The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has approved a growing pipeline of data-center and data-hosting projects as the government seeks to establish the country as a regional hub for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. In May, the BOI said six major investment projects worth a combined 958 billion baht ($29 billion) had been approved, led by large-scale digital infrastructure investment.

The investment boom is being driven partly by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, which requires increasingly large amounts of computing capacity and electricity.

Power becomes a central issue

Data centers operate around the clock and require substantial amounts of electricity not only to run servers but also to cool computing equipment.

Thailand’s rapid expansion has therefore brought power availability into the center of investment planning.

Under rules introduced in 2026, developers submitting new data-center projects for BOI investment promotion must obtain confirmation from Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) that sufficient electricity will be available for the proposed facility.

The requirement reflects growing concern that investment announcements could move faster than the country’s ability to provide reliable electricity and grid connections.

Bangkok remains the country’s main hub

Bangkok and the surrounding metropolitan area remain central to Thailand’s data-center expansion because of their connectivity, telecommunications infrastructure and concentration of businesses.

At the same time, developers are increasingly looking toward industrial areas outside Bangkok where land and power infrastructure can support large-scale campuses.

Thailand’s data-center capacity is projected to expand sharply as hyperscale operators build new facilities, with industry research warning that power supply, grid readiness and energy costs could become constraints on future growth.

Global technology companies drive investment

The expansion is attracting some of the world’s largest technology companies.

Google, Amazon Web Services and TikTok are among companies linked to major investments in Thailand’s digital infrastructure, while local and international data-center operators are developing additional capacity.

For Thailand, the attraction is broader than the construction of server facilities.

The government expects data centers to support cloud services, AI development, digital businesses and the wider modernization of the economy.

Thailand’s BOI describes data centers and cloud services as important components of the country’s digital-economy strategy.

Investment brings economic opportunities

Large data-center projects can generate construction activity, technology investment and demand for engineering, telecommunications and energy services.

They can also strengthen a country’s position in the regional digital economy by providing businesses with locally hosted cloud and computing infrastructure.

But the economic benefits need to be weighed against infrastructure requirements.

Data centers can consume substantial electricity while creating relatively fewer permanent jobs than traditional manufacturing facilities of comparable investment value.

That has prompted questions over whether the benefits to the wider economy will justify the additional pressure placed on power networks and other public infrastructure.

Thailand seeks cleaner power

Energy sourcing is becoming another important factor.

Global technology companies are increasingly seeking renewable electricity for data-center operations as investors and regulators pay greater attention to carbon emissions.

Thailand is therefore under pressure to expand clean-energy availability while maintaining reliable electricity supplies.

The issue is particularly important for AI data centers, where growing computing intensity can translate directly into higher power consumption.

Grid planning becomes critical

The challenge is not simply generating enough electricity.

Large data centers also require high-capacity transmission infrastructure and reliable connections capable of handling significant loads continuously.

Industry discussions in Bangkok this year have increasingly focused on grid readiness, power procurement, infrastructure planning and sustainable energy solutions as Thailand prepares for another wave of hyperscale development.

If grid expansion does not keep pace with projects, developers could face delays or higher connection costs.

That could ultimately affect Thailand’s competitiveness against other Southeast Asian markets competing for the same investment.

A regional race for data centers

Thailand is competing with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to attract data-center investment.

Singapore remains a major regional technology hub but faces land and energy constraints. Malaysia has attracted substantial hyperscale investment, while Indonesia is developing its own rapidly expanding digital infrastructure market.

Thailand’s advantages include its established industrial base, telecommunications infrastructure, geographic position and government investment incentives.

The question is whether those advantages will remain sufficient as electricity requirements rise.

The investment boom faces a test

Thailand’s data-center strategy is now moving from attracting investment to ensuring that projects can actually be supplied with power and integrated into the country’s infrastructure.

That makes electricity planning an increasingly important part of industrial policy.

If Thailand succeeds in expanding generation, transmission and renewable-energy availability alongside data-center construction, the sector could become an important pillar of the country’s digital economy.

If infrastructure falls behind investment commitments, however, power constraints could become a brake on one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing technology industries.

What Happens Next

Thailand is expected to continue approving major data-center and cloud investments while strengthening requirements for electricity availability and infrastructure planning.

The key indicators will be new project approvals, grid-connection capacity, electricity costs, renewable-energy availability and the pace of construction.

For Bangkok and Thailand, the data-center boom is increasingly becoming an energy and infrastructure challenge as much as a technology investment story.

