The flashy demos of AI are over. In 2025, the field shifted to hard questions about what works, what breaks, and the real-world costs of scaling. IEEE Spectrum’s top stories highlight this new era of practical, and sometimes problematic, integration.
Nvidia is in advanced talks to acquire Israeli AI startup AI21 Labs for up to $3 billion, according to reports. This comes amid data showing OpenAI’s stock-based compensation averaged an astonishing ~$1.5 million per employee in 2025.
Goldman Sachs is co-leading financing for a massive, off-grid power project in Texas designed specifically for AI data centers. The plan involves building modular natural gas plants to supply up to 5 gigawatts, with the first phase aiming to raise “hundreds of millions.” It’s a direct response to a
A Norwegian firm is taking desalination to the ocean floor. Their new system uses natural deep-sea pressure to filter water, cutting energy use nearly in half and aiming to make fresh water more affordable.
The private credit industry, once the high-flying alternative to banks, is losing its edge. With banks back in the game and returns compressing, the $2.4 trillion sector is starting to look a lot like plain old public debt markets.
Google is moving fast to deploy a novel energy storage system using compressed carbon dioxide. The “CO2 battery” can store 200 megawatt-hours, aiming to solve renewable energy’s intermittency problem.
Business Insider reports at least 12 key departures from OpenAI in 2025, with a major cluster of research scientists joining Meta’s Superintelligence Lab over the summer. The exodus includes co-creators of major models and leaves CEO Sam Altman as one of only two original founders still active.
According to a leak, Lenovo is working on an ultra-portable desktop PC called the Yoga Mini i. It’s said to weigh just 600 grams, pack an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, and support up to four high-resolution monitors.
Elon Musk announced on Christmas Eve he’s editing Tesla’s long-term strategy. The “master plan” will swap “sustainable” for “amazing” abundance. It’s a tonal shift for the EV giant’s vision.
In a clever response to skyrocketing RAM prices, custom PC company Maingear has launched a “Bring Your Own RAM” program. Customers can now ship their own memory kits to be installed, tested, and tuned in a new Maingear system, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.
