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Lufthansa Cargo speeds up bookings with AI

Lufthansa Cargo has introduced a new AI-driven system to speed up how it processes booking requests.

By combining AI with robotic process automation, the airline can now automatically extract booking details from unstructured customer emails and input them directly into its system, removing the need for manual entry.

Customers then receive immediate, fully automated booking confirmations instead of waiting for manual processing.

While most bookings already come through structured digital platforms, Lufthansa still receives many requests in formats such as plain text or file attachments. Previously, these had to be transferred manually.

The new system eliminates that step, making the booking process quicker and reducing the chance of errors. Sales teams benefit from fewer repetitive tasks, giving them more time to interact personally with customers instead of managing administrative duties.

The development is part of a broader automation push within Lufthansa Cargo. Over the past year, its internal ‘AI & Automation Community’ has launched around ten automation projects, many of which are now either live or in testing.

These include smart systems that route customer queries to the right department or automatically rebook disrupted shipments, reducing delays and improving service continuity.

According to Lufthansa Cargo’s CIO, Jasmin Kaiser, the integration of AI and automation with core digital platforms enables faster and more efficient solutions than ever before.

The company is now preparing to expand its AI booking process to other service areas, further embracing digital transformation instead of relying solely on legacy systems.

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China blames Taiwan for tech company cyberattack

Chinese authorities have accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party of backing a cyberattack on a tech company based in Guangzhou.

According to public security officials in the city, an initial police investigation linked the attack to a foreign hacker group allegedly supported by the Taiwanese government.

The unnamed technology firm was reportedly targeted in the incident, with local officials suggesting political motives behind the cyber activity. They claimed Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party had provided backing instead of the group acting independently.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has not responded to the allegations. The ruling DPP has faced similar accusations before, which it has consistently rejected, often describing such claims as attempts to stoke tension rather than reflect reality.

A development like this adds to the already fragile cross-strait relations, where cyber and political conflicts continue to intensify instead of easing, as both sides exchange accusations in an increasingly digital battleground.

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NTIA to call for streamlined FCC submarine cable rules

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a series of policy recommendations in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposed rule changes concerning submarine cable security. First, the NTIA urges the FCC to avoid imposing redundant licensing and reporting requirements that are already addressed through existing interagency mechanisms, particularly those managed by the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the US Telecommunications Services Sector.

It recommends that the FCC rely on existing security review processes, streamline reporting obligations, and adopt a more efficient certification model, such as allowing ‘no-change’ certifications for licensees when no material updates have occurred since the previous review. The NTIA also strongly advises against shortening the current 25-year license term for submarine cables.

Reducing it to 15 years would not only create regulatory uncertainty but could also harm investment incentives and deter long-term infrastructure development in the US. The agency further warns that increasing the frequency and scope of periodic reviews, such as the FCC’s proposal for a three-year reporting requirement, could place a significant compliance burden on US firms without providing proportional national security benefits.

In terms of regulatory language, the NTIA recommends that the FCC use more legally precise terms, suggesting ‘areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction’ instead of ‘international waters,’ in alignment with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Additionally, NTIA calls for a whole-of-government approach to the oversight of submarine cables, encouraging better coordination between the FCC, Team Telecom, and other executive branch agencies.

NTIA’s recommendations aim to protect national security without hindering innovation or growth. Acting as a key link between government and industry, it supports streamlined, consensus-based policies that enhance security while encouraging investment.

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Rights groups condemn Jordan’s media crackdown

At least 12 independent news websites in Jordan have been blocked by the authorities without any formal legal justification or opportunity for appeal. Rights groups have condemned the move as a serious violation of constitutional and international protections for freedom of expression.

The Jordanian Media Commission issued the directive on 14 May 2025, citing vague claims such as ‘spreading media poison’ and ‘targeting national symbols’, without providing evidence or naming the sites publicly.

The timing of the ban suggests it was a retaliatory act against investigative reports alleging profiteering by state institutions in humanitarian aid efforts to Gaza. Affected outlets were subjected to intimidation, and the blocks were imposed without judicial oversight or a transparent legal process.

Observers warn this sets a dangerous precedent, reflecting a broader pattern of repression under Jordan’s Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023, which grants sweeping powers to restrict online speech.

Civil society organisations call for the immediate reversal of the ban, transparency over its legal basis, and access to judicial remedies for affected platforms.

They urge a comprehensive review of the cybercrime law to align it with international human rights standards. Press freedom, they argue, is a pillar of democratic society and must not be sacrificed under the guise of combating disinformation.

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Most X users regain access after global glitch

X, formerly known as Twitter, has resumed normal operations for most users following a global outage early Friday.

Reports of the disruption surged shortly after 8AM ET, before rapidly declining within the hour. NetBlocks confirmed the outage was not linked to any national internet restrictions.

The incident followed a fire earlier in the week at a data centre in US Oregon reportedly owned by X.

Sources cited by Wired indicated that the blaze involved backup batteries and required a prolonged emergency response. Users had already reported problems in the days prior.

Although service has stabilised, the X developer status page still notes degraded performance with login features.

The company has yet to comment publicly on the situation. User concerns remain visible across social media platforms and tech forums.

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AI to disrupt jobs, warns DeepMind CEO, as Gen Alpha faces new realities

AI will likely cause significant job disruption in the next five years, according to Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. Speaking on the Hard Fork podcast, Hassabis emphasised that while AI is set to displace specific jobs, it will also create new roles that are potentially more meaningful and engaging.

