Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
China bonds flash ‘Japanisation’ warning despite stimulus plan
OUR TAKEChina’s 30-year government bond yields are on track to fall below those of Japan for the first time in nearly two decades, which is a big deal for anyone keeping an eye on China’s economic future. As worries grow about a slow economy that’s similar to Japan’s lost decades, China has introduc…
Zuckerberg reveals Meta’s Orion AR glasses prototype
OUR TAKEMeta Platforms recently unveiled its first working prototype of augmented-reality glasses, named Orion, at the Connect conference. While this announcement highlights Meta’s ambition to lead in the AR space, it’s essential to consider the challenges ahead. Historically, many AR attempts, like…
Top tech news stories today: September 27, 2024
IT infrastructure 1. X asks Brazil’s top court to allow it to resume services, source says Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has requested that Brazil’s Supreme Court allow it to resume service in the country, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday. (Market Screener) 2. …
Exploring semiconductor materials
Semiconductor materials form the backbone of modern electronics, playing a vital role in the functioning of devices we use daily.
Responsible AI: Navigating the future of artificial intelligence
The core principles of responsible AI Fairness: At the heart of responsible AI is the principle of fairness. AI systems should be designed to avoid bias, ensuring that all users, regardless of their background, are treated equitably. This involves scrutinising the data used to train AI models, as bi…
Microsoft to spend $1.3B in Mexico on cloud and AI tech
OUR TAKESatya Nadella’s announcement of Microsoft’s $1.3 billion investment in Mexico marks a pivotal moment for AI development in the country. Looking ahead, this investment could position Mexico as a significant player in the global AI landscape, fostering innovation and economic growth. With impr…
Navigating challenges in pursuit of sustainable nuclear power
Microsoft and Constellation Energy plan to restart a nuclear reactor to power data centers, but face regulatory and public opposition.
SK Hynix surges as it leads in advanced HBM3E chip production
The new 12-layer chips, with 50% more capacity, position SK Hynix ahead of competitors like Samsung and Micron.
Lightspeed Commerce explores sale amid profitability concerns and pressure
Lightspeed Commerce is exploring potential sale options, working with JPMorgan to evaluate strategic alternatives.
Mercado Pago seeks banking licence to expand in Mexico
Mercado Pago has applied for a banking licence in Mexico to enhance its financial service offerings and aims to become the largest digital bank in the country.
France’s Ubisoft postpones ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ release, cuts guidance
Ubisoft has postponed the release of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” by three months to February 2025 and reduced its net bookings guidance for fiscal 2024-2025.
Split from Russia’s Yandex, Nebius intends to invest $1B in AI infrastructure
Nebius Group plans to invest over $1 billion in AI infrastructure across Europe by mid-2025, expanding GPU capacity and building new data centres.
Blackstone confirms $13.3B investment in AI data centre in Britain
Blackstone confirms $13.3 billion investment in an AI data centre in Blyth, creating 4,000 jobs, revitalising a derelict site previously meant for an EV battery factory.
India’s Karnataka drafts incentive package for clean mobility sector
Karnataka plans tax cuts and incentives for clean mobility, including hybrids, aiming to attract investments and boost adoption, despite some preferring a focus solely on EVs.
Spotify expands AI Playlist feature to US and Canada
OUR TAKESpotify’s expansion of its AI Playlist feature into major markets like the US and Canada is a bold move that showcases the platform’s ambition to maintain its leadership in the fiercely competitive music streaming industry. By employing generative AI to personalise music selections, Spotify …
The differences between Hyper-V and VMware
Hyper-V and VMware are two major virtualisation platforms, each with its own characteristics. Hyper-V is integrated into Windows Server and primarily targets Windows environments. In contrast, VMware provides various products like vSphere that support multiple operating systems and offer more flexib…
Interview with Han Xiao, co-founder of Backrobo Wellness on sleep technology innovations
Backrobo Wellness develops smart products for sleep disorders and plans to integrate AI in medical and hotel industries.
OpenAI to remove non-profit control and give Sam Altman equity
OpenAI is transitioning to a for-profit benefit corporation, with CEO Sam Altman set to receive equity in the new structure.
