Texas Instruments is making a massive bet on U.S. semiconductor production, announcing plans to invest over $60 billion in new domestic chip plants. This follows a broader industry trend of boosting American manufacturing, partly fueled by political pressure and potential trade disruptions under the Trump administration.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one company—it’s a sign of how geopolitics and tech demands are reshaping where critical chips get made. With tariffs looming and global supply chains still shaky, Texas Instruments’ move signals confidence in U.S. manufacturing while adding momentum to the push for more homegrown tech infrastructure. For workers and tech-dependent industries, that could mean more jobs and (hopefully) fewer shortages down the line.

Chinese AI company MiniMax, backed by tech giant Tencent, is gearing up to launch two new AI tools that can independently handle tasks for users. This move puts them in direct competition with heavyweights like OpenAI and Manus in the fast-growing field of "agentic AI"—where AI doesn’t just assist but acts autonomously.

Editor’s Note: The AI race just got more interesting. MiniMax’s push into autonomous AI tools signals that smaller players, even with big backers like Tencent, are stepping up to challenge industry leaders. For users, this could mean smarter, more independent digital assistants sooner than expected—and for the tech world, it’s another sign that China’s AI scene isn’t slowing down.

Bargain shopping app Temu is facing growing scrutiny over how it handles user data, with several U.S. states raising concerns that the company might share information with the Chinese government. In response, Temu has struck a deal with Oracle to store data in the U.S., likely aiming to ease fears. But skepticism remains—similar to the backlash TikTok has faced over data privacy.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Temu—it’s part of a bigger debate over foreign-owned apps and whether they can be trusted with Americans’ personal data. With tensions between the U.S. and China already high, every move these companies make gets extra scrutiny. If you’re a Temu shopper, this could mean more changes (or even restrictions) down the line.

MiniMax, a Chinese AI startup backed by Alibaba and valued at around $3 billion, is reportedly eyeing a Hong Kong IPO. If it goes ahead, this would be a major milestone—not just for the company, but for China's AI sector, marking one of the first big public debuts in the space.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another IPO rumor—it’s a signal that China’s AI scene is maturing fast. MiniMax’s move could pave the way for other homegrown AI firms to go public, testing investor appetite in a sector that’s been buzzing with hype but still lacks big-name stock market players. For Hong Kong, it’s also a chance to reinforce its role as a hub for tech listings, especially as geopolitical tensions complicate U.S. listings for Chinese firms.

Alibaba just snagged one of China's top AI brains—speech recognition expert Li Xiangang—to head up its voice AI research team. The move signals Alibaba's serious push into voice tech, filling a gap left by a previous lead who departed. Li, a Peking University PhD, brings heavyweight credentials to the table.

Editor’s Note: Voice tech is heating up globally, and Alibaba's hiring spree shows it's not sitting this one out. With giants like Amazon and Google dominating the space, Alibaba's bet on Li could sharpen its edge in everything from smart speakers to customer service bots—key battlegrounds in China's hyper-competitive tech scene. For consumers, better voice AI might mean fewer awkward "sorry, I didn’t catch that" moments down the line.

JD.com’s billionaire founder, Richard Liu, is rolling out an ambitious plan to breathe new life into the struggling e-commerce giant. After years of sluggish growth—partly due to China’s 2020 regulatory crackdown—Liu is betting big on overseas expansion and diving into fierce competition with rivals like Meituan in food delivery and travel. It’s his most aggressive move yet to turn things around.

Editor’s Note: JD.com was once a high-flying rival to Alibaba, but it’s been stuck in a rut. This isn’t just about one company’s comeback—it’s a sign of how China’s tech giants are scrambling to adapt after years of regulatory pressure and economic uncertainty. If Liu’s gamble pays off, it could shake up the e-commerce and on-demand service markets. If not, it might signal deeper challenges for China’s consumer tech sector.

China's humanoid robotics industry is exploding, and companies are shelling out big bucks to attract the best engineers—paying over three times the national urban average. Top-tier algorithm engineers in the field are pulling in monthly salaries upwards of $4,300, with even higher pay for seasoned pros. But behind the eye-popping numbers is a fierce battle for talent, as demand outstrips supply.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about fat paychecks—it’s a sign of how fast China is pushing into advanced robotics. The salary boom reflects both the sector’s ambition and the scarcity of skilled workers, which could either fuel innovation or lead to a bidding war that strains smaller players. Either way, it’s a clear signal that humanoid robots are moving from sci-fi to serious business.

Taiwan just took a big step in the ongoing tech rivalry between the U.S. and China by blacklisting major Chinese tech firms like Huawei—key players in AI and semiconductors. This aligns Taiwan with U.S. efforts to slow China's tech dominance, marking a rare and potentially risky move that could escalate tensions in the region.

China's intelligence services are reportedly pouring significant resources into artificial intelligence, according to new research. The goal? To modernize espionage tactics, using AI for everything from data analysis to potentially more sophisticated surveillance operations. It’s part of a broader global race where spy agencies are scrambling to harness AI’s capabilities—but with China’s heavy investment, it could shift the balance of digital espionage power.