October 2025

By now, it might be easy to take AI for granted.

But behind the scenes is a global network of infrastructure and innovation that makes it all possible. This month, we explore what it takes to build AI, from a small Norwegian town that will be Europe’s next AI hub to a powerful new datacenter in Wisconsin, a breakthrough in cooling AI chips and a tiny AI engine that’s transforming Windows PCs.

Ultimately, AI is about us – it’s conceived, created and built by humans. So we’ll also introduce you to a few of the creative minds shaping the future of AI at Microsoft.

A small port town north of the Arctic Circle where Vikings once roamed is about to become Europe’s next major AI center.

In Narvik, Norway, Microsoft and partners Nscale and Aker are investing $6.2 billion to deliver advanced AI infrastructure powered entirely by renewable energy, helping to meet the growing demand for compute power across Europe. Narvik’s cool climate, affordable energy prices and abundant hydropower make it the perfect spot for this project, which kicks off next year.  

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Microsoft is building the world’s most powerful AI datacenter in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Named Fairwater and opening in 2026, it is designed to train AI models and will deliver 10 times the performance of today’s fastest supercomputer.

It’s engineered for speed and sustainability, matching every kilowatt hour with carbon-free energy and using closed-loop liquid cooling to minimize water use. (Fun fact: Microsoft President Brad Smith lived in Mount Pleasant as a kid and used to deliver the morning paper by bike!)

While Fairwater is pushing the boundaries of datacenter cooling, Microsoft researchers are also finding new ways to chill AI chips. Their latest lab-scale breakthrough uses microfluidics to put coolant right inside the silicon, targeting the hottest spots.

Tiny channels etched into the chip send liquid directly where it’s needed, keeping chips running faster and more efficiently, and removing heat up to three times better than traditional cold plates.

And right on your desktop, chips are making everyday tasks smarter and more efficient. NPUs (neural processing units), originally used in smartphones, are now powering Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft’s version of these tiny but mighty engines handle trillions of operations per second, running AI tasks on your device for smarter search, image creation and camera effects, while saving power and extending battery life.

Driving all this innovation are visionaries who continue to shape the digital world. Among them are six pioneering technologists – inventors of RSS feeds, Google Docs, Kubernetes, Python and more – who are now at Microsoft, tackling the next big challenges in AI.

Drawn by Microsoft’s open-source spirit and long-term vision, these trailblazers are making the web more conversational, creating smarter developer tools and building trustworthy technology. We’re thrilled to introduce you to them (don’t miss the video!).

“AI has the power to amplify human potential, not just automate it away,” says Aparna Chennapragada, who led the development of Google Lens and is now Microsoft’s chief product officer of experiences and devices. “I wanted to be at the center of shaping that.”

These innovators remind us that the future of AI will be built by people who dare to imagine – and create – what’s next.

 ‘Hey Copilot!’

Windows 11 is now an AI platform with built-in Copilot, meaning you can interact more naturally with your PC.  

Saying “Hey Copilot” launches Copilot Voice, allowing you to chat with the AI assistant and ask questions. With your permission, Copilot Vision can analyze what’s on your screen and offer guided support and tips as you work across apps.  

New features also include Copilot Actions for handling tasks, and Copilot connectors that let you automate tasks and link your favorite services, plus enhanced safeguards to protect your privacy and security.  

Tech news your way

Some folks like sweet for breakfast and some prefer savory. When it comes to consuming tech news, tastes vary, too. To offer something for everyone, we launched a new print magazine to complement our digital properties.

Signal delivers trustworthy reporting, in-depth stories, smart infographics and fresh takes on tech’s impact – all in an analog format (yes, kids, we’re talking paper). No screen, no scroll, just smart stories about what’s shaking up the tech industry.

For the scrollers who prefer to read online, we’ve got you covered. You can dive into some of the same thoughtful features from the print version, like:

• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the future of AI and building a culture of innovation.
• How a 20-year journey unlocked quantum computing to create a new state of matter.
• Vodafone CTO Scott Petty’s 10-point AI playbook for business transformation.
• How a women’s soccer club in Barcelona is using AI to level the playing field.

And for some audio accompaniment, check out our cool Signal playlist.  

Fighting ghost nets with AI

Deep in the ocean, a silent killer traps and kills marine creatures, from whales to turtles, sharks and crabs.

A new collaboration is using AI to find ghost nets, the lost and abandoned plastic fishing nets threatening marine life worldwide.

The GhostNetZero.ai platform uses AI to analyze images from sonar scans and pinpoint ghost net locations with 94% accuracy, often within minutes. That means teams can focus on the most impacted areas, and divers can spend less time searching and more time retrieving these underwater hazards.

Reheat and repeat

Food critic Keith Lee is back for season two of The Reheat, serving up support with a side of AI at minority-owned restaurants across Chicago.

In the video series, the TikTok star revisits spots that lit up like a rogue flambé after his viral reviews, this time helping owners use Copilot to balance their lives.

At Cleo’s Southern Cuisine, chef Kristen Harper says the AI assistant advised her to delegate tasks like inventory management and scheduling.

“It tells you all of the different ways that your business can change, evolve,” says Harper. “And now you can really sit and be super creative and figure out what you want to do.”

Want to stay on top of the latest AI and technology news each day? Check out Signal blog. No technobabble or corporate-speak — just quick, easy-to-read bites of what you need to know now, plus tips and insights that actually matter for your work, life and the world.