The company revealed the plans at its Delivering the Future event in Dartford, England, where it also introduced an upgraded version of Proteus, its autonomous warehouse robot.

The new Proteus can move across warehouse floors rather than being limited to loading and dock areas. Amazon said employees can now give the robot instructions using everyday language instead of technical commands.

“You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing,” said Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics.

Like the current version, Proteus is designed to handle physically demanding work, including moving heavy carts over long distances. Amazon explained that the upgraded robot is being tested in its laboratories and is expected to begin operating in Europe during the first half of 2027.

Alongside Proteus, Amazon also highlighted other robotics technologies that it plans to expand across its European network. These include Vulcan, the company’s first robot with a sense of touch, and STARK, a robotic tote-handling system that works alongside employees by picking full totes from conveyors and placing them onto carts.

STARK was first tested in Barcelona and Amazon plans to deploy it at 15 sites across Europe by 2027.

The warehouse robots rollout is part of an investment programme worth more than €10 billion, Amazon said the funding will be used to expand and modernise fulfilment centres across Europe while supporting long-term growth in the region.

The company expects the expansion to create 25,000 additional jobs across its European fulfilment network over the coming years.

Amazon also announced a fresh commitment to workforce development, pledging $1 billion to its Career Choice programme by 2030. The initiative funds education and training for employees seeking careers in areas such as cyber security, software development, logistics, renewable energy and mechatronics.

More than 300,000 employees have participated in the programme globally, including 30,000 in the United Kingdom.

On the delivery side, Amazon said it will open more than 25 Sub Same-Day Delivery sites across Europe this year. The facilities bring storage, fulfilment and final delivery operations together in one location, allowing customers to place orders later in the day and still receive them within hours.

The company said the network will expand to locations including Coventry in the UK and Nürnberg in Germany.

Amazon Now, the retailer’s ultra-fast delivery service for groceries and household essentials, is also set for further growth. The service, which promises delivery in 30 minutes or less, is already available in parts of London and will expand to Manchester and Birmingham later this year.

In another update for European customers, Amazon said its Add to Delivery feature will launch in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and France later this year. The service allows Prime members to add items to an existing order without completing a separate checkout process or paying extra delivery charges.

The company is also strengthening its grocery offering. Customers in parts of central and east London can now combine fresh food items, including fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, with other Amazon purchases for same-day delivery.

Amazon said the investment drive follows a record year in Europe. The company invested more than €60 billion across the region in 2025, its largest annual investment in Europe to date.

The retailer also provided an update on its sustainability efforts, revealing that more than 50,000 electric delivery vans are now operating across the United States, Europe and India. That figure represents half of Amazon’s target to deploy 100,000 electric vans globally by 2030.

In Europe, Amazon and its delivery partners have now completed more than 100 million deliveries using electric cargo bikes, electric mopeds and on-foot delivery methods. These deliveries have helped avoid more than 17,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.

Marill, joining from Airbnb, where he held a similar leadership role, will oversee operations across the region and will be based in Paris.

The appointment gives OpenAI a senior executive focused solely on a region where demand for its products is increasing, but where political and business issues about dependence on American technology are also growing.

Emmanuel Marill will report to Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer at OpenAI.

“As demand for ChatGPT and Codex continues to grow rapidly all over the world, we are investing significantly in our international leadership and operations,” Kwon said in a statement.

OpenAI has been aiming to win more paying business customers as it faces the high cost of developing new artificial intelligence systems. Europe is an important market, although some officials and company leaders have urged stronger support for home-grown technology firms.

French startup Mistral AI has positioned itself as a European alternative to major US companies such as OpenAI.

At the same time, OpenAI is still reviewing parts of its infrastructure plans in the region. Earlier this month, the company paused its Stargate data centre project in the United Kingdom, citing regulation and energy costs.

Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s biggest backers, later agreed to rent data centre capacity in Norway that had originally been linked to the project. OpenAI said it is still exploring a separate computing agreement there.

Marill will also lead the company’s efforts in the Middle East, where OpenAI has invested heavily, especially in the United Arab Emirates.

