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AI Journal 200th Edition
Your weekly edge in the world of artificial intelligence.
AI Journal
February 20, 2026
TODAYS HIGHLIGHTS
Google Boosts U.S.–India Connectivity, Pledges $30M for AI in Public Services Sundar Pichai announced new strategic fiber-optic routes connecting the U.S. and India to strengthen global digital infrastructure. Google also pledged $30 million for a Global AI for Government Innovation Challenge aimed at transforming public services through advanced artificial intelligence solutions. LET’S STEP INSIDE → PM Modi Unveils "MANAV" Vision The Prime Minister introduced the MANAV framework: Moral, Accountable, Sovereign, Accessible, and Legitimate. This vision seeks to ensure AI serves human welfare and prevents digital fragmentation, especially within the Global South's emerging economies. India Joins "Pax Silica" Coalition India formally signed the U.S.-led "Pax Silica" agreement. This strategic alliance aims to build resilient supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors, securing the hardware foundation needed for sovereign AI growth. India Breaks World Record Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India secured a Guinness World Records title after 2,50,946 citizens took the AI Responsibility Pledge within 24 hours under the IndiaAI Mission, highlighting strong public commitment to ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI adoption nationwide. |  Emmanuel Macron Praises India’s Digital Transformation and AI Leadership Emmanuel Macron praised India’s digital public infrastructure as a global benchmark, highlighting financial inclusion, India Stack’s scale, and AI innovation. He emphasized responsible AI development and strengthened India-France cooperation in shaping the technology’s future. "AI Cold War" on Stage During a photo-op at Bharat Mandapam, Narendra Modi attempted a symbolic unity chain with global tech leaders, holding hands with Sundar Pichai. However, rival CEOs Sam Altman and Dario Amodei went viral for seemingly avoiding a handshake, spotlighting intense AI industry competition. |
AI FUNDING
Nvidia is nearing a $30 billion equity investment in OpenAI's funding round, valuing the AI firm at around $830 billion, replacing a prior unfinished $100 billion commitment. This forms part of OpenAI's $100+ billion raise, with SoftBank and Amazon also participating, to expand AI compute using Nvidia chips.
Selector, a Santa Clara–based AI observability platform led by Kannan Kothandaraman, raised $32 million in a round led by AVP, doubling its valuation to $375 million to expand AI innovation, product development, and global market growth.
Taalas Inc. raised $169 million from investors including Quiet Capital and Fidelity to develop AI-specific chips. Its first processor, optimized for Meta’s Llama 3.1 8B model, reportedly delivers faster performance with significantly lower power consumption than traditional GPUs.
INTERESTING NEWS
 Sarvam AI launched two indigenous LLMs—30B and 105B parameters—optimized for Indian languages. The larger model rivals global systems like Google’s Gemini Flash while delivering competitive performance at lower cost. |  Stravito upgraded its AI Assistant with Deep Research Agent, enabling multi-step autonomous research, full-report analysis, and citation-backed answers. The platform helps global brands make verified, evidence-based strategic decisions using trusted internal research. |
 DBS Bank and Visa are piloting AI-driven payments through Visa Intelligent Commerce, enabling digital agents to complete real transactions under bank-controlled safeguards, signaling a shift toward agent-based commerce in everyday financial services. |  Healthee launched AI-powered Claims Analytics, enabling self-insured employers to monitor costs through its Zoe assistant. The tool delivers conversational insights, identifies cost drivers, and recommends actions to control rising healthcare spending and improve ROI. |
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That’s a wrap for this week’s AI insights! Stay curious, stay informed, and don’t forget next Friday brings more breakthrough’s your way
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