The race to dominate artificial intelligence is reshaping capital budgets at some of the world’s largest technology firms. In 2025 alone, major players spent around $155 billion on servers and data centers – a proxy for AI investment – and that figure is only expected to grow. Analysts forecast that commitments from Meta, Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft will exceed $400 billion in the coming year.
Who is spending what?
Meta has doubled its capex from a year ago, reaching roughly $30.7 billion.
Alphabet is on track to invest nearly $40 billion.
Amazon leads the pack with about $55.7 billion.
Microsoft plans to spend more than $30 billion in the current quarter.
Collectively, these commitments show that infrastructure – not flashy models – is where the next leap in AI capability will come from.
Why it matters
Expanding data centers and purchasing specialized chips is essential for training and running ever-larger AI models. Each dollar spent on GPUs, networking equipment and clean energy is an investment in future products, such as smarter assistants and more responsive services. While Apple has hinted that it will increase AI spending, it hasn’t disclosed numbers. For consumers, this arms race could translate into more capable devices and services in the next few years.
Last night was another fantastic evening at the Laborie Wine Club, hosted at the inviting Farm Grocer at Laborie Estate. Each month, usually on the last Thursday, Laborie Estate brings together wine lovers for a relaxed evening filled with laughter, learning, and, of course, wonderful wine tastings. If you haven’t attended one yet, you’re missing out!
Laborie Estate, nestled in the beautiful Paarl Valley, is known for its picturesque surroundings, historical charm, and warm hospitality. Established in 1691, the estate offers not only exceptional wine experiences but also beautiful accommodations, excellent dining options, and various events throughout the year.
The Laborie Wine Club is a special highlight at the estate. Each month, wine enthusiasts gather to enjoy tastings presented by different wineries, offering a chance to discover new favorites and enjoy exclusive deals at the Farm Grocer. For details on upcoming events, be sure to visit their upcoming events page.
This month’s featured winery was the impressive Doran Vineyards, situated in the scenic Voor Paardeberg region. Known for its quality-focused approach and beautiful blends, Doran gave us an exciting insight into six of their standout wines.
We began our tasting journey with the Doran Sauvignon Blanc,a surprising take on this classic varietal, uniquely vibrant and refreshing, unlike typical Sauvignon Blancs I’ve tasted before.
Next up were two stunning Chenin-based whites. First, the Doran Chenin Blanc, beautifully balanced and crisp. Then came the delightful Doran Arya, a smooth blend showcasing the versatility and elegance of Chenin Blanc.
As we moved into the reds, we experienced the charming and approachable Doran Romy D,a wonderfully structured red blend perfect for easy enjoyment. Following this was the Doran Iosa, a robust yet elegant blend showcasing the richness of their vineyard.
My personal highlight was undoubtedly the Doran Pinotage, rich and deeply flavorful, with just the right balance between fruit and depth. I couldn’t resist taking home two bottles to savor later!
These evenings at Laborie Wine Club truly offer something special. Beyond fantastic wines, there’s an unmatched atmosphere of warmth, great conversation, and genuine camaraderie among fellow wine enthusiasts.
If you love discovering great wines, enjoying excellent company, and experiencing an evening filled with fun and friendship, do yourself a favor and check out the next Laborie Wine Club evening,typically held on the last Thursday of every month. Plus, the Farm Grocer offers some fantastic wine specials on these nights!
