Tech in Focus: AI Expansion, Big Tech Regulation, and Microsoft's Cost-Cutting Moves

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Biden signs executive order to ensure power for AI data centers

President Biden signed an executive order to address the rising energy demands of AI data centers, projected to require up to five gigawatts of power by 2028. The order facilitates the use of federal land for gigawatt-scale data centers and renewable energy facilities while requiring companies to invest in American-made semiconductors.

This initiative ties clean energy, national security, and AI innovation together, ensuring advanced AI systems are developed and stored in the U.S. By streamlining grid connections and permitting, the U.S. aims to secure its leadership in AI while safeguarding critical infrastructure from adversaries.

EU assesses Big Tech cases ahead of Trump arrival

The European Commission is reviewing its ongoing investigations into U.S. Big Tech firms, including Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and X, ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. EU officials assert the reassessment is procedural, unrelated to Trump’s presidency, and reaffirm their commitment to enforcing regulations like the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA).

U.S. tech leaders argue that EU rules stifle innovation and have urged Trump to intervene. Critics, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, liken EU policies to trade barriers, complicating U.S.-EU tech relations. Despite these tensions, the EU insists on maintaining its regulatory stance to prevent market abuses and uphold fair competition.

This reassessment highlights the geopolitical complexities of regulating Big Tech amid shifting political dynamics.

Tech Microsoft pauses hiring in U.S. consulting unit as part of cost-cutting plan, memo says

Microsoft has announced a hiring freeze in part of its U.S. consulting business, aligning with broader cost-cutting efforts. This comes shortly after the company revealed plans for layoffs impacting less than 1% of its workforce. The consulting division, which contributed $1.9 billion in revenue last quarter—a 1% decline year-over-year—will halt hiring and backfills, limit travel expenses, and cut marketing and non-billable resources by 35%.

Despite these measures, Microsoft continues to prioritize investments in artificial intelligence, a focus expected to drive long-term growth. While the company's stock rose 12% in 2024, it lagged behind the Nasdaq Composite's 29% increase. Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has made strategic adjustments to navigate economic shifts, including significant layoffs in early 2023 and further reductions in its gaming unit after the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

These cost controls underscore Microsoft's focus on balancing innovation in AI and cloud computing with disciplined expense management, aiming to sustain shareholder confidence amid evolving market conditions.

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