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Globe and Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Palantir Is Reportedly Building a US ‘Spy Machine.' How Should You Play PLTR Stock Here?
Palantir (PLTR) is in focus this morning following a report that it has received a contract from the President Donald Trump administration to build what is being described in the media as a 'spy machine.' According to The New York Times, the Nasdaq-listed company is creating a database of Americans based on personal data pulled from various federal agencies, raising ethical and privacy concerns. At the time of writing, Palantir shares are up more than 100% versus their year-to-date low in April. Palantir Stock Could Benefit From 'Spy Machine' Contract Critics are citing potential for abuse among other risks tied to the surveillance infrastructure that Palantir Technologies is reportedly developing for the U.S. government as well. However, the presumably large, long-term, and high-value contract may prove a major tailwind for Palantir stock as it will likely boost the company's already fast-growing government business. In Q1, the big data analytics firm saw its US government revenue increase by another 45% on a year-over-year basis to $373 million. In short, building the said 'spy machine' for the Trump administration suggests PLTR is deeply embedded in critical government operations, which could lead to steady revenues and improved investor confidence. William Blair Reiterates Dovish View on PLTR Shares William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma remains bearish on PLTR shares even though the big data analytics firm is evidently growing its ties with the U.S. government this year. On its Q1 earnings call, Palantir said its ongoing investments in technical talent and AI production use cases will result in higher expenses in 2025, which DiPalma dubbed a big red flag for investors. Why? Because the AI stock is already trading at a massive premium even to the likes of Nvidia (NVDA). Palantir Could Tank More Than 25% From Here Other Wall Street analysts seem to agree with DiPalma's dovish view on Palantir stock, given the consensus rating on the Denver-headquartered firm currently sits at 'Hold' only. Analysts' mean target of about $94 on PLTR shares indicated potential downside of well over 25% from current levels.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Has Big Brother arrived? Inside the secretive Trump effort to centralize government data on millions of Americans
The Trump administration is reportedly leaning on an Elon Musk -allied tech company to build wide-ranging data tools pooling government information on millions of Americans and immigrants alike. The campaign has raised alarms from critics that the company could be furthering Musk's DOGE effort to vacuum up and potentially weaponize – or sell – mass amounts of sensitive personal data, particularly against vulnerable groups like immigrants and political dissidents. In March, the president signed an executive order dedicated to 'stopping waste, fraud, and abuse by eliminating information silos,' a euphemism for pooling vast stores of data on Americans under the federal government. To carry out the data effort, the administration has deepened the federal government's longstanding partnership with Palantir, a tech firm specializing in building big data applications, which was co-founded by Silicon Valley investor, GOP donor, and JD Vance mentor Peter Thiel. Since Trump took office, the administration has reportedly spent more than $113 million with Palantir through new and existing contracts, while the company is slated to begin work on a new $795 million deal with the Defense Department. Palantir is reportedly working with the administration in the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service, according to The New York Times. Within these agencies, the firm is reportedly building tools to track the movement of migrants in real time and streamline all tax data. The company is also reportedly in talks about deploying its technology at the Social Security Administration and the Department of Education, both of which have been targets of DOGE, and which store sensitive information about Americans' identities and finances. 'We act as a data processor, not a data controller,' the company insisted in response to the Times report. 'Our software and services are used under direction from the organizations that license our products. These organizations define what can and cannot be done with their data; they control the Palantir accounts in which analysis is conducted.' The Trump administration has reportedly pursued a variety of efforts to use big data to support its priorities, including social media surveillance of immigrants to detect alleged pro-terror views, and American activists who disagree wit Donal Trump's views.. Earlier this month, a group of former Palantir employees warned in an open letter that the company was 'normalizing authoritarianism under the guise of a 'revolution' led by oligarchs.' 