Sustainable development

Power demands reshape future of data centres

As AI and cloud computing demand surges, Siemens is tackling critical energy and sustainability challenges facing the data centre industry. With power densities surpassing 100kW per rack, traditional infrastructure is being pushed beyond its limits.

Siemens highlighted the urgent need for integrated digital solutions to address growing pressures such as delayed grid connections, rising costs, and speed of deployment. Operators are increasingly adopting microgrids and forming utility partnerships to ensure resilience and control over power access.

Siemens views data centres not just as energy consumers but as contributors to the grid, using stored energy to balance supply. The shift is pushing the industry to become more involved in grid stability and renewable integration.

While achieving net zero remains challenging, data centres are adopting on-site renewables, advanced cooling systems, and AI-driven management tools to boost efficiency.

Siemens’ own software, such as the Building X Suite, is helping reduce energy waste and predict maintenance needs, aligning operational effectiveness with sustainability goals.

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Chinese scientists develop new method to turn Moon dust into fuel

Chinese researchers have developed an innovative method to extract water and generate fuel from lunar soil, offering a potentially game-changing solution for future Moon missions.

By harnessing a ‘photothermal strategy’—a technique that converts light into heat—they demonstrated how carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts could be transformed into oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide using water extracted directly from Moon dust.

The breakthrough, detailed in the journal Joule, centres on integrating water extraction with gas conversion in a single, energy-efficient step.

Professor Lu Wang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, described the discovery as a surprise, especially the soil’s unexpected catalytic potential. The integrated system could dramatically reduce reliance on costly Earth-supplied water, currently at about $83,000 per gallon.

The team used actual lunar samples collected during China’s Chang’E-5 mission to test their method. These samples, retrieved from the Moon’s near side in 2020, helped validate the concept in controlled lab conditions.

However, researchers caution that challenges such as radiation, microgravity, and extreme temperature fluctuations may complicate implementation on the Moon’s surface.

Even so, the results underscore the rapid progress of space programme in China. From relative obscurity just two decades ago, the country now positions itself as a frontrunner in building a sustainable Moon base, with ambitions to establish a permanent outpost by 2035.

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Eric Schmidt warns that AI growth is limited by electricity

Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt has warned that electricity, rather than semiconductors, will limit the future growth of AI.

Speaking on the Moonshots podcast, Schmidt said the push towards artificial superintelligence—AI that exceeds human cognitive ability in almost all domains—will depend on securing sufficient power instead of just developing more advanced chips.

Schmidt noted the US alone may require an extra 92 gigawatts of electricity to support AI growth, equivalent to dozens of nuclear power stations.

Instead of waiting for new plants, companies such as Microsoft are seeking to retrofit closed facilities, including the Three Mile Island plant targeted for relaunch in 2028.

Schmidt highlighted growing environmental pressures, citing Microsoft’s 34% increase in water use within a year, a trend experts link directly to rising AI workloads.

Major AI developers like OpenAI’s Sam Altman also acknowledge energy as a key constraint. Altman has invested in nuclear fusion through Helion, while firms such as Microsoft and AMD are pressing US policymakers to fast-track energy permits.

Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, warn that unchecked AI expansion risks undermining climate goals instead of supporting them.

Schmidt believes superintelligence is inevitable and approaching rapidly, predicting specialised AI tools across all fields within five years. Rather than focusing solely on AI’s capabilities, he stressed the urgent need for planning energy infrastructure today to match tomorrow’s AI demands.

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Malaysia pushes clean tech and innovation for growth

Malaysia is accelerating its transition to a low-carbon and digitally driven economy by channelling investments into green technologies and innovation.

At the National Economic Forum 2025, Minister Chang Lih Kang outlined the country’s strategy to support sustainable growth through carbon management, hydrogen energy, green materials and circular economic models.

The government is also exploring advanced nuclear technologies such as Small Modular Reactors to support decarbonisation and enhance research, talent development and technology transfer.

A 17% increase in private R&D investment last year, mainly in clean energy and digital health, has helped build investor confidence. Authorities are now encouraging further growth through co-investment strategies, grants and collaborative innovation platforms.

Malaysia’s National Biotechnology Policy is also supporting biopharmaceuticals and agricultural biotech, in line with sustainability and ESG objectives. The Malaysian government aims to create a resilient, inclusive and innovation-driven economy for the next phase of regional development.

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Amazon cuts hundreds of AWS jobs amid AI shift

Amazon has reportedly cut hundreds of jobs within its Amazon Web Services cloud computing division, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Instead of providing specific numbers, Amazon confirmed the decision, citing ongoing efforts to optimise resources while continuing to invest in customer-focused innovation.

These layoffs follow warnings by CEO Andy Jassy, who recently said the rising use of generative AI would reduce workforce needs across the company.

The cuts affect several AWS teams, including specialists who support customers in developing new products and selling services. Employees reported receiving termination emails on Thursday, with their system access deactivated soon after.

Rather than focusing solely on AWS, Amazon has also been reducing roles in other units, such as its books division, devices and services unit, and Wondery podcast platform.

Despite these workforce reductions, AWS sales rose 17% in the first quarter to $29.3 billion compared to a year earlier, with operating income increasing by 23% to $11.5 billion.

Amazon, alongside firms like Microsoft, Meta, and CrowdStrike, is increasingly relying on AI tools instead of human workers to automate tasks, write software code, and streamline operations as part of a broader trend affecting the tech industry.

Amazon’s latest cuts reflect efforts by Jassy to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate managerial layers, aiming to keep the company agile amid rapid AI adoption and changing business priorities.

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Irish hospital turns to AI for appointment management

Beaumont Hospital in Dublin plans to deploy AI to predict patient no-shows and late cancellations, aiming to reduce wasted resources.

Instead of relying solely on reminders, the hospital will pilot AI software costing up to €110,000, using patient data to forecast missed appointments. Currently, no-shows account for 15.5% of its outpatient slots.

The system will integrate with Beaumont’s existing two-way text messaging service. Rather than sending uniform reminders, the AI model will tailor messages based on the likelihood of attendance while providing hospital staff with real-time insights to better manage clinic schedules.

The pilot is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, potentially expanding into a full €1.2 million contract.

The move forms part of Beaumont Hospital’s strategic plan through 2030 to reduce outpatient non-attendance. It follows the broader adoption of AI in Irish healthcare, including Mater Hospital’s recent launch of an AI and Digital Health centre designed to tackle clinical challenges using new technologies.

Instead of viewing AI as a future option, Irish hospitals now increasingly treat it as an immediate solution to operational inefficiencies, hoping it will transform healthcare delivery and improve patient service.

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Hackers hide malware using DNS TXT records

Hackers are increasingly exploiting DNS records to deliver malware undetected, according to new research from DomainTools.

Instead of relying on typical delivery methods such as emails or downloads, attackers now hide malicious code within DNS TXT records, part of the Domain Name System, often overlooked by security systems.

The method involves converting malware into hexadecimal code, splitting it into small segments, and storing each chunk in the TXT record of subdomains under domains like whitetreecollective.com.

Once attackers gain limited access to a network, they retrieve these chunks via ordinary-looking DNS queries, reassembling them into functioning malware without triggering antivirus or firewall alerts.

The rising use of encrypted DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS makes detecting such queries harder, especially without in-house DNS resolvers equipped for deep inspection.

Researchers also noted that attackers are using DNS TXT records for malware and embedding harmful text designed to manipulate AI systems through prompt injection.

Ian Campbell of DomainTools warns that even organisations with strong security measures struggle to detect such DNS-based threats due to the hidden nature of the traffic.

Instead of focusing solely on traditional defences, organisations are advised to monitor DNS traffic closely, log and inspect queries through internal resolvers, and restrict DNS access to trusted sources. Educating teams on these emerging threats remains essential for maintaining robust cybersecurity.

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Perplexity AI overtakes ChatGPT on India’s App Store

Perplexity AI has overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the top AI app on Apple’s App Store in India, following a new partnership with telecom provider Airtel.

Instead of paying the usual ₹17,000 annual fee for Perplexity AI Pro, Airtel customers now receive a free 12-month subscription, triggering a sharp increase in downloads and user engagement.

Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed the app’s rise to the number one position via LinkedIn.

The Perplexity app, available on iOS and browsers, offers AI search features including image generation, research tools, file analysis, and access to models like Claude, Grok 4, and GPT-4.1.

Although the app has been in the App Store for months, it has not surpassed ChatGPT until now.

The Airtel offer applies to all mobile, broadband, and DTH customers, who can redeem their subscription directly through the Airtel Thanks app.

Instead of limiting access to just the app, Perplexity Pro users can also use its advanced AI functionalities via Safari or Chrome browsers.

The offer is seen as especially beneficial for students, researchers, and professionals, encouraging a broader audience to try the service without an upfront payment.

Perplexity’s rapid rise in popularity highlights growing competition in India’s AI app market, with local telecom partnerships becoming a key driver instead of relying solely on organic growth through app stores.

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OpenAI releases ChatGPT agent with task automation tools

OpenAI has introduced a general-purpose AI agent within ChatGPT, aiming to move beyond answering questions by completing various computer-based tasks.

Known as ChatGPT agent, the tool allows users to navigate calendars, generate editable presentations, and write code simply by using natural language prompts.

Rather than acting as a standalone product, ChatGPT agent integrates capabilities from OpenAI’s earlier tools, combining website navigation and in-depth research features.

Rolling out to Pro, Plus, and Team subscribers, the ChatGPT agent also connects with external apps like Gmail and GitHub. Instead of being limited to basic queries, it can access a terminal and use APIs, enabling tasks such as analysing competitors or planning shopping lists.

OpenAI claims its underlying model delivers state-of-the-art results, scoring significantly higher than previous versions on academic and maths benchmarks.

While positioning ChatGPT as its most capable AI tool yet, OpenAI has implemented several new safety measures due to the agent’s potential risks. The company acknowledges its model could amplify harm in sensitive areas like biological and chemical threats.

To mitigate such dangers, OpenAI monitors prompts in real time and turns off ChatGPT’s memory feature within the agent to avoid data leaks through malicious attacks.

Despite these precautions, questions remain over whether the ChatGPT agent will consistently perform complex tasks in the real world. Earlier agent technologies from various companies have often failed to meet expectations.

OpenAI, however, insists its new release represents a more robust step towards fulfilling the vision of practical AI agents.

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xAI eyes data centre deal with Humain

Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, has entered early discussions with Humain to secure data centre capacity instead of relying solely on existing infrastructure.

According to Bloomberg, the arrangement could involve several gigawatts of capacity, although Humain has yet to start building its facilities, meaning any deal would take years to materialise.

Humain is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). xAI is reportedly considering a fresh funding round where PIF might also invest.

At the same time, xAI is negotiating with a smaller company constructing a 200-megawatt data centre, offering a more immediate solution while waiting for larger projects.

Rather than operating in isolation, xAI joins AI competitors like Google, Meta and Microsoft in racing to secure vast computing power for training large AI models. The push for massive data centre capacity reflects the escalating demands of advanced AI systems.

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