The US Needs an Open Source AI Intervention to Beat China

The Dutch government has announced it will relinquish control over the Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, following a prolonged standoff between China and the Netherlands. This decision marks a significant shift in the government's approach to foreign ownership of critical technology firms amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Schools in the US are increasingly installing vape-detection technology in bathrooms to combat student use of nicotine and cannabis. A recent investigation highlights the implications of surveillance measures being implemented to address this issue.

Kuaishou, China's second-largest short-video platform, has reported profits that exceed estimates, largely due to significant investments in artificial intelligence as competition in the sector intensifies.

The US is set to approve the sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to the Saudi Arabian AI firm Humain, according to sources familiar with the matter. This decision comes as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with US President Donald Trump, marking a significant step for the state-backed venture. The approval is seen as a positive development for both the US technology sector and Saudi Arabia's ambitions in AI.

Cloudflare, a US company that protects millions of websites from malicious attacks, experienced a global outage on November 18, 2025. This incident caused error messages to appear across various websites, preventing users from accessing certain online services. The company has stated that it believes the issue is now resolved, although the exact cause of the outage remains unidentified.

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced a significant investment of $912 million aimed at increasing the production of hybrid components and vehicles in the United States. This initiative is part of a larger commitment by the company to invest $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, reflecting Toyota's strategic focus on enhancing its hybrid technology and production capabilities across five states.

PDD Holdings Inc. reported a 9% increase in revenue, indicating a gradual recovery in its Chinese operations. This growth comes as the company's international arm, Temu, stabilizes following disruptions caused by U.S. policies. The positive sales performance reflects a rebound in consumer spending in China, suggesting that PDD is navigating challenges effectively and adapting to market conditions.

Apple Inc. has experienced a significant increase in its iPhone sales in China, with the iPhone 17 series contributing to a 37% rise in monthly smartphone sales. This surge has allowed Apple to capture a 25% market share in the competitive Chinese smartphone market, indicating strong demand for its latest devices. The growth in sales reflects Apple's successful strategy in one of its most important markets, showcasing the brand's resilience and popularity among consumers.