NVIDIA Partners Fortinet Alongside Palantir's Enterprise AI Focus

As of December 17, 2025, the artificial intelligence sector is experiencing significant developments across various fronts, from education and hardware manufacturing to enterprise solutions and security. India is rapidly advancing its AI capabilities, with CloudThat becoming NVIDIA's first Education Services Partner to offer official AI and accelerated computing courses. Simultaneously, Brandworks Technologies and SandLogic are collaborating to produce full-stack Edge AI hardware, including Indian-made AI chips for devices like voice assistants and smart IoT, with initial products expected in 2026. In the realm of enterprise AI, Palantir Technologies is positioning itself as the operating system for large organizations, aiming to manage complex data flows and actions rather than just providing tools. Security is also a major focus, as Fortinet and NVIDIA have partnered to deliver hardware-accelerated security for AI and private cloud workloads, integrating FortiGate VM directly onto the NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU. Furthermore, OLLM and Phala are enhancing data privacy for AI models, including Llama 3.3 and Gemma 3, by using hardware-secured confidential computing chips within OLLM's AI Gateway. The future of AI applications is also a hot topic, with founders predicting that 2026 will mark a shift towards AI systems with memory, context understanding, and autonomous action capabilities, moving beyond the current "Co-pilot" era. However, the rapid adoption of AI tools by universities is raising concerns; Professor Bruna Damiana Heinsfeld warns about potential loss of independence due to reliance on Big Tech. For instance, California State University signed a $16.9 million contract for ChatGPT Edu and hosted an AWS-branded AI camp. Despite these discussions, analysts from Capital Economics anticipate continued AI market growth in 2026, driven by strong tech sector earnings and early-stage adoption, even as some EY recruits still grapple with integrating AI training into traditional methods.

Key Takeaways

• CloudThat became NVIDIA's first Education Services Partner in India on December 17, 2025, offering official AI and accelerated computing courses to boost local talent.
• Brandworks Technologies and SandLogic are partnering to develop Indian-made full-stack Edge AI hardware, including AI chips, with first products launching in 2026.
• Fortinet and NVIDIA have teamed up to provide hardware-accelerated security for AI and private cloud workloads by integrating FortiGate VM onto the NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU.
• OLLM and Phala are collaborating to offer private AI models, such as Llama 3.3, with enhanced data protection through hardware-secured confidential computing.
• Palantir Technologies aims to become the operating system for enterprise AI, managing data, permissions, and actions within large organizations.
• Coursera plans to acquire Udemy in an all-stock merger valued at $2.5 billion, strengthening its position in online learning, particularly for AI training.
• Universities are rapidly adopting AI tools, with California State University signing a $16.9 million contract for ChatGPT Edu and hosting an AWS-branded AI camp, raising concerns about Big Tech influence.
• AI application founders predict 2026 will be a pivotal year for AI, focusing on memory, context understanding, and autonomous action, moving beyond passive assistance.
• EY notes a gap where new recruits receive AI training but still predominantly use traditional methods, with less than half of tax leaders feeling prepared for increased disputes.
• Analysts predict continued AI market growth in 2026, citing strong tech earnings and early-stage AI adoption, though cautioning about expectations potentially outpacing real-world impact.

NVIDIA AI training expands in India with CloudThat

CloudThat became NVIDIA's first Education Services Partner in India on December 17, 2025. This partnership allows CloudThat to offer NVIDIA's official AI and accelerated computing courses to businesses, schools, and individuals. CloudThat's expert instructors, including India's first two NVIDIA-certified trainers, will lead these programs. Learners will gain skills in AI model development, computer vision, and generative AI, and access NVIDIA's powerful AI tools. This collaboration aims to boost India's AI talent and support its $10 trillion economic aspiration.

Brandworks and SandLogic build AI hardware in India

Brandworks Technologies and SandLogic are partnering to create full-stack Edge AI hardware in India. This collaboration, announced on December 17, 2025, will produce Indian-made AI chips and hardware for new electronics. They will develop AI-powered devices for voice assistants, smart IoT, and mobility, which process data directly on the device for better speed and security. The first products will launch in 2026, focusing on mobility, home technology, and education solutions. This partnership supports India's goal of self-reliance in advanced electronics and aims to export these innovations globally.

EY recruits learn AI but use old methods

On December 17, 2025, EY's global tax controversy leader, Luis Coronado, noted that new recruits received AI training but still learned traditional methods. He believes AI will simplify tasks for tax professionals, not replace them. An EY survey showed that less than half of tax leaders feel ready for a predicted increase in disputes. This highlights a gap between AI training and its practical use in the field.

Fortinet and NVIDIA boost AI cloud security

Fortinet and NVIDIA have teamed up to offer hardware-accelerated security for AI and private cloud workloads. Their new solution integrates FortiGate VM, Fortinet's virtual firewall, directly onto the NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU. This allows key security tasks like firewalling and zero-trust controls to run on the DPU instead of the main computer, ensuring high performance without slowing down critical AI operations. The system improves isolation, reduces delays, and simplifies security management for modern data centers. This partnership helps businesses secure their advanced AI and private cloud setups efficiently.

