Yazılar

Alphabet CEO and Other Tech Leaders to Attend Trump Inauguration

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Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, will join a group of prominent tech executives at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, according to sources familiar with the event. Pichai’s attendance places him among several high-profile industry leaders planning to witness the ceremony.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is also confirmed to be attending the event, as reported by Bloomberg News earlier on Wednesday. Additionally, tech titans Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg are expected to participate in the inauguration, with sources indicating that their attendance is part of the planning for the ceremony.

Apple has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the attendance of its CEO at the inauguration.

 

J.P. Morgan Forecasts Data Center Spending Could Boost US GDP by 20 Basis Points in 2025-2026

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J.P. Morgan projects that spending on data centers could add between 10-20 basis points to the U.S. economy in 2025-2026, driven by the ongoing surge in technology investments fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. The growing demand for computing power, particularly following OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT in 2022, has accelerated investments in data centers, which support the infrastructure necessary for AI development.

Major cloud companies, such as Microsoft and Alphabet, have been heavily investing in AI technologies, and J.P. Morgan anticipates that these investments will significantly contribute to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). The economic boost is expected to stem from increased demand for data center construction, technology equipment, and power generation and transmission infrastructure. According to the bank’s estimates, data center spending could have contributed 0.1%-0.3% to GDP growth in 2024.

Additionally, J.P. Morgan noted that each new 5-10 gigawatt power generation capacity expansion could require up to $20 billion in investment, which would add 7 basis points to GDP. As U.S. power consumption is expected to hit record levels in 2025 and 2026, the federal government has taken action to support this growth, with President Joe Biden signing an executive order aimed at addressing the massive energy needs of rapidly expanding AI data centers.

The data center sector’s economic impact is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by advancements in AI innovation. However, J.P. Morgan cautioned that the long-term success of this growth will depend on whether the expected returns on these investments are realized, similar to previous technology booms.

Japan’s Antitrust Regulator Set to Conclude Google Breached Laws in Search Practices: Report

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Japan’s competition regulator, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), is reportedly set to find Google guilty of violating the country’s antitrust laws in relation to its search practices. According to sources cited by Nikkei Asia, the JFTC plans to issue a cease-and-desist order, compelling Google to stop engaging in monopolistic behaviors related to its web search services. This investigation has been underway since October of last year, as part of a broader global scrutiny of Google’s dominance in the search engine market, which has drawn attention from antitrust authorities in Europe and other major economies.

The case centers on accusations that Google has been abusing its dominant position in the search market, where it holds a significant share globally. As the creator of Chrome, the world’s most widely used web browser, Google’s practices in this space are seen as integral to its business model, particularly in terms of data collection for targeted advertising. The company uses this information to enhance the effectiveness of its ads, making it a critical part of its profit generation.

While Google has yet to respond to requests for comment on the ongoing investigation, the JFTC’s actions could set a significant precedent for future regulatory measures aimed at curbing the company’s market influence. The competition watchdog’s decision would add to the growing body of global scrutiny surrounding Google’s search practices, especially in light of similar investigations conducted in Europe.

This case also comes on the heels of legal challenges in the United States, where the Department of Justice has been pushing for Google to divest its Chrome browser. The US government argues that Google’s monopoly over search services must be broken up to encourage competition and fair market practices. A judge recently heard arguments suggesting that Google should be banned from re-entering the browser market for five years, marking a significant step in efforts to reduce its control over the search engine industry.