AI Business & Industry

Today's Stories

1. 1

   Verizon taps Google Cloud to scale AI across enterprise

   Google Cloud announced a strategic partnership with Verizon to deploy its full-stack AI, including Gemini Enterprise and advanced data infrastructure, across Verizon's operations. Verizon's customer experience platform, now powered by Gemini Enterprise, handles the majority of its inbound consumer calls and chats monthly, leading to measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and automated resolution rates.

   Verizon will expand Gemini Enterprise use to agent orchestration and employee productivity, aiming to improve its operating model across core business functions.

2. 2

   PE Firms Embed AI Experts in Portfolio Companies

   Private equity firms have reportedly begun placing AI experts within their portfolio companies. The Wall Street Journal cites Blackstone and Hellman & Friedman's $1.5 billion partnership with Anthropic, forming an approximately 160-person team of AI experts as a stand-alone company called Ode. The plan is to offer Ode's services beyond private-equity-owned businesses. Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Anthropic have each pledged to invest around $300 million. OpenAI has launched a rival venture with a $4 billion investment headed by TPG, as business leaders scrutinize AI spending.

   Blackstone plans to bring the effort to 25 of its more than 270 portfolio companies, with Ode engineers already operating at six. Among them is Chamberlain Group, a garage-door opener maker Blackstone bought in 2021, now expanding software features like package-arrival notifications. Ode CEO Chris Taylor says the customer pipeline, including non-PE-backed companies, is "immense and growing by the day."

3. 3

   Gilead teams with Nucleai on AI tissue analytics for oncology

   Nucleai announced an ongoing translational research collaboration with Gilead Sciences, using AI-driven tissue analytics on large H&E and IHC slide datasets to support Gilead's global antibody-drug conjugate clinical development programs across multiple oncology indications. The collaboration has already produced candidate spatial biomarkers and fresh biological insights, which could help standardize biomarker assessment and better link tumor biology to clinical outcomes in precision oncology. This supports Gilead's diversification into oncology, though near-term attention remains on Trodelvy's first-line breast cancer rollout and HIV pricing pressures.

   The partnership modestly supports Gilead's oncology ambitions but does not remove execution risk or market access challenges. Analysts project Gilead could reach about $38.1 billion revenue and $12.7 billion earnings by 2029, with the Nucleai news potentially strengthening that upside case.

4. 4

   BlackRock's AI Infrastructure Deal: What It Means

   BlackRock has announced an AI infrastructure workforce agreement, signaling its entry into the AI-driven investment space. This move positions BlackRock to capitalize on the growing demand for AI infrastructure, potentially driving long-term value for investors.

   The specific terms and scope of the agreement, as well as how it will impact BlackRock's financial performance, are yet to be detailed.

5. 5

   Corning signs multibillion-dollar AI deals with Meta and Zayo

   Corning has signed new multiyear, multibillion dollar supply agreements with Meta and Zayo to support AI-driven U.S. data center infrastructure. The Meta deal covers optical solutions for AI data centers, while the Zayo deal targets advanced optical networks connecting these facilities. These long-term contracts add significant committed demand for Corning's optical products, tying its U.S. manufacturing push to visible customer commitments. They support the Springboard plan's focus on Optical Communications and AI data centers, aligning with the narrative that glass fiber and optical connectivity are central to Gen AI infrastructure.

   Watch how quickly these agreements appear in segment results through 2026, including Optical Communications order commentary, disclosed contract backlogs, and core margin progression, along with updates on U.S. fiber capacity ramps tied to AI data centers.

6. 6

   Gilead's Nucleai AI Deal: Oncology Bet Under Scrutiny

   Gilead Sciences (GILD) has announced an oncology AI deal with Nucleai, a move aimed at strengthening its cancer drug pipeline. The deal raises questions about whether Gilead's current valuation is justified, as the company seeks to leverage AI to improve its oncology portfolio and compete more effectively.

   Investors will be watching whether the Nucleai partnership delivers tangible results in drug development, and how this affects Gilead's financial performance and stock valuation.