Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
British newspapers confront Apple on powerful Ad-blocking plans
In a bold move, Apple introduces its “web eraser” tool, designed to enhance user privacy by blocking unwanted ads and content in Safari. This initiative, while celebrated for its privacy benefits, sparks significant controversy among news publishers. They argue that it threatens their main revenue s…
Pew study finds video games boost teens’ skills and well-being
Multiplayer gaming environments provide avenues for social interaction, teamwork, and friendship formation among teenagers
Microsoft will launch its new Xbox mobile gaming store in July
Microsoft aims to create a unified Xbox experience across devices, hinting at future competition with Google and Apple’s app stores.
OpenAI boosts clarity: no new search engine or GPT-5 on monday
OpenAI, a leader in artificial intelligence, has officially denied any plans to launch a new search engine or the GPT-5 model on Monday. Instead, the company is set to showcase significant updates to ChatGPT and GPT-4, highlighting their continuous commitment to enhancing user experience through inn…
ING Australia announces strategic shifts in broker leadership to fuel growth
New leadership appointments at ING Australia ING Australia, part of the global ING Group and Australia’s fifth-largest bank, has announced significant changes to its broker leadership team, signalling a renewed focus on expanding its brokerage operations. This move is part of ING’s broader strategy …
House Committee calls for Microsoft’s Brad Smith on security
In a critical move, the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security has summoned Microsoft’s Brad Smith to address a serious security breach involving Chinese hackers accessing U.S. officials’ emails. The hearing aims to scrutinize Microsoft’s response and enforce stronger safeguards to protect nation…
CoreWeave launches European HQ and plans 2 UK data centres
CoreWeave, a $19B AI compute provider, expands into Europe with a new HQ in London. Investing $1.25 billion in two UK data centres, it aims to meet rising demand for AI infrastructure and talent. CoreWeave’s move Established in 2017, CoreWeave stands as one of several AI-centric cloud computing ente…
Top tech news stories today: May 11, 2024
Industry leaders are innovating: Apple is updating AI capabilities, while OpenAI plans to launch a Google-rivaling search engine.
8 autonomous vehicle simulation software
Autonomous vehicle simulation software meets the needs of algorithm testing and avoids safety hazards caused by road testing.
Tokyo Disney’s new Frozen ride showcases advanced tech
Discover the enchanting world of Tokyo DisneySea’s latest attraction, “Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey.” This innovative ride, set in the newly unveiled Fantasy Springs expansion, brings the beloved tale of “Frozen” to life with groundbreaking Imagineering technology. Visitors will be mesmerized by l…
Anthropic’s Claude gets tepid iOS response vs. ChatGPT
The disparity in reception prompts Anthropic to reconsider its strategies for promoting AI models on iOS and adapt to competitive landscape.
OpenAI’s Chatgpt announcement: more details revealed
Join us as OpenAI unveils exciting updates to ChatGPT and GPT-4, promising innovative features that redefine user interaction with AI. Tune in to the livestream to witness the future of technology in action.
FBI targets Scattered Spider hackers, official states
The Scattered Spider gang has mastered the art of digital deception, skillfully impersonating IT helpdesk employees to penetrate corporate networks and launch sophisticated phishing schemes. This nefarious group has targeted over a hundred organizations across multiple sectors, leaving a trail of di…
CoreWeave,AI compute provider, sets up European HQ in London
Plans for two UK data centres aims to enhance data processing capabilities and ensure low-latency access to AI compute services.
