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Microsoft has significantly slowed its data center expansion, canceling or deferring leases totaling 2 gigawatts of capacity across the U.S. and Europe, according to analysts at TD Cowen. The decision appears tied to Microsoft’s move to limit support for new OpenAI training workloads, despite its broader $80B investment in AI infrastructure. This marks a notable shift in strategy as Microsoft reevaluates demand forecasts and seeks to avoid oversupply.

Jonathan Bell explores the rapidly evolving world of humanoid robotics, spotlighting the technological leaps—and looming concerns—shaping our near-future reality. Once led by Japan’s lovable Asimo, the robotics race has shifted to China and the U.S., with companies like Boston Dynamics and EngineAI unveiling agile, AI-powered machines built to move, think, and possibly even behave like humans.

While industrial robots have long excelled at specific tasks, the latest generation aims for broader roles: from domestic helpers to security guards and warehouse workers. The shift is being driven by advancements in AI, battery tech, and motion control—bringing the once-distant dream of human-like droids within reach.But as humanoid robots become more lifelike and autonomous, cultural fears and ethical dilemmas intensify. The article warns of their potential misuse, especially in military or surveillance contexts, and the unsettling aesthetics that still struggle to escape the "uncanny valley."Bell paints a vivid picture of a future teetering between utopia and dystopia: one where robots could either lighten our daily load—or quietly usher in a more controlled, less human world. The final takeaway? The robot age is coming fast, and society must brace itself for both its promise and peril.

Original article posted on March 21, 2025