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Environmental groups embrace AI, even as they warn of data center impacts
Environmental organisations are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance conservation efforts and analyze ecological data. Many express concerns about the environmental impact caused by data centers that support AI technologies. The energy and water consumption of these centers is projected to double by 2030, raising emissions concerns.
Tech layoffs were just the start: 1.6 million more US job cuts could push America toward recession
US technology layoffs have crossed 200,000 in 2026, with Google, Microsoft, Amazon and other major companies cutting jobs. But the bigger concern is whether the trend will spread to retail and financial services, where another 1.6 million job losses could push unemployment higher and raise fears of a US recession.
Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the "Stop Dirty Data Centres" coalition, which is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.
Why Big Tech companies Microsoft, Google, Meta and others are opting for voluntary buyouts
In response to fluctuating market demands, Meta has rolled out voluntary exit packages in France aimed at workforce restructuring. This initiative is part of a broader trend as tech giants like Google and Microsoft implement similar measures globally to optimize costs. These packages offer employees the choice to depart with financial incentives and transition support, showcasing a more favorable approach compared to traditional layoffs amidst economic uncertainty.
Google sued over suicide-related AI chats on school computer
The parents of a 13-year-old girl have sued Google claiming she planned a potential suicide and funeral using its AI technology on a school-issued computer. Developers of fast-evolving AI technology are facing a litany of similar lawsuits in the US. OpenAI faces several wrongful death suits, including from the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, a teenager who committed suicide allegedly using methods advised by ChatGPT. Google and the startup Character.
Google, Meta, TikTok sue to block California youth social media law
The law, known as Assembly Bill 1709, prohibits such platforms from offering underage children "psychologically exploitative features" that could lead to compulsive use, such as providing personal recommendations and sending videos through autoplay features. It also requires the deletion of children's accounts with those features.
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After laying off thousands, Meta now offers voluntary exit packages like Google and Microsoft. Here's all you need to know
Meta has launched a voluntary exit programme in France, designed to reorganize its team while pivoting towards artificial intelligence development. This attractive package includes severance pay, mobility leave, and extensive career support for transitioning employees. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, as companies like Google and Microsoft are also adopting similar voluntary separation strategies. Employees wishing to participate must apply by November 5.

Carl Pei teases Nothing’s first AI-native product; says it 'couldn't have been an app'
Nothing will launch its first AI-native product in December with a focus on productivity. The chief executive, Carl Pei, provided limited details about the product’s functions. It is suggested that the product may help users capture conversations and take notes. Other companies are also exploring wearable AI devices that focus on companionship or productivity.

Google turns off AI for schoolchildren by default
Google has said it will switch off its AI tools for schoolchildren by default, after drawing criticism for pushing artificial intelligence features to students while schools are still debating how the technology should be used in classrooms. The feature was switched on by default for students at schools that had already enabled Gemini.

Google voluntary buyouts: What's the exit package, which teams qualify and how many employees are eligible after Microsoft's similar offer?
Google Voluntary Exit Programme Details: Google has expanded its voluntary buyout programme to selected employees in five countries. The offer comes as Microsoft rolls out a similar voluntary exit scheme covering around 60,000 employees. Here's a look at Google's severance package, eligible teams and the number of employees who could opt for the offer.

'Chernobyl-like' blackout soon: 'Godfather of AI' predicts crisis this year or next; Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton warns of risks to financial markets & power systems
AI could trigger a 'Chernobyl-like' crisis this year or next, Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton has warned, cautioning that the technology could temporarily disrupt financial or power systems. Speaking to The Guardian, the 'godfather of AI' also criticised tech leaders Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman for allegedly putting profits ahead of safety, while saying a catastrophe could still be averted.

eMudhra says TLS certificate security incident impacted 1% of revenue
eMudhra Ltd experienced a certificate security incident in October that impacted its TLS business revenue significantly. Following the incident, the company revoked the affected intermediary certificates to prevent further issues. Executive Chairman V. Srinivasan confirmed that no end-entity certificates were issued, maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure. KPMG was appointed as an independent external reviewer to investigate the incident thoroughly.

ShareChat’s FY26 revenue jumps 40% to Rs 1,016 crore on microdrama push; net loss widens
However, its loss before tax widened to Rs 1,978 crore in FY26 from Rs 1,105 crore in the previous year, largely due to higher accounting expenses related to its convertible debt instruments, forex losses and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), cofounder and CFO Manohar Singh Charan told ET.

Google hands schools the AI switch as learning concerns grow
Google plans to restrict access to its AI tools for K-12 students, pending administrator approval. This change follows feedback aimed at enhancing control over classroom AI usage. The company is also expanding its Guided Learning feature, which helps students solve problems systematically. Research shows mixed results regarding AI's impact on student performance and learning outcomes.

