tech industry

Dutch chip equipment maker ASML said it is not selling its chipmaking machines in Europe, warning the region risks falling behind the US, China and India in semiconductors. The comments have drawn attention in business and tech circles, with debate over whether Europe can build a competitive domestic chip industry without access to the company's advanced lithography systems.

Climate activists are campaigning against AI data centers and Amazon's plan to build what would be the largest gas-fired power plant in the United States. Protesters argue that the booming energy demands of artificial intelligence are driving new fossil fuel infrastructure, undermining climate goals. The story, reported by Democracy Now!, highlights growing tension between the tech industry's expansion and environmental commitments.

The European Union is moving to limit the energy and water consumption of data centres, according to Euronews. The proposed measures target the rapidly growing resource demands of digital infrastructure, which has drawn scrutiny amid rising electricity costs and water scarcity concerns across Europe. Commenters are discussing the potential impact on the tech industry and whether regulation can keep pace with expanding computing demand.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay a record $5.7 billion in a patent dispute over haptic technology, the feedback feature used in iPhones and other devices. The verdict ranks among the largest patent damages awards in US history, and attention is turning to whether Apple will appeal the decision.

ASML, the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant, says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe and is calling on the European Union to help create demand for its technology. The comments highlight how Europe, despite hosting one of the semiconductor industry's most critical suppliers, has little domestic chip manufacturing capacity to buy its machines, with production concentrated in Asia and the United States.

The Wall Street Journal has published an analysis examining the warning signs that could indicate the current AI investment boom is heading toward a bust. The piece explores what indicators investors and industry watchers should monitor as spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure and companies continues to climb, raising comparisons to earlier technology bubbles.

Qualcomm has unveiled its next-generation flagship mobile processors, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The new chips are positioned as the company's top-tier smartphone silicon, expected to power upcoming premium Android devices. Details on performance gains and device availability were not included in the initial announcement.

Y Combinator, the influential Silicon Valley startup accelerator, has formed a political action committee that has already contributed to 66 campaign committees, marking a significant step into electoral politics. The move signals that the startup world, long wary of direct political spending, is becoming more willing to put money behind candidates and causes aligned with its interests.

Technology industry leaders have appealed to the United Nations, asking international bodies to establish oversight of artificial intelligence they helped create, arguing that unchecked development could pose risks to humanity. The appeal, reported by AP News, puts the question of AI governance before the UN Security Council, adding momentum to global debates over how, and by whom, powerful AI systems should be controlled.

Thales, Bull and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) are reported to be working on software for quantum computers intended for use by the French armed forces. The news, highlighted by French-language outlets, ties together France's major industrial and research players in a defence-focused quantum computing effort, drawing attention to the country's push into military applications of the technology.

Defense startups are injecting new technology and innovation into the traditional defense industrial base, according to a Fox News report. The piece highlights how emerging companies are complementing established defense contractors, a topic that has drawn growing attention as governments look to modernize military capabilities through private-sector innovation.

A BBC report highlights that many artificial intelligence researchers and industry workers reject claims that advanced AI could threaten human extinction. While some prominent figures warn of catastrophic risks, others in the field consider such scenarios exaggerated, pointing instead to nearer-term concerns like bias, misinformation and job displacement. The divide reflects a growing split within the AI community over how serious existential risk really is.

Meta's chief AI officer Alexandr Wang has published an essay explaining his reasoning behind Muse, a new project he is personally building. The piece is being shared and discussed across tech circles, with commentators weighing in on what the venture signals about his ambitions beyond his role at Meta and where the AI startup landscape is heading next.

The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre is drawing attention to the situation of workers affected by the technology transition, including those in manufacturing and supply chains whose jobs and rights are reshaped as industries shift to new technologies. The initiative highlights concerns over labour conditions, job displacement and corporate responsibility during this economic change.

Dario Amadei, chief executive of AI company Anthropic, is calling for stronger government regulation of artificial intelligence, according to an exclusive interview with ABC News. The appeal from a leading AI developer adds to a growing debate over how quickly governments should move to impose rules on advanced AI systems, and it is drawing attention across the tech industry and policy circles.

Meta has added a safety warning to its Muse AI agent after a security flaw was identified, highlighting the growing risks around AI agent deployments. The disclosure puts a spotlight on how major tech companies handle vulnerabilities in emerging agentic AI tools, with observers weighing what the flaw means for user safety and the wider AI industry.