The role of the ICANN board of directors in Internet governance
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a global organisation established in 1998 to coordinate and oversee key functions related to the internet’s domain name system (DNS) and IP address allocation. Its primary role is to ensure the stable and secure operation of the inte…
Google deepMind launches new AI for drug discovery
Google DeepMind has unveiled a new iteration of its groundbreaking AlphaFold AI, specifically engineered to revolutionize drug discovery by mapping the behavior of all life’s molecules, including human DNA. Accompanying this release is the AlphaFold server, a new tool designed to streamline and simp…
Apple enhances Vision Pro apps browsing experience
Apple has recently introduced new features that significantly enhance the browsing experience for Vision Pro apps outside of the headset. These new features allow users to seamlessly explore and discover a diverse range of Vision Pro apps directly on their Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads. A…
Airbnb’s stock price declines on second-quarter’s expected earning
Despite Airbnb‘s better-than-expected first-quarter earnings announcement, the stock price plummeted in after-hours trading due to bleak future outlook. Airbnb’s strong performance Airbnb announced in its first-quarter earnings report on May 8, that its revenue totaled $2.14 billion, marking an 18% …
Steering towards compliance: Legislation for autonomous vehicles
The emergence of autonomous vehicles heralds a new era of transportation, promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and accessibility on our roads. As self-driving technology continues to advance, governments around the world are grappling with the need to establish comprehensive legal frameworks to re…
6 important ethical issues in autonomous vehicles
As self-driving cars inch closer to mainstream adoption, a spectrum of ethical quandaries emerges, casting a shadow over the horizon. The evolution of autonomous vehicle technology has brought forth an array of intricate ethical dilemmas that demand meticulous examination and resolution. 1. Technica…
5 data governance roles and responsibilities
Data governance is a critical aspect of any organisation’s data management strategy. It involves the establishment of policies, procedures, and practices that ensure the availability, usability, integrity, and security of the data used in an enterprise. Effective data governance requires a well-defi…
Data governance in banking: Benefits and implementation
Data governance is the process of managing the availability, usability, integrity and security of the data in enterprise systems, based on internal standards and policies that also control data usage. Effective data governance makes sure that data is reliable, consistent, and not abused. It’s becomi…
Sal Sferlazza: CEO of NinjaOne and his path to rapid growth and success
Sal Sferlazza’s entrepreneurship drove NinjaRMM’s rapid growth with innovative leadership and customer-centric focus.
10 principles of data governance
Data governance principles help to improve the efficiency of an organisation’s management and use of its data assets.
How recent tech layoffs continue to impact 2024’s tech scene
A slew of companies across the tech, media, finance, and retail industries made significant cuts to staff in 2023 and 2024. Tech titans like IBM, Google, Microsoft, finance giants like Goldman Sachs, and manufacturers like Dow all announced layoffs. What are tech layoffs? Tech layoffs refer to the p…
RADAR technology: Shaping the future of autonomous vehicles
Automobile companies are focusing on numerous sensors for navigation. Cameras, LiDAR, and RADAR function together to form the primary set of sensors that provide the functionalities of imaging, detection, ranging, tracking, and sensing of the drive location for a seamless ride. RADAR technology play…
ICANN launches new gTLD program website
As ICANN pushes forward with this new gTLD program, it must address issues of cost and potential cybersecurity attacks.
The read receipt dilemma: Do message senders really need to know?
The read receipt feature on social platforms is widely used but often causes anxiety by prompting users to repeatedly check messages.
Tract unveils plans for 2.4GW data centre campus in Virginia
Tract, a data centre land acquisition and development company, has announced its plans to build a 2.4GW data centre campus in Hanover County, Virginia. This significant development signals Tract’s strategic expansion in the rapidly growing data centre market and underscores its commitment to fosteri…
Turkey fines Meta $37.2 million for data violations
Turkey’s competition board fines Meta $37.20 million for data-sharing violations, aims at safeguarding fair competition.
Windows 11 to bring floating Live Tiles-like widgets to Start menu
For Windows 11, Microsoft is experimenting with a new Start menu design that includes a side panel to display adaptive cards, which is a fancy term for widgets like Windows 10 Live Tiles. User @thebookisclosed on X has observed the “Companions” feature, which is a part of the Windows 11 build 26212 …
TIDLOR restructures, launches InsurTech Platform for long-term growth
TIDLOR restructures as Tidlor Holdings, focusing on lending, insurance, and new InsurTech platform for long-term growth.
Bangkok Airways launches Boutique Series 2024 with Samui Half Marathon
Bangkok Airways launches ‘Boutique Series 2024’ promoting sports tourism with the inaugural Samui Half Marathon and exclusive entity perks.
