News/Cloud
Lockheed Martin partners with Google Cloud to bring generative AI to defense operations
The national security landscape is shifting toward AI integration, with major defense contractors seeking capabilities beyond simple automation. Lockheed Martin and Google Cloud's new strategic partnership represents a significant movement toward embedding sophisticated generative AI within military and aerospace operations, signaling an acceleration in how artificial intelligence is being deployed for sensitive national security applications. The big picture: Lockheed Martin is integrating Google Cloud's generative AI technologies into its AI Factory ecosystem to enhance capabilities across national security, aerospace, and scientific applications. The collaboration aims to accelerate AI-driven innovation while maintaining the stringent security and reliability requirements essential for defense...
read Mar 28, 2025CoreWeave shaves IPO valuation down to $23B amid Microsoft dependency concerns
CoreWeave's planned IPO downsizing signals growing caution in the AI startup market, as the cloud computing company prepares to seek a valuation closer to $23 billion instead of the originally targeted $30 billion. This adjustment comes amid questions about the company's heavy reliance on Microsoft and a challenging market environment for tech stocks, making this debut a critical test case for both AI startups and the broader IPO market that has been largely dormant. The big picture: CoreWeave is scaling back both its valuation expectations and potentially the amount of capital it aims to raise in its upcoming public offering....
read Mar 27, 2025Honeywell and Verizon partner to modernize utilities with 5G-powered smart grids
Honeywell's partnership with Verizon represents a significant advancement in smart grid technology, combining 5G connectivity with AI-powered utility management. This collaboration aims to modernize electricity infrastructure by enabling remote meter data access for both utilities and consumers, potentially reducing service interruptions while improving grid performance and resource management in an increasingly complex energy landscape. The big picture: Energy automation leader Honeywell has selected Verizon Business to provide 5G connectivity for its smart electric meters and help utility customers modernize their grid operations. Both utilities and end users will gain remote access to essential data for managing energy resources, aligning with...
read Mar 27, 2025From Mumbai to Chennai: A who’s who of data centers in India promoting digital innovation
India's rapid growth in AI infrastructure is creating a sophisticated network of high-performance data centers to power its expanding digital economy. These specialized facilities provide the robust computational capabilities needed for AI and machine learning applications across healthcare, finance, and smart city initiatives. As domestic and international companies invest in these advanced data centers, they're positioning India as an emerging global hub for AI innovation and helping bridge the technological divide in one of the world's fastest-growing digital markets. 1. Yotta NM1 data center (Maharashtra) Located in Navi Mumbai, this facility stands as India's largest data center, spanning 820,000 square...
read Mar 24, 2025Meta selects Pure Storage’s AI-optimized platform for all storage tiers
Pure Storage is revolutionizing AI infrastructure with its new FlashBlade//EXA platform, a strategic move that positions the company to capitalize on the booming demand for high-performance storage solutions tailored to artificial intelligence workloads. The technology's selection by Meta as its standardized storage solution across all tiers signals a significant shift in how hyperscalers are approaching their storage infrastructure needs, prioritizing flash storage's superior performance and efficiency despite higher upfront costs. This development highlights the growing recognition that traditional storage architectures are fundamentally misaligned with the unique requirements of AI and high-performance computing. The big picture: Pure Storage's FlashBlade//EXA platform directly...
read Mar 24, 2025AMD launches open-source app Gaia that runs AI models locally on Windows PCs
AMD is entering the local AI market with Gaia, an open-source application designed to run large language models (LLMs) on Windows PCs. As more users seek to run AI models on their own hardware for improved privacy and performance, AMD's offering provides optimizations for their Ryzen AI processors while still functioning on any Windows machine. The application leverages retrieval-augmented generation technology to enhance model responses with contextual awareness, positioning it as a noteworthy competitor in the growing space of local AI tools. The big picture: AMD has developed Gaia as an open-source project that enables various LLM models to run...
