China may be planning to tell America: We do not need your Nvidia chips as we now also have ... - The Times of India

• Technology companies are increasingly utilizing a combination of debt and equity financing to fund the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. • This strategic shift in funding aims to cover the massive capital expenditures required for high-performance hardware and energy-intensive data centers.

• Beijing is reportedly considering new restrictions to curb overseas access to China's most advanced artificial intelligence models. • The move aims to tighten control over how domestic AI technology is utilized and distributed globally.

• Chinese AI company DeepSeek is reportedly developing its own proprietary AI chips to reduce reliance on external hardware. • This move represents a major strategic shift for the firm, which is currently regarded as China's leading AI champion.

• Major tech giants, including Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, and Meta, are conducting massive "AI-led restructuring" that has resulted in over 119,000 job losses in the first half of 2026. • Microsoft specifically cut approximately 4,800 positions, with the Xbox division experiencing the most significant impact.

• The European Commission has introduced a new strategic plan to manage the risks and leverage the opportunities presented by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) within the cybersecurity landscape. • The initiative acknowledges that while AI can enhance defensive security measures, it can also be weaponized by attackers to automate threats and identify system vulnerabilities more efficiently.

• Over 1.19 lakh tech workers have been laid off in 2026 as major companies undergo significant organizational restructuring. • Industry giants including Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Google, and Oracle are driving these cuts to pivot their operational focus.

• On July 8, 2026, a series of major AI developments were reported, including updates on Google Pinpoint, a UN AI mission, and a strategic shift by Ford. • The reports highlight a growing trend where AI companies are actively requesting government intervention to establish regulatory guardrails as the technology's power increases.

• Asia-Pacific merger and acquisition (M&A) activity has surged to a four-year high, signaling a recovery in regional business confidence. • Despite the increase in deal volume, fees paid to investment bankers have declined, largely because "mega deals" have dropped by 11%.

• Chinese AI firm DeepSeek is reportedly developing its own proprietary AI chips to reduce reliance on external hardware. • This move coincides with a shift in financial strategy, as the company is seeking its first outside capital through a funding round.

• Despite Samsung reporting its best-ever profit, its shares plummeted nearly 7%, triggering a broader "memory-chip scare" across Asian markets. • The volatility led the Korea Exchange to freeze trading and caused the Shanghai index to slip below 4,000 as nearly 4,800 stocks declined.

• Beijing is considering new restrictions to curb overseas access to China's most advanced artificial intelligence models. • The move treats high-end AI as a strategic national asset, reflecting a broader effort to ensure homegrown technology remains within the country.