July 16, 2025

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google, meta and scale ai Updates

Several major developments are shaping the AI and technology sectors. Google is making significant investments, including $25 billion in AI and data centers across the US, with $3 billion specifically allocated to upgrading hydropower plants in Pennsylvania as part of a clean energy initiative. This aligns with a larger trend of tech companies seeking clean energy solutions to power their growing AI infrastructure. Meta is also investing heavily, planning hundreds of billions in AI data centers, including gigawatt-scale superclusters in Ohio and Louisiana, which will require substantial energy and water resources. These investments are supported by government initiatives, as highlighted by President Trump's announcement of over $90 billion in AI and energy projects, particularly in Pennsylvania, with efforts to expedite data center permits and increase power capacity. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang offers a contrasting view on AI's impact on employment, suggesting it will enhance productivity rather than cause mass job losses. Nvidia also anticipates continued access to the Chinese market for its AI chips, despite U.S. export regulations. In other news, Cognition AI acquired Windsurf after Google hired key staff from the AI code generation startup, and Elon Musk's xAI is partnering with the U.S. government, offering AI tools like Grok 4 to federal agencies through the 'Grok for Government' initiative. Meta also acquired voice AI startup Play AI to enhance its conversational AI capabilities. Finally, Shopify is setting new rules for AI agents on its platform, and Arteria AI has hired Daniel Duffy to lead its sales team.

Key Takeaways

  • Google is investing $25 billion in AI and data centers across the US, including $3 billion for hydropower upgrades in Pennsylvania.
  • President Trump announced over $90 billion in AI and energy investments, particularly in Pennsylvania, aiming to boost U.S. dominance in AI.
  • Meta plans to invest hundreds of billions in AI data centers, including gigawatt-scale superclusters in Ohio and Louisiana.
  • Elon Musk's xAI is partnering with the U.S. government, offering AI tools like Grok 4 through the 'Grok for Government' initiative.
  • Cognition AI acquired Windsurf after Google hired key staff from the AI code generation startup.
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes AI will enhance productivity and not cause mass job losses.
  • Nvidia expects to continue exporting advanced AI chips to China, complying with U.S. export regulations.
  • Meta acquired voice AI startup Play AI to enhance its conversational AI capabilities for platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram.
  • Shopify is implementing new rules for AI agents on its platform to control their usage by merchants.
  • Arteria AI hired Daniel Duffy to lead its sales team, focusing on financial services clients.

Google invests $25 billion in AI and data centers across US

Google plans to invest $25 billion in data centers and AI infrastructure over the next two years. The investment will be in states covered by the PJM electric grid, which spans 13 states. Google will also spend $3 billion to upgrade two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania. This is part of a deal with Brookfield Asset Management to buy 3,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power.

Trump hosts tech and energy leaders to boost AI in US

President Trump met with tech and energy executives in Pittsburgh to discuss growing AI in the U.S. The Energy and Innovation Summit included leaders from Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Exxon Mobil. They talked about how to make the U.S. a leader in AI. Google announced a $6 billion AI data center, and FirstEnergy will invest $15 billion in Pennsylvania's energy grid. The White House is considering ways to speed up permits for data centers.

Google signs $3 billion hydropower deal for clean energy

Google made a deal to buy up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower in the U.S., worth $3 billion. This is the largest clean power agreement of its kind for hydroelectricity. The deal with Brookfield Asset Management includes 20-year agreements for power from two Pennsylvania hydropower plants. Google will also invest $25 billion in data centers in Pennsylvania and nearby states. This move supports the growing need for clean energy to power AI and cloud computing.

Trump promises more power for AI investments in Pennsylvania

President Trump announced $92 billion in investments for AI in Pennsylvania. He said he's speeding up permits for data centers to connect to the power grid. Trump supports building new power plants next to data centers to meet energy needs. Blackstone plans to invest $25 billion in data centers and energy. Trump also wants to allow data centers to build their own power plants and sell extra power back to the grid.

Trump announces $92 billion investment in AI and energy projects

President Trump announced over $92 billion in investments for AI and energy in Pennsylvania. The investments include data centers, power plants, and grid upgrades. Blackstone pledged over $25 billion for data centers and energy. CoreWeave plans to invest $6 billion in a data center with Nvidia chips. Trump aims to secure U.S. dominance in AI and boost energy production.

Trump praises $90 billion AI infrastructure investments in Pennsylvania

President Trump praised companies for investing over $90 billion in data centers and energy projects in Pennsylvania. The investments aim to boost the development of artificial intelligence. Blackstone will invest $25 billion in data centers and natural gas power plants. Google plans to invest $25 billion in data centers and $3 billion to upgrade hydroelectric dams. CoreWeave will invest $6 billion in a data center near Lancaster, PA.

Cognition buys Windsurf after Google hires away key staff

Cognition is buying Windsurf, an AI code generation startup. This happened after Google hired several top executives and researchers from Windsurf. Cognition will get Windsurf's technology, products, and team. Cognition plans to use Windsurf's technology to improve its AI software engineer, Devin. Microsoft had considered buying Windsurf for $3 billion before Google hired its staff.

Cognition AI acquires Windsurf after Google deal

Cognition AI bought Windsurf after Google made a licensing deal. Windsurf CEO Jeff Wang said the deal with Cognition AI was good for employees. Wang and Cognition CEO Scott Wu discussed the deal on Bloomberg Tech.

Elon Musk's xAI offers Grok AI tools to US government

Elon Musk's xAI launched 'Grok for Government,' offering AI tools like Grok 4 to U.S. government agencies. This follows a $200 million contract with the Department of Defense. The initiative aims to improve government services using AI. The partnership includes access to Grok 4 and custom AI models for national security.

Elon Musk's xAI partners with US federal government

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense. They announced a new initiative called 'Grok for Government'. This initiative will provide AI tools to federal government customers. The partnership includes a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. Government customers will have access to tools like Grok 4, Deep Search, and Tool Use.

Meta invests billions in AI data centers needing energy and water

Meta plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure. This includes building large data center clusters for superintelligence. They aim to be the first to launch a 1+ gigawatt supercluster. The Prometheus cluster in Ohio will launch in 2026. The Hyperion cluster in Louisiana will reach 2 gigawatts by 2030 and cover a large area. These centers will use a lot of energy and water.

Nvidia CEO says AI unlikely to cause mass job losses

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said AI is not likely to cause mass job losses. He believes AI will help people be more productive. Huang said that technology has historically created more jobs. He contrasts with other CEOs who think AI could replace many jobs. Huang says AI can help people learn and do more things.

Meta buys voice AI startup Play AI to boost tech

Meta Platforms bought Play AI, a voice technology startup. Play AI focuses on conversational AI and real-time voice interfaces. The deal adds to Meta's recent AI acquisitions. Play AI's team will join Meta's AI research group. The acquisition is expected to help Meta develop voice-enabled technologies for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Meta Quest.

Arteria AI hires Daniel Duffy to lead sales team

Arteria AI, a company that helps businesses manage documents, hired Daniel Duffy to lead its sales team. Duffy has 35 years of experience in technology and financial services. He will oversee sales to Arteria's financial services clients. Previously, Duffy worked at State Street Global Markets and Clearpool Group. Arteria AI uses data to help banks improve document processes.

Zuckerberg says AI researchers want GPUs and fewer reports

Mark Zuckerberg says AI researchers want two things besides money. They want the most GPUs and the fewest number of people reporting to them. AI GPUs are chips used to build and train AI models. Meta is hiring a lot of AI researchers to build its Superintelligence Labs. Meta is offering big salaries and access to lots of computing power.

Nvidia may win big in China despite US tech rules

Nvidia expects the U.S. government to allow it to export advanced AI chips to China. This would be a big win for the chipmaker. China is an important market for Nvidia. The U.S. has been trying to slow China's AI progress with export rules. Nvidia's new chips are designed to follow U.S. export rules.

Shopify sets new rules for AI agents on its platform

Shopify has introduced new rules for how merchants use AI agents. The rules warn against automated scraping and 'buy-for-me' agents. Shopify wants to control how AI agents are used on its platform. The company is directing developers to use its native integration for checkout. This change comes as retailers are using AI agents more often.

Sources

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