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Tech giants continue layoffs after “year of efficiency”

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Recent workforce reductions at Google and Amazon have indicated that the tech giants are poised to continue cutting jobs in 2024 as they channel substantial investments into generative AI technologies.

Industry analysts and experts anticipate that these layoffs will be more targeted and of a smaller scale this year, with companies racing to gain ground in the AI race opting for such measures to offset their substantial expenditures in the field.

Ernst & Young initiates layoffs, cuts dozens of US partners

Alphabet recently hinted at this trend as it announced its intentions to invest in its “biggest priorities” while laying off approximately a thousand employees across various divisions, including its voice assistant unit and teams responsible for Pixel and Fitbit.

Even its advertising business faced cuts, with reports of hundreds of job reductions surfacing.

Amazon also joined the layoffs wave, releasing several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations.

The company saw similar cutbacks in its Twitch live-streaming platform and Audible audiobook unit, as reported by media outlets.

In the month of January alone, the tech industry has seen over 7,500 employees let go, according to tracking website Layoffs.fyi.

D.A. Davidson & Co analyst Gil Luria emphasized, “No company wants to get left behind by the AI revolution and they are all making sure they have these capabilities and are prioritizing them, even when it is at the expense of other initiatives.”

Both Google and Amazon are aggressively investing in their AI endeavors. Google, aiming to close the gap with Microsoft in the AI race, unveiled its long-awaited Gemini model last month. Simultaneously, Amazon is developing a model codenamed “Olympus” to compete with OpenAI’s GPT-4 model, the maker of ChatGPT.

Nevertheless, the scale of these layoffs is expected to be significantly smaller compared to the massive workforce reductions witnessed in the previous year, thanks to a more stable economic climate that has prompted increased tech spending.

Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.

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Apple postpones iPhone Air sequel due to poor sales

Apple delays iPhone Air 2 indefinitely after lacklustre sales of first model

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Apple delays iPhone Air 2 indefinitely after lacklustre sales of first model

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In Short:
– Apple has postponed the iPhone Air’s launch due to poor sales of the current model.
– Production of the iPhone Air will stop, with Foxconn and Luxshare ceasing manufacturing by November and October respectively.
Apple has delayed the launch of its second-generation iPhone Air, which was scheduled for fall 2026, due to disappointing sales of the current model that debuted two months ago, as reported by The Information.Engineers and suppliers have been informed that the iPhone Air will be removed from the production schedule without a new release date.

The decision coincides with a significant reduction in the production of the existing model. Foxconn is expected to cease all manufacturing by the end of November, while Luxshare will stop production by the end of October.

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Sales for the iPhone Air have not met Apple’s expectations since its launch in September. Foxconn has limited its production lines for the device, and future orders are projected to decrease significantly. A survey indicated nearly no demand for the iPhone Air, with consumers instead choosing the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models.

Production Challenges

The underperformance of the iPhone Air continues a trend of failed attempts by Apple to add a fourth model to its lineup.

The iPhone mini was previously discontinued after poor sales, followed by the larger Plus models, which faced similar challenges.

Apple had intended to develop a lighter second-generation iPhone Air with improved specifications but may now reconsider its design approach. The company also has plans for a staggered launch of the iPhone 18 lineup set for 2026 and early 2027.


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Tech giants’ $47 billion AI infrastructure deals announced

Tech giants commit $47.7 billion to AI deals as demand for computing power soars and market diverges

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Tech giants commit $47.7 billion to AI deals as demand for computing power soars and market diverges

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In Short:
– Wall Street started November mixed as AI deals boosted tech stocks, especially Amazon’s share price after a major agreement.
– OpenAI plans $1.4 trillion investment for computing resources, with Big Tech predicting over $250 billion AI infrastructure spending this year.
Wall Street began the month with mixed performances as major artificial intelligence deals influenced tech stocks positively, while broader market indices diverged.
Amazon’s shares rose over 5% following a significant $38 billion cloud services agreement with OpenAI, contributing to gains for the Nasdaq despite a decline in the Dow.The seven-year collaboration with Amazon Web Services marks OpenAI’s first major partnership with AWS, offering access to Nvidia graphics processing units essential for its AI expansion.

Amazon commented on the soaring demand for computing power resulting from rapid AI advancements, aiming for full capacity deployment by the end of 2026.

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Microsoft also sealed a $9.7 billion agreement with IREN, highlighting the industry’s insatiable need for cloud capacity.

The collaborations depict Big Tech’s ongoing commitment to AI infrastructure, with significant investments aimed at catering to the escalating demand for computing resources.

Investment Perspective

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed intentions to invest $1.4 trillion to create 30 gigawatts of computing resources.

Major players, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have adjusted their capital expenditure forecasts for 2025, anticipating AI infrastructure spending to surpass $250 billion this year.

Despite market caution regarding inflated valuations, analysts remain optimistic about growth in the sector. Even amidst fears of an AI bubble, industry leaders assert ongoing investments will continue to bolster market performance through 2026.


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Xi proposes global AI governance at APEC summit

Xi proposes global AI governance body at APEC, positioning China as trade alternative to US and promoting green technology circulation

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Xi proposes global AI governance body at APEC, positioning China as trade alternative to US and promoting green technology circulation

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In Short:
– Xi Jinping proposed a global body to govern artificial intelligence at the APEC leaders’ meeting.
– The proposed organisation aims to enhance AI collaboration and benefit international development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a global body to govern artificial intelligence during the APEC leaders’ meeting, aiming to establish China as an alternative to the United States in trade cooperation.This marked Xi’s first major comments on the initiative announced earlier this year. The United States has so far rejected the idea of regulating AI through international bodies.

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Xi suggested that a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization could create governance rules and enhance collaboration, framing AI as a “public good for the international community.” He emphasized the importance of AI for future development, stating it should benefit people across all nations.

Chinese officials indicated that the proposed organization could be based in Shanghai, China’s commercial hub. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the summit but left after a meeting with Xi, amidst ongoing tensions regarding trade and technology controls between the two countries.

AI Governance

Analysts expected Xi to leverage the summit to promote China as a leader in multilateral trade and economic development.

California-based Nvidia plays a crucial role in the AI sector, while China-based developer DeepSeek has introduced cost-effective AI models to support Beijing’s goals for algorithmic independence.

Xi called on APEC to facilitate the free circulation of green technologies, reflecting China’s dominance in this sector. APEC members agreed on a joint declaration addressing AI and ageing populations during the summit. The 2026 summit will take place in Shenzhen, a city transformed from a fishing village into a manufacturing powerhouse since the 1980s.

APEC represents 21 nations, accounting for half of global trade.


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