Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
EU fines Meta $840M over Facebook Marketplace practices
What happened Meta Platforms has been hit with a significant fine of €798 million ($840 million) by the European Union, accused of engaging in anti-competitive practices to benefit its online classifieds service, Facebook Marketplace. The European Commission claims that Meta violated EU antitrust ru…
Pony AI seeks up to $4.48B valuation in US IPO
What happened Pony AI said Thursday that it is aiming for a valuation of up to US$4.48 billion (RMB 20.11 billion) in its US IPO as the Chinese self-driving company proceeds with its long-sought plan for a New York listing. In order to generate up to US$195 million, Pony, which was created in 2016 a…
Amazon faces ban on anti-union meetings after US labour ruling
What happened The U.S. National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) ruled on Wednesday that Amazon made unlawful promises and threats during mandatory meetings to discourage unionisation at its Staten Island warehouse. The ruling also bans employers from holding such “captive audience” meetings in the fut…
Elon Musk’s X names former Tubi executive Banki as new CFO
What happened Elon Musk’s X Corp has appointed Mahmoud Reza Banki as its new chief financial officer. Banki, who joined X in November, was previously CFO at Tubi, where he spent six years driving growth. The move comes as Musk shifts focus to a new role aimed at improving government efficiency. On T…
Navigating environmental and regulatory compliance: Essential steps for businesses
As businesses grow, so do the complexities of complying with environmental and regulatory standards. Environmental and regulatory compliance is a critical aspect of modern business operations. It involves adhering to laws and regulations designed to protect the environment and promote sustainable pr…
Apple Logic Pro now with vintage reverb and seamless search tools
What happened Apple just rolled out updates for its Logic Pro software on Mac and iPad, adding fresh sound libraries and a major new reverb effect for audio pros. In the latest versions, Apple Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1, users can now more easily search, sort, and reorganize t…
What is a document management server?
Term breakdown Document management A system or procedure for capturing, monitoring, and storing electronic documents—such as PDFs, word processing files, and digital photos of paper-based content—is called document management. Document management system A document management system (DMS) is a softwa…
AMD to lay off 4% of employees globally for market adjustment
What happended AMD announced on Wednesday that it would lay off 4% of its global workforce. According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, AMD employed 26,000 people at the end of the previous year. After Nvidia, AMD is the second-largest manufacturer of graphics processing units, or…
Meta cuts EU subscription fees for Facebook and Instagram by 40%
What happened Meta cut the cost of its ad-free subscription editions of Facebook and Instagram by 40% for users in the European Union, said ‘to meet regional regulatory requirements’. Facebook and Instagram’s monthly membership service for desktop users in the EU will now cost 5.99 euros instead of …
Bluesky adds 1.25M of X-fleeing users after election
What happened Over 700,000 new users have joined the social media platform Bluesky in the week following the US election as users try to avoid inflammatory posts and false information on X. According to the company, the migration, which is mostly from North America and the UK, has helped Bluesky gro…
ITU develops open source programme offices to speed up digital transformation
What happened The OSPO idea is being promoted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to assist nations and businesses in accelerating the adoption of digital solutions, such as services that provide digital public goods (DPGs) like online payments and identity. The Tides Foundation-backe…
Best practices for using information governance to stay compliant
____________ What is information governance? Information governance involves setting up a framework of practices to protect data and ensure its proper use. This includes: These practices are critical for businesses to manage their data in a way that meets regulatory compliance standards. Proper info…
AI to help Diablo Canyon nuclear plant meet new licensing rules
___________ What happened California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, the state’s only remaining nuclear facility, is using AI to meet new licensing requirements and manage aging infrastructure. Originally set to close, the plant will now stay open for at least 20 more years, following a 2022 decision…
Cisco’s strong AI focus boosts revenue forecast
——————— What happened Cisco has raised its revenue forecast due to strong demand for AI-driven networking products like Ethernet switches and routers. The company’s focus on AI, cloud, and cybersecurity is paying off as businesses invest in AI infrastructure. Despite a 6% drop in first-quarter reven…
Foxconn rides AI wave to unstoppable Q3 growth
What happened Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, is expected to report on Thursday (November 14) that third-quarter profit rose 7% year-on-year on robust demand for artificial intelligence servers. So far in 2024, Foxconn’s stock has surged over 100%. As a key supplier…
Guardian quits X: A stand against racism and hate
What happened The UK news publisher ‘The Guardian‘ announced on Wednesday (November 13) that it will no longer post on X, citing “disturbing content” on the social media platform, including racism and conspiracy theories. The Guardian has over 80 accounts on X, with approximately 27 million follower…
Threads turns profitable: Meta’s ad revolution begins
What happened Meta Platforms announced on Wednesday (November 13) that Facebook plans to introduce ads on its social media app Threads in early 2025. The ads will begin running once they are launched on the platform. The specific ad formats and targeting methods have not been fully disclosed. Meta m…
