Meta Funds Construction of Gas Plants to Power Louisiana AI Data Center

• The American Telemedicine Association will host its 30th annual NEXUS 2026 conference from May 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel in Orlando, Florida. • The event gathers digital health leaders for hands-on sessions tackling operational, clinical, and strategic challenges in expanding telehealth solutions across the U.S. • Organizers emphasize proven technologies and evidence showing virtual care delivers results, positioning the conference as key for national scaling efforts amid policy shifts.

• BMW accidentally leaked images of its redesigned i3 EV, revealing a sleeker design ahead of its scheduled March 2026 U.S. market launch. • The updated model features enhanced aerodynamics and interior tech tailored for American consumers amid rising EV demand. • Separately, Toyota announced a $1 billion investment in U.S.-made EV production, bolstering domestic manufacturing.

• Major companies—Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, OpenAI, and xAI—signed a federal pledge to provide their own electricity for AI data centers, shielding U.S. consumers from grid overload. • The commitment responds to exploding energy needs from AI infrastructure, following Meta's Louisiana gas plant initiative and similar efforts nationwide. • Industry leaders aim to prevent rate hikes and blackouts while fueling the AI boom central to U.S. tech competitiveness.

• A judge dismissed X's lawsuit against an advertising boycott, labeling it a 'fishing expedition,' marking a significant legal setback for Musk's platform. • The ruling highlights ongoing complexities surrounding free speech protections, corporate accountability, and advertiser rights in the digital platform economy. • The decision underscores judicial skepticism toward X's legal strategy and may embolden further advertiser actions against the platform.

• A new US science and technology council has been established including leaders from Meta, Nvidia, Oracle, Google, and AMD to guide national AI strategy and policy. • The council will shape policy in response to global competition, particularly with China, while prioritizing innovation acceleration and reducing regulatory barriers. • This government-industry alignment reflects the administration's emphasis on AI competitiveness and signals closer integration between policymaking and tech sector interests.

• UBS announced on March 27, 2026, that its US subsidiary, UBS Bank USA, was approved by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national bank charter. • This approval expands UBS's US banking operations amid fintech sector growth. • The move positions UBS to compete more directly in the US digital banking landscape.

• Stryker, a major US medical device manufacturer, suffered a cyberattack causing widespread business disruption, reported on March 27, 2026. • The company stated operations are steadily improving toward full capacity after the incident. • This incident highlights ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in US healthcare tech supply chains.

• Shield AI, a San Diego-based defense tech firm, raised new funding that more than doubled its valuation to $12.7 billion on March 27, 2026. • The company projects revenue exceeding $540 million this year, driven by its Hivemind autonomy software used in drones and fighter-jet programs. • This funding underscores growing investor confidence in AI-powered military autonomy amid rising defense tech demand in the US.

• Tech giants including Meta and Google spent over $39 million in 2025 to influence California politics on AI and crypto, per CalMatters analysis released March 27, 2026. • Meta alone invested $4.6 million lobbying against AI regulations, its highest ever since 2010. • This surge precedes high-stakes 2026 elections, including California's open governor race, signaling intensified Big Tech political engagement.

• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed eight of nine AI-related bills passed by the legislature this year, advancing state-level AI governance. • Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed four of five AI bills post March 12 adjournment, including measures on AI safety and implementation. • These laws address AI in advertising, children's safety, and administrative use, signaling growing state regulation of AI technologies.

• U.S. District Judge Rita Lin ruled in favor of AI firm Anthropic, temporarily blocking the Pentagon from branding it a supply chain risk after failed defense contract talks. • The ruling also halts President Trump's directive for federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's Claude AI, following a hearing on March 24 in San Francisco federal court. • Judge Lin criticized the measures as punitive rather than protective, noting the government could simply cease using Claude without broader actions.