News/AI Infrastructure
IBM unveils Power11 chips for faster AI inference with 30-second downtime
IBM has launched its new Power11 chips and servers, marking the company's first major update to its Power processor line since 2020. The systems are designed to simplify AI deployment for businesses while offering enhanced power efficiency, security, and reliability compared to competitors like Intel and AMD. What you should know: The Power11 systems target specialized sectors including financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare with integrated hardware and software packages. Available starting July 25, the systems promise virtually no planned downtime for software updates and average just over 30 seconds of unplanned downtime annually. The servers can detect and respond to...
read Jul 7, 2025Amazon deploys 1M warehouse robots with new AI traffic controller
Amazon has reached a major milestone with over one million warehouse robots deployed across more than 300 fulfillment centers, while unveiling DeepFleet, a new AI foundation model that acts as a traffic controller for its robotic fleet. The achievement marks Amazon's evolution from testing a handful of shelf-moving robots in 2012 to operating a massive automated workforce that the company says creates more jobs rather than eliminating them. The big picture: Amazon's robotics strategy centers on helping human workers access inventory more efficiently rather than replacing them entirely. CEO Andy Jassy recently tweeted the company's north star question: "How can...
read Jul 7, 2025OpenAI’s $30B Oracle deal fuels Project Stargate AI buildout
OpenAI has been revealed as the customer behind Oracle's massive $30 billion annual cloud computing contract, with the AI company leasing approximately 4.5 gigawatts of data center power to support its expanding artificial intelligence workloads. The deal represents one of the largest cloud computing contracts to date and directly supports OpenAI's ambitious "Project Stargate" initiative to scale AI infrastructure across the United States. What you should know: Oracle will develop multiple data centers across the U.S. as part of this unprecedented cloud computing agreement. Sites under consideration include Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Oracle will...
read Jul 7, 2025Tech investments surge to $200B in Q2 2025 as AI drives recovery
Tech investments surged to $200 billion in Q2 2025, representing 40% of all global venture funding, M&A, and IPO activity according to PitchBook, a market research firm. This substantial capital influx signals a steady recovery from a two-year downturn caused by high borrowing costs, macroeconomic uncertainty, and the correction from inflated COVID-era valuations. What you should know: The second quarter built on first quarter gains, with AI and supporting infrastructure driving renewed dealmaking despite ongoing investor concerns about inflation and geopolitical risks. Key details: Major transactions dominated the quarter's investment landscape, showcasing the scale of capital deployment across fintech, AI,...
read Jul 3, 2025Microsoft cuts 15K jobs while investing $80B in AI infrastructure
Microsoft has eliminated approximately 15,300 employees—7% of its global workforce—in the first half of 2025 while simultaneously investing $80 billion in AI infrastructure. The dramatic workforce reduction coincides with CEO Satya Nadella's revelation that up to 30% of Microsoft's code is now written by AI, signaling a fundamental shift toward replacing human labor with artificial intelligence across the tech industry. The numbers tell the story: Microsoft's 2025 layoffs have been systematic and extensive, with software engineering bearing the brunt of cuts. The company announced 9,000 layoffs on July 2, following 6,000 cuts in May, 300+ cuts in June, and smaller...
read Jul 2, 2025Atlassian, Intuit, and AWS rebuild APIs for AI agents replacing humans
Enterprise giants Atlassian, Intuit, and AWS are fundamentally rethinking API architecture to accommodate AI agents that will soon replace humans as the primary consumers of enterprise software interfaces. This shift represents a critical infrastructure transformation, as current APIs were designed for human interaction rather than the multi-modal, autonomous systems that will drive the next generation of business automation. What you should know: The transition to agent-first APIs requires companies to rebuild their fundamental software architecture from the ground up. "We need to build the kind of APIs that will work well with agents, because agents are the ones that are...
read Jul 2, 2025Oakland University in Michigan leverages 26-megawatt capacity for new AI data center
Oakland University is partnering with a private company to build a new data center on its Michigan campus, leveraging the school's existing 26-megawatt power capacity from an on-campus DTE Energy substation. The project will relocate the university's current data center from its science complex to create space for expanded research facilities and a new artificial intelligence institute. What you should know: The university has received interest from 32 companies for the data center partnership and plans to select a partner by August. The new facility will be built in Parking Lot 35 on the southwest end of campus, adjacent to...
read Jul 1, 2025On our own: Companies with AI sovereignty see 70% better returns
A comprehensive study of over 2,000 executives from the world's largest companies has revealed a striking pattern in artificial intelligence success. Organizations that maintain sovereignty over their AI systems and data infrastructure are 70% more likely to achieve exceptional returns on their AI investments compared to companies that rely on external platforms. This finding emerges from research encompassing enterprises with combined revenues exceeding $48 trillion, spanning regions from the United States and Europe to Japan and the UAE. The results suggest that as AI becomes increasingly central to business operations, the question of who controls the underlying technology and data...
