Spanish oil company Repsol plans to invest 4 billion euros ($4.2 billion) in building data centres near Zaragoza, according to a report by Expansion newspaper. The planned investment marks Repsol’s significant move into the tech sector, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for cloud computing infrastructure.
Zaragoza is becoming a key hub for cloud services, with major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft already making large investments in the region. Repsol’s project will contribute to the area’s growing reputation as a leading destination for data centre development.
The company has not yet commented on the report, and details on the project’s timeline remain unclear. This move signals a shift for Repsol as it expands beyond its core oil business into digital services.
Stargate, a new joint venture formed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aims to build data centres across the US to support the growing demands of AI. According to a report by the Financial Times on Thursday, these data centres will be dedicated solely to OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT. The collaboration between these tech giants underscores the increasing importance of robust infrastructure to power the next wave of AI innovation.
The exclusive focus on OpenAI’s needs comes when AI technologies rapidly expand, with the demand for high-performance computing capabilities soaring. The partnership will allow OpenAI to scale its operations and provide the necessary computing power for its cutting-edge AI models. As companies worldwide race to develop more advanced AI tools, the infrastructure provided by Stargate is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the next generation of AI services.
Oracle and SoftBank’s involvement brings significant expertise in cloud infrastructure and global telecom, making the venture a powerful alliance in the competitive AI landscape. The project highlights the growing intersection of cloud computing, data storage, and AI as companies like OpenAI push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok, has allocated over 150 billion yuan ($20.64 billion) for capital expenditure this year, with a significant focus on AI, according to sources familiar with the matter. About half of the investment will support overseas AI infrastructure, including data centres and networking equipment. Beneficiaries of this spending are expected to include chipmakers Huawei, Cambricon, and US supplier Nvidia, although ByteDance has denied the accuracy of the claims.
The investment aims to solidify ByteDance’s AI leadership in China, where it has launched over 15 standalone AI applications, such as the popular chatbot Doubao, which boasts 75 million monthly active users. Its international counterparts include apps like Cici and Dreamina, reflecting ByteDance’s strategy to adapt its AI offerings globally. The company also recently updated its flagship AI model, Doubao, to rival reasoning models like those developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
ByteDance’s international spending aligns with its efforts to expand AI capabilities abroad amid challenges like the uncertain future of TikTok in the United States. While ByteDance’s $20 billion plan is substantial, it remains modest compared to the AI investments of US tech giants like Google and Microsoft, which spent $50 billion and $55.7 billion respectively on AI infrastructure in the past year. The spending will also bolster ByteDance’s partnerships with suppliers such as Nvidia, from which it has procured custom AI chips tailored to China despite US export restrictions.
President Donald Trump unveiled a $500 billion private-sector initiative on Tuesday aimed at transforming AI infrastructure in the US. The joint venture, called Stargate, brings together OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to build 20 massive data centres and create over 100,000 jobs. Backers have committed $100 billion for immediate deployment, with the remainder spread over the next four years.
The announcement, made at the White House with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison in attendance, underscores America’s push to lead in AI development. Ellison revealed that the first data centres, each half a million square feet, are already under construction in Texas. These facilities aim to power advanced AI applications, including analysing electronic health records to assist doctors.
Trump attributed the project’s launch to his leadership, with executives expressing their support. “We wouldn’t have decided to do this unless you won,” Son said. However, the ambitious project arrives amid concerns over the rising energy demands of AI data centres. Trump promised to simplify energy production for these facilities, even as experts warn of potential power shortfalls across the country in the coming decade.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of surging AI investments since OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in 2022, which sparked widespread adoption of AI across industries. Oracle and other tech stocks, including Nvidia and Dell, climbed on the news, reflecting market enthusiasm for the Stargate project.
Italy is poised to see a dramatic rise in data centre investments, with spending expected to double to €10 billion between 2025 and 2026, according to Milan Polytechnic University. The increase in funding is fuelled by global technology giants expanding their cloud capabilities to meet surging demand driven by AI.
Recent commitments include Microsoft’s €4.3 billion plan to grow its cloud network in Italy and Amazon Web Services’ €1.2 billion investment over five years. These projects highlight Italy’s potential as a hub for cloud development. However, challenges such as high energy costs and potential power grid bottlenecks could hinder the country’s ability to fully capitalise on these opportunities.
Experts warn that the sustainability of Italy’s electricity grid will play a critical role in accommodating the expansion of powerful cloud infrastructure. Despite these hurdles, the investment wave signals growing confidence in Italy’s tech ecosystem, reflecting its strategic importance in Europe’s digital transformation.
Microsoft has taken legal action against a group accused of bypassing security measures in its Azure OpenAI Service. A lawsuit filed in December alleges that the unnamed defendants stole customer API keys to gain unauthorised access and generate content that violated Microsoft’s policies. The company claims the group used stolen credentials to develop hacking tools, including software named de3u, which allowed users to exploit OpenAI’s DALL-E image generator while evading content moderation filters.