Explore more about Doran Vineyards and their wonderful wines:
Microsoft is in advanced discussions to secure ongoing access to OpenAI’s technology—even if OpenAI achieves artificial general intelligence (AGI). The current agreement may limit Microsoft’s use at that stage. Talks also include revisions to Microsoft’s equity stake and OpenAI’s transition to a public-benefit corporation. Reuters
2. The Trillion-Dollar AI Infrastructure Race
Tech giants are ramping up AI investments. Google plans to spend $85 billion this year, Amazon $100 billion, and Meta between $64–$72 billion on cloud and AI infrastructure. At the same time, artists are suing these companies for using their work in AI training data. Adobe promotes an artist?friendly alternative. The Guardian
3. Ransomware Exploits AI and Hits Government Systems
Over 400 Microsoft SharePoint servers—including U.S. federal agency systems—have been compromised by ransomware linked to a China-based group. Attackers use AI chatbots to pressure victims during negotiations. A new security startup called Nebulock now offers real-time threat hunting integrated with major enterprise security tools. Axios
4. OffDeal Launches AI?Native Investment Banking
OffDeal, a newly founded investment bank, automates most sell?side M&A tasks using AI, operating with fewer than ten staff. The firm charges a 5% success fee and aims for $100 million in revenue by 2027 after raising $12 million in Series A funding. Financial Times
5. AI Fashion Startups Capture $1.1 Billion Funding
Fashion tech is using AI to disrupt design and sustainability. Startups like Geniemode, Smartex AI, and Raspberry AI are among those that raised over $1.1 billion globally in 2025 so far. These firms offer AI-powered styling, resale platforms, wardrobe digitisation, and real-time content personalization.
Why It Matters
Strategic deals: Microsoft’s negotiations with OpenAI reflect shifting dynamics as companies prepare for an AGI future.
Infrastructure scale: Billion-dollar commitments by major firms signal how foundational AI is to their long-term strategy.
Security challenges: AI tools are now being weaponised in ransomware and threat-hunting, shifting how cybersecurity must evolve.
Automation redefined: OffDeal’s model shows how AI replaces many traditional roles—especially in professional services.
Industry-scale innovation: AI-enabled fashion tech demonstrates how the technology is reshaping consumer experiences and sustainability.
Microsoft’s upcoming AI chip, codenamed Maia, has encountered production delays due to design changes and staffing challenges. Originally slated for a 2025 release, mass production is now expected in 2026. This postponement may impact Microsoft’s competitiveness in the AI hardware sector. timesofindia.indiatimes.comreuters.com
2. Trump Administration Plans to Boost AI Infrastructure
The Trump administration is considering executive orders to enhance power generation for AI development. Proposals include allocating federal land for data centers and expediting permits for advanced power projects. These measures aim to strengthen the U.S.’s position in the global AI race, particularly against China.
3. AI’s Impact on Wall Street Employment
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping Wall Street by automating tasks traditionally performed by junior staff and analysts. Goldman Sachs’ CEO David Solomon noted that AI can complete 95% of an IPO prospectus in minutes, reducing the need for large teams. While roles requiring client relationships and decision-making remain crucial, experts predict significant reductions in junior-level staffing. marketwatch.com
4. Wimbledon Embraces Full Automation
Wimbledon’s 2025 tournament marks the complete automation of court-level officiating, replacing human line judges with Electronic Line Calling (ELC) systems. While this technology offers higher precision, some argue it diminishes the human element and drama traditionally associated with the sport. ft.com
5. American Airlines Experiences System Outage
On June 27, American Airlines faced a significant technology outage that temporarily grounded flights at major U.S. airports, including Miami International and Dallas Fort Worth. The disruption, caused by connectivity issues in the airline’s computer systems, affected operations such as flight bookings and baggage tagging. While systems were restored within a few hours, over 40% of flights experienced delays. people.com
6. Corey Feldman Voices Concerns Over AI in Hollywood
Actor Corey Feldman expressed apprehension about the increasing reliance on AI and CGI in Hollywood, fearing it may erode the emotional connection and storytelling that define cinema. He emphasized the importance of preserving the human element in filmmaking amidst technological advancements. nypost.com
Have you ever had a great app idea but felt stuck because you don’t know how to code? You’re not alone. Many beginners have creative ideas for websites, games, or tools but get intimidated by programming. Fortunately, Replit offers a solution. Replit’s new Vibe Coding experience, powered by AI coding tools, makes easy app development a reality – even if you have no coding experience. In this advice-style post, we’ll explore how Replit enables no-code AI development: you simply describe your idea in plain language, and the platform’s AI builds the app for you. It’s simple, helpful, and incredibly empowering for beginners.
