactive AI Training for Under $1/Month
• House passes bill to ease permits for building out AI infrastructure