Google boss warns'no company is going to be immune' if AI bubble bursts Every company would be affected if the AI bubble were to burst, the head of Google's parent firm Alphabet has told the BBC. Speaking exclusively to BBC News, Sundar Pichai said while the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) investment had been an extraordinary moment, there was some irrationality in the current AI boom. It comes amid fears in Silicon Valley and beyond of a bubble as the value of AI tech companies has soared in recent months and companies spend big on the burgeoning industry. Asked whether Google would be immune to the impact of the AI bubble bursting, Mr Pichai said the tech giant could weather that potential storm, but also issued a warning. I think no company is going to be immune, including us, he said.

Bill Gates has claimed that artificial intelligence will be more of a help than a hindrance in achieving climate goals, despite growing concern that a surge in new datacentres could drain green energy supplies. The philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder told journalists that AI would enable countries to use less energy, even as they require more data centres, by making technology and electricity grids more efficient. Gates downplayed fears over AI's climate impact after mounting concerns that the tech breakthrough could lead to a surge in energy demand and require more fossil fuels as a result. "Let's not go overboard on this," Gates said. "Datacentres are, in the most extreme case, a 6% addition [in energy demand] but probably only 2 to 2.5%. The question is, will AI accelerate a more than 6% reduction? And the answer is: certainly," he said.