read Jul 1, 2025DoJ approves HPE’s $14B Juniper acquisition with wireless asset divestitures
The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Hewlett Packard Enterprise's $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks after reaching a settlement agreement that requires significant divestitures from HPE. The deal, which strengthens HPE's position in AI infrastructure and networking, will proceed under strict conditions designed to preserve competition in the enterprise wireless LAN market. What you should know: HPE must divest key wireless networking assets and license critical software to maintain market competition. HPE will sell its Instant On WLAN campus and branch network switching business, including all related assets, intellectual property, R&D personnel, and customer relationships to a DoJ-approved buyer...
read Jul 1, 2025Senate bill cuts renewable energy tax credits as AI drives power demand
The US Senate passed a budget bill that would eliminate tax credits for wind and solar projects after 2027, potentially jeopardizing hundreds of planned renewable energy projects nationwide. This aggressive rollback comes as artificial intelligence and data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand, making the timing particularly problematic for grid stability and energy security. What you should know: The Senate bill forces an end to wind and solar tax credits for projects placed in service after 2027, creating immediate uncertainty for the clean energy pipeline. According to energy NGO E2, around $15.5 billion in clean energy investment has already been...
read Jun 27, 2025Trump tax bill forces states to choose between AI rules and $42B in broadband
The Trump administration's proposed tax bill includes a provision that would ban states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, threatening to cut federal broadband funding for non-compliant states. This creates a stark choice for states between protecting residents from AI risks and securing billions in critical internet infrastructure funding, potentially leaving the country in a "dangerous regulatory vacuum" while federal AI policy remains undefined. What you should know: The Senate rule ties state AI regulation enforcement to federal broadband funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42 billion federal initiative that helps states build high-speed...
read Jun 27, 2025KDDI and HPE launch $1.5B Nvidia-powered AI data center in Japan
KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications operator, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have announced a strategic partnership to launch a next-generation AI data center in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, with operations scheduled to begin in early 2026. The facility will leverage Nvidia's Blackwell architecture and advanced liquid cooling technology to serve Japan's growing AI market, positioning both companies to capture demand from startups, enterprises, and research institutions developing AI applications and large language models. What you should know: The Osaka Sakai data center will be powered by HPE's rack-scale system featuring the Nvidia GB200 NVL72 platform, specifically designed for high-performance AI...
read Jun 27, 20252/3 of C-suite executives view AI data sovereignty as mission-critical
A new EDB survey of global enterprise leaders reveals that nearly two-thirds of C-suite executives now view AI and data sovereignty as mission-critical requirements rather than optional capabilities. The research, spanning major economies across EMEA, North America, and Asia Pacific, suggests that enterprises are fundamentally reshaping their technology strategies around hybrid architectures and open-source solutions to maintain control over their most valuable digital assets. What you should know: Current sovereignty recognition varies dramatically by region, with adoption rates ranging from 11% in France to 27% in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Within three years, projections show Germany leading at 69%,...
read Jun 27, 2025Google’s carbon emissions surge 51% as AI drives energy demand
Google's carbon emissions have surged 51% since 2019 as artificial intelligence drives massive increases in datacenter energy consumption, derailing the tech giant's climate commitments. The company reported a 27% year-over-year increase in electricity consumption, with AI's power demands growing faster than Google can deploy clean energy solutions to offset them. The big picture: AI's explosive growth is creating an unprecedented energy challenge for tech companies, with datacenters projected to consume as much electricity as Japan by 2026. The International Energy Agency estimates datacenter electricity consumption could double from 2022 levels to 1,000TWh by 2026, roughly equivalent to Japan's total electricity...
read Jun 27, 2025Thailand launches first locally-operated hyperscale cloud platform
Thailand has launched its first hyperscale cloud platform operated entirely by a Thai company, marking a significant milestone in the nation's push for digital sovereignty and technological independence. AIS Business, the enterprise division of Thailand's largest telecommunications company AIS, unveiled AIS Cloud powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, designed to keep sensitive data within Thai borders while providing enterprise-grade computing power. This development addresses growing concerns among Thai businesses and government agencies about data security, regulatory compliance, and dependence on foreign cloud infrastructure. Unlike traditional cloud services where data might be processed or stored overseas, hyperscale cloud platforms—massive, highly automated data...
read Jun 27, 2025Microsoft’s Maia AI chip delayed to 2026 amid design challenges
Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip, code-named Braga, has been delayed by at least six months, pushing mass production from 2025 to 2026, according to The Information. The delay highlights the challenges tech giants face in developing custom AI processors to reduce their dependence on Nvidia's expensive chips, while competitors like Google and Amazon continue to advance their own chip development programs. What you should know: The Braga chip was intended for Microsoft's data centers this year but faces significant performance and production hurdles. When it eventually launches, the chip is expected to fall "well short of the performance of Nvidia's...
