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Amazon To Test AI-Created Material For Carbon Capture In Data Centers

Amazon is stepping up its environmental efforts by testing a groundbreaking carbon-removal material for its data centers. The company, which is tackling the growing emissions linked to the artificial intelligence systems powering these centers, has partnered with Orbital Materials, a startup that used AI to design the innovative substance.

Jonathan Godwin, CEO of Orbital Materials, explained that the new material acts like an atomic-level sponge, with cavities precisely sized to capture CO2 without interacting with other elements. This targeted approach could be a game-changer in carbon filtration.

One of the appealing aspects of the new material is its cost-effectiveness. Godwin estimates that the material could account for just 10% of the cost associated with renting a GPU chip for AI training, significantly less than the price of traditional carbon offsets.

Meanwhile, the demand for energy in data centers is rising, as AI’s rapid development requires more power and cooling solutions. This surge poses a challenge for Amazon, which is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud provider by revenue, plans to begin piloting the AI-designed carbon removal material in one of its data centers starting in 2025. This initiative is part of a three-year collaboration with Orbital, which will also gain access to AWS’s technology and open-source AI tools for further development.

Howard Gefen, General Manager of AWS Energy & Utilities, stated that the partnership would promote sustainable innovation, but financial details remain undisclosed. Orbital, with offices in Princeton, New Jersey, and London, began its journey about a year ago by setting up a lab to synthesize AI-designed materials. The startup aims to work with AWS to test additional AI-generated solutions, addressing water usage and cooling requirements in data centers. Godwin co-founded Orbital, which currently employs 20 people and is supported by investors such as Radical Ventures and Nvidia’s venture arm. Before this, Godwin contributed to materials science work at Alphabet’s DeepMind until 2022.

Cyprus Tightens Oversight Of Foreign-Interest Companies

yprus is revising the framework for companies with foreign interests, introducing stricter compliance checks and new requirements designed to attract businesses that make a substantive contribution to the economy.

The Cabinet approved the changes on Tuesday following a proposal from the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. In a post on X, Energy Minister Michalis Damianos said the revised framework aims to attract companies with a genuine presence in Cyprus and the potential to create added value.

Greater Focus On Real Economic Activity

The revised framework prioritises companies’ actual economic activity, regardless of the origin of their capital. As part of the changes, the existing register will be renamed the “Business Facilitation Centre Register”.

The new rules also strengthen compliance monitoring and establish procedures for removing companies that fail to meet their obligations. Checks on the 70%–30% employment ratio will be conducted seven years after registration.

Annual Employment Reporting From 2027

From January 1, 2027, registered companies will be required to submit annual employment reports. The measure is intended to improve transparency and help authorities monitor compliance with the framework.

The revisions also clarify the conditions under which companies may retain their registration if their ultimate beneficial owners obtain Cypriot or other EU citizenship.

Part Of A Wider Business And Talent Strategy

According to Damianos, the changes aim to attract companies with a substantive presence, growth potential and a measurable contribution to Cyprus’s economy. The framework introduces clearer procedures and oversight while reinforcing existing obligations.

The decision forms part of a broader review of Cyprus’s Strategy for Attracting Businesses and Talent, which is expected to be completed by December 2026.

The first consultation workshop with the business community and other stakeholders took place on October 28, with a second scheduled for October 29.

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