Worldwide app launches surged 60% year-on-year in Q1 2026, with iOS releases up 80%. AI apps drive growth, but retention and refund rates are concerning. Games dominate launches, while subscription apps, especially on iOS, are increasingly incorporating AI technology.

Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin emphasized the transformative potential of AI for the cryptocurrency sector while cautioning against the risks of centralization among tech giants. He envisions AI-driven autonomous transactions on blockchain and highlights the convergence of traditional finance with DeFi.

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is negotiating its first external funding round, aiming for at least $300 million at a $10 billion valuation. Despite previous rejections of investment offers, its fundraising discussions are now reportedly underway.

Hyundai Motor Group is restructuring to focus on AI and robotics, reducing traditional operations. It plans a $34.3 billion investment in robotics by 2030 and aims to launch a robotics-as-a-service model, collaborating with Google DeepMind and NVIDIA.

Luffa, a Web3 social ecosystem, partnered with a digital asset trading platform to integrate AI-driven trading features, enhancing secure communication and trading in a unified interface while maintaining decentralization and risk mitigation.

DGrid AI partners with Stable to integrate AI into blockchain payment systems, simplifying access for developers and enhancing scalability for AI-driven financial applications. This collaboration aims to advance the intersection of AI and blockchain in digital finance.

The U.S. is contemplating increased uranium imports from Namibia to support nuclear energy for AI data centers, as China dominates Namibia's uranium sector. Rising uranium prices are reviving mining interests, despite water supply challenges in the arid region.

Zoom has partnered with Sam Altman's World to launch a feature detecting real participants versus AI deepfakes during video calls. This aims to combat increasing deepfake fraud, with verification options for hosts and participants.

AI-generated bug reports are overwhelming the cURL project, with a significant rise in submissions leading to resource strain. Maintainers are responding by limiting AI model access and pausing vulnerability reward programs to manage the influx.

Iconiq, a San Francisco-based wealth manager, plans to raise a new fund focused on AI investments, having previously invested over $3 billion in AI startups in 2025. The firm's investor base has shifted to include more institutional backers, and it recently made six new AI investments.