THIS HAPPENED LAST WEEK [Mar 3-9, 2025]

AI Chips Struggle—Software is the Next Big Bet  

AI’s next phase is shifting from chips to software! After a blockbuster 2024 for semiconductor giants like Nvidia, 2025 is seeing investors turn their focus to AI-driven software companies. Morgan Stanley and others see software as the next AI gold rush, predicting strong returns in 2026.

What is happening?

1. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) is down 5.6%, and Nvidia has dropped nearly 13% this year.
2. AI software firms like Atlassian, CrowdStrike, Palantir, and Cognizant are up 7%-19%.

The AI gold rush is evolving—expect software to dominate the next phase of AI monetization!

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China’s Autonomous AI Agent, Manus, Redefines the Game  

China has just shaken up the AI race with Manus, the world’s first fully autonomous AI agent. Unlike ChatGPT or Gemini, which wait for human prompts, Manus thinks, plans, and executes tasks independently—making decisions in real-time without supervision. Manus can screen job candidates, analyze financial transactions, and even build entire websites on its own.

Why does this matter?  

1. While the U.S. focused on chatbots, China has built a self-directed AI agent, giving it a first-mover advantage.
2. Companies may replace human labor with AI, not by choice, but out of necessity.

The AI era has officially entered autonomy mode—and China is leading the charge!

Apple’s Smarter Siri Delayed Until 2026  

Apple users will have to wait longer for the AI-powered Siri upgrade—the company has pushed its release to 2026, missing its original iOS 18.4 rollout timeline. Apple engineers are reportedly struggling with bugs and performance issues, leading to delays.

What happens next?

1. Apple may scrap the current AI team and rebuild Siri from scratch to meet its high standards.
2. With Google and OpenAI advancing AI assistants, Apple risks falling behind in the AI race.

Apple’s AI ambitions hit a roadblock—can it catch up before the competition takes over?

Taco Bell Rolls Out AI ‘Coach’ for Fast-Food Managers  

Taco Bell is bringing AI to the drive-thru and beyond! Parent company Yum Brands has unveiled Byte AI Restaurant Coach, a digital assistant designed to help managers optimize operations, from staffing to inventory management. Now, 500 Taco Bell locations now have AI voice ordering, up from just 100 in mid-2024.

What does this change?  

1. The AI assistant tracks labor shifts, suggests schedule changes, and even analyzes competitor activity.
2. Yum insists AI is meant to enhance efficiency, not cut labor costs—but automation in fast food is expanding fast.

AI is taking orders, managing shifts, and optimizing sales—fast food is getting a tech upgrade!

Trump Signs Order to Establish U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve 

The U.S. government is officially recognizing Bitcoin as a reserve asset! President Trump has signed an executive order to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, using seized cryptocurrency holdings. However, the move disappointed some investors hoping for new Bitcoin purchases by the government, the reserve only includes Bitcoin already seized in asset forfeitures.

Where is this headed?

1. Bitcoin briefly dropped 5% to $85,000 after the announcement but rebounded to $89,200.
2. The U.S. won’t sell its Bitcoin holdings, treating them as a store of value, according to White House Crypto Czar David Sacks.

The U.S. just put Bitcoin on its balance sheet—but without buying more, is it just symbolic?

Microsoft Builds In-House AI to Compete with OpenAI  

Microsoft is no longer just OpenAI’s biggest investor—it’s now developing its own AI models, called MAI, that it believes can compete with the best from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Microsoft’s $13 billion partnership with OpenAI runs until 2030, beyond which its own models could lessen reliance on the ChatGPT maker.

What is going down?

1. Microsoft is also working on advanced reasoning AI, similar to OpenAI’s o1 model, to enhance Copilot and handle complex tasks.
2. Microsoft insists its OpenAI partnership remains strong, but the development of MAI models suggests a long-term shift toward AI independence.

Microsoft is playing both sides—backing OpenAI while building its own AI future.

GST Rates Set to Drop: FM Nirmala Sitharaman  

India is set for a Goods and Services Tax (GST) reduction, as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed that work on rationalizing GST rates is nearly complete. Sitharaman emphasized that GST rates have only decreased since the tax was introduced and will continue to do so.

What does this mean?

1. From 15.8% at launch to 11.4% today, signaling a trend toward lower taxation.
2. The GST Council will soon review committee recommendations to decide on slab reductions.

Expect tax relief as India continues its GST rationalization push!

Cypher 2025: India’s Largest AI Summit Returns Bigger Than Ever 

India’s premier AI summit, Cypher 2025, is set to make history! With 5,000+ attendees daily, 100+ speakers, and a massive AI expo, this year’s event at KTPO, Bengaluru (Sept 17-19, 2025) will be its largest yet—with industry leaders, startups, and policymakers shaping AI’s future in India.

What does this mean?

1. Over 100 exhibitors showcasing Generative AI, NLP, automation, and more.
2. Workshops on LLM fine-tuning, AI governance, and real-time demos from top AI firms.
3. Minksy Awards, recognizing excellence in AI-driven innovation across industries.

The AI revolution is happening in India—Cypher 2025 is where you need to be!