Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
What are some examples of B2B fintech solutions?
As the demand for fintech grows, numerous companies emerge to fill market gaps. Three models exist: B2B (business to business), B2C (business to consumer), and C2C (consumer to consumer). This blog delves into B2B fintech, outlining its fundamentals and listing key solutions. What is B2B fintech? Fi…
What is Berachain? And what is proof of liquidity?
Berachain is an innovative player in blockchain with its PoL mechanism and unique design, and has received lots of investment and attention.
Why do people buy smart cars?
Smart cars boast advanced tech like automatic driving, connectivity, and safety, captivating car enthusiasts.
What is B2B fintech? And how does it work?
B2B fintech streamlines finance, offers alternatives, and empowers data-driven decisions for business efficiency and growth.
AI startup Blaize raises $106M in funding
Blaize, a startup specialising in artificial intelligence chips for edge devices and data centers, has secured $106 million in fresh funding from a consortium of investors. This substantial investment comes on the heels of Blaize’s recent plans to go public through a merger with a special purpose ac…
Austrian NOYB unveils privacy complaint against ChatGPT
Austrian advocacy group None Of Your Business (NOYB) filed a privacy complaint against Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI on Monday, citing the company’s failure to correct inaccurate data supplied by its generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT, which may have violated EU privacy regulations. About complaint Ac…
Samsung says AI will drive technology demand in second half
Samsung’s AI-driven sales surge signals strong demand for memory chips and tech devices amid positive business conditions.
UK launches first IoT security law
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) of the United Kingdom has introduced the world’s first law to legally mandate cybersecurity standards for IoT devices, aiming to shield consumers from cyber threats and boost the nation’s resilience against rising cybercrime. The new …
Tether invests $200 million in Blackrock Neurotech
Tether invests $200 million for a majority stake in brain chipmaker Blackrock Neurotech, aiming to enter the advanced technology space.
OpenAI uses FT content to train AI models in media collaboration
The Financial Times has partnered with OpenAI to license its content for AI model development and allow ChatGPT to answer queries with the newspaper’s summaries. This is the latest media tie-up for Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI, following similar deals with the Associated Press, Axel Springer, Le …
APNIC at PCTA Tech Show: Analyst Mulingbayan fields inquiries
APNIC’s senior internet resource analyst, Anna Mulingbayan tutored 200 entities about internet exchange points and routing.
How to solve IPv4 address depletion?
Transitioning to IPv6 is crucial for accommodating the growing number of devices and services on the Internet due to its vast address space.
What venture capital fund is investing in xAI?
xAI is a new company working on building artificial intelligence to accelerate human scientific discovery, whose mission is to advance collective understanding of the universe. Established just 10 months ago, xAI has gained significant interest from investors. Funding journey of xAI In March 2023, E…
True Anomaly space company: A short profile
In the rapidly evolving landscape of space exploration and commercialisation, True Anomaly emerges as a force driving innovation and progress. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to deliver solutions for space security, sustainability, and ac…
Microsoft invests $2.9B to strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure in Japan
Microsoft’s $2.9 billion investment in Japan over 2 years focuses on AI, reskilling 3 million, and cybersecurity collaboration.
Gcore launches AI ASR for enhanced content accessibility
Gcore launches AI ASR, revolutionising global content accessibility with swift, precise subtitle generation for broadcasters and enterprises.
SoftBank Group forms partnership with Alat to pioneer industrial robots
SoftBank Group partners with Alat to revolutionise Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing with a US$150M joint venture in advanced robotics.
