DeepSeek Dives Deep: $15B Raised Despite US Ban

DeepSeek raises $15B from CATL and Tencent days after US ban order Barclays cuts 5,000 jobs citing AI-driven technology change Uber expands ChatGPT Work to its entire 30,000-person global workforce A Eye on AI - 12:31 PM This episode of A Eye on AI leads with DeepSeek's massive $15 billion funding round from battery maker CATL and WeChat owner Tencent — one of the largest raises in Chinese history, landing just days after the US ordered federal agencies to remove the company's AI technology over national security concerns. We also cover Uber's rollout of ChatGPT Work to its full 30,000-employee global workforce, Barclays cutting 5,000 jobs in an AI-driven efficiency push, Spotify's bet that AI agents will become its biggest tailwind, and the mounting resistance to AI shopping agents from Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Delta and Amtrak. Plus, the privacy-first Nirva wearable pendant and the Eiliko robot charm security nightmare. A fast-moving briefing on artificial intelligence across geopolitics, business and everyday life, hosted by Sam Whitfield. Sources: - TechCrunch AI: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/deepseek-reportedly-raises-15b-days-after-us-restrictions/ - thetechportal.com: https://thetechportal.com/2026/10/22/deepseek-raises-15-billion-doubling-its-own-target-days-after-us-restrictions/ - siliconrepublic.com: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/deepseek-reportedly-closes-15bn-raise-in-race-to-ipo - timesofindia.indiatimes.com: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/when-ai-valuations-correct-indias-case-for-ai-diffusion-gets-strong/articleshow/135115716.cms - TechCrunch AI: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/uber-puts-all-30000-employees-on-chatgpt-work/ - TechCrunch AI: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/spotifys-current-ai-bet-is-about-being-the-music-service-that-agents-choose/ - TechCrunch AI: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/nirva-raises-33m-for-a-pendant-that-only-listens-to-you/ - The Verge AI: https://www.theverge.com/report/1015811/ai-shopping-agents-blocked-amazon-the-realreal-target-meta-muse - theaustralian.com.au: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/actu-boss-melissa-donnelly-demands-albanese-government-enforce-ai-regulations-to-protect-workers/news-story/d6850b3efb803a8a6f8a02783992744b - in.mashable.com: https://in.mashable.com/tech/115248/ai-layoffs-2026-barclays-to-cut-5000-jobs-by-year-end-developers-among-most-hit - The Verge AI: https://www.theverge.com/news/1015824/eiliko-energize-lab-statement-on-robot-hack-breach https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-eye-on-ai--7245888