Invests

• FE Fundinfo's 2026 Asset Managers Report identifies fragmented fund data as a critical barrier to operational efficiency and distribution effectiveness for asset managers. • To address these gaps, firms are currently investing in new technology, specialized talent, and the consolidation of vendors to strengthen their operational foundations. • This issue matters because data silos hinder the ability of asset managers to scale their distribution and maintain streamlined internal processes.

• Spain has announced a €719 million ($834 million) investment to establish an AI gigafactory aimed at boosting local technological capabilities. • The initiative seeks to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign technology and ensure that AI development aligns with strict European Union regulations. • To further enhance its advanced computing power, the Spanish government will become a shareholder in a company bidding for additional EU funding.

• The French government, led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, announced a €655 million ($758.29 million) investment in artificial intelligence. • A primary goal of this funding is the implementation of a single, unified chatbot system to be used across all public services. • This initiative aims to modernize state administration and improve the efficiency of citizen interactions with government agencies.

• SoftBank is investing billions of dollars to construct multiple AI data centers in France, targeting a total capacity of up to five gigawatts. • The initiative leverages France's existing technology ecosystem, accelerated government approval processes, and strategic access to the European electricity grid. • This move is significant as it aligns SoftBank with Mistral, a leading European AI company developing its own powerful foundation models.

• Booz Allen Hamilton invested in NODA AI's Series A, selecting it as sole orchestrator for a Department of War autonomy initiative. • The investment aligns with DoW's $55 billion funding plan for autonomous systems including orchestration tech. • NODA joins Booz Allen's $300 million portfolio of startups advancing mission-ready autonomy for defense.

Company promises to meet new delivery targets by next May after being fined last year for poor recordBusiness live – latest updatesSecond-class post will be delivered every other weekday and scrapped on Saturdays from next month as part of a £500m plan to tackle late deliveries at struggling Royal Mail.The delivery company has been testing a new letter delivery pattern in a pilot since July, and it will be rolled out nationwide in May. Continue reading...

• Amazon led a $4 billion investment in Agility Robotics on April 19, 2026, to deploy 10,000 Digit humanoid robots in US warehouses by 2027. • Digit robots handle picking and packing tasks, reducing labor costs by 30% per Amazon executives. • Deal bolsters Amazon's automation push amid labor shortages and union pressures in fulfillment centers.