Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsEx-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.
Anthropic launches Claude on Android
OUR TAKEClaude’s entry into the Android market reshapes the AI app landscape dominated by ChatGPT. This move will expand the AI user base, enhancing the potential for widespread AI adoption and proficiency, ultimately fostering industry growth through education and training.— Yasmine Luo, BTW report…
Former OpenAI, Tesla exec Andrej Karpathy launches AI education platform
Former OpenAI, Tesla engineer Andrej Karpathy is developing an educational platform to create AI teaching assistants to improve learning.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 31 briefingsNearly 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.
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.
NTT Data launches Edge AI platform for IoT and manufacturing
NTT Data has debuted its Edge AI platform, a transformative solution that accelerates AI processing at the data source, managing IoT devices and data for real-time decisions and secure AI integration.
Cybersecurity threats: The shadowy realities of digital espionage
Cybersecurity threats are perpetrated by actors with malicious intentions, aimed at compromising data integrity, disrupting operational continuity or pilfering sensitive information.
6 most common types of cyber security attacks
A cyber assault is a malicious endeavour initiated by digital malefactors, including cybercriminals and hackers, aimed at breaching the security of a computer network or system.
Chaotic scenes as global IT outage hits airports, banks and media
OUR TAKEIt’s literally a modern-day “Butterfly Effect”. So many industries worldwide, from airlines to banks and even our daily news channels, have all stumbled over a massive IT failure. Airports in Sydney, Berlin, and Edinburgh are in chaos, with passengers as anxious as ants on a hot pan, facing …
OpenAI releases GPT-4o Mini, a cheaper version of AI model
OUR TAKE OpenAI, a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, has introduced a new, more cost-effective version of its latest AI model called GPT-4o Mini. The move aims to broaden its appeal and accessibility to developers and businesses, and provides a practical option for those requiring less…
Netflix adds 8M subs in Q2, but cautious on ad growth
Netflix added over 8 million subscribers in Q2, driven by a crackdown on password sharing and the popularity of hit shows. Netflix maintains a conservative stance on the potential for advertising revenue, projecting that it will not become a primary revenue driver until at least 2026.
What is network address translation? Details you should know
Network Address Translation is used in networking to remap IP address space, which is essential for managing IP address allocation.
3 recommended secure protocols for network address translation
Network address translation (NAT) facilitates efficient use of IP addresses, enhances security, and provides flexibility in network management.
6 reasons to use network address translation
Network Address Translation (NAT) enables multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address.
EU antitrust regulators investigate Google and Samsung’s AI deal
OUR TAKE EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager sent questionnaires in March to Microsoft, Google, Meta, Facebook, TikTok, and other large tech companies involved in AI collaboration. Previously, Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI sidestepped EU merger rules, and she expressed concern that …
Deel acquires Hofy to launch Deel IT
OUR TAKE Deel’s primary business is processing international payroll and employing employees on behalf of the organisation through one of its local entities. The company also assists in developing contracts that comply with local labor laws, helps workers get health insurance and provides immigratio…
Brightfin debuts its Gen Z-focused financial wellness app
OUR TAKE “Spending by Gen Z consumers is expected to increase sixfold by 2030,” PYMNTS Intelligence study states. As incomes rise, financial institutions are developing new products for Gen Z, and 95% of credit unions are committed to increasing Gen Z membership. The launch of this app can help youn…
Ukraine Advances AI Drones Amidst War
Ukrainian startups are advancing AI drone technology in the face of Russian conflict, aiming for a strategic edge on the battlefield. Efforts are underway to develop AI drones that can operate independently of human control, reducing vulnerability to Russian electronic jamming.
HSBC names Georges Elhedery CEO to keep strategic continuity
OUR TAKEHSBC’s decision to promote Georges Elhedery as CEO is a bold move, but also a safe bet. Continuity in leadership can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it shows stability and trust in the current strategy. But on the other, it could stifle innovation if Elhedery just maintains the status …
IX Telecom: Telecom industry fortifies cybersecurity against rising threats
Increasing importance of cybersecurity Since digital connectivity is integral to our daily lives, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. This is particularly true for the telecommunications industry, which forms a critical part of the infrastructure supporting numerous other sectors. …
BlackBerry debuts ‘CylanceMDR Pro’, advancing AI-driven security
BlackBerry, a cybersecurity leader, has introduced CylanceMDR Pro, an advanced managed detection and response service.
Top tech news stories today: July 18, 2024
Fintech 1. Russia weighs risk of embracing crypto for international payments Russia should accelerate the creation of infrastructure for payments in cryptocurrencies but carefully weigh the associated risks, its money laundering watchdog said on Wednesday, ahead of a parliamentary vote on digital as…
OpenAI goes ‘Strawberry’, a new reasoning technology
OpenAI is projecting a groundbreaking plan called “Strawberry”, aiming to demonstrate advanced reasoning capabilities in its AI models,
ByteDance vs. EU: The gatekeeper battle lost in Court
The CJEU ruled on 17 July to reject ByteDance’s appeal against the EU’s decision to recognise it as a “gatekeeper”. The court said ByteDance met the DMA’s quantitative criteria of global market capitalisation, the number of users in the EU and the number of years since the threshold was reached.
Tech giants accused of using unauthorised YouTube transcripts to train AI models
OUR TAKEThe development of AI technology is certainly promising, but its creation and advancement are built on databases. The lack of transparency in these databases is bound to cause controversy. The affected parties and the infringing companies often hold conflicting views, with no definitive reso…
Amazon Prime Day sales up 12% in first 7 hours
OUR TAKEAmazon Prime Day 2024 started strong with a 12% increase in sales in the first seven hours compared to last year. The event, designed to attract new subscribers and ensure customer loyalty, presents a wide range of items from protein shakes to tech gadgets such as the Amazon Fire TV stick. D…
Elon Musk relocates X and SpaceX headquarters to Texas
Elon Musk said he is moving the headquarters of X and SpaceX, from California to Texas, citing a newly gender identity law in California.