Key Facts

• Country: Thailand
• Main hub: Bangkok and surrounding areas
• Major investment pipeline: Hundreds of billions of baht
• Key investors: Global technology and data-center companies
• Main growth driver: Cloud computing and artificial intelligence
• Main infrastructure concern: Electricity and grid capacity
• New requirement: ERC confirmation of sufficient power for new BOI data-center applications
• Regional competitors: Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia
• Status: DEVELOPING — BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Reporting Credit: Thailand Board of Investment — data-center investment approvals and digital-economy policy; Thailand Energy Regulatory Commission — electricity availability requirements; Thailand Ministry of Energy — power and energy policy; Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand — electricity supply and grid planning.

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Kempf is the founder of Kyber, a Paris-based startup developing an infrastructure layer designed to synchronize video, audio, sensor data, and control inputs with minimal latency. The system is positioned for use cases where operators and machines are physically separated from the underlying compute and execution environment.

The company has raised a $5 million funding round led by venture capital firm Lightspeed, which has also backed companies including Anthropic and Mistral AI. Lightspeed framed its investment in the context of “physical AI,” stating that such systems depend heavily on robust underlying infrastructure.

Kyber’s core product is an SDK that focuses on real-time coordination between remote operators and distributed devices. Kempf describes the system as addressing environments “where the person who’s operating is not in the same place as the compute, which is not in the same place as the action.”

The startup’s technical approach draws heavily from streaming architecture. Kempf previously worked on cloud gaming infrastructure at Shadow, and Kyber’s design reflects that background in low-latency video transmission combined with IoT device optimization.

From Video Streaming to Physical AI Infrastructure

The company’s origins are rooted in video streaming systems, a lineage that traces back to Kempf’s work on VLC and later cloud gaming platforms. Kyber extends those principles into physical systems where latency becomes operationally critical.

Kempf has emphasized that in real-world machine control, timing constraints are strict. “If you control things in the real world, every millisecond matters,” he said, underscoring the importance of minimizing lag between operator input and machine response.

The company argues that while similar systems exist in niche deployments such as remote driving, most are limited in scale. Kempf noted that existing implementations often manage only a few thousand vehicles, whereas future deployments may require coordination across millions of devices.

Scaling Remote Operations and Device Observability

Kyber’s architecture also targets a challenge that becomes more complex at scale: observability. As fleets of autonomous systems grow, ensuring that devices are functioning correctly and responding as expected becomes a core engineering requirement.

The company positions its system as applicable to a range of scenarios, from remote software updates to full operational control of distributed hardware fleets. This includes robotics, drones, and remote IT infrastructure management.

Kyber is also exploring the remote IT access space, a market often associated with enterprise tools such as Citrix. Kempf has indicated that Kyber aims to extend beyond traditional remote desktop models into broader infrastructure control systems.

Open Source Foundations and Enterprise Deployment

Kyber is built on a hybrid model. Its core software remains open source, reflecting Kempf’s long-standing involvement in community-driven development. Alongside this, the company offers enterprise-grade deployments and services, including forward-deployed engineering support.

Forward-deployed engineers form a significant portion of Kyber’s approximately 25-person team. The startup operates from Paris, with additional offices in San Francisco and Singapore, reflecting its target of global enterprise deployment.

According to the company, Kyber is already in commercial use across sectors including defense, telecommunications, robotics, and artificial intelligence systems.

Market Position and Technical Direction

Kyber’s strategic focus is concentrated on three main areas: robotics, drone systems, and remote IT access. Each reflects different aspects of distributed machine control, unified by the requirement for low-latency synchronization between operators and devices.

The company’s underlying premise is that future AI systems will increasingly interact with physical environments, making real-time infrastructure as critical as model performance. Lightspeed described this dependency in its investment announcement, noting that “physical AI is only as good as the underlying systems running it.”

While still early in scale, Kyber’s positioning reflects a broader industry shift toward infrastructure designed for embodied AI systems rather than purely digital applications.

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The disruption highlighted how central recommendation algorithms are to the world’s largest video platform, where personalized feeds drive most viewing activity. For millions of users, videos failed to load or appear as expected, underscoring the scale of reliance on automated systems that shape digital media consumption.

YouTube confirmed the issue was linked to its recommendation system and said the problem had been resolved across all services.

Global disruption tied to recommendation system

YouTube said in a statement that an issue with its recommendations system had prevented videos from appearing across various YouTube surfaces. The company said the fault had been fixed and that all platforms were functioning normally.

“The issue with our recommendations system has been resolved, and all of our platforms (YouTube.com, the YouTube app, YouTube Music, Kids, and TV) are back to normal,” the company said in an update.

The disruption affected the main website and app, as well as YouTube Music, YouTube Kids, and YouTube TV. For a service that reaches billions of users globally, even short interruptions can quickly generate widespread concern online.

At the height of the outage, more than 320,000 users in the United States reported issues, according to outage-tracking website Downdetector. The platform aggregates user-submitted reports to identify service disruptions in real time.

Downdetector noted that its figures are based on voluntary user submissions, meaning the total number of affected users may differ from the reported peak. Outage trackers often capture spikes in reports rather than precise measurements of impact.

