Beijing – China unveiled a formidable display of next-generation AI-powered weaponry and strategic defense systems during its Military Day Parade, capturing global attention with its growing emphasis on autonomous warfare capabilities.

Among the highlights were unmanned combat drones, hypersonic missiles guided by AI, and autonomous land vehicles, all of which signaled China’s rapid leap into the era of intelligent warfare. The technological showcase underscored Beijing’s ambitions to dominate not just traditional battlefields, but also the digital and autonomous theatres of war.

Victory day parade 2025: China's AI powered military steals the limelight

Google is facing mounting challenges to its AI dominance, with rivals gaining ground in innovation and adoption. Meanwhile, the tech giant scored a legal win—U.S. regulators have confirmed that Google is not required to sell off its Chrome browser amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny. Despite pressure, Alphabet's stock jumped, reflecting investor confidence in Google's long-term AI and product strategy.

Google faces AI challenge | Not required to sell Chrome as stocks jump

Google will no longer have to divest Chrome and Android businesses as a federal judge ruled in its favor in a search antitrust case. But experts point out that how it's not the court which is a cause of concern, watch why AI is emerging as an existential threat to the famed search engine.



AI is Silently Killing Google

In a historic first, China has publicly unveiled its complete nuclear triad—land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers—during a massive military parade. The unprecedented display signals Beijing’s growing strategic confidence and sends a clear message to global rivals, including the United States.

China military parade: New gen tech, AI-equipped drones on display

Recent advances in brain-computer interfaces are giving new hope to individuals with paralysis. From Neuralink's brain implants that let users type or draw with thought, to Stanford's "inner monologue" decoder, which translates silent speech directly into text in real time, these technologies are revolutionizing augmentative communication. One system achieves up to 74% accuracy in decoding internal speech, paving the way for more natural, thought-based interaction.

Latest technology offers a new form of communication to paralysed people

A groundbreaking AI stethoscope developed in the UK can detect three serious heart conditions—heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and heart valve disease—in just 15 seconds. Doctors say it could revolutionize early diagnosis and treatment by identifying warning signs long before symptoms appear. The device uses machine learning algorithms and real-time data analysis to deliver fast, accurate results right at the point of care.


This AI stethoscope can spot deadly heart conditions in just 15 seconds

Tech offers a new form of communication to paralysed people

A new study has revealed that AI chatbots can be manipulated into breaking safety rules, exposing critical gaps in handling sensitive queries such as suicide-related conversations.


AI Chatbots can be persuaded to break rules, new study flags gaps in suicide queries

Meta Under Fire Over AI Holocaust Victims Pictures

The race for AI dominance is a global one, and one that threatens to disrupt the way we work. A new study by Stanford University reveals that while ai is already reshaping the workplace, there are some roles that are immune despite its growth.



AI Hurts Young Workers the Worst | WION Business Watch

Is artificial intelligence helping or hurting education? In this video, we explore whether AI is a teacher’s greatest ally or its biggest threat. From AI-powered tools in classrooms to concerns about job displacement and academic integrity, educators and students alike are asking: is AI changing the future of teaching for better or worse? Join us as we break down the pros, cons, and what's next for AI in education.


Artificial Intelligence: A teacher's enemy or best friend? 

Tokyo is harnessing AI-generated video technology to simulate the catastrophic effects of a potential Mount Fuji eruption. Authorities aim to prepare the public and emergency services for a worst-case scenario, while experts weigh in on the actual risk to Japan’s capital.

Mount fuji eruption: AI video shows simulation of possible impact 

Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of conspiring to suppress competition in the AI space—specifically targeting his AI startup, xAI, and its chatbot Grok.

The lawsuit, filed in Texas federal court, claims that Apple’s exclusive deal to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into iPhones has effectively blocked xAI’s products from fair visibility on the App Store. Musk argues that this “lock-up” of generative AI access harms consumer choice and innovation.

Elon Musk sues Apple & OpenAI over AI monopoly claims | xAI vs ChatGPT battle heats up

Hundreds of thousands of user conversations with Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok have been exposed in search engine results - seemingly without users' knowledge.


Leaked Grok Chats Expose Wild AI Requests, Sparks Controversy | WION

The UAE is set to roll out an AI curriculum with over 1,000 trained teachers leading the initiative, marking a major step in future-ready education.


Over 1,000 trained teachers to deliver AI curriculum in UAE

A UN expert has raised alarm over the Islamic State’s growing use of artificial intelligence to expand its influence and operations.

UN expert warns I-S exploiting AI tools

GRAVITAS | Microsoft’s head of Artificial Intelligence has warned that digital chatbots are fuelling a “flood” of delusion and psychosis. This was after
a section of users reported experiencing mental breakdowns when using tools like ChatGPT in recent times. Watch this video to find out more. 


AI Chatbots Can Trigger a Mental Health Crisis | GRAVITAS

India’s first fully AI-generated feature film, Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, has sparked a storm in Bollywood. Directors Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane have slammed the project, while actor Ranveer Singh appeared to support it. 
The announcement has reignited global debates over AI in art, creativity, and the future of cinema.

First-ever AI film sparks debate| Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane comment 

China has announced a groundbreaking development in reproductive technology: a humanoid robot capable of carrying a pregnancy using an artificial womb.


