Google Maps Gets Generative AI Boost

AWS has launched G7e instances on Amazon SageMaker AI, powered by NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPUs with 96 GB of GDDR7 memory per GPU. The instances deliver up to 2.3x inference performance compared to previous-generation G6e instances and support configurations from 1 to 8 GPUs, enabling deployment of large language models up to 300B parameters on the largest 8-GPU node. This represents a significant upgrade in memory bandwidth, networking throughput, and model capacity for generative AI inference workloads.

Anthropic has launched Claude Design, a new product aimed at helping non-designers like founders and product managers create visuals quickly to communicate their ideas. The tool addresses a gap for early-stage teams and individuals who need to share concepts visually but lack design expertise or resources. Claude Design integrates with Anthropic's Claude AI platform, leveraging its capabilities to streamline the visual creation process. The launch reflects growing demand for AI-powered design tools that lower barriers to entry for non-technical users.

Google is splitting its eighth-generation tensor processing units into separate chips optimized for AI training and inference, a shift the company says reflects the rise of AI agents and their distinct computational needs. The training chip delivers 2.8 times the performance of its predecessor at the same price, while the inference processor (TPU 8i) achieves 80% better performance and includes triple the SRAM of the prior generation. Both chips will launch later this year as Google continues its effort to compete with Nvidia in custom AI silicon, though the company is not directly benchmarking against Nvidia's offerings.

Phononic, a 17-year-old Durham, North Carolina semiconductor company that makes cooling components for AI data center servers, is in talks with potential buyers at a valuation of at least $1.5 billion, with some buyers expressing interest above $2 billion. The company has engaged investment bank Lazard to evaluate its options since early 2026. This valuation would more than double its last private funding round, reflecting broader investor appetite for industrial suppliers tied to AI infrastructure demand. Phononic may also choose to raise additional capital instead of pursuing a sale.