Apple has made progress in reducing its environmental impact, according to the company’s own latest environmental progress report.
Its total greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 800,000 metric tons in 2024, marking a 5 percent reduction from the previous year.
Over the last decade, Apple has cut its global emissions by more than 60 percent, an achievement as emissions from other tech firms continue to rise due to the growing demands of AI.
The reduction stems from efforts to use renewable energy, increase recycling, and work with suppliers to cut emissions. Apple reported that its suppliers collectively avoided nearly 24 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year through cleaner energy and improved efficiency.
The company is also tackling highly potent fluorinated gases used in making semiconductors and displays, with all direct display suppliers and 26 semiconductor partners committing to reducing such emissions by at least 90 percent.
Recycled materials played a larger role in Apple’s products in 2024, making up nearly a quarter of all materials used. Notably, 80 percent of the rare earth elements and most of the tungsten, cobalt, and aluminium used came from recycled sources.
Despite these efforts, Apple still generated 15.3 million metric tons of CO₂ last year, though it aims to reduce emissions by 75 percent from 2015 levels by 2030 and eliminate 90 percent by 2050 to meet international climate goals.
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Behind ChatGPT’s digital charm lies an increasingly concerning environmental toll, largely driven by its water consumption.
According to recent reports, OpenAI’s GPT-4 model consumes around 500 millilitres of clean, drinkable water for every 100-word response. The surge in demand, fuelled by viral trends like Studio Ghibli-style portraits and Barbie-themed avatars, has significantly amplified this impact.
Each AI interaction, especially those involving image generation, generates heat, necessitating cooling systems that rely heavily on water.
With an estimated 57 million users daily, ChatGPT’s operations result in a staggering daily water usage of over 14,800 crore litres. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, recently acknowledged server strain, urging users to reduce non-essential use.
The environmental costs extend beyond water. Many data centres supporting AI platforms are located in water-stressed regions and rely on fossil fuels, raising serious concerns about sustainability.
Experts warn that while AI promises convenience, its rapid expansion risks putting additional pressure on fragile ecosystems unless mindful practices are adopted.
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Microsoft has scrapped plans for over 2GW of data centre leases in the US and Europe, signalling a strategic shift in its AI infrastructure support.
The move appears linked to scaled-back OpenAI workloads and concerns over market oversupply.
The decision has sent shockwaves through US tech markets, with shares of AI players like Nvidia and Dell taking hits. Bitcoin mining stocks also slumped by up to 12%, as hopes for sustained AI-driven demand dimmed.
While Microsoft steps back, Google and Meta are ramping up their own capacity, trying to fill the gap.
Analysts warn that crypto miners, already facing profitability pressure, may need to rethink their business models in light of this new reality.
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Japan’s national nuclear research agency has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first uranium-based rechargeable battery — a breakthrough that could open up new uses for vast stockpiles of depleted uranium. The battery, developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, successfully demonstrated charging and discharging capabilities using uranium as the core material to generate electricity.
The prototype, about the size of a small cup, uses a uranium-based electrolyte on the negative side and iron on the positive. With a 1.3V voltage comparable to that of a standard alkaline battery, the device maintained its performance over ten charge cycles, suggesting it is relatively stable in its current form.
That innovation could give a new purpose to the approximately 16,000 tons of depleted uranium stored in Japan and the estimated 1.6 million tons worldwide, which are currently unusable in regular nuclear reactors. Researchers also believe the battery could help store surplus electricity from renewable energy sources.
While promising, the uranium battery’s practical use will likely remain restricted to radiation-controlled zones like nuclear facility sites. The agency plans to work on scaling up the technology by developing a redox flow version starting in fiscal 2025.
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Several major companies, including Amazon and Google, have pledged to support the goal of tripling the world’s nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
However, this commitment was made during the CERAWeek conference in Houston, with other signatories such as shale company Occidental and Japanese firm IHI Corp. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) facilitated the pledge and expects more industries, including maritime and aviation, to join in the coming months.
Nuclear energy currently accounts for 9% of the world’s electricity, produced by 439 power reactors. As large tech companies like Amazon and Google pursue nuclear projects, including small modular reactors, the demand for uranium, essential for nuclear technology, has surged.
With high demand, uranium prices reached a 16-year peak last year, driven by supply disruptions during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Despite this, global nuclear power generation continues to be concentrated in just a few countries, with 411 reactors in operation as of early 2025, providing a combined 371 gigawatts of capacity.