read Mar 21, 2025SAP unveils AI strategy for Korean market with data integration focus
SAP's CEO Christian Klein has unveiled the company's AI strategy for the Korean market, highlighting its Business Data Cloud platform and Joule AI assistant as cornerstones of the company's vision. The announcement targets a market where SAP already serves major conglomerates like Samsung and LG, positioning its AI solutions as critical infrastructure for companies seeking to transform their operations while maintaining data integrity and driving productivity. The big picture: SAP is aggressively expanding its AI offerings in Korea with a focus on data integration capabilities that the company argues are essential for successful enterprise AI implementation. Klein emphasized that "LLM...
read Mar 21, 2025Hugging Face launches offline object recognition AI app for iPhone that never sends your data to the cloud
Hugging Face's new HuggingSnap iOS app brings offline visual AI capabilities to iPhone users, offering instant scene descriptions and object recognition without sending data to the cloud. This privacy-focused approach stands out in a landscape where most AI vision tools require internet connectivity, demonstrating the growing potential of on-device artificial intelligence while highlighting both its current capabilities and limitations. How it works: HuggingSnap analyzes whatever your iPhone camera sees using Hugging Face's on-device vision model called smolVLM2, providing real-time descriptions without any cloud connection. The app can recognize objects, describe scenes, and read text completely offline, making it useful in...
read Mar 19, 2025The 6 data center wonders of the Asian world herald a strong AI infrastructure
Asia is rapidly establishing itself as a powerhouse for AI infrastructure, with major tech companies developing sophisticated data centers optimized for artificial intelligence workloads. These facilities are not merely storage warehouses, but computational hubs designed specifically for the intense processing demands of AI model training and inference. The strategic positioning of these centers across China, Japan, Singapore, and India reflects both the region's growing technological ambitions and its evolving role in the global AI landscape. 1. Alibaba Cloud Zhangbei data center (China) This advanced facility supports Alibaba's extensive AI model training and cloud services operations through cutting-edge liquid cooling technology...
read Mar 19, 2025Oracle invests £5 billion in UK data centers to boost nation’s AI ambitions
Oracle's £5 billion investment in UK data centers signals a significant commitment to the country's growing AI ambitions, aligning with the government's strategy to position itself as an "AI superpower." This expansion represents a strategic move to meet increasing demand for sovereign cloud computing services while supporting the UK's public and private sectors across industries including healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing. The big picture: Oracle plans to invest £5 billion over the next five years to expand its data center footprint in the UK, supporting local demand for cloud and AI services that comply with regulations requiring sovereign in-country data...
read Mar 14, 2025Europe adding 5 AI businesses per minute as adoption gap widens
It's like the European version of America's Clinton-era "digital divide," enterprise edition. Europe is witnessing an unprecedented acceleration in AI adoption, with five businesses implementing AI solutions every minute according to AWS's latest research. However, this rapid growth is creating a concerning divide between agile, AI-native startups and established enterprises struggling with implementation challenges. This emerging two-tier AI economy threatens Europe's competitiveness and requires urgent attention from business leaders and policymakers to ensure the benefits of AI are broadly distributed across the business landscape. The big picture: Europe's AI landscape is evolving rapidly with 42% of firms now regularly using...
read Mar 13, 2025Microsoft shines down on South Africa, invests $298 million to expand cloud and AI infrastructure
Microsoft's substantial investment in cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa signals growing confidence in the region's tech potential while positioning the company to meet increasing demand for advanced computing services across the continent. This move represents a significant expansion of Microsoft's three-decade presence in South Africa, combining physical infrastructure development with skills training to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem that could accelerate technological adoption across multiple sectors. The big picture: Microsoft plans to invest $298.6 million (ZAR 5.4 billion) to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa by the end of 2027, building on its previous three-year...