What is Replit and “Vibe Coding”?
Replit is an online coding platform (essentially a cloud IDE) that has fully embraced AI-assisted development (Vibe Coding. AI-Assisted Coding for Non-Developers | by Niall McNulty | Medium). In fact, Replit’s CEO has noted that “vibe coding is already here,” pointing out that 75% of Replit users never write a single line of code – instead, they leverage Replit’s libraries, templates, and AI features (like Replit’s Ghostwriter AI) to build apps without manually coding everything (Vibe Coding. AI-Assisted Coding for Non-Developers | by Niall McNulty | Medium). This new approach, dubbed vibe coding, is the ability to write code and build apps almost entirely with AI assistance.
In practice, vibe coding on Replit means you can create software by having a conversation with an AI assistant. Replit has an AI chat built into its workspace that can generate code, explain code, and even deploy applications from simple prompts (Vibe Coding. AI-Assisted Coding for Non-Developers | by Niall McNulty | Medium). Because it’s all online, there’s no setup – you can literally start a project with one click and then just describe what you want in a chat box (Vibe Coding. AI-Assisted Coding for Non-Developers | by Niall McNulty | Medium). The AI will handle the rest. Replit’s approach is extremely friendly for non-developers: you type what you want your app to do, and the AI writes the actual code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or any necessary language) for you behind the scenes, showing you the results live in a preview window (Vibe Coding. AI-Assisted Coding for Non-Developers | by Niall McNulty | Medium). It’s a quick way to go from idea to a running app, entirely in the cloud and without you needing to know the technical syntax.
AI Coding Tools: Build Apps from a Simple Prompt
Replit’s vibe coding experience is powered by its AI coding tools – notably Replit’s AI Assistant (formerly called Ghostwriter, now part of the Replit platform as “Replit Agent”). These tools allow you to build apps just by providing a prompt or description of what you want. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
Describe your idea: You start by telling Replit’s AI what you want to build in natural language. For example, you might type: “I want to create a to-do list app with a checkbox for each task and a button to add new tasks.” The more specific your description, the better the AI can help (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit).
The AI builds your app: Once it understands your request, Replit’s AI (the Replit Agent) analyzes your prompt and automatically creates all the necessary components for your application – the frontend interface, backend logic, database structure, and any connections between them (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). In other words, it writes the code for you. Replit’s AI tools handle all the technical complexity, so no coding experience is required on your part (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit).
Refine and iterate: After the initial generation, you can ask the AI to adjust or add features by chatting in plain English. For instance, “Make the app’s background blue” or “Add a login feature.” The AI will modify the code based on your requests. This iterative loop continues until you’re happy with the app.
One-click deploy: When your app is ready, you can deploy and share it with a single click. In fact, every Replit app comes with free hosting, a custom domain, and easy sharing options by default (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). This means once the AI builds your app, you can instantly put it on the internet for others to use, without dealing with servers or configurations.
What’s amazing is that all of this happens right in your browser. You don’t need to install anything or set up a development environment. Replit supports at least 40+ programming languages and frameworks in the cloud (Repl.it – Wikiversity), so whether your app ends up using Python, JavaScript, or any other technology, Replit can run it. The heavy lifting is done by the AI and Replit’s cloud platform – you just focus on describing what you want your app to do.
Key Benefits of Using Replit for Easy App Development
Replit’s AI-powered vibe coding isn’t just a gimmick – it comes with real benefits that make app development easy, fast, and fun for beginners. Here are some of the top features and advantages that empower you as a newbie developer:
No Coding Required – AI Does the Heavy Lifting: Perhaps the biggest benefit for beginners is that you don’t need to know how to code to build something cool. Replit’s AI tools handle the complex syntax and programming for you, based on your natural language instructions (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). You can prompt your app ideas to life with no coding required (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). This lowers the barrier to entry dramatically – you can create a working application on day one, without months of learning a programming language. It’s coding without actually coding, which is incredibly encouraging if you’re just starting out.
