Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
OpenAI enhances ChatGPT features to challenge Google Search
What happened The artificial intelligence company OpenAI has introduced a new search feature in its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, called ChatGPT Search. Aimed at providing a web-like search experience and delivering responses with citations from authoritative data sources, this upgrade poses a challenge…
Why is Advantest raising its profit forecast so boldly?
What happened Japanese test equipment manufacturer Advantest Corporation announced on Wednesday that it has raised its operating profit forecast by 20% to 100 billion yen (about 635 million dollar) for fiscal year 2024. The decision comes as AI-related chips are widely tested for applications in are…
NVIDIA AI acquisition faces EU scrutiny over competition concerns
The proposed NVIDIA AI acquisition of Run:ai, announced in April, aims to enhance Nvidia’s capabilities in managing and optimising artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, this acquisition has drawn the attention of EU antitrust authorities, who are particularly vigilant about potential comp…
When to use multimode fibre and single-mode fibre
In the intricate world of fibre optics, two terms frequently surface: single-mode and multimode fibre. Understanding the nuances between these two types can significantly influence network performance and installation choices. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a professional tasked with upgrading …
Google is expanding its AI search summaries globally
What happened Google’s AI search summaries are going global, launching in over 100 new countries this week. Now, no matter if you’re in Canada or South Africa, you’ll get speedy AI summaries in English, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, or Spanish. So this expansion is all about making search…
Top tech stories today: November 1, 2024
Top tech stories today: Google Maps adds AI features, Ford pauses F-150 Lightning production, and OpenAI challenges Google’s search dominance, and more. 1. BlackRock requests SEC approval for ETF class BlackRock seeks permission from the SEC to offer ETF share classes of its mutual funds, aiming to …
Amazon employees are protesting the new return-to-office policy
What happened Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced Amazon’s new return-to-office policy at an all-hands meeting in September. It caused an outcry among employees. In a remarkable letter signed by more than 500 Amazon employees, Amazon CEO Matt Garman was criticized for suggesting that most Amazon employe…
What can we learn from Apple’s 250$ win of the watch patent lawsuit?
Apple recently won its patent lawsuit against Masimo, making headlines across all media platforms. I found the $250 award and the spokesperson’s statements—”we’re not here for money” and “stop copying our design”—especially intriguing. This portrayal makes Apple seem like an artist frustrated by som…
RIPE 89 kicks off in Prague: Highlights of Days 1-3
RIPE 89 took place in the captivating city of Prague this week, marking the fourth time the RIPE community has gathered here for discussions on the evolving landscape of Internet operations. The conference, which began on 28 October, welcomed attendees from across the globe to dive into topics rangi…
Citigroup partners with Google Cloud to modernise digital infrastructure
What happened Citigroup announced a multi-year partnership with Google Cloud to support its digital strategy using cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The focus is on modernising Citigroup’s technology infrastructure and improving the experience of employees and customers with cloud a…
Google’s AI-powered weather app is now available for older Pixels
What happened Google is pushing an AI weather application to older Pixel phones running Android 15 and equipped with the latest updates. The Google Weather app can extract saved locations from the built-in weather service already present on Pixel phones. As a result, users can track the weather in m…
Taiwan’s MediaTek navigates compliance amid political pressures
What happened In response to escalating trade and political tensions, MediaTek has expanded its compliance initiatives, driven by US policy changes that could impact Taiwanese chipmakers. CEO Rick Tsai recently highlighted MediaTek’s commitment to strict compliance to reassure investors, underscorin…
Alphabet reports new Arm-based chip used in Spotify cloud
What happened Google Cloud, a division of Alphabet Inc., announced on Wednesday that Spotify and Paramount Global are utilizing its new chip. This chip, called Axion, is a central processing unit (CPU) developed with technology from Arm Holdings. Google has made the Axion chip available to all custo…
Top tech stories today: October 31, 2024
Top tech stories today: Worldcoin’s iris-scanning innovation, Netflix’s earnings surpass targets, and Amazon AWS pushes return-to-office. 1. FTX deputy Nishad Singh faces sentencing Sam Bankman-Fried’s former FTX executive Nishad Singh awaits sentencing after cooperation in the fraud case, facing po…
Netflix layoffs: Key executives depart as company restructures
What happened In a notable shift within Netflix’s executive team, Chief Communications Officer Rachel Whetstone and Global Public Policy Vice President Dean Garfield are departing the streaming giant. This move comes amid ongoing Netflix layoffs, highlighting the company’s strategic realignment. Co-…
NTT Data, Palo Alto Networks team up to advance cybersecurity AI
What happened NTT Data has reinforced its cybersecurity AI partnership with Palo Alto Networks, following their initial 2023 collaboration around the Managed Prisma solution. Now, the companies have unveiled Managed Extended Detection Response (MXDR) services, a new AI-powered cybersecurity tool des…