China Introduces Robot Pregnancy With Artificial Womb, Shaping the Future of Birth

Alphabet’s Google announced on August 13 that it will pour an additional $9 billion into Oklahoma over the next two years to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, underscoring the intensifying race among Big Tech companies to dominate the rapidly growing AI market. The investment will fund the construction of a new data centre campus in Stillwater and the expansion of its existing facility in Pryor, positioning Oklahoma as a key hub in Google’s US AI and cloud operations. Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai called the communities “vital engines of the internet and American innovation.”Google said part of the $9 billion is included in its 2025 capital expenditure plan—recently raised from $75 billion to about $85 billion—while the remainder is slated for future projects. The spending aligns with broader industry trends, as rivals including Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple ramp up their own data centre and AI investments in response to booming demand for generative AI and advanced computing services.<h2>Building capacity and talent for AI</h2>Alongside infrastructure expansion, Google is committing $1 billion toward AI education and workforce development in the United States. The initiative will provide free Google Career Certificates and AI training courses, targeting higher education institutions, nonprofits, and workforce programmes. More than 100 universities have already joined the programme, including large public systems such as Texas A&amp;M University and the University of North Carolina.&nbsp;Google is also partnering with the Electrical Training ALLIANCE to increase Oklahoma’s electrical workforce pipeline by 135 per cent, ensuring the state has the skilled labour required to support its growing tech infrastructure. This education push follows similar moves by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Amazon, which are also investing in AI literacy to meet the sector’s talent demands.<h2>Onshoring momentum and national tech ambitions</h2>Google’s expansion comes amid a broader wave of US onshoring initiatives encouraged by US President Donald Trump’s administration. Recent policy shifts have spurred major technology companies, including Micron, Nvidia, and CoreWeave, to boost domestic AI infrastructure. Apple, for instance, announced plans last week to invest $600 billion in the US over four years.By investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital, Google aims to solidify America’s leadership in AI development and cloud services while strengthening supply chain resilience in critical technology sectors.Construction on Google’s new Stillwater campus and Pryor expansion is expected to continue through 2027-2028. Once completed, the facilities will significantly increase the company’s AI and cloud computing capacity, supporting services that power search, productivity tools, and enterprise AI applications. Pichai said the initiative reflects Google’s “long-term commitment to US innovation”, adding that Oklahoma’s role in the company’s network will be “central to delivering the next generation of AI-powered tools to users and businesses worldwide”.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Google said part of the $9 billion is included in its 2025 capital expenditure plan—recently raised from $75 billion to about $85 billion—while the remainder is slated for future projects. The spending aligns with broader industry trends, as rivals including Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

Alphabet’s Google announced on August 13 that it will pour an additional $9 billion into Oklahoma over the next two years to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, underscoring the intensifying race among Big Tech companies to dominate the rapidly growing AI market. The investment will fund the construction of a new data centre campus in Stillwater and the expansion of its existing facility in Pryor, positioning Oklahoma as a key hub in Google’s US AI and cloud operations. Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai called the communities “vital engines of the internet and American innovation.” Google said part of the $9 billion is included in its 2025 capital expenditure plan—recently raised from $75 billion to about $85 billion—while the remainder is slated for future projects. The spending aligns with broader industry trends, as rivals including Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple ramp up their own data centre and AI investments in response to booming demand for generative AI and advanced computing services. Building capacity and talent for AI Alongside infrastructure expansion, Google is committing $1 billion toward AI education and workforce development in the United States. The initiative will provide free Google Career Certificates and AI training courses, targeting higher education institutions, nonprofits, and workforce programmes. More than 100 universities have already joined the programme, including large public systems such as Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina. Google is also partnering with the Electrical Training ALLIANCE to increase Oklahoma’s electrical workforce pipeline by 135 per cent, ensuring the state has the skilled labour required to support its growing tech infrastructure. This education push follows similar moves by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Amazon, which are also investing in AI literacy to meet the sector’s talent demands. Onshoring momentum and national tech ambitions Google’s expansion comes amid a broader wave of US onshoring initiatives encouraged by US President Donald Trump’s administration. Recent policy shifts have spurred major technology companies, including Micron, Nvidia, and CoreWeave, to boost domestic AI infrastructure. Apple, for instance, announced plans last week to invest $600 billion in the US over four years. By investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital, Google aims to solidify America’s leadership in AI development and cloud services while strengthening supply chain resilience in critical technology sectors. Construction on Google’s new Stillwater campus and Pryor expansion is expected to continue through 2027-2028. Once completed, the facilities will significantly increase the company’s AI and cloud computing capacity, supporting services that power search, productivity tools, and enterprise AI applications. Pichai said the initiative reflects Google’s “long-term commitment to US innovation”, adding that Oklahoma’s role in the company’s network will be “central to delivering the next generation of AI-powered tools to users and businesses worldwide”. (With inputs from agencies)

Google said part of the $9 billion is included in its 2025 capital expenditure plan—recently raised from $75 billion to about $85 billion—while the remainder is slated for future projects. The spending aligns with broader industry trends, as rivals including Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

Google to invest $9 billion in Oklahoma to boost AI and cloud infrastructure

As AI rapidly transforms workplaces, schools and surveillance systems across Asia, Hong Kong find new itself at a crossroads-embracing cutting-edge technology without clear safeguards to protect its citizens.


Hong Kong’s AI Porn Scandal; Victims Speak Out | GRAVITAS

#GRAVITAS| AI company Perplexity owned by an Indian-origin CEO which is seeking to acquire Google's Chrome Browser for $34.5 billion. Many are calling this a bold move, given Google Chrome commands nearly 3 million users worldwide. Watch this video to find out more.

AI Startup Makes $34.5 Billion Bid For Google's Chrome Browser

Artificial Intelligence is beginning to reshape work patterns, and JP Morgan warns it could lead to a jobless recovery in the U.S., where economic growth returns but jobs, particularly in white collar sectors, do not. 


JP Morgan: AI Threatens 45% of U.S. Jobs in White-collar Roles

Google has signed agreements with two major US electric utilities, Indiana Michigan Power (I&amp;M) and Tennessee Power Authority (TVA), to reduce its AI data centre power consumption during periods of high energy demand. This partnership is part of Google’s broader strategy to address sustainability concerns while continuing its aggressive expansion in AI technologies, which are known for their significant energy consumption. Under the terms of the agreements, Google will scale back its machine learning workloads at data centres when requested by the utilities, helping to free up capacity on the grid. This approach is known as “demand response”, a strategy typically used by energy-intensive industries like manufacturing or cryptocurrency mining. In exchange, businesses involved in such programmes often receive incentives like reduced electricity costs or payments.<h2>Managing AI’s growing energy demands</h2>AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints. With data centres accounting for a significant portion of Google’s energy use, the company’s commitment to energy flexibility could play a key role in stabilising grid capacity during peak periods.The collaboration with I&amp;M and TVA marks the first formal demand-response agreements Google has entered into specifically for its AI workloads. Google aims to integrate flexibility into its energy usage, enabling faster deployment of new data centres while reducing the need for new power plants and transmission infrastructure. “This will help grid operators manage power use more efficiently,” the company said in a blog post.<h2>Balancing sustainability with growth</h2>While Google’s approach to curtailing non-essential AI workloads during high demand offers a solution for grid stability, the company is also pursuing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear power to further reduce its environmental footprint. Google’s sustainability efforts also include plans for small modular reactors, underscoring the company’s drive to find innovative ways to power its data centres sustainably.These partnerships come as Google continues to tackle the challenge of balancing rapid AI growth with environmental responsibility. Despite reducing its data centre energy emissions by 12 per cent in 2024, Google acknowledges that much more needs to be done to curb the carbon footprint of its expanding AI infrastructure.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints.

