Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
AMD boosts AI chip forecast amid tight supply
OUR TAKEAMD has significantly increased its forecast for 2024 AI chip sales by $500 million, reflecting a strong demand for its AI chips and an expectation of continued supply constraints through 2025. This optimistic outlook, driven by surging demand from cloud computing giants and other AI-focused…
Samsung Electronics forecast AI chip demand growth
OUR TAKESamsung Electronics, which reported more than 15-fold growth in operating profit in the Q2, expects demand for AI-powered chips to increase significantly in the second half of the year, thanks to rising semiconductor prices fuelled by the AI boom. The company’s shares are up 0.7% in early tr…
OpenAI supports legislation to shape the future of AI
OUR TAKEOpenAI has thrown its support behind several Senate bills that can influence the federal government’s approach to AI, including the establishment of a U.S. AI Safety Institute and initiatives to promote AI education and research. This move reflects the company’s belief in the importance of g…
Meta’s SAM 2 revolutionises real-time video entity segmentation
OUR TAKEMeta has showed a new AI model called Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2), which is capable of recognising and tracking any entity in a video in real time, opening up new possibilities for video editing and analysis. SAM 2’s real-time segmentation technology indicates AI’s ability to process mo…
Amperon revolutionises renewable energy forecasting
OUR TAKEAmperon has released an advanced forecasting service for renewable energy generation designed to provide accurate hourly and minute-by-minute forecasts for solar power plants to help utilities and renewable energy producers manage their generation assets more effectively. By introducing a ne…
‘Dr. Doom’ Nouriel Roubini is looking to launch his first ETF
OUR TAKENouriel Roubini, often called “Dr. Doom” because he predicted the 2008 financial crisis, is now jumping into the ETF game with his new Atlas America Fund. He’s one of the fund’s managers, and they’re aiming to keep it pretty stable and low-risk. They’re investing in a bunch of stuff—US bonds…
Can artificial intelligence achieve consciousness?
The question of whether artificial intelligence (AI) can develop consciousness has moved beyond the realm of science fiction to become a critical area of scientific inquiry. As AI technologies evolve and increasingly mimic human decision-making and behaviour, the possibility of machines achieving co…
Extreme Networks and Intel unite for ‘Extreme AI Expert solution’
Extreme Networks has forged a co-innovation alliance with Intel to boost the AI capabilities of its Extreme AI Expert solution, aiming to optimise network performance and enhance security.
Intel confirms launch for ‘Lunar Lake’ laptop chips on September 3
Intel has confirmed the launch of its next-generation Core Ultra processors, codenamed “Lunar Lake,” on September 3 in Berlin, featuring a significant focus on AI and performance improvements.
Microsoft’s cloud business fuels 10% rise in quarterly earnings
Microsoft has reported a 10% increase in quarterly profits, driven by strong growth in its cloud computing business and solid performance across its product lines, with revenues reaching $64.7 billion.
Canva acquires Leonardo AI image startup to boost generative AI
Canva has acquired Leonardo AI, an Australian startup specialising in advanced generative AI for creating images and art.
What are the ethical implications of using AI in healthcare?
The ethical use of AI in healthcare requires ensuring fairness, reliability, privacy and respect for patient autonomy.
What is a port and how do network ports affect cybersecurity?
Ports are a fundamental aspect of connectivity and data transfer. But what is a port? It isn’t just a physical connection, but also a logical connection that programs use to exchange information. In the most basic sense, a port is a start and endpoint of communication. What is a port A port, also kn…
Intel cuts thousands of jobs to help finance recovery
OUR TAKE Intel remains a major player in the PC and server markets, but has struggled to keep up with growing demand for chips used in artificial intelligence applications. CEO Pat Gelsinger has launched a turnaround plan to regain the company’s competitive edge, focusing on reinvigorating its manuf…
What is AI ethics and what are its aspects?
AI ethics is the moral principle that companies use to guide responsible and fair development and use of AI. Experts in the field have identified a need for ethical boundaries when it comes to creating and implementing new AI tools. Although there’s currently no wide-scale governing body to write an…
Transforming B2B invoicing and payment processes with Monto
OUR TAKEMonto’s a game-changer for B2B payments, streamlining a once-cumbersome process. Its single platform integrates 300+ payment gateways, automating invoices and minimising errors. Companies like Appsflyer and Cloudinary have already seen the benefits, boosting efficiency. Monto’s zero-touch ap…
Sensor Data: The backbone of the modern digital world
Sensor data is at the heart of many of today’s technological marvels, driving everything from smart homes to advanced industrial processes. To grasp its significance, we must dive into the essence of what sensor data is, its various applications, and its transformative impact on our lives. What is …
Appeals court overturns Appian’s $2B verdict against Pegasystems
OUR TAKE It like the huge drama that virginia Court of Appeals overturning the massive $2 billion jury verdict awarded to Appian Corporation against Pegasystems. It seems that in legal battles over corporate espionage, the truth is often more complicated than we think. Appian accused Pegasystems of …
De La Salle College of Saint Benilde launches Benilde Open Design and Art 2024
De La Salle College of Saint Benilde’s Benilde Open Design and Art 2024 awards grants to ten innovative projects.