Reddit in profit for the first time ever
What happened Reddit announces 2024 third quarter result, showing net profit of $29.9M first time ever in 19 years. Reddit’s income climbed by 68% year on year to $348.4 million, with ad revenue up 56% to $315.1 million and other revenue up 547% to $33.2 million.They also expect revenue in the fourt…
Top tech stories today: October 30, 2024
1. Brazil crypto imports rise 60% through September Brazil’s cryptocurrency imports surged by 60% through September, already surpassing the total for 2023. This marks a growing interest in crypto in Brazil. Watcher Guru 2. ConsenSys to lay off employees amid SEC pressures Blockchain firm ConsenSys f…
New iMac with M4 chip: More colors and improved performance
What happened Meet the new iMac with the M4 chip—it’s more powerful and comes in seven colors: green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. It offers improved performance with an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. The entry-level model is priced at $1,299 and comes with two Thunderbolt US…
UMG’s partnership with KLAY raises questions over AI in music
What happened In the latest move toward integrating artificial intelligence into the music world, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced a partnership with a new AI company called KLAY. This partnership, described as “pioneering,” aims to establish an “ethical foundation” for AI-generated music that …
Bitcoin reaches $70K for the first time in months as election and earnings loom
What happened Bitcoin briefly surged past $70K as investors anticipated MicroStrategy‘s results and the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Coin Metrics reported a 3% price increase, reaching $69,925.00, with a peak of $70,207.02 on Monday around 6:00 p.m. Eastern, followed by ongoing fluctuations.…
Broadband providers invest $94.7B to strengthen networks for AI-driven growth
What happened USTelecom reported that the US broadband industry invested $94.7B in communication infrastructure in 2023 for AI-driven growth. The investments were the second biggest in 22 years, trailing only 2022’s $102.4, and were more than 23% higher than the historic yearly average. USTelecom re…
Almost human: How close are we to perfecting humanoid AI?
Explore the latest breakthroughs in humanoid AI and the companies leading the charge toward a future where machines think and feel like us!
Top tech stories today: October 29, 2024
1. Asset managers launch new AI-focused ETFs New ETFs targeting AI industry gains are launching, aiming to capitalize on the growing interest in artificial intelligence technology. Business Standard 2. Mastercard expands express program for fintechs Mastercard enhances its Express program to speed u…
Tribe Payments plans to boost support for banks and fintech in Singapore
What happened Tribe Payments is a leading digital payments and infrastructure coordination company. Today, the company announced the opening of a new office in Singapore. This officially expands its business into the Singapore market. Tribe Payments has already been serving multiple clients in the A…
Alibaba agrees to pay $433.5M to settle security fraud class action
What happened Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. declared on Friday that it would pay $433.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging securities fraud in a federal court in Manhattan. The settlement resolves a case where Alibaba shareholders accused the company of misleading them about monopolisti…
Meta AI chatbot to use Reuters content in real time
What happened Meta is partnered with Reuters to use their news and events content to answer users’ question in real time. Both companies disclose to offer the financial detail of their partnership. Meta also disclose about whether they will use Reuters content to train their LLM. “We can confirm tha…
Medtech Alimetry secures $18M to enhance wearable devices for gut diseases
What happened New Zealand medical technology company Alimetry secures $18 million in funding to advance the development of wearable devices for gastrointestinal diseases. This non-invasive device captures intestinal electrical activity through a flexible electrode array attached to the patient’s abd…
UK regulators investigate Google’s collaboration with AI startup Anthropic
What happened The UK regulatory agency has launched a formal investigation into Google’s collaboration with Anthropic. Last year, Anthropic announced that it had received a $500M investment from Alphabet and was expected to secure an additional $1.5B in funding in the future. Since July, the CMA has…
SpaceX and ESA discuss solutions as space junk hits critical mass
What happened The European Space Agency (ESA) has initiated discussions with SpaceX, aiming to include Elon Musk’s space enterprise in its Zero Debris Charter, a global initiative to curb space junk generation by 2030. With space debris becoming an increasingly urgent problem, ESA Director General J…
Is IPv6 essential? APNIC’s chief scientist questions the shift
image source: APNIC blog What happened Amid the endless debate surrounding internet protocols, Geoff Huston, chief scientist at the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), suggests that IPv6—the internet protocol once deemed essential for growth—is perhaps no longer critical. Huston shared …
Top tech stories today: October 25, 2024
APNIC launches training for telecom operators APNIC is set to provide networking training for telecom operators, aiming to improve infrastructure and operational efficiency. Mettis Global Is IPv6 still relevant in today’s internet? The ongoing debate about IPv6’s relevance in an IPv4 world continues…
AFRINIC's election clock is now a test of registry trust
The 2024 SCJ 473 judgment restored AFRINIC's Official Receiver order and made the election timetable a member-verifiable legitimacy test.
