Capacity development

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang clashes with Anthropic CEO over AI Job loss predictions

A fresh dispute has erupted between Nvidia and Anthropic after CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs in the next five years, potentially causing a 20% unemployment spike.

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang dismissed the claim, saying at VivaTech in Paris that he ‘pretty much disagreed with almost everything’ Amodei says, accusing him of fearmongering and advocating for a monopoly on AI development.

Huang emphasized the importance of open, transparent development, stating, ‘If you want things to be done safely and responsibly, you do it in the open… Don’t do it in a dark room and tell me it’s safe.’

Anthropic pushed back, saying Amodei supports national AI transparency standards and never claimed only Anthropic can build safe AI.

The clash comes amid growing scrutiny of Anthropic, which faces a lawsuit from Reddit for allegedly scraping content without consent and controversy over a Claude 4 Opus test that simulated blackmail scenarios.

The companies have also clashed over AI export controls to China, with Anthropic urging tighter rules and Nvidia denying reports that its chips were smuggled using extreme methods like fake pregnancies or shipments with live lobsters.

Huang maintains an optimistic outlook, saying AI will create new jobs in fields like prompt engineering. At the same time, Amodei has consistently warned that the economic fallout could be severe, rejecting universal basic income as a long-term solution.

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Google Messages beta bug causes crashes on Pixel and Samsung Phones

A bug in the latest Google Messages beta (version 20250610_00_RC02.phone.openbeta_dynamic) is causing the app to crash on Pixel and Samsung phones when users press the forward button—the circular icon with two arrow points used to share text or images.

The crash also occurs when sharing content via Android’s system Share sheet from apps like Chrome. Affected users can check their version by going to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Messages, and scrolling to the bottom of the App info page.

Until a fix is released, users can manually copy and paste links, or share images from the Gallery within a conversation thread. To stop crashes, users can leave the beta program and install the stable version of Google Messages from the Play Store.

Meanwhile, Google is testing a Material 3 redesign for the Messages settings page, featuring new toggles and a more expressive UI. This design update hasn’t reached all devices yet, including Pixel phones running Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.

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New cyberattack method poses major threat to smart grids, study finds

A new study published in ‘Engineering’ highlights a growing cybersecurity threat to smart grids as they become more complex due to increased integration of distributed energy sources.

The research, conducted by Zengji Liu, Mengge Liu, Qi Wang, and Yi Tang, focuses on a sophisticated form of cyberattack known as a false data injection attack (FDIA) that targets data-driven algorithms used in smart grid operations.

As modern power systems adopt technologies like battery storage and solar panels, they rely more heavily on algorithms to manage energy distribution and grid stability. However, these algorithms can be exploited.

The study introduces a novel black-box FDIA method that injects false data directly at the measurement modules of distributed power supplies, using generative adversarial networks (GANs) to produce stealthy attack vectors.

What makes this method particularly dangerous is that it doesn’t require detailed knowledge of the grid’s internal workings, making it more practical and harder to detect in real-world scenarios.

The researchers also proposed an approach to estimate controller and filter parameters in distributed energy systems, making it easier to launch these attacks.

To test the method, the team simulated attacks on the New England 39-bus system, specifically targeting a deep learning model used for transient stability prediction. Results showed a dramatic drop in accuracy—from 98.75% to 56%—after the attack.

The attack also proved effective across multiple neural network models and on larger grid systems, such as IEEE’s 118-bus and 145-bus networks.

These findings underscore the urgent need for better cybersecurity defenses in the evolving smart grid landscape. As systems grow more complex and reliant on AI-driven management, developing robust protection against FDIA threats will be critical.

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Armenia plans major AI hub with NVIDIA and Firebird

Armenia has unveiled plans to develop a $500mn AI supercomputing hub in partnership with US tech leader NVIDIA, AI cloud firm Firebird, and local telecoms group Team.

Announced at the Viva Technology conference in Paris, the initiative marks the largest tech investment ever seen in the South Caucasus.

