Global – October 19, 2026 -- Tech stocks shed over $1 trillion on Friday as investors grew nervous that AI companies may not turn sustainable profits, NBC reported.
Microsoft also pulled out of a giant AI cloud deal in the UK, according to Gizmodo. The report adds to concerns about the economics of large-scale AI infrastructure.
China weighs curbs on overseas access to its AI models
China is considering restricting overseas access to its AI models, Bloomberg reported. Beijing is also looking at curbing the sharing of chip designs, among other measures. Any such limits would affect foreign developers and buyers that rely on Chinese models.
Local residents resist California's biggest planned AI data center
Sebastian Rucci, who is trying to build California's biggest AI data center, has met huge resistance from local residents, The Guardian reported. Quartz reported that Americans are packing town halls to stop data centers, and that the tactic is working. Community opposition is emerging as a project risk for data center developers.
Websites start closing their doors to AI agents
Websites are beginning to block AI agents, The Verge reported. The Wall Street Journal reported that agents are creating new headaches for online sellers. The Atlantic described the technology as mostly introducing chaos rather than the convenience it promises.