Ant Group Rolls Out Its First Humanoid Robot, R1
Ant Group has entered the humanoid robotics race with the debut of R1, its first two-armed, wheeled robot developed by Ant Lingbo Technology (Robbyant). Revealed at Shanghai’s Inclusion Conference, R1 can function as a chef, tour guide, or remote operator. The first-generation model weighs 110kg, stands up to 1.75m tall, and offers 34 degrees of freedom. Already in mass production, units have been shipped to clients such as the Shanghai History Museum. Rather than selling standalone robots, Ant bundles R1 into broader “scenario solutions.”
iPhone 17 Pre-Orders Break Records in China Despite iPhone Air Delay
Apple’s iPhone 17 series has seen record-breaking pre-orders in China, with JD.com reporting that sales in the first minute outpaced last year’s iPhone 16 first-day figures. The 256GB standard iPhone 17 is proving most popular, though the iPhone Air launch has been delayed due to regulatory issues over its embedded SIM. Demand was so high that Apple’s website experienced slowdowns, and Pro Max pickup slots in Shanghai sold out within 20 minutes. Delivery dates in some cities already stretch to mid-October.
Tencent Snags OpenAI Researcher in High-Stakes AI Talent War
Tencent has recruited Yao Shunyu, a prominent AI researcher from OpenAI, in one of the most high-profile talent moves from the U.S. AI sector to China. Yao, who previously worked at Google and earned a PhD from Princeton, specializes in AI agents and has co-authored multiple influential research papers. Tencent reportedly offered compensation of up to 100 million yuan ($14 million), highlighting the escalating competition for elite AI talent, with Meta also rumored to offer nine-figure signing bonuses.
Albania Appoints World’s First AI Government Official to Tackle Corruption
Albania has made history by appointing “Diella,” the world’s first AI government official, to oversee public procurement — a sector long plagued by corruption. Prime Minister Edi Rama said all procurement decisions will go through Diella in a transparent, “100% incorruptible” process. The AI, which also serves as the avatar for Albania’s e-government portal, was reportedly built on OpenAI and Microsoft technology. While Rama touted Diella as a symbol of progress, critics warn that AI tools can still be exploited or make flawed decisions.
Larry Ellison’s AI Gamble Propels Oracle — and His Fortune — Back to the Top
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is staging a remarkable comeback, with his fortune nearing $400 billion after Oracle’s stock soared on blockbuster AI cloud deals. Once branded Silicon Valley’s “bad boy,” Ellison is now central to the AI race, securing marquee clients like OpenAI, Meta, and xAI. Instead of building its own AI chips, Oracle bet on Nvidia, a move that paid off with access to critical GPUs. Still, risks loom: Oracle relies heavily on a handful of clients, particularly OpenAI, and outsources key infrastructure.
Apple Joins Real-Time Translation Race With AirPods Pro 3
Apple has introduced Live Translation with its new AirPods Pro 3, moving closer to the science-fiction dream of universal translators. The $250 earbuds, paired with Apple Intelligence on iPhones, allow near-instant translation of Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese into English—and vice versa when two users are conversing. Competitors like Google and Meta are also pushing real-time translation, with features on Pixel phones and Ray-Ban Meta glasses. While Apple’s entry highlights the mainstreaming of AI-powered translation, challenges remain: limited languages, accuracy, and privacy demands in sectors like healthcare and education.
Clyx Raises $14M to Make Friendship “One Tap Away”
Alyx van der Vorm, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, launched Clyx to tackle Gen Z loneliness by making it easier to connect with friends offline. The app aggregates events from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok, recommends hangouts, and nudges users to reconnect with friends. Its “Programs” feature fosters repeated interactions to turn acquaintances into real friendships. Now active in Miami and London with 50,000 ticket-buying users, Clyx just raised $14M in Series A funding.