Due to open in 2026, the facility will house thousands of NVIDIA’s Blackwell GPUs and offer more than 100 megawatts of scalable computing power. Designed to advance AI research, training and entrepreneurship, the hub aims to position Armenia as a leading player in global AI development.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the project as the ‘Stargate of Armenia’, underscoring its potential to transform the national tech sector.

Firebird CEO Razmig Hovaghimian said the hub would help develop local talent and attract international attention, while the Afeyan Foundation, led by Noubar Afeyan, is set to come on board as a founding investor.

Instead of limiting its role to funding, the Armenian government will also provide land, tax breaks and simplified regulation to support the project, strengthening its push toward a competitive digital economy.

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Amazon launches AU$ 20 bn investment in Australian solar-powered data centres

Amazon will invest AU$ 20 billion to expand its data centre infrastructure in Australia, using solar and wind power instead of traditional energy sources.

The plan includes power purchase agreements with three utility-scale solar plants developed by European Energy, one of which—Mokoan Solar Park in Victoria—is already operational. The other two projects, Winton North and Bullyard Solar Parks, are expected to lift total solar capacity to 333MW.

The investment supports Australia’s aim to enhance its cloud and AI capabilities. Amazon’s commitment includes purchasing over 170MW of power from these projects, contributing to both data centre growth and the country’s renewable energy transition.

According to the International Energy Agency, electricity demand from data centres is expected to more than double by 2030, driven by AI.

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman said the move positions Australia to benefit from AI’s economic potential. The company, already active in solar projects across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, continues to prioritise renewables to decarbonise operations and meet surging energy needs.

Instead of pursuing growth through conventional means, Amazon’s focus on clean energy could set a precedent for other tech giants expanding in the region.

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OpenAI turns to Google Cloud in shift from solo AI race

OpenAI has entered into an unexpected partnership with Google, using Google Cloud to support its growing AI infrastructure needs.

Despite being fierce competitors in AI, the two tech giants recognise that long-term success may require collaboration instead of isolation.

As the demand for high-performance hardware soars, traditional rivals join forces to keep pace. OpenAI, previously backed heavily by Microsoft, now draws from Google’s vast cloud resources, hinting at a changing attitude in the AI race.

Rather than going it alone, firms may benefit more by leveraging each other’s strengths to accelerate development.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, speaking on a podcast, suggested there is room for multiple winners in the AI sector. He even noted that a major competitor had ‘invited me to a dance’, underscoring a new phase of pragmatic cooperation.

While Google still faces threats to its search dominance from tools like ChatGPT, business incentives may override rivalry.

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Taiwan tightens rules on chip shipments to China

Taiwan has officially banned the export of chips and chiplets to China’s Huawei and SMIC, joining the US in tightening restrictions on advanced semiconductor transfers.

The decision follows reports that TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, was unknowingly misled into supplying chiplets used in Huawei’s Ascend 910B AI accelerator. The US Commerce Department had reportedly considered a fine of over $1 billion against TSMC for that incident.

Taiwan’s new rules aim to prevent further breaches by requiring export permits for any transactions with Huawei or SMIC.

The distinction between chips and chiplets is key to the case. Traditional chips are built as single-die monoliths using the same process node, while chiplets are modular and can combine various specialised components, such as CPU or AI cores.

Huawei allegedly used shell companies to acquire chiplets from TSMC, bypassing existing US restrictions. If TSMC had known the true customer, it likely would have withheld the order. Taiwan’s new export controls are designed to ensure stricter oversight of future transactions and prevent repeat deceptions.

The broader geopolitical stakes are clear. Taiwan views the transfer of advanced chips to China as a national security threat, given Beijing’s ambitions to reunify with Taiwan and the potential militarisation of high-end semiconductors.

With Huawei claiming its processors are nearly on par with Western chips—though analysts argue they lag two to three generations behind—the export ban could further isolate China’s chipmakers.

Speculation persists that Taiwan’s move was partly influenced by negotiations with the US to avoid the proposed fine on TSMC, bringing both countries into closer alignment on chip sanctions.

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Indonesia’s cyber strategy balances power and capacity

Indonesia has taken a major step in decentralising its cybersecurity efforts by launching eight regional Cyber Crime Directorates across provinces, including Jakarta, West Java, East Java, and Papua. That marks a significant shift from a centralised system to one that recognises the localised nature of cyber threats, from financial fraud and data breaches to online disinformation.

