Meta to Invest $1.5 Billion in New AI Data Centre in Texas

WAM/APP

New York: Meta Platforms on Wednesday announced plans to invest over $1.5 billion in a new data centre in the US state of Texas by 2028, underscoring its growing commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The new facility, to be built in El Paso, will be powered entirely by renewable energy and equipped with advanced water recycling systems to minimize environmental impact.

According to the company, the El Paso data centre will play a key role in expanding Meta’s processing capacity to support its AI-driven products, including Facebook, Instagram, and its broader ambitions for the metaverse.

As AI development demands vast computing resources, Meta has accelerated the construction of data centres across the United States to meet the surging power and processing needs associated with AI model training and immersive digital experiences.

Google Turns Search Into a Digital Art Studio with New AI ‘Nano Banana’

Google has unveiled its latest AI-powered image generator, Nano Banana, now integrated directly into Google Search and NotebookLM, enabling users to create, transform, and stylize visuals without leaving their favorite Google apps.

The launch marks another major step in Google’s ongoing effort to weave generative AI tools into its entire ecosystem.

Built on Gemini 2.5 Flash, Nano Banana integrates with Google Lens and AI Mode, introducing a new “Create” tab within Lens. Users can take or upload photos and use text prompts to modify them in real time—turning snapshots into cartoons, artistic renderings, or entirely new AI-generated visuals—all within Search.

In AI Mode, users can start from scratch, generating fully original images without switching to another platform—Google’s clear answer to standalone AI art tools.

Powering Creativity in NotebookLM

Google has also made Nano Banana the creative engine behind NotebookLM’s Video Overviews feature. This tool automatically converts uploaded documents into narrated explainer videos—now enhanced with AI-generated visuals.

The update introduces six new artistic styles: Watercolor, Papercraft, Anime, Whiteboard, Retro Print, and Heritage. Users can choose between two video formats—a detailed “Explainer” or a concise “Brief.”

Unlike traditional animation tools, Nano Banana uses context-aware generation, pulling visuals directly from the document’s content rather than random stock images, ensuring greater relevance and coherence.

Broad Applications Across Users

From students creating visual study guides to professionals designing presentation mockups, Nano Banana brings a dynamic visual edge to Google’s productivity suite. Google likens it to a “Smart Reply for images”—instantly turning text-based ideas into creative visuals.

The move mirrors strategies by Microsoft and Adobe, which have embedded Copilot and Firefly into their tools. However, Google says Nano Banana offers superior consistency, having already generated over five billion images, while preserving facial details, artistic style, and composition across outputs.

Nano Banana in Google Photos

Google confirmed that Google Photos will soon gain Nano Banana capabilities, allowing users to stylize or enhance photo memories with generative AI.

In addition, Google has unveiled Nano Banana-enabled camera hardware, designed to edit and stylize visuals in real time—further blurring the line between photography and AI art.