Global Scans · Hardware · Weekly Summary

• [New] Among all AI semiconductor categories, AI ASICs and non-GPU accelerators are projected to deliver the highest growth rates over the 2024-2029 period, reshaping the competitive landscape of AI hardware. SEMIVISION
• [New] Hardware giant IBM plans to triple entry-level hiring in the U.S. in 2026. TechCrunch
• [New] The early stages of the artificial intelligence revolution put hardware companies like Nvidia in the spotlight, and more recently, data centers have taken center stage as AI's top investment opportunity. Nasdaq
• [New] Predictive Analysis: Expect Russia to accelerate AI-enabled autonomous targeting software while hardware dependence on Chinese and illicitly-acquired Western components deepens. Drone Warfare
• [New] We should expect a wave of M&A activity in mid-to-late 2026, as struggling SaaS firms are swallowed by cash-rich hardware and infrastructure giants looking to integrate vertically. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] If SpaceX can leverage Starship's massive payload capacity - designed to carry up to 150 metric tons to low Earth orbit - it could loft substantial computing hardware in a single launch. WebProNews
• [New] Hardware-wise we can expect a gloriously slim device that still finds room inside for a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a massive battery made possible by silicon-carbon chemistry, and an uprated rear camera trio which could see it rival Samsung for class honours. Stuff
• [New] The path from Tesla's current hardware-focused business to a dominant software and robotics infrastructure layer is paved with near-term catalysts and significant risks. Ainvest
• [New] New hardware partnerships with Geely for Ojai minivans and Hyundai for Ioniq 5 vehicles support the scale-up, with deployment scheduled for late 2026 and 2027 respectively. Medium
• [New] The primary risk to data center development has decisively shifted from managing IT hardware lead times to securing fundamental access to power, a structural constraint that now dictates project viability and timelines into 2026. EnkiAI - Find the right insight
• [New] The top four hyperscalers are expected to spend roughly $500bn in 2026, with investment increasingly directed towards AI infrastructure, model training, and associated hardware. Astute Group
• [New] OpenAI secured a $10 billion multiyear deal with Cerebras for 750 megawatts of computing power using specialized hardware, hosted by Cerebras and built through 2028. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] The AI industry is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030 (Zacks), underscoring the vast opportunity for hardware providers like Nvidia. Value Sense
• [New] AI Hardware: If the Phoenix AR glasses gain mainstream adoption in late 2026, Meta could finally own the operating system of the next computing era, freeing it from Apple's and Google's app store fees. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Server spending alone will rocket up 36.9% year-over-year, Gartner found, driven almost entirely by AI-optimized hardware. Computerworld
• [New] Hardware Saturation: If the AI supercycle peaks in 2026, Apple may face a growth cliff in 2027 as upgrade cycles lengthen again. Valley City Times-Record
• [New] The U.S. government recently forced a pivotal mandate for quantum-resistant hardware after realizing legacy encryption is failing faster than expected against next-gen decryption threats. Toronto Star
• [New] As hardware becomes more affordable and content libraries grow, VR is expected to play a transformative role in personalized, inclusive, and scalable education globally. openpr
• [New] Google, which is working in collaboration with Samsung on Android XR software, is eyeing its own separate hardware, and plans to release its first pair of smart glasses since 2013's Google Glass in 2026 - an audio-only pair of specs similar to the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses. Gizmodo
• [New] Analysts now expect Nvidia's EPS to expand by an eye-watering 62% in 2026, driven by the full-scale production of its Blackwell architecture and the emergence of a secondary hardware cycle focused on AI agents. Valley City Times-Record
• [New] In 2026, AI hardware will become the real game changer. Blog | Mitron Global
• [New] The defining hardware trend of 2026 will be the continued adoption of C2PA (Content Credentials) signing in camera bodies beyond the flagship tier. Fstoppers
• [New] Moving into 2026, enterprise success will be defined by the ability to secure physical resources, where the primary indicator of advantage is no longer just access to algorithms but guaranteed access to power, data center capacity, and the complete hardware stack. EnkiAI - Find the right insight

Last updated: 17 February 2026