Reports across multiple countries

Beyond the United States, users in India, Britain, Australia and Mexico also reported difficulties accessing YouTube services, according to Downdetector data. Social media platforms showed complaints about missing video recommendations, blank homepages and difficulties loading content.

YouTube did not provide further technical details about what caused the malfunction within its recommendation system. The company also did not specify how long the disruption lasted before being fully resolved.

The recommendation engine is central to how YouTube organizes and promotes content. It determines which videos appear on users’ home feeds, suggested lists and autoplay sequences. Any interruption to that system can significantly affect user experience, even if video hosting infrastructure remains operational.

Platform scale and reliance on algorithms

Owned by Alphabet Inc., YouTube is one of the world’s largest online platforms, serving billions of logged-in users each month. Its recommendation system plays a critical role in shaping viewing habits and advertising revenue, as personalized suggestions drive engagement and watch time.

Industry analysts have long noted that algorithmic recommendation systems are deeply integrated into modern digital platforms. When such systems fail, even briefly, users may encounter blank pages or limited content visibility despite backend systems functioning normally.

Tuesday’s disruption was resolved without further reported complications. YouTube did not indicate that the issue involved cybersecurity concerns or data breaches, and there were no immediate signs of lasting impact.

Short-lived service interruptions are not uncommon for large-scale online platforms, though most are resolved quickly. For companies operating globally distributed infrastructure, isolated system errors can cascade across regions before being contained.

Services return to normal

By later in the day, YouTube confirmed that all platforms were back to normal operation. Users reported restored access to video recommendations and standard homepage functionality.

The company did not comment on whether it plans to implement additional safeguards or adjustments following the incident. Such technical reviews typically occur internally and are not always disclosed publicly.

For users, the disruption served as a reminder of the invisible systems that power everyday digital experiences. While brief, the outage demonstrated how closely viewers rely on algorithm-driven content discovery to navigate the vast volume of material uploaded each minute.

No further updates were issued by YouTube following its confirmation that services had been restored.

Source: Reuters – YouTube restores service after brief streaming disruption

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Driven by the explosive rise of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and mobile connectivity, India is witnessing an unprecedented surge in data centre investments. These facilities—massive server complexes that power everything from ChatGPT queries to electric vehicles and video streaming—are emerging as a cornerstone of the country’s digital economy.

Global Tech Giants Bet Big on India’s Data Infrastructure

In October, Google announced a $15 billion investment in a new AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh—its largest project in India to date. The move follows major investments by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Meta, and domestic conglomerates like Reliance Industries, all seeking to expand capacity in one of the fastest-growing data markets in the world.

According to global real estate consultancy JLL, India’s data centre capacity is expected to soar by 77% to 1.8GW by 2027, with up to $30 billion in new investment anticipated by the end of the decade.

India’s data demand underscores the urgency. Despite generating roughly 20% of global data, the country hosts only about 3% of the world’s data centre capacity. By 2028, India is projected to become the largest consumer of data globally—outpacing the U.S., Europe, and China.

This growth is being propelled by widespread mobile and internet penetration, the government’s data localization mandates, and the rapid adoption of AI tools. India is already the second-largest user base for AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

Cost Advantages and Talent Fuel the Expansion

For investors, India’s appeal lies not just in scale but in cost efficiency. A report by Kotak Research notes that India’s data centre development costs are among the lowest globally, second only to China. Electricity rates are significantly lower than in the U.S., U.K., or Japan, and the country’s abundant pool of IT professionals strengthens its competitiveness.

“Just as India capitalized on the IT services boom of the 1990s and 2000s, this is another opportunity to leverage our strengths,” said Vibhuti Garg, South Asia director at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

A Growing Sustainability Dilemma

Yet, the sector’s expansion presents a serious environmental challenge. Like their counterparts worldwide, data centres in India consume vast amounts of electricity and water to maintain stable cooling systems.

In a country that already faces chronic resource shortages, this dependence on water-intensive infrastructure is alarming. The World Bank estimates that India holds 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its water resources—making it one of the most water-stressed nations globally.

India’s data centre water usage is projected to more than double from 150 billion litres in 2025 to 358 billion litres by 2030. Much of this expansion is concentrated in urban hubs such as Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru—regions already competing for limited water supplies.

Advocacy groups warn that this could lead to local resistance and regulatory pushback. The Human Rights Forum, for instance, has criticized Andhra Pradesh’s approval of Google’s Visakhapatnam facility, arguing it could worsen the city’s existing water shortages.

In response, Google said it uses a “peer-reviewed context-based water-risk framework” to assess watershed risks at new sites before choosing water sources.

