Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
OVHcloud pioneers quantum computer to support Europe
OVHcloud brings together European quantum ecosystem to launch the first quantum computer commissioning for a European cloud service provider.
Google Podcasts in the US may be discontinued soon
Google is discontinuing its Podcasts app in the U.S., prompting users to switch to YouTube Music for uninterrupted access to their favorite podcasts. Migration deadline announced The company has commenced notifying users of the app that they are required to transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Mu…
Only 15 seconds needed to clone your voice, says OpenAI
The voice clone model Voice Engine has been in development since late 2022, and it can generate a synthetic voice according to a 15-second clip of someone’s voice. However, as generative AI continues to develop, ethical concerns follow as well. OpenAI introduces Voice Engine OpenAI has unveiled Voic…
OpenAI’s voice engine: synthetic voices on hold
OpenAI unveils Voice Engine, an AI model replicating human voices from short audio clips, but delays full release due to ethical and societal concerns over potential misuse. The potential of voice engine The evolution of voice synthesis has been remarkable, especially when compared to the Speak & Sp…
Microsoft and Epic reduce investments in independent games
Small-scale developers note reduced funding from Epic Games and Microsoft at GDC 2024, signalling a shift to cautious investment strategies.
Microsoft removes Teams from Office following years-long criticism
Microsoft will offer new Microsoft 365 and Office 365 subscriptions without Teams, following complaints and scrutiny. This move aims to address competition concerns and provide multinational companies with more purchasing flexibility. Microsoft unbundles Office and Teams globally following years-lon…
Hong Kong crypto exchange HKVAEX is shutting down
HKVAEX, a Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange, has initiated a phased suspension of its services, leading to a complete shutdown by May 1, 2024. HKVAEX announces its phased shutdown The first step of the phased shutdown is the immediate suspension of new user registrations and virtual asset depo…
Siemens joins Universal Robots, Zivid for warehouse automation
Siemens announces a partnership with Universal Robots and Zivid to create an advanced warehouse automation solution, combining AI and robotics for efficient intra-logistics. Collaboration for advanced automation In a bold step towards the future of intra-logistics, Siemens has embarked on a part…
Trader turns $7k into $2M in 3 months as Degen meme coins fly
Since its launch last week, the Degen Chain network has attracted a fair number of speculators—and its success has attracted several critics. Degen took its first step into memecoin trading activity The recent launch of Degen Chain has made waves within the cryptocurrency realm. Since its inception …
Web3 startups turn to accelerators in new crypto bull market
Web3 startups have increased since the crypto surges Web3 startups are flocking to accelerator programs as crypto enthusiasm surges and investors look for programs that offer mentorship and guidance in return for early equity. On March 26, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) revealed the lineup for its sprin…
Tesla raises prices in China and shrugs off price war
Tesla has raised the price of its Shanghai-made Model Y car, breaking away from a price war between a host of local tram brands. Tesla raises prices in China According to Tesla’s local website, the base Y is now priced at 263,900 yuan (US$36,519), up 1.9% from the previous 258,900 yuan (US$35,808). …
AI robots with super vision power ‘groundbreaking’ warehouse
Siemens is partnering with Universal Robots and Zivid on a precise picking and packing warehouse automation solution. The solution will address the challenges of intra-logistics fulfillment tasks, a move the companies describe as “groundbreaking”. Robot UR20 The warehouse automation solution will au…
Xiaomi’s SU7 buyers face up to 7-month wait
Xiaomi started taking orders for its SU7 electric vehicle sedan, and the company advised buyers interested in purchasing its new SU7 electric vehicle sedan that they may have to wait up to seven months. China’s Xiaomi joins the EV race with ‘dream car’ to take on Tesla Xiaomi e…
OpenAI voice-clone tool mimics your voice with 15-second sample
OpenAI has developed a text-to-speech generation platform called Voice Engine, which creates synthetic speech based on a 15-second snippet of someone’s voice. The voice-cloning tool Artificial intelligence-generated speech can read out text prompts based on commands in the same language as the speak…
Microsoft, OpenAI plot US$100 billion Stargate AI supercomputer
Microsoft and OpenAI are developing plans for a data center project that could cost $100 billion and include an AI supercomputer called “Stargate”, which is expected to be launched in 2028. The concept of the plan Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and Microsoft have spread the supercomputers across five pha…
US, Japan call for deeper cooperation in AI
Japan and the U.S. will announce closer cooperation in high-tech areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) in a joint statement when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets with President Joe Biden next month. Cooperation between Japan and the United States According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper on Sa…
China criticises US tightening of chip export rules
