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Amazon and Google Support Pledge to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050

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Amazon and Google are among the major companies that signed a pledge on Wednesday to help achieve the goal of tripling the world’s nuclear energy capacity by 2050. This commitment was announced at the CERAWeek conference in Houston. The pledge also garnered support from companies like Occidental (a shale company) and Dow (a chemical giant).

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted the significance of the pledge, stating, “We are truly at the beginning of a new industry,” during an interview at the conference. According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), which facilitated the pledge, support for this initiative is expected to grow in the coming months, with additional backing anticipated from sectors like maritime, aviation, and oil and gas. This commitment builds upon the vow made by over 30 countries in 2023 to triple nuclear capacity by 2050.

Nuclear energy currently provides 9% of the world’s electricity from 439 power reactors, according to WNA data. It has also gained traction as a solution for energy-intensive data centers, with Big Tech companies already signing billion-dollar deals with utilities. In addition, uranium prices reached a 16-year high in January last year due to supply uncertainties and rising demand, further emphasizing the growing importance of nuclear power.

However, uranium supply remains constrained as global production is concentrated in just Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia, which together accounted for around two-thirds of global output in 2022. As of early 2025, the world had 411 nuclear reactors in operation, with a combined capacity of 371 gigawatts.

Amazon, having invested over $1 billion in nuclear energy projects, is exploring small modular reactors as part of its strategy. Other companies, including Meta and Google, are also looking into this emerging technology.

EU Defends Digital Markets Act, Insists It’s Not Targeting U.S. Tech Giants

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European Union officials have rejected accusations that their new Digital Markets Act (DMA) is aimed at U.S. tech giants. In a joint letter to U.S. congressmen Jim Jordan and Scott Fitzgerald, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunnen emphasized that the DMA is designed to keep digital markets open and applies to all companies meeting the criteria for being considered “gatekeepers,” regardless of their headquarters.

Ribera and Virkkunnen responded to concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers about the potential impact of the DMA on U.S. firms. The letter, dated March 6, clarified that the law does not specifically target U.S. companies, but instead applies to any firm that fits the established gatekeeper definition in the EU.

The EU officials also defended the DMA against criticism that it could stifle innovation. They argued that the act aims to prevent unfair practices by dominant players, thus fostering a more open and competitive digital market that will allow new players to emerge and innovate. Ribera and Virkkunnen highlighted that similar concerns over monopolistic behavior had prompted antitrust investigations and legal actions against companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta in the U.S. under the Trump administration and beyond.

In response to claims that EU fines on American tech firms resemble a European tax, the EU officials emphasized that the primary goal of enforcement is to ensure compliance with the law, not to impose punitive measures. They pointed out that sanctions, which are a standard feature of both EU and U.S. regulations, are essential for ensuring effective enforcement.

U.S. Labor Department Investigates Scale AI for Fair Labor Practices

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The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating Scale AI, a data labeling startup backed by major tech companies including Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta, for potential violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The investigation, which began nearly a year ago under the Biden administration, is focused on Scale AI’s compliance with fair pay practices and working conditions.

Scale AI, based in California, provides large volumes of accurately labeled data crucial for training AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The company also offers a platform for researchers to share AI-related information, with contributors from over 9,000 cities and towns.

A spokesperson for Scale AI emphasized that the company has worked closely with the Labor Department over the past year, explaining its business model and the emerging nature of the AI industry. The startup assured that feedback from its contributors has been largely positive, and it has dedicated teams to ensure fair compensation and support for workers. Nearly all payments to contributors are made on time, and the company resolves 90% of payment-related inquiries within three days.

Scale AI, which was founded in 2016, was valued at $14 billion in a recent funding round. Its client base includes AI firms like OpenAI and Cohere, as well as major corporations such as Microsoft and Morgan Stanley.