MICROSOFT DATA CENTRE PROTESTS
Bad AI cholesterol vs good AI cholesterol
The Magnificent 7 of Big Tech has recently experienced a staggering drop, losing over $1 trillion in collective market value. This decline is fueled by apprehensions regarding spending on artificial intelligence and rampant inflation. As challenges loom for AI investments—particularly in legal and borrowing contexts—investors must now navigate a landscape where distinguishing between thriving and failing AI projects is crucial.
Equinix seeking land for India data centres: CEO
The world’s largest data centre operator by footprint, valued at nearly $100 billion, has invested $365 million in India and sees significant opportunities in AI inference, the process of using trained models to generate responses and run business applications. Such workloads require proximity to enterprise data, users and networks.
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.
Nomura silences AI doubters, says Kospi can hit 10,000 mark to double as fundamentals are intact
South Korea's Kospi plunged to a nine-month low amid fears that US political shifts could slow AI infrastructure spending and hurt chip demand. However, Nomura remains bullish, projecting a potential recovery towards 10,000, with a near-term target of 7,500–8,000.
- Go To Page 1
US midterm results threaten data center boom as AI backlash grows
US midterm election results have raised fresh concerns over the future of America's data centre boom, with Democratic victories in Texas and Georgia strengthening opposition to new projects. Investors fear tighter regulations, construction moratoriums and reduced tax incentives could disrupt AI infrastructure spending, putting nearly 45% of planned US capacity at risk.
Microsoft rejects multibillion-dollar AI deal with UK's Nscale
The report comes weeks after Microsoft pulled out of a deal to anchor Nscale's flagship data centre project in Loughton, Essex, after power connection delays pushed its expected supply date into the 2030s
Google unveils $15 billion data centre investment in Malaysia
Google announced plans on Wednesday to invest $15 billion in Malaysia over the next two years to build data centres and other infrastructure as demand booms for artificial intelligence services. It said the $15 billion investment will be made "over the next two years (2027 to 2028)", expanding on a $2 billion investment announced in 2024.
Australia data centre inquiry finds inadequate checks, stops short of moratorium
An inquiry into data centres by Australia's most populous state found approvals failed to consider the cumulative effect on resources and infrastructure but stopped short of calling for a moratorium, prompting a blistering rebuke from its chair.
Democratic victories threaten to slow US data-centre expansion, ease bond yields: ICICI Bank report
The US midterm election results have put 141 GW of planned data-centre capacity at risk of tighter policy restrictions, potentially slowing AI infrastructure investments, while supporting US Treasury bonds, according to an ICICI Bank report.
KOSPI crashes 4% as US midterm shock rattles Asian markets
Oil prices and stock markets reacted significantly to the recent midterm election victories by Democrats in the United States. Asian chip stocks declined alongside the dollar, indicating market volatility following the elections. Lower oil prices have resulted in a bond rally, subsequently reducing yield rates. Anticipation of increased support for renewables is driving optimism in solar supply chain stocks.
Why did the Dow Jones jump 1,250 points today after Democrats won Congress while Tesla, SpaceX and AI stocks struggled? Will a Democratic Congress slow the AI boom?
Wall Street took the election result well on Wednesday, yet some names missed the rally. Democrats won Congress, and the Dow climbed 1,245 points, or 2.40% by 10:44 am ET. The S&P 500 rose 1.52% and the Nasdaq gained 1.82%. But Tesla, SpaceX and data centre stocks fell, as investors worry tighter rules may slow the AI boom.
ETtech Explainer: Why Meta is raising billions through bonds
Developing AI models and offering AI-powered services requires enormous computing capacity. This involves building data centres, purchasing specialised chips and servers, expanding cloud infrastructure, and securing the electricity needed to run these facilities.
Texas and Georgia host the AI data-centre boom and both swung blue; AI cloud stocks fell and solar jumped up to 10% as the fight over who pays for power begins
Data centre stocks fall after Democrats win Congress, but solar shares jump 10% as US election results shake up energy outlook. Texas and Georgia are two important locations for the industry. Both elected Democratic candidates in the midterm elections. Democrats also made gains in traditionally Republican areas, including Kansas.