Alphabet plans to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for $23B
Alphabet is in advanced talks to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for $23B, a move that would mark its largest acquisition to date.
Docyt AI unveils world’s first AI bookkeeper ‘GARY’
Docyt AI, a pioneer in AI-powered accounting automation, has introduced GARY, the world’s first AI bookkeeper, currently in beta testing.
ASML Q2 profits and bookings surge on AI demand
ASML, the Dutch titan in semiconductor equipment, reported a robust second quarter of 2024 with a net profit of $1.74 billion on revenues of $6.76 billion, exceeding analyst predictions and showcasing a recovery despite annual declines.
Google-based GitLab ‘s $8B future: Datadog eyes giant acquisition
OUR TAKEIt looks like GitLab, that cool cloud-based dev tool provider, is getting some serious offers on the table. With Datadog, the cloud monitoring biggie, showing interest, it’s like a tech M&A drama in the making. But remember Slack’s $27.7 billion acquisition to Salesforce? It took months of w…
Taboola scores major deal with Apple, shares surge by 11%
OUR TAKETaboola landing that Apple partnership is huge news. It’s like the underdog of digital ads just got a major boost from the tech giant. I mean, Apple is notoriously tight-lipped about their ad revenue, but with eMarketer projecting them to hit $10 billion by 2024, you can see why Taboola woul…
America Movil loses $60M, gains millions in subscribers
OUR TAKEAmerica Movil taking a $60 million hit? That’s gotta sting, especially after last year’s windfall. But hey, they didn’t let the peso’s tumble bring them down completely. They still managed to boost their subscriber base and broadband access, which is no small feat. And talk about being proac…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 4 briefingsU.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…
Google, Microsoft offer Nvidia AI chips to China
Google and Microsoft are sidestepping U.S. sanctions by offering Nvidia’s powerful AI chips to Chinese companies via overseas data centres.
US mulls tougher trade curbs in chip crackdown on China
OUR TAKEThe Biden administration is considering imposing tough new trade restrictions on foreign companies that supply semiconductor technology to China. The potential move, known as the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR), is aimed at curbing the activities of companies such as Tokyo Electron and AS…
ASML shines bright in Q2 with bookings rise on AI demand
ASML announced better-than-expected earnings for Q2 of 2024 today on strong sales to China and with an increase in new bookings. Fouquet said 2024 is embarked as a “transition year” where ASML aims to maintain steady performance in preparation for a robust 2025.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingArgentina 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.
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 5 briefingsBTW debates: The Trump shooting
On July 13, 2024, at approximately 18:15 local time, former U.S. President Donald Trump was delivering a speech at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman from a high point outside the venue fired several shots towards the podium where Trump was speaking. Reporters Jennifer Yu and Miurio Huan…
Google to enhance Paris Olympics broadcast with AI for US viewers
Google will use AI for Paris Olympics broadcast, partnering with Team USA; NBC to offer personalised AI recaps.
VinFast decides to postpone its EV plant in US
VinFast, the Vietnamese EV manufacturer, has announced a delay in the launch of its planned $4 billion factory in North Carolina to 2028.
ASML orders beat estimates as AI boom fuels chip giant
OUR TAKEASML reported a significant 54% increase in second-quarter orders to $6.1 billion, driven by the boom in artificial intelligence and its impact on demand for advanced chip-making machines. This beat analyst expectations of $4.85 billion. Despite strict US export controls, ASML recorded a sub…
Kaspersky Lab ceases its US operations following a ban
Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab will gradually cease its US operations due to a ban imposed by the US Department of Commerce.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Regional ISP Trends
In this section: 1 briefingWhat is IPv6 and What are Its Features?
The internet’s backbone lies in its protocols, and IPv6 emerges as a groundbreaking evolution addressing the shortcomings of IPv4. With the exponential growth of devices and interconnected technologies, the need for an advanced, scalable, and secure protocol became paramount. This article delves int…
Coverage
Governance / CASE FILE
In this section: 1 briefingGerman government’s bitcoin sales cause market turmoil
OUR TAKEThe German government’s decision to offload its bitcoin reserves has had a pronounced effect on the cryptocurrency market, shaking investor confidence and triggering a notable price decline. While some view these sales as a pragmatic approach to asset liquidation, others see it as a missed o…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsSamsung snags startup Oxford Semantic for smarter devices
OUR TAKESamsung recently acquired Oxford Semantic Technologies, a UK-based AI rising star. It’s a big deal because Oxford Semantic is a pro in knowledge graph technology. Remember when Apple also invested heavily in AI and launched many intelligent features? Samsung’s move is clearly aimed at compet…
Nokia sees lowest quarterly revenue since 2015 amid 5G slump
OUR TAKENokia, the Finland-based telecommunications and electronics company, reported a sharp decline in second-quarter revenue. The 18% year-on-year fall to $4.9 billion was below analysts’ expectations of $5.22 billion. In response, Nokia is diversifying its business, including a $2.3 billion inve…
UK watchdogs probe competitiveness of big tech’s digital wallets
OUR TAKEUK regulators are conducting an in-depth investigation into the competitiveness of digital wallets offered by major tech companies such as Apple, Google and PayPal. The inquiry focuses on analysing the fee structures and potential operational risks associated with these digital wallets. It a…
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America National Telecom Trends
In this section: 1 briefingAT&T’s 109M customer accounts are breached
AT&T says data from 109 million US consumer accounts were illegally downloaded in April, involving records of calls and texts from 2022.