read Feb 27, 2025Salesforce stock drops as AI monetization concerns hit forecast, rival Snowflake benefits
The cloud computing industry has seen massive investments in artificial intelligence capabilities over the past two years, with major players racing to monetize their AI offerings. Salesforce, a leading enterprise cloud company, is facing investor scrutiny over its AI strategy after releasing disappointing revenue forecasts. Market reaction: Salesforce shares dropped over 4% following the company's weak annual revenue and profit forecast, potentially erasing $12 billion in market value. The company's stock decline reflects growing investor concern about the timeline for realizing returns on significant AI investments Salesforce's forward price-to-earnings ratio of 27.07 remains significantly lower than competitors like Snowflake (162.52)...
read Feb 26, 2025Microsoft workers protest sale of AI to Israeli military
Microsoft's $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with Israel's defense ministry has sparked internal protests among employees concerned about the technology's use in military operations. Recent investigations revealed a significant increase in Israeli military's use of Microsoft Azure and AI services following the October 2023 Hamas attack. Latest developments: Five Microsoft employees disrupted CEO Satya Nadella's company-wide meeting with a dramatic protest over the company's military contracts with Israel. Protesters wore T-shirts spelling out "Does Our Code Kill Kids, Satya?" before being quickly removed from the venue Nadella continued his presentation without acknowledging the demonstration Company representatives stated they support employee...
read Feb 26, 2025Workday beats forecasts on increasing AI demand from consumers and government
Workday, a leading provider of cloud-based human resources and finance software, has exceeded market expectations in its fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, reporting revenue of $2.21 billion. The company's strong performance comes amid increased customer demand for AI-enabled enterprise solutions and expansion into government sectors. Financial Performance: Workday demonstrated robust growth with quarterly revenue increasing 15% year over year and earnings per share of $1.92, surpassing analyst estimates. Revenue reached $2.21 billion, exceeding the expected $2.18 billion Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.92, well above the anticipated $1.78 Net income decreased to $94 million from $1.19 billion in...
read Feb 25, 2025AI on-premises boosts profits long-term, study finds, as companies shift to insourcing 21st century tech
The rapid growth of on-premises AI deployment reflects a shift in enterprise computing strategy, as businesses seek greater control over their AI operations and data. Companies are increasingly recognizing that hosting AI infrastructure on their own premises, rather than in the cloud, can provide significant advantages in terms of cost efficiency and data governance. Core concept explained: Private AI represents an architectural approach rather than a specific product, enabling organizations to bring AI models to their data instead of moving sensitive information to cloud environments. This strategy allows companies to maintain full control over data storage and usage while ensuring...
read Feb 25, 2025Google and Salesforce integrate Gemini AI into Agentforce platform
The enterprise software landscape is being reshaped by strategic partnerships between major tech companies seeking to enhance their AI capabilities. Salesforce and Google have announced a $2.5 billion, seven-year partnership that will integrate Google's Gemini AI into Salesforce's Agentforce platform, creating a powerful alternative to Microsoft's enterprise AI offerings. Key Partnership Details: The collaboration enables Salesforce's core applications to run on Google Cloud with embedded Gemini AI capabilities, representing a significant shift in Salesforce's cloud strategy. The deal values at $2.5 billion over seven years Salesforce's CRM and Agentforce AI offerings will now run natively on Google Cloud The integration...
read Feb 24, 2025Alibaba plans $52B AI investment push over next 3 years
The rapid development of artificial intelligence in China has prompted major tech companies to make substantial infrastructure investments. Against this backdrop, Alibaba has announced its largest-ever commitment to AI and cloud computing, signaling an aggressive push to maintain its competitive edge in the Chinese tech sector. Investment Details: Alibaba plans to invest 380 billion yuan ($52.44 billion) in AI and cloud computing infrastructure over the next three years, marking the company's largest technology investment to date. The planned investment surpasses Alibaba's total spending on AI and cloud computing from the previous decade The announcement follows strong financial performance, with revenue...
