The new markets are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, with the rollout covering desktop and iOS in all listed countries except Japan, where it is currently limited to desktop users.

Gemini in Chrome first launched in the United States in January, after which Google extended access to India, Canada and New Zealand in March. With this latest expansion, more users can now use the feature directly inside the Chrome browser.

Google has been adding more Gemini tools to Chrome since last year. The assistant appears in a floating window and can help users with tasks while they browse.

Earlier this year, Google also introduced a sidebar version that can answer questions across multiple tabs. It can summarise long pages, compare information from open tabs and respond without users leaving the browser.

The feature also works with several Google services. Users can schedule meetings through Calendar, check places with Maps, and draft or send emails through Gmail.

Google’s Personal Intelligence feature is also available through Gemini in Chrome. It allows users to connect services such as Gmail and Google Photos to receive more personalised responses.

Users can also ask questions about YouTube videos while staying on the same page.

Another tool, Nano Banana 2, lets users edit or transform images on the web using text prompts in the Chrome sidebar.

Some advanced functions are still limited to the United States. Google said its agentic feature, which can control a browser window and complete tasks for users, is still being tested.

That feature is only available to subscribers on the AI Pro and AI Ultra paid plans in the U.S. for now.

This was driven by the high valuations in OpenAI and other Vision Fund assets.

The figure, far above analysts’ estimates of ¥207 billion, is a turnaround for the Japanese conglomerate and its most profitable quarter to date. 

The result reveals how Masayoshi Son’s focus on artificial intelligence is bolstering SoftBank’s growth and enhancing exposure to a sector many investors now fear may be entering a bubble.

The company’s Vision Fund unit reported a record investment gain of ¥3.5 trillion for the quarter, with OpenAI alone contributing ¥2.16 trillion. 

The rally in global technology stocks and a surge in AI-related valuations drove this growth, sending SoftBank’s shares to new highs. It was the Vision Fund’s third consecutive profitable quarter, a recovery from the losses that once characterised its track record.

SoftBank’s assertive push into AI reiterates Son’s conviction that artificial intelligence represents the next economic revolution. 

In March, the group led a $40 billion funding round that valued OpenAI at $300 billion. By October, it joined a consortium of investors acquiring $6.6 billion worth of OpenAI employee shares, at an even higher $500 billion valuation.

These initiatives are being financed through an intricate mix of asset sales, bonds, and loans. The company offloaded 32.1 million Nvidia shares in October, raising $5.83 billion, while also issuing bonds in yen, dollars, and euros worth more than ¥620 billion, $2.2 billion, and €1.7 billion respectively since April. 

It further secured an $8.5 billion bridge loan to fund its OpenAI investment and a $6.5 billion facility for its planned acquisition of semiconductor firm Ampere.

Son described this phase as the company’s “most ambitious investment period” since launching its Vision Fund vehicles in 2017 and 2019. He has long been known for his courageous, leveraged investments in transformative technologies. His early stake in Alibaba proved legendary, yet not all ventures, including WeWork, ended well.

However, even with the SoftBank historic profit, analysts warn of a potential “AI bubble,” as sky-high valuations risk overtaking real-world profitability.

The announcement was made at the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) held Sunday 28 August 2022 in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

The funds consist of $4 billion under the existing window, and an additional up to $1 billion that will be provided under a new Special Window. Japan will establish this Special Window to support countries that are making progress in the enhancement of debt transparency and sustainability, and other reforms, thereby making steady and significant improvement in their debt situations.

Given the importance of food security, Japan and the African Development Bank will add agriculture and nutrition as a priority area under EPSA 5. As a result, EPSA 5 will cover 1) electricity, 2) connectivity 3) health, 4) agriculture and nutrition as priority areas in order to address key challenges in Africa.

At the EPSA 5 launch ceremony, Japan’s Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Mr. Masato Kanda, said his country is committed to supporting African countries while respecting their own initiatives.

The President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr. Akihiko TANAKA said, “Under the severe situation caused by multiple crises, enhancing resilience and promoting human security are critical components of Japan’s support for Africa. EPSA is an essential element of our partnership with the African Development Bank to tackle social and economic challenges facing the continent. JICA commits to work with EPSA to create a bright and prosperous future.”

The African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said, “EPSA 5 is the kind of cooperation Africa and the world needs. Escalating climate change impacts, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine means that we must do even more than we already have done, to mobilize the private sector and create job opportunities in Africa. The newly signed initiative will positively impact millions of lives across Africa.”

Japan and the African Development Bank will join forces to support countries that address enormous challenges, including food security, climate change, health, digitalization, and debt issues.