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 / Africa Trends / Africa Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsNigerian central bank partners with Gluwa to grow eNaira platform
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and blockchain platform Gluwa are jointly promoting the eNaira central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Nigeria issues summons to Binance CEO over alleged financial crimes
The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has called upon Binance CEO Richard Teng to provide testimony.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 37 briefingsDecentralised derivatives trading platform AEVO joins Binance
Binance introduces AEVO, a decentralised derivatives trading platform, on Launchpool, allowing users to earn AEVO tokens through BNB.
Top tech news stories today: March 7, 2024
Burnt Banksy launches XION blockchain and MicroStrategy raises convertible notes offering to $700M amid stock rally and other news.
Tesla’s German factory halts production after going up in flames
A suspected arson near Tesla’s German factory halted production, sparking environmental concerns and Elon Musk’s condemnation.
AWS will stop charging for data transfers to other platforms
Amazon AWS and Google end data migration fees amid regulatory scrutiny, boosting cloud and generative AI service.
OpenAI: Musk’s investment and influence have been small
On Wednesday, OpenAI, the most esteemed AI company, declared its intention to refute every claim made by Elon Musk in a recent legal dispute.
Algorithmic trading blamed for crypto exchange outages
The chief strategy officer of dYdX stated the recent exchange outages were attributed to heightened workloads from algorithmic trading firms.
Institutional investment boosts bitcoin’s sustainability, says Reuters
Reuters hints that bitcoin’s recent surge to a new peak may be more sustainable than its 2021 growth, due to institutional investment influx.
Apple’s iPhone Sales Decline in China Amidst Fierce Competition
Sales drop and intensifying competition In the first six weeks of 2024, Apple experienced a significant setback in China as iPhone sales plummeted by 24% year-on-year, according to research firm Counterpoint. The decline is attributed to heightened competition from local rivals, notably Huawei, whic…
Cisco introduces AI assistant for enhanced cloud app security
Cisco has unveiled an AI-powered assistant to bolster its cloud app security service, aiming to revolutionize the way businesses manage security issues inherent in cloud-native applications. This solution, named the Cisco AI Assistant for Panoptica, will simplify and expedite the handling of risks a…
Bitcoin all-time high: Records expected to fall as BTC nears $69,000
The bitcoin price may surpass previous highs, marking a notable increase since November 2021 when bitcoin reached a record high of $69,000.
Blast Network integration expands Binance Web3 wallet features
The Blast Network is now supported by Binance’s Web3 Wallet, offering users an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution.
MicroStrategy boosts bitcoin reserves with $600M senior notes offering
MicroStrategy seeks to boost its bitcoin reserves through the issuance of $600 million in convertible senior notes to qualified purchasers.
20 tech giants agree to fight election interference by AI
Nick Clegg, president of global affairs at Meta Platforms, said: “It would be great if platforms developed new policies for detection, provenance, labelling, watermarking and more.” Collaborative efforts to safeguard elections In response to rising concerns about deceptive artificial intelligence c…
Top tech news stories today: March 5, 2024
From MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin investment plans to Apple’s legal battles. Stay informed with insights on cryptocurrency, and cloud computing.
