Connected Datacenters at Super­computer Scale

Microsoft has launched a new type of datacenter in Atlanta that works differently from traditional facilities.

Instead of operating alone, it connects with other sites across the U.S., forming what the company calls an AI superfactory.

These connected datacenters share data at high speed, allowing them to train large AI models in weeks rather than months.

Cutting-Edge Hardware and Cooling

The Atlanta facility features hundreds of thousands of advanced GPUs, millions of CPU cores, and exabytes of storage.

It uses innovative rack designs and liquid cooling that uses almost no water.

Networking is optimized so all GPUs communicate quickly, supporting AI projects like OpenAI, Copilot, and other advanced workloads.

Lessons from Previous AI Supercomputers

Microsoft’s Fairwater datacenters are built on lessons from years of developing AI supercomputers, focusing on making large-scale AI systems reliable and efficient.

The design allows workloads to move seamlessly across sites, improving training speed and resource use.

Implications for AI Strategy

These datacenters mark a shift in AI infrastructure, showing how distributed networks can handle complex AI tasks on a massive scale.

Microsoft’s approach highlights the growing need for high-performance, interconnected AI infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for advanced AI solutions.

Europe has a chance to grow its economy by using cloud and AI better.

A new report from Google Cloud and Implement Consulting Group says acting fast could add €1.2 trillion to the region's growth.

Triple the Data Center Capacity

To reach this potential, Europe needs three times more data center capacity in the next five to seven years.

That means around €400 billion in investment for new data centers and digital infrastructure.

These centers will support AI applications, software, and large models.

Innovation and Control Together

The report highlights that Europe doesn’t have to choose between innovation and control.

By keeping the cloud market open, countries can access advanced AI, improve security, run efficient data centers, and maintain strategic independence.

Policy Recommendations

The report urges EU policymakers to create clear rules that:

A Clear Path Forward

By combining innovation with strong policies, Europe can grow its AI sector while keeping control over its digital future.

The report stresses that fast, coordinated action is key to realizing this opportunity.

In this episode of The Cloud Computing Insider, David Linthicum takes you inside the bold predictions he made about the cloud that most experts dismissed—and how each one has become reality.

From skyrocketing cloud costs and the rise of multicloud to the surprising comeback of private clouds, David unpacks what he saw coming before anyone else.

Discover why PaaS stumbled, why the metaverse fizzled, and how Covid-19 fueled a cloud boom.

If you want to understand where cloud computing is headed—and learn from the industry’s most accurate forecast record—this episode is a must-watch for anyone in tech.

Google is investing €5.5 billion in Germany from 2026 to 2029. This investment includes new data centers, office expansions, clean energy projects, and community programs.

Strengthening Cloud and AI

A new data center will open in Dietzenbach, complementing the existing Hanau campus.

These facilities will help German businesses access high-performance cloud and AI services while keeping control over their data. Companies like Mercedes-Benz and Koenig & Bauer will benefit from faster and more reliable AI solutions.

Clean Energy and Heat Recovery

Google is expanding its carbon-free energy efforts in Germany.

They are using wind, solar, hydro storage, and battery systems to run data centers with about 85% carbon-free energy by 2026.

Excess heat from the Dietzenbach center will help heat over 2,000 local homes.

Water and Nature Projects

Google will replenish more than all the water it uses and support peatland restoration in Hesse to protect wildlife and groundwater.

Community and Skills

New programs in digital skills and STEM education will support local schools and communities in Dietzenbach and Hanau.

This investment shows Google’s commitment to Germany, combining advanced technology, clean energy, and community support to create jobs and strengthen the country’s digital future.

Nebius, a European cloud company, has signed a $3 billion deal with Meta to provide AI infrastructure over the next five years. The company plans to deploy the necessary capacity within the next three months.

High Demand and Sold-Out Capacity

Nebius is currently sold out of available capacity. The deal with Meta was limited to the amount of capacity the company could provide. Earlier, Nebius also signed a $19.4 billion deal with Microsoft, which includes access to more than 100,000 Nvidia GB300 chips.

Rapid Growth and Expansion

Nebius reported revenue of $146.1 million for Q3 2025, a 355% increase year-over-year. Capital spending rose to $955.5 million for the quarter, up from $172.1 million a year earlier. The company aims for $7–9 billion in annual revenue by the end of 2026.

Planned Capacity for 2026

By the end of 2026, Nebius expects to have contracted power of 2.5GW, with 800MW to 1GW connected to build data centers. To support growth, the company will use debt, asset-backed financing, and equity programs.

Foundations for Future Growth

Nebius was formed from Yandex’s European operations and now includes AI units, data firms, and edtech providers. The company is developing large GPU clusters in the UK and a 300MW data center in the US.

This deal shows how AI demand is driving rapid growth in cloud infrastructure and highlights the rising competition for capacity among major tech companies.

Planning cloud deployments across regions can be complex, but AWS has introduced a new tool to make it easier.

Understand Service Availability

The tool shows which AWS services are available in each region.

It helps teams plan where to deploy workloads, considering service limits, network latency, and compliance requirements.

Compare and Decide

Users can compare regions side by side.

This allows teams to see differences in performance, pricing, and available features, helping them choose the best location for each workload.

Support for Global Strategies

For companies operating in multiple countries, the tool simplifies decisions about where to host services.

It also helps meet regulations around data residency and ensures workloads run in regions with the right infrastructure.

Improving Planning and Efficiency

By providing clear visibility into regional options, the tool reduces trial and error and speeds up cloud strategy execution.

This new AWS feature highlights the growing importance of strategic planning in a multi-region cloud environment.