Tech Pulse Daily - December 23, 2025
Dillip Chowdary
Tech Entrepreneur & Innovator
December 23, 2025 | 6 min read
Today's Top Highlights
- The AI race is now defined by control over power, capital, and regulation.
- Nvidia faces a chip-smuggling probe and recalibrates its cloud team.
- SoftBank is reportedly finalizing a $22.5 billion investment in OpenAI.
- The FCC has banned new Chinese-made drones, citing national security risks.
- Apple announces a shift to a new business model in the EU for digital goods and services.
The New AI Race: Power, Capital, and Regulation
The battle for dominance in artificial intelligence is no longer just about algorithms; it's increasingly about control over essential resources like power, grid access, and capital. Alphabet's recent $4.75 billion acquisition of Intersect to secure clean power for its AI buildout underscores the massive energy demands of modern AI. ByteDance is also making significant investments in its infrastructure to keep pace.
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Nvidia's Headwinds: Chip Probes and Cloud Gaming Caps
Nvidia is navigating a series of challenges as it recalibrates its cloud team. The company is also facing a chip-smuggling probe involving its largest Southeast Asian buyer, Megaspeed. On the consumer front, Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service is introducing a 100-hour monthly cap for its paid members, a move that is likely to be met with mixed reactions from the gaming community.
Tech Regulation Heats Up: FCC Bans Drones, Apple Shifts EU Model
The regulatory landscape for tech companies continues to evolve rapidly. The FCC has banned new Chinese-made drones from companies like DJI and Autel, citing national security concerns. In Europe, Apple has announced a transition to a single new business model (CTC) for digital goods and services in the EU by January 2026, moving away from its controversial Core Technology Fee (CTF). In Japan, Apple is also making changes to iOS to comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which will allow for alternative app marketplaces and payment processing.