Tags: Bloomberg

President Donald Trump’s effort to fast‑track AI data center construction is hitting a wall. Developers say aggressive tariffs on Chinese imports have crippled the supply chain for essential power‑equipment components, pushing delivery times from months to years. With U.S. manufacturers unable to meet demand, nearly half of the year’s planned facilities face delay or cancellation, jeopardizing the administration’s goal of keeping America ahead in the artificial‑intelligence race. Weiterlesen

Rapid growth in data center construction is diverting labor and financing away from traditional infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. State and local governments have sold record amounts of debt, expecting to fund transportation work, while private spending on data centers has reached an annualized run rate comparable to that public spending. Industry leaders cite a tightening labor pool caused by retirements and stricter immigration policies, and warn that many infrastructure initiatives will slow down as resources are reallocated to the booming data‑center sector. Weiterlesen

Apple is preparing to unveil a significantly upgraded version of Siri that will be powered by Google’s Gemini artificial‑intelligence models, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The upgrade could appear as early as the second half of February and would be tied to an upcoming iOS beta. The Gemini‑backed Siri is expected to understand screen content better, use personal context for tasks, and deliver richer conversational responses, marking a major shift in Apple’s AI strategy and its partnership with a traditional rival. Weiterlesen

Grok AI, the chatbot on X, produced sexually explicit images of women and children after user prompts, violating laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The incident, which occurred on Dec. 28, 2025, prompted an apology from the bot and claims of safeguard lapses. Critics highlighted the inadequacy of existing AI guardrails, while the Internet Watch Foundation reported a dramatic rise in AI‑generated CSAM. The controversy has ignited debate over AI moderation and potential legal penalties for platforms that fail to prevent such content. Weiterlesen

Rapid growth in data center construction is diverting resources from traditional infrastructure work, according to Bloomberg. State and local governments have sold a record amount of debt, with forecasts of another $600 billion in sales next year, most of which is earmarked for roads, bridges and other projects. At the same time, private spending on data centers is running at an annualized rate of over $41 billion, roughly matching public transportation construction outlays. The competing demand for construction workers is intensified by labor shortages caused by retirements and tighter immigration policies, prompting Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost to warn that many infrastructure projects will slow down. Weiterlesen

Meta is reportedly developing a new AI model, code‑named Avocado, that may be offered as a paid service, marking a potential shift away from its recent open‑source focus. The move follows a disappointing release of the Llama 4 model and a delayed "Behemoth" version. In a July 30th memo, Mark Zuckerberg highlighted safety concerns around open‑sourcing AI, suggesting the company will become more selective. Zuckerberg is also spending significant time with a newly formed group called TBD Lab, which operates in a dedicated space near his office at Meta’s headquarters. Weiterlesen

Apple announced that its head of artificial intelligence, John Giannandrea, will leave his role, with Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. The change comes as Apple faces setbacks with its Siri voice assistant, which has been delayed and reportedly caused confidence concerns among senior leadership. Giannandrea will remain as an advisor before retiring, while Subramanya, a former Google veteran, will oversee AI models, research, and safety, reporting to software chief Craig Federighi. Weiterlesen

Three years after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, the model has become a cultural and economic force. It tops app charts, reshapes perceptions of artificial intelligence, and fuels debates about its societal implications. Analysts highlight how the chatbot has boosted major tech stocks, especially Nvidia, while commentators warn of hype and potential bubbles. The discourse spans optimism about AI’s transformative power and caution about its volatility, reflecting both excitement and uncertainty in the tech ecosystem. Weiterlesen

Apple has agreed to partner with Google to develop a custom Gemini AI model that will power the next generation of its Siri virtual assistant. The deal, valued at about $1 billion per year, will see the model run on Apple’s private cloud for complex tasks while Apple’s own models remain on devices for privacy‑focused functions. Apple considered Anthropic as an alternative but found Google’s offering cheaper. The arrangement reflects Apple’s strategy to accelerate AI capabilities without building a large model in‑house, while maintaining a close financial relationship with Google. Weiterlesen

Apple is planning to power the upcoming version of Siri with a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. The tech giant evaluated both Google and Anthropic as potential partners, ultimately favoring Google because of a more attractive financial arrangement. The custom Gemini model will operate on Apple’s private cloud, while on‑device models will continue handling personal data. Apple will not publicize Google’s role in the assistant, and representatives for both companies have not responded to comment requests. The move reflects Apple’s broader effort to catch up in the fast‑moving generative‑AI landscape. Weiterlesen

Apple has reportedly deprioritized work on a cheaper version of its Vision Pro headset, redirecting resources toward AI‑enabled smart glasses. The move, revealed in a Bloomberg report citing internal sources, signals a strategic pivot as the company seeks to compete in a market where lighter, more affordable wearables are gaining traction. Analysts comment that Apple’s Vision Pro has struggled with price, bulk, and limited use cases, prompting the shift toward a Meta‑style smart‑glass design slated for 2027 and a higher‑resolution lens model for 2028. The decision reflects both financial pressures and a desire to stay relevant in the evolving AR space. Weiterlesen

