US Mayors Oppose Data Center Expansion Amid Growing AI Backlash

• SoftBank is preparing Roze AI, combining robotics, data centers, and AI infrastructure for a US IPO targeting $100B valuation. • Masayoshi Son backs the venture, with potential public listing as early as late 2026 or 2027. • Executives plan an analyst day in July, though no products or revenue plans announced yet.

• Amazon Web Services achieved its fastest growth in nearly four years, fueled by AI solutions and enterprise adoption. • Key drivers include innovations like Bedrock and Kiro amid surging cloud spending. • AI is sparking a new wave of infrastructure investments in the US market.

• Aviatrix Inc. announced the launch of a new platform designed to contain artificial intelligence agents and enforce security controls across AI workloads without requiring changes to AI agents or code. • The platform extends Aviatrix's Cloud Native Security Fabric with two new products: Zero Trust for AI Workloads (now generally available) and Aviatrix AgentGuard (in early access), enabling IT teams to set policies that allow or deny access to external AI services and block shadow AI with allowlists. • The solution provides network-layer enforcement across workloads and regions, addressing the growing need to secure AI agents, large language model proxies, and agentic frameworks in enterprise environments.

• The Pentagon launched GenAI.mil in December 2025 as part of Project Maven, providing secure generative AI access to approximately 3 million Department of Defense staff members. • The platform embeds multiple leading AI models including Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, xAI's Grok, and OpenAI's ChatGPT, enabling widespread AI adoption across military operations. • The initiative reflects the U.S. military's strategic priority to integrate advanced AI capabilities into defense operations and demonstrates significant government investment in dual-use AI technology.

• Skye AI, a home screen app for iPhone powered by artificial intelligence, raised $3.58 million in pre-seed funding while still in private testing phase. • The funding supports development of the app, which aims to enhance iPhone user experience through AI-driven features accessible directly from the home screen. • This investment highlights growing investor interest in mobile AI applications amid competition in the smartphone ecosystem.

• Sevii announced the launch of its Autonomous Cyber Swarm Defense (CSD) capability on April 28, 2026, to counter high-volume AI-driven cyber attacks at machine speed and scale. • The ADR platform deploys Agentic AI Cyber Warrior agents that detect, contain, and remediate threats in under 15 minutes, reducing analyst workloads by 95% with a fixed per-asset pricing model eliminating AI token costs. • CSD Mode features Myrmidon Defense Technology (MDT) for efficient micro-orchestration, enabling predictable budgeting without additional hires or outsourcing, as noted by Synergem Technologies CEO Frank Holt.

• Framingham, MA-based Tortugas Neuroscience raised $106 million in combined seed and Series A funding for small molecule therapies targeting neurological disorders. • Cure Ventures led the seed round, with The Column Group and AN Venture Partners co-leading Series A on April 21. • The investment accelerates development of treatments using validated biological targets, addressing unmet needs in US biotech.

• Cognizant announced the launch of its Innovation Network on April 28, 2026, a corporate investment arm targeting early to mid-stage enterprise software startups in the US. • The AI Lab validates promising innovations, while the network supports startups in turning them into products for Global 2000 clients like those in logistics and recruitment. • This initiative accelerates integration of breakthrough technologies into Cognizant's solutions, enhancing enterprise value amid rising AI adoption.

• OpenAI is developing a smartphone launching production in 2028, where AI agents fully replace traditional apps for US consumers. • The device faces potential hurdles from global memory shortages that could delay or derail rollout. • This breakthrough could disrupt mobile ecosystems dominated by Google and Apple, redefining user interfaces.

• SkyfireAI Inc., a US-based autonomous drone startup, raised $11 million in new funding to advance dual-use technology. • The investment targets AI autonomy for public safety, defense, and commercial drone applications. • This funding accelerates development amid rising demand for intelligent unmanned systems in critical sectors.

• GetReal Security appointed cybersecurity veteran Varun Kohli as Chief Marketing Officer to address surging enterprise needs. • The hire responds to rising deepfake and AI-powered identity attacks in the cybersecurity landscape. • Kohli's expertise will drive expansion of real-time protection solutions for businesses facing AI threats.

• Blocks, an AI startup, secured $20 million in Series A funding led by Entrée Capital to develop autonomous digital workforces. • The funding will support deployment of AI agents capable of handling complex tasks independently. • This investment highlights growing VC interest in agentic AI technologies amid enterprise automation demands.