Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about data centres, and because those opinions are so varied, even places such as Texas, which tends to scoff at the idea of regulations, have asked those constructing data centres to meet specific criteria before breaking ground.
Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence models creating the need for all those data centres are also in hot water because of recent revelations that are the stuff of science fiction: that models have been autonomously attacking each other.
Hopefully in this Future Beat, we're able to offer some clarity, however small, amid all the conjecture.
The big story
Intense pressure
In brief | Just after last week's Future Beat newsletter was published, Google found itself on the defensive.
Initially, it boasted about a new AI feature embedded in Google Earth that allowed users to manipulate satellite images used by millions of people each day.
Concerns began to mount after people discovered how easy it was to change satellite images to align with politically charged world events and, in turn, put vulnerable populations at risk.
As anger reached a fever pitch, Google announced it was pausing the feature.
Why it matters | This was a tremendous lapse in judgment and yet another example of how Big Tech is out of touch with most people.
Yet perhaps more worrisome is that Google seems not to respect its own product, Google Earth, as much as its users do.
Even the company's detractors probably use Google Earth and Google Maps because they provide an accurate look at the world and how to get from A to B.
This incredibly short-lived AI feature betrayed that reliability and trust in the product.
Quoted | “You guys are living in a complete bubble. Step outside Silicon Valley for two seconds and you’ll realise no actual human wants AI sludge crammed into every corner of every product. Touch grass. Talk to actual people”
– Alex Hirsch, animator, producer and writer
Future in focus
• Wearable tech | Whoop CEO says company will open another UAE office in 'critical' move for growth
• Potential risk | Telegram says 'extortionists' pushed Apple to remove messaging platform from App Store
• Drawing comparisons | World Bank warns developing countries have narrow window to embrace AI
• Smart solutions | Index ranks which cities are best using AI to enhance quality of life
Predicting the future: Signal or noise?
US President Donald Trump said that he disagrees with federal investigators who believe a cyber attack on Minnesota's water systems originated from Iran, blaming state officials instead.
This is noise: Cyber security aside, the US President has not been shy about his disdain for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He also tends to penalise states that failed to vote for him. Those two factors are mainly driving him to blame state officials instead of Iranian hackers.
It should also be pointed out that federal officials say that all signs point to Iran for the hacks, and that other states throughout the US have also been affected.
In case you missed it
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• Harvesting rainwater from rooftops could help cities stay cool
• SpaceX rocket part 'size of school bus' believed to have crashed into Moon
• Scientists identify three things to avoid in middle age to stave off dementia
• How oil company Adnoc and SLB will use AI to cut workload across 120 rigs
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