Experts Warn of a Policy Blind Spot

While India has robust policies on data protection, energy use, and zoning, water consumption remains a glaring omission. “Water use does not feature prominently in policy frameworks, creating a high-risk blind spot for long-term sustainability,” said Sahana Goswami of the World Resources Institute (WRI) India.

An S&P Global report predicts that 60–80% of India’s data centres could face high water stress within this decade, potentially leading to shutdowns that ripple across industries reliant on cloud services—from banking and healthcare to transportation.

“Imagine a peak summer day when cooling water runs out—data outages could disrupt hospitals, financial systems, and urban transit,” Goswami warned.

Innovating Toward Sustainable Solutions

Experts suggest that the industry must innovate to reduce its water footprint. One solution is using treated wastewater from households and industries instead of freshwater sources.

“India already has successful examples of this in Navi Mumbai, where data centres partner with municipal utilities for recycled water,” Goswami noted.

Praveen Ramamurthy, a water recycling specialist at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, said such practices should become mandatory. “Non-potable or treated water must be the standard for cooling systems. India should also prioritize low-stress water basins for new projects,” he said.

Ramamurthy added that adopting zero-water cooling technologies—already in use across parts of Europe and North America—could help India reduce risks, though these systems are not yet widely deployed locally.

Energy Demand Doubles as AI Grows

Beyond water, India’s data centres are also expected to double their share of national electricity consumption—from around 1% today to up to 2% within a few years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

“This expansion could increase dependence on fossil fuels, as there is no regulation mandating the use of renewable energy,” said IEEFA’s Garg.

While some operators have signed agreements with renewable energy providers, formal policy mandates could make the sector’s growth more sustainable. “If we want a resilient digital economy, clean energy integration must be a baseline requirement,” Garg added.

Balancing Digital Growth with Environmental Reality

As India pushes ahead with its digital transformation, policymakers face the delicate task of balancing economic opportunity with environmental preservation.

“India can’t afford to slow down its data ambitions,” Garg said. “But we also need to ensure that one good is not sacrificed for another.”

The challenge for New Delhi is to shape a policy framework that allows India’s data centre boom to thrive—without draining the natural resources that sustain its people.

Source: BBC – India’s data centre boom confronts a looming water challenge

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The findings, compiled by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team — a coalition of 11 nations including the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom — reveal how Pyongyang has turned cybercrime into a key financial lifeline for its weapons development programs despite stringent international sanctions.

North Korea’s Expanding Cyber Strategy

The 138-page report details how North Korea’s state-backed hackers have evolved from simple scams into sophisticated operations that rival those of China and Russia. These cyber campaigns are now central to Pyongyang’s strategy for funding nuclear research, ballistic missile production, and other military initiatives.

Investigators found that North Korea’s hacking groups routinely infiltrate cryptocurrency exchanges, launder digital assets, and even create false identities to secure remote employment with foreign tech companies. The illicit income, they say, is funneled back to state coffers to support the regime’s weapons programs.

The report describes these tactics as a direct violation of U.N. sanctions aimed at restricting Pyongyang’s access to international financing and materials related to its nuclear ambitions.

A Network of Deception and Theft

According to the monitoring team, North Korean operatives have built a global web of deception to evade detection. Thousands of IT workers allegedly pose as developers, engineers, or data specialists working remotely for Western companies. The workers, often using stolen or fabricated identities, are said to channel their salaries directly to North Korea’s government.

In some cases, the same individual managed multiple remote jobs simultaneously, multiplying their income streams while providing the regime access to private corporate systems.

U.S. federal authorities have warned that this scheme not only generates millions in hard currency for North Korea but also risks giving its agents access to sensitive commercial networks and data.

Cryptocurrency Thefts and Global Impact

One of the most notable incidents cited in the report involved the theft of approximately $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum from the Singapore-based crypto exchange Bybit earlier this year. The FBI later attributed the attack to hackers linked to North Korea’s intelligence agency.

Investigators also documented a pattern of similar heists targeting crypto platforms across Asia, Europe, and North America. Collectively, these operations are believed to have yielded billions of dollars in stolen digital assets since 2017.

The report noted that Pyongyang uses these funds not only for research and weapons production but also to purchase sanctioned goods and technologies through third-party brokers in China and Russia.

Aided by Strategic Allies

Although North Korea operates independently, the report said its cyber operations have occasionally benefited from the “indirect support” of allies in Russia and China. This includes assistance in evading international monitoring systems and laundering funds through complex cross-border networks.

The report described these joint activities as contributing to “the destruction of physical computer equipment, endangerment of human lives, loss of private assets, and financing of the DPRK’s unlawful weapons programs.”

Origins of the Monitoring Team

The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team was formed last year after Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution to renew the mandate of a panel of experts overseeing North Korea’s sanctions compliance.

Comprising officials from the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, the group was tasked with maintaining oversight of Pyongyang’s global activities outside the formal U.N. framework.

