big tech

A flood of debt sales by US tech companies is rippling through the credit market. This activity appears to be triggering an inadvertent rise in risk metrics for some of the world’s safest firms.

TSMC, the world's biggest chipmaker, saw its sales surge 45% due to buoyant AI demand. The firm manufactures chips for major Big Tech customers, including Nvidia and Google, making its financial figures a key indicator of overall AI semiconductor demand.

Lawmakers face a dilemma as Americans push back against Big Tech's development of AI data centers, citing concerns over strained power grids, water use, and rising utility costs. This issue has become increasingly bipartisan, leading some politicians to restrict developments despite previously courting the projects for their towns and states.

Hedge fund manager Gavin Baker argues investors have prematurely criticized Big Tech's AI infrastructure spending, noting improved cash flow and strong demand. He highlights underpriced compute contracts and rising GPU prices as signs of untapped revenue potential in AI infrastructure.

Hayes compared the AI infrastructure boom driven by debt to the 2008 credit bubble, suggesting it could trigger a Bitcoin 'crack-up boom' exceeding $1 million. However, financial strain from this growth appears unevenly distributed among major technology companies.

Microsoft is retiring its peer-feedback tool, Perspectives, which allowed employees to request peer input for performance evaluations. The tool will be replaced by informal discussions as part of a broader overhaul of performance reviews, simplifying ratings into five categories with sharper distinctions. The change aligns with a shift toward 'in-the-moment conversations' over formal feedback requests.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are negotiating differences between House and Senate data privacy bills, with the Senate bill banning sales of biometric and sensitive personal data. The House bill preserves a private right of action allowing individuals and the attorney general to sue tech companies over privacy violations, which critics argue is essential for holding corporations like Meta and Google accountable.

Jim Cramer stated that the market has become more receptive to Big Tech's AI investments. He highlighted that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy clarified how Amazon's substantial AI spending will yield long-term returns.

Anthropic and OpenAI's investments in private AI companies are distorting corporate earnings. Removing these investment gains reveals a less bullish earnings outlook.

Goldman Sachs reports that top technology stocks have experienced significant declines, prompting a reevaluation by investors. The gap between big tech and the broader market has disappeared.

The Ofcom chair has initiated a review of the regulator aimed at curbing Big Tech's influence. Ian Cheshire stated the watchdog requires additional resources to enforce online safety rules as it expands its responsibilities.

Amazon, a Big Tech company, reported abnormally large earnings growth driven by paper gains from its investments in Anthropic. This contributed to increasingly volatile profit growth in the S&P 500 index.

Attackers are targeting open-source AI as Big Tech companies increasingly adopt and support the technology.

Last week's volatile market was driven by the Federal Reserve's decision and Big Tech earnings. Wall Street returned to its winning ways during the week.

Billions of dollars are being invested in a new wave of AI technology by Big Tech companies. However, the article questions whether this investment will yield profitable results.

Congress is advancing bipartisan legislation to protect children online, with the House passing the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act in June 2024 and the Senate preparing to debate the stronger Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The article highlights resistance from Big Tech, which has sued states like Minnesota over similar laws and promotes voluntary safety standards as ineffective solutions.

Big Tech is divided over the AI trade, with Microsoft's stock rising 9% and Meta's falling 9%. Market futures are higher as investors react to the Fed's decision to maintain interest rates and increasing Treasury yields.

Chinese tech giants are investing in AI infrastructure and must demonstrate sustainable profits, while global investors are concerned about big tech's AI spending, as seen with Meta Platforms' situation causing market anxiety.

The article discusses AI developments, including 1X's dexterous robotic hands, Grok's controversial translation feature, Meta's unsettling glasses, and rising emissions from Big Tech. It also notes that Korean chip workers are experiencing increased dating opportunities due to AI-related bonuses.

The stock market is focusing on three key events next week: Big Tech earnings reports, a Federal Reserve meeting, and the release of inflation data. These developments could influence market trends and investor confidence.

Librarians across the country are hosting 'Avoiding AI' workshops, which have seen high demand due to public frustration with Big Tech.