He urged younger generations to prepare for a rapidly evolving workforce shaped by advanced technologies. Hassabis stressed the importance of early adaptation, particularly for Generation Alpha, who he believes should embrace AI just as millennials did the internet and Gen Z did smartphones.

Hassabis also called on students to become ‘ninjas with AI,’ encouraging them to understand how these tools work and master them for future success. While he highlighted the potential of generative AI, such as Google’s new Veo 3 video generator unveiled at I/O 2025, Hassabis also reminded listeners that a solid foundation in STEM remains vital.

He noted that soft skills like creativity, resilience, and adaptability are equally essential—traits that will help young people thrive in a future defined by constant technological change. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in industries from education to entertainment, Hassabis’ message is clear – the next generation must balance technical knowledge with human ingenuity to stay ahead in tomorrow’s job market.

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Nvidia unveils cheaper AI chip for China

Nvidia is preparing to launch a lower-cost AI chip for China that complies with US export restrictions, with mass production expected to begin as early as June.

The upcoming GPU will be based on the latest Blackwell architecture but will carry reduced specifications compared to the recently restricted H20 model. It is expected to sell for $6,500 to $8,000, significantly cheaper than the $10,000–$12,000 H20, reflecting its simpler design and less advanced components.

Sources say the new chip, likely named either the 6000D or B40, will use GDDR7 memory instead of high-bandwidth memory and will avoid Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s CoWoS packaging technology.

Nvidia had initially planned to downgrade the H20, but tighter US rules made that unviable. Instead of relying on its older Hopper architecture, the company is shifting to Blackwell for future developments in China.

Nvidia has been forced to adapt repeatedly due to tightening US export restrictions aimed at slowing China’s technological progress. Its market share in China has dropped from 95% before 2022 to around 50% today, as competitors like Huawei gain ground with chips like the Ascend 910B.

CEO Jensen Huang noted that continuing restrictions could further drive Chinese firms towards domestic alternatives, cutting Nvidia off from more of the $50 billion data centre market.

Huang also revealed that US curbs have forced Nvidia to write off $5.5 billion in inventory and abandon $15 billion in potential sales. New limits now target GPU memory bandwidth, a key factor for AI performance, capping it at around 1.8 terabytes per second.

The upcoming chip is expected to remain just within this limit, allowing Nvidia to retain a foothold in China instead of exiting the market entirely.

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Cyber scams use a three-letter trap

Staying safe from cybercriminals can be surprisingly simple. While AI-powered scams grow more realistic, some signs are still painfully obvious.

If you spot the letters ‘.TOP’ in any message link, it’s best to stop reading and hit delete. That single clue is often enough to expose a scam in progress.

Most malicious texts pose as alerts about road tolls, deliveries or account issues, using trusted brand names to lure victims into clicking fake links.

The worst of these is the ‘.TOP’ top-level domain (TLD), which has become infamous for its role in phishing and scam operations. Although launched in 2014 for premium business use, its low cost and lack of oversight quickly made it a favourite among cyber gangs, especially those based in China.

Today, nearly one-third of all .TOP domains are linked to cybercrime — far surpassing the criminal activity seen on mainstream domains like ‘.com’.

Despite repeated warnings and an unresolved compliance notice from internet regulator ICANN, abuse linked to .TOP has only worsened.

Experts warn that it is highly unlikely any legitimate Western organisation would ever use a .TOP domain. If one appears in your messages, the safest option is to delete it without clicking.

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Secret passwords could fight deepfake scams

As AI-generated images grow increasingly lifelike, a cyber security expert has warned that families should create secret passwords to guard against deepfake scams.

Cody Barrow, chief executive of EclecticIQ and a former US government adviser, says AI is making it far easier for criminals to impersonate others using fabricated videos or images.

Mr Barrow and his wife now use a private code to confirm each other’s identity if either receives a suspicious message or video.

He believes this precaution, simple enough for anyone regardless of age or digital skills, could soon become essential. ‘It may sound dramatic here in May 2025,’ he said, ‘but I’m quite confident that in a few years, if not months, people will say: I should have done that.’

The warning comes the same week Google launched Veo 3, its AI video generator capable of producing hyper-realistic footage and lifelike dialogue. Its public release has raised concerns about how easily deepfakes could be misused for scams or manipulation.

Meanwhile, President Trump signed the ‘Take It Down Act’ into law, making the creation of deepfake pornography a criminal offence. The bipartisan measure will see prison terms for anyone producing or uploading such content, with First Lady Melania Trump stating it will ‘prioritise people over politics’

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Texas considers statewide social media ban for minors

Texas is considering a bill that would ban social media use for anyone under 18. The proposal, which recently advanced past the state Senate committee, is expected to be voted on before the legislative session ends June 2.

If passed, the bill would require platforms to verify the age of all users and allow parents to delete their child’s account. Platforms would have 10 days to comply or face penalties from the state attorney general.

This follows similar efforts in other states. Florida recently enacted a law banning social media use for children under 14 and requiring parental consent for those aged 14 to 15. The Texas bill, however, proposes broader restrictions.

At the federal level, a Senate bill introduced in 2024 aims to bar children under 13 from using social media. While it remains stalled in committee, comments from Senators Brian Schatz and Ted Cruz suggest a renewed push may be underway.

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