Its first report, issued in May, examined evidence of North Korean arms shipments and military support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The current report marks the team’s second major publication, focusing on the regime’s growing reliance on cybercrime as a means of sustaining its isolated economy.

Global Security Implications

Experts warn that North Korea’s expanding cyber network poses a significant challenge to international law enforcement and cybersecurity infrastructure.

Unlike China or Russia, whose cyber operations are often politically motivated, North Korea’s campaigns are primarily financial — designed to fund its government and weapons programs directly. This makes deterrence and sanctions enforcement far more complex, analysts say.

Cybersecurity specialists have urged stronger international cooperation, tighter regulation of cryptocurrency markets, and enhanced identity verification measures for remote workers. Without coordinated action, the report warns, North Korea’s cyber financing network will continue to undermine global financial stability and nonproliferation efforts.

Pyongyang Silent on Allegations

As of Wednesday, North Korea’s mission to the United Nations had not responded to requests for comment on the allegations.

The regime rarely acknowledges cyber operations, though analysts note that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has previously called cyber capabilities a “powerful weapon” in modern warfare.

For now, the report underscores a growing reality: North Korea’s hackers have become as central to its military strategy as its nuclear engineers and missile technicians — and their reach extends far beyond its borders.

Source: AP News – North Korea has stolen billions in cryptocurrency and tech firm salaries, report says

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A Polish court has refused to extradite a Ukrainian man accused of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, ruling that the alleged act could be seen as part of a “just war” against Russia. The decision drew praise from Poland’s prime minister and added new tension to a politically charged investigation that has divided Europe since the blasts.

Court Cites “Just War” in Rejecting German Request

The Warsaw District Court on Friday ordered the release of 46-year-old Volodymyr Zhuravlov, who was arrested near Warsaw on September 30 under a German extradition warrant. German prosecutors allege Zhuravlov, a trained diver, took part in an operation to plant explosives on the Nord Stream pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm.

Judge Dariusz Lubowski, announcing the decision, argued that the alleged attack should be viewed as a military act in a “just war” rather than a crime. He also questioned whether German authorities had proper jurisdiction, noting that the explosions occurred in international waters rather than German territory.

The court’s ruling effectively ends Germany’s effort to bring Zhuravlov to trial. “My client doesn’t admit guilt, he didn’t commit any crime against Germany, and he doesn’t understand why these charges were made,” said Zhuravlov’s lawyer, Tymoteusz Paprocki, before the hearing. He added that “no Ukrainian should be charged with any action directed against Russia.”

Polish Government Welcomes the Decision

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk swiftly backed the court’s decision, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that the extradition was “rightly rejected” and declaring, “The case is closed.”

Poland has long opposed the Nord Stream projects, viewing them as tools of Russian geopolitical influence in Europe. Successive Polish governments have argued that the pipelines undermined regional energy security by increasing European dependence on Russian gas.

Tusk reiterated that position earlier this month, saying, “The problem of Europe, of Ukraine, of Lithuania and Poland is not that Nord Stream 2 was blown up, but that it was built.” He added, “The only people who should be ashamed about Nord Stream 2 are those who decided to build it.”

Explosions That Redefined Europe’s Energy Politics

The undersea explosions on September 26, 2022, severely damaged both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which carried Russian natural gas to Germany through the Baltic Sea. The blasts intensified tensions across Europe as countries sought to cut their reliance on Russian energy following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Nord Stream 1, inaugurated in 2011, had already halted operations a month before the blasts, when Russia stopped gas flows. Nord Stream 2 never entered service—its certification process was suspended by Germany in February 2022, just days before Russian forces crossed into Ukraine.

At the time, many Central and Eastern European countries, along with the United States, opposed Nord Stream 2, warning it would give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over Europe’s energy markets. The explosions reinforced those concerns and fueled competing theories over who was responsible.

Germany’s Broader Investigation Faces Setbacks

German federal prosecutors continue to pursue several suspects in connection with the Nord Stream attacks. Zhuravlov is one of two Ukrainians sought by Germany.

Another suspect—alleged to have coordinated the operation—was arrested in Italy in August. However, Italy’s top court this week annulled a lower court’s decision to approve his extradition to Germany, sending the case back for review by a new judicial panel.

The German government has declined to comment on either case, saying the investigations remain under prosecutorial authority. Neither German federal prosecutors nor the government issued statements on Friday’s Polish ruling.

Zhuravlov’s Family Maintains His Innocence

Polish prosecutors said Zhuravlov had been living in Poland with his wife and children at the time of his arrest. His wife told Polish media that he was at home during the 2022 explosions and had no involvement in any sabotage plot.

Following the ruling, Zhuravlov was immediately released from custody. His lawyer described the decision as “a triumph of common sense and justice.”

