WSJ Tech News Briefing: OpenAI and ServiceNow Strike AI Agents Deal

Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Julie Chang (for Wall Street Journal)
Episode: TNB Tech Minute

Episode Overview

This TNB Tech Minute delivers a concise update on three major tech stories:

1. A groundbreaking three-year AI integration deal between OpenAI and ServiceNow
2. Baidu’s rapid growth in the AI assistant race in China
3. A significant funding boost for US-based Novion Magnetics amid the US-China trade war on rare earths

The episode primarily focuses on how the tech industry is evolving rapidly in response to advances in AI and the ongoing geopolitical and business trends shaping the landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. OpenAI and ServiceNow Partnership

• Deal Announcement:
  • OpenAI and ServiceNow have finalized a three-year partnership for the integration of OpenAI’s AI models into ServiceNow’s business software (00:15).
  • The agreement includes a yet-unnamed revenue commitment from ServiceNow to OpenAI and is conditional on customers utilizing OpenAI’s models via ServiceNow.
• Strategic Implications:
  • ServiceNow, a leader in software for IT and business operations, will leverage OpenAI models—especially speech-focused models—to build advanced AI voice agents for customer service (00:33).
  • The partnership enables ServiceNow to accelerate its AI capabilities without the overhead of developing in-house large language models.
• Business Context:
  • ServiceNow’s revenue grew by an impressive 22% in the third quarter, attributed partly to surging enterprise demand for AI solutions (00:40).

Notable Quote

• "ServiceNow, which provides software for IT, customer service and other business operations, will gain leading AI capabilities without building them itself." — Julie Chang [00:29]

2. Baidu's AI Assistant Growth

• User Metrics:
  • Baidu’s AI-powered “Erniebot” assistant now boasts over 200 million monthly active users, underscoring the explosive uptake of conversational AI in China (00:47).
• Ecosystem Integration:
  • Erniebot is built into Baidu’s search engine and widely used apps like JD.com, Meituan, and Trip.com, facilitating tasks such as booking flights and ordering food (00:56).
• Competitive Landscape:
  • Launched in 2023 as the first major Chinese GPT-style chatbot, Erniebot now faces intense competition as AI adoption accelerates across China (01:09).

Notable Quote

• "Baidu was the first major Chinese tech company to launch a GPT-like Chatbot, dubbed Erniebot, in 2023, but has since faced stiff competition in China in the AI field." — Julie Chang [01:11]

3. Novion Magnetics and the Race for Rare Earths

• Funding News:
  • Novion Magnetics, a rare earth magnet manufacturer based in Texas, secured $215 million in fresh funding, mainly from One Investment Management (01:19).
  • This funding almost doubles its previous backing, signaling increasing interest in US-based critical electronics components suppliers.
• Geopolitical Context:
  • The investment is closely linked with the US government’s push for domestic rare earth sources amid ongoing trade tensions with China, and Chinese export controls (01:35).
• Market Data:
  • In 2025, US startups in the critical minerals sector attracted a record $630 million in venture capital (01:42).

Notable Quote

• "The US China trade war has led to Chinese export controls on rare earths, which are used in missile defense systems, data centers, electric vehicles and more..." — Julie Chang [01:37]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• OpenAI & ServiceNow Partnership: 00:15 – 00:44
• Baidu’s AI Assistant Growth: 00:45 – 01:16
• Novion Magnetics Funding & Rare Earths: 01:17 – 01:47

Memorable Moments & Tone

The episode maintains the Wall Street Journal’s hallmark clarity and fast-paced delivery, with Julie Chang crisply summarizing impactful developments. The standout moment is the revelation of the OpenAI-ServiceNow deal, signaling another leap in enterprise AI adoption.

Summary

This Tech Minute underscores the breakneck pace at which AI is reshaping both business tools (OpenAI/ServiceNow, Baidu/Erniebot) and the geopolitical underpinnings of critical industries (Novion Magnetics/rare earths). The news illustrates how global competition and innovation are intertwining in the pursuit of digital transformation.