News/Data
Jersey shores up energy relations with $25 billion UAE partnership to power US data centers
New Jersey-based Energy Capital Partners and UAE's ADQ are launching a massive $25 billion partnership focused on developing power generation projects for data centers across the United States. This collaboration addresses the surging energy demands driven by AI technology and cloud computing, which could consume up to 12% of total U.S. electricity by 2028. The venture represents a strategic response to what experts predict will be a tripling of data center power needs by 2030, requiring over $1 trillion in investment to meet this growing infrastructure challenge. The big picture: Energy Capital Partners (ECP) and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund...
read Mar 31, 2025“Translytical” databases emerge as essential infrastructure for AI applications
Translytical databases are emerging as essential infrastructure for AI-driven applications, offering a unified platform that combines transactional and analytical capabilities. This integration solves a critical challenge for modern AI systems that require real-time, consistent data access—particularly for applications like conversational AI, customer service chatbots, and personalization engines that depend on contextually accurate information to function effectively. The big picture: Forrester Research identifies translytical databases as a key technology enabling modern AI applications by merging previously siloed transactional and analytical systems into a single platform. Traditional data architectures that separate these functions create inefficiencies and delay insights, limiting AI application performance....
read Mar 28, 2025How Time magazine vets AI tools with a strict data ownership framework
Time is meticulously evaluating AI tools through a clear framework that prioritizes data ownership, legal protections, and company stability before adoption. This strategic approach, led by CTO Burhan Hamid, balances risk assessment with innovation, protecting Time's intellectual property while preparing employees for an AI-augmented future where understanding these tools becomes essential for job security rather than a threat to it. The big picture: Time has examined "dozens and dozens" of AI tools to identify suitable options for both internal efficiency and customer-facing products, applying strict evaluation criteria throughout the process. Any AI tool that uses Time's data to train its...
read Mar 28, 20255 key trends reshaping security at ISC West 2025 in Las Vegas
ISC West 2025 is poised to showcase the rapid digital transformation reshaping the security industry as professionals gather in Las Vegas this spring. As end-user expectations evolve and vendors race to deliver more integrated, AI-powered solutions, this premier U.S. security trade event provides a crucial forum for exploring emerging technologies. The convergence of AI analytics, advanced sensors, and mobile access control reflects an industry increasingly focused on data-driven security that seamlessly integrates with broader business operations. The big picture: The upcoming ISC West 2025, scheduled for March 31st to April 4th at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, will highlight...
read Mar 27, 2025Bit by the fit bug? Garmin launches Connect Plus subscription with AI fitness insights for $6.99 monthly
Garmin's new Connect Plus subscription service introduces AI-powered fitness insights and enhanced data analytics for smartwatch users. Priced at $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually, this optional add-on represents Garmin's strategic shift toward a recurring revenue model while keeping its core Connect platform free. The move highlights the growing trend of wearable companies monetizing premium software features as hardware margins face increasing pressure. The big picture: Garmin is launching Connect Plus, a premium subscription service that adds AI-powered insights and advanced features to its fitness ecosystem. The service costs $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually, offering a 30-day free trial for users...
read Mar 27, 2025Apple Maps out a plan to boost its Intelligence efforts with training of new AI models
Apple is pivoting to leverage its Maps service as a data source for training AI models, signaling a strategic shift to bolster its struggling Apple Intelligence initiative. While the company has traditionally entered tech segments later than competitors—often with distinctive approaches—its AI suite has faced adoption challenges, prompting Apple to seek additional data sources beyond its existing ChatGPT partnership. This repurposing of Apple Maps imagery represents a creative solution that balances the company's privacy commitments with its need for substantial training data. The big picture: Apple is repurposing its extensive Street View-like "Look Around" imagery database to train AI models...
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 26, 2025Google’s new AI-powered Gmail search prioritizes relevance over chronology
Google's integration of AI into Gmail search represents a significant shift in how users will interact with their personal data. By prioritizing relevance over chronology, Google is leveraging artificial intelligence to make email management more intuitive, while simultaneously raising questions about data privacy and AI training. This development highlights the growing tension between convenience and control as AI systems become more deeply embedded in tools managing our personal information. The big picture: Google is rolling out an AI-powered search function in Gmail that will organize search results by relevance rather than chronology, potentially giving its Gemini assistant access to users'...
read Mar 26, 2025AI can identify chemicals from photos with up to 98% accuracy
Take a gander at this: Artificial intelligence is demonstrating remarkable capabilities in chemical analysis, with researchers now showing it can accurately predict chemical compositions from photos. This NASA-supported innovation represents a significant advancement in analytical chemistry, potentially democratizing access to chemical analysis technology by drastically reducing costs and equipment requirements. The breakthrough could transform everything from laboratory work to space exploration by replacing expensive specialized instruments with something as accessible as a smartphone camera. The big picture: Researchers have developed an AI tool that can identify chemical compositions from photographs with 98.7% accuracy for salt type and 92.2% accuracy for...