Google has signed agreements with two major US electric utilities, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) and Tennessee Power Authority (TVA), to reduce its AI data centre power consumption during periods of high energy demand. This partnership is part of Google’s broader strategy to address sustainability concerns while continuing its aggressive expansion in AI technologies, which are known for their significant energy consumption. Under the terms of the agreements, Google will scale back its machine learning workloads at data centres when requested by the utilities, helping to free up capacity on the grid. This approach is known as “demand response”, a strategy typically used by energy-intensive industries like manufacturing or cryptocurrency mining. In exchange, businesses involved in such programmes often receive incentives like reduced electricity costs or payments. Managing AI’s growing energy demands AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints. With data centres accounting for a significant portion of Google’s energy use, the company’s commitment to energy flexibility could play a key role in stabilising grid capacity during peak periods. The collaboration with I&M and TVA marks the first formal demand-response agreements Google has entered into specifically for its AI workloads. Google aims to integrate flexibility into its energy usage, enabling faster deployment of new data centres while reducing the need for new power plants and transmission infrastructure. “This will help grid operators manage power use more efficiently,” the company said in a blog post. Balancing sustainability with growth While Google’s approach to curtailing non-essential AI workloads during high demand offers a solution for grid stability, the company is also pursuing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear power to further reduce its environmental footprint. Google’s sustainability efforts also include plans for small modular reactors, underscoring the company’s drive to find innovative ways to power its data centres sustainably. These partnerships come as Google continues to tackle the challenge of balancing rapid AI growth with environmental responsibility. Despite reducing its data centre energy emissions by 12 per cent in 2024, Google acknowledges that much more needs to be done to curb the carbon footprint of its expanding AI infrastructure. (With inputs from agencies)

AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints.

Google partners with US utilities to reduce AI data centre power use

Samsung Electronics is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence (AI), with plans to expand beyond Google’s Gemini model in its upcoming Galaxy smartphones. The South Korean tech giant is in advanced talks with multiple AI firms, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, to bring more generative capabilities to its next flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26, expected in 2025. According to Choi Won-Joon, president and chief operating officer of Samsung’s mobile division, the goal is to offer users more AI-powered choices rather than relying solely on Alphabet’s ecosystem.“We are talking to multiple vendors,” Choi said in a recent interview at Samsung’s Suwon headquarters. “As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there.” Samsung is reportedly close to finalising an investment deal with Perplexity AI, which would see the company’s app and AI assistant embedded in future Galaxy devices. The strategy mirrors a broader industry trend, as smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung increasingly tap external developers to complement their in-house AI efforts.<h2>Chips and choices</h2>AI isn’t the only area where Samsung is diversifying. The company is currently evaluating chipsets for the Galaxy S26 series and may opt for its proprietary Exynos 2600 processor alongside, or instead of, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips. The recently launched Galaxy Z Flip 7 marked a milestone for Samsung, being the first foldable device powered by Exynos. With that launch, Samsung signalled a growing intent to reduce dependence on Qualcomm while addressing past concerns around the thermal and energy efficiency of its own chips.<h2>Foldable phones poised for breakout year</h2>On the hardware front, Samsung continues to bet heavily on foldables. The company has led the category with devices like the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip but now faces new competition. Apple is expected to enter the foldable market next year with its first folding iPhone, reportedly using OLED displays sourced from Samsung Display.“This is just the beginning of making these phones go mainstream,” said Choi, adding that Apple’s arrival would be “beneficial for the industry” by accelerating innovation and consumer adoption. With a sharpened focus on AI, in-house components, and form factor innovation, Samsung is positioning itself for a transformative year in mobile tech.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

The South Korean tech giant, Samsung, is in advanced talks with multiple AI firms, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, to bring more generative capabilities to its next flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26, expected in 2025.

Samsung Electronics is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence (AI), with plans to expand beyond Google’s Gemini model in its upcoming Galaxy smartphones. The South Korean tech giant is in advanced talks with multiple AI firms, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, to bring more generative capabilities to its next flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26, expected in 2025. According to Choi Won-Joon, president and chief operating officer of Samsung’s mobile division, the goal is to offer users more AI-powered choices rather than relying solely on Alphabet’s ecosystem. “We are talking to multiple vendors,” Choi said in a recent interview at Samsung’s Suwon headquarters. “As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there.” Samsung is reportedly close to finalising an investment deal with Perplexity AI, which would see the company’s app and AI assistant embedded in future Galaxy devices. The strategy mirrors a broader industry trend, as smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung increasingly tap external developers to complement their in-house AI efforts. Chips and choices AI isn’t the only area where Samsung is diversifying. The company is currently evaluating chipsets for the Galaxy S26 series and may opt for its proprietary Exynos 2600 processor alongside, or instead of, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips. The recently launched Galaxy Z Flip 7 marked a milestone for Samsung, being the first foldable device powered by Exynos. With that launch, Samsung signalled a growing intent to reduce dependence on Qualcomm while addressing past concerns around the thermal and energy efficiency of its own chips. Foldable phones poised for breakout year On the hardware front, Samsung continues to bet heavily on foldables. The company has led the category with devices like the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip but now faces new competition. Apple is expected to enter the foldable market next year with its first folding iPhone, reportedly using OLED displays sourced from Samsung Display. “This is just the beginning of making these phones go mainstream,” said Choi, adding that Apple’s arrival would be “beneficial for the industry” by accelerating innovation and consumer adoption. With a sharpened focus on AI, in-house components, and form factor innovation, Samsung is positioning itself for a transformative year in mobile tech. (With inputs from agencies)

The South Korean tech giant, Samsung, is in advanced talks with multiple AI firms, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, to bring more generative capabilities to its next flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26, expected in 2025.

