ASEAN's AI Hub Race: Growth Hopes and Risks for Workers and SMEs - Thailand Business News

• IBM has issued a warning that the high costs of AI infrastructure and cybersecurity are consuming a significant portion of corporate technology budgets. • The report highlights a shift in spending patterns, where the financial demands of implementing generative AI are "draining" funds from other IT initiatives.

• EIB Group President Nadia Calviño unveiled the ETCI 2.0 initiative on July 14, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium, to scale European tech innovation. • The program will deploy up to €80bn in equity investments targeting highly innovative tech scaleups to help them become global leaders.

• Europe has launched ETCI 2.0, an expansion of the European Tech Champions Initiative designed to increase funding for high-growth technology companies. • The updated initiative will specifically target the support of mega-funds and mid-sized growth funds to bridge the funding gap for scaleups.

• European stock markets remained stagnant as positive momentum from ASML was offset by negative developments surrounding IBM. • ASML's recent gains, driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence boom, were countered by "shockwaves" stemming from IBM's performance or outlook.

• On July 14, 2026, the AI Dispatch highlighted a shift in the industry as artificial intelligence enters its "infrastructure era." • Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella warned that enterprises risk "paying for AI twice," suggesting inefficiencies in how companies are currently investing in and deploying AI tools.

• Chinese AI pioneer DeepSeek has begun preparations for an initial public offering (IPO) and may file as early as this year. • The company gained industry attention by developing a cutting-edge, efficient AI model that requires fewer computing resources than its competitors.

• Chinese AI pioneer DeepSeek has begun preparations for an initial public offering (IPO) and may file as early as this year. • In addition to the public listing, the company is reportedly weighing a new funding round to bolster its capital.

• Chinese AI developer DeepSeek is reportedly seeking to raise approximately $1.5 billion in new funding at a valuation of $71 billion. • The company is planning an initial public offering (IPO) for 2027, though the debut could potentially happen as early as the end of this year.

• AI startup DeepSeek is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as 2026, targeting a valuation of US$71 billion. • The company is currently seeking new funding to expand its computing capacity following a previous US$7 billion financing round.

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is preparing for an IPO filing in 2026 following a massive $7 billion funding round. • The company is seeking new capital at a projected valuation of $71 billion to fuel its growth.

• Hangzhou-based AI lab DeepSeek is in discussions to raise approximately $1.5 billion in new funding. • The funding round is based on a pre-money valuation of 480 billion yuan, which is roughly $71 billion.

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is exploring a new funding round only one month after its first external fundraising effort. • The company has begun preparations for an IPO in mainland China, with a potential filing in late 2026 and a target listing date in 2027.