ASNB launches RIA, a ‘Robo Investment Advisor’ to enhance accessibility
On 11 March 2024, Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), a unit trust management firm operating under the umbrella of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), announced the launch of a new feature named RIA in its myASNB application. RIA, standing for Robo Investment Advisor, is specifically developed to str…
Thaicom strengthens fleet at 119.5 degrees East with THAICOM-9
Thaicom Public Company Limited, a key player in Asia’s satellite and space technology sector, has announced its collaboration with the American satellite company Astranis. This partnership involves the provision of THAICOM-9, the latest addition to Thaicom’s satellite fleet, positioned at 119.5 degr…
CTCT CEO Toshihiro Nakaya pledges continuous IT excellence
According to the President & CEO of CTCT, Toshihiro Nakaya, recent global shifts have dramatically transformed the business landscape for Japanese companies, emphasizing the critical importance of strategic IT technology use in promoting sustainable development and enhancing corporate value. Since C…
Who is Jeremy Almond? Paystand CEO aims to reinvent B2B payments
Jeremy Almond, CEO of B2B payments platform Paystand, has multiple identities, and founder is just one of them. He calls himself an engineer, surfer, hacker, globe trotter, blockchain advocate, fledgling investor, bluewater sailor and MBA kid. Jeremy Almond with multiple identities Jeremy Almond is …
5 interesting B2B fintech startups worth watching
B2B fintech, or Business-to-Business fintech, refers to the application of technology to deliver financial products and services specifically designed for businesses. It encompasses a wide range of innovative technological solutions aimed at optimising financial processes, improving efficiency, and …
Can robots replace humans?
Robots can perform more work in less time, be successful in areas like warfare and healthcare, and remain consistent throughout the day. They can work in adverse situations, unlike humans, who lose energy as hours pass. However, robots can only perform specific jobs and cannot offer diverse solution…
What is a humanoid robot?
A humanoid robot is a robot that is designed to resemble and mimic the physical appearance and capabilities of a human being. These robots typically have a body structure similar to that of a human, including a head, torso, arms, and legs. They are often equipped with sensors, actuators, and artific…
Who is Christophe Fouquet? CEO at ASML
The Dutch lithography giant ASML has announced a change of leadership, with French national Christophe Fouquet replacing Peter Wennink as its new president and chief executive. Christophe Fouquet, who will take over as CEO after 15 years at the company, will bring new changes to ASML and a new era f…
What causes of the majority of data breaches?
Though data breaches seem to be a serious annoyance, overall, they are often the result of a combination of technical vulnerabilities, etc.
What is Web3 gaming?
Web3 games, built on the innovative foundation of blockchain technology, represent a huge shift in the gaming industry. These games enable players to achieve actual ownership of their in-game assets, a feature facilitated through non-fungible (NFTs) or fungible tokens. History of Web3 gaming The jou…
Top tech news stories today: April 30, 2024
Axel Springer to migrate cloud applications to Microsoft’s Azure, OpenAI’s ChatGPT targeted in Austrian privacy complaint and other news.
How does blockchain support AI?
Blockchain is a shared, immutable ledger that provides an immediate, shared and transparent exchange of encrypted data simultaneously to multiple parties as they initiate and complete transactions. A blockchain network can track orders, payments, accounts, production and much more. Since permission …
How many crypto exchanges have been hacked?
Cryptocurrency exchanges are online platforms hosted by companies or other entities that make it convenient for users to purchase and sell cryptocurrency. When cryptocurrency was first introduced, you had to manually enter a command in a terminal to send a coin to someone. Eventually, user interface…
Stripe steps back into the cryptocurrency market
The financial infrastructure of the Internet Stripe declared on Thursday that it would enable users to accept payments in cryptocurrencies, albeit only for USDC stablecoins at first, and only on Solana, Ethereum, and Polygon. Stripe will be accepting cryptocurrency payments for the first time since …
What is data link layer?
The data link layer or layer 2 is the second layer of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. This layer is the protocol layer that transfers data between adjacent network nodes in a wide area network (WAN) or between nodes on the same local area network (LAN) segment. The data link layer …
B2B fintech trends
In today’s digital age, businesses are constantly seeking technology services to streamline their financial processes and drive growth. B2B fintech, short for Business-to-Business Fintech, has emerged as a game-changer, providing advanced technological solutions to address the complex financial…
AI startup Synthesia launches Expressive Avatars
Synthesia, an artificial intelligence startup supported by Nvidia, debuted a new generation of AI-generated digital avatars on Thursday that can interpret text input from users to represent human emotions. About Synthesis Founded in 2017, Synthesia is one of the more recent AI “unicorn” companies in…
Chinese electric car start-ups Nio and Xpeng to release new cars
Chinese electric vehicle start-ups Nio and Xpeng intend to launch newly branded cars this year, targeting a less expensive market segment. About newly branded cars CEO William Li of Nio said to CNBC’s Eunice Yoon on Thursday that the company’s first mass-market vehicle will be an SUV that costs less…
Blinken says chip bans won’t hinder China’s growth
The United States’ stringent export controls on advanced computing chips bound for China have sparked debates regarding their underlying motives. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently addressed concerns, emphasising that these measures are not aimed at impeding China’s economic or technological…
Apple in talks with OpenAI over iPhone AI features
According to a Friday story by Bloomberg News, Apple Inc. and OpenAI have resumed talks over leveraging the startup’s generative AI technology to power certain new features that will be unveiled in the iPhone later this year. Silent responses Despite the ongoing discussions, Apple and OpenAI have no…
Adobe’s new Firefly Image 3 adds genAI features to Photoshop
Adobe unveiled its latest Firefly Image generative AI (genAI) model, promising greater realism, and improved controls over generated outputs.
