China offers computing vouchers to AI startups, Bayer struggles with Roundup lawsuits, Israeli minister visits White House, Buffett warns about wildfires, utilities industry. Podcast covers various topics including economic impacts, political tensions, and environmental concerns.
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Quick takeaways
China supports AI startups with computing vouchers amid chip shortage challenges.
Bayer's struggles with Roundup lawsuits prompt reevaluation of legal defense strategy and share prices.
Deep dives
China Supporting AI Startups with Vouchers for Computing Resources
China is assisting its AI startups by offering vouchers for crucial computing resources such as data center time for AI training. With the US limiting China's access to necessary chips, computing resources within China are scarce, leading to tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance monopolizing these resources. Although the vouchers aim to aid startups with mounting costs, analysts highlight the ongoing chip shortage as a challenge.
Bayer continues to face numerous lawsuits regarding its Roundup weed killer, alleging that a key ingredient caused cancer. Despite ceasing the sale of products containing this ingredient, Bayer's legal woes persist, impacting its share price significantly. To navigate the crisis, Bayer is pursuing a strategy involving state-level legislation on EPA-approved labels for pesticides, attempting to override ongoing litigations. However, this approach has faced setbacks in multiple states, indicating challenges in the company's legal defense.
Warren Buffett's Doubts on Berkshire Hathaway's Utility Business Amid Wildfire Lawsuits
Amidst wildfire lawsuits impacting Berkshire Hathaway Energy, CEO Warren Buffett questions the future of the utility business within the conglomerate. These lawsuits, totaling potential damages in the tens of billions, have prompted Buffett to reconsider the utility sector's viability and investment prospects. With escalating wildfires attributed to climate change, utility companies face existential threats and immense financial burdens, leading to uncertainties in their long-term sustainability.
China has pledged “computing vouchers” to subsidise its AI startups, Bayer is still struggling to move past its Roundup woes, and an Israeli senior minister visits the White House. Plus, Warren Buffett is sounding the alarm over wildfires and the utilities industry.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Zach St. Louis, Persis Love, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.