Highlights for the morning: oil cheapened, OpenAI "super app", Bezos's $100 billion fund

OpenAI is developing a single "super app" that combines ChatGPT, a coding platform and a browser. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is discussing the creation of a fund of up to $100 billion to buy up industrial companies and implement artificial intelligence. Brent crude oil has fallen slightly, but is still trading above $100 per barrel. About these and other topics - in our review of key events for the morning of March 20.

Oil prices fell slightly after the U.S. Treasury Department said it may lift sanctions on Iranian oil already in tankers, CNBC reported. That's about 140 million barrels. The market expects an increase in supply in the next two weeks, the channel explains. Brent futures fell to $107 per barrel, contracts for North American WTI - to $94.

At the same time, forecasts remain pessimistic, CNBC reminds: Citi allows prices to rise to $120-150 per barrel in case of further escalation in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia - even above $180 in case of a protracted conflict.

OpenAI plans to combine ChatGPT, Codex programming platform and Atlas AI browser into one desktop application to simplify the user experience and increase focus on business customers, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported, citing sources. The project is being overseen by Fiji Xi, head of apps, with input from company president Greg Brockman. A separate ChatGPT app will remain in place.

The new product should retain users amid competition from Anthropic and Google by combining a chatbot, code tools, and a browser with AI, Bloomberg notes. Launch dates have not yet been disclosed.

Jeff Bezos is in early-stage discussions to raise $100 billion for a new fund that will buy industrial companies and deploy artificial intelligence to accelerate automation, The Wall Street Journal has learned.

According to the publication, the billionaire is in talks with major investment funds and sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East, positioning the project as a "platform for transforming manufacturing." WSJ notes that Bezos recently traveled to Singapore to raise funds.

Amazon has acquired Rivr, a Swiss startup that develops robots for last-mile, door-to-door delivery, The Information and CNBC reported. Amazon confirmed the deal but did not disclose its value. The robots on wheels will be tested to assist couriers - for example, in carrying packages from the van to the customer - to improve safety and delivery efficiency.

The purchase fits into a long-term automation strategy: Amazon has already deployed more than 1 million robots and is investing through the Industrial Innovation Fund, the channel recalled.

Alibaba intends to increase revenue from cloud services and artificial intelligence five times - up to $100 billion a year for five years, seeking to compensate for stagnation of e-commerce, Bloomberg writes with reference to the statement of the company's CEO Eddie Wu. It was made against the background of a 66% drop in the company's quarterly profit and weak revenue growth. This requires the company to more quickly monetize expensive AI-directions, the agency notes.

- Tokyo Stock Exchange is closed due to holidays.

- Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.8 percent, while mainland China's CSI 300 Index rose 0.2 percent.

- In South Korea, the Kospi index added 0.4% and the Kosdaq added 1.5%.

- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8 percent.

- Futures on leading U.S. stock indices were virtually unchanged.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor