China's economy is increasingly becoming a tale of two contrasting realities. While provinces driven by artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and exports are experiencing rapid economic growth, regions dependent on tourism, real estate, and traditional industries are struggling to keep pace.

The latest provincial economic data highlights a widening K-shaped economic divide, with technology hubs such as Zhejiang, home to Alibaba, DeepSeek, and Unitree Robotics, outperforming the national average. Other manufacturing powerhouses including Shanghai, Anhui, and Shandong have also recorded strong growth, fueled by rising global demand for high-tech products.

China's K-Shaped Economy Deepens as AI Boom Widens Regional Gap

South Korea's Supreme Court has delivered what is being called the country's "Divorce of the Year." SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has been ordered to pay 944 billion won to his former wife, Roh So-young, in one of the largest divorce settlements in South Korean history. The landmark ruling has drawn attention to Chey's massive stake in SK Group, South Korea's second-largest conglomerate. Analysts believe the billionaire may need to sell shares or use them as collateral to fund the record payment.

Chey Tae-Won to Pay 944 Billion Won to Wife | Wion News 

The decades-old Cauvery water dispute may be entering a new phase as Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay are expected to hold high-level talks in Bengaluru. The proposed meeting is likely to focus on the controversial Mekedatu balancing reservoir project and water-sharing during distress years.
If the meeting takes place, it will mark the first bilateral dialogue between the chief ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue in decades. The development comes amid renewed political pressure over water allocation, with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urging stronger action to protect the state's share of Cauvery waters.

Cauvery Water Row: Karnataka & Tamil Nadu CMs to hold key Mekedatu talks

American companies are becoming more global than ever, even as Washington continues its America First agenda and pushes massive investments into domestic AI infrastructure. New data shows that S&P 500 companies now generate around 42% of their revenue from outside the United States, reaching a historic record and surpassing previous highs seen during the dotcom era. Technology companies are leading this global expansion, with foreign markets contributing more than half of the sector’s revenue. Major communication companies, including firms like Meta, Alphabet, and Netflix, have also increased their international exposure significantly.

US companies hit record global revenue levels despite America first push and AI boom


The artificial intelligence boom is creating wealth far beyond Silicon Valley. As AI startups race toward blockbuster IPOs and multi-billion-dollar valuations, founders, investors, and early employees are pouring money into private aviation. Industry data shows a sharp rise in private jet purchases, charter bookings, and shared ownership programs, with San Francisco and Texas witnessing record business jet traffic. Reuters reports that AI-driven fortunes, combined with SpaceX's landmark IPO, are reshaping the luxury aviation industry. Watch how the AI revolution is giving private aviation a powerful new tailwind.

AI startup billionaires are buying private jets | SpaceX IPO sparks massive aviation boom

Microsoft has announced a worldwide price increase for its Xbox consoles, making it the latest technology company to feel the impact of the artificial intelligence boom. The new prices will take effect from August 1, with some Xbox models becoming up to $150 more expensive as the cost of key components continues to rise.<h2>Why are Xbox prices going up?</h2>The Xbox Series S (512GB) will now cost $499.99, up from $399.99, while the 1TB model rises to $599.99. The Xbox Series X will retail at $799.99, and Microsoft has also decided to discontinue the 2TB Series X. According to Microsoft, prices of memory and storage chips have increased by more than 2.5 times. The company says AI firms are buying huge volumes of advanced memory for data centres that power generative AI models, leaving consumer electronics manufacturers facing much higher production costs.<h2>AI is reshaping the electronics market</h2>The Xbox price increase follows similar pricing pressure across the consumer technology industry, highlighting how AI infrastructure is beginning to affect everyday devices.&nbsp;Gaming consoles, laptops, smartphones and AI servers all depend on many of the same memory and storage components. As AI companies continue investing billions in new data centres, competition for these components has intensified, pushing prices higher across the supply chain.<h2>GTA 6 could increase demand further</h2>The timing is significant. Rockstar Games is expected to launch Grand Theft Auto VI later this year, a release widely expected to boost console demand globally. Higher demand for gaming hardware, combined with ongoing shortages of memory components, could keep console prices elevated for some time. For consumers, Microsoft's latest announcement is another reminder that the AI race is influencing far more than chatbots; it is beginning to change the price of the devices people buy every day.

Microsoft has raised Xbox console prices worldwide, blaming soaring memory and storage costs driven by AI data-centre demand. The move highlights how the AI boom is now affecting consumer electronics, with gamers facing higher prices ahead of GTA 6's expected launch.


Microsoft has announced a worldwide price increase for its Xbox consoles, making it the latest technology company to feel the impact of the artificial intelligence boom. The new prices will take effect from August 1, with some Xbox models becoming up to $150 more expensive as the cost of key components continues to rise. Why are Xbox prices going up? The Xbox Series S (512GB) will now cost $499.99, up from $399.99, while the 1TB model rises to $599.99. The Xbox Series X will retail at $799.99, and Microsoft has also decided to discontinue the 2TB Series X. According to Microsoft, prices of memory and storage chips have increased by more than 2.5 times. The company says AI firms are buying huge volumes of advanced memory for data centres that power generative AI models, leaving consumer electronics manufacturers facing much higher production costs. AI is reshaping the electronics market The Xbox price increase follows similar pricing pressure across the consumer technology industry, highlighting how AI infrastructure is beginning to affect everyday devices. Gaming consoles, laptops, smartphones and AI servers all depend on many of the same memory and storage components. As AI companies continue investing billions in new data centres, competition for these components has intensified, pushing prices higher across the supply chain. GTA 6 could increase demand further The timing is significant. Rockstar Games is expected to launch Grand Theft Auto VI later this year, a release widely expected to boost console demand globally. Higher demand for gaming hardware, combined with ongoing shortages of memory components, could keep console prices elevated for some time. For consumers, Microsoft's latest announcement is another reminder that the AI race is influencing far more than chatbots; it is beginning to change the price of the devices people buy every day.

Microsoft has raised Xbox console prices worldwide, blaming soaring memory and storage costs driven by AI data-centre demand. The move highlights how the AI boom is now affecting consumer electronics, with gamers facing higher prices ahead of GTA 6's expected launch.

AI is making Xbox consoles more expensive. Here's why Microsoft raised prices

Artificial intelligence is fueling one of the biggest investment waves in modern history, with AI-focused companies attracting staggering valuations and reshaping global markets.

But as billions pour into the sector and investors chase the next AI giant, questions are growing over whether the industry is witnessing a genuine technological revolution—or the formation of a massive financial bubble. Is the AI boom sustainable, or are markets getting ahead of reality?

Trillion-dollar AI Boom: Bubble or Breakthrough?

Oil prices rose on Wednesday as Brent Crude is trading at $98.20 per barrel, as peace talks between the US and Iran stuttered. However, benchmark indexes across Japan, Taiwan, China, Sydney, Singapore and Manila continued to rally, driven by the tech sector and demand for artificial intelligence. Iran fired missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, and the US fired on and disabled oil tankers heading towards Iran. Prices for August contracts have risen by more than 2 per cent since June 2 and by over 5 per cent since last week.&nbsp;Speaking to CNBC-TV18, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol Global economy could enter a “red zone” if disruption through the Strait of Hormuz continues. The IEA has warned that the Strategic Oil Reserves are depleting rapidly. In March, all of 34 IEA countries released 400 million of their strategic oil reserves to stabilise the market price. However, the IEA Chief said that there was no immediate need for the release of the second strategic oil reserve.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delcy-rodriguez-india-visit-venezuela-oil-imports-india-energy-security-1780474506610">Indian strategic pivot to Venezuelan oil, as Delcy Rodriguez visits India</a><h2>Stock markets continue to rally</h2>Stock markets across the globe continued to rally, driven by AI optimism. In the US, all three major indexes closed at fresh records on Tuesday's closure. S&amp;P 500 rose 0.13 per cent to end above 7,600 for the first time ever, while the Dow added 228.91 points, or 0.45 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite marked a gain of 0.03 per cent. Across the Asian market, Japan’s Nikkei 225 hit a record high, as investors appeared to look past the war in Iran. Nikkei 225 ended Wednesday’s trading session 2.50 per cent higher, while Topix added 1.83 per cent higher, China’s CSI 300 rose 0.49 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 1.62 per cent. While Australia's S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.70 per cent. But India showed a downward trend as the Nifty 50 fell 0.83 per cent, while the BSE Sensex was down by 0.90 per cent.&nbsp;Most of the major indexes were driven by the AI optimism, but the economy underneath this rally does not appear evenly strong. Stocks are up, but households are under strain. US household purchasing power, when adjusted for inflation, has decreased; discretionary spending is declining, meanwhile, credit card delinquency pushes consumers towards a debt trap. Most equity markets are concentrated towards one particular sector, hinting at a looming correction.&nbsp;

Brent crude oil climbed to $98 per barrel as US-Iran peace talks faltered and tensions in the Gulf escalated. Meanwhile, global stock markets continued their AI-driven rally despite growing concerns about consumer debt and economic weakness.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday as Brent Crude is trading at $98.20 per barrel, as peace talks between the US and Iran stuttered. However, benchmark indexes across Japan, Taiwan, China, Sydney, Singapore and Manila continued to rally, driven by the tech sector and demand for artificial intelligence. Iran fired missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, and the US fired on and disabled oil tankers heading towards Iran. Prices for August contracts have risen by more than 2 per cent since June 2 and by over 5 per cent since last week. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol Global economy could enter a “red zone” if disruption through the Strait of Hormuz continues. The IEA has warned that the Strategic Oil Reserves are depleting rapidly. In March, all of 34 IEA countries released 400 million of their strategic oil reserves to stabilise the market price. However, the IEA Chief said that there was no immediate need for the release of the second strategic oil reserve. Also Read: Indian strategic pivot to Venezuelan oil, as Delcy Rodriguez visits India Stock markets continue to rally Stock markets across the globe continued to rally, driven by AI optimism. In the US, all three major indexes closed at fresh records on Tuesday's closure. S&P 500 rose 0.13 per cent to end above 7,600 for the first time ever, while the Dow added 228.91 points, or 0.45 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite marked a gain of 0.03 per cent. Across the Asian market, Japan’s Nikkei 225 hit a record high, as investors appeared to look past the war in Iran. Nikkei 225 ended Wednesday’s trading session 2.50 per cent higher, while Topix added 1.83 per cent higher, China’s CSI 300 rose 0.49 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 1.62 per cent. While Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.70 per cent. But India showed a downward trend as the Nifty 50 fell 0.83 per cent, while the BSE Sensex was down by 0.90 per cent. Most of the major indexes were driven by the AI optimism, but the economy underneath this rally does not appear evenly strong. Stocks are up, but households are under strain. US household purchasing power, when adjusted for inflation, has decreased; discretionary spending is declining, meanwhile, credit card delinquency pushes consumers towards a debt trap. Most equity markets are concentrated towards one particular sector, hinting at a looming correction.

Brent crude oil climbed to $98 per barrel as US-Iran peace talks faltered and tensions in the Gulf escalated. Meanwhile, global stock markets continued their AI-driven rally despite growing concerns about consumer debt and economic weakness.

Oil jumps, stocks soar: Markets defy West Asia crisis amid AI boom, IEA warns of economy 'red zone'

India is now the new hub of data centres. Companies, both local and foreign (mostly American), are falling over each other to invest in large tracts of land to build data centres crucial to new-age computing, particularly in AI and cloud services. But is this enthusiasm a result of popular resistance to data centres in the US, laxer environmental regulations in India compared to the US, and the availability of cheaper electricity? Negative stories about the environmental impacts of AI data centres have been trickling in from the US for the past few years. The data centres, including availability zones and hyperscalers are fuel guzzlers, noise and air polluters, and affect the quality of water for neighbouring communities, among other concerns. Here is a roundup of the data centre boom in India, contrasted with criticism of these necessary evils of modern technology in the US.<h2>India data centre market boom</h2>India is witnessing a major shift is towards AI-optimised, hyperscale, multi-gigawatt data centre campuses in various cities. This is happening in spite of infrastructure constraints and burdens on the power grid. AI adoption, cloud computing growth, data localisation requirements, and government programmes such as Digital India are driving the data centre boom in India. The current operational capacity is around 1.4 gigawatts. There are 132 existing facilities and 81 upcoming across around 25 locations.Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR are the key data centre hubs, with Visakhapatnam and Jamnagar likely to emerge in the near future.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-budget-2026-tax-holiday-for-foreign-data-centre-operators-safe-harbour-margin-for-it-services-to-boost-sector-1769936262227">India Budget 2026: Tax holiday for foreign data centre operators; safe harbour margin for IT services to boost sector</a><h2>Investment in data centres in India is nearing 200 billion US dollars</h2>Adani Group’s AdaniConneX joint venture with EdgeConneX, has made a 100 billion US dollar commitment by 2035. The company is building a 15 billion US dollar AI hub in Visakhapatnam, while 6 billion US dollars will be spent on a hyperscale MoU with Maharashtra.Reliance Industries (mainly via its Jio arm), through a Digital Connexion joint venture with Brookfield and Digital Realty, has pledged nearly 110 billion US dollars for data centres, including one in Jamnagar that is aimed to be the world’s largest by capacity when completed.&nbsp;It is also planning an 11 billion US dollar AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam region.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-behind-the-ai-boom-data-centers-consume-20-lakh-litres-of-water-daily-1769683587156">‘Behind the AI boom’: Data centers consume 20 lakh litres of water daily</a> Global companies include Google parent Alphabet, with a commitment of 15 billion US dollars in data centre investment between 2026 and 2030. This includes the first AI-focused facility in India, a gigawatt-scale hub in Visakhapatnam in a joint venture with AdaniConneX and Airtel.Microsoft is making its largest Asia data centre investment in India, at around 17.5 billion US dollars by 2029. It is planning an “India South Central” hyperscale data centre region in Hyderabad, which would be the largest of its kind in India.Amazon Web Services (AWS) is another player. Data centres are part of Amazon’s 35 billion US dollar India commitment by 2030. Amazon added its third availability zone in the Mumbai region in 2025. It is also building more hyperscale data centres across India.Other foreign and local players in India's data centre boom include Meta, Tata Group, Nxtra by Airtel, CtrlS Datacenters, Yotta Infrastructure, NTT Global, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Equinix and Sify Technologies.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/big-tech-turns-its-focus-to-india-cloud-giants-expand-india-data-centers-1771582485031/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/big-tech-turns-its-focus-to-india-cloud-giants-expand-india-data-centers-1771582485031/embed</a><h2>Data centres are controversial in the US</h2>Contrast this with reports on data centres affecting health and the environment in the US.A number of studies highlight growing environmental and public health concerns linked to the rapid expansion of data centres during the AI boom. The issues include air pollution, noise, massive water consumption leading to water stress, energy strain, ecosystem disruption and broader community impacts.A report by Community &amp; Environmental Defense Services (CEDS) found that emissions from backup diesel generators of data centres contribute to breathing problems, lung disease and premature deaths. CEDS called on states to require health impact assessments before approving data centre projects. Many states, including Ohio, lack such requirements.In Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley”, research from Virginia Commonwealth University found that diesel generator emissions, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, rival or exceed those of nearby power plants. Pollution rose sharply from 2015 to 2023.In Minnesota, reports said that proposed data centre facilities could consume water and energy equivalent to millions of residents while generating constant noise and light pollution.&nbsp;National analysis from the World Resources Institute linked data centres to strains on water supplies and power grids.Authorities in Virginia and New Mexico have responded with restrictions, tax incentive debates and proposed moratoriums amid rising community opposition to these massive data centres.<h2>The ground reality in Georgia, the fastest-growing data centre region in the US</h2>These are echoes of one of the most viral recent stories on data centres. The nonprofit newsroom More Perfect Union, which covers working-class issues and corporate accountability, published a video in March 2025 titled I Live 400 Yards From Mark Zuckerberg’s Massive Data Center. &nbsp;The video documented the economic and environmental impacts of a data centre on the community in rural Georgia, the fastest-growing US state for data centres during the ongoing AI boom.Residents living near Meta’s roughly 2 million square foot facility in Mansfield-Newton County and Blackstone-owned QTS campuses in Fayette County reported various issues, including polluted water filling their pipes.The report cited a couple, Beverly and Jeff Morris, who live about 400 yards from Meta’s data centre site and described severe quality-of-life impacts.Issues include 24/7 noise from data centre operations, intense light pollution that makes nights feel like daytime, and environmental damage from construction.Hundreds of trees, and possibly entire forests, were felled to clear the land for building the data centres.Groundwater and wells were allegedly contaminated by heavy dust and sediment.Some residents reported dry taps, discoloured or tainted water, and sediment clogging their pipes. They also expressed concerns about air quality deteriorating because of construction dust.The report also highlighted rising electricity demand from data centres.In the US, such demand is projected to double or triple nationally. Residential bills have already gone up in Georgia as power rates were hiked by 24 per cent in 2025.Companies receive tax breaks while costs shift to residents, the report said, and it criticised limited corporate accountability.<h2>Has India taken into account environment damage, pollution and electricity burden caused by data centre boom?&nbsp;</h2>In India, such scrutiny is absent on data centre growth, at least for now.&nbsp;There has not been much reporting on whether they have caused any environmental damage or pollution or adversely affected local communities.&nbsp;In the absence of such objective analysis or criticism, data centre activity is likely to increase in India. One has to wait to see the long-term impacts of data centre expansion.

The data centre boom in India is accelerating with billions of dollars in AI and cloud investments. Contrast this with US reports warning of pollution, water stress, rising power demand and community impact caused by fuel-guzzling data centres. Are companies investing in a regulatory vacuum?

India is now the new hub of data centres. Companies, both local and foreign (mostly American), are falling over each other to invest in large tracts of land to build data centres crucial to new-age computing, particularly in AI and cloud services. But is this enthusiasm a result of popular resistance to data centres in the US, laxer environmental regulations in India compared to the US, and the availability of cheaper electricity? Negative stories about the environmental impacts of AI data centres have been trickling in from the US for the past few years. The data centres, including availability zones and hyperscalers are fuel guzzlers, noise and air polluters, and affect the quality of water for neighbouring communities, among other concerns. Here is a roundup of the data centre boom in India, contrasted with criticism of these necessary evils of modern technology in the US. India data centre market boom India is witnessing a major shift is towards AI-optimised, hyperscale, multi-gigawatt data centre campuses in various cities. This is happening in spite of infrastructure constraints and burdens on the power grid. AI adoption, cloud computing growth, data localisation requirements, and government programmes such as Digital India are driving the data centre boom in India. The current operational capacity is around 1.4 gigawatts. There are 132 existing facilities and 81 upcoming across around 25 locations. Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR are the key data centre hubs, with Visakhapatnam and Jamnagar likely to emerge in the near future. Also read: India Budget 2026: Tax holiday for foreign data centre operators; safe harbour margin for IT services to boost sector Investment in data centres in India is nearing 200 billion US dollars Adani Group’s AdaniConneX joint venture with EdgeConneX, has made a 100 billion US dollar commitment by 2035. The company is building a 15 billion US dollar AI hub in Visakhapatnam, while 6 billion US dollars will be spent on a hyperscale MoU with Maharashtra. Reliance Industries (mainly via its Jio arm), through a Digital Connexion joint venture with Brookfield and Digital Realty, has pledged nearly 110 billion US dollars for data centres, including one in Jamnagar that is aimed to be the world’s largest by capacity when completed. It is also planning an 11 billion US dollar AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam region. Also read: ‘Behind the AI boom’: Data centers consume 20 lakh litres of water daily Global companies include Google parent Alphabet, with a commitment of 15 billion US dollars in data centre investment between 2026 and 2030. This includes the first AI-focused facility in India, a gigawatt-scale hub in Visakhapatnam in a joint venture with AdaniConneX and Airtel. Microsoft is making its largest Asia data centre investment in India, at around 17.5 billion US dollars by 2029. It is planning an “India South Central” hyperscale data centre region in Hyderabad, which would be the largest of its kind in India. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is another player. Data centres are part of Amazon’s 35 billion US dollar India commitment by 2030. Amazon added its third availability zone in the Mumbai region in 2025. It is also building more hyperscale data centres across India. Other foreign and local players in India's data centre boom include Meta, Tata Group, Nxtra by Airtel, CtrlS Datacenters, Yotta Infrastructure, NTT Global, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Equinix and Sify Technologies. https://www.wionews.com/videos/big-tech-turns-its-focus-to-india-cloud-giants-expand-india-data-centers-1771582485031/embed Data centres are controversial in the US Contrast this with reports on data centres affecting health and the environment in the US. A number of studies highlight growing environmental and public health concerns linked to the rapid expansion of data centres during the AI boom. The issues include air pollution, noise, massive water consumption leading to water stress, energy strain, ecosystem disruption and broader community impacts. A report by Community & Environmental Defense Services (CEDS) found that emissions from backup diesel generators of data centres contribute to breathing problems, lung disease and premature deaths. CEDS called on states to require health impact assessments before approving data centre projects. Many states, including Ohio, lack such requirements. In Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley”, research from Virginia Commonwealth University found that diesel generator emissions, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, rival or exceed those of nearby power plants. Pollution rose sharply from 2015 to 2023. In Minnesota, reports said that proposed data centre facilities could consume water and energy equivalent to millions of residents while generating constant noise and light pollution. National analysis from the World Resources Institute linked data centres to strains on water supplies and power grids. Authorities in Virginia and New Mexico have responded with restrictions, tax incentive debates and proposed moratoriums amid rising community opposition to these massive data centres. The ground reality in Georgia, the fastest-growing data centre region in the US These are echoes of one of the most viral recent stories on data centres. The nonprofit newsroom More Perfect Union, which covers working-class issues and corporate accountability, published a video in March 2025 titled I Live 400 Yards From Mark Zuckerberg’s Massive Data Center. The video documented the economic and environmental impacts of a data centre on the community in rural Georgia, the fastest-growing US state for data centres during the ongoing AI boom. Residents living near Meta’s roughly 2 million square foot facility in Mansfield-Newton County and Blackstone-owned QTS campuses in Fayette County reported various issues, including polluted water filling their pipes. The report cited a couple, Beverly and Jeff Morris, who live about 400 yards from Meta’s data centre site and described severe quality-of-life impacts. Issues include 24/7 noise from data centre operations, intense light pollution that makes nights feel like daytime, and environmental damage from construction. Hundreds of trees, and possibly entire forests, were felled to clear the land for building the data centres. Groundwater and wells were allegedly contaminated by heavy dust and sediment. Some residents reported dry taps, discoloured or tainted water, and sediment clogging their pipes. They also expressed concerns about air quality deteriorating because of construction dust. The report also highlighted rising electricity demand from data centres. In the US, such demand is projected to double or triple nationally. Residential bills have already gone up in Georgia as power rates were hiked by 24 per cent in 2025. Companies receive tax breaks while costs shift to residents, the report said, and it criticised limited corporate accountability. Has India taken into account environment damage, pollution and electricity burden caused by data centre boom? In India, such scrutiny is absent on data centre growth, at least for now. There has not been much reporting on whether they have caused any environmental damage or pollution or adversely affected local communities. In the absence of such objective analysis or criticism, data centre activity is likely to increase in India. One has to wait to see the long-term impacts of data centre expansion.

The data centre boom in India is accelerating with billions of dollars in AI and cloud investments. Contrast this with US reports warning of pollution, water stress, rising power demand and community impact caused by fuel-guzzling data centres. Are companies investing in a regulatory vacuum?

India's data centre boom comes amid environmental questions in the US. What does it mean?

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is fueling unprecedented demand for memory chips, triggering a global semiconductor shortage. AI applications, from large language models to generative AI tools, require massive amounts of high-performance memory, putting intense pressure on chip manufacturers and supply chains.
Industry experts warn that this AI-driven memory crunch could affect consumer electronics, data centers, and cloud computing services worldwide, highlighting the need for accelerated investment in semiconductor production and technological innovation.

AI Boom Sparks Global Memory Crunch, Chip Demand Soars

Elon Musk says a future without compulsory work is coming, powered by rapid advances in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. According to Musk, AI-driven productivity could make traditional jobs optional, reshaping economies, labor markets, and global wealth distribution. Here’s what Musk claims, why experts are divided, and what this future could actually look like.

Elon Musk Predicts End of Compulsory Work, AI Boom Promises Massive Productivity

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that no company in the world, including Google, will be protected if the current AI boom collapses. He said this during an interview with the BBC, where he spoke openly about the rising fears of an AI market bubble fuelled by heavy investment and soaring valuations.&nbsp;Pichai described the moment as “extraordinary” but admitted that the market is showing “elements of irrationality”, similar to the early 2000s dot-com bubble.<h2>AI valuations raising concerns across markets</h2>According to the BBC report, analysts have questioned whether current AI valuations can last, as both large tech companies and start-ups attract huge funding.Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has seen its shares rise around 46 per cent this year, supported by investor confidence in its AI products and competition with OpenAI.&nbsp;However, fears of a bubble are also visible in wider markets. In the United States, high AI valuations have started to affect broader trading sentiment. British policymakers have also issued warnings about the “bubble-like” environment forming around AI companies.&nbsp;In September, Alphabet announced a £5 billion investment over two years in the UK to support AI research and infrastructure, including a new data centre and additional funding for DeepMind. The company also plans to begin training AI models in Britain, a move welcomed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his aim to make the country a global AI leader.&nbsp;Pichai: Google not immune despite its strong position&nbsp;When asked if Google would remain unaffected if the AI bubble bursts, Pichai told the BBC:&nbsp;“I think no company is going to be immune, including us.”&nbsp;He added that Google may still be in a better position than others because it runs a full-stack system managing everything from data centres to consumer products. This gives the company more control, which could help it stay stable even during a market downturn.&nbsp;Still, he acknowledged that the rapid growth of AI models requires massive computing power and energy, and Alphabet’s own net-zero targets are likely to be delayed due to the rising energy demands of AI.&nbsp;Pichai warns users not to “blindly trust” AI chatbots&nbsp;The BBC report also highlights Pichai’s comments on AI hallucinations situations where AI tools produce incorrect information with confidence.&nbsp;The Google CEO said AI systems can still make mistakes, and users should always verify important information. He added:&nbsp;People “have to learn to use these tools for what they’re good at, and not blindly trust everything they say.”&nbsp;Google has faced similar concerns with its own models as the company tries to improve the accuracy and reliability of AI tools used by millions.&nbsp;<h2>Dot-com comparison adds weight to market fears</h2>Pichai’s comment that there are “elements of irrationality” echoes past warnings from major market figures.&nbsp;Earlier, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told the BBC that the rising US stock market looked unsustainable and that “some of the money being invested in AI is bound to be lost”.&nbsp;Like the dot-com era, many analysts now believe only a few AI companies will succeed in the long run, while others may fail if the bubble bursts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Google CEO Sundar Pichai warns that no company is safe if the AI boom collapses. He says the market shows signs of “irrationality”, like the dot-com bubble, and urges users not to blindly trust AI tools as big firms race to invest billions in advanced technology.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that no company in the world, including Google, will be protected if the current AI boom collapses. He said this during an interview with the BBC, where he spoke openly about the rising fears of an AI market bubble fuelled by heavy investment and soaring valuations. Pichai described the moment as “extraordinary” but admitted that the market is showing “elements of irrationality”, similar to the early 2000s dot-com bubble. AI valuations raising concerns across markets According to the BBC report, analysts have questioned whether current AI valuations can last, as both large tech companies and start-ups attract huge funding. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has seen its shares rise around 46 per cent this year, supported by investor confidence in its AI products and competition with OpenAI. However, fears of a bubble are also visible in wider markets. In the United States, high AI valuations have started to affect broader trading sentiment. British policymakers have also issued warnings about the “bubble-like” environment forming around AI companies. In September, Alphabet announced a £5 billion investment over two years in the UK to support AI research and infrastructure, including a new data centre and additional funding for DeepMind. The company also plans to begin training AI models in Britain, a move welcomed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his aim to make the country a global AI leader. Pichai: Google not immune despite its strong position When asked if Google would remain unaffected if the AI bubble bursts, Pichai told the BBC: “I think no company is going to be immune, including us.” He added that Google may still be in a better position than others because it runs a full-stack system managing everything from data centres to consumer products. This gives the company more control, which could help it stay stable even during a market downturn. Still, he acknowledged that the rapid growth of AI models requires massive computing power and energy, and Alphabet’s own net-zero targets are likely to be delayed due to the rising energy demands of AI. Pichai warns users not to “blindly trust” AI chatbots The BBC report also highlights Pichai’s comments on AI hallucinations situations where AI tools produce incorrect information with confidence. The Google CEO said AI systems can still make mistakes, and users should always verify important information. He added: People “have to learn to use these tools for what they’re good at, and not blindly trust everything they say.” Google has faced similar concerns with its own models as the company tries to improve the accuracy and reliability of AI tools used by millions. Dot-com comparison adds weight to market fears Pichai’s comment that there are “elements of irrationality” echoes past warnings from major market figures. Earlier, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told the BBC that the rising US stock market looked unsustainable and that “some of the money being invested in AI is bound to be lost”. Like the dot-com era, many analysts now believe only a few AI companies will succeed in the long run, while others may fail if the bubble bursts.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai warns that no company is safe if the AI boom collapses. He says the market shows signs of “irrationality”, like the dot-com bubble, and urges users not to blindly trust AI tools as big firms race to invest billions in advanced technology.

AI bubble risk: Sundar Pichai warns no company will be safe if the AI bubble bursts

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against fears that the artificial intelligence (AI) chip boom is losing momentum. Speaking after the company’s second-quarter results, Huang said AI spending will expand into a multi-trillion-dollar market within the next five years.&nbsp;Despite this upbeat message, Nvidia shares slipped 1.56 per cent in premarket trading on Thursday as the company’s third-quarter forecast fell short of some investor expectations. The cautious outlook excluded any potential revenue from China, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty caused by trade restrictions between Washington and Beijing.&nbsp;<h2>‘A new industrial revolution has started’</h2>He told investors that AI is creating opportunities on a historic scale. “A new industrial revolution has started. The AI race is on,” he said, projecting $3 trillion to $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade.&nbsp;He explained that data centres alone are expected to spend around $600 billion in 2025, with major buyers including Microsoft and Amazon. For a single $60 billion data centre project, Huang said Nvidia could supply as much as $35 billion worth of chips and systems.&nbsp;“The buzz is: everything sold out,” Huang said, pointing to strong demand for its high-end Blackwell chips and even older Hopper processors, which remain in high demand.&nbsp;<h2>Balancing investor caution and AI optimism</h2>While Huang’s forecast highlights Nvidia’s confidence, some investors remain wary. AI-related stocks have shown signs of slowing momentum, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently warning that investors may be “overexcited” about AI.&nbsp;Matt Orton, head of advisory solutions at Raymond James, said Nvidia still has durability in its growth story: “The mega caps are the ones propelling a lot of the capital spending that Nvidia is benefiting from. You’re not seeing any slowdown in Nvidia’s results.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Portfolio manager Thomas Martin at Globalt Investments echoed this, noting that Nvidia’s order books for 2026 Blackwell chips are already full, showing how early the AI expansion still is.&nbsp;<h2>China's question remains unanswered</h2>Nvidia has not shipped its H20 reduced-capability chips to China in the latest quarter, even though a non-Chinese customer purchased $650 million worth of the same product. The lack of clarity over U.S.-China export rules continues to cast uncertainty on Nvidia’s growth potential in one of the world’s largest tech markets.&nbsp;The company’s cautious Q3 revenue forecast has therefore raised some concerns, though analysts note that Nvidia’s dominance in AI chips gives it significant room to expand outside China.Nvidia has outperformed much of the broader market this year, even surpassing Apple in quarterly net income. With AI infrastructure spending accelerating, Huang believes the company is still in the “early stages” of a long-term cycle.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI spending will hit multi-trillion dollars within five years, calling it a new industrial revolution. Despite strong demand for its chips, Nvidia shares dipped as Q3 outlook excluded china due to trade restrictions.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against fears that the artificial intelligence (AI) chip boom is losing momentum. Speaking after the company’s second-quarter results, Huang said AI spending will expand into a multi-trillion-dollar market within the next five years. Despite this upbeat message, Nvidia shares slipped 1.56 per cent in premarket trading on Thursday as the company’s third-quarter forecast fell short of some investor expectations. The cautious outlook excluded any potential revenue from China, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty caused by trade restrictions between Washington and Beijing. ‘A new industrial revolution has started’ He told investors that AI is creating opportunities on a historic scale. “A new industrial revolution has started. The AI race is on,” he said, projecting $3 trillion to $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade. He explained that data centres alone are expected to spend around $600 billion in 2025, with major buyers including Microsoft and Amazon. For a single $60 billion data centre project, Huang said Nvidia could supply as much as $35 billion worth of chips and systems. “The buzz is: everything sold out,” Huang said, pointing to strong demand for its high-end Blackwell chips and even older Hopper processors, which remain in high demand. Balancing investor caution and AI optimism While Huang’s forecast highlights Nvidia’s confidence, some investors remain wary. AI-related stocks have shown signs of slowing momentum, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently warning that investors may be “overexcited” about AI. Matt Orton, head of advisory solutions at Raymond James, said Nvidia still has durability in its growth story: “The mega caps are the ones propelling a lot of the capital spending that Nvidia is benefiting from. You’re not seeing any slowdown in Nvidia’s results.” Portfolio manager Thomas Martin at Globalt Investments echoed this, noting that Nvidia’s order books for 2026 Blackwell chips are already full, showing how early the AI expansion still is. China's question remains unanswered Nvidia has not shipped its H20 reduced-capability chips to China in the latest quarter, even though a non-Chinese customer purchased $650 million worth of the same product. The lack of clarity over U.S.-China export rules continues to cast uncertainty on Nvidia’s growth potential in one of the world’s largest tech markets. The company’s cautious Q3 revenue forecast has therefore raised some concerns, though analysts note that Nvidia’s dominance in AI chips gives it significant room to expand outside China.Nvidia has outperformed much of the broader market this year, even surpassing Apple in quarterly net income. With AI infrastructure spending accelerating, Huang believes the company is still in the “early stages” of a long-term cycle.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI spending will hit multi-trillion dollars within five years, calling it a new industrial revolution. Despite strong demand for its chips, Nvidia shares dipped as Q3 outlook excluded china due to trade restrictions.

Nvidia CEO says AI boom is just starting, predicts multi-trillion dollar growth

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Nvidia CEO says AI boom is just starting, predicts multi-trillion dollar growth