Apple Eyes Big AI Deals and Data Center Boost to Power Mobile Ecosystem

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook signaled a major shift in the company’s AI strategy, indicating plans to spend significantly more on data centers and potentially acquire larger AI firms to catch up with rivals like Microsoft and Google. While Apple has traditionally favored smaller, specialized tech acquisitions and relied on external data centers, Cook said they’re now open to bigger deals that can accelerate their AI roadmap.

Apple has struggled to compete with the massive AI investments of Microsoft and Google—who are spending upwards of $85 billion annually—but aims to boost its AI capabilities internally, including enhancing Siri and integrating AI into Safari’s search functions. This comes amid risks to Apple’s lucrative deal with Google for iPhone search defaults, which faces antitrust challenges.

CFO Kevan Parekh confirmed Apple’s data center spending will rise “substantially,” driven by AI investments, though not exponentially, marking a notable pivot from their historically conservative approach to AI infrastructure and acquisitions.

Brussels Rejects Network Fees on Big Tech, Deals Blow to European Telecoms 

The European Commission has ruled out imposing network fees on Big Tech — dealing a blow to telecom giants like Deutsche Telekom and Orange. These telcos argue companies like Google, Meta, and Netflix should help foot the bill for Europe’s 5G and broadband rollout, since they generate much of the traffic. But the EU says such fees aren’t viable — reaffirming findings from last year’s White Paper and aligning with a recent U.S.-EU trade agreement. The Commission is preparing a broader Digital Networks Act for November, aiming to tackle infrastructure funding without sparking a digital tax war.

Orange Soars on Africa Growth, Telefónica Struggles with Latin America Exit

Orange and Telefónica’s Q2 results revealed a stark divergence in strategy shaping Europe’s mobile ecosystem. Orange’s strong growth in Africa and the Middle East lifted revenue stability and boosted full-year EBITDA guidance above 3%, with the region now contributing 21% of total sales. Meanwhile, Telefónica posted a €51 million net loss, hit by currency headwinds and asset write-offs as it retreats from Latin America, narrowing its focus to Spain, the UK, Germany, and Brazil.

This split underscores how geographic bets are redefining telecom strategies amid intense industry pressures: margin erosion, rising capex for 5G, and digital identity demands. Orange’s expansion in mobile-first emerging markets positions it as a leader in digital inclusion and new services like identity verification and payments. Telefónica’s leaner footprint aims to streamline operations but may limit growth and innovation.

As regulators encourage consolidation, operators with scale and flexibility are poised to shape the future mobile ecosystem, balancing growth in emerging regions with technology-driven transformation at home.

UK Age Checks Surge but VPNs Explode, Undermining Online Safety Law

Since the UK’s new Online Safety Act came into force last week, pornography sites have seen a surge of 5 million extra daily age checks — a sharp rise as strict age verification became mandatory.

But the law’s impact is being undercut: millions of UK users are now turning to virtual private networks, or VPNs, to bypass these restrictions.

Four of the top five free apps on the UK Apple Store are VPNs, with Proton VPN downloads soaring by 1,800%.

Tim Green, MEF’s Programme Director for ID and Data, warns, “VPN downloads up 1800% — this shows users are actively dodging age checks, exposing serious cracks in the digital identity ecosystem, especially on mobile platforms.”

Ofcom, the UK regulator, says it will investigate compliance, but until stronger, mobile-friendly identity solutions emerge, many users will keep slipping through, challenging the UK’s effort to make the internet safer.

Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban: The Tech Challenge of Age Verification

And Australia’s under-16 social media ban will kick in this December, requiring platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and X to verify users’ ages before granting access.

There’s no official method set for age checks, but tech options under consideration include facial age estimation and cross-referencing photos with government IDs.

Some platforms may be exempt, though details are still emerging.

This move aims to protect young teens online, but with no one-size-fits-all verification method, enforcement will hinge on evolving technology and cooperation.

In the digital age, proving your age just got a whole lot smarter — and stricter.

Big Tech Surges $350B on AI Boom as Microsoft and Meta Dominate Cloud Race

Big Tech just raked in $350 billion in fresh market value — with AI finally proving it can drive profits, not just hype. Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet all posted double-digit growth in revenue and earnings.

Microsoft hit $4 trillion in market cap, Meta surged near $2 trillion, and both saw booming cloud and ad margins.

The payoff? An arms race in AI infrastructure. Microsoft’s spending $120 billion on data centers; Meta’s breaking ground on a Louisiana complex the size of Manhattan. Google Cloud’s picking up speed, and Meta’s AI-driven ad pricing jumped 9%.

Even Apple surprised with a 10% revenue gain and is now pledging more on-device AI. But Amazon slipped, spooking investors with weaker-than-expected cloud growth.

And the mobile ecosystem isn’t insulated — global tariffs could bite, especially Apple’s supply chain across China and India.

Add mounting antitrust heat from U.S. and EU regulators, and this AI boom is anything but guaranteed. Right now, cloud and mobile are feeding each other — but the fuse is lit at both ends.

Figma Soars 250% in IPO, Valued Over $60B Amid Renewed Tech Investor Buzz

Design software maker Figma rocketed 250% in its Wall Street debut, pushing its market value above $60 billion after raising $1.2 billion in an oversubscribed IPO.

The surge signals renewed investor appetite for tech IPOs amid a cautious market shaken by rising interest rates and trade tensions.

Figma’s $19.5 billion initial valuation edged close to Adobe’s failed $20 billion takeover bid last year.

Early backers like Index Ventures and Iconiq Capital are set for massive gains, having invested when shares were just pennies.

With sales up 46% year-on-year, Figma’s breakout proves public markets still crave innovation — when timing meets tech, the payoff can be explosive.

AI Cuts Entry-Level Hiring in Half, Sparking Talent Crisis for New Grads — WSJ

Driven by AI advancements, companies are cutting back sharply on hiring entry-level college grads. —according to a Wall Street Journal investigation.

Young professionals once prized for grunt work are now sidelined as AI handles those tasks faster and cheaper. This shift shrinks the talent pipeline, threatening future leadership and innovation.

Hiring at big tech firms has halved for recent grads since 2019, with unemployment among new degree holders rising faster than other groups.

Employers are instead favoring seasoned pros, while new workers struggle to develop skills without hands-on experience.

Firms like pipeline operator Williams are rethinking training, focusing on mentorship over menial tasks, but overall entry-level jobs remain scarce — the Journal reports.