The case underscores ongoing tensions between European allies over the Nord Stream investigation. While Germany has sought accountability through legal channels, Poland’s ruling highlights the political and moral complexities surrounding an incident still shrouded in mystery three years later.

Source: AP News – Polish court blocks extradition and frees Ukrainian suspected in Nord Stream pipeline blasts

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Published: September-24-2025, 14:30 EDT

OpenAI has unveiled its flagship Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas, marking the beginning of one of the world’s most ambitious technology infrastructure projects. Partnering with Oracle and SoftBank, the company announced plans for five more centers nationwide as part of a multi-hundred-billion-dollar investment to support the future of ChatGPT and other AI applications.

The massive buildout highlights both the economic opportunities and environmental challenges tied to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S.

A Landmark Project in West Texas

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman toured the new Stargate complex on Tuesday, joined by Oracle executives and local officials. With eight massive buildings powered by hundreds of thousands of specialized Nvidia chips, the Abilene facility is designed to become the world’s largest AI supercluster once complete.

Oracle co-CEO Clay Magouyrk said the scale of the project will allow unprecedented computing capacity, describing it as “critical infrastructure for the next generation of AI.” The facility already employs over 6,000 construction workers daily and is expected to create 1,700 permanent onsite jobs, with thousands more supported indirectly.

Expansion Beyond Abilene

The Stargate initiative does not end in Texas. OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank confirmed five additional sites: two more in Texas (Shackelford and Milam Counties), one in New Mexico’s Doña Ana County, one in Ohio’s Lordstown, and another in the U.S. Midwest, with the exact location pending announcement.

This expansion supports OpenAI’s plan to diversify beyond its previous reliance on Microsoft, which had been its exclusive computing partner. A recent $300 billion agreement with Oracle underscores the company’s drive to secure computing capacity at scale.

Powering AI at Massive Scale

The Abilene data center will require about 900 megawatts of electricity, with most energy drawn from the regional grid—a mix of natural gas, wind, and solar. To supplement, the complex includes a new natural gas–fueled power plant, which developers argue is more sustainable than diesel backup generators.

Altman acknowledged the project’s energy footprint, saying the long-term goal is to rely on a broader mix of power sources. “When you hit that button on ChatGPT, you don’t think about the immense infrastructure behind it. But we’re committed to building it responsibly,” he said.

Water and Environmental Concerns

The project has sparked debate in Abilene, a drought-prone region where reservoirs are at half capacity. Residents are already restricted to watering yards twice a week.

To address concerns, Oracle has deployed a closed-loop cooling system that requires an initial one million gallons of water but only an estimated 12,000 gallons annually for each building after the system is filled. “These centers are designed to not use water,” Magouyrk emphasized, framing the system as a more sustainable alternative.

Experts, however, note that while water use may be minimized onsite, increased electricity consumption indirectly raises water demand at power plants. University of California researcher Shaolei Ren said the long-term environmental effects require further study.

Impact on the Local Community

For Abilene residents, the project has been both a windfall and a disruption. The influx of workers has boosted housing demand, with signs offering “move-in-ready” homes to AI workers. Mayor Weldon Hurt called the project a transformation for a city once known as a railroad hub.

Yet, neighbors like Arlene Mendler expressed frustration over noise, lights, and land loss. “It has completely changed the way we were living,” she said, lamenting the removal of over 1,200 acres of shrubland that had been home to local wildlife.

A Pivot from Cryptocurrency to AI

The Stargate project was originally envisioned as a cryptocurrency mining facility before pivoting toward artificial intelligence after the surge in global demand following ChatGPT’s release. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump promoted the project as part of a $500 billion U.S. technology infrastructure investment.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who toured the site on Tuesday, called the state “ground zero for AI,” citing its combination of low-cost energy and open land as competitive advantages.

Looking Ahead

Altman admitted that OpenAI’s current services remain limited by computing constraints. “ChatGPT is slow, and many users can’t access it as much as they’d like,” he said. “We have many more ideas and products to build, and Stargate is how we get there.”

With additional facilities under construction and billions of dollars committed, the Stargate project represents one of the most significant efforts to scale artificial intelligence infrastructure worldwide. Whether it fulfills its economic promise while balancing environmental challenges remains a pressing question for communities across the U.S.

Source AP News –OpenAI shows off Stargate AI data center in Texas and plans 5 more elsewhere with Oracle, Softbank

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Published Time: 08-10-2025, 14:30

After more than 30 years of connecting millions of Americans to the internet, AOL is officially ending its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025. This decision reflects the ongoing shift toward faster broadband and wireless internet technologies, signaling the close of a significant chapter in internet history.

The Legacy of AOL’s Dial-Up Service

America Online, better known as AOL, played a pivotal role in bringing the internet into mainstream American households during the 1990s and early 2000s. At its peak, AOL’s dial-up service was the primary way millions accessed the web, thanks to its extensive network and popular features like the iconic “You’ve Got Mail” notification. AOL also became deeply embedded in pop culture, frequently referenced in TV shows such as Sex and the City.

