Articles tagged with "data-center"
TikTok glitches raise censorship claims, company cites storm outage
TikTok experienced widespread outages across the United States during a major winter storm, leading to user reports of stalled feeds, failed searches, and missing hashtags. The disruptions coincided with heightened political tensions following recent ICE operations and protests in Minneapolis, fueling speculation that TikTok was censoring content related to immigration enforcement. Some users noted that searches about the protests returned inconsistent or unrelated results, intensifying fears of government interference. These concerns were exacerbated by TikTok’s recent U.S. spin-off, mandated by federal authorities to reduce ByteDance’s ownership stake amid national security scrutiny. TikTok denied any censorship, attributing the outages to a power failure at a U.S. data center that impacted TikTok and other apps it operates. The company apologized and said engineers were working with data center partners to restore service stability. The outages aligned with broader storm-related power losses affecting over a million Americans, and some users regained full access within hours while others continued to experience issues. Additionally, TikTok’s updated privacy policy
energydata-centerpower-outageinfrastructure-failurestorm-outageinternet-disruptioncloud-computingTikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a U.S. data center
TikTok experienced widespread glitches across the U.S. coinciding with severe snowstorms, causing issues such as problems loading comments and erratic behavior of the For You page algorithm. These disruptions began shortly after the formal establishment of TikTok USDS, a new U.S.-based joint venture created in response to government concerns about data privacy and Chinese ownership. TikTok USDS, which includes investors Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, attributed the outages to a power outage at a U.S. data center affecting multiple apps, and they have been working with their data center partner to restore services. Despite this explanation, some users remain suspicious due to the timing of the outages and ongoing political events, including protests in Minneapolis following a controversial civilian killing. The app’s malfunctions also sparked fears of potential government censorship, especially as users reported difficulties searching for information related to the Minneapolis protests. Additionally, TikTok’s updated privacy policy, which explicitly mentions data collection on sensitive personal information such as sexual orientation and immigration
energydata-centerpower-outageTikTokinternet-infrastructureservice-disruptionstorm-impactWorld's first fleet drilling robot cuts data center build times
DEWALT, a U.S.-based power equipment maker owned by Stanley Black & Decker, has partnered with August Robotics to introduce the world’s first fleet-capable robot designed for downward concrete drilling. This robotic system targets a critical bottleneck in data center construction by automating the labor-intensive task of drilling thousands of precision holes needed to anchor server racks and support overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The robot operates autonomously and can work in fleets, allowing multiple units to drill simultaneously across large sites. According to DEWALT, the system drills up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, potentially reducing overall construction timelines by as much as 80 weeks while improving jobsite safety and cutting costs per hole. The robotic drilling system is already being piloted with one of the world’s largest hyperscalers and has completed work across 10 data center construction phases, achieving 99.97 percent accuracy in hole location and depth over more than 90,000 drilled holes. This high
roboticsconstruction-automationdata-centerdrilling-robotautonomous-robotsAI-infrastructurefleet-roboticsUS startup unveils AI supercomputer OMNIA the size of a carry-on
Californian startup ODINN has introduced OMNIA, an AI supercomputer the size of a carry-on suitcase, designed to deliver data center-level AI performance without the need for building large, on-site facilities. OMNIA targets sectors requiring data privacy and low latency—such as defense, government, finance, and healthcare—where sending sensitive data to cloud-based centers is not viable. The system integrates high-end CPUs, GPUs, memory, and storage into a compact, self-contained unit with a proprietary closed-loop cooling system, enabling quiet operation and rapid deployment in minutes within standard office or secure environments. To address scalability, ODINN developed the Infinity Cube, a modular cluster combining multiple OMNIA units within a single enclosure, allowing organizations to build customizable AI clusters without the complexity and time of traditional data center construction. Complementing the hardware, ODINN’s NeuroEdge software manages job scheduling and deployment, integrating with NVIDIA’s AI ecosystem to optimize performance and reduce operational overhead. At CES
energyAI-supercomputerdata-centercooling-systemscalable-computingmodular-data-centeredge-computingElon Musk grows xAI's Colossus supercomputer with third data center
