Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
What causes digital divide and how to close it?
Digital divide represents not only disparities in access to technology, but also inequalities in education, economic opportunity, health care, and social inclusion. Addressing the digital divide requires comprehensive strategies to address infrastructure gaps, promote digital literacy, and ensure eq…
Some Japanese companies face challenges in using AI
OUR TAKEThe proportion of Japanese companies using AI technology is less than 60%. We can know that some Japanese companies have worries about the use of AI technology. Based on the answers from different Japanese companies, we can summarise both sides of using AI in the business. For instance, AI r…
EU eyes Google-Samsung AI deal for antitrust issues
EU antitrust regulators have initiated an inquiry into whether the GenAI agreement between Google and Samsung restricts competition.
Russia weighs risk of embracing crypto for international payments
OUR TAKERussia is accelerating the development of its cryptocurrency infrastructure to facilitate international payments amid ongoing sanctions, with new legislation due to be considered by parliament on 23 July. The move is aimed at allowing Russian businesses to bypass traditional financial system…
China’s secretive agency backs off aggressive policy
OUR TAKEThe Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has recently relaxed some of its stringent regulatory measures, reversing actions that had previously wiped a significant $1 trillion off the market value of Chinese tech stocks. This shift in policy follows aggressive actions taken in 2021, most …
‘AI laggards’ find favour as Magnificent Seven stocks lose lustre
OUR TAKEInvestors are turning their attention to the “AI laggards”, a group of companies that have exposure to the AI theme but have failed to keep pace with the gains of the biggest AI winners in the first half of the year. This interest has been driven by the view that, after a long period
Trump opposes potential TikTok ban: ‘I’m for TikTok’
OUR TAKETikTok and ByteDance are challenging a law that mandates ByteDance to sell its US business, a legal proceeding that could determine whether the app, with over 150 million US users, remains available. Previous attempts to ban TikTok, including one by the Biden administration that sparked publ…
Nikon fields ‘remarkable’ demand for older chip tools in China
OUR TAKENikon is capitalising on a surge in demand for its legacy lithography machines in China, driven by the country’s initiative to build an independent semiconductor supply chain. As US and allied restrictions limit access to the latest chip-making technologies, Chinese manufacturers are turning…
TSMC raises revenue forecast in confident bet on AI boom
OUR TAKETaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a key player in the global semiconductor industry, has raised its revenue forecast, showing robust confidence amid the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) boom. As the primary chipmaker for giants such as Apple and Nvidia, TSMC’s financial …
Meta announces withholding its latest AI model from the EU
OUR TAKEMeta’s decision to withhold the launch of its AI models in the EU due to regulatory uncertainties may impact its competitive edge and create opportunities for competitors. However, it could also drive a revolution in user privacy protection policies within the industry.— Yasmine Luo, BTW rep…
Huawei HarmonyOS PC version expected to launch later this year
OUR TAKEThe expansion of HarmonyOS across various devices promises to deliver seamless connectivity and a consistent user experience. This growth not only fosters a thriving ecosystem but also opens up new opportunities for both users and developers.— Yasmine Luo, BTW reporter What happened? Earlier…
AI adoption in Japanese companies: Opportunities and obstacles revealed by Reuters survey
OUR TAKERegardless of the stance companies take on AI, the gradual replacement of some jobs by AI has become an inevitable trend. McKinsey’s report, “The Economic Potential of Generative AI,” highlights that AI benefits industries, with value growth concentrated in customer operations, marketing and…
Intuitive surgical’s Q2 performance reflects rising demand for surgical robots
OUR TAKEIntuitive Surgical has certainly caught the eye of investors with its report which beats expectations and signals strong market demand for the da Vinci surgical robot. The company’s success story is a testament to the resilience of the medical device industry and the growing reliance on adva…
Meta eyes stake in maker of Ray-Ban in smart glasses push
OUR TAKEMeta Platforms is negotiating a strategic investment to acquire a 3% to 5% stake in EssilorLuxottica SA, the world’s leading eyewear manufacturer and the brains behind Ray-Ban sunglasses. This acquisition shows Meta’s commitment to expanding into the smart glasses market and strengthening it…
Meta suspends AI training in Brazil
OUR TAKEMeta’s decision reflects the growing importance of global data privacy and protection regulations on the operations of technology companies. Not only does this incident impact Meta’s AI product development and market expansion plans in Brazil, but it also highlights the challenges multinatio…
Cryptography in cyber security and its application
Cryptography application helps to ensure the security of network communication, data transmission and storage, and is an indispensable part of network security system. As technology evolves and security needs change, cryptography techniques continue to evolve and improve to address increasingly comp…
Paytm’s loss widens as regulatory action continues to bite
OUR TAKEPaytm, a popular Indian fintech company, continued to suffer financial setbacks after its net loss doubled to $100 million in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Faced with stringent regulatory measures from the Reserve Bank of India, which almost shut down its banking operations, Paytm ha…
What is fingerprinting in cyber security?