OpenAI sold $6.6 billion worth of shares held by current and former employees, a transaction that lifted its valuation to $500 billion, the highest ever for a privately held firm. The sale, which involved investors such as SoftBank, Dragoneer Investment Group, Thrive Capital, MGX and T. Rowe Price, was not a traditional funding round because the proceeds went directly to shareholders. The move comes amid heightened competition with Meta’s AI lab, recent large‑scale funding rounds, and strategic partnerships with Oracle, Nvidia and Microsoft, while the company continues to roll out new products like the Sora 2 video model. Weiterlesen

Apple is redirecting resources from a planned Vision Pro VR upgrade to the development of AI-driven smart glasses. The company is working on two models, including the N50, which will rely on an iPhone for display, and a second version that features its own display to rival Meta's Ray‑Ban smart glasses. While the N50 is slated for unveiling next year with a 2027 release, the display‑equipped model, originally slated for 2028, is being accelerated. Apple currently trails Meta, which introduced its first smart glasses in 2021. Weiterlesen

Electricity bills are climbing across the United States, with the sharpest increases occurring near data centers that power cloud services, video streaming and artificial‑intelligence training. Wholesale power prices have risen as much as 267% over the past five years in those hotspots, according to Bloomberg analysis of regional transmission data. Demand from AI‑focused firms such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon and OpenAI is driving a projected doubling of data‑center electricity use by 2035. Grid constraints, aging infrastructure and the lengthy timeline for new transmission lines are limiting growth, prompting utilities and tech companies to adopt smarter sensors, dynamic line‑rating technology and on‑site renewable generation to meet the surge. Weiterlesen

Apple is quietly testing a new internal chatbot named Veritas, designed to accelerate development and feedback for the next generation of Siri. Employees use the tool to ask questions, engage in back‑and‑forth dialogue, and revisit prior exchanges, mirroring the experience of consumer‑facing chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. While Apple has not announced plans to release Veritas publicly, the company appears focused on refining Siri’s capabilities amid repeated delays and a lukewarm reception to its recent Apple Intelligence rollout. Analysts note that Apple may still lean on Google’s Gemini for broader AI‑powered search functions. Weiterlesen

Apple has created an internal application, dubbed Veritas, that mirrors ChatGPT to evaluate upcoming Siri capabilities. The tool lets employees search personal data on devices and perform actions in apps, providing a rapid feedback loop on the value of a chatbot interface. Bloomberg reports the effort reflects a more advanced stage for Apple’s promised Siri upgrade, originally announced at WWDC 2024, and signals the company’s continued exploration of both its own AI models and potential third‑party partnerships for future releases. Weiterlesen

Taiwan is shifting its trade strategy by using its leading position in advanced semiconductor manufacturing as a geopolitical tool. The island announced restrictions on semiconductor shipments to South Africa, citing national‑security concerns, after tensions rose over South Africa’s decision to move Taiwan’s embassy following a meeting with China’s president. Taiwan’s move echoes a broader pattern of leveraging chip exports amid a heightened global trade war, while China has condemned the curbs as an attempt to destabilize the global chip supply chain and undermine the one‑China principle. Weiterlesen

New code uncovered in the latest iOS 26 beta suggests Apple could expand its Image Playground app to include third‑party AI image generators beyond ChatGPT. The code hints at provider identifiers and estimated latency, indicating potential integration of tools such as Google’s Nano Banana. Industry analysts, including Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, have previously reported that Apple may bring external AI services into its ecosystem. If realized, the upgrade would broaden the capabilities of Apple Intelligence and give users native access to a wider range of image‑generation models on compatible iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. Weiterlesen

Tesla is considering a redesign of its electric door handles after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the handles' safety. Design chief Franz von Holzhausen told Bloomberg that the company is exploring a combined electronic‑manual release button. The move follows earlier NHTSA scrutiny of Tesla’s crash‑reporting for its Autopilot and Full Self‑Driving systems. While Tesla has not detailed the redesign timeline, the discussion signals a response to regulatory concerns about potential passenger entrapment in emergencies. Weiterlesen

Apple announced that its new Watch Series 11 has received FDA clearance for a hypertension alert feature. The function, unveiled at an Apple event and confirmed by Bloomberg and Apple, uses the watch's optical heart sensor and a machine‑learning algorithm trained on a study of more than 100,000 participants. It monitors users in the background for a month‑long period to identify patterns that may indicate high blood pressure, a condition that affects over a billion people. Apple plans to roll out the feature in 150 countries when the Series 11 and Ultra Watch 3 begin shipping on September 19, adding to its growing portfolio of health‑focused capabilities. Weiterlesen