Big Tech's AI investment is driving a surge in bond sales, significantly influencing the US corporate bond market. The impact of this debt flood on market risk exceeds initial expectations.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn is advocating for a strict cell phone ban in Tennessee schools for the entire school day, eliminating exemptions for emergencies and non-instructional periods. The proposal aims to reduce distractions and address concerns about social media addiction and bullying.

European researchers aim to study the harms of social media under new EU laws, but companies like TikTok, X, and Meta are determining access to data. The EU law grants researchers rights to scrutinize Big Tech, yet data access remains restricted by these platforms.

Google was fined $1 billion by the EU over its Play app store and search practices. The fine is part of the EU's latest crackdown on Big Tech companies based in Silicon Valley and Beijing.

Donald Trump’s ambassador to the U.K., Warren Stephens, warned Britain could face U.S. tariffs if new Prime Minister Andy Burnham imposes higher taxes on American tech companies. The proposed tax shift would increase business rates for warehouses used by firms like Amazon and ASOS. Stephens also criticized a UK social media ban for under 16s, calling it 'draconian' from a free speech perspective.

The EU fined Google €890 million as a test of Trump’s threats to protect Big Tech. The EU competition chief emphasized it is the bloc’s duty to defend the rule of law and deliver a strong message to the search giant.

A conservative super PAC, Defending Our Values, is supporting Republican candidates Rhett Marques in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District and Scott Singer in Florida's 25th Congressional District as part of a $15 million effort to influence AI policy and preserve the GOP's House majority. The PAC aims to counter Big Tech's influence and position conservatives as leaders in regulating emerging technologies.

A conservative super PAC focused on AI policy is backing Republican candidates Rhett Marques in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District and Scott Singer in Florida's 25th Congressional District to help the GOP maintain its House majority. The PAC, Defending Our Values, aims to influence regulations on Big Tech and AI innovation, emphasizing conservative leadership over Silicon Valley executives.

Big Tech is using its balance sheets as financial backstops, enabling unproven AI companies to secure cheap loans. This practice raises concerns about risks and potential reputational damage.

US stocks rebounded from a selloff as chipmakers like Nvidia led gains. Earnings reports are testing whether Big Tech's profits meet high expectations.

Morgan Stanley has become Wall Street's leading bank for AI debt deals. Big Tech-backed financing has reduced borrowing costs but increased the industry's exposure to AI.

Campaign filings reveal AI employees are donating to politics faster, more heavily, and in greater synchronization compared to three prior tech-IPO donor classes. AI's new donor class is outspending the previous Big Tech donor group.

Nigeria has announced an investigation into Google, Meta, X, and generative AI platforms, with the potential to redefine the relationship between technology, artificial intelligence, and journalism. The article suggests this could mark a pivotal moment in Nigeria's approach to Big Tech and AI in the digital age.

Brussels is preparing new fines against Google as enforcement against Big Tech intensifies. The decisions aim to test the EU's ability to regulate digital markets without creating tensions with Washington.

New York has enacted a one-year moratorium on constructing large-scale data centers, marking the first US state action to address political pushback against unchecked AI growth. The move follows progressive candidates leveraging local opposition to data centers in elections, with critics comparing the AI industry to politically controversial groups. A Gallup poll also highlights declining public confidence in Big Tech.

Big banks and Big Tech are expanding their influence into various sectors of the economy, with Wall Street no longer being the sole industry driving this trend.

Massachusetts lawmakers have agreed to regulate Big Tech's data collection and addictive features for young users but face challenges reconciling conflicting proposals from the House and Senate. The House proposed a ban on social media for under-14s, while the Senate focused on disabling addictive features by default. Negotiations also involve aligning school cell phone bans with social media regulations.

The article discusses a podcast episode where WIRED’s senior culture editor Manisha Krishnan interviews Gowanus about avoiding Big Tech, going outdoors, and the impact of dating apps on rejection.

The Russell 2000 index is on track for its best year since 2003, driven by AI spending, tax changes, and low valuations. Investor interest is shifting from big tech to small-cap stocks.