Today
‘The new price of eggs.’ Data centres, power bills shift US voters
Across the US, Democrats have seized on rising anxiety over electricity costs and data centres in what could be a template for the 2026 midterm elections.
Accenture dubs its 800,000 staff ‘reinventors’ as it adapts to AI
The label has already been used by chief executive Julie Sweet and the New York-listed group is pushing to have the term adopted more widely.
Yesterday
AirTrunk power knockback is Australia’s AI warning shot
Data centres are 10 times bigger and more power hungry than they used to be and our ageing energy infrastructure cannot keep up.
November
Chatbots help drive record Black Friday sales
Shoppers are using chatbots more than ever to find Black Friday deals, with AI-powered gadgets and household items at the top of their shopping lists.
The AI arms race may be hiding an inflationary shock
Although many assume that the artificial intelligence capex boom will herald deflation, it could precipitate higher price rises in the medium term.
Tech giants plan blitz on laws that could block AI investment
Tech giants including Microsoft and Amazon will push for reforms to accelerate billions in AI investment as data centre spending spikes in Australia.
From Meta to Microsoft, tech giants are eyeing Australia’s bond market
To finance the AI gold rush, the most profitable companies in history are assessing the nation’s pool of fixed income capital.
Australia can be an AI superpower – but only if we have cheap energy
If we are to become a serious global player in AI and host the biggest and most power-hungry data centres, we need a lot more power – and quickly.
Expect AI unknowns to continue the market’s wild ride
When so much money is chasing so much unproven value, investors will need to strap in and be prepared for what is likely to bring further turbulence in 2026.
The Australian running Disney+ is ready to talk about it
Once a PR staffer, Alisa Bowen now oversees one of the world’s biggest streaming platforms. In a rare interview, she outlines her vision for its future.
Ed Craven’s Easygo to quit Collins St for larger ‘Silicon Yarra’ digs
The billionaire’s crypto casino business and other companies are taking enough space for a 76 per cent increase in staff.
The smart money has finally found a way to actually short the AI boom
So far, most attempts at betting against artificial intelligence have backfired as Silicon Valley giants have sucked up capital and driven markets higher.
Australia should stand against global fast fake fashion
What is emerging is a high-volume, high-velocity system that redefines clothing as something designed to be discarded rather than worn.
‘I’m nervous’: Major AI backer warns against trillion-dollar spending
Klarna chief and OpenAI investor Sebastian Siemiatkowski says the technology industry is committing too much money to building huge computing infrastructure.
Amazon seeks $18b from first US bond sale in three years
The company is selling investment-grade bonds in as many as six parts, amid an industry-wide race to build artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Amazon, Temu, Shein to control a third of online retail by next year
The three giants are forecast to control 36 per cent of Australia’s online retail market, forcing local retailers to pivot.
‘Sloppy eyesore’: Are AI ads about to ruin Christmas?
Artificial intelligence can now provide the same commercial outcomes as carefully crafted human storytelling – and not everyone’s happy.
AI is waging war on white-collar jobs. It won’t end well
What was once a haven is increasingly looking like a house of cards.
Why is the ACCC backing off Big Tech crackdown?
AI increases the urgency of proper regulation. So why did the government defund and disband the competition watchdog’s world-leading team of digital markets experts?
Netflix hit with $100m local content quota under new laws
New laws will require streaming platforms to spend set amounts on Australian-made programs.