August 15, 2025

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microsoft, openai and google Updates

The AI landscape is seeing significant shifts as companies balance investment and cost management. Tech giants like Oracle and Microsoft have collectively cut 50,000 jobs in 2025, with Oracle specifically reducing its cloud division workforce in the US, India, and Canada, including 161 jobs in Seattle, to free up resources for AI ventures, such as a $500 billion project with OpenAI and SoftBank. Despite these cuts, many companies are actively hiring for AI-related roles. Google researchers, meanwhile, are finding ways to drastically reduce the amount of data needed to train AI models, achieving comparable performance with significantly fewer labeled examples. In legal and ethical developments, the Senate introduced the TRAIN Act, requiring AI companies to disclose copyrighted training data, while in Australia, there's debate over whether AI should train on creative content for free. Academic institutions are also responding to the AI surge, with the University at Buffalo launching new AI degree programs supported by state funding. On the intellectual property front, ParTec is suing Nvidia, alleging patent infringement related to AI supercomputer design. Railpen, a pension fund, is cautioning investors about the risks associated with AI, including data security and job displacement. SmartStop Self Storage REIT is showcasing its AI strategy, including AI pricing agents, at the Ai4 2025 conference. Google also alerted Gemini users that their uploads may be used for AI training, providing an opt-out option. Lastly, AI investment is growing in real estate and proptech, but some question the added value of many new AI products.

Key Takeaways

  • Oracle and Microsoft have cut 50,000 jobs in 2025 to invest in AI, including Oracle's $500 billion project with OpenAI and SoftBank.
  • Oracle is laying off employees in its cloud unit across the US, India, and Canada, but is also hiring for AI-related roles.
  • The TRAIN Act in the Senate would require AI companies to disclose copyrighted material used in training data.
  • Australia is debating whether AI should be allowed to train on creative content for free.
  • The University at Buffalo is launching new AI degree programs with $5 million in state funding.
  • ParTec is suing Nvidia for patent infringement related to AI supercomputer design.
  • Railpen is warning investors about AI risks, including data security and job losses.
  • SmartStop Self Storage REIT is using AI pricing agents to make millions of automated pricing changes monthly.
  • Google may use Gemini uploads for AI training; users can opt out in settings.
  • Google researchers have reduced AI training data needs by 10,000x using active learning.

Tech companies cut 50,000 jobs in 2025 due to AI investments

Tech giants like Oracle and Microsoft have cut 50,000 jobs in 2025. This is because they are investing heavily in AI and need to manage costs. Oracle cut over 150 cloud jobs in Seattle, and Microsoft laid off about 15,000 employees. Companies are hiring for AI infrastructure and cloud roles, even with the job losses. Experts predict that 41% of the tech workforce could shrink by 2030 because of automation.

Oracle reduces cloud jobs to invest in AI and manage costs

Oracle is cutting jobs in its cloud division to save money while investing in AI. Some job cuts are based on performance, but Oracle is still hiring new people. This change is happening across the tech industry as companies balance innovation with cost control. Oracle wants to stay competitive as AI changes the tech world.

Oracle layoffs in US, India, Canada as AI investments increase

Oracle is laying off employees in its cloud unit in the US, India, and Canada. This is happening as Oracle invests in AI, including a $500 billion project with OpenAI and SoftBank. The layoffs affect teams like Enterprise Engineering and data center operations. However, Oracle is also hiring for new roles, especially to support its AI data center expansion, with 235 open positions in Seattle.

Oracle cuts 161 Seattle jobs amid AI investment push

Oracle will cut 161 jobs in Seattle in October. The layoffs will affect Oracle Cloud Infrastructure teams and data center workers. Oracle is cutting costs as it invests in AI, including a $500 billion project called Stargate with OpenAI and Softbank. Despite the layoffs, Oracle still has over 200 open job positions in Seattle.

Senate bill requires AI companies to reveal copyrighted training data

The Senate introduced the TRAIN Act, which would make AI companies disclose if they used copyrighted material to train their AI models. Copyright holders can request subpoenas to see the AI developers' training materials. The bill targets AI models that create new content like images and text. It aims to help protect copyright owners' rights. The bill includes rules to protect confidential information and penalize false claims.

Should AI train for free on creative content Australia debates

Scott Farquhar, CEO of Tech Council of Australia, says Australia should allow AI to train on creative content for free, like in the US. He believes it will help investment in the AI industry. However, some argue this could hurt creative industries. They say it's not settled law in the US and could negatively affect markets for original work.

University at Buffalo launches new AI degree programs

The University at Buffalo is starting new AI degree programs that combine AI with subjects like communication and economics. The programs are part of a $5 million state investment to hire AI experts. Students will learn about AI's impact on society. The university expects to enroll over 300 students each year by 2030.

Buffalo University launches AI degrees with state support

The University at Buffalo is launching new AI degree programs this fall. These programs will combine AI with subjects like economics and language. Governor Kathy Hochul supports the initiative with $5 million in state funding. The goal is to prepare students for the growing AI field and use AI for public good.

ParTec sues Nvidia over AI supercomputer patent

ParTec, a German tech firm, is suing Nvidia for patent infringement. ParTec claims Nvidia stole its dynamic Modular System Architecture (dMSA) design for DGX AI supercomputers. ParTec wants Nvidia to stop selling DGX products in 18 European countries. The lawsuit highlights the tension between European innovators and US tech giants in the AI hardware market.

Railpen highlights AI risks for investors

Railpen, a large pension fund, released a report about the risks of AI for investors. The report discusses issues like data security, climate impact, and job losses. It suggests investors identify where AI is most important to their portfolio companies. Investors should ask companies about their AI oversight and risk management. Railpen may vote against directors if companies don't manage AI risks well.

Is AI investment in real estate just a gimmick

AI investment is growing in real estate and proptech. Some people think many new AI products don't add much value. Others believe proptech companies without AI will struggle.

Gemini uploads may be used for AI training opt out here

Google may use your Gemini uploads to train its AI models. Starting Sept 2, Google will rebrand Gemini Apps Activity as Keep Activity. If Keep Activity is on, Google can use a sample of your uploads to improve its services. To opt out, go to Gemini Settings & help > Activity and turn it off. Temporary Chats won’t be used for training.

Google cuts AI training data needs by 10,000x

Google researchers found a way to train AI models with much less data. They used a method called active learning to find the most valuable examples for training. Models trained on fewer than 500 expert-labeled examples performed as well as systems trained on 100,000 traditional labels. This approach can save money and time, and it can also improve model performance.

SmartStop highlights AI strategy at AI conference

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. presented its AI strategy at the Ai4 2025 conference. They discussed their AI pricing agents, which make millions of automated pricing changes each month. The system uses SmartStop's data to make real-time adjustments. This helps improve decision-making, efficiency, and customer experience.

US Education Artificial Intelligence

Students are learning how to use Canvas for help during a summer class.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence Job Cuts Layoffs Oracle Microsoft Cloud AI Investment Automation Copyright Training Data Senate Bill TRAIN Act Creative Content University at Buffalo AI Degree Programs Nvidia ParTec Patent Infringement AI Supercomputers Railpen AI Risks Investors Real Estate Proptech Gemini Google AI Training Data Privacy Active Learning SmartStop AI Strategy AI Pricing Agents Education AI Models Data Center OpenAI SoftBank