Elon Musk’s AI company xAI is significantly expanding its Colossus supercomputer infrastructure by acquiring a third data center building, named “MACROHARDRR,” near Memphis, Tennessee, close to Southaven, Mississippi. This expansion aims to boost xAI’s AI training capacity to nearly two gigawatts of compute power, potentially making Colossus one of the largest and most powerful AI supercomputers globally. The buildout plans to house at least one million GPUs, with Colossus 2 alone expected to contain around 550,000 Nvidia chips, at a cost reaching tens of billions of dollars. The new facility is slated for conversion into a data center starting in 2026, supporting both the existing Colossus and the under-construction Colossus 2 sites. The immense power requirements of this multi-gigawatt AI system have raised significant environmental and community concerns. The electricity demand is comparable to that of approximately 1.5 million U.S. homes
energysupercomputerdata-centerAI-compute-powerpower-infrastructurenatural-gas-power-plantenvironmental-impactAlabama Power Approve Rate Freeze, Solar Power for Data Center - CleanTechnica
The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a two-year rate freeze on energy prices, maintaining current rates until 2028, alongside the approval of two large-scale solar power projects to support Meta’s proposed data center in Montgomery. While the rate freeze aims to stabilize energy costs temporarily, critics argue it primarily secures continued high profits for Alabama Power without addressing the underlying issues of high energy bills faced by residents. Meta’s commitment to using clean energy for its data center marks a positive development in renewable energy adoption in the state. Environmental groups, particularly the Sierra Club, have expressed concern that the rate freeze fails to provide long-term relief for Alabama residents who already pay some of the nation’s highest energy bills. They criticize Alabama Power for continuing to profit from expensive fossil fuel projects with minimal public input and urge the PSC to pursue more comprehensive renewable energy solutions that benefit all customers. While the solar projects for Meta’s data center are seen as a step forward, advocates emphasize the need for broader access to reliable
energysolar-powerrenewable-energydata-centerAlabama-Powerrate-freezeclean-energyAmazon releases an impressive new AI chip and teases a Nvidia-friendly roadmap
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled its latest AI training chip, Trainium3, along with the Trainium3 UltraServer system at its AWS re:Invent 2025 conference. Built on a 3-nanometer process, Trainium3 delivers significant improvements over its predecessor, offering more than four times the speed and memory capacity for AI training and inference. Each UltraServer can host 144 chips, and thousands of these servers can be linked to scale up to one million Trainium3 chips, representing a tenfold increase from the previous generation. Additionally, the new chips are 40% more energy efficient, aligning with AWS’s goal to reduce operational costs and energy consumption while providing cost savings to AI cloud customers. Early adopters such as Anthropic, Karakuri, Splashmusic, and Decart have already reported substantial reductions in inference costs using Trainium3. Looking ahead, AWS teased the development of Trainium4, which promises another major performance boost and will support Nvidia’s
energyAI-chipcloud-computingdata-centerenergy-efficiencyNvidiaAWSMusk’s xAI to build small solar farm adjacent to Colossus data center
Artificial intelligence startup xAI, founded by Elon Musk, plans to build an 88-acre solar farm adjacent to its Colossus data center in Memphis, one of the world’s largest AI training facilities. The solar farm is expected to generate around 30 megawatts of electricity, roughly 10% of the data center’s estimated power needs. This initiative is part of xAI’s broader efforts to secure additional clean energy sources, including a previously announced nearby solar project paired with 100 megawatts of grid-scale batteries to provide continuous power. The solar farm developer, Seven States Power Company, received a significant federal award of $439 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including a $414 million interest-free loan, highlighting ongoing federal support for clean energy projects despite some recent cancellations under prior administrations. However, xAI has faced criticism and legal challenges related to its current reliance on over 400 megawatts of natural gas turbines operating without permits, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center
energysolar-farmdata-centerclean-energygas-turbinesgrid-scale-batteriesrenewable-energyMusk’s xAI to build small solar farm adjacent Colossus data center
Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI plans to build an 88-acre solar farm adjacent to its Colossus data center in Memphis, one of the world’s largest AI model training facilities. The solar farm is expected to generate about 30 megawatts of electricity, roughly 10% of the data center’s power needs. This initiative complements xAI’s earlier announcement of a nearby solar project paired with 100 megawatts of grid-scale batteries to provide continuous power. The solar farm’s developer, Seven States Power Company, received a substantial $439 million federal award, including a $414 million interest-free loan, highlighting significant government support despite recent cutbacks in clean energy funding. However, xAI has faced criticism and legal challenges related to its current energy operations. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), in collaboration with the NAACP, alleges that xAI has operated over 35 gas turbines without proper permits, emitting more than 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOX
energysolar-farmdata-centerclean-energygrid-scale-batteriesturbinespollutionNvidia, Deutsche Telekom strike €1B partnership for a data center in Munich
