China’s Moonshot AI Launches Open-Source Model to Regain Market Share

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Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI unveiled its new open-source model, Kimi K2, on Friday, aiming to regain traction in the highly competitive domestic AI market. The model is designed with advanced coding skills and excels in general agent tasks and tool integration, enabling it to handle complex workflows more efficiently, the company said in a statement.

Moonshot claims Kimi K2 surpasses several mainstream open-source AI models, including DeepSeek’s V3, and competes closely with top U.S. models like Anthropic’s in certain coding-related functions. This release aligns with a growing trend among Chinese AI firms to open-source their models, contrasting with many U.S. tech giants, such as OpenAI and Google, which keep their most advanced AI technologies proprietary. However, some American companies like Meta have also embraced open-source AI models.

Open-sourcing helps companies build stronger developer communities, showcase technological prowess, and extend global influence—a strategic move by China to counter U.S. efforts to restrict its tech progress. Other Chinese tech giants that have open-sourced models include DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu.

Founded in 2023 by Tsinghua University graduate Yang Zhilin, Moonshot has become a key player in China’s AI scene, supported by major investors like Alibaba. The startup gained significant attention in 2024 for its long-text analysis and AI search capabilities but has seen its market position weaken after DeepSeek launched competitive low-cost models early this year.

According to the Chinese AI tracking site aicpb.com, Moonshot’s Kimi app was the third most-used AI product by monthly active users in August last year but slipped to seventh place by June 2025.

RealSense Spins Out of Intel, Raises $50 Million to Boost AI Vision in Robotics

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RealSense, a computer vision technology company, announced on Friday its official spinout from Intel Corp and the successful raising of $50 million in early-stage funding. This capital injection aims to accelerate RealSense’s growth in the fast-expanding robotics market. The firm specializes in developing 3D cameras that allow machines to perceive depth, interpret surroundings, and interact intelligently with their environment.

Backed by Intel Capital, the MediaTek Innovation Fund, and other strategic investors, RealSense plans to use the funds to increase manufacturing capacity and expand its global sales and marketing efforts. CEO Nadav Orbach highlighted that a portion of the funding will also support R&D for AI software and the next generation of depth cameras, though the company did not disclose the valuation of the funding round.

Orbach noted that while some of RealSense’s customers are vertically integrated companies, the firm currently serves over 3,000 active customers worldwide, reflecting strong ecosystem growth. Their latest product, the D555 camera, supports data and power transmission through a single cable and includes embedded AI features that enhance real-time environmental awareness for robots and security systems.

RealSense’s depth cameras are integrated into 60% of the world’s autonomous mobile robots and humanoids, counting clients like China’s Unitree Robotics and Switzerland’s ANYbotics. Beyond robotics, the company is expanding into security systems utilizing facial recognition technologies supported by its proprietary software for environment mapping and identification.

While manufacturing primarily occurs in Thailand and other parts of Asia, RealSense maintains its headquarters and business operations in the United States. Orbach mentioned that while IPO or acquisition possibilities remain open, the company’s current focus is on sustained, long-term growth.

French Investigation into Elon Musk’s X Intensifies with Police Involvement

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The investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X has escalated in France, as the Paris prosecutor’s office called on police to probe suspected abuses involving algorithms and fraudulent data extraction linked to the company or its executives. This development adds mounting pressure on Musk, who has publicly accused European governments of infringing on free speech and has expressed support for several far-right parties across the region.

Authorities in France now have the authority to conduct searches, wiretaps, surveillance, or summon Musk and X executives for questioning. Should any individuals refuse to cooperate, an international arrest warrant could be issued. X has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The preliminary inquiry began in January following complaints from a French lawmaker and a senior official concerning alleged foreign interference via the platform, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated. On July 9, after reviewing initial evidence from researchers and public institutions, prosecutors requested the police to investigate X both as a corporate entity and through individuals.

The suspected offenses include “organized interference with the functioning of an automated data processing system” and “organized fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system.”

This probe into a major tech figure risks intensifying tensions between Washington and European capitals over acceptable online discourse. In a related context, Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, remains under judicial supervision in France after his arrest last year on charges of alleged organized crime related to his app, charges he denies. Musk has criticized Durov’s arrest, which has sparked debates about free speech, including discussions by senior officials aligned with former President Trump.

Musk has actively used X to support right-wing political groups in France, Germany, and Britain. While he previously aligned closely with Trump, the two have diverged recently over federal budget issues, with Musk now pursuing the creation of his own political party.