Google AI browses web, Nvidia backs xAI, SoftBank bets $5B

Today’s venture capital and startup landscape brings major developments in AI automation, strategic investments, and robotics. Google launched its autonomous browser agent, Nvidia made a $2 billion bet on Elon Musk’s xAI, and SoftBank positioned itself for the “Physical AI” revolution with a $5.4 billion robotics acquisition.

Google’s AI Can Browse Websites and Apps for You

Google DeepMind released its Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model, designed to let AI agents operate web browsers and mobile interfaces by directly interacting with graphical elements. The system functions in a continuous loop by looking at a screenshot, generating UI actions like clicking or typing, and then receiving a new screenshot to repeat the process. To prevent misuse, a per-step safety service reviews every proposed action, while developers can also require user confirmation or block specific high-stakes actions from being performed by the AI.

OpenAI Plans More Major Infrastructure Deals

Sam Altman confirmed on the a16z Podcast that OpenAI plans to announce more large-scale infrastructure and financing deals in the coming months. This comes as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitted he was unaware of OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar AMD partnership, which mirrors Nvidia’s own $100B investment. OpenAI has already commissioned 10 GW of U.S. data centers under its $500B Stargate deal with Oracle and SoftBank, plus additional 10 GW with Nvidia and 6 GW with AMD, signaling over $1 trillion in total commitments as it prepares to become a self-hosted hyperscaler.

Nvidia Invests $2 Billion in Elon Musk’s xAI

Nvidia is investing roughly $2 billion in equity in Elon Musk’s xAI as part of a larger financing round that includes backers like Apollo Global Management and Valor Capital. The arrangement uses a special-purpose vehicle to buy Nvidia chips and lease them back to xAI for five years, a setup that helps the AI firm avoid adding corporate debt. These funds are for the Colossus 2 data-center buildout, though Musk denies raising capital—a claim possibly justified by the unconventional structure that avoids a direct cash injection for xAI.

Google Launches Extensions for Command-Line Coding Tool

Google introduced Gemini CLI Extensions, allowing third-party developers to integrate directly with its Gemini command-line AI system. Unlike OpenAI’s curated app system, Gemini CLI extensions are open-source and hosted on GitHub, where anyone can publish and install them manually. The launch includes integrations with Figma and Stripe, marking Google’s push to make Gemini CLI a flexible, developer-first extensibility platform.

Neuralink User Controls Robot Arm with Brain Chip

Nick Wray, a patient with ALS, demonstrated controlling a robot arm with his Neuralink brain chip by directing the device to pick up a cup and bring it to his mouth. Using the implant, Wray performed daily tasks like putting on a hat, microwaving his own food, opening the fridge, and even slowly driving his wheelchair with the robotic limb. Neuralink’s device works by converting brain signals into Bluetooth-based remote commands, giving the user direct control to manipulate the movements of the separate robot arm.

SoftBank Makes $5.4 Billion Bet on AI Robots

Japanese group SoftBank is making a major return to the bot business by acquiring ABB’s robotics division for $5.4 billion, pending the green light from government regulators. Founder Masayoshi Son calls this new frontier “Physical AI,” framing it as a key part of the company’s plan to develop a form of super intelligent artificial intelligence. Robots are one of four strategic investment areas for SoftBank, which is also pouring huge amounts of money into chips, data centers, and new energy sources to dominate the industry.

Sora Downloads Nearly Match ChatGPT’s Launch

OpenAI’s video-generation app Sora hit 627,000 iOS downloads in its first week, surpassing ChatGPT’s 606,000 iOS installs during its debut week, per Appfigures data. Adjusted for geography—since ChatGPT launched only in the U.S. and Sora also in Canada—Sora’s U.S.-only performance would still be 96% of ChatGPT’s. The invite-only app reached No. 1 on the U.S. App Store within days, with daily downloads peaking at 107,800, signaling massive early traction for OpenAI’s newest consumer product.

Musk’s X Settles $128 Million Severance Lawsuit

Elon Musk’s X Corp. has settled a lawsuit filed by former Twitter executives—Parag Agrawal, Ned Segal, Vijaya Gadde, and Sean Edgett—who claimed they were owed $128 million in severance pay after being fired post-acquisition. The settlement terms were not disclosed, but a San Francisco federal judge delayed proceedings to allow finalization. This follows X’s earlier $500 million settlement with laid-off employees and adds to the growing list of legal disputes stemming from Musk’s $44 billion Twitter takeover and subsequent mass firings.

The convergence of AI automation, massive infrastructure investments, and robotics acquisitions signals an industry racing toward autonomous systems. As companies commit trillions to data centers and compute power, the next frontier appears to be AI that can act independently—whether browsing the web, controlling physical robots, or managing enterprise workflows.