Samsung eyes AI expansion beyond Google Gemini for next-gen Galaxy devices

Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than ever, and now scientists and industry leaders are divided on one big question when will AI become smarter than humans?<h2> What is AGI and the Singularity?</h2>A recent report by research group AIMultiple analysed predictions from 8,590 scientists, entrepreneurs, and AI experts. The goal was to understand when artificial general intelligence (AGI) and the singularity, the point where machines surpass human intelligence.<h2> Scientists and Experts Predict When AGI Will Arrive</h2>Some experts believe we are still decades away. According to the report, most scientists expect AGI around 2040, while others had earlier predicted it by 2060. However, the arrival of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, has changed the outlook. Many tech entrepreneurs are now predicting that AGI could come by 2030 or even sooner.<h2> How ChatGPT and Large Language Models Are Changing the Game &nbsp;</h2>One of the most surprising views came from the CEO of Anthropic. He suggested that the singularity could happen within just six months. This extreme view is based on how quickly machine learning models are developing.&nbsp;The report points to rapid increases in computing power as a key reason behind these predictions. As processors get faster and more efficient, AI models are also improving at a fast pace. The report highlights Moore’s Law the idea that computing power doubles roughly every 18 months as a driving force. And if traditional computers hit a limit, quantum computing could take over.&nbsp;Still, not everyone agrees. Some scientists believe that human intelligence is far more complex. They argue that AGI cannot simply be defined by logic and problem-solving. Instead, it should also include emotional, interpersonal, and existential thinking areas where current AI still struggles.<h2>Why Some Experts Are Skeptical About AGI</h2>Yann LeCun, a leading AI researcher, believes the term AGI should be replaced with “advanced machine intelligence.” He warns that expecting machines to fully copy human thinking may not be realistic.<h2> What This Means for the Future of AI and Society</h2>The report concludes that while experts disagree on the timeline, AI will continue to reshape society in powerful ways in the coming years.

A new analysis from AIMultiple reveals that nearly 8,600 expert predictions suggest artificial general intelligence (AGI) may arrive much sooner than expected. While many estimate a timeline around 2040, some tech leaders believe it could happen within the next six months.

Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than ever, and now scientists and industry leaders are divided on one big question when will AI become smarter than humans? What is AGI and the Singularity? A recent report by research group AIMultiple analysed predictions from 8,590 scientists, entrepreneurs, and AI experts. The goal was to understand when artificial general intelligence (AGI) and the singularity, the point where machines surpass human intelligence. Scientists and Experts Predict When AGI Will Arrive Some experts believe we are still decades away. According to the report, most scientists expect AGI around 2040, while others had earlier predicted it by 2060. However, the arrival of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, has changed the outlook. Many tech entrepreneurs are now predicting that AGI could come by 2030 or even sooner. How ChatGPT and Large Language Models Are Changing the Game One of the most surprising views came from the CEO of Anthropic. He suggested that the singularity could happen within just six months. This extreme view is based on how quickly machine learning models are developing. The report points to rapid increases in computing power as a key reason behind these predictions. As processors get faster and more efficient, AI models are also improving at a fast pace. The report highlights Moore’s Law the idea that computing power doubles roughly every 18 months as a driving force. And if traditional computers hit a limit, quantum computing could take over. Still, not everyone agrees. Some scientists believe that human intelligence is far more complex. They argue that AGI cannot simply be defined by logic and problem-solving. Instead, it should also include emotional, interpersonal, and existential thinking areas where current AI still struggles. Why Some Experts Are Skeptical About AGI Yann LeCun, a leading AI researcher, believes the term AGI should be replaced with “advanced machine intelligence.” He warns that expecting machines to fully copy human thinking may not be realistic. What This Means for the Future of AI and Society The report concludes that while experts disagree on the timeline, AI will continue to reshape society in powerful ways in the coming years.

A new analysis from AIMultiple reveals that nearly 8,600 expert predictions suggest artificial general intelligence (AGI) may arrive much sooner than expected. While many estimate a timeline around 2040, some tech leaders believe it could happen within the next six months.

AI is racing ahead: from ChatGPT to AGI, how close are we to the singularity?

