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Data centres drive LG’s integrated AI infrastructure push

AI infrastructure is becoming a central battleground for growth, with LG Group accelerating its push into AI data centres and energy storage systems under its ‘One LG’ strategy.

The initiative brings together key affiliates to deliver integrated solutions for AI data centres. LG Electronics provides cooling systems, LG Energy Solution handles power infrastructure, including ESS and UPS, while LG Uplus and LG CNS oversee design, construction, and operations.

The strategy comes as global demand for AI data centres surges, driven by energy-intensive workloads and rising electricity constraints. Expanding storage capacity has become critical, with the US expected to add over 24 gigawatts of energy storage capacity in 2026 alone.

LG Electronics is focusing on advanced cooling technologies, including large air-cooled chillers and liquid-cooling systems, to manage the intense heat generated by GPU-intensive AI workloads. The company has also expanded into immersion cooling through partnerships, aiming to achieve efficiency gains in next-generation facilities.

Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution is strengthening its role in power infrastructure, scaling ESS production across North America, and securing major contracts. Through integrated battery and software solutions, the company is positioning itself to meet growing demand for stable, high-capacity energy systems supporting AI operations.

On the networking side, LG Uplus is developing low-latency infrastructure and AI-driven data centre management systems to optimise performance and energy use in real time. Together, these efforts highlight LG’s ambition to become a full-stack provider in the rapidly expanding AI data centre ecosystem.

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NVIDIA Isaac powers generalist specialist robots at scale

A new class of robots is emerging, combining broad adaptability with task-specific precision as developers move toward generalist specialist systems. Within this shift, NVIDIA Isaac is enabling integrated workflows that connect data generation, simulation, training, and deployment across robotics pipelines.

NVIDIA Isaac unifies robotics development across these stages, integrating cloud-to-robot workflows that allow developers to build, test, and scale systems more efficiently across both real and simulated environments.

A key driver is the growing reliance on synthetic data, which allows developers to simulate rare or hazardous scenarios that are difficult to capture in the real world. NVIDIA Isaac supports this through tools such as Omniverse-based simulation and teleoperation pipelines, helping convert real-world signals into scalable training datasets and accelerating development cycles.

The platform also enables advanced robot training using reasoning vision-language-action models, which allow machines to perceive, interpret, and act across complex environments. With frameworks like Isaac Lab and integrated physics engines, NVIDIA Isaac enables robots to train across thousands of parallel simulations, significantly reducing time, cost, and risk compared to real-world training.

Once trained, NVIDIA Isaac supports deployment across edge AI systems, including the Jetson platform, while maintaining consistency between simulation and real-world performance. Combined with modular workflows and open frameworks, the platform is positioning itself as a core foundation for scalable, next-generation robotics.

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Quantum cryptography pioneers win top computing prize

Two researchers have been awarded the Turing Award for pioneering work in quantum cryptography. Their research laid the foundations for a new form of secure communication based on quantum physics.

The method, developed in the 1980s, enables encryption keys that cannot be copied without detection. Any attempt to intercept the data alters its physical properties, revealing interference.

Experts say the approach could become vital as quantum computing advances. Traditional encryption methods may become vulnerable as computing power increases.

The award highlights the growing importance of secure data transmission in a digital world. Researchers believe quantum cryptography could play a central role in encrypting and protecting future communications.

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EU advances AI simplification effort ahead of further negotiations

A committee within the European Parliament has approved a proposal to simplify aspects of AI regulation, marking a step forward in efforts to refine the implementation of the AI Act.

An initiative that seeks to adjust certain requirements to support clearer compliance, particularly for industry stakeholders.

The proposal focuses on technical and procedural elements linked to how AI rules are applied in practice.

Lawmakers aim to ensure that regulatory obligations remain proportionate while maintaining existing safeguards. Part of the discussion includes how specific categories of AI systems should be addressed within the broader framework.

Some elements of the proposal may require further discussion in upcoming negotiations with the Council of the European Union. Areas under consideration include the treatment of sensitive AI applications and the balance between regulatory clarity and enforcement effectiveness.

The development reflects ongoing efforts within the EU to refine its approach to AI governance. As discussions continue, policymakers are expected to assess how adjustments can support innovation while maintaining consistency with existing legal principles.

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Meta to end Instagram private message encryption after May 8

The US tech giant, Meta, has announced that end-to-end encryption for private messages on Instagram will no longer be supported after 8 May.

Previously, such a technology ensured that only intended recipients could read messages, preventing even Meta from accessing their contents.

The decision follows concerns from law enforcement and child protection organisations, which argued that encrypted messages can make it harder to identify harmful content involving children.

Meta has stated that the update allows the platform to monitor messages while maintaining standard privacy safeguards.

