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Meta to invest $600b in AI data centres in US in next three years

Ana Mary Joseph
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Meta to invest $600b in AI data centres in US in next three years
  • It’s the right strategy to aggressively front-load capacity so we’re prepared for the most optimistic cases, Zuckerberg says.

Company’s capital expenditure forecast for next year points to “notably larger” outlays, highlighting major investments in building and expanding AI data centres.

Meta Platforms announced a massive $600 billion investment in US infrastructure and jobs over the next three years, a bold strategy aimed at powering the company’s growing artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions.

The investment, one of the largest ever pledged by a technology firm, will fund the construction of AI-dedicated data centres, job creation, and other critical infrastructure projects.

The social media and technology giant, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has increasingly prioritised AI development with the stated goal of achieving superintelligence — the point at which machines can outperform humans in almost all intellectual tasks.

“It’s the right strategy to aggressively front-load capacity so we’re prepared for the most optimistic cases,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg told analysts during Meta’s recent earnings call.

Expansive AI infrastructure push

The scale of Meta’s commitment came to light after Zuckerberg informed US President Donald Trump at a White House dinner in September that Meta would invest at least $600 billion in the US over the coming years.

The company’s capital expenditure forecast for next year points to “notably larger” outlays, highlighting major investments in building and expanding AI data centres.

Last month, Meta secured a $27 billion financing package from asset manager Blue Owl Capital to help fund its data centre in Louisiana, currently its largest project worldwide.

In October, Meta announced a separate $1.5 billion investment in a Texas data centre, marking the groundbreaking of its 29th such facility globally.

The company’s expansive AI infrastructure push comes as competition intensifies within the tech industry to provide the computational power needed for advanced machine learning models.

Notably, OpenAI — creator of ChatGPT — recently signed a $38 billion agreement to purchase cloud services from Amazon, illustrating the scale and stakes of the AI infrastructure arms race.

Nvidia witnesses strong demand for Honeywell chips

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Nvidia witnesses strong demand for Honeywell chips
  • Huang says “no active discussions” taking place to sell Blackwell chips to China

Nvidia is witnessing “very strong demand” for its latest Blackwell chips, CEO Jensen Huang said Saturday, underscoring not just the momentum behind the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) products, but also the crucial role of its manufacturing partners and suppliers.

At an event hosted by its longtime partner, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Huang revealed that rising orders for Blackwell — Nvidia’s most advanced chip platform to date — have prompted a surge in the company’s appetite for wafers.

“Nvidia builds the GPU, but we also build the CPU, the networking, the switches, and so there are a lot of chips associated with Blackwell,” Huang said, highlighting the breadth of Nvidia’s technology stack.

TSMC CEO C.C. Wei, declining to disclose specific figures, confirmed that Huang’s requests for wafer supply were “confidential” but praised their ongoing collaboration.

“TSMC is doing a very good job supporting us on wafers,” Huang said. “Nvidia’s success would not be possible without TSMC.”

Growing pains

The strength of that partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Nvidia, which in October became the world’s first company to achieve a $5 trillion market valuation. In a nod to this achievement, TSMC’s Wei referred to Huang as the “five-trillion-dollar man.”

However, Huang also acknowledged the growing pains associated with such explosive growth, specifically the risk of supply shortages.

“Business is growing strongly, and there will be shortages of different things,” he explained. On the supply of memory chips — another critical component for AI hardware — Huang pointed to the company’s robust relationships with major suppliers SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron, all of whom have scaled up capacity to support Nvidia.

“They have all provided us with the most advanced chip samples,” he said, adding that any decisions around memory pricing remain up to the suppliers.

The upbeat outlook on AI demand is echoed by suppliers themselves. South Korea’s SK Hynix recently reported that it had sold out all chip production for next year and will increase investment, betting on a prolonged AI-driven “super cycle.” Samsung Electronics also disclosed ongoing talks to supply its newest high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) to Nvidia.

Despite the surging global demand, Huang asserted that there are “no active discussions” about selling Blackwell chips to China, citing ongoing US restrictions designed to prevent advanced AI hardware from reaching the Chinese military and tech industry.

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AI investments define a new era for ‘Magnificent 7’ companies

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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AI investments define a new era for ‘Magnificent 7’ companies
  • NVIDIA emerges as the year’s most dramatic growth story while Amazon and Meta see AI payoff

The world’s seven tech giants—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, NVIDIA, and Tesla—have closed their latest fiscal year on a dominant note, marked by surging investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and unprecedented capital expenditures.

The cohort, collectively referred to as the “Magnificent 7,” generated more than $2.08 trillion in revenue—a 14 per cent year-over-year increase—while recalibrating cash strategies and doubling down on technology for the next wave of digital transformation, according to GlobalData.

