We’ve been hearing a lot lately about the so-called “AI bubble,” a phenomenon caused by overinvestment in AI technology, pushing its prices and valuation far beyond its actual, proven value, thereby creating a metaphorical balloon that could eventually burst.
Well, the first warnings are now being sounded regarding a similar bubble emerging in another growing sector — humanoid robots.
Over the last year especially, there have been numerous reports focusing on humanoid robots and the growing number of companies spending time — and plenty of money — developing them, with a view to one day deploying them in the workplace, and even the home. But mass production has yet to happen, as engineers grapple with design challenges such as creating super‑dexterous hands and robust whole‑body control systems that can safely handle real‑world tasks, from lifting awkward loads in factories to tidying up and folding laundry in people’s homes
This week, Li Chao, a spokesperson for the National Development and Reform Commission — China’s top economic-planning agency — has cautioned about a homegrown bubble occurring in the humanoid robotics industry as more companies around the world join the race to create the definitive robot.
“Frontier industries have long grappled with the challenge of balancing the speed of growth against the risk of bubbles — an issue now confronting the humanoid robot sector as well,” Li said in comments reported by Bloomberg.
In China alone, more than 150 companies are currently engaged in the development of humanoid robots, with Li warning that a flood of “highly similar” models could overwhelm the market and restrict opportunities for research and development.
Next year looks to be key in the development of the humanoid robot market — as well as the development of any associated bubble — with Citigroup forecasting “exponential” growth in robot production in the Asian nation, Bloomberg noted.
If China’s humanoid robotics bubble does eventually burst, it could lead to the slower rollout of affordable humanoid robots globally, as Chinese firms are pushing hard to scale humanoid robots and cut costs.
The sector would likely face a sharp funding squeeze, too, and consolidation around a number of the stronger players, with smaller firms merging with the larger companies, or simply failing.
A reset could also result in a drop in competition for U.S.-based companies in the same sector, which could potentially benefit from cheaper Chinese components and talent, though that would likely only be in the short-term as the Chinese firms restructure and consolidate.
You’d also likely see a cut in funding as a more cautious investment environment emerges.
While it’s not certain that any humanoid robotics bubble will burst, China’s warning suggests that the industry could be in for some serious disruption in the coming years.
Nearly a month after announcing the GPT-6.1 Sol model, OpenAI unveiled GPT-6.1 Terra today. The latest addition to the family focuses on computer use, visual reasoning, coding, and professional work, while costing 50% less through the API than GPT-5.6 Terra.
OpenAI says Terra can handle everything from filling out browser forms and working inside spreadsheets to interpreting technical drawings and editing videos. The company says it can also complete computer-based tasks more than three times faster than GPT-6 Astra and GPT-6.1 Sol.
ASUS has started selling its UGen Intel Arc Pro B70 graphics card in Europe, bringing its take on Intel’s workstation GPU to customers with a hefty €1,799 recommended price. The card is available in Germany and Austria, while ASUS lists it at CHF 1,799 in Switzerland.
Intel first introduced the Arc Pro B70 in March 2026, with its own branded model starting at $949. ASUS’s version arrives several months later with the same core GPU architecture but a different cooling design and a higher power rating. The price also places it well above Intel’s original starting point, although the two prices are not directly comparable because ASUS’s European figure includes VAT.
Anthropic has officially filed to go public, and buried inside its S-1 is a blunt warning about the technology at the center of its business. The maker of Claude AI says advanced AI could cause everything from large-scale cyberattacks and geopolitical instability to catastrophic or even existential risks for humanity.
The warnings take up a surprisingly large part of the filing. Axios notes that more than 90 pages, or roughly a third of the prospectus, focus on risk factors. Many of them warn about what could happen as AI systems become more capable and autonomous.