Meta

Recent news

• Sep 8, 2026

  Verizon, Corning Ink Multibillion-Dollar Fiber Deal

  Corning has announced a multibillion-dollar fiber supply deal with Verizon running from 2027 through 2032.

  • Verizon said the agreement will support its plan to expand its fiber footprint to 40-50 million passings and to access more than 80 million miles of fiber.
  • The companies did not disclose the exact dollar amount or other terms; the article also notes similar fiber deals involving Amazon, Meta ($6 billion in January), and NVIDIA ($500 million in May), plus a supply crunch tied to BEAD domestic manufacturing rules.
• Sep 8, 2026

  The AI Data Center Boom Is Here. Can Contractor Safety Keep Pace?

  This article is an opinion and analysis piece about safety practices in AI data center construction, not a first-time company announcement.

  • It argues that contractor qualification, leading indicators, and human oversight of AI should be continuous throughout data center projects, from groundbreaking through commissioning.
  • It references McKinsey estimates that global data center spending could reach $7 trillion by 2030, Brookings research on an 11% construction employment increase from new data center developments, and notes that Meta recently launched America’s Workforce Academy.
  • The piece does not announce a new project, contract, or investment by the article’s author; it provides recommendations for safer data center construction operations.
• Sep 8, 2026

  Behind Google's Contract for Geothermal Instead of Solar Is the Premium Available For Firm Power

  Google has announced a 396 MW geothermal power deal with Fervo Energy, with an option to expand to nearly 1 GW by June 2030.

  • The deal was signed on August 26 and sources enhanced geothermal power from Cape Station, Utah, United States; delivery is planned in four tranches of 99 MW starting in Q3 2028 under a 15-year term with parent guarantees from Fervo and Alphabet.
  • The article is an analysis/commentary on why hyperscalers are paying for firm, 24/7 power; it references Google’s broader contracted portfolio, India’s data-centre power demand estimates, and the potential role of solar + BESS, hybrid wind-solar-storage, and RTC tenders.
  • It does not present a new India-specific project announcement; instead, it argues that data-centre buyers may favor round-the-clock clean power over the cheapest intermittent renewable supply.
• Sep 5, 2026

  Global bond sell-off exposes the cost of high debt

  Policy Circle has published an analysis of how rising oil prices, inflation, and heavy borrowing are driving a global government bond sell-off.

  • The article argues that Brent crude above $95 and renewed US-Iran fighting are lifting inflation expectations, pushing US, Japanese, British, and German yields higher, and forcing markets to price in further central bank tightening.
  • It also highlights larger structural pressures: higher sovereign debt, rising defence and pension costs, and competition from technology firms issuing debt for AI/data centres, including about $220 billion from five large tech companies this year.
  • For India, the piece says near 89% crude import dependence makes the economy vulnerable to oil shocks, while the 2036 bond yield was around 6.95% and the RBI’s buffers can only soften volatility, not eliminate imported-energy costs.
• Sep 4, 2026

  Rapid data center buildout can create site risks, property service CEO says

  Facilities Dive reports that the rapid buildout of AI data centers is creating operational and site-management risks, according to Cerv Property Solutions CEO Kade Thomas. This is commentary and analysis based on recent industry data and expert quotes, not a new company announcement.

  • CBRE said data center construction reached a record 7,481.1 MW in the first half of 2026, above the prior peak of 6,350 MW in 2024; Thomas said rushed builds are leaving facilities with site problems and inexperienced management.
  • Allianz said the most frequent claim cause is water damage, and case studies show losses for external cooling-system damage and hot-works fire damage can each reach $50 million to $100 million; the article also cites concerns about rodents, dust, drainage, irrigation leaks, cooling-system monitoring, microbial control, and wastewater management.
• Sep 2, 2026

  One Nuclear Signs Deal for 2.88-GW Gas-Fired Plant, Large BESS for Louisiana Data Center Campus

  ONE Nuclear Energy has announced a binding letter of intent that would provide site control for development of Project Cayman, a 2.88-GW gas-fired power plant and 700-MW/2.88 GWh battery energy storage system alongside a data center complex in Louisiana.

  • The LOI was signed with a prominent Louisiana landowner group; the company said the strategy aligns with Entergy’s regional transmission buildout and that it will hold public information meetings with local parishes and agencies through year-end.
  • Project Cayman is near RiverPlex MegaPark in Ascension Parish, northeast of SpaceX’s announced $100-billion Starbase Louisiana project; ONE Nuclear said details of the data center development were not disclosed and that it has projects in Washington state, Texas, and New Mexico. The article also notes ONE Nuclear’s recently approved business combination with Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII, expected to close by year-end.
• Sep 2, 2026

  Roundup: New chip tariffs / US mortgage rates / AI influencer crackdown

  The Trump administration is considering new tariffs on imported semiconductors, with possible exemptions for chips made in the U.S. and products containing chips.