read Mar 25, 2025AI could add $340 billion annually to banking through smarter payments
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the payments industry, squeezing even more blood from the finance efficiency stone with McKinsey projecting AI could contribute $200-340 billion annually to the banking sector. As digital payment adoption accelerates worldwide, financial institutions are leveraging AI technologies to enhance security, efficiency, and personalization throughout the payment ecosystem. From detecting sophisticated fraud patterns in real-time to optimizing transaction routes for cost savings, AI-powered solutions are addressing critical challenges while regulatory frameworks in the US and EU evolve to ensure responsible implementation. The big picture: AI technologies are revolutionizing payments through enhanced security, personalized experiences, and operational...
read Mar 24, 2025Blame it on The Man: Human error contributes to 74% of data breaches, Verizon study finds
Cybersecurity's ongoing challenge with human vulnerability remains a critical issue, with the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report finding human actions or inactions contributed to 74% of breaches last year. This statistic highlights a fundamental shift in the attack landscape, where cybercriminals have moved away from technical exploits to focus on manipulating people, signaling the need for organizations to expand their security focus beyond technical infrastructure to address the human element. The big picture: Organizations must reconceptualize cybersecurity to account for the human layer, especially as remote and hybrid work environments create new vulnerabilities in how employees interact with technology....
read Mar 24, 2025How data cherry-picking threatens science integrity and AI systems
The erosion of scientific integrity through data cherry-picking threatens public trust and risks contaminating AI systems with biased information. The practice of selectively presenting evidence that supports predetermined conclusions undermines the fundamental purpose of science as an impartial method of discovery. This growing crisis of confidence requires a renewed commitment to intellectual honesty, comprehensive data reporting, and the willingness to engage with uncertainty—especially as AI models increasingly depend on scientific research for training data. The big picture: Selectively presenting data to fit predetermined agendas has contributed significantly to declining public trust in science and scientific institutions. When research emphasizes findings...
read Mar 20, 2025Here’s how AI is transforming accounts receivable operations in 2025
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing accounts receivable (AR) operations in 2025, bringing unprecedented efficiency and precision to financial workflows. The evolution goes far beyond basic automation, with AI now handling complex tasks from payment prediction to deduction management. This technological transformation represents a significant opportunity for financial leaders to enhance operational efficiency, improve cash flow, and reduce costs across the AR ecosystem. The big picture: AI technologies are transforming five key areas of accounts receivable, offering solutions that range from predictive analytics to generative AI applications, according to Forrester's latest report. Key AI applications: Machine learning and predictive analytics are enhancing...
read Mar 20, 2025Nvidia acquires synthetic data startup Gretel to tackle AI’s data scarcity problem
It's synthetic, not fake, data. Nvidia's acquisition of synthetic data startup Gretel marks a significant move in the AI industry's race to solve the growing data scarcity problem. As generative AI models require massive amounts of training data, synthetic data generation has emerged as a potential solution that could make AI development more accessible and scalable while addressing privacy concerns. This acquisition strengthens Nvidia's position in cloud-based AI infrastructure and underscores the industry's shift toward synthetic data as a critical component of future AI development. The big picture: Nvidia has acquired synthetic data platform Gretel in a nine-figure deal that...
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 18, 2025Straining to serve: 5 key factors in why AI data centers consume so much power
AI data centers represent a new frontier in computational infrastructure, consuming energy at unprecedented scales to power the machine learning revolutions transforming our world. The massive power requirements of these specialized facilities stem from fundamental technical realities that separate them from traditional computing environments. Understanding these power dynamics is crucial as AI infrastructure continues to expand globally, presenting both engineering challenges and environmental concerns for the tech industry. 1. Intensive computational demands of AI workloads Deep learning and generative AI models like GPT-4 and Google's Gemini require extraordinary computational resources, processing trillions of parameters through thousands of specialized processors. These...
read Mar 17, 20256 ways AI is transforming accounts payable operations in 2025
AI is revolutionizing accounts payable operations with substantial impacts on efficiency, accuracy, and cost reduction. Forrester Research's latest report highlights six key areas where AI technologies are delivering significant value for financial operations in 2025, from transforming invoice processing to enhancing compliance management. These advancements represent a fundamental shift in how finance departments operate, offering unprecedented opportunities for organizations to optimize their AP functions. 1. Invoice Data Capture AI-driven solutions are outperforming traditional optical character recognition (OCR) technologies with significantly improved accuracy. Companies including Billerud and Adyen have achieved notable cost reductions by implementing AI for invoice data extraction and...
