Amazon Web Services announced it cannot restore access to some customer data stored at Persian Gulf data centers that were damaged during the US-Iran war in spring 2026. The facilities in UAE and Bahrain were struck by Iranian drones.
AI infrastructure startup Groq has raised $350 million in Series A funding at a $3.5 billion valuation, marking a strategic pivot from developing its own AI chips to becoming a neocloud provider offering GPU and AI infrastructure services. Notably, Nvidia has joined the funding round as the company shifts to using Nvidia-powered infrastructure.
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has signed a five-year partnership with Google Cloud to expand its cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence capabilities. The deal adds a dual-cloud strategy to support operations including crew planning and aircraft maintenance as the airline scales its passenger ambitions.
Microsoft has launched its biggest data center in India, located in Hyderabad, as part of a $20-21 billion investment in cloud and AI infrastructure. The facility marks Microsoft's fourth cloud region in the country as it competes with Google and Amazon for India's rapidly growing AI and cloud computing market.
Surging demand for memory chips from AI data centers has created a severe global shortage, driving up RAM and component prices while forcing Google to tighten Android app requirements and prompting major manufacturers like Kioxia, SK Hynix, and SanDisk to announce massive production expansions. Cloud operators may need to spend 68% of capital expenditures on memory, with costs likely passed to consumers.
Dark fiber connectivity contract worth over $1 billion, announced July 24, 2026, linking Verizon's fiber network to Google's data centers. Following the announcement, Verizon raised its annual adjusted profit forecast and its stock rose 3%.
