WSJ Tech News Briefing — TNB Tech Minute

Episode Title: Amazon and Microsoft Back Law That Would Limit Nvidia’s Exports to China
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Zoe Culkin (The Wall Street Journal)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers a brisk, insight-rich briefing on key developments in the tech world, focusing on corporate strategies, policy maneuvers, and international competition in AI and robotics. Today’s headline story discusses Amazon and Microsoft backing a U.S. legislative push to restrict Nvidia’s chip exports to China, highlighting the increasingly competitive landscape for AI infrastructure and geopolitical tech policy. The episode also touches on SAP’s response to EU antitrust concerns and the launch of robo-taxi competitors in London.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amazon and Microsoft Back Legislation Targeting Nvidia’s Chip Exports

• Summary:
  • Amazon has joined Microsoft in supporting the GAIN AI Act, a new bill that could curb Nvidia’s ability to export advanced chips to China.
  • The legislation would require chip firms to meet U.S. demand before supplying countries under arms embargoes.
  • This is seen as a rare public split between Nvidia and two of its largest clients.
  • The policy would also give tech giants preferential chip access for their global data centers.
• Industry Insight:
  • This marks Congress’ first major attempt to directly regulate chip exports in response to the arms race for AI supremacy.
  • The move underlines intense competition, as major firms seek regulatory advantages to leapfrog rivals in AI infrastructure.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The moves by Microsoft and Amazon to work against a company they are deeply intertwined with highlights the fierce competitiveness of the AI race as the companies involved are all jockeying for favorable policy to stay ahead of rivals.”
    — Zoe Culkin [01:19]

2. SAP Addresses EU Antitrust Concerns

• Summary:
  • Germany’s SAP has proposed changes to how its clients can obtain support and pay for its business management software.
  • This comes weeks after the European Commission launched an antitrust investigation into SAP’s alleged restriction of support options to only SAP itself.
  • SAP now proposes that clients should be able to choose between different support service providers, rather than being locked into SAP for support.
• Industry Insight:
  • The shift responds directly to regulatory pressure and reflects increasing scrutiny of software licensing practices in Europe.

3. Robo-Taxi Showdown in London: Waymo vs. Baidu

• Summary:
  • Both Alphabet’s Waymo and Baidu’s Apollo Go will soon deploy robo-taxis in London, marking the first direct competition between US and Chinese autonomous vehicle firms in the city.
  • Waymo is partnering with Uber-backed Move, and Baidu with Lyft, to launch their services next year.
  • This will allow real-world comparisons of tech, user experience, and safety, with the London market seen as a testing ground for global expansion.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Competing in the same circuit will give markets the chance to gauge the company’s technology, user experience, and safety credentials, and whoever takes the lead in London could get a head start rolling out robo-taxis elsewhere.”
    — Zoe Culkin [02:48]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Quantum Potential

  • “Personally, I’m most excited about the potential applications we don’t know yet. It’s very exciting to think about where we all sat at the dawn of classical computation and not to ever imagine where we are today.”
    — Katie Pizzolato, IBM Quantum Platform [00:08]

• AI Race and Client vs. Supplier Dynamics

  • “The moves by Microsoft and Amazon to work against a company they are deeply intertwined with highlights the fierce competitiveness of the AI race…”
    — Zoe Culkin [01:19]

• Robo-Taxi Head-to-Head in London

  • “Whoever takes the lead in London could get a head start rolling out robo-taxis elsewhere.”
    — Zoe Culkin [02:48]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Quantum Computing – Excitement and Unknown Applications:
  [00:00–00:23]
• Amazon and Microsoft Backing GAIN AI Act:
  [00:23–01:35]
• SAP’s Response to EU Antitrust Probe:
  [01:35–02:18]
• Robo-Taxi Competition in London:
  [02:18–03:06]

Episode Summary

This episode encapsulates the rapid evolution and global stakes of the tech industry — from major AI infrastructure policy shifts to regulatory battles in software and the race for robo-taxi dominance. Amazon and Microsoft’s support for the GAIN AI Act signals escalating competition and realignment among the tech giants, even against crucial suppliers like Nvidia. Meanwhile, SAP’s policy changes and the London robo-taxi launch embody how European regulation and cross-border innovation are reshaping global tech ecosystems.