microsoft, amd and nvidia Updates

French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation recently made a significant strategic move, investing $200 million in Harmattan AI through a Series B funding round. This partnership, announced on January 12, focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into defense systems, particularly for future air combat, including the Rafale F5 fighter jet and unmanned drones. The investment values Harmattan AI, founded in April 2024, at $1.4 billion, establishing it as France's first defense "unicorn." French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the deal, underscoring its importance for national defense and technological advancement. This investment highlights a broader trend of AI's increasing influence across various sectors. Markets in 2026 expect a shift from AI's potential to its actual profitability, with Goldman Sachs projecting over $500 billion in AI investments for the year. Investors are now seeking businesses with clear models that directly benefit from AI integration. This focus on tangible returns is shaping investment strategies, including options like AI-focused Exchange-Traded Funds or direct investments in core AI infrastructure providers. Several companies are already demonstrating strong performance driven by AI demand. IQE, for instance, anticipates full-year 2025 revenue around £97 million, fueled by military projects and growing demand for photonics in AI and data centers. Iren, a data center operator, saw its stock jump over 9% on January 12, 2026, after securing a new contract with Microsoft and shifting its focus to AI and high-performance computing. Texas Instruments also reports rising stock and a 50% increase in data center sales in the first nine months of 2025, thanks to its crucial analog chips for AI. The demand for AI infrastructure is also boosting chip makers. Jim Cramer praised Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for its strong-performing AI chips, positioning it as a key competitor to NVIDIA. AMD's recent $35 billion acquisition of Xilinx aims to strengthen its presence in the data center and AI markets, with analysts expecting robust fourth-quarter earnings. Meanwhile, Cast AI, an Application Performance Automation platform, achieved a valuation over $1 billion after launching its OMNI Compute platform, which optimizes GPU resource utilization across cloud providers, making powerful GPU access more affordable.

Key Takeaways

• Dassault Aviation invested $200 million (approximately $234 million) in Harmattan AI, valuing the startup at $1.4 billion and making it France's first defense unicorn.
• The Dassault-Harmattan AI partnership focuses on integrating AI into defense systems, including the Rafale F5 fighter jet and unmanned drones for future air combat.
• IQE expects 2025 revenue of around £97 million, driven by military projects and increased demand for photonics in AI and data centers.
• Iren's stock surged over 9% on January 12, 2026, following a new contract with Microsoft and its strategic shift towards AI and high-performance computing.
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is emerging as a strong competitor to NVIDIA in AI chips, bolstered by its $35 billion Xilinx acquisition and anticipated strong Q4 earnings.
• Texas Instruments is seeing increased revenue from AI investments, with data center business sales growing 50% in the first nine months of 2025 due to demand for its analog chips.
• Cast AI achieved a valuation over $1 billion after launching its OMNI Compute platform, designed to optimize and make GPU resources more accessible and affordable across cloud providers.
• Goldman Sachs predicts over $500 billion will be invested in AI in 2026, signaling a market shift towards demonstrating actual profits from AI applications.
• Investors are increasingly looking for clear business models that benefit from AI, with options including AI-focused ETFs or direct investments in core AI infrastructure companies.
• AI-generated signals provide specific trading advice, such as for Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation, indicating AI's direct application in financial markets.

Dassault Aviation invests in Harmattan AI for defense tech

Dassault Aviation invested $200 million in Harmattan AI through a Series B funding round. This also includes a technology partnership focusing on artificial intelligence for defense. The company recently raised its 2025 net sales forecast to over €7 billion, and its stock increased by 15% last month. This strategic move into AI is expected to boost Dassault Aviation's future growth and value in the aerospace and defense market.

Dassault Aviation invests $200 million in Harmattan AI

French aerospace company Dassault Aviation led a $200 million funding round for Harmattan AI. This partnership will help develop AI for Dassault's future air combat systems, especially for controlling drones. Harmattan AI, created last year, makes autonomous defense systems like AI-enabled platforms and drones. The Series B funding valued Harmattan AI at $1.4 billion, making it a "unicorn." French President Emmanuel Macron praised the deal, highlighting its importance for France's defense and technology.

Dassault invests $200 million in Harmattan AI

Dassault Aviation announced on January 12 that it invested $200 million in Harmattan AI. This investment is part of a Series B funding round for the French artificial intelligence startup. The strategic partnership aims to integrate AI technology into Dassault's defense products, including the latest Rafale fighter jet, the F5 iteration.

Dassault Aviation invests in Harmattan AI defense unicorn

Dassault Aviation invested €200 million, about $234 million, in Harmattan AI, a Paris-based startup. This investment values Harmattan AI at €1.4 billion, making it France's first defense unicorn. The partnership will help develop embedded artificial intelligence for Dassault's future air combat systems, like the Rafale F5 fighter jet and unmanned drones. Harmattan AI, founded in April 2024, has already secured orders for thousands of autonomous drones from the UK and French defense ministries.