Nvidia and Deutsche Telekom have announced a €1 billion partnership to build a new data center in Munich, dubbed the “Industrial AI Cloud.” This facility will deploy over 1,000 Nvidia DGX B200 systems and RTX Pro Servers equipped with up to 10,000 Blackwell GPUs to deliver AI inferencing and related services to German companies while adhering to German data sovereignty laws. Early collaborators include Agile Robots, which will assist in server rack installation, and Perplexity, which plans to offer localized AI inferencing services. Deutsche Telekom will provide the physical infrastructure, while SAP will contribute its Business Technology platform and applications, targeting industrial use cases such as digital twins and physics-based simulations. The project aligns with broader European efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technology infrastructure and promote domestic AI capabilities, although funding for AI in the EU remains significantly lower than in the U.S. Unlike the EU’s AI gigafactory initiative, this data center is a separate endeavor expected to become operational in early 2026
robotAIdata-centerindustrial-AIDeutsche-TelekomNvidiadigital-twinsGoogle to invest $15B in Indian AI infrastructure hub
Google announced a $15 billion investment to establish a 1-gigawatt data center and AI hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, over the next five years through 2030. This marks Google's largest investment in India and its biggest outside the U.S. The AI hub will be part of a global network spanning 12 countries and will offer a full suite of AI solutions, including custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), access to AI models like Gemini, and support for consumer services such as Google Search, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Ads. Google is partnering with Indian telecom Bharti Airtel and AdaniConneX to build the data center and subsea cable infrastructure, positioning Visakhapatnam as a global connectivity hub and digital backbone for India. The investment comes amid growing Indian government efforts to promote local alternatives to U.S. tech giants like Google, with initiatives encouraging “swadeshi” or “made in India” products and services. Despite these
energydata-centerAI-infrastructurecloud-computingsubsea-cableconnectivity-hubIndia-investmentOracle to back massive 1.4-gigawatt gas-powered data center in US
Oracle is investing heavily in AI-focused cloud computing with the development of a massive 1.4-gigawatt data center campus in Shackelford County, Texas. The site, called Frontier and developed by Vantage Data Centers, will span 1,200 acres and include 10 data centers totaling 3.7 million square feet. Designed to support ultra-high-density racks and liquid cooling for next-generation GPU workloads, the campus aims to meet the growing demand for AI computing power. Construction is underway, with the first building expected to be operational in the second half of 2026. Oracle plans to operate the facility primarily using gas-powered generators rather than waiting for utility grid connections, reflecting the urgency to bring these data centers online despite the environmental concerns associated with gas turbine emissions. Oracle has transformed from a traditional database software company into a major cloud services provider focused on AI computing, securing significant deals such as hosting TikTok’s U.S. traffic and powering Elon Musk’s xAI. The company
energydata-centercloud-computingAIgas-powerliquid-coolinghigh-density-racksAalo Atomics raises $100M to build a microreactor and data center together
Aalo Atomics, a nuclear startup inspired by a Department of Energy small modular reactor design called Marvel, has raised $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Valor Equity Partners and several other investors. The company plans to activate its first microreactor by summer 2026, aiming to challenge the nuclear industry’s typical long development timelines by leveraging economies of scale. Its flagship product, the Aalo Pod, will combine five Aalo-1 reactors to generate 50 megawatts of electricity through a single turbine. Additionally, the startup intends to build an experimental data center adjacent to its prototype reactor, though this aspect appears more promotional than a breakthrough innovation. Aalo Atomics targets delivering electricity at a competitive rate of three cents per kilowatt-hour, comparable to new natural gas and solar power plants, although no specific timeline has been set for achieving this price point. The company’s aggressive schedule and cost goals reflect broader trends in advanced nuclear startups seeking to modernize and scale nuclear power efficiently
energynuclear-energymicroreactordata-centerclean-energysmall-modular-reactorpower-generationOpenAI to launch AI data center in Norway, its first in Europe
OpenAI announced plans to launch Stargate Norway, its first AI data center in Europe, in partnership with British AI cloud infrastructure provider Nscale and Norwegian energy firm Aker. The data center will be a 50/50 joint venture between Nscale and Aker, with OpenAI as an off-taker purchasing capacity from the facility. Located near Narvik, Norway, the site will leverage the region’s abundant hydropower, cool climate, and mature industrial base to run entirely on renewable energy. The initial phase will deliver 230 megawatts (MW) of capacity, expandable to 290 MW, and is expected to operate 100,000 Nvidia GPUs by the end of 2026. The facility will incorporate advanced cooling technology and reuse excess heat to support low-carbon enterprises locally. This initiative aligns with Europe’s broader push for AI sovereignty, data sovereignty, and sustainable infrastructure, as the EU recently announced multi-billion euro investments to build AI factories and enhance compute power within the bloc.