'By supporting Trump's administration, Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, and dangerous expansions of executive power, they have abandoned their responsibility and are in violation of Palantir's Code of Conduct,' the employees wrote. Previous reporting from CNN and WIRED has described efforts at the Department of Homeland Security to build mass data tools to support tracking and surveilling undocumented immigrants, a key priority for the White House as deportations still aren't reaching levels necessary to meet Trump's promise of rapidly removing millions of people from the country. The effort has involved merging data from outside agencies like Social Security and the IRS, according to WIRED. 'They are trying to amass a huge amount of data,' a senior DHS official told the magazine. 'It has nothing to do with finding fraud or wasteful spending … They are already cross-referencing immigration with SSA and IRS, as well as voter data.' Since Trump took office, DOGE operatives, many of whom are unknown to the public nor have been vetted, have rapidly sought access to data at key agencies, including the Departments of Education and the Treasury, as well as the Social Security Administration, often over the objections of senior staff. The efforts have prompted scores of lawsuits against DOGE. At Social Security, the administration also moved thousands of living, mostly Latino undocumented immigrants into the agency's 'Death Master File' in an attempt to pressure them to leave the country. DOGE itself is reportedly under audit for its action by the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog. An April letter from Democrats on the House Oversight Committee warned of DOGE's 'extreme negligence and an alarmingly cavalier attitude' toward sensitive data. It claimed a whistleblower had described how 'DOGE engineers have tried to create specialized computers for themselves that simultaneously give full access to networks and databases across different agencies.' The 'whistleblower information obtained by the Committee, combined with public reporting, paints a picture of chaos at SSA [Social Security Administration] as DOGE is rapidly, haphazardly, and unlawfully working to implement changes that could disrupt Social Security payments and expose Americans' sensitive data,' the letter reads.'
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Smart Facility Management Is The Sustainability Strategy Leaders Overlook
Most corporate sustainability initiatives focus on product innovation or marketing campaigns. Yet some of the most impactful environmental gains come from an overlooked source: the very buildings where business happens. As climate concerns intensify and ESG reporting becomes mandatory in more jurisdictions, forward-thinking leaders are turning their attention to the foundations—quite literally—of their operations. 'Big data and environmental sustainability go hand in hand,' explains Michael Nichols, Executive Vice President of Enterprise Products and Solutions at R&K Solutions. 'With climate change and resource depletion becoming critical global issues, there's an urgent need for practical tools to monitor and manage our environmental impact.' Has sustainability always factored into facility management? Certainly, but primarily through the narrow lens of cost reduction. Today's approach leverages big data to transform buildings from passive assets into dynamic contributors to corporate environmental goals. Companies implementing data-driven facility management also see benefits ranging from enhanced operational resilience to strengthened stakeholder trust. Here's how leaders can leverage their physical infrastructure to drive meaningful sustainability outcomes. 1. Treat buildings as strategic assets, not cost centers. Before investing in flashy sustainability campaigns, examine the environmental impact of your current infrastructure. Buildings generate vast amounts of performance data that, when properly analyzed, reveal opportunities for significant efficiency improvements. Start by conducting a comprehensive energy audit and facility condition assessment to establish your baseline environmental footprint. Organizations often overlook the cumulative impact of seemingly minor infrastructure decisions. A report from the U.S. Department of Energy found that commercial buildings waste up to 30% of the energy they consume through inefficient operations. The first step toward improvement is understanding exactly how your facilities perform against industry benchmarks and identifying priority areas for intervention. 2. Use predictive analytics to prioritize high-impact improvements. Big data can track current performance and predict future outcomes. Sophisticated facility management systems now incorporate machine learning algorithms that can forecast equipment failures, simulate energy conservation scenarios, and quantify the potential environmental impact of different improvement strategies. The ability to model outcomes before implementation allows organizations to prioritize projects with the highest sustainability return on investment. For example, an analytics platform might reveal that upgrading the HVAC system in one location would reduce carbon emissions more significantly than installing solar panels at another, despite the latter being more visible as a sustainability initiative. 