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Microsoft appoints Nick Walton as NZ Managing Director
Digital Transformation

Microsoft appoints Nick Walton as NZ Managing Director

The appointment strengthens Microsoft's push in New Zealand as businesses weigh AI adoption, cloud investment and data-residency demands.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last week
Catalyst urges New Zealand to back local tech suppliers
Software-as-a-Service

Catalyst urges New Zealand to back local tech suppliers

With NZD $13 billion set to be spent on public technology, the firm says procurement reform could keep more taxpayer money and control at home.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Big Tech stories

OpenAI widens free ChatGPT access with GPT-5.6 update
Generative AI

OpenAI widens free ChatGPT access with GPT-5.6 update

Free ChatGPT users will now get unlimited text chats and a new higher-reasoning mode as OpenAI tightens accuracy and safety controls.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month
Ofgem weighs tougher rules for data centre grid queue
Data centers

Ofgem weighs tougher rules for data centre grid queue

Tighter queue rules could speed grid access for legitimate projects, but risk pushing more data centre operators towards pricier off-grid power.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • This month
AWS revenue growth hits fastest pace in 18 quarters
Software-as-a-Service

AWS revenue growth hits fastest pace in 18 quarters

Demand for AI and core cloud services is boosting Amazon's key profit engine, with AWS growth accelerating to a 36.7% annual pace.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • This month
Amazon retail growth boosted by grocery & AI shopping
Digital Transformation

Amazon retail growth boosted by grocery & AI shopping

Amazon reported growth across retail, grocery, pharmacy and AI shopping as it expanded product selection and accelerated delivery speeds.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month
EU AI Act transparency rules take effect on 2 August
Software-as-a-Service

EU AI Act transparency rules take effect on 2 August

Companies serving EU users face new disclosure duties from 2 August, as Brussels keeps transparency rules on schedule despite delaying tougher AI obligations.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last month
Cognizant deepens Anthropic tie-up as Claude rollout grows
Data Protection

Cognizant deepens Anthropic tie-up as Claude rollout grows

The expansion signals Cognizant's push to turn AI trials into production work for clients amid tighter scrutiny of governance and risk.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last month
EU advances tech sovereignty and UK reshapes AI oversight
Data Protection

EU advances tech sovereignty and UK reshapes AI oversight

Brussels' move could reduce reliance on non-EU tech, while London's new AI minister signals tighter oversight of a fast-growing sector.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Last month
Meta launches Muse Image in Meta AI for chats & apps
Data Protection

Meta launches Muse Image in Meta AI for chats & apps

The rollout puts image generation inside Meta's most-used apps, as the company broadens its AI tools for chats, stories and advertising.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Last month
Fastmail opens Amsterdam data centre for EU email users
Data Protection

Fastmail opens Amsterdam data centre for EU email users

European customers will be able to keep primary email data in the EU from August, easing compliance and improving response times.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Big Tech stories

Media companies advised to ink AI licensing deals - or risk mass scraping
Digital Transformation

Media companies advised to ink AI licensing deals - or risk mass scraping

Australian publishers face a fresh revenue squeeze unless paid licensing agreements are struck with AI firms using journalism to train their LLMs.

By David Shilovsky • 5 min read • Last month
NeoSearch opens source code to boost search transparency
Data Protection

NeoSearch opens source code to boost search transparency

Users and researchers can now inspect how the Sydney-based search engine ranks results and handles privacy after its code was opened.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
Albanese delivers strong speech - can he turn words into action?
Data governance

Albanese delivers strong speech - can he turn words into action?

New AI rules could reshape data centre investment and copyright battles, but Labor must still turn Anthony Albanese's promises into action.

By David Shilovsky • 5 min read • Last month
Dell hosts AI roadshow in Cork with Minister Smyth
Data Protection

Dell hosts AI roadshow in Cork with Minister Smyth

Small firms in Cork were shown how artificial intelligence could boost daily operations, while tackling skills, security and compliance concerns.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month
Microsoft backs Australian Government AI framework
DataCentre infrastructure

Microsoft backs Australian Government AI framework

Backing from a major tech investor strengthens Canberra's push for central AI rules as businesses seek clarity and Australians weigh safeguards.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last month
BoE to oversee AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft & Oracle
Hyperscale

BoE to oversee AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft & Oracle

Banks and insurers face tighter resilience checks as four cloud providers come under joint UK supervision for the first time.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month