Fintech
1. Ferrari extends cryptocurrency payment system to Europe after US launch
Ferrari said on Wednesday it would extend its scheme to accept payments in cryptocurrency for its luxury sports cars to its European dealership network from the end of this month, after starting in the US last year. (Business Live)
IT infrastructure
2. UK and India launch technology security initiative
The Government of India and the United Kingdom on Wednesday launched a new ‘Technology Security Initiative'(TSI) to strengthen their strategic partnership, acknowledging the growing significance of technology in national security and economic growth. (Times of India)
3. Malaysia seeks social media platforms’ commitment to tackle cybercrimes
Malaysia is seeking the commitment of social media platforms to address cybercrimes ranging from scams, cyberbullying, and harmful content involving minors, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Wednesday. (Economic Times)
4. Exclusive: Nvidia clears Samsung’s HBM3 chips for use in China-market processor
Samsung Electronics’ fourth-generation high bandwidth memory or HBM3 chips have been cleared by Nvidia for use in its processors for the first time, three people briefed on the matter said. （Reuters）
5. Cybersecurity firm Wiz calls off $23 billion deal with Google, memo says
Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz has ended talks with Google-parent Alphabet on a reported $23 billion deal that would have made it the U.S. tech giant’s largest-ever acquisition. (Aol)
Tech trends
6. Tyler Technologies raises annual forecasts on IT services demand
Tyler Technologies raised its full-year revenue and profit forecasts on Wednesday, helped by robust demand in the public sector for its IT software and services. (US news)
7. Atos appoints fifth CEO in less than two years
French technology company Atos on Wednesday appointed its chairman Jean Pierre Mustier as CEO to replace departing boss Paul Saleh in its fifth top management reshuffle in less than two years. (Reuters)
8. China’s BYD widens EV lead over Tesla in Singapore, Southeast Asia, data shows
China’s BYD (BYDDY) widened its sales lead over Tesla (TSLA) in Singapore in the first half of this year, government data showed, highlighting the challenge facing the world’s biggest electric vehicle maker by sales from Chinese rivals. (Yahoo Finance)
AI
9. Alphabet falls as margin fears, YouTube slowdown eclipse AI boost
Alphabet fell more than 3 per cent on Wednesday on fears that its rising investments in AI infrastructure would squeeze margins and YouTube was facing tough competition for ad dollars. (CNA)
10. IBM gets lift from software, AI demand as consulting slips
IBM beat analysts’ estimates for second-quarter revenue and raised its annual growth forecast for its software business on Wednesday (Jul 24), riding on higher artificial intelligence (AI) linked spending by clients looking to adopt the technology. (Business Times)
11. Microsoft aims to boost AI workload capacity with Lumen partnership
Microsoft will use Lumen Technologies’ network equipment to expand its capacity for AI workloads, the companies said on Wednesday, as the technology giant looks to meet growing demand at its data centers. (the Star)
12. Musk launches poll asking if Tesla should invest $5 bln in xAI, early votes in favour
Microsoft will use Lumen Technologies’ network equipment to expand its capacity for AI workloads, the companies said on Wednesday, as the technology giant looks to meet growing demand at its data centers. (the Star)
13. OpenAI assigns new project to AI safety leader Madry in revamp
“Aleksander is working on a new and v(very) important research project,” Altman said in a post on X, adding that OpenAI executives Joaquin Quinonero Candela and Lilian Weng will be taking over the preparedness team in the meanwhile. (Economic Times)