Vivek Ramaswamy beaten at US midterms: Decoding a Republican firebrand's high-decibel fall
Vivek Ramaswamy defeat: Democrat Amy Acton beat Ramaswamy, whose campaign -- backed by Donald Trump and big funding --failed to connect with voters worried about living costs. A controversial advertisement -- which drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum -- may have backfired too.
Google will cut off search access for students at schools that reject AI
The Mountain View, California, company has been facing pushback from educators, child development experts and parents over the use of its technology in schools, with the backlash heating up since it announced in August that it had turned on its Gemini chatbot for many K-12 students who use Google Classroom.
Democrats press to win a majority of governors' offices in midterms after power struggles with Trump
Votes were counted in key gubernatorial races during the midterm elections across several states. Democrats attempted to gain a majority of gubernatorial offices, a goal not achieved in years. Competitive contests took place in various states, reflecting voter discontent over multiple issues. Notable races included those in Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and Iowa, where incumbent governors faced challenges. The outcomes could significantly influence future election administration and political dynamics.

Dreambeans now in India: What to know about Google’s personalised AI visual stories app
Google has launched its innovative Dreambeans app in India, aimed at transforming personal moments into captivating visual stories. By utilizing data from services like Gmail and Photos, the app crafts unique narratives that resonate with users' experiences. Privacy is prioritized, allowing users to curate what they share and disconnect services anytime.

Deep use cases vault India to ChatGPT’s top global market: OpenAI's India MD
During a visit to India last year, the ChatGPT maker’s cofounder Sam Altman said that India was the fastest growing market for the frontier lab and was already the second largest in terms of users globally. Market estimates had earlier put the India user base at 100 million.

Texas Senate race sets record with $573 million in political ad spending
The Texas Senate race has become the most expensive non-presidential contest with advertising costs exceeding $573 million. Democrat James Talarico currently leads Republican Ken Paxton in the polls ahead of the November 3 elections. While Republican spending has surged in recent weeks, Democratic groups initially dominated with their advertising efforts. Outside funding has heavily favored Paxton, with significant contributions coming from aligned groups.

JioHotstar launches StreamToCart Ads, enabling in-stream shopping through Instamart
Introducing a game-changer in digital advertising, JioHotstar has launched StreamToCart Ads, an interactive format that merges streaming with online shopping. Viewers can now browse and directly add products to their shopping carts without interrupting their viewing, consequently boosting user engagement. Advertisers are empowered to monitor user behaviors from impressions to purchases, optimizing their marketing strategies.

Former Google engineer warns AI could wipe out humanity by 2036: Why he says 'We don’t have a decade...'
Nate Soares, president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, expresses serious concerns about artificial intelligence. He believes there is more than a 50% chance humanity may not survive the next decade. Other experts, like Geoffrey Hinton, acknowledge potential risks but differ on the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes. The ongoing debate focuses on AI's rapid development and necessary safeguards to minimize risk.

AI is driving up memory prices. So why is Sam Altman questioning your PC's RAM?
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has questioned the need for large amounts of RAM in personal computers, arguing that much of the memory remains unused and could be utilised more efficiently through centralised cloud infrastructure. However, his remarks come at a time when the AI industry's growing demand for computing power is contributing to rising memory prices, making smartphones, PCs and other consumer devices more expensive.

Google in talks to join Trump’s Golden Dome defense program
Google is in early talks with the Pentagon regarding involvement in the Golden Dome missile defense program. The initiative aims to secure critical data for military software and infrastructure. Multiple companies, including Aalyria Technologies, are likely to collaborate in this effort. Command-and-control software will connect various weapon systems and defense technologies across the military. Google’s previous hesitations with defense work seem to be changing as it pursues new agreements.

Reddit posts search traffic declines, will push visitor sign-ins to curb data scraping
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman outlined a plan on Thursday to make signing-in mandatory for most content as the company grapples with data scraping and declining search referral traffic in recent months.

Alphabet’s AI risks deepen as filing reveals $98 billion in commitments beyond the $1 trillion spending
In a recent regulatory disclosure, Alphabet reveals financial risks linked to its massive AI investments that surpass $1 trillion. The firm might be burdened with nearly $98.5 billion in contingent commitments, including data center leases and chip system repurchases. There are growing apprehensions about the sustainability of Google Cloud's expansion due to a substantial backlog from its collaboration with Blackstone.

Why did Alphabet stock crash 10% as Microsoft shares rose nearly 4%? Google parent may face its worst post-earnings drop ever as search ads slow and cash flow turns negative
Alphabet (GOOGL) stock falls 10% after Q3 earnings: Alphabet, Google’s parent, saw its shares drop over 10% in US premarket trade on Thursday after weak September quarter results. Search ad revenue grew 12%, slower than 17% last quarter, and free cash flow turned negative at $9.07 billion. Microsoft shares rose nearly 4%. Morningstar raised its fair value estimate for Alphabet to $450 and calls the stock attractively priced.

Big Tech earnings: Microsoft, Google see cloud revenues surge
Microsoft's total revenues hit $92.3 billion against expectations of $90.6 billion, with profits of more than $36.6 billion versus the $35.1 billion analysts had forecast, according to FactSet.

Shares in Google owner Alphabet sink on profit miss, ad slowdown
Alphabet has witnessed a notable decline in its net profit and advertising revenue for the third quarter, specifically from July to September. The net profit dropped 25 percent to $26.2 billion, which fell short of analyst predictions. While YouTube's revenue growth has decelerated, Google Cloud's revenue impressive surged by 103 percent. The company reports substantial capital expenditures at $51.
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