Despite the advent of broadband and wireless internet technologies, AOL maintained its dial-up service for decades, continuing to serve a smaller but dedicated group of users. According to data from the 2023 U.S. Census, approximately 160,000 Americans still rely on landline telephone connections to access the internet, underscoring the enduring if niche, relevance of dial-up.

Why AOL Is Ending Dial-Up Internet Now

AOL recently announced on its official website that it has “routinely evaluated its products” and made the decision to discontinue dial-up internet service effective September 30, 2025. This move reflects the broader telecommunications trend where legacy internet services are gradually phased out in favor of modern broadband and wireless alternatives.

The decline in dial-up users is driven by the significant speed and convenience advantages offered by newer internet technologies. As broadband and fiber-optic networks expand across the United States, the need for slower dial-up connections diminishes. Moreover, maintaining the infrastructure for dial-up service is increasingly costly and inefficient.

AOL’s Transformation and Current Ownership

While AOL’s dial-up service is ending, the brand itself has evolved considerably over the years. The once-dominant internet provider now exists as part of a larger digital media conglomerate. AOL’s famous instant messaging service, AIM, which was a staple of early internet communication, was shut down in 2017.

The company has also undergone multiple ownership changes. In the early 2000s, AOL merged with Time Warner, then owner of CNN, in a deal widely considered one of the most unsuccessful media mergers. Today, AOL is owned by a private equity firm alongside Yahoo, another veteran internet brand.

The End of an Era in Internet Access

The discontinuation of AOL’s dial-up internet service marks the close of a significant era in the history of internet access in the United States. For many users, AOL was their first gateway online, complete with the nostalgic sound of dial-up modems connecting.

Though AOL did not immediately provide comments on the decision, the move is consistent with industry trends and consumer preferences shifting decisively toward faster, more reliable internet connections.

What This Means for Remaining Dial-Up Users

For the approximately 160,000 Americans still using dial-up internet, this change means they will need to seek alternative internet providers. Fortunately, broadband availability continues to improve across the country, with options such as cable, fiber-optic, and fixed wireless internet becoming more accessible, including in rural areas.

Experts encourage users currently on dial-up to upgrade their connections to ensure they have reliable, high-speed internet capable of supporting modern digital activities such as streaming, video conferencing, and cloud computing.

Conclusion

AOL’s decision to end its dial-up internet service after more than three decades symbolizes a broader technological evolution. The internet landscape has transformed dramatically since AOL first popularized dial-up access, and this milestone highlights the ongoing modernization of internet infrastructure in the U.S.

As the dial-up era closes, the internet continues to expand in speed, accessibility, and innovation, connecting users in increasingly advanced ways.

Source: CNN – AOL will stop offering dial-up internet service after more than 30 years in business

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Published: 08-10-2025, 14:30

As electricity costs climb across the United States, pressure is mounting on state governments to shield households and small businesses from the financial burden of powering energy-intensive data centers. While technology companies say they are committed to paying their fair share, growing evidence suggests that ordinary consumers are increasingly subsidizing the massive energy demands of the industry’s biggest players.

Growing Public Concern Over Rising Energy Costs

Electricity price hikes have become a significant concern for both consumers and lawmakers. In Oregon, consumer advocacy groups say they have seen a surge in public complaints to utility regulators, with many residents voicing frustration over steep bills.

Charlotte Shuff of the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board notes that the level of public engagement has been unprecedented. “More people are speaking out at the public utility commission in the past year than I’ve ever seen before,” she said. “There’s a massive outcry.”

Data centers — the backbone of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital services — are not typical utility customers. Some facilities require more power than entire mid-sized cities, such as Pittsburgh or Cleveland, putting them far beyond the scale of even the largest manufacturing plants.

How Data Centers Drive Infrastructure Costs

According to Ari Peskoe, director of the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard University, the traditional model for spreading transmission costs proportionally across consumer classes is being tested. “Billions of dollars of infrastructure are being built for just a few customers, and these happen to be some of the wealthiest companies in the world,” Peskoe said.

This dynamic raises questions about fairness. If utilities and regulators do not adjust rate structures, the costs of new power plants, transmission lines, and substations could increasingly fall on residential and small-business customers.

Industry Response and Alternative Explanations

Some officials argue that data centers are only part of the story. Tricia Pridemore, chair of Georgia’s Public Service Commission and president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, points to other drivers of rising electricity prices. These include the cost of replacing aging infrastructure, strengthening systems against extreme weather, and addressing an already strained energy supply.

The Data Center Coalition — representing companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta — maintains that its members are committed to contributing fairly to infrastructure costs. Pridemore also noted that many facilities required for the growing artificial intelligence sector are still in the planning phase.