Its partner in the country, G42, recently said plans for a large data centre project is still on track despite tensions linked to the US conflict with Iran.

OpenAI has also signed agreements with businesses in banking, pharmaceuticals and media across Europe. It has worked with governments in Germany, Greece and Ireland, while also planning to increase staff numbers in London.

The company said in February that business subscriptions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa had grown sevenfold over the previous year, though it did not disclose revenue for the region.

Globally, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has said OpenAI’s annualised revenue exceeded $20 billion last year.

The probe, announced on Thursday, falls under the Digital Services Act, which requires large platforms to protect against harmful and illegal content or face heavy penalties.

EU officials say they are investigating how the app handles risks such as child grooming, exposure to drugs and other illegal goods, and weak account protections for younger users.

“From grooming ⁠and exposure to illegal products to account settings that undermine minors’ safety, Snapchat appears to have overlooked that the Digital Services Act demands high safety standards for all users,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.

At the centre of the case is whether Snapchat has put in place enough precautions to stop adults from contacting or exploiting minors. Regulators are also examining how easily illegal goods such as drugs, vapes and alcohol can be promoted or sold through the platform.

The European Commission said Snapchat’s content moderation tools may not be strong enough to prevent such activity.

It also spoke about the company’s age verification system, which largely relies on users declaring their own age, as well as default settings that could leave younger users exposed.

Another issue under review is the platform’s design, including features regulators describe as “dark patterns”, which may make it harder for users to report problems or understand privacy settings.

Snapchat, owned by Snap Inc., said it is working with regulators and reviewing its systems to ensure child safety and general protection.

“We have fully cooperated with the Commission to date – engaging proactively, transparently and working in good faith to meet the DSA’s high safety standards – and we will continue to do so throughout this ‌investigation,” a spokesperson said.

The Commission has also taken over an earlier investigation by Dutch authorities into the alleged sale of vapes to minors on the platform.

Snapchat has about 97 million monthly users across the EU, most of them teenagers and young adults. Regulators believe this makes the platform particularly vulnerable to abuse, including cases where adults pose as minors to target younger users.

Under the Digital Services Act, companies found in breach can be fined up to 6% of their global annual revenue. With Snap reporting about $5.2 billion in revenue last year, any penalty could run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

Generally, investigations regarding child safety and other aspects are already underway into TikTok, Meta Platforms, and AliExpress, among others, as regulators step up enforcement of the law, hence, this isn’t limited to Snapchat.

Brussels has made known it wants the Digital Services Act to set the standard for online safety, especially when it comes to protecting children.

Regulators say the U.S. tech giant could be abusing its position in the messaging market.

On January 15, Meta allowed only its own AI assistant to operate on WhatsApp, blocking access to third-party AI rivals. 

The European Commission responded by issuing a statement of objections to Meta and said it is considering interim measures to prevent “serious and irreparable harm” to competitors while the investigation continues.

“We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to illegally leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage,” EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said. 

“That is why we are considering quickly imposing interim measures on Meta, to preserve access for competitors to WhatsApp while the investigation is ongoing and avoid Meta’s new policy irreparably harming competition in Europe.”

Meta defended its policy, arguing that the WhatsApp Business API is not a crucial channel for AI tools. “There are many AI options and people can use them from app stores, operating systems, devices, websites and industry partnerships,” a Meta spokesperson said. 

“The Commission’s logic incorrectly assumes the WhatsApp Business API (software) is a key distribution channel for these chatbots.”

Italy’s competition authority took a similar step last December, restricting Meta’s ability to block AI rivals. In contrast, a Brazilian court recently suspended an interim measure against Meta over the same issue.

This is its second U.S. increase in less than two years as the company leans on higher fees to protect profits.

The change applies to current users, with the new price kicking in on individual billing dates next month. 

Spotify said affected subscribers will be notified by email before the adjustment takes effect. New users are already being shown the updated price on the company’s website.

Investors welcomed this development as shares of the Swedish streaming group climbed almost 3% in premarket trading on Thursday, trusting that the company can push through higher prices without losing too many users.

