AI News Roundup – January 12, 2026


Nvidia Requires Up-Front Payment For China H200 Orders

Source: Technology News | Silicon UK | Published: 2026-01-09

Amid ongoing regulatory uncertainty, Nvidia is reportedly requiring its Chinese customers to pay in full up-front for orders of its H200 AI chips. This change in payment terms reflects the company’s caution regarding the future of its business in the region.


Don’t Become a Librarian of Machine Thoughts

Source: David Shapiro’s Substack | Published: 2026-01-10

This article cautions against passively organising AI-generated content, a role it calls a “librarian of machine thoughts.” It instead advises on how to use AI as an active partner to augment your own creativity and critical thinking, ensuring you don’t lose your unique voice in the process.


🔮 Exponential View #556: When execution gets cheap. Capital gains, labour pains. AI buys the grid. CRASH clock, taming complexity & new zones of influence++ ++

Source: Exponential View | Published: 2026-01-11

This edition of the Exponential View newsletter analyses the economic consequences of AI making execution cheaper, leading to gains for capital but challenges for labor. The issue also explores key topics such as AI’s massive energy demand on the power grid and the shifting geopolitical zones of influence.


The Sequence Radar #787: Rubin, Raises, and Returns: 2026 Starts Fast

Source: TheSequence | Published: 2026-01-11

The New Year has got off to a remarkably fast and incredible start, according to The Sequence Radar. The first week was marked by significant developments in the tech and investment world. Key topics highlighted include news surrounding “Rubin,” major funding raises, and notable financial returns.


Claude Code and What Comes Next

Source: One Useful Thing | Published: 2026-01-07

The release of “Claude Code” demonstrates that with the right tools, artificial intelligence can accomplish impressive feats. The piece likely explores future advancements and what comes next for these powerful AI systems.


AI moves into the real world as companion robots and pets

Source: The Verge | Published: 2026-01-06

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond productivity roles and into our personal lives through companion robots and pets. As seen at events like CES 2026, these devices are designed for friendship and social connection. This signals a growing trend of AI being integrated into the real world for emotional and social purposes.


Will 2026 Be the Year That the AI Industry Stops Crowing About ‘AGI’?

Source: Gizmodo.com | Published: 2026-01-07

This piece questions whether the AI industry’s intense hype around Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will fade by 2026. It sarcastically suggests this potential shift is not because AGI is unachievable with current technology, implying that the industry may soon reckon with its present limitations.


The AI industry is getting into politics. Here are the key super PACs to watch in 2026.

Source: Business Insider | Published: 2026-01-10

The AI industry is emerging as a significant political force ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Key industry players are funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars into super PACs. This financial push is aimed at shaping policy and influencing election outcomes.


This is the key breakthrough AI still requires to reach superintelligence, according to those building it

Source: Business Insider | Published: 2026-01-08

According to AI developers, a significant barrier to achieving superintelligence is the technology’s limited memory capacity. They believe that solving this memory issue is the crucial breakthrough required to unlock the next level of advanced artificial intelligence.


Can AI chatbots trigger psychosis in vulnerable people?

Source: Fox News | Published: 2026-01-05

Psychiatrists are warning that AI chatbots can harm vulnerable individuals by reinforcing their false beliefs and worsening delusions. Mental health experts have already documented cases where AI interaction has amplified a person’s distorted thinking.


Where McKinsey – and Consulting – Go From Here

Source: Harvard Business Review | Published: 2026-01-06

In a recent conversation, McKinsey’s Global Managing Partner Bob Sternfels discussed the future of the consulting industry. The discussion focused on key challenges and opportunities, including the disruptive impact of AI, the need for evolving business models, and the firm’s approach to navigating controversy.


Videos

What Happens When AI Obliterates Your Business Model?

Channel: The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News | Published: 2026-01-11

AI-powered coding agents are beginning to automate and reshape the workflows of software developers. This disruption is exposing the fragility of many existing business models, signalling a potential upheaval for companies reliant on knowledge work.


Why Everyone Is Obsessed with Claude Code

Channel: The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News | Published: 2026-01-09

A new AI model, Opus 4.5, is powering a significant leap forward in coding with a tool called Claude Code. This technology is generating widespread excitement because it allows autonomous AI agents to build complex applications. The advance signals a potential future where software can be developed with minimal traditional human intervention.


This report was automatically generated by AI and then lightly curated by humans for presentation purposes. All content belongs to the respective creators.