Technology and Innovation Weekly Digest

Welcome to this week’s Technology and Innovation digest where we explore the latest innovations driving sustainability and efficiency across the industry. This week, we’ll look at how Walmart and Meta are experimenting with sustainable methods of construction.  We’ll also cover key stories like California's veto of an AI safety bill, as well as some new partnerships that are reshaping the property market opening up possibilities for flexible rentals and immersive real estate experiences.

Aaliyah Pollock- AI, Data and Tech Analyst

Walmart To Use 3D Printing for Construction

Walmart has partnered with Alquist 3D, a Colorado-based construction company, to build an 8,000-square-foot addition to a store in Tennessee. Founded in 2020, Alquist 3D is also working on building homes and modular infrastructure. Walmart claims its decision to use 3D construction printing in its expansion aligns with its broader goals of becoming more environmentally friendly whilst leveraging innovative technology.

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California Governor Vetoes AI Safety Bill, Citing Innovation Concerns

California Governor Gavin Newsom blocked a new AI safety bill, saying it could hurt innovation and push developers out of the state. The bill, proposed by Senator Scott Wiener, would have required safety checks and a "kill switch" for powerful AI systems. Big tech companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta opposed the bill, warning it would slow AI development. Newsom plans to work on AI safety with experts instead. Wiener criticized the veto, saying it leaves AI companies with no rules while Congress struggles to regulate the industry.

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Zumper Partners with AirBnB to Promote Airbnb-Friendly Rental Communities

Zumper, North America’s largest privately owned rental marketplace, will be marketing Airbnb-friendly rental communities on their platform. The partnership will open more options too flexible renting, allowing renters to find ones where they can earn extra income from hosting Airbnb stays. Airbnb says, “Everyone should have the opportunity to earn extra income on their space” and they hope Zumper will bring more renters to Airbnb-friendly apartments.

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Meta To Invest in Low-carbon Concrete

Meta has announced an investment in low-carbon concrete production in collaboration with CarbonBuilt. With this partnership, Meta aims to reduce the embodied carbon used in constructing Meta's data centers by scaling up production of CarbonBuilt's Reversa® concrete, a low-cost alternative to Portland cement that captures and stores CO₂. The capital investment will be used to upgrade two concrete plants in the US states of Arizona and Alabama.

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Bright Spaces Partners with BHB Properties

Bright Spaces, an RICS Tech Partner, has partnered with BHB Properties to launch an interactive digital platform for BHB Avenue offering an immersive and virtual home-buying experience. The platform allows users to explore detailed 3D representations of apartments, filter options by criteria such as budget and size, and take virtual tours of both furnished and unfurnished spaces. With features like real-time apartment availability and comprehensive building information, the platform enhances transparency and decision-making for potential buyers while highlighting the luxury amenities and design of BHB Avenue.

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