Industry Trends
Meta Declines to Sign EU's Voluntary AI Code Amid Regulatory Impasse
Industry Trends
Meta has confirmed it will not sign the European Union's voluntary code of conduct for general-purpose artificial intelligence, just two weeks before the bloc's binding Artificial Intelligence Act takes effect on August 2, 2025. The social media giant cited "legal uncertainty" introduced by the voluntary guidelines and argued they exceed the scope of existing regulations, creating potential compliance risks for companies.more
Malaysia Imposes Controls on AI Chip Exports
Industry Trends
Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced on July 14 that all U.S.-made high-end AI chips must now secure a "strategic goods trade license" and notify authorities 30 days in advance for export, transshipment, or transit through the country. Individuals or firms evading controls face severe legal penalties. Malaysia also stated it is considering adding U.S. high-end AI chips to its strategic goods list.more
Niron Magnetics Revolutionizes Magnet Technology with Rare-Earth-Free Breakthrough
Industry Trends
Minneapolis, July 23, 2025 – Minneapolis-based Niron Magnetics has unveiled a groundbreaking rare-earth-free permanent magnet technology, poised to reshape the global materials landscape. The innovation, utilizing iron-nitrogen composites, matches the performance of conventional neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets while eliminating supply chain risks associated with rare earths and reducing production costs.more
Intel Drops Out of Top 10 Semiconductor Companies, Faces $16.6B Quarterly Loss
Industry Trends
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan publicly acknowledged in a recent internal meeting that the company has fallen out of the global top 10 semiconductor firms due to years of strategic missteps, revealing a staggering $16.6 billion loss in Q3 2024 . This marks the worst quarterly performance in Intel’s 57-year history, driven by $15.9 billion in accelerated depreciation costs tied to underperforming Intel 7 manufacturing assets and Mobileye’s goodwill impairment . To reverse its fortunes, the board approved a new strategy centered on edge AI and agent AI, coupled with global layoffs and business restructurimore
Industry Trends
Nintendo has announced the second iteration of its Switch Online Playtest Program, opening applications on July 18th to 40,000 Switch Online + Expansion Pack members for a closed beta of an unannounced online service. This marks a significant expansion from the 10,000 participants in the 2024 trial, quadrupling the user base to gather broader feedback ahead of a potential full launch. The test will run from July 29th to August 11th, 2025, and supports both the current Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2, signaling strategic alignment with the next-gen console’s launch plans .more