Investors are flocking to data centre operators in the Asia Pacific region, driven by the growing demand for AI services and robust market valuations. Major transactions, like Blackstone’s $15.58 billion acquisition of Australia’s AirTrunk, have set high benchmarks for the sector. Industry experts predict that the region’s data centres will continue to see strong valuations due to their nascent stage and promising growth, despite concerns about insufficient infrastructure in some areas.
Several notable investment opportunities have surfaced, such as the sale of stakes in Indonesian data centre NeutraDC and Telkom’s data centre arm, which could be valued at over $1 billion. These deals reflect a broader trend of investors seeking high-growth opportunities in the region. NeutraDC’s expansion plan, which aims to increase capacity to 500 megawatts by 2030, has made it an attractive target, with valuations potentially exceeding 20 times core earnings.
The Asia Pacific region has become a leader in global data centre mergers and acquisitions, surpassing half of the world’s total transactions this year. This surge is attributed to the booming AI demand, with companies rapidly expanding their data processing capacity. However, some investors warn that the sustainability of these high valuations will depend on overcoming challenges like power shortages and the reliable delivery of new infrastructure projects.
While the long-term outlook for Asia Pacific’s data centre market remains positive, experts predict that growth may slow slightly as new capacity is brought online. Investors will need to navigate execution risks to maintain the sector’s momentum and ensure the continued expansion of data centre infrastructure.
Australia‘s competition watchdog has called for a review of efforts to ensure more choice for internet users, citing Google’s dominance in the search engine market and the failure of its competitors to capitalise on the rise of AI. A report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlighted concerns about the growing influence of Big Tech, particularly Google and Microsoft, as they integrate generative AI into their search services. This raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated search results.
While the use of AI in search engines is still in its early stages, the ACCC warns that large tech companies’ financial strength and market presence give them a significant advantage. The commission expressed concerns that AI-driven search could lead to misinformation, as consumers may find AI-generated responses both more useful and less accurate. In response to this, Australia is pushing for new regulations, including laws to prevent anti-competitive behaviour and improve consumer choice.
The Australian government has already introduced several measures targeting tech giants, such as requiring social media platforms to pay for news content and restricting access for children under 16. A proposed new law could impose hefty fines on companies that suppress competition. The ACCC has called for service-specific codes to address data advantages and ensure consumers have more freedom to switch between services. The inquiry is expected to close by March next year.
The Browser Company, creators of the Arc Browser, is developing a new web browser named Dia, centred around artificial intelligence integration. Set to debut in early 2025, Dia aims to expand the company’s reach by offering AI-driven features to a broader audience. Unlike traditional AI tools, Dia is designed as an interactive browsing environment where users can perform tasks like drafting emails, retrieving data, or automating online activities directly through the browser interface.
Initial demonstrations highlight innovative features, including a writing assistant that can suggest sentences or retrieve relevant links and facts. Dia’s natural language commands enable actions such as fetching and emailing documents or scheduling meetings within the browser. A standout capability is its automation feature, where Dia can browse websites like Amazon to fulfil tasks, such as adding items to a cart based on a user’s email list. Despite its potential, early versions may require refinements to ensure precision in task execution.
The Browser Company‘s CEO, Josh Miller, emphasised the vision of creating user-friendly AI tools while keeping Arc’s dedicated user base in mind. Miller acknowledged that Arc’s complexity appeals to a niche audience, whereas Dia’s broader functionality could attract new users and provide sustainable revenue opportunities. As part of the development, the company has launched a dedicated website showcasing Dia’s capabilities and open roles to expand its team.
Amazon is developing an AI-designed material aimed at reducing carbon emissions in its data centres. Created by Orbital Materials, the carbon-filtering substance acts like a sponge on an atomic level, selectively capturing CO2. The material represents a step towards Amazon’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Orbital Materials claims the new material could add just 10% to hourly GPU training costs for AI, significantly cheaper than traditional carbon offsets. Data centres increasingly demand more energy and water for cooling, posing sustainability challenges. Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud-computing provider, plans to trial the innovation in 2025 at a single facility.
The partnership with Orbital spans three years, aiming to explore additional AI-designed materials for water and cooling needs. Orbital uses AI to simulate and develop these substances, with the material being synthesised in its lab established last year. The collaboration also includes making Orbital’s open-source AI tools available to AWS customers.
Orbital, co-founded by Jonathan Godwin, operates from Princeton and London and is backed by Radical Ventures and Nvidia’s venture arm. Godwin, formerly with DeepMind, emphasised the importance of sustainable innovations in addressing growing environmental concerns linked to AI-driven energy demands.
China has imposed a ban on exports of key minerals, including gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the US, citing national security concerns. The new restrictions, which take immediate effect, are part of Beijing’s broader effort to control dual-use materials that have both civilian and military applications. These minerals are critical in semiconductor production and military technology, such as infrared systems and night vision goggles. The export ban also includes graphite items, which will face stricter end-use reviews.
This move follows the US’s recent crackdown on China’s semiconductor industry, which included new export curbs targeting 140 Chinese companies. The escalation is part of the ongoing trade tensions between the two economic giants. While the US has not been a major market for these minerals this year, China’s dominance in their production, accounting for over 90% of gallium and germanium, makes the move significant for global supply chains.