India targets Africa and South America for digital payments expansion
OUR TAKEIndia’s digital payment systems, particularly the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), serve as a model for other countries. By expanding these systems internationally, India can enhance its influence in global financial markets and promote its technological advancements. Facilitating digital p…
US nuclear plants won’t power up big tech’s AI ambitions right away
Constellation Energy and Microsoft aim to restart Three Mile Island nuclear plant for data centres, facing regulations and local opposition.
Social media platform X set for reinstatement in Brazil after Supreme Court compliance
OUR TAKEThis highlights a significant conflict between X (formerly Twitter), a major global social media platform, and Brazil’s Supreme Court. The resolution of this dispute has broader implications for freedom of speech vs. regulation and corporate accountability.–Jennifer Yu, BTW reporter What hap…
Micron forecasts strong Q1 results amid demand for AI chips
OUR TAKEMicron Technology has done better than expected on Wall Street by forecasting record first-quarter revenue of around $8.7 billion, driven by soaring demand for its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which are crucial for AI applications. Micron’s stock shot up by nearly 14% after the announc…
China weighs injecting $142B of capital into top banks
OUR TAKEChina is looking at injecting up to $142 billion into its main state-owned banks as part of a wider economic stimulus plan to give its struggling economy a boost. This is the first time the banks have had capital injected since the global financial crisis in 2008. The top six banks are above…
Top tech news stories today: September 26, 2024
Fintech 1. PayPal to allow cryptocurrency buying, holding and selling for US merchants PayPal Holdings announced on Wednesday it is enabling U.S. merchants to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency from their business accounts. (Aol) IT infrastructure 2. Google complains to EU over Microsoft cloud practi…
Factbox-Meta’s top five announcements at ‘Connect’ event
OUR TAKEMeta has made some big moves in mixed reality and augmented reality tech. At its annual “Connect” conference, it showed off an affordable mixed reality headset and the Orion augmented reality glasses. These new devices show that Meta is serious about making advanced tech more accessible …
Nebius plans over $1B AI infrastructure boost
By focusing on GPU capacity and infrastructure, Nebius positions itself as a key player in the burgeoning AI market.
OrionCom: Full net services for high-speed internet in DRC
OrionCom delivers high-speed Internet and advanced IT solutions nationwide, ensuring exceptional service quality and support with over 20 years of experience.
CrowdStrike apologises for global IT outage caused by update
CrowdStrike’s software update caused a global IT outage in July, leading executive Adam Meyers to promise improved procedures to prevent future incidents.
GB Auto launches advanced Lassa tyres in Egypt
GB Auto, a Middle East automotive leader, offers value-for-money vehicles and exceptional after-sales services across multiple markets.
Dagestan seeks stricter measures against crypto miners
Dagestan calls for stricter measures against crypto miners causing outages, as they build underground facilities to evade laws.
Meta opts out of EU’s AI pact before new laws
Meta won’t immediately join the EU’s AI Pact, opting instead to focus on complying with the upcoming AI Act.
Interview with Jing Tao, co-founder of Great Filter Venture: The path to venture investing
Jing Tao, co-founder of Great Filter Venture, shares investment philosophy and advises entrepreneurs on focus and practical execution.
Meta will not immediately join EU’s AI Pact ahead of new law
Meta Platforms has opted not to join the EU’s voluntary AI Pact immediately, choosing instead to concentrate on compliance with the upcoming AI Act set to take effect in 2026.
Israeli cyber startup Torq secures $70M to enhance AI-driven cybersecurity
Israeli startup Torq raised $70 million in its second funding round this year, aiming for $100 million in annual recurring revenue by 2026.
