Welcome to the AI Insider’s The Week Ahead in AI. See the key developments and events we’re watching July 27–Aug. 2.
Weekend AI News Briefs
Chinese Premier Calls for Early Formation of Global AI Governance Framework
Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for urgent global cooperation on artificial intelligence governance during the opening of the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai. He urged the formation of an international AI framework and proposed a global cooperation organization to ensure AI benefits all nations, particularly the Global South. (AI Insider)
China’s Unitree debuts US$5,900 humanoid robot in race to make cheaper products
Unitree Robotics has unveiled the R1, a $5,900 humanoid robot aimed at consumers and developers, making it one of the most affordable full-featured models on the market. The announcement comes as the company prepares for an IPO, positioning itself to become the first humanoid robot maker to list on a mainland Chinese exchange. (South China Morning Post)
Alibaba to launch AI-powered glasses creating a Chinese rival to Meta
Alibaba has announced its entry into the smart glasses market with the unveiling of Quark AI Glasses, powered by its proprietary Qwen large language model and AI assistant Quark. The glasses are set to launch in China by the end of 2025, marking a new consumer-facing application of the company’s AI technology. (CNBC)
AI Vogue model raises concerns about beauty standards
An AI-generated model has made her debut in Vogue, featured in a Guess advertisement for its summer collection. While the magazine clarified the model was part of an ad and not an editorial choice, the move has sparked debate over beauty standards and the implications for real-life models. (BBC)
Upcoming Earnings Reports
Microsoft is set to release its fiscal fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on July 30 after market close, with consensus EPS estimates at $3.35 amid expectations of 13.88% revenue growth to $73.71 billion. Investors are particularly watching Azure’s cloud performance and AI-driven initiatives, which could influence stock sentiment given Wall Street’s bullish outlook. (Zacks)
Meta Platforms will report its second-quarter 2025 earnings on July 30 after the market closes, with consensus EPS forecasts at $5.83 and revenue projected around $44.55 billion. The results will spotlight AI investments and spending, including questions around $70 billion in AI-related costs, as the company balances innovation with profitability in social media and metaverse efforts. (Zacks)
Qualcomm is expected to report its fiscal third-quarter 2025 earnings on July 30 after market close, with consensus EPS estimates at $2.17 on projected year-over-year growth in earnings and revenues. The earnings will highlight chip demand in smartphones, automotive, and AI edge devices, with potential insights into 5G and NPU advancements influencing investor reactions. (Yahoo Finance)
Apple is scheduled to announce its fiscal third-quarter 2025 earnings on July 31 after market close, with consensus EPS estimates at $1.42 on expected year-over-year growth in earnings and revenues. Attention will center on iPhone sales trends, services revenue, and updates on Apple Intelligence AI features, potentially affecting stock movement in a seasonally softer period. (Zacks)
Amazon will disclose its second-quarter 2025 earnings on July 31 after the bell, with consensus EPS projections at $1.33 reflecting anticipated year-over-year increases in both earnings and revenues. Key areas of interest include AWS cloud growth fueled by AI services, e-commerce performance, and overall profit margins amid single-digit profit expansion expectations. (Yahoo Finance)
AI Conferences & Events
World AI Conference (WAIC) 2025
July 26–28, World AI Conference (WAIC) 2025 Shanghai, China (In-person, with some virtual elements), a major global AI summit hosted by China, featuring over 800 enterprises, 3,000+ exhibits, and discussions on AI governance, large models (China has released 1,509 models globally), humanoid robots, and international collaboration. Highlights include keynotes, panels on AI ethics, and demos like the Unitree G1 robot. Attended by representatives from 40+ nations, including Qatar. Exhibition area: 70,000+ sqm. Premier Li Qiang spoke on global AI rules (WAIC)
July 29 to August 3, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, The 2nd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers will convene over 600 participants for 28 symposia on AI, sensors, and emerging technologies. The event offers a platform for researchers and experts to share insights and explore recent scientific advances. (AIS 2025)
AI Policy
Inside America’s AI Action Plan: Blueprint for Tech Dominance or Policy Overreach?
The White House unveiled an AI Action Plan designed to cement U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence by promoting open-source development, cutting regulatory barriers, and upgrading digital infrastructure. Critics say the plan favors rapid industry growth at the expense of privacy, safety, and global trust, raising questions about U.S. intentions in shaping international AI norms. (AI Insider)
AI Research
Report: AI, Deep Techs Are Rewriting the Rules of Military Deception
Artificial intelligence is reshaping military deception strategies by enabling more targeted misinformation and automated false conclusions, according to a new report from New America. The study also warns that AI systems are vulnerable to deception themselves and that quantum computing could intensify these risks by breaking encryption and accelerating data manipulation. (AI Insider)
