Developments around Intel’s future and ownership are shifting quickly. SoftBank has announced a $2 billion investment in the company, becoming the chipmaker’s fifth-largest shareholder and deepening its global AI footprint as Intel works to regain ground in AI and foundry services. At the same time, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the Trump administration may convert billions in federal grants to Intel into an ownership stake, a move that would give Washington a more direct hand in shaping the company’s future. Meanwhile, Applied Digital announced plans to invest $3 billion in a massive 280 MW AI data center campus in Harwood, North Dakota, set to begin operations in 2026. The project promises to create jobs, expand energy partnerships, and solidify the region’s role in powering AI growth. Chips and data centers, data centers and chips — take your pick as to which is seen as more central to the moment. Let’s get into the news of the day.
Kelly Hill
Executive Editor
RCRTech
AI Infrastructure Top 3
Softbank invests in Intel: SoftBank is betting $2 billion on Intel, becoming its fifth-largest shareholder as the U.S. chipmaker fights to catch up in AI and foundry services, while SoftBank cements its growing global AI footprint.
US eyes Intel, too Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated to CNBC that the Trump administration is considering converting billions of dollars in federal grants to Intel, into a federal investment stake in the chip maker.
$3B AI campus planned: Applied Digital is set to invest $3 billion in a 280 MW AI campus in Harwood, North Dakota, with operations from 2026—bolstering jobs, energy partnerships, and the region’s AI infrastructure role.
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AI Today: What You Need to Know
Water for data centers: AI-driven data center growth is fueling massive water use, both direct and indirect. With demand set to expand, researchers are wary of the potential impact on the Great Lakes, which contain 21% of the world’s fresh water.
Advanced nuclear for Google data: Google, Kairos Power, and the TVA are teaming up on a 50 MW nuclear project in Tennessee — the first U.S. utility PPA for advanced reactors, supporting data centers, clean energy, and AI leadership.
Altman on the AI bubble: Sam Altman says what everyone else has been saying for a week (and longer): that OpenAI “totally screwed up” with the long-hyped launch of its new GPT-5; plus his firm will spend trillions on AIDCs.
Windfalls and headwinds: Washington state is weighing data centers’ economic benefits against rising energy use, costs, and water strain. A state workgroup will recommend policies by Dec. 1 amid national pressure to scale AI infrastructure.
Big Mac with AI: McDonald’s is digitizing operations with Google Cloud through AI, IoT, and cloud platforms, enhancing restaurant efficiency and streamlining corporate systems with a side of IoT.
Aye-aye, AI: What impact will agentic AI have on military command structures? Military planners are anticipating a world where AI agents could automate routine tasks, accelerate planning, and enable adaptive human-machine teams.
What is a GPU cluster?: GPU clusters are the backbone of AI infrastructure. They accelerate deep learning, NLP, and data-heavy workloads, offering scalability and efficiency but requiring high investment and expertise.
Transmission line troubles: Residents of Loudoun County, VA — home of Data Center Alley — are opposing new power transmission lines that are meant to increase reliability for the largest concentration of data centers in the world.
AI zombie startups: Some AI startups are facing a zombie existence rather than a path to IPOs or acquisitions, as Big Tech lures founders and top researchers with billion-dollar deals while leaving the rest of the company to languish.
Under the hood at Unilever: British consumer packaged goods company Unilever has a blog post about its Industry 4.0 work to transform its manufacturing operations with IoT and AI and so on – worth a read.