CoreWeave closes $650M secondary sale as AI startups attract investors
What happened CoreWeave, a cloud infrastructure company specializing in AI workloads, has successfully closed a $650 million secondary sale. This funding round attracted major investors and highlights the growing demand for specialized computing resources to support artificial intelligence (AI) appl…
Viettel launches first commercial 5G network based on Open RAN
What happened Viettel, Vietnam’s largest telecom operator, has launched the country’s first commercial 5G network based on Open RAN (Radio Access Network) technology. The new network leverages Qualcomm’s advanced 5G technology to deliver faster, more efficient mobile connectivity. Open RAN is a flex…
Tesla Cybertruck recall highlights ongoing challenges in quality control
What happened Tesla has recalled over 2,400 Cybertrucks, marking the sixth recall for the company in 2024. This recall specifically addresses an issue with the seatbelt system. A potential flaw in the seatbelt retractors could prevent them from functioning correctly during a crash, increasing the ri…
Revolutionary ‘morphing wheel’ from South Korea could change the future of transportation
What happened Engineers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a groundbreaking “morphing wheel” that adapts its shape to different terrains. The wheel uses advanced materials and actuators to automatically adjust, improving traction, stability, and speed ba…
Top 5 AI-powered learning platforms for career growth in 2024
_______________ As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape industries worldwide, the online learning sector is transforming at a rapid pace. For professionals aiming to stay ahead, these AI-powered learning platforms offer an invaluable way to gain in-demand skills, boost career growth, and …
Chinese hackers target U.S. telecoms and steal confidential wiretap data
What happened Federal investigators confirmed on Wednesday that Chinese hackers breached multiple telecom providers, stealing sensitive data related to lawful wiretaps. This marks a significant counterintelligence failure. The FBI and CISA disclosed that the hackers also exfiltrated U.S. cellular re…
Guardian quits social media platform X over racism and conspiracy theories
What happened The Guardian announced on November 13 that it will stop posting on social media platform X, citing concerns over “disturbing content,” including racism and conspiracy theories. With 10.7 million followers, the UK news publisher becomes the first major British media outlet to leave sinc…
Tesla brings Cybercab to China, but can it catch up?
Tesla introduced a new Robotaxi product, the Cybercab, at its October press conference, aiming to begin production in 2026 and reach mass production by 2027. This launch represents a significant step for Tesla in autonomous driving technology and has attracted industry attention to its position in t…
Google’s Gemini AI brings new privacy-focused security to Pixel
What happened: New Google Gemini AI vs spam calls Google’s latest security upgrades are equipping Pixel devices with Gemini AI-powered tools designed to guard against spam calls and malicious apps, a move aimed at enhancing user privacy and safety. Unveiled for Pixel 6 and newer models, these featur…
Interview with Veriswitch Solutions on SmartShield: AI fraud prevention
Overview of SmartShield™: AI-driven fraud detection In an interview with Maricel Dela Luna from Veriswitch Solutions Inc., she discussed SmartShield™, Veriswitch’s established fraud protection solution embedded within its carrier management platform. “Veriswitch provides a unique hosted softswitch s…
Top tech news today: November 14, 2024
Top tech news today’s highlights include Viettel’s open RAN 5G launch, Google Gemini AI enhancing Pixel security, and Meta’s 2025 ad plans for Threads. 1. Bitcoin rises above $90,000 amid Trump euphoria Bitcoin surges past $90,000, influenced by renewed optimism around Trump’s political comeback. In…
Amazon shuts down secret project of at-home fertility tracker
What happened Amazon has halted a covert attempt to create an at-home fertility tracker along with the monitoring device for a project. The anonymous insiders claimed that the corporation had been working on a project codenamed “Encore” for the last four years for the launch of a fertility monitorin…
What is traditional AI? Understanding its role and evolution
_______________ In the ever-evolving world of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role. While the term “AI” is often used in connection with advanced systems, it’s important to understand the roots of AI, especially traditional AI. Traditional AI, often referred to as rule-b…
Adobe adds AI magic to stock photo editing
———————— What happened Adobe has launched new AI tools to enhance its stock photography service, allowing users to modify stock images with AI while still compensating the original creators. This move is part of Adobe’s effort to keep pace with rapid AI advances from newer companies like OpenAI, who…
Shopify’s AI tools drive sales growth; shares soar
_____________ What happened Shopify reported strong third-quarter results, exceeding revenue expectations with a 26% increase to $2.16 billion, driven by the growing adoption of AI tools. Its AI features, like the “Sidekick” assistant, have attracted new merchants, helping Shopify outperform the wid…
NASA funds innovative aircraft concepts for a greener future
______________ What happened NASA invests $11.5M in sustainable aviation, backing green tech innovations like electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. This funding, part of the AACES program, aims to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions. It supports concepts like Electra’s electric aircraft prototype a…
EU asks Apple to stop geo-restricting services