3. Align facility management with broader ESG reporting. As ESG reporting frameworks become more standardized and scrutinized, leaders need to ensure their sustainability initiatives produce measurable, verifiable results. Infrastructure improvements offer precisely this kind of concrete data point, particularly in the environmental dimension of ESG. Consider establishing a formal connection between your facility management team and sustainability officers. This collaboration ensures that infrastructure decisions support broader ESG goals and that the environmental benefits of facility improvements are properly captured in corporate sustainability reports. The reporting benefits extend beyond regulatory compliance. When infrastructure sustainability initiatives are properly documented, they provide compelling narratives for potential investors evaluating ESG performance and consumers increasingly making purchasing decisions based on corporate environmental responsibility. For multinational organizations, facility management data can help standardize sustainability practices across diverse regulatory environments. While sustainability requirements vary globally, a data-driven approach to infrastructure management creates consistent internal benchmarks that often exceed minimum compliance thresholds in any jurisdiction. 4. Embrace the Infrastructure-as-a-Service revolution. The emergence of 'smart building' technologies and Infrastructure-as-a-Service models is democratizing access to sophisticated facility management capabilities. These solutions enable organizations to implement advanced sustainability features without massive capital investments in proprietary systems. Cloud-based facility management platforms allow for continuous improvement rather than point-in-time upgrades. As sustainability standards evolve and technologies advance, these systems can adapt through regular software updates rather than unsustainable wholesale replacements. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors throughout facilities creates unprecedented visibility into resource consumption and environmental conditions. From water usage monitoring to occupancy-based lighting and climate control, these technologies automate efficiency in ways that were impossible even five years ago. These advancements particularly benefit organizations with aging infrastructure. Rather than replacing entire buildings, targeted technological upgrades can dramatically improve the sustainability profile of existing facilities. The key is identifying which improvements deliver the greatest environmental benefit relative to investment. It's easy to think that sustainability requires massive infrastructural overhauls or cutting-edge technologies. The reality is more nuanced: meaningful environmental improvements often come from better management of existing assets, informed by better data. By embracing this perspective, business leaders can transform their facilities from environmental liabilities into powerful drivers of their sustainability strategy and discover that what's good for the planet is also good for long-term business value.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cloud AI Market Will Exceed US$739.46 Billion by 2031, Forecast by The Insight Partners
The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the cloud AI market comprises a vast array of component, organization size, and end user, which are expected to register strength during the coming years. US & Canada, May 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, the global cloud AI market is observing significant growth owing to the rising adoption of cloud computing, growing adoption of generative AI and machine learning among various industries, and an increase in the demand for big data. The Cloud AI market is rapidly growing due to increased demand for scalable, intelligent solutions across industries. It integrates cloud computing with artificial intelligence, enabling real-time data processing, automation, and advanced analytics. Key sectors driving growth include healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing. The market is expected to expand significantly due to advancements in machine learning, NLP, and edge AI. Major players in the Cloud AI market include Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM, Oracle, Salesforce, Alibaba Cloud, and SAP. To explore the valuable insights in the Cloud AI Market report, you can easily download a sample PDF of the report – Overview of Report Findings Market Growth: The cloud AI market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by the rising adoption of cloud computing, the growing adoption of generative AI and machine learning among various industries, and the increase in the demand for big data. Cloud AI platforms offer a wide array of AI tools, including machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning, which organizations can utilize to improve customer experiences, optimize processes, and develop new products and services. Key technological advancements are fueling the expansion of Cloud AI solutions. The shift toward more powerful AI models and frameworks, coupled with the availability of vast computing resources in the cloud, enables organizations to run complex AI models and process large volumes of data with ease. Technological Innovations: Technological advancements are playing a pivotal role in driving the growth of the Cloud AI market. As AI technologies evolve, cloud platforms have become essential in enabling businesses to