Google $4B Data Center, Meta Acquires Rivos AI Chip Startup

Google is investing $4 billion to build a new data center in West Memphis, Arkansas, focusing on artificial intelligence and cloud computing. This facility, expected to be operational in 18 to 24 months, will be powered by a solar array and existing generation, with Google contributing $25 million to local energy efficiency. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms Inc. is acquiring the AI chip startup Rivos, which develops chips based on the RISC-V architecture, to bolster its in-house AI hardware development and reduce reliance on companies like Nvidia. In healthcare, a new UHealth center in Florida is integrating AI to improve patient care speed and accessibility. The political landscape is also seeing AI's influence, with analysis suggesting it could shape the 2026 midterm elections, potentially favoring Republicans. On the safety front, an AI activist concluded a 30-day hunger strike outside Anthropic's offices, protesting unchecked AI development and advocating for transparency. Technical challenges persist, as a critical vulnerability was found in Red Hat OpenShift AI, potentially allowing full cluster takeover. In other AI applications, food delivery robots are becoming more common in cities, and AI apps are emerging to assist users with online dating. However, the unauthorized use of AI is also a concern, as YouTube removed AI-generated videos featuring Bollywood stars after a legal complaint.

Key Takeaways

• Google is constructing a $4 billion AI and cloud computing data center in West Memphis, Arkansas, with a $25 million investment in local energy efficiency.
• Meta Platforms Inc. is acquiring Rivos, a startup developing AI chips on the RISC-V architecture, to enhance its custom hardware and reduce dependence on Nvidia.
• A new UHealth medical center in Florida is implementing AI to enhance the speed and accessibility of patient care.
• Analysis suggests AI could significantly influence the 2026 midterm elections, with Republicans potentially positioned to leverage it more effectively.
• An AI activist ended a 30-day hunger strike protesting the rapid and unchecked development of artificial intelligence outside Anthropic's offices.
• A critical vulnerability in Red Hat OpenShift AI could allow attackers to gain full control of a cluster.
• Food delivery robots are increasingly navigating urban streets, raising questions about their integration into communities.
• YouTube removed hundreds of AI-generated videos featuring Bollywood celebrities due to legal action over unauthorized use.
• AI-powered apps are being developed to assist users with online dating, offering profile optimization and conversation starters.

Google begins $4 billion AI data center in Arkansas

Google has started building a new $4 billion data center in West Memphis, Arkansas, which will focus on artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The project, located on 1,100 acres, is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent roles. The facility will be powered by a solar array and existing power generation, with Google investing $25 million in local energy efficiency initiatives. Officials highlighted the project as a major economic boost for the state, aiming to transform the region into a "Digital Delta West" without using gas turbines.

Google breaks ground on $4B West Memphis AI data center

Google has broken ground on its first data center in Arkansas, located in West Memphis. The $4 billion facility will focus on cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure and is a collaboration with Entergy Arkansas. Google will cover all energy costs for the center, which is expected to provide over $1.1 billion in net benefits and help lower electricity rates for Entergy customers. The project will also create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions, with completion expected in 18 to 24 months.

Meta buys AI chip startup Rivos to boost its tech

Meta Platforms Inc. is acquiring the semiconductor startup Rivos Inc. to enhance its in-house chip development for artificial intelligence. Rivos has been developing its own graphics processing units (GPUs) based on the RISC-V architecture. This move aims to accelerate Meta's AI hardware innovation and reduce its reliance on companies like Nvidia. While financial terms were not disclosed, Rivos was reportedly valued around $2 billion in recent fundraising talks.

Meta acquires Rivos to strengthen AI chip development

Meta Platforms Inc. plans to acquire the chip startup Rivos, which designs chips using the open-source RISC-V architecture. This acquisition will boost Meta's custom semiconductor development for AI applications and reduce its dependence on external chip suppliers like Nvidia. Rivos has been developing full-stack AI systems and was reportedly valued at around $2 billion. Meta aims to cut infrastructure costs and accelerate innovation in AI hardware with this strategic move.

