Sony and TSMC plan $6.3B joint venture in Japan to produce advanced image sensors, Nikkei reports. Deal would expand Japan's semiconductor manufacturing footprint.

South Australia announces royal commission into AI beginning October, with final report due July 2027. Premier Malinauskas calls AI a 'material risk' to society and work.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced on Monday that the state will hold a royal commission into artificial intelligence beginning in October, with a final report due by July 2027. The inquiry will examine AI's economic and social opportunities as well as policy and regulatory settings, with three commissioners to be appointed and full terms of reference announced within six weeks. Malinauskas warned AI represents a 'material risk' to society and the future of work if left unchecked.

Intel plans $15 billion stock offering to fund AI computing expansion, citing demand for physical AI, purpose-built silicon, and advanced packaging.

Intel plans to raise $15 billion through a stock offering to meet growing demand for AI computing. The chipmaker identifies physical AI, purpose-built silicon, and advanced packaging as key growth areas.

Ukraine opens Avengers Labs AI platform to defense firms for drone training. Built on 5 million battlefield frames from Delta combat system covering tanks, artillery, air defense, and aerial targets.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense is opening access for Ukrainian defense companies to the Avengers Labs AI training platform for unmanned systems, built on real battlefield data. The platform, developed by the Center for Innovation and Defense Technologies (which previously created the Delta combat system), is based on an annotated dataset of 5 million battlefield frames covering tanks, artillery, air defense, infantry, and aerial targets including Shahed and reconnaissance drones.

Tokyo stocks close higher as Nikkei 225 jumps 2.08% to 66,970.22 on tech, AI-related gains and a weaker yen; Topix up 0.63% to 4,100.61.

Tokyo stocks closed higher on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 rising 1,363.51 points, or 2.08 percent, to 66,970.22, supported by gains in heavyweight technology and AI-related shares and a weaker yen. The broader Topix index added 25.68 points, or 0.63 percent, to finish at 4,100.61.