read Feb 24, 2025Dutch AI firm Bird exits Europe over strict regulations
The Netherlands has been a growing hub for European tech startups, and Bird has been one of its most successful cloud communications companies since its founding in 2011. The company, which helps businesses manage customer communications across digital platforms, has developed AI-powered solutions that compete with major U.S. players like Twilio. Breaking news: Cloud communications firm Bird announces plans to relocate most operations from Europe to New York, Singapore, and Dubai, marking a significant shift for one of the Netherlands' most prominent tech startups. CEO Robert Vis cites Europe's restrictive AI regulations and difficulties in hiring skilled tech workers as...
read Feb 21, 2025Lambda garners $480M to grow AI cloud infrastructure
In just two years, Lambda has emerged as a significant player in AI cloud infrastructure, providing developers with tools for training and deploying AI models. The company's rapid growth and latest funding round signal increasing demand for specialized AI computing resources and development platforms. Investment Details and Strategic Impact: Lambda has secured $480 million in Series D funding, bringing its total equity capital to $863 million. The funding round was co-led by Andra Capital and SGW, with participation from notable investors including Andrej Karpathy, ARK Invest, and Nvidia Strategic investments came from hardware manufacturers Pegatron, Supermicro, Wistron, and Wiwynn JPMorgan...
read Feb 19, 2025These US tech giants are fueling Israeli military efforts with advanced AI
Artificial intelligence and cloud computing services provided by major U.S. technology companies have become integral to Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon since October 2023. Microsoft and OpenAI's technologies in particular have enabled faster target identification and intelligence analysis, marking a significant milestone in the use of commercial AI in active warfare. The technology deployment: Israel's military has dramatically increased its use of U.S.-developed artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities for intelligence gathering and target identification in Gaza and Lebanon. Usage of Microsoft and OpenAI's AI technologies surged nearly 200-fold following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack Data storage...
read Feb 18, 2025AI builds Zillow software without engineers in Replit-Anthropic demo
"Engineer me. Engineer me not." The emergence of AI-powered software development platforms is enabling non-technical employees to create production-ready applications. Zillow's successful deployment of applications built by non-programmers using Replit's platform, powered by Anthropic's Claude AI and Google Cloud, demonstrates the potential for democratizing software development. The breakthrough: Replit's partnership with Anthropic and Google Cloud has enabled Zillow's marketing team to build applications that now route over 100,000 home shoppers to agents, all without traditional coding experience. The collaboration integrates Anthropic's Claude AI model with Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform Non-technical employees across marketing, sales, and operations are creating custom...
read Feb 18, 2025Sovereign sentience nears with Saudi Arabia’s first sovereign AI cloud platform
The rise of sovereign AI platforms has gained momentum as countries seek to maintain control over their AI infrastructure and data. Saudi Arabia's telecommunications giant stc Group is making significant moves in this direction through a strategic partnership with AI solutions provider SambaNova. The big picture: Saudi Arabia is establishing its position in the global AI landscape through the launch of a sovereign AI cloud platform featuring the world's largest open-source frontier model. The platform, launched through stc.AI, incorporates stc Enterprise GPT and boasts the fastest inference speeds for Llama 405B This initiative represents a significant step in Saudi Arabia's...
read Feb 13, 2025SAP launches cloud-based business suite for improved CRM, supply chain management and more
SAP, the global enterprise software leader, has unveiled its "Business Unleashed" strategy in early 2025, marking a significant shift toward integrated cloud-based solutions. This new approach combines process management, data integration, and artificial intelligence capabilities to create a more cohesive enterprise technology ecosystem. Strategic Vision: SAP's Business Unleashed initiative represents a comprehensive cloud-first transformation of its enterprise software portfolio. The strategy introduces a new cloud-based Business Suite that unifies various enterprise functions including ERP, CRM, and supply chain management All components are built on SAP's Business Technology Platform (BTP), enabling seamless integration across process chains The platform aims to deliver...
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