This latest increase follows Spotify’s decision in June 2024 to lift the U.S. Premium price from $9.99 to $11.99, its first rise in more than a decade. The jump to $12.99 means American subscribers will have seen prices climb by 30% in roughly 18 months.

In a message sent to customers, Spotify explained the decision. “Occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists.”

The company also told subscribers: “Thank you for being a valued Premium subscriber. Starting on your billing date in February, your subscription price will change from $11.99/month to $12.99/month.”

Spotify stressed that premium users who are unhappy with the new price can cancel at any time or switch to other plans available through their account settings, noting that the service stays optional.

The increase is not limited to the United States. Similar increases have been rolled out across parts of Europe, South Asia and Latin America over the past two years. This shows a similar global strategy rather than a one-off response to local conditions.

After years of losses, Spotify reported its first quarterly operating profit in late 2025. That achievement eased issues about the sustainability of its business model, but it also raised expectations. To keep that momentum, the company needs more revenue per user.

Music licensing is expensive, and costs continually increase as labels renegotiate deals. At the same time, Spotify is spending heavily to expand beyond music. 

Audiobooks are being rolled out more widely, and the platform is investing in new discovery tools and recommendation features designed to keep users engaged for longer.

Subscription fees are the most direct lever Spotify can pull. Advertising helps, but Premium subscriptions still account for the bulk of revenue. From that perspective, the latest increase looks less like a gamble and more like a necessity.

Spotify is not acting alone as Apple Music, YouTube Music and Amazon Music have all increased prices in recent years, softening the risk that users will defect purely on cost. 

For many listeners, the difference between services now comes down to habit, playlists and perceived value rather than price alone.

Still, there is little room for complacency. Consumers are facing higher prices across many digital services, and tolerance for repeated increases is not unlimited. We have seen subscription fatigue set in elsewhere, and music streaming may not be immune.

This is a 32-fold increase in the value of African tech and a 17-fold increase in Europe over the last decade.

But despite these gains, the last eighteen months have seen a significant reversal in venture capital (VC) investment, with European investment in business software companies decreasing by 59%, and a 40% overall decline in global tech investment from 2022 to 2023. 

Africa has experienced a similar trend, with a 40% decrease in VC investment during the same period.

This was revealed in the report by Google for Startups in partnership with Notion Capital. The report investigates the intersection of diversity, entrepreneurship, and investment in the European and African tech sector, focusing on the impact of Google for Startups’ Black Founders Fund. 

It reveals both progress made and ongoing challenges faced by Black founders in securing funding and resources.

Challenges Faced by Black Founders

Investment Disparities

Since 2000, Black-led tech businesses in Europe and Africa have received $2.5 billion in investments, which accounts for just 0.51% of the total investment in all tech startups. 

In Europe, Black founders received only 0.43% of all tech investment ($2.09 billion out of $482.5 billion), and in Africa, only 3.11% ($413 million out of $13.3 billion).

Decline in VC Investment

The peak of VC investment was seen in 2021, with global heights reaching $734 billion during the pandemic. However, this figure has since dropped to $317 billion in 2023, nearly half of the amount seen just two years earlier. 

This decline affects all founders, but underrepresented Black and ethnic founders are likely to feel the impact more acutely due to existing funding pressures and systemic biases.

Funding Gaps

There is a huge investment opportunity gap for Black founders. In Europe, if investment were proportional to the Black population, it would have reached $6.3 billion from 2000 to 2023, indicating a $4.21 billion shortfall. 

In the UK alone, Black-led tech businesses should have received $3.11 billion, but they have only garnered $1.38 billion, reflecting a $1.73 billion gap. 

In Africa, the investment opportunity gap is estimated to be nearly $10 billion, considering that around 80% of the continent’s population identifies as Black.

In Europe, women-led startups received only 1.1% of total venture capital funding in 2023 – average funding for women-led startups was €3 million, compared to €6 million for male-led startups.

The situation in Africa is similar, with women-led startups receiving less than 5% of total tech investment.

