China's embodied AI and humanoid robotics sector is drawing fresh investment, with two major financing deals signaling accelerating commercialization.

Negotiations between AI startup Anthropic and the US Department of Defense have resumed after talks collapsed last week, while a leaked internal memo criticizing OpenAI's Pentagon agreement has raised tensions. The episode highlights growing disputes between AI developers and defense officials over how advanced models should be used in military operations.

ASUS IoT is redefining the urban landscape by positioning itself as the high-performance backbone for modern smart cities, using edge AI and machine learning to transform infrastructure into proactive, life-saving networks. At Automation World (AW) 2026, ASUS said that by deploying edge computers and intelligent sensors, it facilitates real-time traffic management, automated emergency response, and energy-efficient smart poles. This is all while navigating the complex regulatory and privacy landscapes of global markets. ASUS's approach targets 40% reductions in crime, 20% shorter commutes, and 15% lower greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. It is clear the company is preparing for a counterstereotypical future of smart cities, where "intelligence" may even adopt new meanings.

Taiwan is exploring regulatory measures to manage the rising electricity demand from AI computing infrastructure, even as the government rolls out incentives to accelerate the sector's development.

On March 4 local time, the White House will host a signing ceremony that could influence the direction of global AI competition. Technology and AI leaders, including Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Google, xAI, Oracle, and OpenAI, are scheduled to gather in Washington to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge.