Queensland and the Northern Territory have rejected the federal government's plans to mandate renewable power use in AI datacentres, calling them 'underdeveloped ideas' that centralize power in Canberra, as S&P Global warns of potential five-fold increase in datacentre power use by 2035.
Water UK warns the government that the UK lacks sufficient water for future datacentres, criticizing "fatally flawed" forecasts that exclude their high demand. This threatens AI growth plans, especially in water-stressed regions already facing hosepipe bans.
Australia is grappling with the profound societal and economic impact of artificial intelligence, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to outline a national strategy focused on protecting sovereignty, fostering job creation, and avoiding past mistakes amidst global investment and ethical debates.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlined a promising AI policy pivot, committing to laws protecting local creatives' intellectual property and addressing community concerns over datacentre energy use, but the speech lacked crucial policy details.
Tech journalists are increasingly engaging in 'shoe-leather reporting' to investigate the physical realities of AI, from colossal datacentres and energy infrastructure to social media's real-world harms. This involves on-the-ground investigation, talking to locals, and examining tangible constraints, moving beyond digital landscapes.
South Korean chip maker SK hynix is set to raise $26.5 billion through a mega US listing on Nasdaq, capitalizing on the AI boom. The offering, one of the world's largest, aims to fund new fabrication hubs and advanced packaging facilities, with shares already showing strong interest.
Australia faces a boom in datacenters, driven by AI, with profound economic and environmental consequences. While AI offers benefits, the massive energy and water consumption of datacenters strains resources and could slow the transition to net zero emissions. The economic benefits are questioned due to imported equipment and limited job creation, raising concerns about whether technology truly serves the Australian people.
Australia is experiencing a boom in datacentre construction, driven by AI development, but this growth poses significant economic and environmental challenges. Concerns include massive energy and water consumption, waste heat, limited job creation, and potential strain on renewable energy transitions.
Campaigners in east London's Brick Lane oppose a proposed 5,200 sq metre datacentre, arguing it will worsen the severe housing crisis, drive up costs, and displace long-term residents. The project, intended for high-frequency trading, was rejected by Tower Hamlets council but is now under government review.
Hundreds of large-scale datacentre projects, crucial for AI, face significant hurdles including energy supply, high costs, and local opposition. Many announced projects are delayed or cancelled, impacting AI firms like Google, while global power grids struggle to meet demand.
Scotland's government may consider a moratorium on new datacenters, a move that could jeopardize the UK's AI strategy. The SNP national council passed a motion to freeze projects lacking planning permission, citing "overdevelopment" and environmental concerns.
Rex Patrick unites Jacqui Lambie, Pauline Hanson, and David Pocock against Aukus secrecy. Fears grow over datacentres stoking inflation and a heavier mortgage burden. Plus, "crypto corruption" allegations against Trump and World Cup updates.
Rex Patrick unites unlikely allies for Aukus transparency. Fears grow over datacentres stoking inflation and a heavier mortgage burden. News also covers Trump's crypto dealings, "Murdoched" phenomenon, and World Cup updates.
Console prices are rising due to AI-driven demand for semiconductors. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have seen significant price hikes, with the PS6 potentially costing $1,000. Sales have dropped, and cloud gaming may offer an alternative.
Australia's booming datacentre sector faces scrutiny from Transport for NSW and the Reserve Bank over its impact on industrial land availability for logistics, housing development, and inflation. Calls for a national pause are growing amidst concerns about rising costs, emissions, and strain on infrastructure.
Erin Brockovich is campaigning against the rapid, often secretive, proliferation of AI data centers across the US, which she likens to "Hinkley on steroids." She highlights concerns about immense water and energy consumption, environmental destruction, lack of public consultation, and legal challenges faced by local governments attempting to halt construction.
Residents near Europe's largest data centre park in Slough report unbearable summer heat, questioning if the dozens of energy-hungry facilities contribute to a 'heat island effect' alongside climate change, as emerging research suggests.
A report by the London School of Economics reveals a global surge in climate litigation targeting datacenters and AI infrastructure. Cases in Chile, Ireland, the US, and the UK challenge their significant energy and water consumption, and air pollution, pushing for renewable energy use and better environmental impact assessments.
US logistics firm Prologis has launched a £12.6bn all-share takeover bid for UK property giant Segro, which Segro's board rejected as significantly undervalued. The offer highlights the strategic value of Segro's warehouses and AI datacentre potential.
An artist recounts a joyful experience at a Split Enz concert, contrasting it with their strong disdain for AI-generated "art," which they view as boring, theft, soulless, and environmentally damaging, advocating for human creativity.
Australia's native birds, including black swans, face a "very high risk" of extinction from bird flu. Meanwhile, Europe experiences record heatwaves with 40 drownings in France, and the US Secretary of State addresses shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.
Senator David Pocock has urged the Australian government to prevent tech giants from using Australian content to train AI models, as cabinet debates copyright rule changes. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for a moratorium on new data centers until regulations are established.
A viral thought experiment, "Europe 2031," by the Arq Foundation, depicts the EU being economically ruined and sidelined by a tech-dominant US and China by 2031. The scenario highlights Europe's lagging AI ambitions and infrastructure, leading to job losses and political instability.
A growing backlash against AI is evident, with students booing former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and voters opposing AI's impact on jobs, creativity, and relationships. Cory Doctorow's new book argues that the revulsion stems from Big Tech's profit-driven model, not the technology itself.
