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Nvidia to Launch Quantum Computing Lab in Boston in Partnership with Top Universities

Nvidia has announced plans to open a quantum computing research lab in Boston, aiming to collaborate with leading academic institutions such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). CEO Jensen Huang revealed the initiative during Nvidia’s annual software developer conference in San Jose, California, where the company held a dedicated day for quantum computing discussions.

The new lab, named the Nvidia Accelerated Quantum Research Center (NVAQC), will foster partnerships with prominent quantum computing firms, including Quantinuum, Quantum Machines, and QuEra Computing. The center is set to begin operations later this year. Huang’s announcement followed his earlier statement in January, where he suggested that practical quantum computers could still be two decades away—comments he sought to clarify during the event.

The quantum computing industry, which is still in its early stages, sees companies like Quantinuum and IonQ exploring commercial applications of quantum technology. Even though some quantum machines may eventually outperform Nvidia’s renowned graphics processing units (GPUs) in tasks like simulating atomic interactions, industry leaders emphasized that quantum computers are unlikely to replace classical systems. Instead, quantum and classical computing will likely work in tandem.

Huang highlighted the continued importance of Nvidia’s GPUs in current computational tasks, with quantum machines complementing traditional systems, not replacing them. He expressed optimism about the future of quantum computing, indicating that Nvidia’s involvement would further accelerate the industry’s growth.

China’s Manus AI Forms Strategic Partnership with Alibaba’s Qwen Team

On Tuesday, Manus AI announced a strategic partnership with the team behind Alibaba’s Qwen AI models, a move aimed at strengthening the artificial intelligence start-up’s goal of deploying the world’s first general AI agent. Unlike traditional chatbots, which respond to user inputs, an AI agent can operate autonomously, executing tasks with minimal human intervention.

Manus AI, which officially launched last week, claimed that its performance surpasses that of OpenAI’s DeepResearch, a popular AI agent. The launch garnered significant attention on Chinese social media, with many comparing Manus AI to DeepSeek, a product by the Hangzhou-based creators of DeepSeek, which surprised Silicon Valley with a cost-effective AI chatbot that rivaled OpenAI’s best.

The partnership with Qwen could create further disruption in the AI industry, which is still reeling from DeepSeek’s emergence. Manus AI, which is part of Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology Ltd Co with offices in Beijing and Wuhan, has been promoting its product by completing various tasks for users for free on the social media platform X. However, the AI agent remains available by invitation only, and the company has admitted that its website is facing technical difficulties due to increased traffic.

The collaboration with Alibaba’s Qwen team is expected to help Manus AI handle the traffic surge and expand its user base. Meanwhile, Alibaba aims to enhance its competitiveness against rivals such as DeepSeek. The two companies plan to integrate Manus AI’s functions with Qwen’s open-source models and AI platforms in China, as announced on Weibo.

A spokesperson for Alibaba confirmed the partnership and expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with more global AI innovators. The Qwen team had previously responded to DeepSeek’s global success by releasing a model they claimed surpassed DeepSeek-V3, further intensifying the competition in the AI space.

Foxconn Open to Buying Stake in Nissan for Potential Cooperation

Foxconn (2317.TW), Taiwan’s leading electronics manufacturer, has expressed interest in purchasing a stake in Nissan (7201.T), but emphasized that its primary goal is to collaborate rather than invest in the automaker. Chairman Young Liu stated on Wednesday that Foxconn would consider buying shares if cooperation with Nissan required it, but reiterated that acquiring shares was not their main focus.

Foxconn is in discussions with Renault (RENA.PA), Nissan’s largest shareholder, about potential collaboration. These comments come amid uncertainty surrounding Nissan’s future after it stepped away from merger talks with rival Honda (7267.T), which would have created the world’s fourth-largest automaker.

Sources have indicated that Nissan and Honda, who had been exploring a merger, are expected to announce the end of their talks on Thursday due to growing differences between the two companies. This deal would have been a significant shift in an automotive industry facing mounting pressure from electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, particularly China’s BYD (002594.SZ).

In light of the changing landscape, Nissan is reportedly open to partnerships with new players, including Foxconn, which is best known for its role as Apple’s primary iPhone manufacturer. While Foxconn seeks to diversify its business, it is not looking to establish itself as an automotive brand. Instead, it intends to offer commissioned design and manufacturing services for electric vehicles.

Neither Nissan nor Renault has commented on Foxconn’s chairman’s statements regarding potential collaboration.