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EU investigates Google over potential Digital Markets Act breach

The European Commission has opened an investigation into whether Google may be breaching the Digital Markets Act by unfairly demoting news publishers in search results.

An inquiry that centres on Google’s ‘site reputation abuse policy’, which appears to lower rankings for publishers that host content from commercial partners, even when those partnerships support legitimate ways of monetising online journalism.

The Commission is examining whether Alphabet’s approach restricts publishers from conducting business, innovating, and cooperating with third-party content providers. Officials highlighted concerns that such demotions may undermine revenue at a difficult moment for the media sector.

These proceedings do not imply a final decision; instead, they allow the EU to gather evidence and assess Google’s practices in detail.

If the Commission finds evidence of non-compliance, it will present preliminary findings and request corrective measures. The investigation is expected to conclude within 12 months.

Under the DMA, infringements can lead to fines of up to ten percent of a company’s worldwide turnover, rising to twenty percent for repeated violations, alongside possible structural remedies.

Senior Commissioners stressed that gatekeepers must offer fair and non-discriminatory access to their platforms. They argued that protecting publishers’ ability to reach audiences supports media pluralism, innovation, and democratic resilience.

Google Search, designated as a core platform service under the DMA, has been required to comply fully with the regulation since March 2024.

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Google launches Private AI Compute for secure cloud-AI

In a move that underscores the evolving balance between capability and privacy in AI, Google today introduced Private AI Compute. This new cloud-based processing platform supports its most advanced models, such as those in the Gemini family, while maintaining what it describes as on-device-level data security.

The blog post explains that many emerging AI tasks now exceed the capabilities of on-device hardware alone. To solve this, Google built Private AI Compute to offload heavy computation to its cloud, powered by custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and wrapped in a fortified enclave environment called Titanium Intelligence Enclaves (TIE).

The system uses remote attestation, encryption and IP-blinding relays to ensure user data remains private and inaccessible; ot even Google’s supposed to gain access.

Google identifies initial use-cases in its Pixel devices: features such as Magic Cue and Recorder will benefit from the extra compute, enabling more timely suggestions, multilingual summarisation and advanced context-aware assistance.

At the same time, the company says this platform ‘opens up a new set of possibilities for helpful AI experiences’ that go beyond what on-device AI alone can fully achieve.

This announcement is significant from both a digital policy and platform economy perspective. It illustrates how major technology firms are reconciling user privacy demands with the computational intensity of next-generation AI.

For organisations and governments focused on AI governance and digital diplomacy, the move raises questions about data sovereignty, transparency of remote enclaves and the true nature of ‘secure ‘cloud processing.

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Google and Cassava expand Gemini access in Africa

Google announced a partnership with Cassava Technologies to widen access to Gemini across Africa. The deal includes data-free Gemini usage for eligible users coordinated through Cassava’s network partners. The initiative aims to address affordability and adoption barriers for mobile users.

A six-month trial of the Google AI Plus plan is part of the package. Benefits include access to more capable Gemini models and added cloud storage. Coverage by regional tech outlets reported the exact core details.

Education features were highlighted, including NotebookLM for study aids and Gemini in Docs for writing support. Google said the offer aims to help students, teachers, and creators work without worrying about data usage. Reports highlight a focus on youth and skills development.

Cassava’s role aligns with broader investments in AI infrastructure and services across the continent; recent announcements reference model exchanges and planned AI facilities that support regional development. Observers see momentum behind accessible AI tools.

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Private AI Compute by Google blends cloud power with on-device privacy

Google introduced Private AI Compute, a cloud platform that combines the power of Gemini with on-device privacy. It delivers faster AI while ensuring that personal data remains private and inaccessible, even to Google. The system builds on Google’s privacy-enhancing innovations across AI experiences.

As AI becomes more anticipatory, Private AI Compute enables advanced reasoning that exceeds the limits of local devices. It runs on Google’s custom TPUs and Titanium Intelligence Enclaves, securely powering Gemini models in the cloud. The design keeps all user data isolated and encrypted.

Encrypted attestation links a user’s device to sealed processing environments, allowing only the user to access the data. Features like Magic Cue and Recorder on Pixel now perform smarter, multilingual actions privately. Google says this extends on-device protection principles into secure cloud operations.

The platform’s multi-layered safeguards follow Google’s Secure AI Framework and Privacy Principles. Private AI Compute enables enterprises and consumers to utilise Gemini models without exposing sensitive inputs. It reinforces Google’s vision for privacy-centric infrastructure in cloud-enabled AI.

By merging local and cloud intelligence, Google says Private AI Compute opens new paths for private, personalised AI. It will guide the next wave of Gemini capabilities while maintaining transparency and safety. The company positions it as a cornerstone of responsible AI innovation.

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€5.5bn Google plan expands German data centres, carbon-free power and skills programmes

Google will invest €5.5bn in Germany from 2026 to 2029, adding a Dietzenbach data centre and expanding its Hanau facility. It will expand offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, and launch skilling and a first German heat-recovery project. Estimated impact: ~€1.016bn GDP and ~9,000 jobs annually.

Dietzenbach will strengthen German cloud regions within Google’s 42-region network, used by firms such as Mercedes-Benz. Google Cloud highlights Vertex AI, Gemini, and sovereign options for local compliance. Continued Hanau investment supports low-latency AI workloads.

Google and Engie will extend 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy in Germany through 2030, adding new wind and solar. The portfolio will be optimised with storage and Ørsted’s Borkum Riffgrund 3. Operations are projected to be 85% carbon-free in 2026.

A partnership with Energieversorgung Offenbach will utilise excess data centre heat to feed into Dietzenbach’s district network, serving over 2,000 households. Water work includes wetland protection with NABU in Hesse’s Büttelborn Bruchwiesen. Google reiterates its 24/7 carbon-free goal.

Office expansion includes Munich’s Arnulfpost for up to 2,000 staff, Frankfurt’s Global Tower space, and additional floors in Berlin. Local partnerships will fund digital skills and STEM programmes. Officials and customers welcomed the move for its benefits to infrastructure, sovereignty, and innovation.

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Data infrastructure growth in India raises environmental concerns

India’s data centre market is expanding rapidly, driven by rapid AI adoption, mobile internet growth, and massive foreign investment from firms such as Google, Amazon and Meta. The sector is projected to expand 77% by 2027, with billions more expected to be spent on capacity by 2030.

Rapid expansion of energy-hungry and water-intensive facilities is creating serious sustainability challenges, particularly in water-scarce urban clusters like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Experts warn that by 2030, India’s data centre water consumption could reach 358 billion litres, risking shortages for local communities and critical services in India.

Authorities and industry players are exploring solutions including treated wastewater, low-stress basin selection, and zero-water cooling technologies to mitigate environmental impact. Officials also highlight the need to mandate renewable energy use to balance India’s digital ambitions with decarbonisation goals.

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University of Athens partners with Google to boost AI education

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has announced a new partnership with Google to enhance university-level education in AI. The collaboration grants all students free 12-month access to Google’s AI Pro programme, a suite of advanced learning and research tools.

Through the initiative, students can use Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s latest AI model, along with Deep Research and NotebookLM for academic exploration and study organisation. The offer also includes 2 TB of cloud storage and access to Veo 3 for video creation and Jules for coding support.

The programme aims to expand digital literacy and increase hands-on engagement with generative and research-driven AI tools. By integrating these technologies into everyday study, the university hopes to cultivate a new generation of AI-experienced graduates.

University officials view the collaboration as a milestone in Greek AI-driven education, following recent national initiatives to introduce AI programmes in schools and healthcare. The partnership marks a significant step in aligning higher education with the global digital economy.

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How Google uses AI to support teachers and inspire students

Google is redefining education with AI designed to enhance learning, rather than replace teachers. The company has unveiled new tools grounded in learning science to support both educators and students, aiming to make learning more effective, efficient and engaging.

Through its Gemini platform, users can follow guided learning paths that encourage discovery rather than passive answers.

YouTube and Search now include conversational features that allow students to ask questions as they learn, while NotebookLM can transform personal materials into quizzes or immersive study aids.

Instructors can also utilise Google Classroom’s free AI tools for lesson planning and administrative support, thereby freeing up time for direct student engagement.

Google emphasises that its goal is to preserve the human essence of education while using AI to expand understanding. The company also addresses challenges linked to AI in learning, such as cheating, fairness, accuracy and critical thinking.

It is exploring assessment models that cannot be easily replicated by AI, including debates, projects, and oral examinations.

The firm pledges to develop its tools responsibly by collaborating with educators, parents and policymakers. By combining the art of teaching with the science of AI-driven learning, Google seeks to make education more personal, equitable and inspiring for all.

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Google launches Project Suncatcher to scale AI computing in space

Google has unveiled Project Suncatcher, a research initiative exploring how AI computation could be scaled in space. The project aims to create an interconnected constellation of solar-powered satellites equipped with Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips.

Researchers hope that off-Earth computation could unlock new possibilities for high-performance AI, powered directly by the Sun. Early research focuses on satellite design, communication systems and radiation testing to ensure the TPUs function in orbit.

The company plans a joint mission with Planet to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027. These trials will test the hardware in space and assess the feasibility of large-scale solar computation networks.

Project Suncatcher continues Google’s tradition of ambitious research ‘moonshots’, following advances in quantum computing and autonomous systems. If successful, it could redefine how energy and computing resources are harnessed for future AI breakthroughs.

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Google AI roadmap aims to accelerate nature protection and restoration

Google and the World Resources Institute have co-authored a new paper on how to harness AI to support conservation efforts. The paper begins by highlighting successful applications of AI in nature conservation. There are near-real-time monitoring tools that track forests and oceans.

For instance, platforms like Global Fishing Watch scan billions of satellite signals to map human activity at sea and support sustainable fishing. Citizen-science apps such as iNaturalist use AI to identify plants and animals from a photo, turning observations into usable biodiversity data.

New multimodal approaches combine satellite imagery, audio recordings and field notes to help scientists understand whole ecosystems and decide where conservation efforts are needed most.

The report sets out three recommendations to scale the impact AI. First, expand primary biodiversity data and shared infrastructure, collect more images, audio and field observations, and make them accessible through common standards and public repositories.

Second, invest in open, trustworthy models and platforms (for example, Wildlife Insights), with transparent methods, independent testing and governance so results can be reused and audited.

Third, strengthen two-way knowledge exchange between AI developers, practitioners, and indigenous and local communities through co-design, training and funding, ensuring tools match real needs on the ground.

Their message is that AI can act as a force multiplier, but only when paired with on-the-ground capacity, ethical safeguards and long-term funding, enabling communities and conservation agencies to use these tools to protect and restore ecosystems. However, Google has faced scrutiny in the past over meeting its climate goals, including its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.

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