Despite these challenges, women-led startups have shown resilience and potential for growth. The growth rate for women-led startups in Africa was reported at 20% year-on-year, reiterating their ability to thrive even with limited resources.

Google for Startups’ Recommendations

Policy Advocacy

Google for Startups recommends collaborating with policymakers to advocate for policies that incentivise diversity in tech and address systemic barriers faced by Black founders in accessing capital.

Investor Education

Implementing educational programs for investors is necessary to raise awareness about biases and challenges faced by underrepresented founders. This will facilitate a more inclusive investment sector.

Community Building

Strengthening community-building efforts is essential to create a supportive industry where Black founders can connect, collaborate, and share experiences.

Data Collection and Transparency

Advocating for enhanced data collection on diversity metrics in the tech industry is important to promote transparency and informed decision-making.

Inclusive Investment Strategies

Google for Startups recommends inclusive investment strategies that specifically target women-led startups. In creating funds and initiatives focused on supporting women entrepreneurs, the tech industry can address the gender investment gap more effectively.

Mentorship and Networking

Providing mentorship and networking opportunities for women founders is necessary. Programs that connect women entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and industry leaders can help them navigate challenges, gain insights, and build valuable connections.

Highlighting Success Stories

Celebrating and highlighting the success stories of women-led startups can serve as inspiration and provide role models for aspiring women entrepreneurs. These stories can also ascertain the prospect and impact of investing in diverse leadership.

Training and Development

Offering training and development programs targeted at the needs of women founders can help them with the skills and knowledge required to secure funding, manage growth, and lead successful ventures.

Gender-Sensitive Policies

Advocating for gender-sensitive policies within the investment community and broader tech sector can help create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs. This includes policies that address unconscious biases and promote equal opportunities.

The challenges faced by Black founders in the tech industry are multifaceted, encompassing differences in investment, systemic biases, and funding gaps. Addressing these issues requires a collective effort from various stakeholders. 

The pledges included $25 million from the USA, €5 million from the EU, €5 million from Germany, and $4.5 million from Open Society Foundations (OSF).

The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, announced the $25 million injection to launch AAI’s Food Security Accelerator during the “Advancing Adaptation in Africa” event at COP27. 

Africa Adaptation Initiative will leverage the funding to identify adaptation investments with the overall aim of increasing food security and unlocking private capital to invest in innovative solutions to counter the worsening food situation in Africa.

Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary for the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for Germany, pledged €5 million ($5.25 million) during the conference for AAI’s operations as part of the Team Europe Initiatives, with members including the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France and the European Commission. A further €5 million ($5.25 million) was pledged by Germany to enhance climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. 

Ms. Yamide Dagnet, Director for Climate Justice at The Open Society Foundations pledged an additional $4.5 million by 2025 to support the strengthening of the AAI’s pioneering project on rural communities, ECOVERSE.

At COP27, new pledges totalling $230 million were made for the Adaptation Fund, and the UN Climate Change’s Standing Committee on Finance will be preparing a report on doubling adaptation finance for consideration at COP28 in Dubai next year.

E. Lee James Taylor White, Minister of Water & Forests, the Sea and Environment of Gabon, commented: “Catalyzing adaptation action on the African continent is now more necessary and urgent than ever. Our priority at the Africa Adaptation Initiative is to continue highlighting the need to step up adaptation funding across the board. There is a critical need to bring meaningful finance and a real commitment to Africa to help people who have done little to contribute to global climate change but are currently most impacted by its effects.”

Commenting on the funding, Ambassador Seyni Nafo, Africa Adaptation Initiative Coordinator, said: “We know that Africa is heating up faster than any other part of the world. It is estimated that African countries will need, at least, $579 billion between 2020 and 2030 to plan and implement the adaptation measures we need, so the urgency of this issue cannot be overstressed.

We would like to thank all our partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Climate Emergency Collaboration Group, the European Union, the Government of Germany, OSF and the USA for supporting our efforts to accelerate adaptation plans and raise awareness of the extensive work needed over the coming years to adapt to the already devastating impacts of climate change on the continent.”