Business Technology News Roundup: Jan 16, 2026

In one of the most  notable industry announcements of the week, Apple and Google revealed a  multiyear collaboration centered on artificial intelligence foundation  models. Under the agreement, Apple will leverage Google’s Gemini AI  architecture and cloud infrastructure to support future iterations of Apple  Intelligence, including improvements to Siri and on-device AI experiences.

The partnership is  unusual given the companies’ long history as competitors, but it reflects the  scale and complexity of modern AI development. By combining Google’s AI  research and infrastructure with Apple’s hardware ecosystem and  privacy-focused design philosophy, the collaboration could accelerate more  advanced AI capabilities across millions of devices. For the broader U.S.  tech industry, the announcement signals that even the largest players are  increasingly willing to collaborate when AI development demands massive  resources and shared expertise.

Regulatory  developments also made headlines as the Federal Communications Commission  approved expanded access to high-power 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi and Internet  of Things applications. The decision is expected to significantly improve  wireless performance in environments with heavy device density, such as  offices, campuses, warehouses, and smart buildings.

By opening  additional spectrum, the FCC aims to reduce congestion on existing bands and  enable faster, more reliable connections for emerging technologies. For U.S.  enterprises planning IoT deployments, automation systems, or advanced  wireless networks, the expanded 6 GHz availability offers new flexibility and  performance potential. The ruling reflects a broader recognition that  wireless infrastructure must evolve alongside increasing demand from  connected devices, cloud services, and AI-driven applications.

Although CES 2026  officially wrapped earlier in the month, its impact continued to ripple  through the industry last week as analysts and companies digested what the  event revealed about the future of consumer and enterprise devices. A  dominant theme emerged clearly: artificial intelligence is no longer confined  to cloud platforms and applications, but is becoming deeply embedded into  hardware.

Manufacturers  showcased AI-powered PCs with dedicated neural processing units, robotics  platforms designed for real-world tasks, and consumer electronics built  around on-device intelligence rather than remote processing. This shift  suggests that 2026 could be a turning point where AI becomes a standard  feature of everyday devices, changing how organizations think about  performance, security, and data processing. For U.S. businesses, the trend  raises new considerations around device procurement, endpoint security, and  how AI-capable hardware fits into broader IT strategies.

Last week also  marked the launch of the Pax Silica Initiative, a U.S.-led international  effort designed to strengthen and secure the supply chains behind advanced  artificial intelligence technologies. The initiative brings together the  United States and several allied nations, including the United Kingdom,  Japan, and the Netherlands, to coordinate access to semiconductors, advanced  computing resources, critical minerals, and energy infrastructure needed to  support large-scale AI development.

The move reflects a  strategic shift in how governments view artificial intelligence — not just as  a competitive software capability, but as a resource-intensive industry  dependent on physical infrastructure and geopolitical stability. By  formalizing cooperation around these inputs, the U.S. aims to reduce reliance  on unstable or adversarial supply routes while ensuring that domestic  companies remain competitive. For American tech firms, Pax Silica signals a  future where AI growth is increasingly shaped by policy, partnerships, and  national strategy, not just private innovation.

On January 14,  Verizon experienced a widespread network outage that affected mobile voice,  text, and data services across multiple U.S. cities, including New York,  Chicago, Washington D.C., and parts of California. Thousands of users  reported sudden service loss, with many devices displaying “SOS” or  limited-service indicators despite emergency calling still being available.  Businesses relying on mobile connectivity for operations, logistics, and  customer communication faced disruptions throughout the day.

Verizon confirmed  the issue and restored most services within hours, but the incident triggered  renewed attention from regulators and industry analysts. The Federal  Communications Commission acknowledged the outage and indicated it would  review the circumstances, particularly given the essential role wireless  networks play in emergency response and commerce. The outage underscored a  growing concern in 2026: as more services depend on always-on connectivity,  even short disruptions can have outsized economic and operational impact,  raising questions about redundancy, monitoring, and contingency planning  across telecom infrastructure.