Explore Microsoft’s ambitious plans for Thailand’s digital transformation and delve into Germany’s accusation of sweeping cyberattacks by Russia. Uncover Jack Dorsey’s departure from Bluesky’s board and Apple’s strategic AI investments.
Blockchain
1. Binance co-founder Zhao set to keep on growing his $33 billion fortune even as he heads to prison for four months
Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance, faces a four-month prison term for money laundering charges, despite seeking probation. Binance’s compliance improvements and Zhao’s personal wealth, unaffected by the sentence, remain notable. (CNBC)
Fintech
2. Fingerprint and Oscilar unite to enhance fraud prevention in fintech
Fingerprint, the accurate device intelligence platform, joins forces with Oscilar, a AI-driven risk and fraud management company. This strategic alliance targets the rising threat of online payment fraud, projected to incur significant financial losses. (Fintech Global)
IT infrastructure
3. More funds needed for US telecoms to remove Chinese equipment, says FCC
The FCC reveals that nearly 40% of US telecom companies, relying on federal support, require more funding to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment due to security risks, estimating a $4.98 billion cost. (U.S. News)
4. Microsoft announces cloud and AI plans for Thailand
Microsoft’s commitment to Thailand includes establishing a new data centre region, expanding cloud services availability. With a vision to bolster the nation’s digital economy, Microsoft plans AI skilling for over 100,000 individuals, aligning with forecasts projecting AI’s substantial contribution to Southeast Asia’s GDP by 2030. (Capacity)
Tech trends
5. Germany and allies accuse Russia of sweeping cyberattacks
Germany accuses Russia of cyberattacks on defense, aerospace, and political targets, joined by Czech Republic, NATO, and the US. Russia’s embassy denies allegations, dismissing them as inciting anti-Russian sentiment. (The Straits Times)
6. Biggest cyber attacks in US healthcare sector
The healthcare industry in the U.S. faces escalating cyber threats, with breaches on the rise and costs soaring. Recent data from IBM shows breaches cost nearly $1 trillion to Southeast Asia’s GDP by 2030. (Arctic Wolf)
Social
7. Bluesky confirms Jack Dorsey is no longer on its board
Jack Dorsey’s departure from Bluesky’s board, confirmed in a terse tweet, prompts speculation about the timing and reasons. Bluesky, the decentralised social network project initiated by Dorsey, acknowledges his contribution while seeking a new board member. (Tech Crunch)
AI
8. Apple has big AI ambitions – at a lower cost than its rivals
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook addresses Wall Street’s concerns about the company’s AI strategy, promising concrete plans soon. Despite investing $100 billion in R&D over five years, Apple diverges from Big Tech’s heavy data centre investments. (Reuters).
9. Meta is quietly winning the AI wearable race
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, featuring an AI assistant activated by “Hey Meta,” offer a glimpse into the future despite imperfections. Initially unexpected, generative AI became a key focus, aiming to enhance user experience and potentially become the glasses’ defining feature. (The Verge)
IoT
10. Global agencies warn of increased cyberattacks against OT devices
Global federal agencies are on high alert as pro-Russia hacktivist groups intensify cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in North America and Europe. These groups target small-scale industrial control systems, exploiting vulnerabilities to potentially cause physical disruptions. (IoT News)
