Meta plans billions for first AI data center in Canada, largest outside the US

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Facebook and Instagram parent Meta said Wednesday it will invest more than 13 billion Canadian dollars ($9.1 billion) to build its first artificial intelligence data center in Canada and its largest outside the United States. The facility will be built in Sturgeon County, Alberta, and powered by a natural gas-fired plant being developed by a consortium that includes Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Ltd. Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish called the project “a big deal for Alberta,” saying the province had created a regulatory framework to attract data center investment.

Polymarket is in a high-stakes race to win back trust as it recommits to the US market

NEW YORK (AP) — After four years in exile, the prediction market platform Polymarket has begun a well-funded campaign to sell a new version of itself to the American public. The prediction market platform is trying to convince regulators and customers that its U.S. operation is more disciplined than its offshore counterpart. Polymarket has hired compliance and regulatory specialists from firms like Robinhood and Coinbase to support this effort. The company left the U.S. when it settled allegations of operating an unregistered derivatives market with federal regulators in 2022. Despite challenges, including deceptive marketing claims, Polymarket aims to establish trust and legitimacy in the U.S. market.

Why World Cup game balls always make their way back onto the pitch during matches

ATLANTA (AP) — Game balls for World Cup matches have become stars in their own right during the tournament. The ball has made headlines with its embedded technology and raised questions among fans, including: Why is everyone expected to promptly toss the ball back onto the pitch? It’s a question more out of curiosity than an outcry for change. Catching a baseball in the stands during a game and taking the souvenir home is one of the cherished traditions of America's favorite pastime. FIFA requires that any ball leaving the field be returned. Soccer historian Charles Cuttone explains that this has always been the norm, partly due to the ball's cost and technology. Despite the technology, some fans feel they should keep the ball, especially after spending heavily on attending the event.

YouTube defends video that falsely claims Sydney massacre survivor is 'crisis actor'

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A Google executive has told an inquiry that a YouTube video that falsely claims a wounded survivor of an antisemitic massacre in Sydney is a crisis actor blooded with makeup met the platform’s standards and would remain online. Google Australia manager Rachel Lord was testifying at a government inquiry on Tuesday into the spread of antisemitism in Australia including an attack by two gunmen on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December that left 15 dead. Lord was questioned about a complaint made by survivor Arsen Ostrovsky about a video posted on YouTube that falsely suggested he had used makeup to fake the head injury he received when he was shot. Ostrovsky told the inquiry last month that he had been targeted by online hate, abuse, vilification and AI manipulation.

VR and gaming are adding a kick to taekwondo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Virtual taekwondo is gaining popularity as a structured competitive discipline in Southeast Asia. Co-developed by World Taekwondo and Refract Technologies, the sport combines VR technology with traditional techniques to woo tech-savvy young players. Athletes wear VR headsets and motion sensors to control avatars in noncontact matches. Unlike conventional taekwondo, virtual matches aren't separated by age, weight, or gender. Once unfamiliar and experimental, the sport will make its debut at this year's Asian Games in Japan. Coaches and players say it reshapes perceptions of martial arts and gaming.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including many at Xbox in a 'reset' of its gaming division

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Microsoft has announced it is cutting 4,800 jobs, including many in its Xbox division. This represents about 2.1% of its global workforce. The layoffs include 1,600 Xbox workers, with more expected this year. The move is part of a broader reorganization to "reset" Xbox amid increased competition. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who took over earlier this year, said the business is not healthy. She noted that Xbox is operating at margins significantly lower than its competitors. Sharma also highlighted that the industry is facing a severe hardware crisis.

Ukrainian midrange drones reshape the battlefield by targeting Russian supply lines

KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian pilots are using midrange drones to disrupt Russian supply lines. From a command post in Kharkiv, they target roads and logistics deep behind enemy lines. This strategy aims to cut off supplies like food and ammunition to Russian troops. The drones equipped with Starlink satellite communications fill the gap between front-line and long-range strike capabilities. Ukraine’s success increased after SpaceX blocked unauthorized Russian access to Starlink. Ukrainian commanders say the impact has been significant, slowing Russian advances. Russia is trying to counter with mobile fire groups and electronic warfare, but Ukraine’s campaign has kept them on the back foot.

Is AI ready to take over your prescriptions? Doctors are wary of Utah's automated refill program

WASHINGTON (AP) — An AI program in the state of Utah has sparked a vigorous debate about the role of the technology in health care. Utah is the first state in the nation to allow AI to renew prescriptions for patients. Previously, that role has always been reserved for doctors and other medically licensed professionals. Technically, state and federal laws don't allow AI programs to handle prescriptions. But officials in Utah have waived those requirements for Doctronic, maker of the AI chatbot that converses with patients and can send refill orders to their pharmacy. The federal Food and Drug Administration has signaled it doesn't plan to intervene.

Supreme Court won't block Texas from enforcing a law requiring age verification for app downloads

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block Texas from enforcing a state law that requires age verification and parental consent for users seeking to download apps or make in-app purchases on mobile phones. In a pair of one-sentence orders on Monday, Justice Samuel Alito denied requests by plaintiffs who claim that the Texas App Store Accountability Act violates users’ constitutional rights to free speech. Last month, a three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law can take effect. The panel suspended a district court’s ruling last December that the law is unconstitutional.

This high-tech ball was involved in one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history

ATLANTA (AP) — FIFA's high-tech ball is responsible for one of the most dramatic climaxes to a World Cup match ever. What FIFA calls connected ball technology canceled Croatia’s equalizer deep in added time against Portugal late Thursday by detecting a touch that was undetectable to the naked eye or even video replays. Portugal won 2-1 in Toronto and advanced to the round of 16 leaving Croatia’s players and fans devastated. They believed Josko Gvardiol’s goal was wrongly called offside by the VAR and referee Espen Eskås. However FIFA insists it got it right with a ball fitted with “advanced sensors."