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Nebius Signs $17.4 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal With Microsoft

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Nebius Group (NBIS.O) announced on Monday a five-year agreement with Microsoft (MSFT.O) to provide GPU infrastructure capacity, a deal valued at $17.4 billion that could expand to $19.4 billion if additional services are acquired. The news sent Nebius shares surging more than 47% in after-hours trading.

The partnership highlights the escalating demand for high-performance AI compute as tech giants race to secure infrastructure for training and running advanced models. Under the deal, Microsoft will gain access to Nebius’ dedicated GPU infrastructure from a new Vineland, New Jersey data center starting later this year.

Nebius specializes in offering AI cloud services powered by Nvidia GPUs, combining computing, storage, management tools, and in-house designed hardware to support AI developers. CEO Arkady Volozh said the deal is not only financially significant but also positions Nebius for accelerated AI cloud growth from 2026 onwards.

Microsoft already stands as the largest customer of CoreWeave (CRWV.O), another AI infrastructure provider. The Nebius agreement suggests the company is broadening its supply chain to mitigate risks as hyperscaler demand grows.

Amsterdam-based Nebius was formed after the split of Russian tech giant Yandex, and has been expanding rapidly into the U.S. and European AI infrastructure markets.

Russia’s Sberbank to Launch Advanced Reasoning Large Language Model

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Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, is preparing to release an upgraded version of its large language model (LLM) called GigaChat, which will feature reasoning capabilities capable of scientific research and solving complex problems, according to First Deputy CEO Alexander Vedyakhin. He revealed that he is currently testing the beta version of this new model.

The enhanced GigaChat aims to handle sophisticated tasks in areas such as science, coding, and mathematics, similar to advanced LLMs launched by global leaders like OpenAI. Despite trailing U.S. and Chinese AI developers by six to nine months, Sberbank’s use of domestic cloud infrastructure and localized language adaptation makes GigaChat especially attractive to Russian corporate users.

Currently, about 15,000 Russian companies employ Sberbank’s GigaChat. Meanwhile, Yandex, a key domestic AI competitor, recently announced reasoning capabilities in its search engine, highlighting the competitive AI landscape in Russia.

Avride Partners with Hyundai to Expand Robotaxi Fleet

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Self-driving technology startup Avride has announced a strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Co to expand its fleet of robotaxis. Under the deal, Avride will incorporate 100 Hyundai IONIQ 5 cars into its fleet this year, with plans to grow further by 2026 as the company seeks to enhance its autonomous vehicle services and expand into new regions.

Avride, based in Texas, is joining a growing group of companies advancing autonomous vehicle technology and expanding their fleet of robotaxis. This includes Tesla, which is preparing to launch its own autonomous ride-hailing service in California and Texas, and Alphabet’s Waymo, which recently rolled out its robotaxi service on Uber’s platform in Austin.

As part of the partnership, Avride’s IONIQ 5 cars will be retrofitted with the company’s self-driving technology and used exclusively on Uber’s platform in Dallas, Texas. These vehicles will be manufactured at Hyundai’s Metaplant facility in Georgia, and the two companies also aim to explore autonomous delivery services using Avride’s technology.

Avride’s connection with Hyundai is not new, as the startup was previously part of Russian company Yandex’s self-driving division and has collaborated with Hyundai’s automotive supply unit in the past to develop systems for autonomous vehicles.