read Jun 27, 2025Arrive AI rings Nasdaq bell as smart mailboxes expand to India
Arrive AI is hitting multiple milestones simultaneously, from ringing the Nasdaq opening bell to securing new patents and launching an international partnership with India's Skye Air Mobility. The autonomous delivery company's momentum signals its evolution from a startup founded on a napkin sketch in 2014 to a comprehensive infrastructure provider targeting the last-mile logistics market. What you should know: Arrive AI's smart mailboxes, called Arrive Points, go far beyond simple package drop-offs with AI-powered features designed for secure, climate-controlled deliveries. The mailboxes offer temperature control, anti-theft mechanisms, hazardous material detection, UV/ozone disinfection, and facial recognition capabilities. They integrate with real-time...
read Jun 27, 2025Netherlands invests $82M in AI factory as Europe builds domestic tech capacity
The Dutch government has committed 70 million euros ($82.03 million) to build an AI factory in Groningen, a northern city in the Netherlands. This investment represents part of a broader European push to develop domestic AI infrastructure capabilities, with the project potentially receiving up to 200 million euros in total funding when combined with EU co-financing and regional contributions. What you should know: The Netherlands is making a significant public investment in AI manufacturing infrastructure through multiple funding sources. • The Dutch government pledged 70 million euros for the AI factory construction in Groningen. • Officials have applied for an...
read Jun 27, 2025EV-to-AI: Redwood Materials repurposes electric vehicle batteries to power data centers
Redwood Materials has launched Redwood Energy, a new business division that repurposes used electric vehicle batteries to power AI data centers through renewable-powered microgrids. The company unveiled its first 64 megawatt-hour microgrid in Nevada, which uses solar panels and recycled EV batteries to supply over 99% of the electricity needed for Crusoe's adjacent 2,000-GPU AI facility—demonstrating a potentially faster and cheaper alternative to traditional grid-connected power plants. What you should know: Rather than immediately recycling EV batteries, Redwood Materials now tests them for reuse in energy storage systems before they reach end-of-life. Many batteries retain more than half their capacity...
read Jun 26, 2025Palantir lands $100M contract to build AI system for nuclear reactors
Palantir Technologies has partnered with Nuclear Company to develop an AI-driven software system designed to streamline nuclear reactor construction. The five-year, $100 million deal positions Palantir to capitalize on renewed interest in nuclear energy, driven by surging power demands from AI data centers and supportive federal policies under the Trump administration. What you should know: The partnership will create a nuclear operating system (NOS) that simplifies construction processes, enabling faster and more cost-effective nuclear plant development. Nuclear Company, a Kentucky-based nuclear deployment firm, will pay Palantir approximately $100 million over five years to develop the platform. The collaboration comes as...
read Jun 26, 2025US power grids hit record demand as AI and extreme heat collide
Electricity grids across the United States are hitting record-breaking demand levels as extreme heat waves collide with growing power consumption from AI data centers and air conditioning. PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest grid operator serving 65 million people, exceeded its summer forecast of 154 gigawatts just days into the season, averaging over 160 GW on Monday alone. The big picture: Climate change is driving temperatures higher while electricity demand simultaneously swells from data centers powering AI applications, creating a perfect storm for grid operators nationwide. PJM forecasts show summer peak demand could reach nearly 210 GW by 2035, well beyond...
read Jun 25, 2025Europe worries of being left behind in tech as US, Russia and China AI clout hovers like drones
European NATO allies are growing increasingly concerned about falling behind in the artificial intelligence arms race as the United States shifts its focus from Russia to China. This strategic pivot has left European nations questioning their ability to compete in AI-powered warfare, particularly as they face immediate security threats from Russia while lacking the advanced AI capabilities that could define future conflicts. The big picture: Europe finds itself caught between immediate security needs and long-term technological competition, with limited access to frontier AI systems that could reshape modern warfare. While European countries excel at incorporating existing AI technologies into surveillance...
read Jun 25, 2025HPE and Nvidia expand AI factory portfolio with Blackwell-powered systems
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nvidia unveiled an expanded portfolio of AI factory technologies at HPE Discover in Las Vegas, designed to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across industries. The partnership introduces several new systems built on Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, including AI-ready servers and enhanced private cloud solutions, while expanding global reach through strategic implementations in Japan and testing partnerships with Accenture. Key innovations: The companies revealed multiple new AI infrastructure offerings to streamline enterprise deployment. • AI-ready RTX PRO servers provide businesses with enhanced computing capabilities for AI workloads. • The new HPE Compute XD690 system delivers optimized performance for...
read Jun 24, 2025Only 32 countries have the computing power to build advanced AI as Africa hopes to catch up
New research reveals that artificial intelligence is creating a stark global digital divide, with just 32 countries possessing the computing power necessary to build cutting-edge AI systems. The uneven distribution of AI infrastructure is fracturing the world between nations with advanced data centers and those forced to rely on remote access, fundamentally reshaping global power dynamics in the digital age. The big picture: The European Union leads with 28 AI-capable data centers, followed by the US with 26 and China with 22, collectively housing more than half of the world's most powerful facilities mapped in the Oxford University study. The...
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