Cloud computing Archives | Page 39 of 56 | Digital Watch Observatory

TeraWulf shifts power capacity toward AI with Google support

TeraWulf has secured a $3.2 billion financial backstop from Google to develop a 160-megawatt data centre at its Lake Mariner site in New York. Google will receive warrants for 32.5 million shares, lifting its stake in TeraWulf to about 14%.

Unlike its existing Bitcoin mining activities, the new deal focuses exclusively on AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. TeraWulf confirmed it will maintain its Bitcoin mining operations but has no plans for expansion in that area.

The pivot reflects a broader trend in the mining industry, where companies increasingly shift capacity toward AI following the April 2024 halving that cut block rewards.

Executives highlighted that while Bitcoin mining offers immediate cash flow and grid flexibility, the long-term growth lies in powering AI and HPC demand. Research from VanEck suggests that if miners redirected just 20% of their power toward AI hosting, the industry could see $13.9 billion in additional annual revenue.

TeraWulf’s leadership said the partnership with Google positions the company as a key player in building next-generation digital infrastructure.

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Google Pixel 10 could transform smartphones with advanced AI features

Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 smartphones are tipped to place AI at the centre of the user experience, with three new features expected to redefine how people use their devices.

While hardware upgrades are anticipated at the Made by Google event, much of the excitement revolves around the AI tools that may debut.

One feature, called Help Me Edit, is designed for Google Photos. Instead of spending time on manual edits, users could describe the change they want, such as altering the colour of a car, and the AI would adjust instantly.

Expanding on the Pixel 9’s generative tools, it promises far greater control and speed.

Another addition, Camera Coach, could offer real-time guidance on photography. Using Google’s Gemini AI, the phone may provide step-by-step advice on framing, lighting, and composition, acting as a digital photography tutor.

Finally, Pixel Sense is rumoured to be a proactive personal assistant that anticipates user needs. Learning patterns from apps such as Gmail and Calendar, it could deliver predictive suggestions and take actions across third-party services, bringing the smartphone closer to a truly adaptive companion.

These features suggest that Google is betting heavily on AI to give the Pixel 10 a competitive edge.

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Google adds Gemini AI audio to Docs for better accessibility

Google has introduced a new feature in Docs that allows Workspace subscribers to turn written documents into audio using its Gemini AI assistant.

The tool produces natural-sounding voices, offers playback controls such as pausing and rewinding, and even highlights text as it is read. The rollout marks a step toward transforming Docs from a simple text editor into a multimedia platform that serves both accessibility and productivity needs.

Available under the Tools menu, the feature caters to auditory learners, professionals on the move, and users with visual impairments.

Gemini provides several AI voice options and synchronises narration with text, offering an audiobook-like experience that could change how people review drafts, collaborate remotely, or proofread reports.

The audio tool is limited to select Workspace plans, including Business, Enterprise, and Education, reflecting Google’s strategy of tying advanced AI functions to premium tiers.

Analysts believe the integration could encourage organisations to upgrade, especially as Google seeks to keep pace with rivals such as Microsoft, which has similar Copilot features in Office.

Looking ahead, experts suggest Gemini’s audio capabilities could expand to real-time translation and interactive playback.

By weaving audio into Docs, Google strengthens its position in the growing competition over AI-powered productivity while pushing for more inclusive and efficient workflows.

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Google sees growing demand for cloud data sovereignty

Google’s Cloud Experience lead Hayete Gallot says developer interest in sovereign cloud solutions is rising sharply amid AI concerns. More clients are asking to control how and where their data is stored, processed, and encrypted within public cloud environments.

Microsoft said it could not guarantee full cloud data sovereignty in July, increasing pressure on rivals to offer stronger protections.

Gallot noted that sovereignty is more than location. Cybersecurity measures such as encryption, ownership, and administrative access are now top priorities for businesses.

On AI, Gallot dismissed fears that assistants will replace developers, saying skills like prompt writing still require critical thinking.

She believes modern developers must adapt, comparing today’s AI tools to learning older languages like Pascal or Fortran.

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Microsoft and AMD develop new gaming chips

Microsoft plans to equip its next-generation Xbox console with AI-focused hardware, including a dedicated neural processing unit.

Vice President Jason Ronald confirmed that the company is working with AMD to develop chips for gaming consoles, PCs and cloud platforms.

New AI capabilities are expected to transform gameplay and provide developers with tools to create immersive, previously unattainable experiences.

Microsoft’s experimental Xbox Ally X device, developed with ASUS, is already used to test AI integration in real-world scenarios.

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Malaysia and Huawei drive AI workforce training push

Malaysia has intensified its push to build an AI-ready workforce, with Huawei pledging to train 30,000 local professionals under a new initiative. The plan aligns with Malaysia’s National Cloud Computing Policy, balancing sovereignty and digital economy competitiveness.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo stressed that AI adoption must benefit all Malaysians, highlighting applications from small business platforms to AI-assisted diagnostics in remote clinics. He urged collaboration across industries to ensure inclusivity as the country pursues its digital future.