Evidence of a Financial Imbalance

Recent research suggests, however, that data center electricity usage is already having a measurable effect on bills. A report from consulting firm Wood Mackenzie found that specialized rates for data centers in 16 states fall short of covering the costs of building new natural gas power plants. Without higher negotiated rates, the report warns, other customer classes are likely subsidizing data center power needs.

Similarly, Monitoring Analytics — the independent market monitor for PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest grid operator — reported in June that 70% of last year’s $9.3 billion increase in electricity costs within its service area was attributable to data center demand.

State Governments Begin to Respond

In 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and four other governors challenged PJM over a sharp increase in wholesale power prices, warning that customers were “paying billions more than is necessary.” While PJM has yet to propose a formal plan to ensure data centers bear more of the cost, Monitoring Analytics has suggested requiring them to secure their own power supply to avoid what it calls a “massive wealth transfer” from the public to private corporations.

Some states have already taken legislative action:

• Oregon passed a law in June requiring utility regulators to develop new rate structures for data centers.
• New Jersey enacted legislation directing regulators to study whether data centers are causing “unreasonable rate increases” and to design specialized rates accordingly.
• Texas and Utah are exploring policies to prevent supply shortages that could raise costs or risk outages for other customers.

Challenges in Holding Data Centers Accountable

Efforts to make data centers pay more have met with mixed results. In Indiana, a settlement between Indiana Michigan Power Co., Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and consumer advocates set parameters for payments. While Kerwin Olsen of the Citizens Action Council of Indiana called it a “pretty good deal,” he warned that state law does not require large power users to publicly disclose their electricity consumption — making it difficult to verify whether they are covering their share of transmission costs.

A March report from Harvard’s Environmental and Energy Law Program questioned whether utilities and regulators have strong incentives to limit ratepayer exposure. Both parties, the report noted, have reasons to attract large customers like data centers, which can lead to “special deals” that shift costs onto other customers.

Balancing Economic Growth and Consumer Protection

In Pennsylvania, where data center development is accelerating, the Public Utility Commission is drafting a model rate structure aimed at ensuring that developers fund necessary grid upgrades. “We’re talking about real transmission upgrades, potentially hundreds of millions of dollars,” commission chairman Stephen DeFrank said. “And that’s what you don’t want the ratepayer to get stuck paying for.”

The debate over data centers’ role in rising electric bills highlights a central challenge: balancing the economic benefits of hosting these facilities with the need to protect residents and small businesses from disproportionate costs.

With the race to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure intensifying — and U.S. policymakers mindful of global competition, particularly with China — the pressure on state regulators to address these issues is only expected to grow.

Source: AP News – As electric bills rise, evidence mounts that data centers share blame. States feel pressure to act

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Cape Canaveral, Fla. — Amazon officially stepped into the space-based internet arena on Monday, successfully launching its first full batch of broadband satellites as part of Project Kuiper — a direct challenge to Elon Musk’s dominant Starlink network.

A total of 27 satellites were carried into orbit aboard an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance (ULA). Once positioned, these satellites will settle into a low Earth orbit nearly 400 miles (630 km) above the surface.

This mission follows Amazon’s initial satellite test launch in 2023, but the latest batch includes major upgrades — including special reflective coatings designed to reduce glare and minimize interference with astronomical observations, a growing concern among stargazers and scientists.

“No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey,” said Rajeev Badyal, VP of Project Kuiper. “There are some things you can only learn in flight.”

Amazon’s Big Ambition: Over 3,200 Satellites

Backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns the space company Blue Origin, Project Kuiper aims to eventually launch more than 3,200 satellites to offer fast, affordable internet access worldwide, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

While this marks a significant step forward for Amazon, the company is entering a competitive space. SpaceX’s Starlink, which launched in 2019, has already deployed over 8,000 satellites, with more than 7,000 currently active and orbiting around 550 km (340 miles) above Earth.

Meanwhile, other players like Europe’s OneWeb have also entered the fray, placing hundreds of satellites into higher orbits.

A Growing Network and a Crowded Sky

Amazon has booked dozens of future launches with ULA, Blue Origin, and other providers to accelerate Kuiper’s rollout. But as these mega-constellations expand, so do the concerns: astronomers worry about interference with space observation, and experts warn of an increasing risk of satellite collisions in low Earth orbit.

Monday’s launch had originally been scheduled earlier this month but was postponed due to poor weather. The successful liftoff finally took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station once a new slot opened in the busy launch schedule.

With this launch, Amazon is no longer just a retail and cloud giant — it’s officially a player in the growing space internet industry, with eyes set firmly on the stars and an increasingly connected planet.

Source: AP News – Amazon launches its first internet satellites to compete against SpaceX’s Starlinks

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