Daily Tech: AMD, OKLO, ASTS, and Mattel Drive U.S. Innovation in AI, Energy, and Space

FutureGate | June 16 2025

AMD Unveils MI355 AI Chips, Taking Aim at Nvidia’s Dominance

AMD has launched its latest MI355 series AI accelerators, positioning them as a direct challenge to Nvidia’s flagship B200 and GB200 GPUs. According to AMD, the MI355 delivers superior cost-efficiency and comparable or better performance across core AI workloads. Specifically, the chips outperform rivals when running inference and training models, and match or exceed performance in AI code generation — critical capability for enterprise-scale deployment of LLMs.

Notably, AMD partnered with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in unveiling the chips, reflecting deep strategic alignment with leading AI players. By addressing both compute power and affordability, the MI355 could attract cost-sensitive cloud providers, hyperscalers, and AI startups seeking alternatives to Nvidia’s hardware stack. This could meaningfully reshape market share dynamics in the high-performance computing and AI infrastructure sectors.

OKLO’s Aurora Microreactor Passes Regulatory Milestone

OKLO’s small modular reactor (SMR) project has cleared a major hurdle as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) accepted its licensing application for the Aurora microreactor. This development signals regulatory momentum behind next-gen nuclear as part of the clean energy transition.

OKLO’s technology, which uses compact, low-waste fission reactors, aims to deliver decentralized, scalable power—particularly to remote sites or industrial applications. The NRC acceptance allows OKLO to move forward with deployment plans, potentially opening the door to broader commercial adoption and investor interest in SMR technology. It also underscores a renewed policy push in Washington to revitalize domestic nuclear capacity as a hedge against grid instability and carbon dependency.

AST SpaceMobile Secures 80-Year Spectrum Access, $550M Financing

AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS) has finalized an unprecedented 80-year spectrum rights agreement for the U.S. and Canadian markets, unlocking critical mid-band capacity for its direct-to-device satellite broadband network. The agreement is bolstered by $550 million in fresh financing from a mix of strategic and institutional backers.

The long-term spectrum deal enhances the credibility of ASTS’s capital-intensive model, offering a clearer runway for rollout of its space-based mobile service. With key regulatory and funding boxes ticked, ASTS is now better positioned to accelerate satellite deployments and begin commercial trials. The move also reinforces broader industry momentum around satellite-based telecom as a complement or competitor to mobile infrastructure.

Mattel and OpenAI to Launch First AI-Powered Toy

Mattel ($MAT) has announced a partnership with OpenAI to release the company’s first AI-integrated toy later this year. Though details remain limited, the toy is expected to include conversational AI features capable of real-time learning and adaptation, potentially transforming how children interact with smart devices.

This marks a significant step in the consumerization of generative AI. For Mattel, the collaboration provides a first-mover advantage in a new category of intelligent, responsive toys that blend education and entertainment. From a market perspective, the announcement signals growing willingness by major brands to integrate AI models into everyday physical products, expanding monetization pathways for LLM developers like OpenAI and generating new licensing opportunities.