read Mar 17, 2025American AI chatbots, and Gemini especially, collect more user data than Chinese alternatives
New research challenges the prevailing narrative about Chinese AI models posing the greatest privacy risks, revealing instead that popular American chatbots often collect more personal data. This counterintuitive finding comes amid heated international debate over AI ethics and regulation, as users worldwide increasingly rely on AI assistants while governments struggle to establish appropriate privacy safeguards across different jurisdictions. The big picture: Despite widespread suspicion of Chinese-developed DeepSeek R1, research from VPN provider Surfshark finds it ranks only fifth for data collection among popular AI chatbots. American-developed Google Gemini tops the list as the most data-intensive AI chatbot, collecting 22 out...
read Mar 17, 2025Suki’s health plans expand beyond AI scribing with Epic integration and Rush partnership
Suki's rapid ascent in the health technology landscape is transforming how clinicians interact with electronic health records and manage patient care. By securing partnerships with major healthcare organizations like Rush and integrating with essential systems like Epic, Suki is positioning itself as an indispensable AI assistant rather than merely a scribing tool. This strategic positioning comes at a pivotal moment when healthcare providers are actively seeking AI solutions that can improve clinical workflows and reduce documentation burden. The big picture: Health technology company Suki is cementing its position as a leading AI assistant in healthcare through major partnerships with prestigious...
read Mar 14, 2025SoftBank to build $677 million AI data center with OpenAI for Japanese market
SoftBank's plan to transform a former Sharp LCD plant into a massive AI data center marks a significant step in Japan's AI infrastructure development. The $677 million acquisition of the Osaka facility represents a strategic collaboration with OpenAI to commercialize AI agents specifically for the Japanese market, potentially triggering a new wave of localized AI deployment and customization in Asia's advanced economies. The big picture: SoftBank intends to convert Sharp's closed TV LCD factory in Osaka into one of Japan's largest data centers through a ¥100 billion ($677 million) investment, according to a Nikkei report. The facility will power AI...
read Mar 14, 2025Foxconn profits rise on AI server demand despite trade tension concerns
Foxconn's fourth-quarter profits have risen on the back of strong AI server demand, highlighting the growing influence of artificial intelligence infrastructure on major tech manufacturers. The world's largest contract electronics maker is navigating a complex business landscape where AI server production creates new opportunities while escalating trade tensions between major economies threaten its global manufacturing network. The big picture: Taiwan's Foxconn is expected to report a 2.35% increase in fourth-quarter profit, reaching T$54.4 billion ($1.65 billion) according to analyst consensus. Key details: The Apple iPhone assembler and Nvidia AI server manufacturer reported record fourth-quarter revenue in January, jumping 15.2% on...
read Mar 13, 2025Databricks scientist: Companies finding AI value through experimentation, not buzzwords
Databricks's chief AI scientist reveals that companies are still learning through experimentation where artificial intelligence can most effectively solve business problems, beyond the hype of buzzwords like "agentic AI." This trial-and-error approach highlights a practical shift in enterprise AI adoption, as organizations seek to identify the specific applications where AI delivers meaningful value rather than pursuing trendy concepts. The big picture: Generative AI is enabling a new form of enterprise analytics by making previously unusable unstructured data valuable for business insights. Data that was once considered "useless" in traditional analytics frameworks—like Word documents, images, and videos—has become "incredibly valuable" with...
read Mar 11, 2025AI shifts from one-time diagnostics to continuous care management in healthcare
This transcends inpatient and outpatient. AI's role in healthcare is transforming from isolated diagnostic moments to comprehensive longitudinal care management. Google's Articulate Medical Intelligence Explorer (AMIE) represents a significant evolution in medical AI, demonstrating capabilities to monitor and adjust treatment plans over time rather than just identifying conditions at a single point. This shift addresses the reality that most medical care—especially for chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease—requires ongoing, adaptive approaches that respond to changing patient needs. The big picture: Healthcare AI is evolving beyond single-moment diagnostics to continuous disease management, marking a fundamental shift in how technology supports...
read Mar 11, 2025Like pulling teeth: Why PDF data extraction remains a stubborn challenge despite AI advances
PDF extraction remains a persistent challenge for data professionals, caught between legacy print-oriented document formats and modern digital data needs. Despite decades of technological advancement, the fundamental issues with extracting structured information from PDFs continue to frustrate experts across industries, from government agencies to scientific researchers. The persistence of this problem highlights the gap between how humans and machines process information, even as artificial intelligence offers promising but still imperfect solutions. The big picture: PDFs were designed as digital containers for print-oriented documents, creating a fundamental mismatch with modern data extraction needs. Their structure prioritizes visual presentation over data accessibility,...
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