September 20, 2025

analysis  
nvidia, intel and openai Updates

The artificial intelligence landscape is seeing significant investment and strategic moves across major tech players. Nvidia has acquired AI startup Enfabrica for over $900 million in a deal that includes licensing the company's technology for efficiently connecting large GPU clusters, alongside hiring key personnel. This move bolsters Nvidia's AI infrastructure capabilities. Meanwhile, Intel is contributing to AI education by designing courses for high school students, with Ridgewood High School in Ohio being one of four districts offering an AI for Youth program. Companies are prioritizing AI investment, sometimes over hiring and salary increases, as they seek long-term productivity gains. Oracle is carving out a niche with its hybrid cloud infrastructure (OCI), designed specifically for AI workloads and attracting clients like OpenAI. In the UK, a $250 billion Tech Prosperity Deal with the US includes substantial AI investment, with Microsoft pledging $30 billion and OpenAI committing $6.8 billion, aiming to expand data centers and supercomputing capacity, creating thousands of jobs. CoreWeave is also investing heavily in UK AI infrastructure, planning a $1.5 billion data center. However, companies face challenges in defending against AI-powered cybercrime, with many IT leaders feeling their current defenses are inadequate. The need for robust AI governance is also highlighted, as boards struggle to ensure AI investments yield returns, emphasizing the importance of strategic oversight and risk management. Ethical considerations are paramount, with calls for AI to be programmed for justice and sustainability, addressing issues of data consent and the environmental impact of AI data centers. On a lighter note, football pundit Chris Sutton is engaging in a prediction challenge against Microsoft's Copilot for the Premier League season.

Key Takeaways

  • Nvidia acquired AI startup Enfabrica for over $900 million, gaining technology to connect large GPU clusters and key talent.
  • Intel is developing AI courses for high school students, with four Ohio districts, including Ridgewood High School, offering the 'AI for Youth' program.
  • Many companies are directing significant investment towards AI development, sometimes at the expense of hiring and employee raises.
  • Oracle is attracting AI clients like OpenAI with its hybrid cloud infrastructure (OCI), tailored for AI workloads.
  • The UK and US have signed a $250 billion Tech Prosperity Deal, including $30 billion from Microsoft and $6.8 billion from OpenAI for AI infrastructure and job creation in the UK.
  • CoreWeave plans to invest $1.5 billion in new AI data center facilities in the UK.
  • A majority of companies feel their cybersecurity measures are insufficient against AI-powered cyberattacks.
  • Effective AI governance is crucial for companies to achieve a return on their AI investments, requiring strategic oversight and risk management.
  • There is a growing emphasis on programming AI for justice and sustainability, addressing ethical concerns and the environmental impact of AI.
  • Football pundit Chris Sutton is competing against Microsoft's Copilot in predicting Premier League scores for the 2025-26 season.

Nvidia buys AI startup Enfabrica for $900 million

Nvidia has acquired AI startup Enfabrica for over $900 million. This deal includes hiring Enfabrica's CEO, Rochan Sankar, and other key employees. Nvidia will also license Enfabrica's technology, which can connect over 100,000 GPUs efficiently. This acquisition is seen as an 'acquihire' to boost Nvidia's AI infrastructure capabilities. Nvidia had previously invested in Enfabrica in 2023.

Nvidia spends $900 million on AI startup Enfabrica

Nvidia has spent more than $900 million in cash and stock to acquire AI hardware startup Enfabrica. The deal brings Enfabrica's CEO, Rochan Sankar, and several team members to Nvidia, along with technology for linking large GPU clusters. This move is similar to an 'acquihire,' a strategy where companies focus on acquiring talent. Enfabrica's technology is expected to strengthen Nvidia's AI infrastructure by improving GPU connectivity.

Nvidia pays $900 million for Enfabrica AI tech and talent

Nvidia has reportedly spent over $900 million to hire Enfabrica's CEO, Rochan Sankar, and other staff, while also licensing the AI networking hardware company's technology. This deal, which includes cash and stock, could significantly value Enfabrica. The acquisition aims to enhance Nvidia's ability to connect large numbers of GPUs, potentially over 100,000, which is crucial for advanced AI development. This move follows Nvidia's previous investment in Enfabrica in 2023.

Nvidia spends $900 million to hire Enfabrica CEO and license AI tech

Nvidia has spent over $900 million in cash and stock to hire Enfabrica CEO Rochan Sankar and key employees, while also licensing the AI hardware startup's technology. The deal, which closed recently, allows Nvidia to integrate Enfabrica's expertise in connecting massive GPU clusters, vital for AI infrastructure. This transaction is structured as an 'acquihire,' a common strategy for acquiring talent and intellectual property. Enfabrica's technology can link over 100,000 GPUs into a unified network, improving performance for AI training and deployment.

