What’s New Today: Alibaba has launched its Zhenwu M890 AI chip as China pushes to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor firms. At the same time, workplace software startup Viktor, built by former Meta engineers, has raised $75 million to expand its AI-powered tools for Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Fast-Track Insights: Meta has initiated a fresh wave of layoffs, with many employees receiving termination emails in the early hours of the morning. Script-to-video software, including HeyGen, Synthesia, and InVideo AI, is becoming increasingly popular among content creators and businesses seeking to streamline video creation. The Indian cryptocurrency sector is looking for more regulations amid heavy taxation on crypto trading.
Alibaba has introduced its Zhenwu M890 AI chip as China pushes for homegrown semiconductor technology. The company said the chip delivers significantly better performance than earlier versions and supports advanced AI workloads. The launch comes as Chinese firms face tighter restrictions on access to foreign chips, especially from Nvidia.
Startup Viktor, founded by former Meta engineers, has raised $75 million in Series A funding. The platform works inside Slack and Microsoft Teams and handles tasks such as summarising meetings, drafting responses, and managing workflows. The company says more than 2,000 organizations already use the tool.
Meta has started another round of layoffs affecting nearly 8,000 employees globally. Several workers reportedly received termination emails around 4 AM local time. The job cuts are part of the company’s ongoing restructuring as it increases spending on AI infrastructure and related projects.
Script-to-video platforms have been increasingly adopted by content creators and marketing professionals. There are a number of applications that enable users to convert their scripts to videos, complete with audio narration, avatars, and animations. Such applications will help save money and time on video production.
The Indian crypto industry has been growing amid significant taxation of virtual digital assets. Members of the sector have been pushing the government to formulate new rules to help develop blockchain companies and attract investment. The country taxes profits from crypto transactions at 30 percent and applies a 1 percent TDS rate on trades.