Experts warn that the restrictions could further tighten access to these essential materials, particularly as prices for antimony have surged by over 200% this year. With the US also imposing its own tariffs and export controls, the situation is expected to intensify as both countries brace for continued economic rivalry, especially with President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on China.
Enron Corporation has announced its relaunch with a focus on tackling global energy challenges through technology and sustainable solutions. The company plans to invest in renewable energy infrastructure, advanced energy storage, and innovative power distribution systems to improve energy sustainability, accessibility, and affordability. Enron aims to address evolving demands such as renewable energy integration and climate resilience while maintaining a commitment to ethical business practices, transparency, and sustainability.
The company’s leadership has acknowledged its troubled past but now focuses on integrity and innovation. Enron’s new vision includes embracing decentralised technology, with hints of potential engagement with blockchain, which could play a significant role in reshaping the energy sector. It aligns with trends in permissionless innovation and could have broad implications for the crypto community.
While Enron’s new direction has sparked interest, a token called “Enron” has recently launched, but it appears to be an unofficial meme coin with no official ties to the company. Despite this, the launch of various Enron-related tokens has caught the attention of the crypto market. As the company redefines its role, Enron’s emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable energy solutions could offer opportunities for the energy and blockchain industries alike.
Once a prominent energy player, Enron’s downfall in 2001 due to accounting fraud led to one of the largest bankruptcies in US history. However, the company reemerged in 2004 as Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. Since then, it has focused on asset liquidation. Enron’s latest plans aim to rebuild and contribute to the global transition to renewable energy, marking a significant shift in the company’s legacy.
South Korean AI chipmakers Rebellions and Sapeon Korea have officially merged, forming a new company valued at approximately USD 928 million. The combined entity will continue under the name “Rebellions,” led by CEO Sunghyun Park. The merger aims to enhance the company’s global competitiveness in the fast-growing AI chip market by leveraging expertise across South Korea‘s telecom, government, and semiconductor sectors.
The merger brings together Rebellions, a fabless AI chip startup established in 2020, and Sapeon Korea, an affiliate of SK Telecom, to combine their strengths in AI chiplet technology. This integration is expected to accelerate innovation and improve efficiency, particularly in developing next-generation AI chips like REBEL, designed to meet the increasing demands of AI applications.
Looking ahead, Rebellions plans to expand internationally, with targeted entry into markets such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. Strategic partnerships, including collaborations with SK Telecom and SK hynix, will help fuel the company’s global ambitions and support its expansion efforts.
Washington’s latest restrictions on semiconductor exports to China have heightened trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, fueling concerns about potential Chinese countermeasures. Beijing, which has vowed to protect its interests, possesses several tools to retaliate against US firms, including tightened security reviews and trade restrictions.
China has already wielded security reviews against US companies, such as barring government purchases of Micron products in 2022. Analysts warn Intel, a significant player in China’s chip market, could face similar scrutiny. Additionally, US firms have historically reported bureaucratic hurdles like customs delays and intensified inspections during strained relations, underscoring the broader risks of doing business in China.
Beijing also maintains its ‘unreliable entities list,’ targeting foreign companies that are seen as violating Chinese interests. Actions under this framework include probes into firms like PVH Corp for compliance with US restrictions on Xinjiang cotton. Meanwhile, export controls on critical minerals, such as gallium and graphite—key to chipmaking and electric vehicles—are emerging as another leverage point in the escalating trade conflict.
China’s expanded oversight of dual-use technologies, effective December 1, adds another layer of control. By regulating items with civilian and military applications, Beijing aims to monitor US reliance on its supply chains. As tensions rise, both sides face economic and technological repercussions that could redefine global trade dynamics.
Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo are exploring plans to establish a European joint venture in the satellite sector, aiming to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink network. Dubbed ‘Project Bromo’ after an Indonesian volcano, the initiative seeks to create a standalone European satellite company modelled after missile maker MBDA, jointly owned by Airbus, Leonardo, and BAE Systems.
The plan is still in the early stages, but discussions have advanced enough to outline a preferred structure. Instead of one partner acquiring the others’ assets, the proposal envisions pooling satellite resources into a new entity. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani confirmed the MBDA-inspired approach, calling it the most viable model for such collaboration.
This initiative comes as Europe’s satellite industry struggles to compete with Starlink’s rapid growth in low Earth orbit. While the merger talks are separate from Airbus’s impending job cuts, they signal a broader effort to revitalise Europe’s space capabilities in the face of intensifying competition.
Chinese semiconductor firms targeted by new US export controls are doubling down on localising their supply chains and leveraging stockpiled resources to maintain production. The restrictions, the third major US crackdown in three years, impact 140 companies and focus on chipmaking equipment, software, and high-bandwidth memory. Despite the curbs, Chinese chip stocks saw slight gains as analysts noted the measures were less severe than expected.
Key companies like Naura Technology and Empyrean have vowed to accelerate domestic technology development. Some, such as Beijing Huafeng Test & Control Technology, reported fully localised supply chains. While the measures hit China’s reliance on foreign manufacturing equipment, imports of semiconductor machinery surged by a third this year, showing resilience in the face of external pressures.
The exclusion of ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a major AI chip component maker, surprised analysts. The move eased concerns for South Korean suppliers reliant on Chinese revenue, with shares of key partners like Jusung Engineering and Mirae Corp rebounding. The latest curbs reflect ongoing efforts to balance US security goals with the global semiconductor market’s interdependencies.