Delve into the escalating US-China tech tensions as China criticizes US semiconductor export rules. Explore the impact on major players like Nvidia and AMD and the broader implications for global trade and industry stability amidst geopolitical maneuvering. The tensions negatively impact on global t…
Chinese Swatch consumers baulk at increased costs
The Chinese market is expected to be challenging until the end of the year as consumers are hesitant about price rises. Omega, Tissot, and Longines are considering having their shares delisted by the family, but this would require a lot of debt, which CEO Marc Hayek doesn’t like. China’s market in t…
Microsoft is supposedly developing ‘Stargate’ to carry OpenAI forward
Microsoft plans to build a $100 billion supercomputer, “Stargate,” to power OpenAI’s next generation of AI systems, marking the final phase of Microsoft and OpenAI’s US supercomputer project. the Origin of Stargate Stargate, a 1994 science-fiction film, explores an interstellar teleportation device …
Microsoft consolidates Power BI licenses: expensive surprises for users
Microsoft has consolidated its licensing terms for Power BI with its Fabric data platform, leaving some users facing steep price hikes according to one analyst. Microsoft will integrate Power BI licensing with Fabric In a statement earlier this month, Kim Manis, Microsoft’s Fabric and Power BI produ…
Japan to partner with EU in researching chips and EV materials
Japan and EU join forces to develop key materials for chips and EV batteries, aiming to reduce dependency on China amidst EU’s subsidy probe.
Meta accused of sharing user data with Netflix
Meta possibly breached user privacy by sharing data with Netflix, raising concerns about tech-advertiser influence on platform decisions.
New Quest apps will not have support for Oculus Quest 1 headsets
Oculus Quest, launched in 2019, will no longer allow new apps to be played on the Quest 1 in May. This is part of the planned obsolescence of the Quest 1, announced by Meta last year. Developers will no longer be able to upload apps solely supporting Quest 1, and players will not be able
Solana Founder breaks silence on memecoins amid Dogwifhat (WIF) success
As Dogwifhat price surges, Solana founder’s take on memecoins sparks debate Yakovenko pointed out the hypocrisy of memecoin through charitable donations In the wake of Dogwifhat’s meteoric ascent to crypto market’s top, Anatoly Yakovenko, one of the founding figures behind Solana, has broken his sil…
Top tech news stories today: April 1, 2024
Hong Kong’s Crypto Exchange HKVAEX announces phased shutdown, Netflix takes on Facebook, OpenAI’s voice clone looks good, and more tech news from today. 1. Hong Kong crypto exchange HKVAEX announces phased shutdown HKVAEX, a Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange, has initiated a phased suspension …
Cardano founder expresses opinions amid recent staking concerns
Cardano is facing a new challenge because of its low reward rate for ADA staking. The founder of Cardano responds. The low reward rate for ADA staking raises attention in the industry The Cardano blockchain, one of the biggest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, faces a new challenge as staki…
China criticised the tightening of U.S. rules on semiconductor exports
China has criticised the US for tightening rules on semiconductor exports, saying it creates more barriers to trade and more uncertainty for the chip industry. Revised rules China is of the view that “the United States has expanded the concept of national security, arbitrarily changed the rules and …
Original Oculus Quest Headset Won’t Support New Apps Starting in May
New Quest apps will be unable to support Oculus Quest 1 headsets from May. This isn’t because Quest 1 isn’t powerful enough to play them anymore, but because developers will no longer be able to upload them and players won’t be able to see them. Phase-out plan for Quest 1 This is part of the
Quectel launches antennas for IoT devices and deployments
Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO of Quectel, announced expansion of products to address clients’ needs precisely, including new external 5G antennas and active GNSS antennas. Quectel’s expansion of antennas Quectel Wireless Solutions, the global IoT solutions provider, expands its portfolio with ne…
OpenAI’s GPT store fails to meet expectations
OpenAI’s GPTs marketplace struggles to meet CEO expectations, highlighting concerns over policy violations and limited user engagement.
MM1: Apple’s first multimodal AI model
Apple has revealed MM1, a new generation of multimodal models that can seamlessly interpret and interact with both images and text, setting the stage for a more intuitive and responsive Siri and iMessage experience. MM1: pioneering multimodal AI Apple has introduced MM1, an innovative suite of multi…
Automotive computer chip maker NXP launches new platform S32 CoreRide
The automotive computer chips maker company NXP Semiconductors said on Thursday it simplifies and accelerates software development for customers with the introduction of a new platform, enriching the development of electronics for automobiles. About the new platform S32 CoreRide The platform S32 Cor…
China’s 5G market will add US$260 billion to GDP by 2030
China’s booming 5G market is expected to add nearly US$260 billion to its GDP by 2030, and its 5G connections account for nearly a third of the global total. 5G market in China According to a study issued on Tuesday by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), the mobile sector contributed 5.5%…
US federal agencies now required to have chief AI officer
All U.S. federal agencies are required to have a designated “Chief AI Officer” who oversees AI technology used by the agency.