Crazy Domains launches AI website builder to streamline online presence for SMBs
Crazy Domains’ new AI Website Builder enables SMBs to create professional websites quickly with tailored content and an intuitive process.
International Telecommunication Union
OUR TAKEThe ITU stands as a cornerstone in shaping the global landscape of telecommunications and information technologies. This United Nations specialised agency has been at the forefront of establishing and harmonising standards, fostering innovation, and facilitating international cooperation in …
ICANN appoints Kurtis Lindqvist as new president and CEO
OUR TAKEICANN has appointed Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as its next president and CEO, effective 5 December 2024. With more than 30 years of experience, including as CEO of the London Internet Exchange, Lindqvist is well prepared to enhance ICANN’s critical role in ensuring a stable and secure glob…
Microsoft’s slipping performance sparks market reevaluation of AI
OUR TAKEMicrosoft’s quarterly earnings report fails to meet market expectations, causing its market value to evaporate by $340 billion in a single day. Meanwhile, chipmakers such as Nvidia and AMD see their share prices rise on the back of the market’s continued enthusiasm for AI technology, suggest…
OpenAI unveils real-time voice mode for ChatGPT
OUR TAKEOpenAI, the Microsoft-backed AI company, has initiated a controlled rollout of an advanced voice mode to a select group of its ChatGPT Plus subscribers. This new feature enables users to engage in real-time voice conversations with the AI assistant, marking a significant step forward in the …
Alphabet’s AI partnership with Anthropic faces UK scrutiny
UK’s antitrust watchdog is reviewing Alphabet’s partnership with Anthropic, examining its potential effects on the competitive landscape. In a recent joint statement, the CMA, along with US and EU counterparts, promised to collaborate to ensure fair competition within the AI sector.
Russia to allow crypto payments in international trade to counter sanctions
OUR TAKERussian lawmakers have just passed a law allowing companies to use cryptocurrencies for international trade. The new move, which comes into effect in September, is aimed at circumventing tough Western sanctions. Elvira Nabiullina, head of Russia’s central bank, says they’re preparing to star…
Delta Air Lines seeks compensation from CrowdStrike over IT outage
OUR TAKEIn light of the recent events, it is crucial for businesses to evaluate their cybersecurity strategies and ensure they are not overly reliant on any single platform. The CrowdStrike incident underscores the potential risks and the importance of maintaining a resilient and adaptable cybersecu…
Meta’s $1.4B payout in landmark Texas privacy case
OUR TAKEThat $1.4 billion settlement by Meta is nothing short of a “mega-fine” in the tech world, reminiscent of Google’s own painful payout for privacy breaches in the past. It’s not just about the money; it’s a loud and clear wake-up call to all tech giants: stop treating users’ faces as fair game…
Symbotic shares plummet amid sluggish robotics deployment
OUR TAKESymbotic’s significant share decline reflects investor concerns over rising costs and slower automation deployment impacting near-term financial performance. However, with strategic improvements and major stakeholder investments, the company anticipates a return to historical gross margins b…
Huawei unveils nova Flip with a square cover screen
Huawei is gearing up to unveil a new foldable phone, the nova Flip, featuring a unique square external display.
