OpenAI Secures $8.3 Billion in Funding – Becomes the World's Most Valuable Startup
OpenAI has raised $8.3 billion in a massive funding round, making it the most valuable startup globally. The company plans to use the funds to develop AI models, enhance security, and expand its data centers. It also announced plans to build its first European data center in Norway, aligning with strict data security regulations on the continent.
Israeli Startup SixSense Raises $8.5 Million to Revolutionize Chip Manufacturing with AI
SixSense, an Israeli startup using AI to automate defect detection in chip and semiconductor production, secured $8.5 million in funding this week. The company plans to strengthen its engineering teams in Asia and Europe.
Turkish Crypto Platform Kuantist Raises $35 Million
Turkey’s digital assets platform Kuantist raised $35 million in funding. Aimed at providing fast and secure crypto transactions for individuals and enterprises, the platform will use the investment to upgrade its technology and user experience.
McDonald's to Double AI Investments by 2027
McDonald's announced plans to double its AI investments by 2027. The company aims to automate customer service, streamline ordering and delivery, and improve inventory management using AI.
Microsoft’s Market Value Surpasses $4 Trillion
Microsoft hit a market valuation of over $4 trillion this week, driven by its advancements in AI and its partnership with OpenAI. Growth in Azure cloud services and Copilot functionalities played a key role in this achievement.
U.S. Army Signs $10 Billion AI Contract with Palantir
The U.S. Department of Defense signed a $10 billion contract with Palantir to deploy AI-powered decision-making systems across military operations. The deal aims to enhance real-time operational efficiency.
Coursera Launches Courses in Azerbaijani
Coursera now offers a wide selection of courses dubbed into Azerbaijani, opening new learning opportunities in tech and data for local users.
Apple Exceeds 3 Billion iPhones Sold
Apple announced it has sold over 3 billion iPhones globally, marking a major milestone. CEO Tim Cook highlighted plans to integrate AI more deeply into Apple devices.
Turkish Game Studio Good Job Games Raises $60 Million
Good Job Games, a Turkish mobile game studio, secured $60 million in funding. The company plans to enhance game design and AI-powered in-game experiences with the funds.
Azerbaijan's First Cryptocurrency, Portcoin, Discontinued
Portcoin, Azerbaijan's first local cryptocurrency, has officially been shut down due to technical issues, regulatory hurdles, and declining interest.
Sam Altman on GPT-5: "Its Capabilities Are Scary"
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed concern over the potential power of GPT-5, emphasizing the importance of safety mechanisms and ethical responsibility in AI development.
Former Robinhood CEO Launches AI Chatbot for Finance
The ex-CEO of Robinhood launched a new startup called Harmonic, which introduced an AI chatbot to assist users with financial planning and budgeting.
ChatGPT Conversations May Be Admissible in Court
Legal experts warn that conversations with AI models like ChatGPT could be admissible as evidence in court, raising concerns about digital privacy.
Google Adds "Video Summary" Feature to NotebookLM
Google's AI-driven note-taking app NotebookLM now includes a “Video Summary” feature that automatically condenses long videos into brief overviews, aimed at students and content creators.
China’s Zhipu AI Launches Open-Source GLM-4.5 Model
Chinese tech firm Zhipu AI unveiled GLM-4.5, an open-source AI model aimed at both domestic and global users, continuing China’s push for AI self-sufficiency.
Microsoft Edge Launches “Copilot Mode”
Microsoft Edge browser now features “Copilot Mode,” allowing users to analyze web pages more effectively and generate summaries using AI, turning the browser into a productivity tool.
Do Startups Still Need to Be in Silicon Valley?
Tech commentators suggest startups no longer need to be based in Silicon Valley to succeed. With resources and investors now distributed globally, emerging regions have greater opportunities.
Azerbaijan's First AI Translation System in Testing
Local Azerbaijani developers launched the country's first AI-powered real-time translation system, supporting Azerbaijani, Turkish, Russian, and English.
China Establishes National AI Ecosystem
China announced a new national AI ecosystem built in partnership with startups and universities to reduce reliance on foreign tech.
Portcoin's Shutdown Sparks Debate on Crypto Regulation in Azerbaijan
Experts say the shutdown of Portcoin highlights the need for a clearer legal framework for cryptocurrencies in Azerbaijan.
OpenAI Introduces “Learning Mode” in ChatGPT
ChatGPT now includes a “Learning Mode” that adapts to users’ writing style and preferences to deliver more personalized responses.
Google’s Earthquake Alert System Criticized in Turkey
Google's earthquake alert system was criticized after failing to notify millions in time. The company cited network delays and poor coordination with local systems.
Anthropic Seeks $150 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round
OpenAI competitor Anthropic has begun a new funding round aiming for a $150 billion valuation to further develop its Claude AI model.
Pavel Durov’s Legal Battle Could Impact Telegram's Future
Telegram founder Pavel Durov is involved in legal disputes over censorship and privacy in several countries. The outcomes could shape the platform's future regulations.
Zuckerberg: "AI Glasses Will Be the Next Big Tech Shift"
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed AI-powered smart glasses could replace smartphones in the future, becoming the primary personal tech device.
JD.com Acquires Germany’s Ceconomy for €2.2 Billion
China’s JD.com acquired German electronics retailer Ceconomy in a $2.2 billion deal, signaling its intent to expand in Europe.
AI Apps Downloaded 1.7 Billion Times in First Half of 2025
AI-powered mobile apps were downloaded 1.7 billion times in H1 2025, showing their growing role in everyday life. ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI Assist topped the list.
Career Advice: “Start From the Ground Up” – Vurgun Hajiyev
Career expert Vurgun Hajiyev wrote this week about the benefits of building a career from the ground up, offering motivational tips for young professionals.
Figma Raises $1.2 Billion in First Public Stock Offering
Design platform Figma raised $1.2 billion in its IPO, setting an example for other tech and creative companies to explore innovative funding models.
Turkish National Arrested in Azerbaijan for Stealing from Bank Cards
A Turkish citizen was arrested in Baku for stealing money from bank cards, highlighting concerns around digital payment security.
Central Bank of Azerbaijan Restricts Two Fintech Firms
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan temporarily restricted two fintech firms from processing international currency transfers to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance.
Jack Dorsey Launches "Bitchat" – Bluetooth Messaging App
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey launched “Bitchat,” a Bluetooth-based app that allows users to message without the internet — a privacy-first innovation.
Central Asia’s Most Powerful Supercomputer Goes Live in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has launched Central Asia’s most powerful supercomputer, expected to support AI research, meteorology, and biotech across the region.
