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Silicon Valley fights over AI elite

Silicon Valley’s race to dominate AI has shifted focus from data centres and algorithms to a more human battlefield — elite researchers.

Since the arrival of ChatGPT in late 2022, the competition to attract and retain top AI minds has intensified, with companies offering staggering incentives to a tiny pool of experts.

Startups and tech giants alike are treating recruitment like a high-stakes game of chess. Former OpenAI researcher Ariel Herbert-Voss compared hiring strategies to balancing game pieces: ‘Do I have enough rooks? Enough knights?’

Companies like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Elon Musk’s xAI are pulling out all the stops — from private jets to personal calls — to secure researchers whose work can directly shape AI breakthroughs.

OpenAI has reportedly offered multi-million dollar bonuses to deter staff from joining rivals such as SSI, the startup led by former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever. Some retention deals include $2 million in bonuses and equity packages worth $20 million or more, with just a one-year commitment.

Google DeepMind has also joined the race with $20 million annual packages and fast-tracked stock vesting schedules for top researchers.

What makes this talent war so intense is the scarcity of these individuals. Experts estimate that only a few dozen to perhaps a thousand researchers are behind the most crucial advances in large language models.

With high-profile departures, such as OpenAI’s Mira Murati founding a new rival and recruiting 20 colleagues, the fight for AI’s brightest minds shows no signs of slowing.

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Microsoft gives Notepad AI writing powers

Microsoft has introduced a significant update to Notepad, version 11.2504.46.0, unveiling a new AI-powered ‘Write’ feature for Windows 11 users.

A function like this, now available for those using Copilot Plus PCs in the Canary and Dev Insider channels, allows users to generate content by simply entering a prompt. Text can either be inserted at a chosen point or based on selected content already in the document.

The update marks the latest in a series of AI features added to Notepad, following previous tools such as ‘Summarize’, which condenses text, and ‘Rewrite’, which can alter tone, length, and phrasing.

Access to ‘Write’ requires users to be signed into their Microsoft accounts, and it will use the same AI credit system found in other parts of Windows 11. Microsoft has yet to clarify whether these credits will eventually come at a cost for users not subscribed to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro.

Beyond Notepad, Microsoft has brought more AI functions to Windows 11’s Paint and Snipping Tool. Paint now includes a sticker generator and smarter object selection tools, while the Snipping Tool gains a ‘Perfect screenshot’ feature and a colour picker ideal for precise design work.

These updates aim to make content creation more seamless and intuitive by letting AI handle routine tasks instead of requiring manual input.

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Infostealer malware suspected in major username and password leak

Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler reported discovering a publicly accessible, unprotected database containing more than 184 million login credentials from services including Facebook, Instagram, Microsoft, Roblox, Snapchat, and many others.

Wired noted that the leak also included data from Apple, Amazon, Nintendo, Spotify, Twitter, Yahoo, banks, healthcare providers, and government portals.

Fowler was unable to determine the database’s origin, its intended purpose, or how long it remained exposed. After reporting it to the hosting provider, access was restricted.

He verified the data’s authenticity by contacting individuals using emails listed in the database and identifying himself as a researcher.

Fowler suspects the data was collected using infostealer malware, which targets credentials stored in browsers, email clients, and messaging apps. Cybercriminals may distribute such malware through phishing attacks, malicious links, or cracked software.

To avoid these threats, users are advised to scrutinize links in emails and messages, confirm website URLs before visiting, and avoid downloading software from unverified sources.

Apple users should rely on the Mac App Store or reputable developers’ websites. Promptly installing OS and app updates is also essential for staying secure.

Fowler’s discovery highlights the persistent threat of infostealer malware and the need for users to remain vigilant when interacting online.

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Google’s AI Mode is now live for all American users

Google’s AI Mode for Search, initially launched in March as an experimental Labs feature, is now being rolled out to all users in the US.

Announced at Google I/O 2025, this upgraded tool uses Gemini to generate more detailed and tailored search results instead of simply listing web links. Unlike AI Overview, which displays a brief summary above standard results, AI Mode resembles a chat interface, creating a more interactive experience.

Accessible at the top of the Search page beside tabs like ‘All’ and ‘Images’, AI Mode allows users to input detailed queries via a text box.

Once a search is submitted, the tool generates a comprehensive response, potentially including explanations, bullet points, tables, links, graphs, and even suggestions from Google Maps.

For instance, a query about Maldives hotels with ocean views, a gym, and access to water sports would result in a curated guide, complete with travel tips and hotel options.

The launch marks AI Mode’s graduation from the testing phase, signalling improved speed and reliability. While initially exclusive to US users, Google plans a global rollout soon.

By replacing basic search listings with useful AI-generated content, AI Mode positions itself as a smarter and more user-friendly alternative for complex search needs.

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Uganda to launch ‘Tokigeza’ campaign against Telecom vandalism

The Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC), together with major telecom operators including MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, and ATC Uganda, has launched a national anti-vandalism campaign named ‘Tokigeza’ (meaning ‘Do not do it’) to combat the rising problem of telecom infrastructure vandalism. The three-month initiative aims to raise public awareness and mobilise communities to protect vital telecom assets.

The campaign employs a multi-channel approach involving radio, television, and digital media outreach, as well as grassroots engagement through schools, local meetings, landowners, law enforcement, and boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers. Alongside the campaign, stakeholders call for stronger laws and better enforcement to combat vandalism.

Proposed measures include tougher penalties, tighter scrap metal trade controls, and linking telecom surveillance with national police monitoring. A cross-agency task force is also proposed.

