Microsoft may proceed with $69bn Activision Blizzard deal, judge rules

Judge dismisses FTC request to halt deal over concerns it would give Microsoft exclusive access to Activision games

AI watch: from deepfakes to a rock star humanoid

This week in artificial intelligence

Big tech vows to fight climate crisis but employs fossil fuel-linked lobbyists

The biggest players in tech have contracted with lobbyists that also represent some of the biggest fossil fuel companies

Big tech is trying to weaken new digital markets regulator, Rishi Sunak warned

A legal battle is brewing over how giant firms will be able to appeal against new unit’s decisions

Hackers behind Microsoft outage most likely Russian-backed group aiming to ‘drive division’ in the west

Cybersecurity firm says Anonymous Sudan is unlikely to be authentic hacktivist group, as initially believed

Phil Spencer on the future of Xbox: ‘Most people just want to find a great game’

The company’s 2023 Showcase drove home the changes facing the industry, and its need to adapt after a difficult year. Its CEO is positive the way forward is together

As the AI industry booms, what toll will it take on the environment?

Tech companies remain secretive over the amount of energy and water it takes to train their complex programs and models

‘We’re mowed over’: colossal data centers are taking over the US countryside

New developments for cloud computing could threaten civil-war era and post-emancipation historical sites in rural Virginia

AI will be everywhere, but its rise will be mundane not apocalyptic

To understand how ChatGPT will infiltrate the world, cast your mind back to Google’s decision to map the entire planet

Tech stocks surge as wave of interest in AI drives $4tn rally

Shares in some firms involved in AI technology more than double in value as traders bet on massive growth in industry

Microsoft appeals against UK watchdog’s veto of Activision Blizzard takeover

CMA says it is defending cloud gaming market, but Microsoft says moves ‘discourages tech innovation and investment’ in UK

Fancy Bear Goes Phishing by Scott Shapiro review – a gripping study of five extraordinary hacks

A professor of law who’s a computer geek carves an undaunted path through the conceptual and technical undergrowth in this illuminating tour of cyberspace’s dark side

‘There was all sorts of toxic behaviour’: Timnit Gebru on her sacking by Google, AI’s dangers and big tech’s biases

The Ethiopian-born computer scientist lost her job after pointing out the inequalities built into AI. But after decades working with technology companies, she knows all too much about discrimination

UK watchdog denies it blocked Microsoft deal on orders of US regulator

CEO of Competition and Markets Authority tells MPs decision not to allow acquisition of Activision Blizzard based on ‘own analysis’

EU approves Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard

But UK regulator the CMA, which blocked the deal, hits back over European decision on acquisition of Call of Duty maker