Cloudflare launches ‘Firewall for AI’ to protect LLMs
Cloudflare has announced the introduction of its “Firewall for AI” service, aimed at bolstering protections for applications utilizing large language models (LLMs). This development is particularly timely, as the tech industry grapples with the dual challenges of maximizing the potential of LLMs whi…
Anthropic claims its AI chatbot models surpass OpenAI’s GPT-4
Anthropic, a startup with substantial backing from Google and a hefty venture capital infusion, has unveiled its latest creation: Claude 3. This new suite of AI models not only challenges but claims to surpass the performance of OpenAI’s GPT-4, setting a new benchmark in the rapidly evolving AI land…
Former Twitter executives sue Elon Musk for unpaid severance
Former top Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, have taken legal action against tech mogul Elon Musk, seeking over $128 million in unpaid severance. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in San Francisco, marks another legal hurdle for Musk following his acquisition of the social medi…
Apple announces new MacBook Air laptops with an emphasis on AI
Apple has recently unveiled the latest additions to its MacBook Air lineup, featuring the new M3 processors. These new models, available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, promise a significant performance boost of up to 60% compared to the previous M1 processor models. The incorporation of AI capabiliti…
Optiva’s AI-powered BSS Platform redefines customer experience
Optiva, known for providing cloud-native billing, charging, and revenue management software to telecom firms, has made a groundbreaking announcement. Their business support systems (BSS) platform has been enhanced with generative AI technology, empowering users to swiftly identify targeted revenue o…
Promote HPC in the cloud for a greener future
In a bid to meet the surging demand for high-performance computing (HPC) capacity while reducing energy consumption, organisations are turning to the cloud and leveraging powerful GPUs for accelerated computing. This convergence of cloud, HPC, and AI/ML technologies is transforming the landscape of …
Nvidia’s GeForce Now is about to add pre-game ads for free users
Nvidia sets out a new ad trial on free players’ waiting phase accounting for their service cost and the cloud gaming industry shows an common ascend in its service value. New monetization trial In a recent announcement, Nvidia revealed plans to introduce ads to the free version of GeForce Now, speci…
Satellite SOS features might be appearing on Google Pixel phones
Google could be set to launch satellite SOS features on its Pixel phones, following Apple’s lead with the iPhone 14 in 2022. The feature allows users to send emergency messages and share their location even without an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection, potentially saving lives in critical situatio…
Musk: Tesla Roadster will accelerate 0 to 100 km/h in less than 1s
Musk announced Tesla’s new Roadster, promising sub-1-second acceleration, but scepticism remains due to past delays and technical challenges.
FTX offers payments for lost bitcoin, ethereum 80% below current prices
FTX has commenced a claim window, providing compensation for major crypto assets with prices significantly below their current market values.
Bitcoin inflows at record highs, on-chain analysts warn of overheating
Bitcoin has seen a remarkable influx of funds, but the pace of the inflows could create an overheated market, say analysts.
Can an AI chatbot do the job of 700 people?
Klarna, the Swedish fintech company that provides online financial services, has caused a stir with its recent claim that its AI assistant is capable of doing work equivalent to 700 full-time agents. The statement has raised skepticism among some who recall Klarna laying off an equal number of emplo…
AI Chip Startup Groq acquires Definitive Intelligence
Groq, a rising star in the AI hardware industry, is making bold moves to expand its reach into the enterprise and public sector with the formation of Groq Systems. This new division aims to broaden its customer base and developer ecosystem, offering its high-performance chips to organizations lookin…
Google CEO says Gemini errors are ‘completely unacceptable’
Gemini AI Sparks Controversy with Historically Inaccurate Outputs CEO Sundar Pichai of Google has acknowledged the controversial outputs of its Gemini AI, stating in an internal memo that the generated images and text have “offended our users and shown bias.” The acknowledgment comes in response to …
Crypto industry develops towards decentralization
Ethereum co-founder and CEO of ConsenSys, Joe Lubin, explored various facets of the crypto world, from the implications of spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to the broader need for decentralization across multiple industries during the “What will drive the next super…
AI ‘worm’ raises alarm on cybersecurity vulnerabilities
A group of researchers unveiled what they claim to be one of the first generative AI worms, capable of spreading across systems to potentially pilfer data or propagate malware. This breakthrough underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in connected AI ecosystems and serves as a stark warning for tec…
BofA’s Merrill, Wells Fargo roll out spot Bitcoin ETFs to clients
Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo have begun offering spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds to eligible wealth management clients.
Bitcoin hits 47% monthly gain, largest since 2020
Bitcoin’s monthly gain of 47% is its largest since December 2020. The rally has also lifted Ethereum, which surpassed $3,500 since April 2022.
Stablecoin Seneca recovers $5M after offering hacker 20% bounty
A hacker returned 80% of the tokens stolen from the Seneca platform after being offered 20% of the proceeds.