energydata-centerAI-infrastructurerenewable-powerhydropowerliquid-coolingNvidia-GPUsMark Zuckerberg says Meta is building a 5GW AI data center
Meta is constructing a massive AI data center named Hyperion, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced will deliver five gigawatts (GW) of computational power to support its new AI lab. This initiative aims to position Meta ahead of competitors like OpenAI and Google in the AI development race. Hyperion’s scale is projected to be large enough to cover most of Manhattan, and Meta plans to launch a 1 GW supercluster called Prometheus by 2026, making it one of the earliest tech companies to reach such capacity. These projects will significantly enhance Meta’s ability to train and deploy advanced AI models, potentially attracting more top talent to the company. However, the enormous energy demands of these data centers raise concerns about their impact on local communities. Together, Hyperion and Prometheus will consume energy equivalent to that used by millions of homes, potentially straining electricity and water resources nearby. Similar expansions by other AI-focused companies, like CoreWeave near Dallas, highlight a broader industry trend toward large-scale AI
energydata-centerAIMetacomputational-powerenergy-consumptioninfrastructurexAI gets permits for 15 natural gas generators at Memphis data center
County regulators have approved permits for Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, to operate 15 natural gas turbines at its data center near Memphis, despite ongoing legal challenges. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) alleges that xAI has been running up to 35 generators without proper permits, with a combined capacity of 421 megawatts. The SELC, representing the NAACP, has raised concerns about potential violations of the Clean Air Act. Under the newly issued permits, xAI is allowed to emit substantial pollution annually, including significant amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The company is responsible for maintaining its own emissions records. Community groups funded an independent air quality study prior to the permit issuance, but the SELC criticized the methodology, noting that ozone levels were not measured and that testing was conducted under conditions that likely underestimated pollution exposure. Specifically, testing occurred
energynatural-gas-generatorsdata-centeremissionspollution-controlClean-Air-Actair-quality-monitoringAir quality tests around xAI’s Memphis data center raise questions
Elon Musk’s xAI data center in Memphis, powered by natural gas turbines, has sparked concerns among local residents about potential air pollution. In response, the City of Memphis conducted air quality tests at three locations near the facility—downtown Memphis, Whitehaven, and Boxtown—on June 13 and 16. The results, released by the city, indicated that levels of the ten pollutants tested were not dangerous. However, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing the NAACP, criticized the testing for omitting ozone (smog), a significant pollutant, and for methodological issues such as placing monitors directly against buildings, which could affect accuracy. The testing was limited in scope and duration, with sampling equipment running for 10 to 13 hours on days when wind patterns were unlikely to carry pollutants from the data center to the test sites. Formaldehyde was detected downtown but remained within urban norms. The SELC's concerns highlight potential gaps in the testing approach, particularly
energydata-centernatural-gas-turbinesair-qualitypollutionenvironmental-monitoringozoneQualcomm to acquire semiconductor firm Alphawave Semi for $2.4B
Qualcomm has announced its agreement to acquire Alphawave Semi, a U.K.-based semiconductor firm specializing in high-speed data center connectivity, for approximately $2.4 billion. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon highlighted that this acquisition aims to expand Qualcomm’s presence in the data center market by combining advanced technology solutions to enhance connected computing performance across various high-growth sectors, particularly data center infrastructure. Alphawave Semi develops a range of wired connectivity and compute technologies, complementing Qualcomm’s existing portfolio. This acquisition follows a recent larger deal by Qualcomm in the semiconductor space, signaling the company’s strategic focus on strengthening its data center capabilities. The transaction is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
materialssemiconductorsdata-centerconnectivityQualcommtechnology-acquisitionhigh-speed-data-transferOpenAI’s planned data center in Abu Dhabi would be bigger than Monaco
energydata-centerAI-infrastructurepower-consumptionAbu-DhabiOpenAIG42