AI

The European Union is set to unveil a new strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign technology providers for microchips, AI, and cloud services. The draft proposals include emergency powers to override contracts and fast-track local data centre infrastructure. These measures come amid growing concerns in Brussels over the dominant market share of American digital companies.

AI developer Anthropic is reportedly finalizing a new funding round next week to raise more than 30 billion dollars. The investment could push the valuation of the Claude chatbot creator past 900 billion dollars, overtaking rival OpenAI. Both artificial intelligence firms are also rumoured to be preparing for stock market listings later this year.

The outgoing head of the Netherlands' largest employers' organisation warns that artificial intelligence will trigger a structural wave of layoffs. While some sectors face staff shortages, experts argue that the country must improve its retraining programmes to help workers adapt to an AI-driven economy.

Google's parent company Alphabet has announced plans to invest up to $185 billion in artificial intelligence and infrastructure during 2026. The move follows a record-breaking year where the tech giant's annual revenue exceeded $400 billion for the first time. CEO Sundar Pichai says the increased spending is necessary to meet rising customer demand and fuel future growth.