Top story
TSMC posts record quarterly profit and forecasts further chip-demand growth
The chipmaker earned NT$763.06 billion in the third quarter, up 68.7% from a year earlier, on revenue of NT$1.494 trillion. It forecast $52.3 billion to $54.3 billion in fourth-quarter revenue, citing continued demand for advanced processes. CNBC reported that TSMC expects capital spending in 2026–28 to exceed the prior three years' level.
ThereforeChip buyers still face a supply gap as TSMC expands its manufacturing capacity.
TSMC investor release · CNBCCopy link to: TSMC posts record quarterly profit and forecasts further chip-demand growth
Also
Modal raises $750 million for AI cloud infrastructure
Its Series D values the company at $15.75 billion; Modal says its annualized revenue passed $1 billion and its agent sandboxes alone have a $300 million run rate.
ThereforeThe new capital lets Modal expand its rented compute and software for running AI agents.
Modal blogCopy link to: Modal raises $750 million for AI cloud infrastructure
Researcher remotely changed an AI toy's responses after finding exposed conversations
The Verge tested an Eiliko robot and documented a researcher's access to conversation records and remote control of its chatbot behavior; the maker did not answer the outlet's security questions.
ThereforeFamilies' conversations and a child's interactions can be exposed through the service behind a connected toy.
The VergeCopy link to: Researcher remotely changed an AI toy's responses after finding exposed conversations
Meta-commissioned survey finds APAC small firms using AI but asking for guidance
In a YouGov online survey of 3,983 owners across nine markets, 84% said they use AI and 86% said small businesses need more help to gain its full benefits; the sample is not nationally representative.
ThereforeOwners cited training costs and asked for guidance on data privacy and security.
about.fb.com — MetaCopy link to: Meta-commissioned survey finds APAC small firms using AI but asking for guidance
Research worth a look
Chainalysis counts x402 payments on Base
Its October 14 analysis counts more than 138 million x402 transactions on Base by the end of its reporting period on July 1, 2026; over 87% of payments in its extended sample were under ten cents. The small payments let software buy data and services without card-processing costs exceeding the price.
Chainalysis · FortuneCopy link to: Chainalysis counts x402 payments on Base
Tools & releases
Figma opens Specs and code layers to more users
Specs, a shared Markdown document on the canvas that agents can read, is rolling out in open beta to paid plans; code layers also entered open beta for interactive prototypes.
Figma blog · Figma blog · TechCrunchCopy link to: Figma opens Specs and code layers to more users