July 16, 2025

news  
Read News
Google $25B AI Investment, Intel Shifts, Microsoft AI Tests

Several major developments are unfolding in the AI and tech sectors. Oracle is making significant investments, committing $3 billion to AI and cloud infrastructure across Germany, the Netherlands, and France over the next five to ten years. These investments aim to meet the increasing demand for AI and cloud services in Europe. Google is also investing heavily, with approximately $25 billion earmarked for expanding its data center and AI infrastructure in Pennsylvania over the next two years. Google is launching 'AI Works for America,' starting in Pennsylvania, to provide free AI training for workers and small businesses, including offering Google Career Certificates and AI courses at all 20 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches until December 2027. In contrast, Intel is shifting its AI strategy, exiting the AI training market to focus on edge AI, agentic AI, and foundry services, which will result in job cuts in Oregon and across the US. Nextdoor has redesigned its app, incorporating AI recommendations ('Faves'), local news via partnerships with 3,500 local news sources, and real-time emergency alerts to enhance user experience. Vorlon has launched a security platform to help businesses manage risks associated with SaaS and AI by discovering shadow AI, mapping data flow, and monitoring data access. Microsoft is drawing lessons from cybersecurity to improve AI testing and evaluation for responsible AI development. Amidst these advancements, Apple CEO Tim Cook is facing criticism, though some view these attacks as unfair given his contributions to the company. Finally, President Trump's visit to Pittsburgh for an AI summit sparked protests at CMU, highlighting concerns about his policies and the impact of data centers.

Key Takeaways

  • Oracle is investing $3 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Europe, focusing on Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
  • Google is investing $25 billion in Pennsylvania to expand its data center and AI infrastructure.
  • Google's 'AI Works for America' program will provide free AI training to workers and small businesses, starting in Pennsylvania.
  • Intel is exiting the AI training market to concentrate on edge AI, agentic AI, and foundry services, leading to job cuts.
  • Nextdoor's redesigned app features AI-driven recommendations ('Faves'), local news partnerships, and real-time emergency alerts.
  • Vorlon has launched a platform to secure SaaS and AI, offering shadow AI discovery and data flow mapping.
  • Microsoft is using cybersecurity principles to enhance AI testing and evaluation.
  • Apple CEO Tim Cook is facing criticism despite his contributions to the company's growth.
  • President Trump's visit to CMU for an AI summit triggered protests related to his policies and data center impacts.
  • The US is preparing $70 billion for AI and energy investments, while Europe considers $78 billion in tariffs on US goods.

Oracle invests $3 billion in AI and cloud in Europe

Oracle plans to invest $3 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Germany and the Netherlands over the next five years. They will put $2 billion into Germany and $1 billion into the Netherlands. This investment aims to meet the growing demand for AI and cloud services. Oracle is also part of a joint project called Stargate to provide large-scale computing to OpenAI.

Oracle invests $3B in AI, cloud infrastructure in Europe

Oracle will invest $3 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Germany and the Netherlands over the next five years. The company plans to invest $2 billion in Germany and $1 billion in the Netherlands. This investment aims to boost AI and cloud capabilities in the region.

Oracle invests $3 billion in European AI and cloud expansion

Oracle will invest $3 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Europe over the next decade. The investment will expand Oracle's cloud region in France to meet the rising need for AI and cloud computing. Oracle will work with Kyndryl to help customers move their work to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. This investment shows Europe's growing importance as a market for AI and cloud services.

Google's AI training program launches in Pittsburgh for workers

Google is starting a new program called AI Works for America to train workers and small businesses in AI skills. The program begins in Pennsylvania as AI Works for Pennsylvania, offering free training to Pittsburgh residents. Courses include Google Career Certificates and AI courses, available online. Google's president, Ruth Porat, says the investments will boost energy and give Americans AI skills. The program is part of an event organized by Sen. Dave McCormick, where $70 billion in AI and energy investments for Pennsylvania will be announced.