IQE reports strong 2025 results and AI demand

IQE expects its full-year 2025 revenue to be around £97 million, which is at the high end of its forecast. This strong performance comes from faster military and defense project work, plus growing demand for photonics in AI and data centers. The company also reported better-than-expected adjusted EBITDA and held £15.6 million in cash by year-end. IQE has a strong order book for early 2026 and is exploring strategic options, including potential offers for the company or its assets.

IQE shares soar on strong sales and AI interest

IQE PLC shares jumped 40% in London after the company reported strong trading in the second half of 2025. This growth was driven by quicker funding for US military projects and increased demand for photonics in AI and data center markets. IQE expects 2025 revenue to reach about £97 million and adjusted EBITDA to be at least £2.0 million. The company also has a strong order book for early 2026 and is considering non-binding offers for the company or its assets.

AI provides trading signals for Atrium Mortgage

AI-generated signals provide trading advice for Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation, ticker AI:CA. On January 12, the AI rated the stock as "Strong" for both near and long terms, but "Neutral" for the mid term. Trading plans suggest buying near 11.68 with a target of 12.01 and a stop loss at 11.62. For shorting, the plan is near 12.01 with a target of 11.68 and a stop loss at 12.07.

Smart ways to invest $2,000 in AI

If you believe in the future growth of artificial intelligence, there are smart ways to invest $2,000. One option is to invest in an AI-focused Exchange-Traded Fund, which spreads your money across many AI-related companies. Another strategy is to buy shares in a leading AI company that you strongly believe in. You could also consider companies that build the core infrastructure for AI, such as chip makers, data center operators, or cybersecurity firms.

AI will strongly influence markets in 2026

Artificial intelligence is expected to be a major force shaping markets in 2026, with a focus shifting from potential to actual profits. Companies will face pressure to show real returns from their AI investments, while investors will look for businesses with clear models that benefit from AI. Goldman Sachs predicts over $500 billion will be invested in AI in 2026. Emcor, for example, saw its stock rise and its contracted backlog grow significantly, partly due to data center demand. This shows how AI can create investment opportunities beyond just the biggest tech companies.

Iren stock jumps on Microsoft AI deal

Iren, a data center operator that used to focus on Bitcoin mining, saw its stock jump over 9% on January 12, 2026. This surge happened after Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani named Iren his "top AI pick" for 2026. The company's shift towards AI and high-performance computing, along with a new contract with Microsoft, has attracted significant investor interest. Iren, which went public in 2021, continues to grow its compute capacity and secure new deals.

Jim Cramer praises AMD AI chip performance

Jim Cramer highlighted Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for its strong-performing AI chips, called accelerators, positioning it as a key competitor to NVIDIA. AMD recently completed its $35 billion acquisition of Xilinx, which is expected to boost its presence in the data center and AI markets. The company's stock has gained 10% in the past month. Analysts expect AMD to report strong fourth-quarter earnings on January 31st, with revenue projected to increase by 14% and earnings per share by 15%.

Cast AI valued over $1 billion with new GPU platform

Cast AI, an Application Performance Automation platform, is now valued at over $1 billion after launching its OMNI Compute platform. OMNI Compute is a new system that finds and uses available GPU resources across different cloud providers, helping to lower cloud computing costs and complexity. Pacific Alliance Ventures, a part of Shinsegae Group, made a strategic investment in Cast AI. This investment and the new platform aim to make powerful GPU resources more accessible and affordable for businesses.

Texas Instruments stock rises with AI demand

Texas Instruments, a company whose analog chips are crucial for AI computing, is seeing its stock price rise. The company's shares had lagged the market partly due to tariff concerns. However, AI investments are now boosting its revenue, with data center business sales growing 50% in the first nine months of 2025. Texas Instruments has also bought back $1.6 billion in stock and increased its dividend for the 22nd year in a row. Its shares are already up almost 10% this year.

Sources

• Assessing Dassault Aviation (ENXTPA:AM) Valuation After Harmattan AI Investment And Defense Technology Partnership
• Dassault Aviation invests in French defence AI unicorn Harmattan
• Dassault Makes Harmattan AI Investment To Boost Defense Products
• Dassault Aviation invests in Harmattan AI at €1.4 billion value
• IQE posts strong 2025 trading, eyes strategic options and AI photonics demand By Investing.com
• IQE shares jump amid strong trading, AI demand and offer interest
• Trading (AI) With Integrated Risk Controls
• The smartest way to invest $2,000 if you believe in AI's next wave
• Why AI Could Be One of the Biggest Forces Shaping Markets in 2026
• Stock Market Today, Jan. 12: Iren Jumps on Bernstein Naming It Top AI Pick After Microsoft Contract Win
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)’s Got Great Performing AI Chips, Says Jim Cramer
• Cast AI Valued at Over $1 Billion With the Launch of Its GPU Marketplace
• Is This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Finally Entering Its Breakout Phase?