Chevron, Data Centers, AI, and Worker Concerns Dominate Tech News
L'essentiel
- Chevron seeks tax breaks for a Texas data center, while data center water use and AI safety bills in Illinois draw attention.
- Microsoft's past skepticism of OpenAI is revealed, and US automakers pivot to energy storage.
- SpaceX invests heavily in gas turbines for AI data centers, and Google DeepMind UK staff unionize over military AI deals.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Multiple articles highlight emerging challenges and shifts within the technology sector. Concerns range from corporate environmental impact and AI safety to worker rights and internal company morale. Regulatory bodies and political figures are beginning to address these issues.
Chevron Wants a School District Tax Break for a Data Center Power Plant in Texas
The move could save the oil company hundreds of millions, even as Texas lawmakers start looking at reining in incentives for data centers.
Data Center Operators Are Trying to Fix Their Water Use Problems
Google, Microsoft, and other hyperscalers have come under scrutiny for their impact on water quality and availability.
What Microsoft Executives Really Thought About OpenAI in 2018
Leaders at the tech giant were skeptical of OpenAI—but wary of pushing it into the arms of Amazon, according to evidence revealed during the Musk v. Altman trial.
After Struggling With EVs, US Automakers Pivot to Energy
Ford and GM are backing away from electric vehicles and moving into the battery storage business. And it all comes back to AI.
Illinois Lawmakers Just Passed America’s Strongest AI Safety Bill
The bill requires companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google to have third parties confirm they’re following safety standards. Illinois governor JB Pritzker says he’ll sign it.
There’s a Long-Shot Proposal to Protect California Workers From AI
California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer is proposing a new jobs guarantee for workers displaced by artificial intelligence.
SpaceX Is Spending $2.8 Billion to Buy Gas Turbines for Its AI Data Centers
The investment comes as Elon Musk’s AI unit faces complaints about the carbon-emitting units and looks to become a big player in cloud computing.
Google DeepMind Workers Vote to Unionize Over Military AI Deals
UK staff of Google’s AI research lab hope to block the use of the company’s artificial intelligence models in military settings.
US Law Enforcement Warns of ‘Anti-Tech Extremism’ as AI Hatred Grows
As Americans stew over the looming risk of job-stealing AI and data centers in their back yards, the feds are raising the alarm about a new category of threat, documents obtained by WIRED show.
Palantir Held Another ‘Hack Week.’ This Time, the Focus Was ICE
The hackathon, held to build user-auditing tools for Palantir customers, comes as the company struggles to address employee concerns over its relationship with ICE.
Meta’s New Reality: Record High Profits. Record Low Morale
Next week, Meta is cutting about 10 percent of its staff. WIRED spoke with more than a dozen current and former employees about what it's like inside a company where “everyone is unhappy.”
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Illinois governor JB Pritzker will sign the AI safety bill.
Très probable · En quelques jours
Increased regulatory scrutiny on data center water usage and energy consumption.
Probable · En quelques mois
Further unionization efforts within AI research labs and tech companies regarding ethical concerns.
Probable · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- Will Chevron receive the tax break?
- How will data centers address water usage concerns?
- What are the specific safety standards required by the Illinois AI bill?
- What is the likelihood of Tom Steyer's jobs guarantee proposal passing?