Google invests billions in Pennsylvania for AI and clean energy

Google will invest about $25 billion in Pennsylvania to expand its data center and AI infrastructure over the next two years. The company is launching AI Works, a nationwide initiative providing free AI training for small and medium businesses, starting in Pennsylvania. All 20 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches will offer free Google Career Certificates and AI courses until December 2027. Google is also partnering with Brookfield Asset Management for hydroelectric power to power its data centers, including a $3 billion deal with Holtwood and Safe Harbor facilities.

Intel exits AI training, focuses on edge and agentic AI

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said Intel is too late to catch up in the AI training market. Intel will now focus on edge AI, agentic AI, and foundry services. Edge AI involves AI chips in devices like phones and cars. Agentic AI uses chips that make decisions without human help. Intel is cutting up to 2,392 jobs in Oregon and 4,000 across the US as part of this change.

Nextdoor app redesigns with AI, news, and emergency alerts

Nextdoor is launching a redesigned app with AI recommendations, local news, and real-time emergency alerts. The app includes an AI feature called "Faves" for finding local businesses. Nextdoor has partnered with 3,500 local news sources to bring news to the platform. The app will also show real-time alerts for weather, traffic, and power outages. The goal is to make Nextdoor more helpful and attract more users.

AI, trade, and tariffs cause market shake-up

Governments in the US and Europe are introducing billions in new policies. The US is preparing $70 billion for AI and energy. Europe is considering $78 billion in tariffs on US goods. China's latest GDP was better than expected. These moves are causing global markets to react, with tech stocks getting a boost.

AI testing and evaluation lessons from cybersecurity

Microsoft is exploring AI testing and evaluation by learning from experts in fields like cybersecurity. They are investigating how testing and evaluation can help with responsible AI development. Ciaran Martin from the University of Oxford discusses risk assessment and testing in cybersecurity. Tori Westerhoff from Microsoft's AI Red Team talks about finding weaknesses in AI products. They suggest using cybersecurity's shared language and understanding of risk as a model for AI security.

Vorlon releases AI and SaaS security platform for better data view

Vorlon has launched a new platform to secure SaaS and AI, giving businesses better control over their data. The platform helps manage risks from the increasing use of SaaS and AI. It finds both approved and unapproved AI tools and maps how sensitive data flows between apps and AI. The platform also provides alerts for unusual data access. Key features include shadow AI discovery, data flow mapping, and unified access monitoring.

Attacks on Apple's Tim Cook are unfair despite AI struggles

Apple CEO Tim Cook is facing criticism, but these attacks are seen as unfair. Despite Apple's challenges in AI, Cook's leadership is still needed. Apple has moved much of its manufacturing out of China and invested in new US facilities. Cook has transformed Apple into a valuable company, and his leadership is still important.

Trump's visit to CMU sparks protests over AI summit

President Trump's visit to Pittsburgh for an AI summit caused protests. CMU students and faculty criticized the university for hosting Trump, citing his policies on research and international students. Protesters voiced concerns about the environmental impact of data centers and rising housing costs. Police used pepper spray on protesters who blocked a street. Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick announced investments to boost data center development in Pennsylvania.

Sources

AI Cloud Infrastructure Oracle Google Intel Nextdoor Microsoft Vorlon Apple Tim Cook Europe Germany Netherlands Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Edge AI Agentic AI AI Training Data Security SaaS Security AI Testing AI Evaluation Cybersecurity Data Centers Investment Tariffs Trade Emergency Alerts Local News AI Recommendations Shadow AI Data Flow Mapping Unified Access Monitoring AI Skills AI Works for America AI Works for Pennsylvania Google Career Certificates OpenAI Stargate Kyndryl Brookfield Asset Management Hydroelectric Power Foundry Services Job Cuts Market Shake-up Risk Assessment AI Red Team Data View Data Access Trump CMU Protests AI Summit Dave McCormick