Matthias Bastian
Matthias is the co-founder and publisher of THE DECODER, exploring how AI is fundamentally changing the relationship between humans and computers.
OpenAI ships GPT-5.4 mini and nano, faster and more capable but up to 4x pricier
OpenAI has released two new compact models—GPT-5.4 mini and nano—built for coding assistants, subagents, and computer control. GPT-5.4 mini nearly matches the full model’s performance, but both new models come with a steep price hike over their predecessors.
OpenAI's biggest problem may not be building AI but getting companies to actually use it beyond ChatGPT
OpenAI is pushing to get its AI into large companies faster through sales, partnerships, and capital. A 10-billion-dollar joint venture and a new deployment arm show where the real challenge lies: getting the technology integrated into actual company workflows.
Read full article about: Meta signs $27 billion cloud deal with Nebius in one of the largest AI infrastructure bets yet
Meta has signed a contract worth up to $27 billion with Dutch cloud provider Nebius for AI infrastructure. The deal runs for five years and includes $12 billion for dedicated capacity across multiple locations and up to $15 billion for additional available computing power, according to CNBC.
Nebius says it will operate one of the first major installations of Nvidia's latest AI chips, called Vera Rubin. Nebius founder and CEO Arkady Volozh described the deal as an expansion of the company's existing partnership with Meta, aimed at accelerating the growth of its AI cloud business. Nebius shares jumped 14 percent in pre-market trading after the announcement.
Last November, Meta announced plans to invest up to $600 billion in AI technology, infrastructure, and workforce expansion through 2028. But the high cost of AI infrastructure is reportedly pushing the company to cut back on personnel. So far, Meta hasn't seen concrete results from these investments; the AI market is currently split between Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, with Meta and xAI falling behind after early successes.
Read full article about: Hua Hong becomes the second Chinese chipmaker to crack 7nm manufacturing as Beijing pushes for AI independence
China's second-largest chip manufacturer, Hua Hong Group, has developed advanced manufacturing technologies for AI chips, according to Reuters. Subsidiary Huali Microelectronics is preparing 7nm chip production at its Shanghai factory, which would make Hua Hong the second Chinese manufacturer with this capability after SMIC. Three people familiar with the matter say Chinese tech giant Huawei is collaborating with Hua Hong on the 7nm technology.
Research began last year with support from domestic suppliers, including Huawei-affiliated SiCarrier. Huali plans an initial capacity of several thousand wafers per month by year's end. Chinese chip designer Biren, on a US restricted list since 2023 and cut off from TSMC, is already using Huali's 7nm line for initial prototypes.
Beijing is urging domestic companies to buy Chinese-made technology—particularly for AI—as it pushes for technological independence. The effort is driven by US restrictions on Nvidia chip purchases and China's reliance on a core AI technology controlled by a Western rival. But the gap remains significant: Bytedance reportedly just bought around 500 Nvidia Blackwell systems.
AI consultant uses ChatGPT, AlphaFold, and Grok to find a possible treatment for his dog's cancer
An Australian AI consultant used ChatGPT, AlphaFold, and Grok to find a possible treatment for his dog Rosie’s incurable cancer. The story went viral after high-profile AI executives like OpenAI’s Greg Brockman and Deepmind’s Demis Hassabis shared it as proof of what AI can already do.