  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said companies manufacturing chips in the U.S. could receive tariff relief, while imported chips could face higher costs; the policy could extend to data center servers and consumer electronics.
  • Lutnick cited about $1.2 trillion in existing U.S. semiconductor investment commitments and said Taiwan is expected to announce another $20 million to $30 billion in investments next week.
  • The article also notes Meta is tightening AI disclosure rules on Instagram, but that is a separate item from the semiconductor tariff discussion.
• Sep 2, 2026

  US calls for hands-off AI regulation at G20 tech meeting

  The US has urged G20 members to avoid creating new AI regulations and adopt the “Carolina Principles” at a G20 Innovation Ministerial meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

  • Michael Kratsios said the principles would focus new rules only on novel situations involving AI and that governments should apply existing regulatory frameworks where possible.
  • Kratsios said countries that signed the principles agreed to the approach; he also said China had signed, though he did not provide a copy of the document. The article also cites comments from Demis Hassabis, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk on AI safety, open-weight models, EU regulation, and energy for data centres.
• Sep 2, 2026

  🤖 La Machine #90: AI Regulation Gets Real

  The article is a newsletter-style roundup with one main first-time feature on INCOM and multiple separate headlines and event listings.

  • INCOM is highlighted as a French startup proposing a cooperative model for platform drivers under France’s “entrepreneur-salarié” system, framed as an alternative as France prepares to transpose the EU Platform Work Directive.
  • The rest of the piece briefly references other news items, including Nvidia/Hugging Face, EU AI enforcement, OpenAI, and the €387.8M Bull supercomputer contract in Finland, plus sponsored events in Paris.
  • Contacts are provided via email at the end of the newsletter: chris@frenchtechjournal.com and helen@frenchtechjournal.com.
• Sep 1, 2026

  Oracle To Lay Off Another 3,000 Employees In India: Report

  Oracle reportedly plans another round of layoffs in India. - Times of India reported that Oracle plans to cut nearly 3,000 jobs in India, with layoffs potentially starting September 1; Moneycontrol said the cuts could begin mid-September.

  • The report says this could eliminate up to 10% of Oracle’s 30,000-strong India workforce; Oracle has also previously downsized its India staff by nearly 12,000 in March citing AI-led automation.
  • The article adds that Oracle spent $55.7 Bn on capex in FY26, up from $21.2 Bn in FY25, to build data centres and server capacity for AI clients such as OpenAI and NVIDIA.
• Sep 1, 2026

  Meeting AI Demand: Alternate Power, Design, and Site Strategy

  The article discusses how AI is reshaping data center design, site selection, and power strategy; it is an explanatory industry article, not a first-time company announcement.

  • It says AI data center power demand in the United States could grow more than thirtyfold by 2035, reaching up to 123 GW, and cites Deloitte’s 2025 AI Infrastructure Survey.
  • It describes design and siting strategies including on-site generation, small modular reactors (SMRs), fuel cells, batteries, renewable energy, and off-grid or behind-the-meter power arrangements for hyperscale clients such as Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google.
  • Quotes are attributed to Chris Hastings of Vanderweil Engineers, Dutch Wickes of Ci Design, Inc., and Mason McPike of Provident Data Centers.
• Sep 1, 2026

  POWER Digest [September 2026]

  This article is a news-brief roundup summarizing multiple first-time announcements from different entities, mainly on data centers, power infrastructure, nuclear, renewables, and offshore wind.

  • Australia: The AEMC urged ministers on Aug. 5 to require large data centers in the National Electricity Market to bring their own clean, firmed energy, operate flexibly, and pay full network connection costs; the framework would require REGO certificates, backing by new firm capacity, market registration, and flexible connection agreements.
  • Other announcements: McDermott announced cooperation with ULC-Energy and an MOU with Doosan Enerbility on Aug. 4; Baker Hughes/Dynamis announced an order for 76 NovaLT 16 turbines totaling about 1.3 GW; Origis Energy started operations on new phases of Rockhound Solar bringing capacity to nearly 1 GWdc; OWC/KLEM/OEG signed an offshore wind O&M MoU; and TotalEnergies inaugurated the Hydra hybrid project with 216 MW solar and a 500-MWh BESS under a 20-year PPA with Eskom.
• Aug 31, 2026

  Landlords flex rental power as data center viability becomes ‘everybody’s problem’

  Facilities Dive reports that rapid data center development is changing lease negotiations, with landlords and lenders pushing for more favorable contract terms and greater attention to financing and future upgrade needs.

  • CBRE said primary market supply in H1 2026 rose 33.7% YoY to 10,903 MW, while vacancy fell to 1.4% as new capacity was absorbed immediately; under-construction capacity rose 24.8% to 7,481 MW.
  • Peter Bergan of Vinson & Elkins said hyperscale and neocloud leases are becoming more finance-driven, with termination rights being removed or limited and developers focusing on shell design, power, and rack/load capacity for future growth.
  • The article cites CBRE’s midyear report, released Aug. 27, and discusses North American market conditions, including community resistance, zoning delays, and power/fiber constraints.
• Aug 28, 2026

  Data centers face backlash, but unions are fighting for the jobs they create

  The Wall Street Journal reports on a growing backlash against U.S. data center construction and the resulting political fight over jobs.

  • Public opposition has centered on electricity costs, water consumption, noise, and in some cases tax breaks used to attract data center investment.
  • Construction unions are pushing back as politicians slow approvals or increase oversight ahead of the 2026 midterm elections; unions are also threatening to withhold campaign support from politicians who oppose these projects.
  • Technology companies including Meta, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft have partnered with unions and invested in training skilled workers because labor shortages are a major challenge for the AI industry.
  • The article also notes that white-collar labor groups are more concerned about AI’s effects on job quality and employment.