Meta Platforms has reported that generative AI had limited influence on misinformation campaigns across its platforms in 2023. According to Nick Clegg, Meta‘s president of global affairs, coordinated networks spreading propaganda struggled to gain traction on Facebook and Instagram, and AI-generated misinformation was promptly flagged or removed.
Clegg noted, however, that some of these operations have migrated to other platforms or standalone websites with fewer moderation systems. Meta dismantled around 20 covert influence campaigns this year. The company aims to refine content moderation while maintaining free expression.
Meta also reflected on its overly strict moderation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing regret over certain decisions influenced by external pressure. Looking forward, Zuckerberg intends to engage actively in policy debates on AI under President-elect Donald Trump‘s administration, underscoring AI’s critical role in US technological leadership.
A senior United States cybersecurity official has urged Americans to embrace encryption to safeguard their communications, citing ongoing efforts to expel alleged Chinese hackers from US telecom networks. Jeff Greene, Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), emphasised the importance of avoiding plaintext communications and recommending encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp.
US authorities have accused hackers from China of infiltrating telecommunications companies, such as T-Mobile, to access sensitive data, including call records and intercepted audio, predominantly from Washington, DC. Beijing has denied the allegations, calling them disinformation. Greene acknowledged that removing the hackers entirely from the networks could take an unpredictable amount of time, further underscoring the need for encryption to ensure secure communications.
The advice marks a notable shift from previous US government positions that questioned strong encryption’s impact on public safety. As concerns over foreign cyber intrusions grow, Greene’s remarks highlight encryption as a critical tool for Americans facing prolonged cybersecurity threats.
Vietnam has temporarily suspended operations of Chinese online retailer Temu after the company failed to meet a business registration deadline set for the end of November. The trade ministry announced the move as part of broader efforts to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms, citing concerns over heavy discounting and potential counterfeit sales.
Temu, owned by China’s PDD Holdings, began serving Vietnamese shoppers in October but must now complete its registration process to resume operations. The platform’s Vietnamese-language options were removed, and Temu confirmed it is working with authorities to comply but gave no timeline for its return.
Shein, another Chinese retailer affected by the deadline, also had its Vietnamese site disabled, though it remains unclear if its operations were officially suspended. The crackdown comes amid Vietnam’s push for stricter tax regulations, including ending value-added tax exemptions for low-cost imported goods, a change expected to impact foreign e-commerce platforms significantly.
AT&T has unveiled plans to achieve over $18 billion in free cash flow by 2027, supported by its fibre and 5G network expansions across the US. Shares rose over 4%, reaching their highest level since May 2021, as the company detailed its growth strategy at an investor presentation.
The wireless giant plans to double fibre internet coverage while improving 5G connectivity. It aims to create bundled packages combining high-speed fibre data and wireless phone services to attract more customers. Current fibre coverage of 28.3 million locations is expected to exceed 50 million by 2029.
Customer demand has been bolstered by AT&T’s unlimited plans, which feature added benefits like extra hotspot data. Over the next three years, the company intends to return $40 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks while maintaining annual capital investments of $22 billion.
The company raised its 2024 adjusted earnings per share forecast to between $2.20 and $2.25, slightly above analyst expectations. It also plans to exit its legacy copper network operations by 2029 and recently reported $16.77 billion in free cash flow for 2023.
World Labs, the startup co-founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, has introduced groundbreaking technology that transforms single images into interactive 3D environments. Unlike existing tools, these AI-generated scenes can be explored and modified directly within a browser, offering a dynamic and engaging experience.
The startup’s system leverages a category of AI known as ‘world models,’ which simulate 3D environments with improved consistency and physical realism. While the technology is still in its early stages, it aims to revolutionise industries like gaming, filmmaking, and design by providing accessible and cost-effective tools for creating virtual worlds.
Backed by $230M in funding from prominent investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Intel Capital, World Labs is valued at over $1B. The company plans to refine its system further and release its first product in 2025, marking a significant step in the evolution of interactive AI applications.