In network security, fingerprint recognition is both a defense tool and an attack tool, used by security professionals, administrators, and attackers. It provides valuable insights into the network environment, helps identify vulnerabilities, and enhances the overall security posture by enabling pro…
Microsoft cloud outrage causes widespread public service disruptions
OUR TAKEThis outage underscores the critical importance of reliable cloud infrastructure, as it caused widespread disruptions across multiple sectors, including Frontier Airlines, Amazon, Cox, Sky News, and Thameslink trains in the UK. The timing, coinciding with the busy summer travel period, exace…
Google reduces AI Overview responses to search queries
OUR TAKEGoogle’s AI Overviews integrate customised language models with core web ranking systems to deliver accurate, high-quality search results and relevant links. This could impact media traffic and prompt website editors to optimise content for better search visibility.— Yasmine Luo, BTW reporte…
Trump’s comments cause TSMC stock plunge while profit set to rise
OUR TAKETrump’s remarks as a presidential candidate have led investors to shift from TSMC to its competitors, impacting the stock market and reflecting heightened geopolitical risks, while boosting stocks like Intel and GlobalFoundries due to their alignment with Trump’s agenda and causing a decline…
US leadership ready for collateral damage in China tech war
OUR TAKEThese planned restrictions could hurt ASML and major U.S. tech giants, while China may use the opportunity to enhance its R&D capabilities and reduce reliance on Western technology, making the effectiveness of the restrictions uncertain.— Yasmine Luo, BTW reporter What happened? Regardless o…
India’s first unicorn sets sights on IPO after returning home
OUR TAKEInMobi, a Mumbai-based mobile advertising company, is targeting an IPO in India in the second half of 2025, following its strategic decision to move its headquarters back to India from Singapore earlier this year. The move, spearheaded by founder Naveen Tewari, aims to take advantage of Indi…
Can we trust crypto wallets to be anonymous?
Cryptocurrency wallets are an essential tool for anyone involved in the digital currency world. They provide security, convenience, and control for cryptocurrency assets, enabling users to securely manage their funds and conduct transactions through a blockchain network. Crypto wallets can offer dif…
Common types and benefits of crypto wallet
Crypto wallets provide security, control, privacy, and accessibility, making them an indispensable tool for managing and leveraging cryptocurrencies in today’s digital economy. Each type of crypto wallet has its own uniqueness, and users should weigh in on their security needs, usage habits, and ass…
IoT solutions: Transforming industries and enhancing lives
An IoT solution integrates connected devices, streamlining processes and offering insights through data analysis.
Crypto hot wallet vs. cold wallet: What are differences?
Hot wallet and cold wallet each have their unique advantages and disadvantages and application scenarios. Choosing the right wallet type depends on individual’s asset management needs. For most users, keeping a small portion of assets in a hot wallet for daily use, while keeping the majority of asse…
Intel data-center executive to take CEO Job at spinoff Cornelis
OUR TAKELisa Spelman, a seasoned veteran of Intel Corporation, is set to lead Cornelis Networks as CEO, a startup specialising in AI-focused networking technology spun off from Intel in 2020. The strategic move aims to capitalise on the growing demand for AI capabilities in data centres. Cornelis’ t…
Tesla halts production amid IT outage caused by CrowdStrike
OUR TAKEThat Tesla halted several production lines due to a massive IT outage, which is more exciting than a sci-fi movie. Remember that time when Microsoft’s update went wrong, causing havoc for companies worldwide? Elon Musk took immediate action and kicked CrowdStrike out of their systems. But ho…
Teradata and DataRobot integrate AI for enhanced flexibility
OUR TAKETeradata’s latest move to integrate DataRobot’s AI with its VantageCloud and ClearScape platforms is like a tech dream team, promising businesses enhanced AI flexibility and scalability. While tech integrations often come with hype, this one appears solid. Data scientists can now use their p…
CrowdStrike’s $83B value drops: Stocks fall 11% after IT outage
OUR TAKEEven CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity giant, stumbled. With a market cap of around $83 billion, one botched software update caused widespread disruptions across industries, and their stock plummeted by over 11% in a single day. They were once the darling of investors, with their stock value do…
Zuckerberg neutral in 2024 election, reducing Meta’s political role
Mark Zuckerberg has chosen not to endorse either party in the upcoming U.S. presidential election and aims to reduce Meta’s involvement in electoral controversies.
