A Eye on AI - August 13, 2026, 12 PM Eastern

China's top chip foundries SMIC and Hua Hong see profits soar on domestic AI demand, with net profit up 261.7% and 385.9% respectivelyMicrosoft merges its Copilot consumer and business apps, retiring features like Group Chats and the Mico character by mid-AugustApple in talks to pay publishers on a variable basis for content to power Siri AI, eyeing a nine-figure budgetA Eye on AI - 12:30 PMFrom booming chip foundries in China to big AI app consolidation in the US, this episode of A Eye on AI covers how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and everyday life. Chinese chip makers SMIC and Hua Hong reported massive profit surges — 261.7% and 385.9% year on year — as domestic demand for AI chips runs full capacity, a direct answer to US export controls. Microsoft is merging its consumer and business Copilot apps, retiring features like Group Chats, AI-generated podcasts, and the Mico animated character by August 18, 2026. Apple is reportedly in talks to pay publishers on a variable basis to power the revamped Siri AI, considering a nine-figure budget. Google DeepMind is undergoing a major leadership reshuffle, with Jeff Dean and Demis Hassabis stepping aside, sparking questions about whether Google is losing the AI race. And MIT Technology Review talks to teens and tweens about AI, finding a mix of enthusiasm, indifference, and concern — with Pew data showing 57% of teens have used chatbots to search for information. Listen for the full briefing on the latest AI news.Sources:- SCMP — Business (Greater China): https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3363929/ai-demand-drives-triple-digit-quarterly-profit-growth-chinese-foundries-smic-hua-hong?utm_source=rss_feed- TechCrunch AI: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/13/microsoft-kills-off-unsuccessful-ai-features-while-merging-its-separate-copilot-apps/- TechCrunch AI: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/13/apple-in-talks-to-pay-publishers-to-provide-siri-with-current-news-report/- The Verge AI: https://www.theverge.com/podcast/979370/google-deepmind-ai-race-lose-jeff-dean-demis-hassabis- SCMP — Business (Greater China): https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3363877/ai-surge-helps-dual-listed-mainland-china-stocks-hit-1-year-high-premium-over-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed- MIT Technology Review — AI: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/13/1141410/how-kids-feel-about-ai-own-words/https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-eye-on-ai--7245888