WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: Nvidia Will Invest $5 Billion in Intel
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Zoe Culkin

Episode Overview

This short “Tech Minute” from the Wall Street Journal covers the day’s most significant tech stories, focusing on Nvidia’s surprising $5 billion investment in Intel, a strategic partnership between transportation tech companies, and Workday’s latest moves to become an AI powerhouse for business operations. The episode delivers quick, impactful updates, highlighting major pivots in the chip industry, AI-driven workplace transformation, and ongoing advances in autonomous transit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nvidia's $5 Billion Investment in Intel

[00:32 - 01:13]

• Headline: Nvidia has agreed to invest $5 billion in Intel by purchasing common stock at $23.28 per share.
• Implications:
  • This major investment “gives the government’s turnaround plan a potential boost,” as Intel has struggled to keep pace with chipmaking rivals.
  • Marks a significant partnership between “the world’s most valuable company, which has been a darling of the AI boom,” (Nvidia) and Intel, “a chip maker that has fallen behind rivals elsewhere.”
  • The deal includes joint development of data center and personal computing products—a rare collaboration between previously fierce competitors.

Notable Quote:

“Nvidia is buying $5 billion in Intel’s common stock at $23.28 a share and would jointly develop data center and personal computing products.”
– Zoe Culkin, [00:37]

2. Via Transportation & Waymo Launch Robo-Taxi Transit Partnership

[01:13 - 01:40]

• Announcement: Via Transportation and Alphabet’s Waymo are partnering to expand robo taxi integration into public transit.
• Key Details:
  • The service launches this fall in Chandler, Arizona.
  • Currently, Via offers on-demand rides for $2 per ride in specific areas; Waymo’s autonomous vehicles will be added to Via’s fleet of vans.
  • Goals: “boost safety and eventually lower costs” for public transit.

Notable Quote:

“The partnership will launch this fall in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, which already partners with Via to offer shared on-demand rides in set areas for a price of $2 per ride. Now Waymo vehicles will be added to Via's existing fleet of vans.”
– Zoe Culkin, [01:26]

3. Workday’s Push Into Enterprise AI Agents

[01:40 - 02:00]

• Product Launch:
  • Workday unveils a “slew of new human resources and finance AI agents,” autonomous bots designed to handle tasks on behalf of human employees.
• Strategic Collaborations:
  • Deepening partnership with Microsoft to “help organizations manage their AI agents across their platforms.”
  • Announced a new developer platform for customers to build custom AI agents.
  • Acquisition of Sana, an AI workplace tools firm, for $1.1 billion.

Notable Quote:

“This plan includes a collaboration with Microsoft to help organizations manage their AI agents across their platforms, the launch of a developer platform where customers can build their own AI agents, and the acquisition of Sana, an AI firm focused on workplace tools.”
– Zoe Culkin, [01:50]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Nvidia and Intel’s deal:
  “The deal partners the world’s most valuable company, which has been a darling of the AI boom, with a chip maker that has fallen behind rivals elsewhere.”
  – Zoe Culkin, [00:43]

• On robo taxis in public transit:
  “Now Waymo vehicles will be added to Via’s existing fleet of vans.”
  – Zoe Culkin, [01:38]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:32 — Nvidia’s $5B investment in Intel & deal specifics
• 01:13 — Via & Waymo’s public transit partnership
• 01:40 — Workday launches new AI agents and acquires Sana

Summary

In today’s Tech Minute, the WSJ zeroes in on major leaps in the tech industry:

• Nvidia making a surprise $5 billion investment in Intel, forging an unlikely alliance in the global chip rivalry.
• Tech-driven transit gets a new upgrade, as Waymo’s self-driving cars join Via’s public fleets.
• Workday barges ahead into the enterprise AI era, with new autonomous bots and a $1.1 billion acquisition to bolster its offering.

These headline stories illustrate how AI and strategic partnerships are rapidly reshaping both Silicon Valley alliances and the very fabric of how we work and travel.