Europe races Meta and Japan to launch first Petabit-class submarine cable before 2030 as AI demand explodes

techradar.com May 24, 2026

Europe races Meta and Japan to launch first Petabit-class submarine cable before 2030 as AI demand explodes

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · May 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

European consortium IOEMA 1 Holding has partnered with APTelecom to develop a petabit-class subsea cable system spanning 1,600 kilometers across five Northern European nations, aiming to launch by 2029. This project competes with Japan and Meta's ambitious cable initiatives. Japan has successfully trialled a revolutionary submarine cable technology using 12-core multicore fiber, while Meta is building global subsea infrastructure. The European project aims to connect digital hubs in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and the UK.

💡 Why It Matters

· Reliability is crucial for companies operating at Meta's scale, with over 95% of intercontinental internet traffic relying on subsea cable systems.
· Successful deployment of petabit-class cables will significantly enhance data transmission capacity.

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Zuckerberg must now sell Meta AI

Mark Zuckerberg's $14 billion investment in Meta's artificial intelligence push has led to the development of Muse Spark, a proprietary AI model designed to power Meta's platforms and emerging AI-driven products. However, the company now faces the challenge of monetizing its AI investments, with advertising accounting for 98 percent of its revenue. Analysts are calling for proof of adoption and commercialization, as investor skepticism over Meta's ability to compete in the AI market has led to a lag in stock performance.

💡 Meta's failure to establish a clear monetization path for its AI investments risks limiting long-term growth, as a closed ecosystem could hinder the company's ability to attract and retain third-party developers, a crucial factor in the competitive AI market.

betanews.com · Jun 16

Meta is rolling out group voice and video calls to WhatsApp on…

Meta is rolling out group voice and video calls to WhatsApp on the web, addressing a long-standing limitation of the platform's web-based version. Users can now make group calls with up to 32 participants, featuring end-to-end encryption and screen sharing capabilities. The feature also includes call links and a waiting room option for added control. The rollout is currently limited to a select number of users, but it is expected to become available to all users in the near future.

💡 This expansion of WhatsApp's web capabilities will greatly benefit users who rely on the platform for group communication, particularly those who use Linux or prefer to access WhatsApp through a web browser. The addition of group voice and video calls will enhance the overall user experience and make WhatsApp a more comprehensive communication platform.

techcrunch.com · Jun 16

Meta’s new ‘AI Mode’ on Facebook pulls from public info across its…

Meta has rolled out a new feature called "AI Mode" on Facebook, which uses Meta AI to surface answers to users' questions by pulling from public posts across the platform. The feature aims to change how users find information, create content, and interact with the platform. Additionally, Facebook has introduced editing tools, AI-powered photo presets, and other AI features to make the platform more useful and engaging. These updates are part of Meta's broader strategy to make Facebook stickier and more useful, while also diversifying its revenue streams.

💡 Meta's reliance on public posts for AI-generated answers raises concerns about the reliability of information, as outdated or misleading content can slip through. This is particularly relevant given the company's recent launch of global subscription plans, which could create new revenue streams, but also increase the pressure to deliver accurate and trustworthy AI-powered features.

us.headtopics.com · Jun 16

Meta Is Testing Police Surveillance Tech for Its Smart Glasses

Meta is testing police surveillance technology for its smart glasses, according to a report. The company is partnering with Rank One, a firm that sells surveillance tools to the U.S. government and police. Rank One's facial recognition software is tied to a test version of Meta's unreleased facial recognition feature, which can identify faces from a distance of up to 1 kilometer. The contract between Meta and Rank One authorizes Meta to use its face recognition technology and "liveness detection" feature. This suggests that a facial recognition feature for Meta's smart glasses may eventually be released.

💡 The partnership raises concerns about the potential use of facial recognition technology in consumer products, particularly in smart glasses. The fact that Rank One's software is used for surveillance by law enforcement agencies makes it harder for Meta to convince users that the technology won't be used for monitoring purposes.

breitbart.com · Jun 14

Meta Launches Program to Give Free AI-Powered Smart Glasses to Blind Veterans

Meta has launched a nationwide program to provide free AI-powered smart glasses to over 130,000 eligible blind veterans in the United States. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses utilize AI to help wearers identify objects, read text aloud, and manage everyday tasks through voice commands. The program aims to restore independence to those who sacrificed their vision in service to their country, as seen in the experience of Don Overton, a US Army veteran who lost his eyesight during Desert Storm. Eligible veterans can request their pair of glasses through the Blinded Veterans Association website.

💡 The program's focus on restoring independence to blind veterans highlights the significant gap in assistive technology access for this demographic, and Meta's initiative sets a precedent for corporate responsibility in addressing this issue.

techcrunch.com · Jun 14

Meta reportedly moves to unwind $2B Manus deal after Beijing’s demand

Meta has begun dismantling its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Chinese-founded AI startup, by completing an operational separation and halting data sharing between the two companies. This move complies with a divestiture order issued by Beijing roughly two months ago on national security grounds. Meta has cut Manus off from its internal systems, preventing employees from using Manus tools for internal projects. The co-founders of Manus have held discussions about raising $1 billion to reclaim the startup from Meta. The move underscores Beijing's determination to retain control over strategically sensitive technology. Meta's acquisition of Manus is unraveling, with the startup continuing to ship new features despite the separation.

💡 Beijing's strict control over its AI sector is extending to foreign investment, with top AI firms requiring government sign-off before accepting US investment. This adds another layer to China's effort to control its AI sector, highlighting its commitment to regulating technology exports and foreign investment.