These 8 big deals defined the year in artificial intelligence (www.businessinsider.com)

In a year marked by transformative deals in artificial intelligence, Nvidia and SoftBank made headlines over the holiday season with significant transactions. Nvidia announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Groq, a startup known for its custom AI chips. This deal, while not a traditional acquisition, effectively brings Groq's founder and key engineers into Nvidia, with the aim to bolster its capabilities in AI inference. The unusual structure of this arrangement highlights a growing trend in the industry, where talent is extracted from startups without a full acquisition, leaving these companies in uncertain positions. SoftBank's decision to acquire DigitalBridge for approximately $4 billion emphasizes the increasing importance of physical infrastructure to support AI's rapid growth. This acquisition will give SoftBank greater control over the data centers and networks crucial for AI operations. The year also witnessed notable deals like Disney's $1 billion partnership with OpenAI to enhance content engagement, and Google's $32 billion acquisition of Wiz, marking a resurgence in high-stakes investments despite regulatory scrutiny. Together, these deals reflect a dynamic shift in how AI companies are strategically positioning themselves within a complex and evolving landscape of technology.