Microsoft Corp. has confirmed that it will lay off approximately 9,000 workers, marking its second mass layoff this year. The company cited the move as part of its ongoing efforts to align the organisation with changing market dynamics and focus on strategic growth areas, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. The layoffs, which affect multiple divisions, are part of broader organisational changes that include eliminating management layers and streamlining operations. The announcement came on July 2, as Microsoft entered its 2026 fiscal year, typically a time when the company reviews its internal structure and priorities. This latest round of cuts represents about 4 per cent of its global workforce, which stood at 228,000 employees as of June 2024.<h2>Gaming to bear the brunt</h2>The job reductions will have a significant impact across various business units, with particular attention on Microsoft’s gaming division. The company’s Xbox business is expected to be one of the hardest hit, following a trend of job cuts in recent years as Microsoft pivots to prioritise AI development.The gaming division, which includes subsidiaries such as King, the makers of Candy Crush, ZeniMax, Raven Software, and 343 Industries (the developer behind Halo), will see substantial workforce reductions. King, based in Stockholm, is laying off 10 per cent of its staff, or around 200 employees. Several other gaming studios under the Xbox umbrella, including those working on high-profile projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, have been impacted by project cancellations.Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, wrote in a memo to staff that these decisions were made to prioritise the company’s strongest opportunities in the rapidly changing gaming industry. He emphasised that the gaming division would focus on areas that are poised for long-term success, despite the cancellation of several in-progress projects.<h2>Company’s focus on artificial intelligence</h2>While the layoffs come as a shock to many, they also reflect Microsoft's ongoing shift toward AI, a sector that the company sees as integral to its future success. Microsoft is investing billions of dollars in expanding its AI capabilities, including developing massive data centres and AI models. In fact, the company recently announced an $80 billion investment in its AI infrastructure. This focus on AI has reshaped the company’s workforce needs, with high-cost employees in non-core areas being let go to make room for the company’s new priorities.Microsoft’s AI division is led by Mustafa Suleyman, who was brought in last year to spearhead efforts in machine learning and AI. As part of its AI push, Microsoft is also making significant investments in cloud-based services, which it expects to drive long-term growth. The company has also been expanding its stake in OpenAI, the parent company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot.Despite these strategic shifts, Microsoft has faced challenges in selling its AI-driven products, such as Copilot, to enterprise clients, with reports suggesting that many office workers still prefer ChatGPT over Microsoft’s offerings. This has led to tensions between Microsoft and OpenAI, as the two companies struggle to define their relationship moving forward.<h2>A trend across the tech industry</h2>Microsoft’s layoffs are part of a broader trend of workforce reductions across the tech industry. Other major players, including Meta, Amazon, and Autodesk, have also cut jobs this year, often in response to shifting priorities toward AI and automation. Microsoft itself had already conducted three rounds of layoffs in 2025, including a 6,000-job reduction in May and a smaller cut in June.While the company remains profitable, posting $26 billion in net income for the March quarter, executives have emphasised that reducing management layers and cutting costs in non-strategic areas are necessary steps for maintaining long-term success. Microsoft’s stock closed at a record high of $497.45 per share on June 26, despite the uncertainty surrounding its workforce changes.The latest layoffs mark a significant moment in Microsoft’s ongoing transformation as it pivots toward AI and cloud computing. While the company continues to report strong financials, including revenue growth in its Azure and productivity software divisions, these restructuring efforts reflect the broader shifts occurring in the tech landscape.For Microsoft employees affected by the cuts, the future remains uncertain, but the company has promised to prioritise affected workers for new roles within the organisation. As the company braces for the future of AI and the next phase of digital transformation, its workforce realignment shows just how quickly the tech giant is adapting to a rapidly changing marketplace.

The layoffs announced by Microsoft, which affect multiple divisions, are part of broader organisational changes that include eliminating management layers and streamlining operations. 

Microsoft Corp. has confirmed that it will lay off approximately 9,000 workers, marking its second mass layoff this year. The company cited the move as part of its ongoing efforts to align the organisation with changing market dynamics and focus on strategic growth areas, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. The layoffs, which affect multiple divisions, are part of broader organisational changes that include eliminating management layers and streamlining operations. The announcement came on July 2, as Microsoft entered its 2026 fiscal year, typically a time when the company reviews its internal structure and priorities. This latest round of cuts represents about 4 per cent of its global workforce, which stood at 228,000 employees as of June 2024. Gaming to bear the brunt The job reductions will have a significant impact across various business units, with particular attention on Microsoft’s gaming division. The company’s Xbox business is expected to be one of the hardest hit, following a trend of job cuts in recent years as Microsoft pivots to prioritise AI development. The gaming division, which includes subsidiaries such as King, the makers of Candy Crush, ZeniMax, Raven Software, and 343 Industries (the developer behind Halo), will see substantial workforce reductions. King, based in Stockholm, is laying off 10 per cent of its staff, or around 200 employees. Several other gaming studios under the Xbox umbrella, including those working on high-profile projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, have been impacted by project cancellations. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, wrote in a memo to staff that these decisions were made to prioritise the company’s strongest opportunities in the rapidly changing gaming industry. He emphasised that the gaming division would focus on areas that are poised for long-term success, despite the cancellation of several in-progress projects. Company’s focus on artificial intelligence While the layoffs come as a shock to many, they also reflect Microsoft's ongoing shift toward AI, a sector that the company sees as integral to its future success. Microsoft is investing billions of dollars in expanding its AI capabilities, including developing massive data centres and AI models. In fact, the company recently announced an $80 billion investment in its AI infrastructure. This focus on AI has reshaped the company’s workforce needs, with high-cost employees in non-core areas being let go to make room for the company’s new priorities. Microsoft’s AI division is led by Mustafa Suleyman, who was brought in last year to spearhead efforts in machine learning and AI. As part of its AI push, Microsoft is also making significant investments in cloud-based services, which it expects to drive long-term growth. The company has also been expanding its stake in OpenAI, the parent company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot. Despite these strategic shifts, Microsoft has faced challenges in selling its AI-driven products, such as Copilot, to enterprise clients, with reports suggesting that many office workers still prefer ChatGPT over Microsoft’s offerings. This has led to tensions between Microsoft and OpenAI, as the two companies struggle to define their relationship moving forward. A trend across the tech industry Microsoft’s layoffs are part of a broader trend of workforce reductions across the tech industry. Other major players, including Meta, Amazon, and Autodesk, have also cut jobs this year, often in response to shifting priorities toward AI and automation. Microsoft itself had already conducted three rounds of layoffs in 2025, including a 6,000-job reduction in May and a smaller cut in June. While the company remains profitable, posting $26 billion in net income for the March quarter, executives have emphasised that reducing management layers and cutting costs in non-strategic areas are necessary steps for maintaining long-term success. Microsoft’s stock closed at a record high of $497.45 per share on June 26, despite the uncertainty surrounding its workforce changes. The latest layoffs mark a significant moment in Microsoft’s ongoing transformation as it pivots toward AI and cloud computing. While the company continues to report strong financials, including revenue growth in its Azure and productivity software divisions, these restructuring efforts reflect the broader shifts occurring in the tech landscape. For Microsoft employees affected by the cuts, the future remains uncertain, but the company has promised to prioritise affected workers for new roles within the organisation. As the company braces for the future of AI and the next phase of digital transformation, its workforce realignment shows just how quickly the tech giant is adapting to a rapidly changing marketplace.