A huge stage for programmable chip
Intel CEO Sandra Rivera stated that artificial intelligence provides a potential profit opportunity for its standalone programmable chip unit, named “Altera, an Intel Company.” The company plans to issue shares of Altera in the next two to three years, emphasizing the forefront position of programma…
ChatGPT gets its own key as Microsoft brings AI to Windows 11
Microsoft has unveiled a substantial update to Windows 11, introducing numerous new features and enhancements aimed at enhancing the overall user experience. This latest update integrates a wide range of AI-powered functionalities into various aspects of the operating system, catering to the diverse…
A new strategic alliance to deliver comprehensive cyber resiliency
Kyndryl, the world’s largest technology infrastructure services provider, and Veeam Software, the first leader by market share in Data Replication and Protection Software, have recently formed a strategic global alliance, aiming to provide customers with resilient services supported by innovative te…
Wearable AI personal assistant ‘AI Pin’ takes center stage
Anew contender has emerged at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona: the Humane AI Pin. Developed by former Apple employees, this micro device offers a glimpse into a screen-free, AI-powered future that aims to redefine our relationship with technology. Innovative features of the AI Pin redefining …
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / APNIC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingPaul Wilson resigns as Director General of APNIC
Wilson oversaw Internet governance in APAC for 25 years, but was recently accused of promoting undemocratic and biased policies.
Coverage
Governance / ICANN
In this section: 1 briefingManal Ismail honoured with ICANN Community Excellence Award 2024
Awards recognition for Manal Ismail In an acknowledgment of dedication and service, Manal Ismail, a prominent figure in the realm of Internet governance, has been honoured with the ICANN Community Excellence Award 2024. The announcement took place during the ICANN79 Welcome Ceremony in San Juan, Pue…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / LACNIC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingLACNIC’s webinar on critical Internet infrastructure program
The rapid development of the Internet in Latin America and the Caribbean naturally comes with increased risks. Thus, LACNIC’s work to develop and protect Internet infrastructure is key to maintain the stability of Internet connection in the region. On February 28th, Lacnic will review the past detai…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsApple to appeal $2 billion EU antitrust fine in Spotify case
Apple, the tech giant, has been hit with a hefty fine of 1.84 billion euros ($2 billion) by the European Union for allegedly impeding competition from music streaming rivals through restrictions on its App Store. This marks the first time the iPhone maker has faced such a penalty for violating EU re…
Top tech news stories today: March 4, 2024
UK authorities will soon have fewer restrictions when seizing crypto, Alibaba price cut heats up cloud services market and other tech news.
Tech enthusiast transforms Wi-Fi toothbrush into playable Doom
Aaron Christophel, a skilled programmer and hardware enthusiast based in Germany, has ingeniously repurposed a Wi-Fi-enabled toothbrush into a gaming device capable of running the iconic first-person shooter game, Doom. Inspiration from a misleading report This intriguing project was initially inspi…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingCourt orders Meta to stop using name in Brazil
Meta faces legal trouble in Brazil over its name, ordered to cease using “Meta” due to trademark dispute with local consultancy.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingUK to allow criminal crypto assets to be frozen without conviction
The United Kingdom government recently released a new statutory instrument that significantly broadens the scope of law enforcement’s authority to combat crypto-related crimes. Coming into effect at the end of April, this groundbreaking legislation permits UK law enforcement to freeze cryptocurrency…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsMeta conflicts with Australia about ceasing payments to publishers
Meta declared its intention to cease payments to Australian news publishers for content shared on Facebook. Meta’s latest move to reduce the prominence of news content in users’ feeds and discontinue dedicated news tabs in certain regions underscores a strategic shift away from prioritizing news pro…
Alibaba price cut heats up cloud services market
Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group Holding LTD, on Thursday announced a 55% price cut on more than 100 core products, the biggest price cut in the company’s history. Intense Competition in China’s Cloud Computing Sector The landscape of China’s cloud computing sector is witnessi…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global National Telecom Trends
In this section: 1 briefingA groundbreaking vision for the future of smartphone interaction
At the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, a groundbreaking collaboration between Deutsche Telekom and Brain.AI has unveiled the T Phone, a revolutionary concept that could potentially redefine how we interact with smartphones in the future. Incorporating generative and interactive AI technolo…