TD Bank Group is set to bolster its AI capabilities by opening a new office for its Layer 6 research and development center in New York City later this year. The expansion aims to deepen support for the bank’s U.S. operations while tapping into the city’s rich talent pool. Currently based in Toronto, Layer 6 will bring on 20 specialists, including data scientists, machine learning experts, and generative AI implementation professionals. This move enhances the bank’s ability to personalize customer experiences and optimize internal processes using advanced AI tools. TD Bank acquired Layer 6 in 2018 to drive innovation within the financial sector.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled new rules for the 98th Academy Awards, steering clear of favoring or penalizing the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and digital tools in filmmaking. This marks the Academy’s first official rule addressing AI’s role in film production. While past films such as The Brutalist and Emilia Perez drew criticism for incorporating GenAI, the new guidelines stress that AI usage will not influence nomination chances. Instead, the focus remains on human-driven creative authorship. The decision highlights Hollywood’s ongoing debate about balancing technological advancements with artistic expression. The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026.

Huawei Technologies plans to begin mass shipments of its new 910C artificial intelligence chip to Chinese customers as early as next month. This comes as Chinese AI companies seek alternatives to Nvidia’s H20 chip, which now requires a US export license. The 910C chip is said to offer performance comparable to Nvidia’s H100 by combining two 910B processors. Industry experts suggest this move could make Huawei’s chip the preferred choice for Chinese AI developers. 

The European Union recently announced its “AI Continent Action Plan,” aimed at establishing the EU as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Key initiatives include building advanced AI infrastructure, enhancing access to high-quality datasets, fostering AI adoption across industries, and addressing AI talent shortages. The plan juxtaposes ambitious growth goals with debates about the regulatory complexities posed by the AI Act. Public consultations have been launched to guide the strategy.

Anthropic has introduced powerful updates to its AI assistant, Claude, including Research capabilities and a Google Workspace integration. The Research feature elevates information gathering, allowing Claude to independently navigate multiple searches, explore angles systematically, and deliver detailed answers with reliable citations. The addition of Google Workspace supports email, calendar, and document-based searches, bringing work context directly into Claude to simplify tasks like meeting preparation and technical analysis. Designed for professionals, students, and parents alike, Claude accelerates workflows without compromising quality. Enterprise users gain access to advanced cataloging features that enhance document retrieval within organizations, all while maintaining data security. Currently available in beta, these features mark the beginning of Claude’s expansion into deeper content sources.