Latest AI News

German tech giants Deutsche Telekom, Ionos, and Schwarz Group are competing for EU funding to build an AI Gigafactory. Deutsche Telekom is forming a consortium with partners including SAP to apply for a share of €20 billion from the European Commission, aiming to create facilities with 100,000 high-performance AI chips. The company has also partnered with NVIDIA to develop Europe's first industrial AI cloud by 2026. These initiatives respond to calls for European technological sovereignty in AI. Applications close June 20, with outcomes significantly impacting Europe's AI capabilities.

Japan's electronics giant TDK has acquired San Diego-based SoftEye, a company specializing in smart glasses technology, for under $100 million. This acquisition supports TDK's expansion into AI-powered wearables as smartphone innovation slows. SoftEye develops eye tracking and object recognition technology critical for next-generation wearables. TDK, once known for cassette tapes but now a major electronic components supplier, aims to strengthen its position in the growing smart eyewear market that has attracted investment from Meta, Snap, Google, and Qualcomm. This acquisition reflects the broader trend of component manufacturers aligning with emerging AI-driven products.

Apple's hardware VP Johny Srouji revealed the company is exploring generative AI to speed up custom chip development. Speaking in Belgium, he emphasized that AI-driven tools could significantly boost productivity and innovation in chip design. Srouji noted the importance of advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools in Apple's journey from its first A4 chip to current silicon powering Macs and Vision Pro. He highlighted Apple's risk-taking approach, referencing the company's all-in transition from Intel to Apple Silicon. The AI integration could lead to faster chip development cycles, better management of complex designs, and potentially more advanced features in future Apple products.

Poor grid planning in Europe threatens to reshape data centre locations as digital infrastructure booms strain electricity systems. The growth in cloud computing and AI is creating localized energy demand surges that existing grids may not support. Without coordinated infrastructure upgrades, data centres may relocate from current tech hubs to regions with more reliable power, shifting economic benefits. Solutions include enhanced collaboration between energy providers and the tech sector, accelerated green infrastructure development, and improved planning processes.