Tech News Digest: Monday, 1 June 2026

Today in tech, we're looking at a major shift in how we pay for our favourite coding assistants and a massive infrastructure bet right across the Channel. From new AI-powered wearables to the evolving habits of software developers, here’s what you need to know this Monday morning.

GitHub Copilot’s new token-based billing sparks developer backlash

The golden era of flat-rate AI coding appears to be ending as Microsoft moves GitHub Copilot to a token-based billing system. This shift is causing quite a stir among the UK’s dev community, as freelancers and agencies now have to carefully budget their prompts to avoid unexpected costs. It’s a sign that the massive subsidies for AI compute are finally being passed down to the end-user.

SoftBank to invest €75 billion in French data centers

In a massive boost for European infrastructure, SoftBank has announced plans to build up to 5 gigawatts of data center capacity in France. This €75 billion move highlights the sheer scale of the energy and hardware needed to keep the AI boom moving. For those of us in the UK, it’s a clear signal that the infrastructure race is heating up right on our doorstep.

Google’s Gemini Spark makes productivity personal

Google has launched Gemini Spark, a 24/7 AI assistant that handles everything from managing your inbox to planning local events. While users are finding it genuinely helpful for streamlining daily chores, many are questioning why Google has launched it as yet another separate product rather than integrating it into the core Android experience. It’s a must-try for anyone looking to claw back a few hours of their week through clever automation.

Meta joins the wearable race with an AI pendant

Following in the footsteps of several startups, Meta is reportedly developing its own AI-powered pendant to bring ambient intelligence to your wardrobe. By moving the AI off the phone and onto a wearable device, Meta is betting that we want a digital assistant that can see and hear the world exactly as we do. It’ll be interesting to see if this can succeed where other AI pins and pendants have struggled to find a mainstream audience.

The rise of the 'AI-only' coder

A fascinating new trend shows that software engineers are increasingly refusing to work in environments where AI tools aren't permitted. However, researchers are warning that while this makes coding faster, it isn't necessarily making it better, with potential long-term risks for codebase stability. It’s a classic productivity trade-off that tech leads across the country are currently having to navigate.

That’s all for today—have a great Monday and stay ahead of the curve!