Apple apologises for iPad ‘Crush’ ad that ‘missed the mark’
Apple introduced the M4-powered iPad Pro, which the company described as its thinnest product ever. To advertise all the creative possibilities with the iPad, it released a “Crush!” commercial that shows things like a piano, record player, paint, and other works flattening under the pressure of a hy…
Australian regulator says Musk’s X can’t set internet law limits
In an ongoing legal battle, Australian regulators are confronting Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, over its refusal to globally remove harmful content. This case highlights the broader conflict between safeguarding free speech and adhering to national internet safety regulations, raising signif…
Pioneering thermal energizer ignites remote IoT innovation
In the quest for sustainable energy, University of Utah researchers unveil a groundbreaking self-charging thermoelectric battery, harnessing ambient heat for autonomous power generation.
Reddit locks public data, requires contracts for access
The policy aims to tighten control over Reddit’s data ecosystem in response to growing concerns regarding user privacy and data security.
Alibaba launches a super-sized AI model targeting ChatGPT
Alibaba Cloud announced its super-sized model, ‘Qwen 2.5’, and claimed that its performance in various aspects surpassed that of GPT-4 according to Chinese media outlet Diyi Caijing on May 9. Surpasses ChatGPT As China intensifies its push for technological self-reliance, the country’s leading tech …
TikTok implements AI content labels for external creations
TikTok plans to label AI-generated content from platforms like OpenAI using a digital watermark. This move aims to enhance identification of false information and prevent its impact on US elections.
What is ICANN? Inside the non-profit org that ensures the stability of the internet
ICANN, a non-profit org since 1998, manages global domain names/IP addresses, prioritising internet stability amid geopolitical tensions.
Thai Airways orders 45 Boeing Jets in strategic fleet expansion
Thai Airways International (THAI.BK) has announced a significant fleet expansion plan, confirming a firm order with Boeing and GE Aerospace for 45 wide-body jets. This move underscores its strategic commitment to rejuvenating the fleet and meeting rising demand as international travel rebounds after…
Malaysia’s Revolutionary ‘Biodome’ elevates STEAM education
The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) recently concluded its STEAM Carnival, a resounding success that brought together over 700 students from 18 schools to celebrate innovation and interdisciplinary learning. Led by Professor Sam Kingman, UNM’s Interim Provost and CEO and joined by notable fi…
OpenAI unveils search product challenging Google on Monday
OpenAI announced that it will unveil a search product equipped with artificial intelligence capable of rivaling the search giant Google on Monday. New version of ChatGPT Research and development on OpenAI‘s search functionality have been underway since the past. However, according to information pos…
Companies harness Retell AI for automated phone support
Retell AI’s customisable voice agents leverage AI and NLP technologies to automate customer service tasks.
Amazon’s CTO unveils meeting-summarising app
The move suggests a growing trend towards AI-driven solutions for optimising work processes across industries.
Microsoft to close ADC in Nigeria: challenge or opportunity
Microsoft has announced its decision to shut down its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Nigeria, a move that has sparked widespread interest and concern. Impact on tech ecosystem The closure of Microsoft’s ADC in Nigeria will undoubtedly have significant implications for the local tech ecosystem. T…
Shopify shares plunge 18% as it leans into AI investments
Shopify’s stock tumbled after the company reported first-quarter results and it has prioritised investments in AI.
Amazon enters into a contract with Telefónica
Amazon announced its entry into the European 5G network market through a cloud contract with Telefónica on May 7. Entering the 5G market The global communication cloud market is expected to grow from $19.7 billion in 2021 to $108.7 billion by 2030. This is anticipated to provide growth opportunities…
Google employees question execs over ‘decline in morale’ after blowout earnings
Google employees questioned leadership about cost cuts, layoffs and “morale” issues following the company’s first-quarter earnings report
New Huawei phone features more China-made parts
This strategic shift aims to decrease reliance on foreign suppliers amidst geopolitical challenges and trade uncertainties.