New UHealth center uses AI for patient care

A new UHealth medical center has opened in North Miami-Dade, Florida, integrating artificial intelligence into its operations. The center aims to use AI to improve the speed and accessibility of patient care across South Florida. This initiative highlights the growing role of AI in healthcare settings.

AI could shape 2026 midterm elections, analysis suggests

Artificial intelligence is expected to play a significant role in the 2026 midterm elections, potentially creating advantages for political campaigns that adopt it early. Republicans are currently seen as more poised to utilize AI in their online messaging and strategy, influenced by figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Democrats, while expressing concerns about AI's use, are in a more reactive position. The article suggests that AI could be used for personalized messaging, campaign strategy, and even participatory democracy tools.

AI protester ends 30-day hunger strike against unchecked development

AI activist Guido Reichstadter has ended his 30-day hunger strike outside Anthropic's offices, protesting the rapid and unchecked development of artificial intelligence. The protest aimed to draw global attention to concerns about AI safety and the race towards superintelligence. Reichstadter, who consumed only electrolytes, vitamins, and water, plans to continue his campaign for transparency and accountability in AI governance. Similar hunger strikes by other activists in London were previously halted due to health concerns.

Red Hat OpenShift AI flaw could lead to full cluster takeover

A critical vulnerability has been discovered in Red Hat OpenShift AI, a platform for managing large language models. The flaw, with a CVSS rating of 9.9, could allow an attacker with minimal authentication to gain full control of the cluster and its applications. This design flaw involves an overly permissive ClusterRole, enabling low-privileged users to escalate their privileges to administrator level. Red Hat advises administrators to remove a specific component and grant permissions more granularly to fix the issue.

Food delivery robots like Courtney navigate city streets

Food delivery robots, such as Serve Robotics' 'Courtney,' are now operating in cities like Atlanta, delivering orders for services like Uber Eats. These robots, equipped with sensors and cameras, navigate streets but can face challenges with crosswalks and uneven sidewalks. While initially objects of curiosity, they are becoming a more common, though sometimes inconvenient, part of urban environments. Experts caution that these robots are corporate tools, not friends, and their widespread deployment raises questions about community input and trust.

YouTube removes AI Bollywood videos amid celebrity legal action

YouTube has removed hundreds of AI-generated videos featuring Bollywood stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan following a legal complaint. The videos were reportedly created without the celebrities' consent. This action highlights the growing issue of unauthorized AI-generated content and the legal challenges it presents.

AI apps help users navigate online dating

New AI-powered apps like Rizz and YourMove AI are assisting users with online dating by generating conversation starters, optimizing profiles, and enhancing photos. These tools aim to make dating smoother for those who struggle with social interactions or the complexities of dating apps. While these apps have helped some users progress to in-person dates, experts warn that relying too heavily on AI could replace authenticity with automation, potentially leading to connections based on perfection rather than genuine human interaction.

Sources

• Google, state and local officials mark start of $4 billion AI data center in West Memphis
• Google breaks ground on $4B West Memphis data center, launches AI training and energy initiatives
• Meta Acquires Chip Startup Rivos to Boost AI Chip Strategy Meta Acquires Rivos to Boost AI Chips
• Meta to Acquire Rivos Startup to Boost AI Chips
• UHealth opens medical center in North Miami-Dade with AI at its core
• How AI Could Drive the 2026 Midterm Elections
• After 30 Days Without Food, AI Protester Finally Quits Hunger Strike
• Red Hat OpenShift AI weakness allows full cluster compromise, warns advisory
• Food delivery robots are cute. Should we trust them?
• Amid Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan's legal battle, YouTube removes hundreds of AI-generated Bollywood videos - Report | - The Times of India
• ‘Perfection without the connection’: How AI is becoming a digital wingman