NHS England gives Palantir contractors broader access to patient data — 2026-05-12

## Short Segments SpaceX has once again set a new record with the tallest rocket ever built, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Nscale secures $790 million in financing to expand its AI data center in Norway, highlighting the growing demand for AI infrastructure. Amazon employees are reportedly "tokenmaxxing" due to pressure to use AI tools, raising questions about workplace dynamics. And coming up, we'll dive into the implications of NHS England granting broader access to patient data for Palantir contractors. SpaceX's Starship Version 3 is now the tallest rocket ever built. For the third time in three years, SpaceX has stacked a new version of its Starship rocket on a launch pad in South Texas. This latest iteration, known as Starship Version 3, is not only taller but also more powerful than its predecessors. The upgrades include higher-thrust Raptor engines and a new reusable structure for hot staging, which are crucial for future missions. SpaceX plans to use this version to experiment with in-orbit refueling, a key capability for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. This development is a step toward using Starships in space, potentially serving as landers for NASA's Artemis program. As SpaceX continues to iterate, the focus remains on refining these rockets for practical use in space exploration. Nscale secures $790 million to expand its AI data center in Norway. The vertically integrated AI-infrastructure company has obtained significant financing from major banks, including ABN AMRO and Nordea, to continue developing its Narvik AI data center. This project represents the largest AI infrastructure investment in Norway, underscoring the growing importance of AI capabilities. The financing includes an additional uncommitted accordion feature to fund further expansion, highlighting the scalability of the project. As AI demands increase, Nscale's investment in infrastructure positions it to meet future needs effectively. This move reflects the broader trend of expanding AI infrastructure to support technological advancements and data processing capabilities. Amazon employees are "tokenmaxxing" due to AI tool usage pressure. Amazon's internal AI tool, MeshClaw, is being used by employees to automate non-essential tasks, reportedly to demonstrate frequent AI usage to managers. This practice, known as "tokenmaxxing," involves generating unnecessary AI activity to increase token consumption, which are units of data processed by models. The push for AI adoption is part of Amazon's broader strategy to boost productivity, but it has faced internal resistance. As AI tools become more integrated into workplace operations, the dynamics between technology use and employee performance metrics are evolving. This development raises questions about the balance between genuine productivity gains and the pressure to adopt new technologies. Vapi raises $50 million in Series B funding to scale its voice AI platform. The San Francisco-based company secured the investment led by Peak XV, with participation from M12, Kleiner Perkins, and Bessemer Venture Partners. Vapi's platform, which has already handled over a billion calls, is used by major enterprises like Amazon Ring and Intuit to manage customer interactions. The funding will be used to expand Vapi's voice-agent infrastructure, enhancing its ability to automate and manage large-scale conversations. This investment highlights the growing demand for advanced voice AI solutions in various industries, as businesses seek to improve customer service and operational efficiency. With this new funding, Vapi is well-positioned to further innovate in the voice AI space. ## Feature Story NHS England grants broader access to patient data for Palantir contractors, sparking controversy. A leaked internal briefing note reveals that NHS England has created a new administrative role on its Federated Data Platform, allowing external contractors, including those from Palantir, to access identifiable patient data without case-by-case approvals. This decision has drawn criticism from patient groups and Labour MPs, who have labeled the change as dangerous. The Federated Data Platform is designed to integrate NHS data, aiming to improve patient care by making information more accessible to healthcare providers. However, the move to grant broader access raises concerns about data privacy and security, particularly as the platform is described as a "safe haven" for data before it is pseudonymized. Critics argue that allowing external contractors such extensive access could lead to potential misuse of sensitive patient information. In response, NHS England has emphasized the platform's role in enhancing healthcare delivery, but the debate over data access and privacy remains contentious. This development highlights the ongoing tension between leveraging data for improved healthcare outcomes and safeguarding patient privacy. As the NHS continues to integrate technology into its operations, the balance between innovation and privacy will be crucial to monitor. Looking ahead, stakeholders will need to address these concerns to ensure that technological advancements do not compromise patient trust and data security.