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Time:2026-07-15T07:09:30Z

Chinese medical device makers look to Europe amid domestic headwinds. DeepSeek targets a $70B valuation in fresh fundraising, while AI dating and drug discovery startups attract billions. AI glasses hit the market with mixed reviews. Chinese AI labs race to build agentic web platforms and challenge US rivals. Meta faces a lawsuit alleging its AI systems discriminated against workers in layoff decisions.

Chinese medical device makers eye Europe as trade barriers loom

Chinese medical device makers eye Europe as trade barriers loomChinese medical device companies are turning to Europe for growth opportunities as they face increased scrutiny from hospital procurement probes at home. The move comes amid rising protectionist pressures in overseas markets. Separately, Shanghai is accelerating its brain-computer interface (BCI) development, with state media reporting that BCI breakthroughs are poised to transform China's healthcare system.

Sources:
Europe beckons: can Chinese medical device makers thrive amid trade barriers?Chinese medical device companies eye Europe for relief from hospital probes at home while navigating protectionism overseas. (SCMP)
Shanghai gears up to sharpen BCI edge (China Daily)
BCI leap revamping China's healthcare system (China Daily)

DeepSeek seeks $70B valuation as AI startups attract billions

DeepSeek seeks $70B valuation as AI startups attract billionsChina's DeepSeek is reportedly in talks for a new funding round that could value the company at $70 billion, just weeks after closing its Series A. The fundraising frenzy extends beyond China — the founder of Hinge raised $18 million to launch Overtone, an AI-powered dating service, and an OpenAI researcher is in talks to start an AI drug discovery venture valued at $2 billion.

Sources:
China’s DeepSeek eyes US$70b valuation in new talks weeks after first roundCompany’s fresh fundraising talks come straight off its landmark Series A, as investors scramble to back national AI champion. (SCMP)
The founder of Hinge raised $18M to build a new AI dating service, Overtone (TechCrunch)
OpenAI researcher Miles Wang in talks to launch AI drug discovery startup valued at $2B (TechCrunch)

AI smart glasses hit the market with mixed early reviews

AI smart glasses hit the market with mixed early reviewsThe world's first HDR10 smart glasses have been released, drawing attention from tech enthusiasts. However, early reviews are mixed — a BBC journalist who tested AI glasses in Paris highlighted significant inaccuracies. Pop star Lorde added to the skepticism, bluntly stating that AI glasses are 'not sexy', raising questions about consumer adoption.

Sources:
I wore the world's first HDR10 smart glasses (ZDNet)
I tested AI glasses in Paris. Here's what they got wrong (BBC)
Lorde says AI glasses are ‘not sexy’ (TechCrunch)

Chinese AI labs race toward agentic web and industry-specific AI

Chinese AI labs race toward agentic web and industry-specific AIChinese AI giants and startups are preparing for the 'agentic web' era, embedding AI agents into platforms and launching native AI products. Two Chinese labs, Yoolee AI and InfiX.ai, say they aim to challenge US rivals like Thinking Machines Lab with industry-specific solutions at lower costs. Taiwan's companies are also leveraging AI to manufacture AI servers, underscoring the deepening AI supply chain integration.

Sources:
AI|Chinese AI giants, start-ups ready for the agentic web eraWith artificially intelligent agents set to become our interface with the digital world, Chinese tech platforms are embedding them and launching AI-native products. (SCMP)
Will a new focus help Chinese AI labs challenge Thinking Machines Lab?AI labs Yoolee and InfiX.ai say they aim to rival US start-up with industry-specific AI solutions, reduced costs and enhanced privacy. (SCMP)
Two Chinese AI labs, Yoolee AI and InfiX.ai, aim to challenge the likes of Thinking Machines Lab and Palantir with a focus on AI solutions tailored for specific industries, reduced costs and enhanced privacy. Photo: Shutterstock (SCMP)
Taiwan companies use AI to make AI servers (Nikkei Tech)

Meta sued over alleged AI-driven discrimination in layoffs

Meta sued over alleged AI-driven discrimination in layoffsMeta is facing a lawsuit from former employees who claim the company used AI systems to tag workers who had taken leave for termination during layoffs. The lawsuit alleges that the AI was biased and discriminatory, marking one of the most prominent cases of AI allegedly being used to make or influence employment decisions without adequate human oversight.

Sources:
Meta used AI to tag workers who took leave to be laid off, lawsuit claims (The Guardian)
Lawsuit claims Meta’s layoff decisions were made by AI, not humans (Ars Technica)
Former employees sue over Meta's alleged use of biased AI systems during layoffs (Engadget)
Meta Sued For Allegedly Using Discriminatory AI In Layoff Decisions (Gizmodo)