Nvidia’s CEO says the design flaw with the Blackwell GPU is now fixed
What happened NVIDIA‘s CEO Jensen Huang recently announced that they have completely fixed the design flaw affecting Blackwell GPU production. Previously, this design flaw affected the chip’s yield but did not impact its functionality. NVIDIA designed the Blackwell GPU as its next-generation acceler…
Apple releases API for smart and localized English support
What happened Apple released developer beta versions of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 on Wednesday. These updates introduce several new Apple Intelligence features. These include genmoji, image playground, visual intelligence, image wand, and ChatGPT integration. This software update…
Tyler Technologies upgrades forecast for full year as cloud computing drives IT demand
What happened Tyler Technologies Company raised its revenue and profit forecasts for the full year. This is because of strong demand for its IT services. The company also exceeded Wall Street’s expectations for third-quarter profits. Tyler Technologies now expects its revenue for the 2024 fiscal yea…
Microsoft warns of Iranian hacker group targeting election sites
As the U.S. gears up for its elections, concerns about cyber threats have escalated, particularly from the Iranian hacker group known as Cotton Sandstorm. According to a recent blog post by Microsoft, this group, which is associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is intensifying its …
APRICOT 2025 invites presentations: Be part of the conversation
What happened The APRICOT 2025 Program Committee (PC) has launched its call for presentations, inviting industry experts to contribute to the conference scheduled for February 19 to 27, 2025, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. This year’s event promises to explore a diverse array of topics, aiming to enhan…
ServiceNow quarterly subscription revenue above estimate
What happened ServiceNow expects fourth-quarter subscription revenue to range between $2.875 billion and $2.880 billion, compared to an average expectation of $2.85 billion among analysts, according to LSEG statistics. ServiceNow now anticipates yearly subscription revenue of $10.655 billion to $10.…
Goldman Sachs and Apple face $89M penalty
What happened CFPB has ordered Apple and Goldman Sachs to pay over $89 million in combination over the violation of the consumer protection law for Apple Card transaction dispute. The CFPB is ordering Goldman Sachs to pay at least $19.8 million in redress and a $45 million civil money penalty, and A…
Top tech stories today: October 24, 2024
NRO announces new details on Afrinic The NRO has issued an announcement regarding Afrinic, highlighting changes and developments within the organization. RIPE Apricot 2025 call for presentations open APRICOT 2025 is now inviting proposals for presentations, encouraging experts to share insights on i…
Three Mile Island Nuclear Power will restart in 2028
What happened The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is now preparing to restart. Constellation Energy announced that its Unit 1 reactor, which was shut down five years ago, is expected to restart in 2028, pending approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Microsoft will buy the carbon…
The U.S. extends 25% of CHIPS Act tax breaks to wafer and solar panel factories
What happened The U.S. government recently announced an extension of the 25% tax credit in the CHIPS Act. This extension now covers wafer manufacturing, including photovoltaic cells used in solar panels. This decision is part of the CHIPS and Science Act. It aims to encourage domestic production of …
Juniper Networks assists the NRK in its digital transformation
What happened NRK has chosen Juniper Networks as its IP-based broadcasting infrastructure provider to support its digital transformation. NRK’s Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer, Pål Nedregotten, stated: “NRK’s production network is crucial for us to create high-capacity content acros…
SAP stock hits record as cloud and AI demand surge
SAP’s U.S.-listed shares have reached a record high, following the company’s strong third-quarter earnings report, which surpassed analysts’ expectations. The German software giant, best known for its enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, is experiencing a surge in demand for its cloud-based…
Microsoft and UK sign a five-year AI deal for public sector
What happened Microsoft and the UK Government have officially signed a five-year agreement to boost digital transformation efforts within the public sector. The deal, set to begin on November 1, provides public sector organisations with discounted access to Microsoft’s wide array of cloud-based serv…
Interview with Chris Pang, founder of GenPark AI: Revolutionizing social e-commerce
GenPark is a innovative social e-commerce platform that are revolutionizing the global market. The platform aim to make shopping as an immersive experience that connects people with a community of passionate individuals. In this BTW’s exclusive interview, we are honored to invite the founder of GenP…
Top tech stories today: October 23, 2024
Italy’s security committee reviews data storage After Intesa’s breach, Italy’s security committee is set to scrutinize data storage practices to improve national cybersecurity. Reuters SAP stock hits record high amid cloud demand SAP stock surged as demand for its cloud products skyrocketed, marking…
Could this misunderstood opportunity inject $60 trillion into the telco industry?
IPv4 addresses are significantly undervalued, the LARUS Ltd CEO told the audience at Capacity Europe. At the Capacity Europe event in London last week, Lu Heng, CEO of LARUS Ltd, called for a major reevaluation of the value of IPv4 addresses. He argued that these digital assets are currently “massiv…
Nokia collaborates with VNPT to promote the deployment of 5G technology in Vietnam
What happened Nokia is collaborating with Vietnamese operator VNPT to deploy 5G technology to expand connectivity in the region. As part of the cooperation agreement, Nokia will deploy equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio. These devices are based on Nokia’s efficient ReefShark system-on-chip tec…