US and Mexico to partner on semiconductor supply chains
US will work with Mexico to explore semiconductor supply chain opportunities to reduce technology dependence on China and Taiwan.
White House mandates safeguards for AI use
The White House is requiring federal agencies to implement “concrete safeguards” by December 1st to protect Americans’ rights and ensure safety as the government expands the use of artificial intelligence across various applications. Safeguarding citizen rights and safety The White House announced T…
China’s Xiaomi joins the EV race with ‘dream car’ to take on Tesla
Xiaomi’s launch of the SU7 sedan marks its entry into the competitive EV market, targeting premium consumers with competitive pricing.
HPE brings LLMs to Aruba as AI takes over the network
Juniper CEO Rami Rahim has predicted that by 2027, artificial intelligence would completely automate networks. HPE Aruba has begun baking self-contained large language models (LLMs) into its control plane, but these LLMs are not yet making decisions on their own. They are part of Aruba Network Centr…
PNCC employs Open RAN for new 5G services in Palau
Palau-based PNCC‘s management and technical teams have undergone a comprehensive workshop on 5G and Open RAN technologies and operations. Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) presents an innovative approach to constructing mobile networks, promising PNCC faster and more accessible 4G and 5G services. U…
HKIIT and ASL sign MoU to nurture IT talent
The Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), a Vocational Training Council (VTC) member institution, and Automated Systems (H.K.) Limited (ASL), a subsidiary of Automated Systems Holdings Limited, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement aims to …
Silicon Valley’s dark fibre: Cologix & Bandwidth IG team up
Cologix has joined forces with Bandwidth IG to bring dark fibre connectivity at its SV1 data centre in Silicon Valley. This collaboration enables businesses to meet their high-capacity network requirements with optimal speed, reliability, and scalability. Bruce Garrison, CEO of Bandwidth IG, emphasi…
Google.org launches generative AI accelerator for nonprofits
Google.org, Google’s charitable wing, is launching a new program to help fund nonprofits developing tech that utilises generative AI. Google dives into integrating generative AI into nonprofits The program is called Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI. In addition to $20 million in grants, the non…
Chase wealth planning tool hits 1 million personal plans since launch
JPMorgan Chase says its free Wealth Plan digital money coach has helped customers create more than a million personalised plans in just a year since launch. Wealth plan offers financial private customisation Available in the Chase Mobile app and on Chase.com, Wealth Plan gives the bank’s 54 million …
Microsoft Copilot AI will soon run locally on PCs
It has been confirmed that Microsoft’s Copilot AI could soon run locally on PCs rather than relying on the cloud. Some updates According to Intel, the chatbot could run on future AI-enabled PCs, which would need to incorporate neural processing units (NPUs) with over 40 trillion operations per secon…
White House implements new AI regulations for federal agencies
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo outlining new artificial intelligence regulations for federal agencies on Thursday, requiring federal agencies to be more careful and transparent in their use of AI. The new AI regulations The new rules stem from President Joe B…
Google’s DeepMind unveils ‘superhuman‘ AI fact-checker, ‘SAFE’
Google DeepMind has unveiled a “superhuman” AI system that can outperform human fact-checkers in assessing the accuracy of information generated by large language models. Search-Augmented Factuality Evaluator (SAFE) This study, titled “Long-form factuality in large language models”, introduces SAFE …
Comcast uses edge computing and AI to detect and locate outages
Comcast is combining artificial intelligence with its distributed access architecture to detect and locate outages.
Data centre power consumption could surge sixfold over a decade
National Grid predicts that the boom in AI and quantum computing will drive a surge in energy use, both of which rely on data centres.
FTX announces sale of 41M solana tokens at 68% discount
The bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX plans to sell its remaining 41 million solana tokens to institutional investors for about $60 each.
US may soon release list of Chinese chip factories banned from receiving technology
The U.S. is working on a list of advanced Chinese chip-making plants that are banned from receiving critical tools so that companies can more easily stop the flow of technology into China. Restricted List The Commerce Department in 2022 barred U.S. companies from shipping equipment to Chinese factor…