Instant App Creation (From Idea to Prototype in Minutes): Replit enables easy app development at lightning speed. Instead of spending weeks setting up and coding an MVP (minimum viable product), you can have a basic app running within minutes. Simply describe what you want, and Replit’s AI builds a functional prototype on the spot (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit) (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). This is perfect for testing out ideas quickly. Got an idea at 2 AM? Fire up Replit, chat with the AI, and you might have a working demo before you go to bed. The ability to go from idea to app in minutes means you can experiment and innovate faster than ever before.
Built-In Hosting and Deployment: When you use Replit, you don’t have to worry about finding a server or configuring hosting for your new app. Every project runs on Replit’s cloud by default, and you can deploy it with a single click. Replit provides free hosting, a URL (or custom domain), and easy sharing options for every app you create (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). This is a huge benefit – your friends or users can access your app online immediately, and you didn’t have to fiddle with AWS, Heroku, or any infrastructure. Replit even sets up things like databases, file storage, and authentication automatically for you if your app needs them (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). In short, all the “boring” but necessary parts of launching an application are handled, so you can focus on the fun part (building your idea).
Supports Multiple Languages and Frameworks: Unlike some no-code or low-code platforms that might limit you to a particular technology, Replit is very flexible. It supports dozens of programming languages – Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Ruby, C++, and many more (Repl.it – Wikiversity). This means the AI isn’t constrained to one type of solution; it will choose the appropriate language and framework for your project (or you can instruct it if you have a preference). If you decide to peek under the hood or tweak the code manually, you’ll find standard languages and tools being used. You’re never locked in – you can build web apps, mobile backends, games, or anything, all within Replit. This multi-language support also means as you learn and gain coding skills, Replit grows with you – you can gradually start editing the code, switching languages, or integrating external libraries as you become more comfortable.
Real-Time Collaboration and Community: Replit was built with collaboration in mind. You can invite friends or team members to work on a project with you and literally code together in real-time – much like how you’d collaborate on a Google Doc. Everyone can edit or test the app simultaneously in the browser, which is great for group projects or getting help from a mentor. In fact, Replit provides a Google Docs-like editing experience where multiple people can work on the code at once and see changes live (AI App Builder: From Prompt To App In Minutes | Replit). For beginners, this is awesome because you can have a more experienced friend guide you, or you can brainstorm features with a partner and see them appear instantly. Beyond that, Replit has a huge community and tons of pre-built templates you can fork (copy) to kickstart your project. If you’re stuck or need inspiration, you can explore community-made apps, ask questions in Replit’s forums, or even have the AI explain code to you. You’re never building alone.
Beginner-Friendly and Easy to Use: Using Replit requires no setup or installation – all you need is a web browser (or even just your phone). The entire development environment is in the cloud, so you avoid the headaches of configuring your computer to code. This ease-of-use is a big confidence booster for newcomers. You can start a new project with one click and immediately see a coding workspace ready for you. The interface is intuitive, and because the AI assistant is integrated, you can chat with it whenever you need help or want it to generate something. This means from the very start, you have a sort of “technical co-pilot” guiding you. And if you are curious to learn coding, the AI can explain what it’s doing – a great way to pick up programming concepts gradually. Overall, Replit’s design and AI features make the app-building process simple and relatable, even if you’ve never programmed before.
Ready to Build Your First App?
The bottom line: Replit’s vibe coding experience and AI tools are revolutionizing how beginners approach app development. It’s never been easier to bring your ideas to life. If you’re excited to try no-code AI development and build something yourself, now is the perfect time to start. Don’t let a lack of coding experience hold you back! With Replit, you can go from “I have an idea” to “I built an app” in a surprisingly short time – and have fun along the way.