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The Clean Industrial Deal aims to help energy-intensive industries tackle high costs and complex regulations while competing with global rivals.
The plan includes new guarantee schemes, developed in partnership with the European Investment Bank, to lower costs for long-term renewable energy contracts and provide financial support for grid manufacturers.
A proposed EU Critical Raw Material Centre would coordinate the joint purchase of essential metals and minerals needed for the green transition.
Brussels’ initiative is part of a wider effort to streamline bureaucracy, adjust carbon duties, and create a more business-friendly environment for clean industries.
The proposal now awaits approval from the European Parliament and a reinforced majority of EU member states before it can take effect.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for tougher restrictions on Chinese technology, urging President Donald Trump’s nominee for a key trade role to reinforce AI chip controls.
In a letter to Jeffrey Kessler, the nominee for the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Warren cited concerns over Chinese startup DeepSeek and its AI advancements. She argued for tighter enforcement of export restrictions and measures to curb chip smuggling.
Chinese firms like Huawei and SMIC, already on the US Entity List, continue to acquire American technology through front companies, Warren warned.
She pressed Kessler to address this issue and determine whether these companies violated US laws by producing advanced chips using American technology. Strengthened controls on ChangXin Memory Technology and high-powered inference chips, such as Nvidia’s H20, were also among her recommendations.
Kessler, who previously served as the Commerce Department’s top trade enforcement official, acknowledged China‘s progress in cutting-edge technology. His confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee is set to examine how the US can maintain its technological edge while enforcing export restrictions effectively.
The debate comes amid ongoing tensions over AI and semiconductor technology between Washington and Beijing.
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Superhuman has introduced a new AI-powered feature called Auto Label, designed to automatically categorise emails into groups such as marketing, pitches, social updates, and news. Users can also create custom labels with personalised prompts and even choose to auto-archive certain categories, reducing inbox clutter.
The company developed the tool in response to customer complaints about an increasing number of unwanted marketing and cold emails. While Gmail and Outlook offer spam filtering, Superhuman’s CEO, Rahul Vohra, said their new system aims to provide more precise classification. However, at launch, users cannot edit prompts for existing labels, meaning they must create new ones if adjustments are needed.
Superhuman is also enhancing its reminder system. The app will now automatically surface emails if a response is overdue and can draft AI-generated follow-ups in the user’s writing style. Looking ahead, the company plans to integrate personal knowledge bases, automate replies, and introduce workflow automation, making email management even more seamless.
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Online fashion retailers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to tackle the costly issue of clothing returns, with up to 30% of purchases being sent back due to sizing problems. A study by McKinsey estimates that each return costs between $21 and $46, significantly affecting profit margins. Many customers order multiple sizes and return those that don’t fit, creating logistical headaches for retailers.
To address this, companies are adopting AI-driven sizing tools. French start-up Fringuant, for instance, uses an algorithm that analyses a shopper’s height, weight, and a quick selfie to predict the best size. Zalando, a German e-commerce giant, has also implemented its own AI-powered tool that guides customers by comparing their body shape with garment dimensions. These technologies are already helping some brands reduce return rates significantly.
Beyond sizing, AI is also improving warehouse operations to prevent shipping mistakes. Smart cameras on order pickers’ trolleys at logistics firms help ensure the right product is selected, while AI-equipped robots track stock levels, reducing errors that lead to returns. As online shopping continues to grow, retailers hope these innovations will streamline processes and boost efficiency.
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China’s spending on chipmaking equipment is expected to fall by 6% in 2025, marking its first decline since 2021, according to Canadian research firm TechInsights. The drop follows years of aggressive stockpiling as Chinese firms sought to bypass tightening US export controls. Last year, China accounted for 40% of global semiconductor equipment purchases, but its share is projected to shrink significantly.
Analysts attribute the decline to a combination of overcapacity and the impact of US sanctions, which aim to limit China’s ability to develop advanced chips with potential military applications. Despite these restrictions, companies like SMIC and Huawei have continued to push forward, achieving technological breakthroughs by relying on more expensive and labour-intensive manufacturing processes.
China has made strides in producing mature-node chips and expanding its domestic semiconductor industry, with firms like Naura Technology Group gaining global market share. However, the country remains dependent on foreign suppliers for critical tools such as lithography machines, highlighting ongoing challenges in its push for self-sufficiency.
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