Huawei’s Gartner recognition for container management highlights its cloud-native strength. Its Pangu models and container products will support Malaysia’s AI goals in manufacturing, healthcare, transport, and ASEAN industries.

The programme will target students, officials, industry leaders, and associations while supporting 200 local AI partners. Huawei’s network of availability zones in ASEAN provides low-latency infrastructure, with AI-native innovations designed to accelerate training, inference, and industrial upgrades.

The government of Malaysia views AI as crucial to achieving its 2030 goals, which aim to balance infrastructure, security, and governance. With Huawei’s backing and a new policy framework, the country seeks to establish itself as a regional hub for AI expertise.

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GenAI app usage up 50% as firms struggle with oversight

Enterprise employees are increasingly building their own AI tools, sparking a surge in shadow AI that raises security concerns.

Netskope reports a 50% rise in generative AI platform use, with over half of current adoption estimated to be unsanctioned by IT.

Platforms like Azure OpenAI, Amazon Bedrock, and Vertex AI lead this trend, allowing users to connect enterprise data to custom AI agents.

The growth of shadow AI has prompted calls for better oversight, real-time user training, and updated data loss prevention strategies.

On-premises deployment is also increasing, with 34% of firms using local LLM interfaces like Ollama and LM Studio. Security risks grow as AI agents retrieve data using API calls beyond browsers, particularly from OpenAI and Anthropic endpoints.

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Google launches small AI model for mobiles and IoT

Google has released Gemma 3 270M, an open-source AI model with 270 million parameters designed to run efficiently on smartphones and Internet of Things devices.

Drawing on technology from the larger Gemini family, it focuses on portability, low energy use and quick fine-tuning, enabling developers to create AI tools that work on everyday hardware instead of relying on high-end servers.

The model supports instruction-following and text structuring with a 256,000-token vocabulary, offering scope for natural language processing and on-device personalisation.

Its design includes quantisation-aware training to work in low-precision formats such as INT4, reducing memory use and improving speed on mobile processors instead of requiring extensive computational power.

Industry commentators note that the model could help meet demand for efficient AI in edge computing, with applications in healthcare wearables and autonomous IoT systems. Keeping processing on-device also supports privacy and reduces dependence on cloud infrastructure.

Google highlights the environmental benefits of the model, pointing to reduced carbon impact and greater accessibility for smaller firms and independent developers. While safeguards like ShieldGemma aim to limit risks, experts say careful use will still be needed to avoid misuse.

Future developments may bring new features, including multimodal capabilities, as part of Google’s strategy to blend open and proprietary AI within hybrid systems.

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Google backs workforce and AI education in Oklahoma with a $9 billion investment

Google has announced a $9 billion investment in Oklahoma over the next two years to expand cloud and AI infrastructure.

The funds will support a new data centre campus in Stillwater and an expansion of the existing facility in Pryor, forming part of a broader $1 billion commitment to American education and competitiveness.

The announcement was made alongside Governor Kevin Stitt, Alphabet and Google executives, and community leaders.

Alongside the infrastructure projects, Google funds education and workforce initiatives with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University through the Google AI for Education Accelerator.

Students will gain no-cost access to Career Certificates and AI training courses, helping them acquire critical AI and job-ready skills instead of relying on standard curricula.

Additional funding will support ALLIANCE’s electrical training to expand Oklahoma’s electrical workforce by 135%, creating the talent needed to power AI-driven energy infrastructure.

Google described the investment as part of an ‘extraordinary time for American innovation’ and a step towards maintaining US leadership in AI.

The move also addresses national security concerns, ensuring the country has the infrastructure and expertise to compete with domestic rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as international competitors such as China’s DeepSeek.

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GitHub CEO to leave as Microsoft integrates platform into CoreAI amid AI coding race

GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke has announced his decision to step down later in the year to pursue new entrepreneurial ventures.

Instead of appointing a new CEO, Microsoft will integrate GitHub more closely into its CoreAI division. Since Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018, the platform has operated chiefly independently, but with this change, leadership will report directly to several Microsoft executives.

Under Dohmke’s leadership since 2021, GitHub’s user base more than doubled to over 150 million developers, supporting over one billion repositories and forks.

The platform has become essential to Microsoft’s AI and developer strategy, especially with growing competition from Google, Replit, and others in the AI coding market.

GitHub recently launched advanced AI tools like Copilot, which suggest code and automate programming tasks, helping developers work more efficiently.

Microsoft’s investment in AI is shaping the future of coding, with GitHub playing a central role by providing direct access to developers worldwide.

Dohmke will remain with Microsoft until the end of the year to assist with the transition, emphasising GitHub’s importance to Microsoft’s broader ambitions in AI and cloud computing.

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