The sharp fall in technology shares following the 2026 US midterm elections has exposed how vulnerable the artificial intelligence investment boom has become to political and financial uncertainty. Investors reacted to the prospect of a Democratic-controlled Congress introducing stricter oversight of AI development and data-centre construction, raising concerns that infrastructure projects could face delays, higher…
Meta’s decision to suspend planned changes to its commercial and advertising terms highlights the growing tension between technology platforms and the businesses that depend on them. The company had intended to introduce revised conditions covering commercial activities, product catalogues, self-service advertising and the use of generative artificial intelligence in advertising. However, the changes, originally scheduled…
The European Union’s action against TikTok marks a significant escalation in the debate over how social media companies use artificial intelligence to influence user behaviour. The central issue is no longer simply whether platforms remove illegal content or protect children from inappropriate material. Regulators are increasingly examining how the underlying technology determines what people see,…
The expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States is encountering a problem that cannot be solved simply by investing more money or building larger data centres. Technology companies are discovering that communities hosting these facilities increasingly want a greater say in how they are developed, how much electricity they consume and who ultimately…
The rapid development of artificial intelligence shopping agents could change one of the most profitable aspects of online retail: the ability of major retailers to influence what consumers discover and purchase. For companies such as Amazon and Walmart, digital advertising is no longer simply an additional source of revenue. It has become an important part…
The largest American technology companies are generating record amounts of operating cash, but their ability to return that money to shareholders is being squeezed by the enormous cost of expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure. The change represents a significant departure from a financial strategy that helped support technology valuations for more than a decade, when regular…
The latest retreat in global stock markets reflects a growing disagreement between technology companies and their investors over the financial returns from artificial intelligence. For several years, the expansion of AI infrastructure has been treated as a major growth opportunity, encouraging companies to spend enormous amounts on data centres, processors and computing capacity. Investors were…
Apple’s decision to introduce touchscreen MacBook Pro laptops marks a significant change in its approach to personal computing. The company has long relied on a clear distinction between its touchscreen iPhones and iPads and its laptops, which have traditionally been operated through a keyboard and trackpad. By bringing touch interaction to the MacBook Pro, Apple…
Samsung Electronics’ record third-quarter profit highlights an unusual feature of the artificial intelligence boom: the companies supplying essential technology are benefiting from a shortage that is also creating problems for their customers. The South Korean manufacturer reported operating profit of 107.4 trillion won for the July-to-September quarter, almost nine times its result a year earlier.…
A possible merger between Tesla and SpaceX would bring together two businesses with very different operations but increasingly overlapping ambitions in artificial intelligence, robotics, computing and advanced engineering. Elon Musk has said that a combination would be a good idea, and both companies have formed special committees to examine the possibility. However, no final agreement…