“The Magnificent 7 entered 2025 at an inflection point. The AI infrastructure boom underpins short-term earnings resilience, but aggressive valuations hinge on robust AI monetisation. US-China chip tensions could constrain hardware-dependent leaders like NVIDIA and Apple, while software giants may prove more resilien,” Murthy Grandhi, Analyst at GlobalData, said.

“The unfolding OpenAI alliance race—across Microsoft, Apple, and Alphabet—suggests ecosystem strength, rather than hardware alone, will underpin future moats.”

NVIDIA leads growth

Among the leaders, NVIDIA emerged as the year’s most dramatic growth story, more than doubling revenue to $130.5 billion, fueled by insatiable demand for GPUs powering hyperscale AI deployments across global cloud platforms.

The surge crowned NVIDIA with a historic distinction: it became the world’s first public company to achieve a $5 trillion market capitalisation in October 2025.

Amazon also delivered robust top-line results, driven by the reinvigoration of AWS and operational gains in its merchandising core, while Meta and Microsoft logged double-digit growth, reflecting successful pivots toward cloud and AI-enabled services.

Alphabet’s performance was anchored by its dominance in search and a rapidly scaling cloud business. Even as Apple’s revenue growth slowed to 6 per cent—a reflection of mature iPhone markets—services and new technology verticals drove upside. Tesla, by contrast, saw revenues plateau at $97.7 billion, underscoring the maturing electric vehicle space and intensifying industry competition.

R&D and capex hit record highs

A key storyline across the Magnificent 7 is unprecedented R&D intensity. Amazon led the sector with a staggering 88.5 billion R&D outlay, integrating AI innovations across retail, logistics, and AWS. Alphabet’s 48.8 billion spend focused on its Gemini AI and data-center optimisation, while Meta boosted its R&D by 19 per cent to $43.6 billion—a strong bet on AI and mixed reality despite ongoing losses in its metaverse division.

Microsoft and Apple, too, hiked their R&D budgets, with investments in generative AI, custom silicon, and device intelligence. NVIDIA’s outlay scaled to $12.9 billion as it invests in the future of datacenter and AI acceleration, while Tesla’s spend shifted toward autonomous systems.

Capital expenditure across the group soared by 27 per cent year-over-year, nearing $265 billion. AI infrastructure buildout—particularly datacentres and compute resources—dominated priorities for Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta, while Tesla and Apple maintained targeted approaches aligned with manufacturing and product strategies.

NVIDIA, though a smaller player by capex, tripled its investment to grow supply-chain independence.

Liquidity from pandemic-era highs continued to normalise, with group cash and equivalents settling at $238 billion as the fiscal year ended. Amazon and Apple retained the largest war chests, but companies broadly channeled more resources into R&D and capex in pursuit of longer-term AI leadership.

iPhone thieves use fake “Find My” alerts to steal your device

Mohammed Fahad
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iPhone thieves use fake “Find My” alerts to steal your device
  • Victims are urged to click a link leading to a convincing “Find My iPhone” phishing website and prompted to enter their Apple ID credentials.
  • If compromised, this sensitive information allows attackers to disable Apple’s Activation Lock—a security feature that otherwise prevents a stolen iPhone from being reactivated by unauthorised users.

The Swiss National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued an urgent warning after uncovering a new wave of social engineering attacks that exploit the hopes of iPhone theft victims.

The campaign, which merges finely targeted phishing with detailed device information, poses serious risks to Apple customers and highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in device security and user response.

Anatomy of the scam

According to NCSC, individuals whose iPhones were lost or stolen—sometimes months earlier—have reported receiving convincing text messages, including iMessages, purporting to be from Apple.

These messages offer hope, claiming that the missing device has been found abroad and citing specific details such as the device’s model, colour, and storage capacity to add credibility.

Victims are urged to click a link leading to a convincing “Find My iPhone” phishing website and prompted to enter their Apple ID credentials. If compromised, this sensitive information allows attackers to disable Apple’s Activation Lock—a security feature that otherwise prevents a stolen iPhone from being reactivated by unauthorised users.

Strategic impact

The real value here for cybercriminals is not just data theft. As the NCSC explains, bypassing Activation Lock has long been a barrier to profiting from stolen Apple devices. With no known technical method to circumvent this lock, threat actors are resorting to highly targeted, psychologically manipulative tactics to trick victims into helping them unlock the devices themselves.

What remains unclear is how perpetrators are obtaining phone numbers for recently lost or stolen iPhones. Possible vectors include unblocked SIM cards or inadvertent disclosure by device owners.

“In the digital age, device loss is increasingly intertwined with identity risk,” said a Swiss NCSC spokesperson. “Attackers are leveraging not just technology but also the emotions of victims—offering hope and exploiting trust to circumvent robust security features.”

The NCSC advises anyone who has lost a device to be highly sceptical of unsolicited messages regarding its recovery and never to enter Apple ID credentials outside official Apple domains.