Are companies liable for data breaches?
A data breach occurs when sensitive, confidential, or protected information is accessed, disclosed, or stolen without authorisation. Data breaches can happen due to various reasons such as cyberattacks, human error, or system glitches. Definition of data breach A data breach refers to the unauthoris…
Why are smart cars so expensive?
Smart cars, also known as connected cars or intelligent vehicles, are equipped with advanced technologies and features that contribute to their higher cost compared to traditional vehicles. From autonomous driving capabilities to in-car entertainment systems, smart cars are equipped with technology …
How to prevent healthcare data breaches?
Ensuring the security of healthcare data is crucial since security breaches can result in severe outcomes such as jeopardising patient privacy, incurring financial losses, and harming the reputation of the organisation. Businesses must put strong security measures in place and follow best practices …
What is Global Founders Capital funding size?
GFC’s multi-billion dollar funds are primarily invested in companies across various industries at different stages of growth.
What is an instant payment API?
Instant payment APIs play a transformative role in our daily lives by offering convenience, speed, and security in financial transactions, enhancing global financial inclusively and accessibility. Stripe, PayPal, and Venmo are some examples of well-known instant payment APIs that we can use in the p…
Who is Max Friedman? Givebutter CEO puts philanthropy and humanity first
If you search for Max Friedman in your browser, you might only be able to get Maxwell Jacob Friedman, the American professional wrestler. So who is Max Friedman, the new Internet star, and what’s his story with Givebutter? This article gives you the answer. Max Friedman: innovative son of Texas The …
Who is Julia Hartz? CEO of Eventbrite
Julia Hartz is the Co-founder of Eventbrite, responsible for the vision, strategy, and growth of the company. Hartz co-founded Eventbrite with a vision to build a self-service platform that would make it possible for anyone to create and sell tickets to live experiences. In April 2016, Hartz was app…
CTC’s new CEO Tatsushi Shingu to drive growth through AI and cloud
Leadership transition at CTC Tatsushi Shingu is delighted to share his recent inauguration as President & CEO of ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC), effective from the 1st of April, 2024. Established in 1972, CTC has experienced substantial growth by fulfilling the needs of its clients and co…
Nex-Tech Wireless teams up with Ericsson for connectivity in Kansas, USA
Strategic collaboration for enhanced connectivity Ericsson and Nex-Tech Wireless announced today a groundbreaking 5-year network modernization plan. This initiative underscores Nex-Tech Wireless’ commitment to delivering unparalleled connectivity solutions across communities in Kansas. Jon Lightle, …
UTP’s 1st neurodiversity seminar advances understanding
The inaugural Neurodiversity Seminar and Forum, recently organized by Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in collaboration with PETRONAS Neurodiverse Centre of Excellence (NCoE), signifies a pivotal stride towards fostering a more inclusive environment for neurodiverse individuals. Enhance understan…
Musk plans to reveal new vehicles to face slumped shares
Tesla analyst estimates when it revealed its first-quarter revenue decline of 9% on Tuesday, the largest since 2012. The electric vehicle maker is still dealing with the impact of continuous price reductions. Following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement to investors that production of new, reasonably pric…
How to protect the ‘internet of things’?
Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the exponential growth of such smart home devices has multiplied the security threats of IoT. Some tips can help prevent hackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities in IoT devices. The IoT devices The IoT r…