Waymo is accelerating its rollout of robotaxis in the U.S., adding four new cities in Texas and Florida this week as self-driving technology begins to penetrate mainstream America.
Why it matters: Armed with $16 billion in fresh capital from parent Alphabet and others, Waymo is quickly extending its lead over other players like Tesla and Amazon-owned Zoox, which are still mostly in testing mode.
Amid the current AI obsession, local opposition is the one thing that has the potential to slow the AI boom — and arguably already has.
By the numbers: According to the most recent report from Data Center Watch, 20 projects representing some $96 billion in investments were blocked or delayed in the second quarter of 2025 alone amid local opposition.
As many as half of the world's data center projects slated to come online this year could face delays, according to a report issued Tuesday.
Why it matters: It's a sign of mounting collisions in the AI race — from power constraints and grid equipment shortages to rising community opposition.
The Milan Cortina Olympics were a showcase for growth and inclusion in winter sports, but the infrastructure that keeps those sports alive is on thin ice.
Why it matters: If warming weather trends continue, the map of where people can learn to curl, play hockey, or ski will be limited.
Threat level: In hard-hit areas, travel will be "extremely treacherous," forecasters say, and some leaders are restricting it. Meanwhile,more than half a million customers in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island are without power.
U.S. battery storage installations rose 29% last year, driven by strong utility-scale growth in Arizona and Texas, per new data from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.
Why it matters: Storage is a flexible resource that helps meet demand peaks and enables higher levels of renewables on grids.