SpaceX eyes Australian waters for Starship rocket landings
OUR TAKESpaceX is in talks to land and recover its Starship rocket off Australia’s coast, aiming to expand its presence and strengthen U.S.-Australian space and military cooperation, which reflects a strategic move to enhance its testing capabilities and solidify international partnerships.-Lilith C…
Apple joins Biden’s AI safety initiative with major tech giants
OUR TAKEApple signed onto Biden’s AI safety commitments, becoming another major tech giant to join this initiative after Google and Microsoft. Apple’s participation was expected to strengthen the management of AI risks, encourage more companies to adopt responsible AI development practices, and boos…
Apple unveils training details of Apple Intelligence models
OUR TAKEThe technical paper describes the training process of the AI models it has developed for Apple Intelligence, making it clear that the models are trained on publicly available and licensed datasets, ensuring that no private user data was used, thus emphasising its principles of respect for us…
Meta releases AI Studio for enhanced social interactions
OUR TAKEMeta Platforms has launched AI Studio, an innovative platform that not only allows users to design and share personalised AI chatbots, but is also specifically targeted at Instagram creators, enabling them to leverage AI personas to automate day-to-day interactions such as direct messages an…
Logitech CEO introduces the Forever Mouse with AI integration
OUR TAKEIn a recent edition of The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber shares the company’s long-term plans and vision for one of its flagship products, the Forever Mouse. Faber emphasises that, through careful design and constantly updated software services, the Logitech hopes that …
Privacy-enhanced wearable AI: Bee AI
OUR TAKEBee AI, a startup focused on developing a wearable AI assistant, has closed a new round of funding to advance its innovative project. The device aims to provide highly personalised services such as smart reminders, note organisation and contextually relevant suggestions by continuously liste…
U.S. supports open AI models and proposes risk oversight
OUR TAKEThe U.S. Department of Commerce has released a report in support of open-weighted generative AI models, such as Meta’s Llama 3.1, and recommends that the government develop new capabilities to monitor the potential risks of these models. The report highlights that open models increase access…
‘Forgetting’ techniques in AI impacts efficiency
OUR TAKE“Forgetting” techniques for AI models are designed to make AI models forget specific and unwanted information learned in training data, such as sensitive private data or copyrighted material. The study finds that current “forgetting” techniques can impair their ability to answer basic questi…
Canva bolsters AI with Leonardo.ai acquisition
OUR TAKECanva has announced the acquisition of Leonardo.ai, a generative AI content and research startup, to bolster its AI technology stack. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but it involves a combination of cash and stock. Leonardo.ai’s entire team, including its executive…
Automation required to combat the AI content harvesters online
OUR TAKESThe article focuses on the problem of AI content harvesters crawling large amounts of data on the Internet and how website owners can block access to these harvesters by updating their robots.txt files. At the same time, the article highlights that with the rapid advancement of AI technolog…
Apple iOS 18.1 beta adds AI call recording and transcription
Apple’s iOS 18.1 beta introduces an AI-powered feature to record and transcribe phone calls, automatically saving the transcription and audio in the Notes app.
Tesla Premium Connectivity: Boosted navigation and entertainment
Tesla’s Premium Connectivity offers enhanced navigation with live traffic visualisation and satellite-view maps, as well as streaming media for an immersive entertainment and internet experience.
Meta unveils AI Studio for personalised chatbot creation
Meta introduces AI Studio for creating and sharing personalised AI chatbots using Llama 3.1.
Chinese solar firm forced into bankruptcy as supply glut bites
OUR TAKEChina’s solar industry is in dire straits. Companies like Zhejiang Akcome New Energy Technology are really feeling the heat from oversupply and price cuts. This is causing a lot of smaller companies to go bankrupt, and there’s a big push for these companies to merge to stabilise things. It s…
What is retail colocation? A guide to shared data services
Retail colocation offers a strategic advantage to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing access to advanced data centre technologies without the high costs typically associated with such infrastructure. As digital technologies become increasingly critical to business operations, reta…
What is colocation trading? Speed up the financial markets
Colocation trading is a key high frequency trading (HFT) strategy whereby financial firms locate their trading servers in the same data centres as the electronic trading platforms used by financial exchanges. This proximity is key to dramatically reducing delays in data transmission, allowing trader…
What is server colocation and why is it important for businesses?
Server colocation is a strategic IT management approach whereby organisations host their server hardware in a third-party data centre. This arrangement allows organisations to benefit from the advanced infrastructure of these facilities without the high costs associated with building and maintaining…
Ether ETFs see $340M outflow in first week of trading
OUR TAKEIn their debut week, the nine US ETFs holding Ethereum saw a significant shift. $340 million was withdrawn from an older, high-fee Ethereum product that was recently converted to an ETF, although this conversion was aimed at modernising the fund. Meanwhile, eight new Ether ETFs attracted $1.…
Microsoft’s earnings: Investors eye AI growth amid rising costs
Investors anticipate Microsoft’s upcoming earnings report to assess the impact of its AI infrastructure investment on Azure’s growth. There is apprehension regarding the short-term returns on tech giants’ data centre spending, with Alphabet’s recent financial results serving as a cautionary example.
Insights into choosing the right colocation provider
A colocation provider is a data centre that permits clients to house their servers within its racks, sharing bandwidth. Certain colocation providers also offer interconnection services to facilitate edge-to-core digital goals.