The move reflects a growing awareness that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue but a broader governance challenge involving law enforcement at multiple levels. The rationale behind the decentralisation is clear: bringing cyber governance closer to where threats emerge allows for quicker responses and better local engagement.

It aligns with global ideas of ‘multi-level security governance,’ where various authorities work together across layers. However, while the creation of these regional directorates in Indonesia signals progress, it also reveals deep structural limitations—many local units still lack trained personnel, sufficient technology, and flexible organisational systems needed to tackle sophisticated cybercrime.

Experts warn that these new directorates risk becoming symbolic rather than effective without serious investments in infrastructure, education, and staff development. Current bureaucratic rigidity, hierarchical communication, and limited agency coordination further hamper their potential.

In some provinces, such as Central Sulawesi and Papua, the initiative may also reflect broader state security goals, highlighting how cybersecurity policy often intersects with political and geographic sensitivities. For Indonesia to build a truly adaptive and resilient cyber governance framework, reforms must go beyond institutional expansion.

That includes fostering partnerships with academia and civil society, enabling regional units to respond dynamically to emerging threats, and ensuring that cyber capabilities are built on solid foundations rather than unevenly distributed resources. Otherwise, the decentralisation could reinforce old inefficiencies under a new name.

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Switzerland’s unique AI path: Blending innovation, governance, and local empowerment

In his recent blog post ‘Advancing Swiss AI Trinity: Zurich’s entrepreneurship, Geneva’s governance, and Communal subsidiarity,’ Jovan Kurbalija proposes a distinctive roadmap for Switzerland to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Rather than mimicking the AI power plays of the United States or China, Kurbalija argues that Switzerland can lead by integrating three national strengths: Zurich’s thriving innovation ecosystem, Geneva’s global leadership in governance, and the country’s foundational principle of subsidiarity rooted in local decision-making.

Zurich, already a global tech hub, is positioned to drive cutting-edge development through its academic excellence and robust entrepreneurial culture. Institutions like ETH Zurich and the presence of major tech firms provide a fertile ground for collaborations that turn research into practical solutions.

With AI tools becoming increasingly accessible, Kurbalija emphasises that success now depends on how societies harness the interplay of human and machine intelligence—a field where Switzerland’s education and apprenticeship systems give it a competitive edge. Meanwhile, Geneva is called upon to spearhead balanced international governance and standard-setting for AI.

Kurbalija stresses that AI policy must go beyond abstract discussions and address real-world issues—health, education, the environment—by embedding AI tools in global institutions and negotiations. He notes that Geneva’s experience in multilateral diplomacy and technical standardisation offers a strong foundation for shaping ethical, inclusive AI frameworks.

The third pillar—subsidiarity—empowers Swiss cantons and communities to develop AI that reflects local values and needs. By supporting grassroots innovation through mini-grants, reimagining libraries as AI learning hubs, and embedding AI literacy from primary school to professional training, Switzerland can build an AI model that is democratic and inclusive.

Why does it matter?

Kurbalija’s call to action is clear: with its tools, talent, and traditions aligned, Switzerland must act now to chart a future where AI serves society, not the other way around.

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Google Gemini now summarizes PDFs with actionable prompts in Drive

Google is expanding Gemini’s capabilities by allowing the AI assistant to summarize PDF documents directly in Google Drive—and it’s doing more than just generating summaries.

Users will now see clickable suggestions like drafting proposals or creating interview questions based on resume content, making Gemini a more proactive productivity tool.

However, this update builds on earlier integrations of Gemini in Drive, which now surface pop-up summaries and action prompts when a PDF is opened.

Users with smart features and personalization turned on will notice a new preview window interface, eliminating the need to open a separate tab.

Gemini’s PDF summaries are now available in over 20 languages and will gradually roll out over the next two weeks.

The feature supports personal and business accounts, including Business Standard/Plus users, Enterprise tiers, Gemini Education, and Google AI Pro and Ultra plans.

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