This Week’s Top 5 Stories in AI

The more AI is used, the more data centres must evolve to accommodate the energy required.

As a result, AI data centres are on the rise.

These facilities are built to manage the increasing surge of AI workloads – but with greater technology demand, comes greater challenges.

It is no secret that sustainability has been an increasing concern with data centres, particularly around cooling technology to maintain energy use.

Power availability has become the primary limiting factor for growth, with grid connections in these regions often requiring years-long waiting periods.

Yet there has been a breakthrough.

Ocean water has been used in a few places around the world as a cooling method, but never on this scale – and for an AI data centre.

From the collaboration of Schneider Electric and Start Campus, SIN01 is now underway in Sines, Portugal – and it is 100% renewable.

Ferrari & IBM Launch AI Fan App for Global F1 Mobile Users

Ferrari and IBM combine motorsport tradition with advanced mobile and AI technology to deliver a reimagined digital experience for Formula 1 fans.

The newly launched app, developed by IBM and Scuderia Ferrari HP, brings Ferrari’s global fanbase — estimated at 400 million — closer to the race action with real-time data, AI-generated insights and interactive features.

The collaboration signals a broader shift within the Formula 1 and telecommunications space.

As the sport becomes more data-centric, teams are turning to AI-powered technology to deepen audience engagement.

With mobile use dominating fan interaction, the launch focuses on transforming how audiences connect with F1 beyond just watching the race.

IBM’s Watsonx platform and Granite models power the app’s intelligent features, with AI now central to the mobile fan experience.

One of the standout additions is the Race Centre, which delivers near real-time race summaries compiled from live data direct from the Ferrari team.

These AI-generated narratives include commentary from drivers and the team principal, providing fans with an insider-level understanding of each race.

TEKEVER Hits Unicorn Status with AI Defence Ambitions

TEKEVER’s leap to unicorn status signals a sharp acceleration in the fusion of AI, defence and pan-European technology development.

The Lisbon-founded company, now valued at more than £1bn (US$1.3bn), secures its position among Europe’s top-tier tech firms after a successful funding round backed by Ventura Capital, Baillie Gifford and the NATO Innovation Fund.

Its focus? Building battlefield-ready AI-centric autonomous systems that not only enhance military capability but also reshape how defence technologies are created and deployed across Europe.

TEKEVER’s core systems are unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including the AR3 and AR5 drones.

These drones are designed to operate autonomously using AI software that adapts in real-time to battlefield conditions.

These aircraft have now recorded more than 10,000 combat flight hours, including extensive deployment in Ukraine, where they’ve operated in some of the world’s most contested electronic warfare environments.

Their impact is measurable: More than £3bn (US$4bn) of Russian military assets, including the S-400 air defence systems, have been disabled with support from TEKEVER’s technology.

Why OpenAI’s $3bn Windsurf Deal Reshapes the AI Coding Race

OpenAI has reportedly agreed to acquire Windsurf, an AI-assisted coding tool formerly known as Codeium, for approximately US$3bn, marking the ChatGPT maker’s largest acquisition to date. The deal has not yet closed, according to people familiar with the matter, and both OpenAI and Windsurf have declined to comment on the acquisition.

This move, first reported by Bloomberg, positions OpenAI to compete more effectively in the growing market for AI-driven coding assistants – systems capable of writing code based on natural language prompts. The acquisition is expected to significantly enhance ChatGPT's coding functionalities as competition in this space intensifies.

Founded in 2021 by Varun Mohan and Douglas Chen, both MIT graduates, Windsurf has gathered substantial industry attention and investment. The company has raised US$243m from investors including Greenoaks Capital and General Catalyst, according to PitchBook data.

Just 44% of CIOs Viewed as AI-Savvy by CEOs, Gartner says

AI is reshaping the strategic landscape of businesses worldwide.

However, a crucial gap has emerged at the executive level, as highlighted in a Gartner report.

This report reveals a significant mismatch: a whopping 77% of CEOs acknowledge AI's influence on business, yet only 44% of these leaders have confidence in their CIOs' AI acumen.

The critical question remains: why do CEOs question the readiness of their CIOs to lead in the AI domain?

The perception of inadequacy in AI expertise spans across executive roles, affecting most C-suite positions.

Gartner's survey, involving 456 CEOs and senior executives worldwide, underscores the pressing need for robust AI strategising.

CEOs largely view AI as a profound pivot, fundamentally altering business and societal operations. 

image

“CEOs have shifted their view of AI from just a tool to a transformative way of working,” says Jennifer Carter, Principal Analyst at Gartner. 

“This change has highlighted the importance of upskilling. As leaders recognise AI’s potential and its impact on their organisations, they understand that success isn’t just about hiring new talent. 

“Instead, it’s about equipping their current employees with the skills needed to seamlessly incorporate AI into everyday tasks.”

Explore the latest edition of AI Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Tech & AI LIVE. 

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.

Also sign up to our free weekly newsletter for the latest insights and stories straight into your inbox.

AI Magazine is a BizClik brand