End-to-end encryption had been the default for several messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and other Meta services.

The company first signalled its intent to expand encryption across Instagram and Messenger in 2019, implementing it in 2023. The plan was met with objections from organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Virtual Global Taskforce.

These groups highlighted potential risks in preventing the timely detection of harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material.

Meta’s shift reflects a compromise between privacy, platform security, and online child safety. The company has not provided further details on changes to encryption policies beyond Instagram’s private messaging service.

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Meta’s metaverse collapses as Horizon Worlds shuts down on Quest

Meta will shut down Horizon Worlds on its Quest headsets, ending its flagship virtual reality (VR) platform and marking a clear retreat from its metaverse ambitions. The app will be removed from the Quest store on 31 March and discontinued in VR by 15 June, continuing only as a mobile service.

Horizon Worlds, launched in 2021, was central to Meta’s rebranding from Facebook and its vision of a fully immersive virtual environment. Despite billions in investment and high-profile partnerships, the platform failed to attract a large user base and struggled with design limitations and weak engagement.

Reality Labs, the division behind the metaverse push, has accumulated nearly $80 billion in losses since 2020, including more than $6 billion in a single quarter. Recent layoffs affecting around 10 percent of the VR workforce, along with the shutdown of related projects, underscore a broader pullback.

Competition and shifting priorities have accelerated the decline. Rival platforms such as VRChat maintained stronger communities, while Meta increasingly redirected resources toward AI and hardware, including its Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Although Meta says it remains committed to VR, the closure of Horizon Worlds signals a strategic reset. The company is repositioning its future around AI-driven products, marking a decisive shift away from its earlier metaverse vision.

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Google responds to UK digital market rules and CMA proposals

Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.

G o ogle argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.

The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.

Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.

Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.

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EU child safety rules lapse amid ongoing debate over privacy and enforcement

The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on extending temporary rules that allow online platforms to detect child sexual abuse material, leaving the current framework set to expire in April.

Discussions between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union concluded without reaching a consensus on how to proceed with such measures.

The existing rules permit technology companies to voluntarily scan their services for harmful content, supporting efforts to identify and remove illegal material.

The European Commission had proposed a temporary extension while negotiations continue on a permanent framework under the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, but differing views on scope and safeguards prevented agreement.

Stakeholders across sectors have highlighted the importance of maintaining effective tools to address online harms, while also emphasising the need to respect fundamental rights.

Previous periods of legal uncertainty have shown that detection capabilities may be affected when such frameworks are absent, although assessments of effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate.

At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of monitoring digital communications. Some perspectives stress that any approach should carefully consider privacy protections, particularly in relation to secure and encrypted services.

Attention now turns to ongoing negotiations on a long-term regulatory solution.

The outcome will shape how the EU approaches the challenge of addressing harmful online content while safeguarding rights and ensuring proportional and transparent enforcement.

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UNESCO launches research on harmful online content governance in South Africa

A new research initiative led by UNESCO is examining the governance of harmful online content in South Africa, bringing together actors from government, academia, civil society and technology platforms to strengthen digital governance frameworks.

Conducted under the Social Media 4 Peace programme and supported by the EU, the study investigates the spread and impact of hate speech and disinformation while assessing existing regulatory approaches and platform governance systems.

Emphasis is placed on identifying structural gaps and developing practical responses suited to the country’s socio-political context.

Stakeholder engagement has shaped the research design to reflect local realities, with the aim of producing actionable and rights-based recommendations. As noted by a researcher involved in the project,

‘At Research ICT Africa, we don’t want this study to end with generic recommendations. We are aiming for grounded insights into how social media is shaping information integrity in our context, alongside practical guidance that regulators, platforms, and civil society can apply.‘

Kola Ijasan, a researcher at Research ICT Africa

Regulatory perspectives also highlight the importance of understanding emerging risks. As one regulator stated,

‘We are particularly interested in identifying regulatory gaps – areas where current laws and frameworks fall short in addressing emerging digital risks.‘

Nomzamo Zondi, a regulator in South Africa.

Findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, strengthen platform accountability and safeguard freedom of expression and access to information.

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Dublin launches major data centre microgrid

A new 110MW data centre microgrid has been launched in Dublin to support rising AI-driven energy demand. The system is designed to provide reliable power during early development stages before full grid connection.

The project combines energy generation, battery storage and heat recovery to improve efficiency and resilience. Developers say the system can help address power constraints affecting large-scale cloud and AI facilities.

Industry leaders in Dublin say the microgrid offers a model for integrating renewable energy with traditional infrastructure. The approach could be replicated in other European markets facing similar grid limitations.

Experts say the system also enables future innovations such as hydrogen integration and district heating. The project reflects a broader shift towards treating energy as a strategic asset in the expansion of AI infrastructure.

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