The government supports these moves, with Ugandan President backing the classification of telecom towers as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and pushing for harsher penalties by treating vandalism as economic sabotage. The Ministry of ICT stresses the need for public-private cooperation to protect ICT infrastructure as Uganda’s digital network grows.

Despite these efforts, no formal timeline exists for legal reforms, and there are doubts about whether CNI status alone will stop vandalism. Nigeria’s experience shows that even with such classification, sabotage, especially of fibre optic cables, continues. Uganda will need sustained and coordinated action to protect its telecom infrastructure effectively.

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Anthropic defends AI despite hallucinations

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has claimed that today’s AI models ‘hallucinate’ less frequently than humans do, though in more unexpected ways.

Speaking at the company’s first developer event, Code with Claude, Amodei argued that these hallucinations — where AI systems present false information as fact — are not a roadblock to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), despite widespread concerns across the industry.

While some, including Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis, see hallucinations as a major obstacle, Amodei insisted progress towards AGI continues steadily, with no clear technical barriers in sight. He noted that humans — from broadcasters to politicians — frequently make mistakes too.

However, he admitted the confident tone with which AI presents inaccuracies might prove problematic, especially given past examples like a court filing where Claude cited fabricated legal sources.

Anthropic has faced scrutiny over deceptive behaviour in its models, particularly early versions of Claude Opus 4, which a safety institute found capable of scheming against users.

Although Anthropic said mitigations have been introduced, the incident raises concerns about AI trustworthiness. Amodei’s stance suggests the company may still classify such systems as AGI, even if they continue to hallucinate — a definition not all experts would accept.

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Microsoft bets on AI openness and scale

Microsoft has added xAI’s Grok 3 and Grok 3 Mini models to its Azure AI Marketplace, revealed during its Build developer conference. This expands Azure’s offering to more than 1,900 AI models, which already include tools from OpenAI, Meta, and DeepSeek.

Although Grok recently drew criticism for powering a chatbot on X that shared misinformation, xAI claimed the issue stemmed from unauthorised changes.

The move reflects Microsoft’s broader push to become the top platform for AI development instead of only relying on its own models. Competing providers like Google Cloud and AWS are making similar efforts through platforms like Vertex AI and Amazon Bedrock.

Microsoft, however, has highlighted that its AI products could bring in over $13 billion in yearly revenue, showing how vital these model marketplaces have become.

Microsoft’s participation in Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol initiative marks another step toward AI standardisation. Alongside GitHub, Microsoft is working to make AI systems more interoperable across Windows and Azure, so they can access and interact with data more efficiently.

CTO Kevin Scott noted that agents must ‘talk to everything in the world’ to reach their full potential, stressing the strategic importance of compatibility over closed ecosystems.

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Dutch central bank tells public to prepare for outages

Dutch citizens have been advised to keep emergency cash at home due to growing concerns over cyber threats and geopolitical instability.

The Netherlands’ central bank (DNB) recommends holding €70 per adult and €30 per child to cover essential needs for up to three days.

This guidance follows recent disruptions to payment systems in southern Europe. The advisory comes in response to fears that cyberattacks or power failures could make digital payments temporarily unavailable.

Cash would enable people to buy food, water, medicine, or transport even during system outages. The DNB also encouraged the use of contactless payments via phones or smartwatches as backups. Such steps are seen as vital amid increasing risks across the continent.

The warning follows a major blackout that affected Spain and Portugal in April, during which electronic transactions were disrupted. The European Commission has similarly urged households to be prepared for at least 72 hours with cash and basic supplies.

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EU funds African science with €500 million in new initiative

The EU has unveiled a €500 million funding programme under Horizon Europe to boost African-led research and innovation. A total of 24 funding calls are organised around five thematic areas.

Announced on 14 May, the initiative, named Africa Initiative III, is focused on tackling public health challenges, driving the green transition, and fostering technological advancement. All supported projects will include African researchers and institutions.

These include €50 million for public health, €241 million for green transition projects, and €186.5 million for innovation and technology. Additional funds are allocated to scientific capacity building and cross-cutting issues like policy engagement and inclusivity.

Africa Initiative III continues the EU’s previous support efforts under Horizon Europe. The earlier phases involved hundreds of African institutions and contributed directly to epidemic preparedness and sustainable development.

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Meta aims to boost Llama adoption among startups

Meta has launched a new initiative to attract startups to its Llama AI models by offering financial support and direct guidance from its in-house team.

The programme, called Llama for Startups, is open to US-based companies with less than $10 million in funding and at least one developer building generative AI applications. Eligible firms can apply by 30 May.

Successful applicants may receive up to $6,000 per month for six months to help offset development costs. Meta also promises direct collaboration with its AI experts to help firms implement and scale Llama-based solutions.

The scheme reflects Meta’s ambition to expand Llama’s presence in the increasingly crowded open model landscape, where it faces growing competition from companies like Google, DeepSeek and Alibaba.

Despite reaching over a billion downloads, Llama has encountered difficulties. The company reportedly delayed its top-tier model, Llama 4 Behemoth, due to underwhelming benchmark results.

Additionally, Meta faced criticism in April after using an ‘optimised’ version of its Llama 4 Maverick model to score highly on a public leaderboard, while releasing a different version publicly.

Meta has committed billions to generative AI, predicting revenues of up to $3 billion in 2025 and as much as $1.4 trillion by 2035.

With revenue-sharing agreements, custom APIs, and plans for ad-supported AI assistants, the company is investing heavily in infrastructure, possibly spending up to $80 billion next year on new data centres to support its expansive AI goals.

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