India's data centre capacity set for 5x surge by 2030
By March 2030, India’s data centre capacity is projected to soar to 7.5 gigawatts, fueled by escalating demand from global hyperscalers and the emergence of generative artificial intelligence. However, challenges such as power infrastructure and project execution timing loom large. To mitigate these risks, pre-commitments and long-term contracts are essential, alongside the industry's flexibility to adapt to changing computing needs, which will dictate its future profitability.
Why is Microsoft borrowing $25 billion after offering buyouts to 60,000 employees?
Microsoft 25 billion bond sale: Microsoft is raising $25 billion through a bond sale as AI infrastructure costs rise, days after offering voluntary buyouts to nearly 60,000 employees. The company expects up to 3,000 employees to accept the exit offer as it prepares to spend $175 billion on capital expenditure in 2026.
NTT Data to nearly triple Mangaluru workforce to over 2,500 by 2027
The company entered Mangaluru through its acquisition of local cloud engineering company Niveus Solutions, and is looking to use the city as a base for developing specialised technology capabilities. Its focus areas include healthcare and life sciences, automotive, manufacturing, high technology, AI and data.
STT Global’s India biz on the block; micro occasions power qcomm
KKR, Singtel, and the Tatas are preparing to sell STT GDC India, a major data centre platform. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Big tech share buybacks plunge 83% as AI spending hits cash flows
Major US technology companies sharply reduced dividends and share buybacks as record AI infrastructure spending pushed their combined free cash flow into deficit. The shift raises concerns about shareholder returns and places greater pressure on Big Tech to deliver profit growth from its AI investments.
KKR, Singtel and Tata Communications put data centre company STT GDC India up for sale at over $5.5 billion
In a significant move, KKR, Singtel, and Tata Communications are gearing up to offload STT Global Data Centres India, anticipating a valuation that could surpass $5.5 billion. This initiative underscores their intent to bolster capital and refine strategic objectives. With 34 data centres in operation, STT GDC India stands as a leading co-location service provider, well-poised to capitalize on the escalating appetite for data infrastructure amidst evolving tech trends.
Australian outback data centre pulls timeline after regulator stalls
Startup Energy North, which says it has finance lined up for a sprawling gas and solar-powered data centre on a cattle ranch in the country's remote north, 683 km (424 miles) from the nearest city, had given a "first power" date of June 28, 2028, in regulatory filings four months ago.
See data centres less as energy-sucking private warehouses, and more as quasi-public utilities
We need data centres. They run far more than ChatGPT. Search, banking, streaming, social networks, cloud software, government services, hospitals and almost every company's digital operations depend on them. AI simply raises the requirement dramatically. Google says its Vizag hub will provide new subsea connectivity for India. IEA says electricity use by AI-focused data centres jumped 50% in 2025. A country without serious compute infrastructure risks becoming a consumer, rather than a producer, of the AI revolution.
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.
STMicro nearly doubles quarterly profit, sees Q4 sales exceeding $4 billion
STMicroelectronics reported a third-quarter operating profit above market expectations on Thursday, as demand from AI data centres and satellite operators added to a broader recovery in the chipmaker's markets.
Big Tech turning to equity to raise funds for AI
Meta plans to raise up to $98 billion to fund AI infrastructure, making it one of the largest equity financing plans ever. Stocks worth only about $37.5 billion have been sold so far — which includes common stock, along with a $12.5 billion offering of mandatorily convertible preferred shares.
TPG pursues $5 billion acquisition of British data centre group Ark: FT
Global alternative asset manager TPG is in talks to buy British data centre group Ark from Elliott Investment Management at a valuation of about $5 billion, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Big Tech earnings a test of the AI boom amid market turmoil
Investors are pressing for evidence that the AI boom can deliver swift returns to justify its enormous price tag. Rising bond yields at AI cloud providers such as CoreWeave and record costs to insure Meta Platform's debt have amplified concerns about how the massive AI infrastructure buildout is being funded, particularly as higher US interest rates loom.
US data centre spending seen more than doubling to $2.1 trillion by 2028, estimates BoFA
Global data centre spending is expected to reach $1 trillion in 2026 and more than double to $2.1 trillion by 2028, driven by rising demand for AI services, BofA Global Research estimates. The data centre market could reach $2.93 trillion by 2030 as AI fuels rapid infrastructure expansion.
Load More
