The UK and US have not signed an international agreement on artificial intelligence (AI) at a global summit in Paris.
The statement, signed by dozens of countries including France, China and India, pledges an "open", "inclusive" and "ethical" approach to the technology's development.
In a brief statement, the UK government said it had not been able to add its name to it because of concerns about national security and "global governance."
Japan’s economy grew at a better-than-expected annual rate of 2.8% in October-December, underlined by steady exports and moderate consumption.
On a quarter-to-quarter basis, the world’s fourth largest economy grew 0.7% for its third straight quarter of growth, the Cabinet Office reported Monday in its preliminary data.
President Donald Trump on Thursday rolled out his plan to increase U.S. tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports, possibly triggering a broader economic confrontation with allies and rivals alike as he hopes to eliminate any trade imbalances.
“I’ve decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff,” Trump said in the Oval Office at the proclamation signing. “It’s fair to all. No other country can complain.”
A group of investors led by Elon Musk has made a $97.4 billion bid to buy the assets of the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, according to two people familiar with the bid, escalating a yearslong, deeply personal tussle for the future of artificial intelligence between Mr. Musk and OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman.
The consortium includes Vy Capital and Xai, Mr. Musk’s artificial intelligence company, as well as the Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel and other investors, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are ongoing.
"January's rise in manufacturers' procurement across APAC and the U.S. signals steady growth ahead in Q1," said John Piatek, GEP's vice president of consulting. "Globally, companies are largely taking a wait-and-see approach to tariffs rather than absorbing the immediate cost of increasing buffer inventories. However, many Western firms are accelerating China-plus-one investments to diversify and near-shore manufacturing, assembly, and distribution. European manufacturers are especially vulnerable, as the sector has been contracting for nearly two years with no turnaround in sight. In the U.S., where manufacturing represents just 12% of GDP, the bigger concern for business is the potential revenue losses in China because of trade tensions.”
A Texas state agency awarded $47.7 million in grants to five space companies to support projects like construction of facilities and development of spacecraft in the state.
The Texas Space Commission announced Feb. 10 that it awarded the grants to Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines, SpaceX and Starlab Space. The grants are part of the commission’s Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF) program.
Texas’ main grid operator on Thursday forecast that the state’s growing demand for power could surpass its available energy supply beginning in summer 2026.
In a report outlining potential supply and demand over the next five years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said it’s possible that the grid would not have enough power to meet peak demand during the summer and winter seasons starting next year.2
Gov. Greg Abbott, in his bid to curb Texas’ high property taxes, wants Texas voters to have the final say on any property tax hike.
Local governments that collect property taxes — including cities, counties and school districts — should have to win approval from a two-thirds majority of voters if they want to raise their tax rates, Abbott said.
“No approval, no new taxes,” he said earlier this month during his State of the State address.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg jointly signed a sister city agreement on Tuesday with his counterpart from Querétaro, Mexico, during a ceremony at the Alamo.
More than 300 years ago, Spanish friars traveled 700 miles north from Querétaro to establish the mission known today as the Alamo.
Nirenberg said, given the current state of national politics, it's important to ensure economic, educational, and cultural partnerships with Mexico.
The Austin AI Alliance this week laid out an ambitious goal of measuring how Austin is adopting artificial intelligence tools and what impact its local startups, global tech companies and civic institutions are having at the local, national and worldwide level.
It's a task for which you might think AI is well suited. But, like any AI project, it needs plenty of human input and direction.
Norwegian battery firm Freyr has announced plans to relocate its global headquarters to Austin. Freyr’s global headquarters will be located at 1211 E. Fourth St. in East Austin.
“Today marks another important step for Freyr as we execute our strategic plan to establish an integrated U.S. solar + battery storage manufacturing enterprise built on advanced technology,” said Daniel Barcelo, Freyr's chairman of the board and chief executive officer. “Our global headquarters will be in Austin, Texas, which is a vibrant and fast-growing hub of renewable energy and advanced technology development, strategically located close to our operations.”
A Korean chemical supplier to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has received a $2.4 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund for a $110 million expansion of its facility in Killeen that will create 24 new jobs.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the grant for Dongjin Semichem Texas Inc. on Feb. 12, marking the second award under the $698 million TSIF of the Texas CHIPS Act that was passed in 2023 to support the state's semiconductor ecosystem.