OLLM and Phala partner for private AI models

OLLM, an AI infrastructure company focused on privacy, has partnered with Phala, a confidential AI cloud provider. This collaboration brings Phala's hardware-secured AI models into OLLM's AI Gateway. Users can now run private AI tasks with strong data protection, as all workloads are encrypted within confidential computing chips. Phala's technology uses GPU TEEs to keep data and models secret during use, with a small performance impact of 0.5% to 5%. This partnership offers businesses verifiable privacy for sensitive AI applications, including models like Llama 3.3 and Gemma 3.

Professor warns universities about AI and Big Tech control

On December 17, 2025, Professor Bruna Damiana Heinsfeld warned that universities risk losing their independence by quickly adopting AI tools from Big Tech. She argues that these tools promote a specific worldview where efficiency and data are key, potentially letting corporations define truth for students. For example, California State University signed a $16.9 million contract for ChatGPT Edu and hosted an AWS-branded AI camp. Another professor, Kimberley Hardcastle, suggests universities must change how they grade to ensure students still develop critical thinking. Both professors emphasize that education should teach students to think, not just use tools, to avoid becoming mere extensions of Silicon Valley.

AI will remember and act in 2026 say founders

AI application founders predict that 2026 will be a major year for AI, focusing on memory, action, and creating value. They believe the "Co-pilot" era, where AI is a passive assistant, is ending. Instead, AI will remember past interactions, understand context, and autonomously perform tasks like building software and managing workflows. Experts like Shen and Yang foresee "Memory-native AI" ending "corporate amnesia" by connecting scattered information. Bearden expects "enterprise agents" to move from just providing insights to taking direct action, managing complex campaigns. Jha predicts "Vibe coding" will allow non-technical people to create apps using natural language, greatly expanding entrepreneurship.

Coursera to acquire Udemy for $2.5 billion

Coursera plans to buy its rival, Udemy, in an all-stock merger, creating a combined company valued at $2.5 billion. This deal, reported on December 17, 2025, aims to strengthen their position in online learning, especially for AI training. Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera for each of their shares, valuing Udemy at about $930 million. The merger will help the companies target corporate clients and offer more workforce training in areas like AI, data science, and software development. The deal is expected to close in the second half of next year, pending approvals.

Rajasthan University offers new AI and data science courses

Rajasthan University (RU) students can now take new courses in artificial intelligence, data science, and entrepreneurship. The university signed an agreement with the ed-tech company Edukinect to offer these specialized programs. This partnership aims to give students valuable skills and better internship opportunities to prepare them for the job market. RU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Hanuman Singh believes this will open new paths for students. The courses are set to begin in the upcoming academic session.

Palantir aims to be the operating system for enterprise AI

Palantir Technologies is working to become the operating system for enterprise AI, rather than just selling AI tools. The company aims to manage the complex flow of data, permissions, and actions within large organizations. Many AI offerings provide insights but struggle with integrating into real business workflows and compliance. Palantir's platforms embed AI into controlled, secure processes, drawing on its experience with the Defense Department. Its core tools, like the ontology and Artificial Intelligence Platform, help coordinate AI applications. If successful, Palantir could secure long-term contracts by becoming essential to how businesses make decisions.

Analysts predict AI market growth will continue in 2026

Analysts at Capital Economics predict that the AI market will continue to grow in 2026, despite concerns about a potential "bubble." They note that strong tech sector earnings and current valuations, while high, are still below the dotcom boom peaks. The analysts believe the enthusiasm for AI can last longer because major tech companies have solid, profitable businesses to build upon. They also point out that AI adoption and investment are still in early stages, suggesting more spending, especially on AI data centers, is yet to come. However, they caution that expectations might eventually outpace real-world impact, leading to investor disappointment.

Sources

• NVIDIA’s AI Courses to Reach Campuses and Professionals via CloudThat
• Brandworks Technologies and SandLogic Partner to Develop Full-Stack Edge AI Hardware in India
• EY recruits provided AI training but still taught ‘old way’
• Fortinet, NVIDIA Deliver Hardware-Accelerated Security for AI & Private Cloud Workloads
• ZAWYA-PRESSR: OLLM partners with Phala: Confidential AI stack + hardware-secured models
• Universities risk becoming passive arms of Silicon Valley if they don't question how AI shapes truth, a professor says
• AI Application Founders Predictions: 2026 will be the year of AI Memory, Action, and Value Creation
• Coursera to buy Udemy, creating $2.5 billion firm to target AI training: Report
• RU students can now pursue courses in AI, data science | Jaipur News - The Times of India
• Is Palantir Quietly Becoming the Operating System for Enterprise AI?
• These analysts think the AI "bubble" will keep inflating in 2026. Here’s why. By Investing.com