The layoffs announced by Microsoft, which affect multiple divisions, are part of broader organisational changes that include eliminating management layers and streamlining operations.&nbsp;

Microsoft trims 4% of workforce amid growing AI focus

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has secured a total of $10 billion in fresh funding, $5 billion in debt and $5 billion in equity as it ramps up efforts to expand its AI infrastructure and accelerate development of its flagship Grok platform, Morgan Stanley announced on June 30. The debt raise, structured through secured notes and term loans, was oversubscribed and attracted several prominent global debt investors, according to a statement shared by Morgan Stanley on social media platform X. In parallel, xAI closed a separate $5 billion strategic equity investment, underscoring growing interest in the AI sector despite early concerns about investor appetite.The proceeds from both the debt and equity deals will be channelled into developing advanced AI models, building one of the world’s largest data centres, and further expanding the capabilities of xAI’s Grok platform. The company’s flagship product, Grok, is deeply integrated into the X social media platform, which Musk owns. Founded in early 2023, xAI merged with X in March 2025 to more tightly align Musk’s AI ambitions with his broader ecosystem of tech ventures. The company began operating what it claims is the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis, Tennessee, in December 2024.<h2>Valuation could cross $120 billion</h2>In addition to the latest capital infusion, xAI is reportedly in talks to raise up to $20 billion in further equity, which could push its valuation above $120 billion. Some investors are said to be valuing the company as high as $200 billion, reflecting the rapidly growing interest in next-generation AI infrastructure and tools.Morgan Stanley’s announcement comes amid intensifying competition among AI developers, as companies race to build more powerful models and data centres. With rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind making significant strides, xAI is positioning itself as a formidable challenger by aggressively scaling its resources.Musk recently teased the launch of Grok 4, an updated version of the AI model, expected shortly after the July 4 holiday. As the industry heats up, the new funding marks a pivotal moment for xAI in its mission to be at the forefront of artificial general intelligence development.

xAI raised $5 billion via debt and closed a separate $5 billion strategic equity investment, underscoring growing interest in the AI sector despite early concerns about investor appetite.

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has secured a total of $10 billion in fresh funding, $5 billion in debt and $5 billion in equity as it ramps up efforts to expand its AI infrastructure and accelerate development of its flagship Grok platform, Morgan Stanley announced on June 30. The debt raise, structured through secured notes and term loans, was oversubscribed and attracted several prominent global debt investors, according to a statement shared by Morgan Stanley on social media platform X. In parallel, xAI closed a separate $5 billion strategic equity investment, underscoring growing interest in the AI sector despite early concerns about investor appetite. The proceeds from both the debt and equity deals will be channelled into developing advanced AI models, building one of the world’s largest data centres, and further expanding the capabilities of xAI’s Grok platform. The company’s flagship product, Grok, is deeply integrated into the X social media platform, which Musk owns. Founded in early 2023, xAI merged with X in March 2025 to more tightly align Musk’s AI ambitions with his broader ecosystem of tech ventures. The company began operating what it claims is the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis, Tennessee, in December 2024. Valuation could cross $120 billion In addition to the latest capital infusion, xAI is reportedly in talks to raise up to $20 billion in further equity, which could push its valuation above $120 billion. Some investors are said to be valuing the company as high as $200 billion, reflecting the rapidly growing interest in next-generation AI infrastructure and tools. Morgan Stanley’s announcement comes amid intensifying competition among AI developers, as companies race to build more powerful models and data centres. With rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind making significant strides, xAI is positioning itself as a formidable challenger by aggressively scaling its resources. Musk recently teased the launch of Grok 4, an updated version of the AI model, expected shortly after the July 4 holiday. As the industry heats up, the new funding marks a pivotal moment for xAI in its mission to be at the forefront of artificial general intelligence development.

xAI raised $5 billion via debt and closed a separate $5 billion strategic equity investment, underscoring growing interest in the AI sector despite early concerns about investor appetite.

Musk’s xAI raises $10 billion to scale up AI ambitions

As the world tilts towards AI, robots and everything digital, Godfather of AI and Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton said that there's only one job that won't be replaced by Artificial Intelligence.While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved.<h2>Here's the one job AI won't replace</h2>Hinton believes that the job of "plumbing" will not be affected by the AI revolution.Hinton is a Nobel Prize winner who earned his nickname for his work on neural networks and has revealed the risks of mass joblessness in the future, saying that technology will “get to be better than us at everything."During an interview on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast, he said that the takeover will happen eventually, but there are still jobs that are safer than others for now."I'd say it's going to be a long time before it's as good at physical manipulation. So a good bet would be to be a plumber," he said, according to a report.The godfather of AI added that "intellectual" labour would be the worst hit as AI would easily take over those jobs."For mundane intellectual labour, AI is just going to replace everybody," he said.He stressed that most jobs will not be able to withstand the wave of disruption AI will bring in the future."In the past, new technologies have come in, which didn’t led to joblessness. New jobs were created. So the classic example people use is automatic telemachines. When automatic tele machines came in, a lot of bank tellers didn’t lose their jobs, they just got to do more interesting things," Hinton said.He noted that he saw an article recently, saying that many university graduates are already struggling to find jobs, adding that one reason could be that companies have started using AI to do the kind of work these graduates will do.&nbsp;

While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved.

As the world tilts towards AI, robots and everything digital, Godfather of AI and Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton said that there's only one job that won't be replaced by Artificial Intelligence. While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved. Here's the one job AI won't replace Hinton believes that the job of "plumbing" will not be affected by the AI revolution. Hinton is a Nobel Prize winner who earned his nickname for his work on neural networks and has revealed the risks of mass joblessness in the future, saying that technology will “get to be better than us at everything." During an interview on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast, he said that the takeover will happen eventually, but there are still jobs that are safer than others for now. "I'd say it's going to be a long time before it's as good at physical manipulation. So a good bet would be to be a plumber," he said, according to a report. The godfather of AI added that "intellectual" labour would be the worst hit as AI would easily take over those jobs. "For mundane intellectual labour, AI is just going to replace everybody," he said. He stressed that most jobs will not be able to withstand the wave of disruption AI will bring in the future. "In the past, new technologies have come in, which didn’t led to joblessness. New jobs were created. So the classic example people use is automatic telemachines. When automatic tele machines came in, a lot of bank tellers didn’t lose their jobs, they just got to do more interesting things," Hinton said. He noted that he saw an article recently, saying that many university graduates are already struggling to find jobs, adding that one reason could be that companies have started using AI to do the kind of work these graduates will do.

