Welcome to AI Insider’s The Week Ahead in AI. See the key developments and events we’re watching Oct. 12–Oct. 18.
Weekend AI News Briefs
BlackRock Sees Shift in Artificial Intelligence Investing
CNBC reports Big Tech investors are rotating out of broad tech funds into targeted AI plays such as BlackRock’s BAI—which holds names like Nvidia, Broadcom, Meta, and Microsoft—and, despite a recent pullback, is up 36% since its Oct. 21, 2024, launch. At the same time, enthusiasm for blockchain is lifting BlackRock’s ETHA (up ~42% over 12 weeks) and Amplify’s BLOK (up ~89% year-over-year), aided by new U.S. stablecoin legislation as investors chase tokenization and crypto-infrastructure themes. (CNBC)
LSEG Widens Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Access to Financial Data
London Stock Exchange Group and Microsoft expanded their partnership to let financial firms build and deploy agentic AI in Microsoft 365 Copilot using LSEG-licensed data delivered via an LSEG-managed MCP server, enabling secure, governed access to decades of “AI-ready” content. The MCP integration—starting with LSEG Financial Analytics—standardizes connectivity with Copilot Studio, LSEG APIs, and third-party systems to cut integration time and help professionals generate deeper insights and faster decisions directly in their workflows. (LSEG)
Charting the Future: AI’s Role in Robotics
AI and robotics are converging toward real-world deployment, but progress hinges on task-adaptable models, richer and up-to-date datasets, and modular algorithms that can handle noisy, dynamic environments in real time. The research roadmap prioritizes human-aware interaction, explainability, lifelong learning, safety and sustainability standards, and interdisciplinary collaboration to align powerful “physical AI” with societal needs. (Bioengineering.org)
Smartphone-Powered AI Predicts Avocado Ripeness
Researchers at Oregon State and Florida State built a smartphone AI that predicts Hass avocado firmness (~92% accuracy) and internal quality (>84%) from 1,400 iPhone images. The team says the approach could expand to other foods and help consumers, retailers, and processors cut waste and optimize logistics, supporting broader 2030 food-waste reduction goals. (Oregan State University)
Upcoming Earnings
TSMC (TSM)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is set to report third-quarter 2025 earnings on October 16 before markets open, with analysts expecting an EPS of $2.59. That would mark a sharp rise from the $1.94 per share reported a year earlier, reflecting continued demand for advanced chip manufacturing and AI-driven semiconductor growth. (Nasdaq)
ASML Holding (ASML)
ASML Holding N.V. will report third-quarter 2025 earnings on October 15 before markets open, with analysts forecasting an EPS of $6.36. That compares to $5.80 a year earlier, signaling steady demand for its lithography systems amid sustained semiconductor industry expansion. (Nasdaq)
AI Policy & Governance
A 3-Person Policy Nonprofit that Worked on California’s AI safety Law is Publicly Accusing OpenAI of Intimidation Tactics
Fortune reports Encode’s general counsel Nathan Calvin alleged OpenAI used subpoenas and intimidation—citing its lawsuit with Elon Musk—to pressure critics and influence California’s SB 53 AI transparency bill, while current and former OpenAI affiliates publicly criticized the company’s tactics. OpenAI said it sought standard litigation discovery to clarify potential Musk-linked funding as SB 53 advanced to law, highlighting its policy engagement even as the dispute underscores growing tensions over AI governance and advocacy. (Fortune)
New York Courts Introduce AI Use Policy
New York’s Unified Court System issued an interim AI-use policy from Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas that applies to all judges and employees, limits use to UCS-approved tools, and stresses fairness, accountability, security, and proper handling of generative AI. The policy also prioritizes ongoing AI training, reflecting the courts’ push to integrate the technology responsibly while safeguarding the delivery of justice statewide. (WKTV)
AI Conferences and Events
2025 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics National Institute
Oct. 13 – 14, High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, Calif. The American Bar Association’s 7th annual AI & Robotics National Institute in Silicon Valley offers lawyers and business leaders up-to-date guidance on generative and agentic AI, fast-moving legislation and standards, liability and privacy risks (including emotional-response AI), ethics in practice, and risk mitigation for robots and “physical AI.” Attendees can choose between AI-in-Practice and IP breakout tracks, hear three keynotes plus an in-house counsel roundtable, network throughout the event, and earn up to 10.5 CLE credits. (ABA)
Check out AI Insider every day for the latest in AI and Robotics developments.