What happened Apple has been ordered by the European Union to end its geo-blocking practices on services such as the App Store. The European Commission issued a formal directive, stating that Apple’s restrictions on content and services based on the user’s location violated EU antitrust rules. The r…
Amazon challenges Nvidia to offer free computing resources
What happened Amazon’s cloud computing division announced on Tuesday (November 12) that it will offer free computing power to researchers wishing to use its custom AI chips. Amazon aims to challenge Nvidia’s popularity among researchers with this move. AWS stated that it will provide researchers who…
Vatican merges faith and tech with AI-powered basilica tours
What happened The Vatican launched new AI services for St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, November 11. The service allows everyone to virtually explore its Renaissance-era architectural treasures and offers an enhanced visitor experience. These new services include virtual reality (VR) and augmented re…
French newspapers sue social media platform X over content use
What happened Several major French newspapers have sued X (formerly Twitter), accusing the platform of using their content without paying. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, includes Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Les Echos. The newspapers argue that under French law, they are entitled to payment when their c…
Infineon warns of weak 2025 as chip demand slows
What happened Infineon warned on Tuesday that it expects “subdued” performance in 2025 due to weak demand in its end markets. The company has already revised its annual revenue guidance twice this year, now forecasting around 15 billion euros. Infineon also expects a drop in its segment result margi…
Meta introduces ‘less personalized ads’ in Europe
What happened Meta Platforms is rolling out a new feature for Instagram and Facebook users in Europe, allowing them to choose less personalized ads. This move marks a significant shift in Meta’s advertising approach, which has traditionally relied on highly targeted ads to generate revenue. The new …
Nvidia and SoftBank pilot AI and 5G telecom network
What happened This week, CEO Jensen Huang announced a number of firsts with SoftBank, including the successful trial of a combined AI and 5G telecom network, on stage at the Nvidia AI Summit Japan. “Japan has a long history of pioneering technological innovations with global impact,” said Huang. “Wi…
Dogecoin rises 20% under Trump’s new department of government efficiency
What happened Following President-elect Donald Trump’s official announcement of the establishment of DOGE and the appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (AKA DOGE). Dogecoin continued to surge from $0.15 to around $0.43 over few days. Dogecoin re…
Waymo launches the largest robotaxi service in Los Angeles
What happened Waymo has officially launched its autonomous robotaxi service, Waymo One (ride-hailing service), to the general public in Los Angeles as of November 12, 2024. Previously, the service was open only to a waitlist of approximately 300,000 individuals. Now anyone can book rides using the W…
ICANN 81: gTLDs, IDNs, and Africa’s rising voice
The 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is in full swing in Istanbul, Turkey. This week-long gathering of global stakeholders is designed to tackle critical issues from domain name expansion to fostering internet governance in a rapidl…
Baidu expands AI offerings with new text-to-image tools
____________ What happened Baidu unveiled new AI tools at its Baidu World Conference, including the I-RAG text-to-image generator and a no-code app builder. This shift marks a move from R&D to the commercialization of large language models (LLMs). After nearly two years of development, Baidu positio…
Beyond earth: The race to colonize Mars and our future on the red planet
For centuries, the idea of traveling to Mars has fascinated humanity. This red, dusty, and desolate planet has captured our imaginations as a symbol of the unknown and the ultimate frontier. But as technology advances and Earth’s resources face increasing strain, the once-fantastical dream of coloni…
Greg Brockman returns to OpenAI: A new era begins
What happened Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI, announced on Tuesday (November 12) in a post on X that he has returned to the artificial intelligence startup after stepping down from his role as president three months ago. In the post, Brockman wrote, “My longest vacation of my life is over. Time…
VinFast’s $3.4B lifeline: Can it deliver on EV dreams?
What happened The Nasdaq-listed electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast announced on Wednesday, November 13, that it will secure a new round of funding from its founder and parent company Vingroup by 2026. The funding is worth 85 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately $3.35 billion). VinFast expects …
Musk’s Starlink gets Chad’s approval to boost internet access
What happened Chad has approved the licensing of Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, to improve internet access in the country. Starlink, part of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but has faced regulatory challenges elsewhere. Chad’s Communications Minister, Boukar Michel, …
Visa offers flexible payments in fintech collaboration with Affirm
What happened Visa has announced the expansion of its flexible payments feature to the United States and United Arab Emirates through fintech collaboration with companies Affirm and UAE’s Liv Bank. Initially launched in Asia, including markets like Hong Kong and Japan, the Visa flexible payments fea…
Does this AI artwork, sold for $1.3M, prove machines can think?
This week the first artwork produced by the humanoid bot Ai-Da, sold at auction, priced at around $1.32 million dollars. The artwork named A.I. God was listed by Sothbys. Last week I wrote about three humanoid robots by the three companies: Tesla, FigureAI and 1X. This humanoid robot artist Ai-Da wa…