While stressing that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity one day, he made a revelation on which job would be saved.

Godfather of AI reveals THIS one job AI won't replace | SPOILER: It's not a desk job

Alphabet’s Google is preparing to end its long-standing relationship with data-labelling startup Scale AI after Meta Platforms acquired a 49 per cent stake in the company, Reuters&nbsp;reported.&nbsp;The move marks a major shakeup in the AI ecosystem, with several top artificial intelligence (AI) labs now seeking alternative or in-house solutions to protect their proprietary data.Meta’s investment in Scale AI values the startup at $29 billion—double its previous valuation from just a year ago. But the eye-catching deal has spurred immediate concern from competitors in the AI space, who fear their confidential data, research directions, and prototype tools could now be indirectly exposed to a rival.Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series.&nbsp;Google alone was slated to spend around $200 million on Scale’s services this year and had paid $150 million in 2024.But insiders say Meta’s new stake and the appointment of Scale CEO Alexandr Wang to lead Meta’s superintelligence team was the tipping point for Google, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s xAI, and even OpenAI, all of whom are now scaling back or exiting their contracts with Scale.<h2>Data privacy, competition fuel concerns</h2>At the core of the backlash is a shared worry over data security and competitive leakage. Companies like Google and Microsoft rely on data-labelling partners to handle sensitive materials—including experimental products and training data—which may now be accessible to a firm like Meta through its close ties to Scale.Though Meta has not taken a board seat at Scale AI and insists the two companies will continue to operate independently, AI labs are sceptical. Wang’s move to Meta, along with a few Scale employees, only intensifies fears that Scale can no longer maintain the neutrality necessary to work with competing AI developers.<h2>Scale’s rivals gain ground</h2>The fallout is rapidly benefiting Scale AI’s competitors. Firms like Labelbox, Turing, Handshake, and Mercor are seeing a surge in demand from AI labs eager to pivot away from Scale. Handshake, which specialises in a vetted network of PhDs and technical experts, reported its client workload tripled overnight after news of the Meta deal broke.Labelbox, another major rival, is reportedly on track to gain “hundreds of millions” in new revenue this year as customers flee Scale. Several companies are also taking the in-house route, hiring their own data labellers to ensure tighter security and control.<h2>Meta’s strategic move and Wang’s role</h2>Meta’s acquisition appears driven not just by data but by talent. The deal gives Meta access to Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old tech prodigy who co-founded Scale in 2016. Wang, who dropped out of MIT to build Scale, is now tasked with leading Meta’s “superintelligence” team—a move that underscores CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to catch up in the AI race.Meta has faced delays in launching new AI models and has lost key staff in recent months. By bringing Wang onboard, the company is betting that a sharp business mind, rather than a research-heavy background, can restore its competitive edge—much like OpenAI's Sam Altman.Scale AI will continue to operate independently and serve its government and enterprise clients, but with its largest customers heading for the exit, the company’s growth trajectory is uncertain. The deal is also likely to invite regulatory scrutiny, especially given Meta’s existing antitrust battles in the US.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series. 

Alphabet’s Google is preparing to end its long-standing relationship with data-labelling startup Scale AI after Meta Platforms acquired a 49 per cent stake in the company, Reuters reported. The move marks a major shakeup in the AI ecosystem, with several top artificial intelligence (AI) labs now seeking alternative or in-house solutions to protect their proprietary data. Meta’s investment in Scale AI values the startup at $29 billion—double its previous valuation from just a year ago. But the eye-catching deal has spurred immediate concern from competitors in the AI space, who fear their confidential data, research directions, and prototype tools could now be indirectly exposed to a rival. Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series. Google alone was slated to spend around $200 million on Scale’s services this year and had paid $150 million in 2024. But insiders say Meta’s new stake and the appointment of Scale CEO Alexandr Wang to lead Meta’s superintelligence team was the tipping point for Google, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s xAI, and even OpenAI, all of whom are now scaling back or exiting their contracts with Scale. Data privacy, competition fuel concerns At the core of the backlash is a shared worry over data security and competitive leakage. Companies like Google and Microsoft rely on data-labelling partners to handle sensitive materials—including experimental products and training data—which may now be accessible to a firm like Meta through its close ties to Scale. Though Meta has not taken a board seat at Scale AI and insists the two companies will continue to operate independently, AI labs are sceptical. Wang’s move to Meta, along with a few Scale employees, only intensifies fears that Scale can no longer maintain the neutrality necessary to work with competing AI developers. Scale’s rivals gain ground The fallout is rapidly benefiting Scale AI’s competitors. Firms like Labelbox, Turing, Handshake, and Mercor are seeing a surge in demand from AI labs eager to pivot away from Scale. Handshake, which specialises in a vetted network of PhDs and technical experts, reported its client workload tripled overnight after news of the Meta deal broke. Labelbox, another major rival, is reportedly on track to gain “hundreds of millions” in new revenue this year as customers flee Scale. Several companies are also taking the in-house route, hiring their own data labellers to ensure tighter security and control. Meta’s strategic move and Wang’s role Meta’s acquisition appears driven not just by data but by talent. The deal gives Meta access to Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old tech prodigy who co-founded Scale in 2016. Wang, who dropped out of MIT to build Scale, is now tasked with leading Meta’s “superintelligence” team—a move that underscores CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to catch up in the AI race. Meta has faced delays in launching new AI models and has lost key staff in recent months. By bringing Wang onboard, the company is betting that a sharp business mind, rather than a research-heavy background, can restore its competitive edge—much like OpenAI's Sam Altman. Scale AI will continue to operate independently and serve its government and enterprise clients, but with its largest customers heading for the exit, the company’s growth trajectory is uncertain. The deal is also likely to invite regulatory scrutiny, especially given Meta’s existing antitrust battles in the US. (With inputs from agencies)

Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series.&nbsp;

Google plans to split from Scale AI after Meta's deal

Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., has announced a massive AU$20 billion ($13 billion) investment plan to expand, operate, and maintain its data centre infrastructure across Australia between 2025 and 2029.&nbsp;This marks the largest-ever technology investment in the country by a global firm, aimed at supporting Australia's growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.The investment is expected to accelerate AI adoption and help modernise businesses across sectors while aligning with the Australian government’s vision to drive productivity and economic growth through innovation.<h2>Powering AI transformation</h2>AWS’s expanded infrastructure will offer advanced cloud and generative AI tools to hundreds of thousands of Australian customers and partners. The company says its new data centre investment will help organisations harness the power of AI and support compute-heavy workloads with local data residency and regulatory compliance.“AI is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and Amazon is pleased to be empowering all Australians to innovate at scale through this investment,” said AWS CEO Matt Garman.According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, AI and automation could add up to AU$600 billion ($388 billion) annually to Australia’s GDP by 2030.<h2>Building on a decade of commitment</h2>AWS has been operating in Australia since 2012, with the launch of its Asia Pacific (Sydney) region. Over the years, it has expanded with the Asia Pacific (Melbourne) region and local zones in Perth. The company also introduced Amazon Bedrock, its fully managed generative AI service, in Sydney in 2024.&nbsp;A major milestone came when AWS partnered with the Australian government to create a “top secret” AWS Cloud for national security and defence.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the announcement, stating, “This is exactly the kind of economic investment we want to see. It will create skilled jobs, infrastructure for complex AI applications, and opportunity for innovation and growth.”<h2>Backing growth with clean energy</h2>To power its expanding infrastructure, Amazon is investing in three new solar farms in Victoria and Queensland. Operated by European Energy, these farms will supply more than 170 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. The projects add to Amazon’s existing portfolio of eight wind and solar farms across the country.Once operational, all 11 projects are projected to generate over 1.4 million megawatt-hours of carbon-free energy annually, which is enough to power approximately 290,000 Australian homes.AWS's cloud services are also more energy-efficient. A study by Accenture found migrating AI workloads to AWS can cut carbon emissions by up to 94 per cent compared to on-premises data centres.<h2>Training Australians for the AI future</h2>Alongside infrastructure expansion, AWS is doubling down on AI skills training through its AI Spring Australia initiative. The programme includes the AWS Generative AI Accelerator for startups and AI Launchpad for enterprises. The company has trained over 400,000 Australians since 2017 and aims to equip many more with AI and cloud expertise.Programs such as Amazon’s AI Ready and Work-Based Learning Program are designed to prepare Australians for future tech roles.This investment in Australia follows similar major commitments from Amazon in the US, including $20 billion in Pennsylvania, $10 billion in North Carolina, and $5 billion in Taiwan. These projects are part of a broader race among tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google to dominate the generative AI and cloud infrastructure space.

The investment is expected to accelerate AI adoption and help modernise businesses across sectors while aligning with the Australian government’s vision to drive productivity and economic growth through innovation.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., has announced a massive AU$20 billion ($13 billion) investment plan to expand, operate, and maintain its data centre infrastructure across Australia between 2025 and 2029. This marks the largest-ever technology investment in the country by a global firm, aimed at supporting Australia's growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The investment is expected to accelerate AI adoption and help modernise businesses across sectors while aligning with the Australian government’s vision to drive productivity and economic growth through innovation. Powering AI transformation AWS’s expanded infrastructure will offer advanced cloud and generative AI tools to hundreds of thousands of Australian customers and partners. The company says its new data centre investment will help organisations harness the power of AI and support compute-heavy workloads with local data residency and regulatory compliance. “AI is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and Amazon is pleased to be empowering all Australians to innovate at scale through this investment,” said AWS CEO Matt Garman. According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, AI and automation could add up to AU$600 billion ($388 billion) annually to Australia’s GDP by 2030. Building on a decade of commitment AWS has been operating in Australia since 2012, with the launch of its Asia Pacific (Sydney) region. Over the years, it has expanded with the Asia Pacific (Melbourne) region and local zones in Perth. The company also introduced Amazon Bedrock, its fully managed generative AI service, in Sydney in 2024. A major milestone came when AWS partnered with the Australian government to create a “top secret” AWS Cloud for national security and defence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the announcement, stating, “This is exactly the kind of economic investment we want to see. It will create skilled jobs, infrastructure for complex AI applications, and opportunity for innovation and growth.” Backing growth with clean energy To power its expanding infrastructure, Amazon is investing in three new solar farms in Victoria and Queensland. Operated by European Energy, these farms will supply more than 170 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. The projects add to Amazon’s existing portfolio of eight wind and solar farms across the country. Once operational, all 11 projects are projected to generate over 1.4 million megawatt-hours of carbon-free energy annually, which is enough to power approximately 290,000 Australian homes. AWS's cloud services are also more energy-efficient. A study by Accenture found migrating AI workloads to AWS can cut carbon emissions by up to 94 per cent compared to on-premises data centres. Training Australians for the AI future Alongside infrastructure expansion, AWS is doubling down on AI skills training through its AI Spring Australia initiative. The programme includes the AWS Generative AI Accelerator for startups and AI Launchpad for enterprises. The company has trained over 400,000 Australians since 2017 and aims to equip many more with AI and cloud expertise. Programs such as Amazon’s AI Ready and Work-Based Learning Program are designed to prepare Australians for future tech roles. This investment in Australia follows similar major commitments from Amazon in the US, including $20 billion in Pennsylvania, $10 billion in North Carolina, and $5 billion in Taiwan. These projects are part of a broader race among tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google to dominate the generative AI and cloud infrastructure space.

The investment is expected to accelerate AI adoption and help modernise businesses across sectors while aligning with the Australian government’s vision to drive productivity and economic growth through innovation.

Amazon to invest $13 billion in Australian data centres and AI infrastructure

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