Ukrainian Major General Vladyslav (Владислав Клочков) Klochkov says Russia is field-testing a deadly new drone that can use AI and thermal vision to think on its own, identifying targets without coordinates and bypassing most air defense systems. According to the senior military figure, inside you will find the Nvidia Jetson Orin, which has enabled the MS001 to become “an autonomous combat platform that sees, analyzes, decides, and strikes without external commands.”

Digital predator dynamically weighs targets

With the Jetson Orin as its brain, the upgraded MS001 drone doesn’t just follow prescribed coordinates, like some hyper-accurate doodle bug. It actually thinks. “It identifies targets, selects the highest-value one, adjusts its trajectory, and adapts to changes — even in the face of GPS jamming or target maneuvers,” says Klochkov. “This is not a loitering munition. It is a digital predator.”

On today’s show, Andy simulates the Packers 2025 season utilizing artificial intelligence. Find out the results on today’s all-new Pack-A-Day Podcast! #Packers #GreenBayPackers #ai To become a member of the Pack-A-Day Podcast, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSGx5Pq0zA_7O726M3JEptA/join Don’t forget to subscribe!!! Twitter/BlueSky: @andyhermannfl If you’d like to support my channel, please donate to: PayPal: https://paypal.me/andyhermannfl Venmo: @Andrew_Herman Email: [email protected] Discord: https://t.co/iVVltoB2Hg

Editorial

This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community.

According to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and seasoned fintech investor QED, ‘Fintech’s Next Chapter: Scaled Winners and Emerging Disruptors’, the sector has emerged from a tough funding environment stronger, more disciplined, and with greater growth prospects than ever.

In 2024, fintech revenues grew by 21% — up from 13% in 2023 — marking a threefold increase over incumbent banks. Meanwhile, the average Ebitda margin of public fintechs climbed to 16%, and 69% of public fintechs are now profitable. Importantly, much of this performance is being driven by a new class of scaled players generating $500 million or more in annual revenue. These now account for approximately 60% of total fintech revenues.

“A class of scaled fintechs is coming of age. Investors are demanding greater maturity, and regulators want more accountability,” says Deepak Goyal, a managing director and senior partner at BCG. “Meanwhile, emerging disruptors are harnessing next-generation technologies like agentic AI and pioneering new business models, pushing established players to continuously innovate.”

The report pinpoints agentic AI as the next wave of disruption, changing the game in commerce, vertical SaaS, and personal financial management.

At the same time, challenger banks are scaling fast: 24 institutions with over $500 million in annual revenues are growing deposits at 37% annually — 30 percentage points higher than traditional banks.

The funding environment is also maturing, with private credit emerging as a key tailwind for fintech lending.

“Fintechs are winning in spaces where traditional banks have largely ceded the competitive ground, such as banking for lower-income households and buy now, pay later,” says Nigel Morris, managing partner at QED Investors. “Fintechs are growing three times faster than incumbents as they leverage digital distribution channels and increasingly utilize AI. Having emerged from the last two years with stronger fundamental unit economics and high net promoter scores, it’s easy to see why there’s an appetite for IPO-ready companies that deliver profitable growth. Fintech is ushering in a new era in financial services.”