France, Germany, and Sweden have urged the next European Commission to bolster Europe’s battery production to meet green transition goals without becoming reliant on Chinese imports. In a joint paper, the countries emphasised the need for streamlined regulations, faster project approvals, increased funding, and alternative sources for raw materials like lithium.
The call comes as Sweden’s Northvolt faces financial difficulties, with fears that Europe’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing could mirror its earlier reliance on Russian gas. Leaders stressed the urgency of securing the region’s competitiveness.
Incoming EU leadership is expected to outline strategies for sustainable economic growth and climate goals within its first 100 days, focusing on policies that support scaling up European battery initiatives.
Wise, the British money transfer firm, has enacted a formal remediation plan following a regulatory review by the Belgian National Bank (BNB) regarding anti-money laundering compliance. In early 2022, the BNB identified that Wise lacked proof of address for hundreds of thousands of customers.
The company worked closely with the regulator to address the issues, implementing a plan requiring customers to provide proof of address within weeks. Non-compliant accounts were frozen as part of the measures. Wise stated it has fully resolved the concerns.
Founded in 2011, Wise aims to simplify international money transfers and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The BNB declined to comment further on the matter.
The Browser Company, creators of the Arc Browser, is developing a new web browser named Dia, centred around artificial intelligence integration. Set to debut in early 2025, Dia aims to expand the company’s reach by offering AI-driven features to a broader audience. Unlike traditional AI tools, Dia is designed as an interactive browsing environment where users can perform tasks like drafting emails, retrieving data, or automating online activities directly through the browser interface.
Initial demonstrations highlight innovative features, including a writing assistant that can suggest sentences or retrieve relevant links and facts. Dia’s natural language commands enable actions such as fetching and emailing documents or scheduling meetings within the browser. A standout capability is its automation feature, where Dia can browse websites like Amazon to fulfil tasks, such as adding items to a cart based on a user’s email list. Despite its potential, early versions may require refinements to ensure precision in task execution.
The Browser Company‘s CEO, Josh Miller, emphasised the vision of creating user-friendly AI tools while keeping Arc’s dedicated user base in mind. Miller acknowledged that Arc’s complexity appeals to a niche audience, whereas Dia’s broader functionality could attract new users and provide sustainable revenue opportunities. As part of the development, the company has launched a dedicated website showcasing Dia’s capabilities and open roles to expand its team.
Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo are exploring plans to establish a European joint venture in the satellite sector, aiming to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink network. Dubbed ‘Project Bromo’ after an Indonesian volcano, the initiative seeks to create a standalone European satellite company modelled after missile maker MBDA, jointly owned by Airbus, Leonardo, and BAE Systems.
The plan is still in the early stages, but discussions have advanced enough to outline a preferred structure. Instead of one partner acquiring the others’ assets, the proposal envisions pooling satellite resources into a new entity. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani confirmed the MBDA-inspired approach, calling it the most viable model for such collaboration.
This initiative comes as Europe’s satellite industry struggles to compete with Starlink’s rapid growth in low Earth orbit. While the merger talks are separate from Airbus’s impending job cuts, they signal a broader effort to revitalise Europe’s space capabilities in the face of intensifying competition.
Telefonica’s plan to sell stakes in its Peruvian fibre optic network to KKR and Entel has fallen through. The agreement, announced in July 2023, would have seen Telefonica sell 54% to private equity fund KKR and 10% to Chilean telecoms operator Entel. The deal’s failure was confirmed by Entel in a filing to the regulator, citing unspecified breaches of closing conditions.
Despite the setback, Telefonica remains in discussions with both KKR and Entel, according to a filing with the Peruvian stock market regulator. The proposed transaction valued the entire fibre network at approximately €550 million, including debt, and was expected to reduce Telefonica’s debt by €200 million.
Telefonica has been selling assets in recent years to manage its debt load and fund significant investments in 5G infrastructure. The collapse of the deal adds to the challenges the company faces in navigating its financial strategy and expanding next-generation networks.