harness the full potential of these innovations, providing the necessary computational power, storage, and scalability. Moreover, the continuous improvement of machine learning algorithms, particularly in supervised and unsupervised learning, allows businesses to create more precise and effective models for a wide range of applications, from predictive analytics to customer service automation. Cloud AI platforms are able to integrate these advancements rapidly, making them accessible to organizations without requiring in-depth technical expertise or heavy infrastructure investments. Rising Adoption Of Cloud Computing: The rising adoption of cloud computing is significantly driving the growth of the Cloud AI market. Cloud computing provides a robust and scalable infrastructure that is crucial for the development, deployment, and management of AI models. AI algorithms, particularly those used for machine learning (ML) and deep learning, require massive computational power and storage capacity to process vast amounts of data. Cloud platforms offer on-demand resources that make it possible for businesses to access the necessary computing power without the need for large upfront investments in physical hardware. Additionally, cloud computing fosters collaboration and ease of access. Cloud-based AI tools can be accessed from anywhere, allowing data scientists and AI developers to work remotely or across multiple locations. This boosts productivity and accelerates the deployment of AI-driven applications in various industries, from healthcare to finance to manufacturing. Geographical Insights: In 2024, North America led the market with a substantial revenue share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expected to grow with the highest CAGR over the forecast period. For Detailed Cloud AI Market Insights, Visit: Market Segmentation Based on component, the market is segmented into solutions and services. The solution segment dominated the market in 2024. Based on organization size, the cloud AI market is segmented into large enterprises and SMEs. The large enterprises segment dominated the market in 2024. Based on end users, the cloud AI market is segmented into BFSI, IT and telecom, healthcare, automotive, retail, government, and others. The BFSI segment dominated the market in 2024. Get Updated Sample research copy on The Cloud AI Market Report: Competitive Strategy and Development Key Players: Amazon Web Services Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Google LLC; IBM Corporation; Intel Corporation; Nvidia Corporation; Cloudminds Technology; AIBrain LLC; Inc. and Oracle Coproration are among the key players profiled in the cloud AI market report. Trending Topics: Machine Learning, Multi-Cloud, Natural Language Processing, among others Global Headlines " Google Cloud announced new AI products, as well as initiatives and skills training for the United Kingdom at an exclusive "Gemini for the United Kingdom" event held at Google DeepMind's London headquarters. The event reinforced Google Cloud's long-term dedication to the UK, highlighted by its US$ 1 billion investment in a new data center, alongside ongoing initiatives to empower the nation's AI development." " HCLTech has launched a suite of Agentic AI solutions in collaboration with Google Cloud to help enterprises unlock efficiency and derive enhanced business value from their digital and technology landscapes. By collaborating with Google Cloud, HCLTech's Agentic AI solutions leverage advanced cloud capabilities to help enterprises swiftly adapt to market changes and customer demands, ensuring competitiveness in fast-paced industries.." Purchase Premium Copy of Global Cloud AI Market Size and Growth Report (2021-2031) at: Conclusion The cloud AI market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for scalable, flexible, and cost-effective AI solutions across industries. Cloud computing provides businesses with the infrastructure necessary to leverage advanced AI technologies, from machine learning to deep learning, without the need for significant upfront investments. Technological advancements, such as more powerful AI models, the rise of edge computing, and innovations in cloud infrastructure, are further propelling the adoption of cloud AI, enabling organizations to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and improve overall efficiency. The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholders—including cloud providers, AI technology providers, system integrators, and end users —with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new to Us Directly: Related Reports: shttps:// Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Ankit Mathur E-mail: Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Home - while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Fast Company
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Three ways data centers can solve for energy independence