The incident spotlights the persistent challenge for organisations and individuals alike: social engineering remains one of the most effective routes for cybercriminals, especially when protections like Activation Lock make physical theft less lucrative.

For businesses with high-value data on mobile devices, employee education and rapid SIM deactivation remain key parts of incident response.

Data breach at Hyundai AutoEver America exposes 2.7m customer data

Mohammed Fahad
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Data breach at Hyundai AutoEver America exposes 2.7m customer data
  • Offers two years of complimentary credit monitoring to those notified, encouraging vigilance for signs of identity theft or financial fraud.

Hyundai AutoEver America (HAEA), the official IT services arm for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis in North America, is grappling with the aftermath of a significant data breach that has raised urgent questions about cybersecurity and customer trust in the automotive sector.

The incident, discovered on March 1, 2025, saw unauthorised access to HAEA’s networks for a period of over a week—beginning February 22 and continuing through March 2, according to statements by the Hyundai Motor Group–owned subsidiary.

HAEA, which operates out of California and manages IT systems for more than 2.7 million connected vehicles and 2,300 dealerships across North America, immediately engaged law enforcement and external cybersecurity experts to investigate and contain the threat.

While the company began reaching out to affected individuals with notification letters on October 30, HAEA has not publicly specified the total number impacted. Regulatory filings, however, suggest the breach could involve highly sensitive data—including names, social security numbers, and driver’s license information.

Customer guidance

“The compromise of social security numbers escalates the severity of this breach,” cautioned Pete Luban, Field CISO at cybersecurity firm AttackIQ.

“Unlike passwords or credit cards, social security numbers can’t be easily changed, increasing the risk of long-term fraud schemes.” Luban also warned that exposed data could fuel ongoing phishing attacks targeting affected customers.

In response, Hyundai AutoEver Americais offering two years of complimentary credit monitoring to those notified, encouraging vigilance for signs of identity theft or financial fraud.

Cybersecurity experts advocate for customers to monitor financial accounts closely and adopt best practices, such as enabling multi-factor authentication and verifying online communications.

Broader implications

Hyundai AutoEver America’s reach extends beyond vehicle software, encompassing IT infrastructures for dealerships and connected car platforms in both the US and abroad. While the company boasts over 600 partners and 2,200 IT professionals globally, it remains unclear if the breach affects individuals outside North America.

This incident underscores escalating cybersecurity risks in the automotive sector, especially as vehicle connectivity, telematics, and digital infrastructure become increasingly integral to automotive operations and the customer experience. Industry stakeholders are watching closely as Hyundai works to restore trust and reinforce its digital defenses.

Abu Dhabi set to infuse next-gen intelligence into UAE’s energy sector

Ana Mary Joseph
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Abu Dhabi set to infuse next-gen intelligence into UAE’s energy sector
  • Goal is to empower teams with actionable data, automate complex processes, and push the boundaries of operational efficiency.
  • Collaboration is expected to result in the creation of an AI and Physical Intelligence laboratory, dedicated to inventing and tailoring solutions for the region’s unique energy and water demands.

In a forward-thinking move set to redefine the landscape of the energy and water sectors, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has joined forces with tech innovator Analog to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Physical Intelligence (PI).

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), held during the high-profile ADIPEC 2025 conference, signals a new era of innovation and digital transformation in the UAE’s energy ecosystem.

The partnership was formalised by Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Al Sheebani, Acting Director-General of Regulatory Affairs at the DoE, and Alex Kipman, CEO and Founder of Analog—a prominent figure in the evolution of intelligent systems.

Together, they agreed to foster the integration of cutting-edge AI and PI technologies that will accelerate smart, sustainable growth.

Advancing sustainability

“At the heart of our collaboration is a vision to lead digital transformation and advance sustainability across Abu Dhabi’s energy sector,” said Ahmed Al Sheebani.

The agreement will see both organisations combine expertise to embed intelligence deeper into the sector’s infrastructure through the AD.WE platform. The goal is to empower teams with actionable data, automate complex processes, and push the boundaries of operational efficiency.

Central to the MoU is the adoption of Physical Intelligence—a next-generation discipline that extends AI’s reach into the physical world. Through PI, live data from sensors and robots becomes more than just information; it evolves into real-time actions that adapt to changing environments.

“Physical Intelligence is how the world begins to think alongside us,” explained Alex Kipman. “We’re not just making machines smarter—we are transforming infrastructure into living systems that learn, evolve, and act in harmony with their surroundings.”

This technological leap is more than a mere upgrade. For Abu Dhabi, it’s a strategic acceleration towards the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision, ensuring that intelligent sustainability isn’t just an aspiration, but a scalable reality.

The collaboration is expected to result in the creation of an AI and Physical Intelligence laboratory, dedicated to inventing and tailoring solutions for the region’s unique energy and water demands. It will also foster research partnerships and community knowledge sharing, driving sector-wide benefits.

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