ai

Meta lures AI leaders as Apple faces instability

Meta has hired two senior AI researchers from Apple, Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, as part of its ongoing effort to attract top talent in AI, according to Bloomberg.

Instead of staying within Apple’s ranks, both experts have joined Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, following Ruoming Pang, Apple’s former head of large language model development, whom Meta recently secured with a reported compensation package worth over $200 million.

Gunter, once a distinguished engineer at Apple, briefly worked for another AI firm before accepting Meta’s offer.

The moves reflect increasing instability inside Apple’s AI division, where leadership is reportedly exploring partnerships with external providers like OpenAI to power future Siri features rather than relying solely on in-house solutions.

Meta’s aggressive hiring strategy comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg prioritises AI development, pledging substantial investment in talent and computing power to rival companies such as OpenAI and Google.

Some Apple employees have been presented with counteroffers, but these reportedly fail to match the scale of Meta’s packages.

Instead of slowing down, Meta appears determined to solidify its position as a leader in AI research, continuing to lure key experts away from competitors while Apple faces challenges retaining its top engineers.

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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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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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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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Quantum tech could break online security, warns India

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), alongside cybersecurity firm SISA, cautions that these powerful machines could soon break the encryption used to protect everything from online banking to personal identity systems.

CERT-In’s new white paper outlines how attackers may already be stockpiling encrypted data to unlock later using quantum tools, a tactic called ‘harvest now, decrypt later’. If left unaddressed, this strategy could expose sensitive data stored today once quantum technology matures.

AI is adding to the urgency. As it becomes more embedded in digital systems, it also increases access to user data, raising the stakes if encryption is compromised. The biggest digital systems in India, including Aadhaar, cryptocurrencies, and smart devices, are seen as particularly exposed to this looming risk.

Everyday users are advised to take precautions: update devices regularly, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and avoid storing sensitive data online long-term. Services like Signal or ProtonMail, which use strong encryption, are also recommended.

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Stay True To The Act campaign defends music rights

More than 30 European musicians have launched a united video campaign urging the European Commission to preserve the integrity of the EU AI Act.

The Stay True To The Act campaign calls on policymakers to enforce transparency and uphold copyright protections.

Artists, including Spanish singer-songwriter Álex Ubago and Poland’s Eurovision 2025 entrant Justyna Steczkowska, have voiced concern over the unauthorised use of their work to train AI models. They demand the right to be informed and the power to refuse such usage.

The EU AI Act, passed in 2024, includes provisions requiring developers to disclose the content used in AI training. However, as implementation plans develop, artists fear the law may be diluted, weakening protections for creators.

The campaign appeals for vigorous enforcement of the Act’s original principles: transparency, copyright control and fair innovation. Artists say AI and music can coexist in Europe only if ethical boundaries are upheld.

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AI brings new life to martial arts cinema legends

China is embarking on a major digital restoration project to preserve its rich martial arts film heritage. Announced at the Shanghai International Film Festival, the government-backed initiative aims to restore 100 classic kung fu movies using AI.

Unlike Hollywood’s trend of digitally recreating actors, this effort focuses on enhancing image and sound quality while preserving the original storytelling and aesthetics. Films like Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury, Jackie Chan’s Police Story, and Jet Li’s Once Upon a Time in China will receive the high-definition makeover.

The project, supported by the China Film Foundation, is being framed to safeguard cultural treasures for future generations. Officials emphasise that AI will serve only as a preservation tool, not altering the essence of these iconic works.

However, the initiative has sparked debate: some critics fear that overreliance on technology could dilute the human touch in cinema, while supporters believe this will help introduce these classics to younger global audiences who may otherwise overlook them.

In parallel, China is experimenting with a more radical approach through A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border, a fully AI-animated reboot that reimagines a beloved story rather than simply restoring it. That contrast highlights the country’s growing ambition to blend tradition with cutting-edge technology in the entertainment industry. Whether seen as a bold step toward the future or a controversial new chapter, the legendary kung fu films of the past are poised to shine again in stunning clarity.

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Japan smashes internet speed record

Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology researchers pushed optical networking to its limits.

They successfully transmitted data at a blistering 1.02 petabits per second, a breakthrough speed equivalent to transferring Netflix-quality content or entire encyclopedias in under a second. The test covered nearly 1,800 km, showcasing raw capacity and long-haul viability.

A pioneering 19-core optical fibre, no thicker than typical single-core cables, enabled this achievement. Multiple wavelength bands were combined and amplified 21 times to ensure signal integrity across the distance.

However, this feat doubles last year’s record and retains compatibility with existing fibre infrastructure.

Beyond breaking records, the project signals that future networks could support the massive bandwidth demands of AI, 8K streaming, cloud computing and even 6G.

By demonstrating that modern infrastructure can handle this scale, the researchers hope to accelerate deployment in undersea cables, national backbones, and data centres.

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Most US teens use AI companion bots despite risks

A new national survey shows that roughly 72% of American teenagers, aged 13 to 17, have tried AI companion apps such as Replika, Character.AI, and Nomi, with over half interacting with them regularly.

Although some teens report benefits like practising conversation skills or emotional self-expression, significant safety concerns have emerged.

Around 34% have been left uncomfortable by the bot’s behaviour, and one-third have turned to AI for advice on serious personal issues. Worryingly, nearly a quarter of users disclosed their real names or locations in chats.

Despite frequent use, most teens still prefer real friendships—two-thirds say AI interactions are less satisfying, and 80% maintain stronger ties to human friends.

Experts warn that teens are especially vulnerable to emotional dependency, manipulative responses, and data privacy violations through these apps.

Youth advocates call for mandatory age verification, better content moderation, and expanded AI literacy education, arguing that minors should not use companionship bots until more regulations are in place and platforms become truly safe for young users.

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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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