meta launches amazon while microsoft expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet plan to spend 2.1% of GDP on AI capital in 2026, primarily for data centers, rivaling historic U.S. projects.
• AI stocks are experiencing a difficult period in 2026, with Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet shares falling 20%, 15%, and 12% respectively, partly due to investor concerns about profitability and new models like Anthropic's Claude.
• Microsoft research indicates generative AI will most augment language-focused roles, with Interpreters and Translators having the highest applicability score of 0.49.
• Elon Musk merged SpaceX and xAI, valued at $1.25 trillion, to pursue AI data centers in space using solar-powered satellites, addressing high energy demands.
• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman doubts the near-future viability of space AI data centers for 2-10 years, a view challenged by Elon Musk.
• State legislatures, like California with SB 947, are rapidly proposing regulations for AI in the workplace, prompting calls for federal standards to avoid a fragmented regulatory landscape.
• LEGO Education is developing a K-12 AI curriculum with partners like MIT and Tufts University, focusing on foundational AI literacy.
• Penn's Graduate School of Education is investing $26 million in K-12 educational AI tools, aiming to create open datasets for machine learning models by January 29, 2026.
• AMD is investing in photonics technology and modular rack-scale platforms to prepare for future AI computing infrastructure.
• Temese Szali, an AI expert with Google experience, will host an "AI for Everyone" workshop on February 7, 2026, to explain AI tools like ChatGPT to the public.

LEGO Education Builds K-12 AI Curriculum with Partners

LEGO Education is developing a new AI curriculum for K-12 students. Andrew Sliwinski, Head of Product Experience, leads this effort. They are focusing on foundational AI learning rather than rushing due to "fear of missing out." The company partnered with MIT, Tufts University, and the Computer Science Teachers Association to create this framework. They announced their new AI literacy framework last month.

AI Expert Temese Szali Hosts Workshop in Astoria

Temese Szali, CEO of Subtextive, will host an AI workshop at the Astoria Public Library. The event, called "AI for Everyone Understand It Use It," takes place on Tuesday, February 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Szali, who has 20 years of AI experience with companies like Google, will explain how tools like ChatGPT work. She aims to show people why understanding AI is important and that it is not magic.

Microsoft Ranks Jobs Most Affected by Generative AI

Microsoft research identified jobs most exposed to generative AI. Language-focused and information-based roles show the highest applicability for AI tools. Interpreters and Translators rank first with an overall AI applicability score of 0.49. Historians, writers, and customer service representatives also appear high on the list. Microsoft used Copilot usage to measure exposure, looking at task coverage, completion, and overall applicability. The study suggests AI will mostly augment these roles, helping workers with tasks rather than replacing them.

AI Stocks Face Challenges and Investor Worries in 2026

AI stocks are experiencing a difficult period in 2026, causing investor concern. The Nasdaq has dropped despite strong earnings from companies like Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft. Investors worry that massive AI investments may not become profitable. New AI models, such as Anthropic's Claude, are also threatening existing business models, leading to market unease. Experts like Cyrille Collet and Kevin Thozet note these disruptions and the growing costs of AI infrastructure. Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet shares have fallen by 20 percent, 15 percent, and 12 percent respectively.

States Rush to Regulate AI in Workplaces Federal Standards Needed

State legislatures are quickly trying to regulate artificial intelligence in the workplace. California's proposed SB 947 is one example, aiming to protect workers. These bills define "automated decision systems" broadly, covering AI tools used in hiring, scheduling, and discipline. They often require human review for major decisions and new disclosure rules. However, this state-by-state approach creates many different rules, which could slow down AI innovation and adoption. Many experts believe federal standards are needed to avoid this confusing patchwork of regulations.

Elon Musk Merges SpaceX and xAI for Space Data Centers

Elon Musk merged his rocket company SpaceX with his AI startup xAI, creating a business valued at $1.25 trillion. A key reason for this merger is Musk's vision to move AI data centers into space. He plans to use up to a million solar-powered satellites to power these centers, addressing the high energy needs of earth-based AI. Experts acknowledge the potential but highlight challenges like satellite compute power and maintenance. The merger also provides xAI, which developed Grok AI, better access to capital and investors to compete with other tech giants.

Penn GSE Invests 26 Million in K-12 Education AI Tools

Penn's Graduate School of Education will invest $26 million in educational artificial intelligence for K-12 schools. Announced on January 29, 2026, this initiative partners with Digital Promise and other organizations. Jeremy Roschelle, executive director of Catalyst, described the program as challenging due to the newness of AI data collection in education. The project focuses on "formative assessment" to improve AI tools by understanding student and educator feedback. It aims to create free, open datasets to train machine learning models, considering different learning styles and teaching methods.

Replit CEO Says AI Will Make Work More Creative

Replit CEO Amjad Masad believes artificial intelligence can transform the modern workplace. He states that AI will remove "soul-crushing" corporate tasks, allowing employees to be more creative and entrepreneurial. Masad shared an example of a real estate employee who used Replit, an AI coding platform, to create a new routing algorithm. This tool generated millions of dollars for the business and led to the employee's promotion. Masad thinks AI will help people find more meaning in their work by connecting them to the results they produce.

Big Tech AI Spending Rivals Historic US Projects

Big Tech companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, with projected spending in 2026 rivaling major historical US projects. Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet plan to spend 2.1 percent of the GDP on AI capital. This amount is greater than the U.S. railroads expansion and the Apollo space program. It also surpasses the decades-long build-out of the U.S. interstate highway system. This significant investment primarily funds the construction and financing of new data centers for the AI boom.

Altman Doubts Space AI Data Centers Musk Disagrees

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed strong doubts about the near-future viability of AI data centers in space. On the TBPN podcast, he dismissed the idea for the next two, five, or even ten years. In contrast, Elon Musk, who merged xAI and SpaceX, believes space data centers will be ready in under three years. Musk argues space offers benefits like solar energy and easier cooling. He responded on X, hinting that OpenAI might face a disadvantage by not pursuing this technology.

AMD Invests in Photonics for Future AI Computing

AMD is investing in new technologies to prepare for the future of artificial intelligence computing. The company focuses on photonics technology and modular rack-scale platforms. AMD's CTO, Mark Papermaster, stated this investment shows a change in how AI infrastructure will develop. This strategic move aims to meet the growing demands of AI.

Sources

• As AI Moves Quickly, LEGO Education Bets on Foundations, Over 'FOMO'
• 'AI for Everyone'
• Ranked: The Jobs Most Exposed to Generative AI, According to Microsoft
• Rough ride for AI stocks in 2026
• AI in the Workplace—Jobs, Regulation, and the Case for Federal Standards
• Why has Elon Musk merged his rocket company with his AI startup?
• Penn GSE to invest $26 million in educational artificial intelligence
• Replit CEO says AI could end soul-crushing corporate work
• Big Tech’s AI Push Is Costing a Lot More Than the Moon Landing
• Sam Altman Dismisses AI Datacenters In Space In Foreseeable Future, Elon Musk Responds
• AMD's investment in photonics and modular architecture signals shift in AI infrastructure development