Today's technology boom isn't just reliant on innovation—it's reliant on energy supply. AI has the potential to create upwards of $4.4 trillion in economic value worldwide, but the U.S. alone would need 50 to 60 gigawatts of new data center infrastructure to support those ambitions. Because of the high energy demands of AI, cloud infrastructures, and big data initiatives, data center energy consumption is expected to rise to 12% of the total annual U.S. electricity consumption by 2028, up from just 1.9% in 2018. Where will that energy come from? And how will data centers ensure they have access to it to support their growing computing needs? To stay ahead of energy demands, data center operators and commercial real estate leaders can turn to flexible energy options that offer more control, cost savings, and independence from traditional grids. Organizations have big plans for AI and other scaling technologies like cloud computing and data storage. In 2024, 78% of companies said they used AI in at least one business function, up from just 20% in 2017, and AI, cloud, and big data are all essential business needs today. To support these tech innovations, companies are turning to data centers for the space and infrastructure to run their hardware. But these technologies require a lot of energy—for AI, about 10 times the electricity of equivalent non-AI software—which the data center needs to provide. And it's not just computing that data centers are powering. For many, traditional air or fan cooling is becoming less efficient to cool hardware, and chilled water or other liquid cooling options can use up 37% of a data center's energy. Data centers rarely have easy access to the amount of energy they need. And it's not as simple as plugging into the grid, because the grid may not be able to deliver the supply needed for high-energy computing demands. Data centers around the world are facing a wait time of many months to years in the queue to get plugged in, but once connected to a grid, they're still at the mercy of that grid's costs and outages. Data centers can't wait for appropriate outside energy solutions, especially when customer demand is so high. There is a solution to the bottleneck: rethinking a power strategy that incorporates more sustainable and self-sufficient options, like creating a microgrid, building strategically, and increasing operational efficiencies. 1. MICROGRID AND HYBRID ENERGY SOLUTIONS Data center operators and commercial real estate leaders looking to stay ahead of computing demands do have options that can generate more energy independence. One is to create their own microgrid so they can access energy on their own terms. By creating a microgrid independent of a larger grid, or one that connects to a larger grid as a backup, data centers can choose which energy modalities they want to use, allowing for better control over their costs and their sustainability efforts. They could choose to run their microgrid on solar and battery storage, the cheapest and most renewable fuels today. The fuel cost for solar is zero, and data centers can store excess solar energy for future use. Natural gas is another fuel being touted as a potential solution, or data centers can create a hybrid of solar, wind, battery, and natural gas. Data centers can also take advantage of peak shaving, where they are able to sell energy back to the grid at high prices and at high energy times. A microgrid also increases a data center's energy resilience and security, since it won't be at the mercy of grid outages and instability, nor as susceptible to natural disasters that may cause the grid to go down for weeks at a time. 2. STRATEGIC LOCATION DECISIONS Another way to increase energy independence and ensure needed supply is to build new data centers in strategic locations that allow access to the right power infrastructures, like next to hydropower dams, a nuclear reactor, or a large transmission station. Data center developers today can look to secondary and tertiary markets where there's available land and grid capacity to build. For example, 70% of U.S. data center growth is projected to be concentrated in Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, and Georgia, not in densely populated metropolitan areas. 3. CREATIVE APPROACHES TO ON-SITE EFFICIENCY Data center operators can also take advantage of energy efficiencies that can increase energy availability and control costs. One of those efficiencies is getting creative about cooling. Data centers can expand their underground storage to allow for more natural cooling and less reliance on high-energy HVAC systems. Data center developers can also look to locations in colder regions, so there's less energy spent on rack cooling. Using recycled water for cooling can also help reduce costs. Another renewable energy option that can reduce cooling demand and costs is geothermal power, an option that Meta is pursuing for its new data centers. Updating data centers to more energy-efficient infrastructure can create more efficiencies as well, especially when upgrading from air cooling to liquid cooling, which conducts 3,000 times more heat than air, with less energy. Using AI to optimize data center conditions based on sensor outputs can increase operational efficiency and sustainability efforts, too. Another option for data centers is to strategically colocate near renewable energy plants to utilize curtailed energy—the excess electricity that would otherwise be wasted during peak production times when supply exceeds grid demand. This approach not only provides data centers with reliable power but also helps renewable energy producers monetize what would otherwise be lost revenue from unused capacity.
