Peak XV Partners Leads $10.9M Seed Round for AI Concierge Startup M

Anker launches its Thus AI chip, with its first application being the Soundcore flagship headphones

According to a report from The Verge on April 22, Anker has officially released its self-developed artificial intelligence chip Thus, positioning it as the world’s first neural network audio AI chip based on an In-Memory Computing architecture. The first batch will be built into Soundcore’s upcoming flagship headphones.

Alibaba Qwen Opens AI Services to External Partners, China Eastern Airlines First to Integrate

Alibaba opens Qwen AI Services to external partners; China Eastern Airlines becomes first outside Alibaba to deploy an end-to-end AI flight booking service, enabling users to request options like affordable direct flights or spacious seats.

Stch Raises $7M to Expand AI-Driven Fabric Manufacturing

Stch, a Bengaluru textile startup, raised $7M to expand its AI-driven fabric reverse-engineering platform and scale partner mills in India and Bangladesh. Abstract: Stch, founded in 2025 by Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, is an asset-light company that uses AI to convert fabric images and descriptions into technical specifications for manufacturing, partnering with mills rather than owning factories. With a $15 million-plus order book from UK, Europe, and US brands, and a pre-series A of $7 million led by Omnivore, the firm aims to broaden its AI capabilities and fabric recipes while diversifying production across regions to mitigate geopolitical risk in fashion manufacturing.

AI Reimagination Reshapes the Landscape of Higher Education: Khan Academy Teams Up with TED and Google to Launch a New AI Academy

Khan Academy announces the launch of the “Khan TED Academy,” in collaboration with TED, ETS, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, and others, using AI-driven personalized learning pathways. It combines ETS assessments with industry needs to strengthen foundational skills in math, science, economics, and writing, while cultivating clear communication and teamwork. Supported by a nonprofit model and corporate funding to keep free resources available, it is expected to open applications within 12–18 months, with the goal of addressing labor-market transformation through low-cost credentials.

AI Tools Could Cut Game Development Costs by Half, Adding $22B in Annual Industry Profit: Morgan Stanley

AI could halve development costs and add about $22B yearly in profits; global game spend rises to $275B (2026). Benefits skew to major publishers; smaller studios risk. AAA savings ~15%; staffing may shift without large job cuts. Abstract: Morgan Stanley's analysis suggests AI tools could cut video game development costs by about half and generate roughly $22 billion in additional annual profit, as industry spend rises to about $275 billion by 2026. Gains would be uneven, favoring publishers with strong IP and distribution networks (e.g., Tencent, Sony, Ubisoft) while mid-tier studios could struggle. Estimated cost savings for AAA publishers approach 15%, and staffing may shift toward senior engineers and portfolio leads, without a broad plunge in developer employment.

SpaceX $60B Cursor Deal Fuels SBF's Pardon Push as FTX's $200K Stake Now Worth $3B

Gate News message, April 22 — SpaceX announced a major partnership with AI coding startup Cursor today, with an option to acquire the company for $60 billion. The deal has given fresh ammunition to Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who is currently incarcerated and pushing for a presidential pardon, as it de