AI Weekly: SoftBank bets on robots, tech firms prep for lawsuits

STORY: From SoftBank expanding spending into robotics to a fluffy companion, this is AI Weekly.:: AI WeeklySoftBank Group said it has agreed to buy the robotics business of Swiss engineering group ABB in a $5.4 billion deal.It marks a major push by SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son into robotics.He's expanding investing activity after a period of reduced spending.OpenAI and Anthropic are exploring the use of investor funds to settle potential multibillion-dollar lawsuits.That's according to the Financial Times.Copyright owners have launched a series of high-stakes lawsuits against tech firms including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms.The claims allege unauthorized use of their material to train AI systems.ChatGPT owner OpenAI is buying AI chips from AMD in a multiyear deal.It would bring in tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue and give OpenAI the option to buy up to roughly 10% of the chipmaker.Kevin Mahn, president and chief investment officer with Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, says the deal shows there is still a lot of money to be made in investing in the AI ecosystem."The AI revolution is indeed alive and well and in all likelihood, we remain in batting practice of a double-header as it relates to the overall AI revolution. With batting practice involved with with actual investment with building AI infrastructure which will ultimately lead to the games being played where they actually implement these intensive algorithms and use with AI to transform our economy and transform society as a whole."And meet Moflin.It's a fluffy, palm‑sized companion robot powered by “emotional AI” that can evolve into more than 4 million unique personalities.It's aimed at settings such as care homes, schools and therapeutic services.Moflin is designed to behave less like a toy and more like a small pet, responding to everyday handling with coos, head movements and posture changes. Under the fur, there are sensors, a microphone and an accelerometer to interpret handling.

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