Yum China Unveils AI Assistant “Q-Smart” to Streamline KFC Operations
Yum China has introduced “Q-Smart,” an AI-powered hands-free assistant tool, at select KFC outlets to enhance operational efficiency. The system helps restaurant managers with key tasks such as staff scheduling, inventory control, and food quality checks. This move aligns with Yum Brands’ broader AI strategy, including its earlier Byte by Yum! platform launched to reduce wait and delivery times. Q-Smart is currently in a pilot phase, with plans for wider deployment based on user feedback. Yum China operates major franchises like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.
Unitree Robotics Secures Major Funding as China’s Robot Sector Booms
Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics has raised new funding from tech giants including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance-linked Jinqiu Capital, and Geely, valuing the company at over US$1.3 billion. Founded in 2016 by Wang Xingxing, Unitree is recognized as a global leader in quadruped and humanoid robots, gaining national attention after its dancing robots appeared on Chinese New Year TV. With China’s robotics market projected to reach US$108 billion by 2028, Unitree’s rapid growth aligns with national industrial priorities.
Ant Group Expands Smart Glasses Payments with AI-Powered Transactions
Ant Group is advancing the use of smart glasses for mobile payments, recently completing its first transaction outside mainland China using Meizu’s StarV smart eyewear and the AlipayHK platform. The payment involved scanning a QR code and confirming via voice command, powered by Ant’s AI system that handles voice recognition and authentication. The initiative follows a similar launch with AR glasses maker Rokid on the mainland. Ant envisions a future where consumers can make purchases by simply looking at or gesturing toward products, signaling a push to move digital transactions beyond smartphones and expand smart eyewear adoption.
U.S. Weighs Revoking Chip Export Licenses for Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC in China
Google has named Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of DeepMind, as its first-ever Chief AI Architect, reflecting a strategic push to integrate AI more deeply across its product lines. Kavukcuoglu, who will report directly to CEO Sundar Pichai and relocate from London to California, will also retain his role at DeepMind. The move comes as Alphabet faces investor pressure to generate returns on AI investments expected to reach $75 billion in 2025.
Meta's Failed Bid for Perplexity Highlights Aggressive AI Expansion Strategy
Meta reportedly approached Perplexity AI for a potential acquisition but the talks ended without a deal, with sources citing either mutual dissolution or Perplexity’s withdrawal. Instead, Meta invested $14.3 billion into Scale AI, gaining a 49% non-voting stake, as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive AI strategy amid fierce rivalry with OpenAI and Google. Meta has also pursued other AI firms like Safe Superintelligence and offered massive compensation packages to lure AI talent. Executives from Safe Superintelligence and Scale AI will now lead Meta’s AI product efforts.
Foxconn and Nvidia to Introduce Humanoid Robots at Houston AI Server Factory
Foxconn and Nvidia are planning to deploy humanoid robots at a new AI server factory in Houston, marking the first time Nvidia products will be assembled with robotic assistance. Slated for operational rollout by early next year, the humanoids will support tasks like assembly and cable insertion. Foxconn, which is co-developing robots with Nvidia and testing UBTech models, sees the Houston site’s ample space as ideal for automation.
Elon Musk Slams His AI Grok—for Being Too "Woke"
Elon Musk has once again criticized Grok, the AI chatbot developed by his company xAI, for allegedly reflecting “leftist indoctrination.” Musk’s frustration peaked when Grok cited data showing right-wing violence as more deadly since 2016, prompting him to claim it was “objectively false” and accuse the model of “parroting legacy media.” While Musk aims for Grok to be a “maximum truth-seeking” AI—often seen as anti-woke—xAI previously admitted Grok was tampered with to promote right-wing narratives, including white supremacist claims.