An investigation found that the stolen API keys were used to operate an illicit hacking service. Microsoft alleges the group engaged in systematic credential theft, using custom-built software to process and route unauthorised requests through its cloud AI platform. The company has also taken steps to dismantle the group’s technical infrastructure, including seizing a website linked to the operation.
Court-authorised actions have enabled Microsoft to gather further evidence and disrupt the scheme. The company says additional security measures have been implemented to prevent similar breaches, though specific details were not disclosed. While the case unfolds, Microsoft remains focused on strengthening its AI security protocols.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an ambitious plan to position the UK as a global leader in AI. In a speech on Monday, Starmer outlined proposals to establish specialised zones for data centres and incentivise technology-focused education, aiming to boost economic growth and innovation. According to the government, fully adopting AI could increase productivity by 1.5% annually, adding £47 billion ($57 billion) to the economy each year over the next decade.
Central to the plan is the adoption of recommendations from the “AI Opportunities Action Plan,” authored by venture capitalist Matt Clifford. Measures include fast-tracking planning permissions for data centres and ensuring energy connections, with the first such centre to be built in Culham, Oxfordshire. Starmer emphasised the potential for AI to create jobs, attract investment, and improve lives by streamlining processes like planning consultations and reducing administrative burdens for teachers.
The UK, currently the third-largest AI market behind the US and China, faces stiff global competition in establishing itself as an AI hub. While Starmer pledged swift action to maintain competitiveness, challenges persist. The Labour government’s recent high-tax budget has dampened some business confidence, and the Bank of England reported stagnation in economic growth last quarter. However, Starmer remains optimistic, declaring, “We must move fast and take action.”
By integrating AI into its economic strategy, the UK hopes to capitalise on technological advancements, balancing innovation with regulatory oversight in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, and Google Cloud have partnered to launch a pioneering open network for agriculture, powered by Google’s Gemini and enabled by the Beckn Protocol. The initiative will provide millions of farmers with seamless access to essential services, including advisory, credit, mechanisation, and market linkages, all through a single platform.
The network is designed to be open and decentralised, allowing any service provider—from input suppliers to financial institutions and government agencies—to connect with farmers. Google’s Gemini framework facilitates easy access by enabling voice command interactions in multiple languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Punjabi, with more languages to be added in the future.
The Beckn Protocol ensures interoperability and decentralisation, making the network an innovative alternative to traditional, closed-market systems. It encourages the development of customised solutions, fostering competition and innovation within the agricultural ecosystem.
The open network is part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader vision to digitise agriculture, double farmers’ incomes, and bridge the digital divide using AI technologies. The initiative also serves as a model for other regions, demonstrating how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can transform agriculture on a large scale.
The Uttar Pradesh government aims to empower farmers with the tools and resources they need to thrive in the 21st century. By leveraging the Beckn Protocol and Google Cloud’s DPI-in-a-box solution, the network enables the decentralised exchange of value, making agri-commerce and advisory services more accessible. Through this collaboration, Uttar Pradesh seeks to accelerate progress in agriculture while fostering innovation and enhancing its farming community’s economic and social impact.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a $11 billion investment to build new data centres in Georgia, aiming to support the growing demand for cloud computing and AI technologies. The facilities, located in Butts and Douglas counties, are expected to create at least 550 high-skilled jobs and position Georgia as a leader in digital innovation.
The move highlights a broader trend among tech giants investing heavily in AI-driven advancements. Last week, Microsoft revealed an $80 billion plan for fiscal 2025 to expand data centres for AI training and cloud applications. These facilities are critical for supporting resource-intensive AI technologies like machine learning and generative models, which require vast computational power and specialised infrastructure.
The surge in AI infrastructure has also raised concerns about energy consumption. A report from the Electric Power Research Institute suggests data centres could account for up to 9% of US electricity usage by 2030. To address this, Amazon has secured energy supply agreements with utilities like Talen Energy in Pennsylvania and Entergy in Mississippi, ensuring reliable power for its expanding operations.
Amazon’s commitment underscores the growing importance of AI and cloud services, as companies race to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Israeli cybersecurity companies raised $4 billion in 2024, more than doubling the previous year’s total, according to venture capital firm YL Ventures. The sector, a key driver of Israel’s economy, saw strong investment growth despite geopolitical challenges. Cloud security and AI played a significant role in attracting funding, with early-stage startups securing $400 million across 50 seed rounds.
Investment in later-stage cybersecurity firms also surged, with growth-stage funding rounds raising $2.9 billion—an increase of 300% from 2023. The expansion reflects growing global confidence in Israel’s cybersecurity industry, which is increasingly recognised as a leader in the field. YL Ventures highlighted the role of Israeli military intelligence units in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that strengthens the sector.
The ongoing war following Hamas’s October 2023 attack has added pressure on tech founders, many of whom have been called into military service. Industry leaders have had to navigate operational challenges while maintaining business continuity. Looking ahead to 2025, venture capital firms anticipate continued investment growth, particularly in early and mid-stage funding rounds, as cybersecurity remains a global priority.