Ohio schools offer Intel-designed AI class

Ridgewood High School is one of four districts in Ohio offering a new AI for Youth course designed by Intel. This year-long class, taught by Lester McCurdy, aims to equip students with essential skills for a future workforce driven by artificial intelligence. Students will use AI tools to solve real-world problems and learn about AI's history, types, and ethical considerations. The program builds on previous AI readiness training at the school, emphasizing early exposure to AI learning opportunities.

Ridgewood High School offers Intel-designed AI course

Ridgewood High School is among four Ohio school districts selected to offer a new artificial intelligence course developed by Intel. The year-long program, led by teacher Lester McCurdy, focuses on preparing students for an AI-driven job market by teaching practical applications and ethical AI use. This initiative is part of Intel's broader effort to integrate AI education into K-12 schools nationwide. The course aims to provide students with valuable skills for the future.

Companies prioritize AI investment over hiring and raises

Many companies are currently investing heavily in artificial intelligence rather than increasing employee salaries or hiring more staff. This trend is contributing to a strong stock market despite slower job growth and public concerns about the economy. While AI investments require significant resources like computing power and specialized engineers, they do not necessarily lead to large-scale hiring. This focus on AI is reshaping the economic landscape, potentially leading to higher productivity and prosperity in the long term, but may also cause workforce disruption.

Oracle leads AI investment with a new approach

Oracle is differentiating itself in the AI market by offering a unique hybrid cloud infrastructure (OCI) that combines on-site and off-site data centers. This approach allows clients like OpenAI to run sensitive AI projects internally while using Oracle's cloud for less critical tasks. Unlike traditional cloud providers that treat AI as an extension of existing services, Oracle's OCI is designed specifically for AI workloads. This strategy is driving rapid growth for Oracle, with significant projected revenue increases and a large pipeline of potential contracts.

Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton vs. AI

Football pundit Chris Sutton is challenging AI chatbot Copilot to predict Premier League scores for the 2025-26 season. Sutton claims to be more intelligent than AI, having beaten it in predictions for the first four weeks. Copilot, however, believes it will outperform humans in the long term as it absorbs more data. This season, Sutton will predict all 380 Premier League games, competing against BBC Sport readers, guests, and AI predictions.

CoreWeave invests $1.5 billion in UK AI infrastructure

AI data center provider CoreWeave plans to invest $1.5 billion in the UK, partnering with Nvidia and DataVita Ltd. This investment will establish a new data center facility in Chapelhall. CoreWeave is already investing an additional $1 billion in two other UK sites. This expansion is part of a larger trend of American tech companies increasing their presence and investment in the UK's technology infrastructure, coinciding with President Trump's visit.

Companies struggle to defend against AI cybercrime

A new report reveals that most companies feel their current cybersecurity measures are insufficient to combat AI-powered cyberattacks. Two-thirds of IT leaders surveyed believe their defenses are outdated against modern threats. Key concerns include external attacks, insider risks from employees misusing AI, and protecting AI systems themselves from manipulation. Experts suggest that fighting AI cybercrime requires using AI-driven defenses to adapt as quickly as the threats evolve. Despite challenges like legacy systems and talent gaps, securing AI workplaces is seen as crucial for growth and competitive advantage.

UK and US sign $250 billion AI and energy investment deal

The UK and US have finalized a landmark Tech Prosperity Deal, securing $250 billion in investment across technology and energy sectors. This agreement includes significant commitments from major AI companies to expand data centers and supercomputing capacity in Britain, creating 15,000 jobs. The deal also focuses on energy security, with plans for new nuclear reactors in northeast England. American firms are pledging $30 billion from Microsoft and $6.8 billion from OpenAI, boosting UK research and AI leadership.

Boards need better AI governance for ROI

Many companies are investing heavily in AI but not seeing significant returns, according to recent studies. Boards of directors are focusing on AI governance, but often without achieving desired outcomes. Effective AI governance requires strategic oversight, proper capital allocation, robust risk management, and sufficient technological competence within the board and the organization. Experts recommend integrating AI into enterprise risk management and ensuring directors have a foundational understanding of AI's impact on the business.

AI must be programmed for justice and sustainability

The rise of artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks, particularly concerning justice and environmental impact. Data, the core resource for AI, is being harvested without consent, potentially reinforcing existing societal injustices. To ensure AI serves humanity, it must be trained with ethical frameworks that prioritize equity and fairness for all communities. Furthermore, the significant carbon footprint of AI data centers demands a shift towards green AI solutions powered by renewable energy. Ultimately, the future of AI depends on conscious choices made today to ensure it benefits society and the planet.

Sources

Nvidia AI acquisition Enfabrica GPU connectivity AI infrastructure Acquihire AI hardware Intel AI education AI for Youth AI investment Cybersecurity AI cybercrime Oracle Hybrid cloud OCI OpenAI Premier League AI predictions CoreWeave Data centers UK technology US technology AI governance AI ethics AI sustainability Green AI