Exclusive Interview: How Silicon Intelligence revolutionises remembrance with AI avatars
In the exclusive interview with a brand manager at Silicon Intelligence, he discusses how it is revolutionising the way we memorialise loved ones by developing AI avatars that preserve the essence of those who have passed away. The company, inspired by a personal story of loss, aims to address the e…
OpenAI rolls out new voice assistant to all paid ChatGPT users
OUR TAKEOpenAI has rolled out a new voice assistant feature to all paid ChatGPT users, building on the advanced voice mode it first teased earlier in the year. The voice assistant is now available to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Team subscribers. It makes the AI more interactive, but it doesn’t have all…
AI model is better at pricing currencies than humans, says ING
OUR TAKEING Groep NV, a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company, has introduced a new AI model using reinforcement learning to handle currency pricing, which has traditionally been done by human traders. The model has shown it can do the job much more efficiently and accurately th…
OpenAI pitches White House on unprecedented data centre expansion
OUR TAKEOpenAI has put together a proposal for the Biden administration, asking for support to build lots of data centres in the US to help it develop its AI. The company wants to build data centres with a capacity of 5 gigawatts (GW) each, which is about the same as the energy needs of an
US bond ETF launches up 50% from year-ago levels
OUR TAKEThe number of bond-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has almost doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, as investors have shown a lot more interest in them on expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. This trend is especially noticeable in the second half of the…
Dagestan urges crackdown on illegal crypto-mining amid power outages
OUR TAKEThis highlights the growing global issue of cryptocurrency mining’s impact on energy infrastructure. In Dagestan, illegal mining is causing power outages, which disrupts daily life and strains public utilities. Additionally, the upcoming “new regulations in Russia” signal a broader governmen…
‘Terminator’ director James Cameron joins Stability AI’s board in major industry move
OUR TAKEThis marks a significant collaboration between a visionary filmmaker, James Cameron, and an influential AI company, Stability AI. Cameron’s involvement signals the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and creative industries like filmmaking, potentially transforming visual media pr…
Top tech news stories today: September 25, 2024
Fintech 1. Bankman-Fried’s ex-girlfriend Ellison gets two-year sentence over crypto fraud Ellison accepted a plea deal to charges of conspiracy and financial fraud in December 2022, a month after FTX spiraled into bankruptcy. (NBC News) 2. Wall Street watchdog faces bipartisan ire in House over cryp…
China national team ETFs see inflows pick up as stocks surge
OUR TAKEChinese exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to the state fund saw a lot of new money come in as the People’s Bank of China launched a new economic stimulus package. On Tuesday, these ETFs saw a massive $1.9 billion in inflows, the highest since July. This suggests that state-backed purchases…
Quant ETFs are offering new way for Wolfe to cash in on research
OUR TAKEWolfe Research is moving into the ETF market by teaming up with Simplify Asset Management to launch the Simplify Wolfe US Equity 150/50 ETF (WUSA) and more funds. These actively managed quant funds use their own machine-learning algorithms to pick stocks. This move follows a growing trend of…
NIC-MG: The backbone of Madagascar’s digital identity
NIC-MG, established in 2000, manages Madagascar’s domain registry, shaping the country’s online presence as the internet evolves.
SoiLabs leads the future of sustainable food production
OUR TAKEIn this exclusive interview with Mauro Catellani, his insights indicate that in an era where sustainability is paramount, SoiLabs stands out as a beacon of innovation. The company’s unique fermentation technology is reshaping our understanding of waste, turning what was once discarded into h…
Russia leads AI manipulation in US election game
A U.S. intelligence official claims Russia is generating the most AI content to influence the presidential election, supporting Trump.
China urges vigilance against Taiwanese cyberattacks
China’s security ministry alerts to cyber threats from Taiwan’s Anonymous 64, amid ongoing cyber and geopolitical tensions.
Letta emerges with groundbreaking AI memory solutions, championing open-source innovation
OUR TAKELetta, an AI startup from UC Berkeley, has launched with technology that helps AI models remember users and conversations, securing $10 million in seed funding and positioning itself as an open-source alternative to established players like OpenAI in the AI agent infrastructure space.-Rae Li…
Xiaomi demands retraction of India antitrust report over sensitive data exposure
OUR TAKEXiaomi has requested the Competition Commission of India to recall a report that alleged the company and Flipkart had breached competition laws, citing the inclusion of sensitive business data. The report, which was part of an ongoing antitrust investigation starting in 2021, was supposed to…