Weaving a Seamless Web: A secure end-to-end IoT solution
An end-to-end IoT solution integrates device hardening, secure connectivity, data encryption, and centralised management platforms.
What is crypto ledger and crypto wallet?
Crypto Ledger and Crypto Wallet, despite their similar names, are actually two different things, both tools for managing private keys to cryptocurrencies, but with significant differences in functionality and usage. What is crypto Ledger Crypto ledger usually refers to a hardware device specifically…
Microsoft launches fix for CrowdStrike-affected Windows PCs
Microsoft has released a recovery tool to address the aftermath of a faulty CrowdStrike update, which caused BSoD errors on 8.5 million Windows devices.
What is WIMI Hologram Cloud? VR frontier, providing immersive holographic experiences
In the realm of advanced technology, WIMI Hologram Cloud has emerged as a pivotal player, reshaping the landscape of virtual reality and holographic imaging. This innovative platform harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver stunningly realistic holographic experiences acros…
Elon Musk’s political shift: supporting Trump
OUR TAKEElon Musk, after publicly pledging to remain politically neutral, has chosen to support Donald Trump’s actions and their possible impact on Tesla Inc. While Musk has worked to drive a global transition to sustainable energy, his political shift can have negative consequences for Tesla’s mark…
Stop using ChatGPT to generate resume: It may backfire
Bullet Points: OUR TAKEAI development is a double-edged sword: it boosts productivity and quality but may erode human rationality. The AI Index Report 2024 highlights AI’s ability to speed up tasks and improve output, yet also points out growing reliance on AI, which bypasses human thought. Both emp…
OpenAI’s latest model tackles the ‘ignore all previous instructions’ trick
OpenAI has introduced GPT-4o Mini, which employs “instruction hierarchy” safety technique to protect chatbots from deceptive commands. OpenAI’s update to GPT-4o Mini is particularly timely given the ongoing debates about AI safety and transparency, with internal and external calls for improved pract…
Kroger orders Ocado’s new automation for warehouse efficiency
Ocado has received a significant order from its partner Kroger for an array of new automated technologies to be deployed in its warehouses. Kroger is set to adopt Ocado’s latest innovations across its operational network of customer fulfilment centres (CFCs) and in future CFCs.
Top tech news stories today: July 22, 2024
From the Microsoft-CrowdStrike outage to OpenAI’s new model features, here are today’s top tech stories you need to know.
‘Almost’ all in crypto’s a winners in a second Trump administration
OUR TAKEUnder a potential second Trump administration, there was a notable resurgence of interest in cryptocurrency and digital assets, reflecting a pivotal shift in regulatory and economic landscapes. Donald Trump’s growing endorsement of bitcoin mining and digital currencies had significant implic…
Meta pauses EU AI model rollout amid regulatory concerns
Citing regulatory unpredictability, Meta will not introduce its multimodal AI models in the European Union. The decision reflects broader compliance challenges with EU data protection laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Asia-Pacific gains from World Radiocommunication Conference
The latest World Radiocommunication Conference advanced the Asia-Pacific region’s radio spectrum development.
Ex-OpenAI engineer launches AI-integrated education platform
Andrej Karpathy, ex-OpenAI engineer, has launched Eureka Labs, an AI-integrated education platform, aiming to revolutionise digital learning.
Nearly half of Japanese companies have no plan for AI use
Over 40% of Japanese companies have no plans to adopt AI technology, according to a survey conducted by Nikkei Research.
U.S. trade fears over China spark $500B chip stock slide
Wall Street’s semiconductor index lost over $500 billion on Wednesday due to reports of potential U.S. export restrictions on China. Intel, a major beneficiary of the U.S. Chips Act with $52.7 billion in subsidies, may gain from geopolitical tensions but faces concerns over revitalizing its manufact…
DeepL launches new LLM for business users
DeepL, a vanguard in Language AI, has launched an avant-garde language model, meticulously crafted for translation and editing tasks.
Decoding the IP address classification system
In IPv4, there are 4,294,967,296 IP addresses. These addresses are organised into five IP classes — A, B, C, D, and E.
Argentina tightens crypto rules amid money-laundering worries
The Argentine government has introduced a fiscal package that includes tax amnesty for undeclared crypto assets, permitting individuals to disclose holdings of up to $100,000 without facing penalties.