Environmental Cost
According to The Guardian, “AI boom has caused same CO2 emissions in 2025 as New York City, report claims”, researcher Alex de Vries‑Gao estimates ~80m tonnes CO2 and 765bn litres water in 2025, spotlighting corporate transparency and the rising public bill for AI’s EMISSIONS. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/18/2025-ai-boom-huge-co2-emissions-use-water-research-finds)) [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/18/2025-ai-boom-huge-co2-emissions-use-water-research-finds)
Google’s AI Push
According to The Verge, “Gemini 3 Flash is here, bringing a ‘huge’ upgrade to the Gemini app”, Google has rolled Gemini 3 Flash into AI Mode and the Gemini app as a faster, lower‑cost default, shifting product economics and developer choices with a focus on SPEED. ([theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/news/845741/gemini-3-flash-google-ai-mode-launch?utm_source=openai)) [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/845741/gemini-3-flash-google-ai-mode-launch)
Unusual Energy Play
According to The Washington Post, “Why Trump’s social media and crypto company is merging with a developer of fusion power”, Trump Media and TAE Technologies announced a roughly $6bn MERGER to pursue fusion plants aimed at powering data centers—an aggressive timeline that raises technical and regulatory questions. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/18/trump-media-merge-with-fusion-power-developer-6-billion-deal/)) [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/18/trump-media-merge-with-fusion-power-developer-6-billion-deal/)
According to AP, “US stocks jump after an encouraging inflation update, as Micron helps AI stocks stop their slide” — weaker-than-expected November inflation and strong Micron earnings lifted the S&P 500 and pulled Treasury yields lower as markets priced a softer Fed path. [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/c18ce4338a579c1aa1160e6be0b864d0)
According to Reuters, “Nasdaq sees bigger year ahead for listings on billion-dollar-plus IPOs” — Nasdaq said favorable conditions, including lower rates and strong valuations, point to a surge in billion-dollar IPOs next year, signaling renewed investor confidence in public listings. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/nasdaq-sees-bigger-year-ahead-listings-billion-dollar-plus-ipos-2025-12-18/)
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