Capacity development Archives | Page 37 of 319

Amazon commits €33.7 billion to expand Spain cloud footprint

A €33.7 billion investment in Spain to expand cloud and AI infrastructure marks the most significant technology commitment in the country’s history, as Amazon confirms its major expansion plan.

Announced at MWC26 Barcelona, the package adds €18 billion to funding revealed in 2024 and strengthens the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Europe region based in Aragón.

Total investment in the AWS Europe (Spain) Region is expected to add €31.7 billion to GDP by 2035 and support around 29,900 jobs annually. About 6,700 direct roles stem from Amazon operations, with additional jobs created in construction, logistics, and supply chains.

New manufacturing and fulfilment facilities in Aragón are expected to create about 1,800 additional jobs, including a dedicated AI and machine learning server plant.

Since entering Spain in 2011, Amazon has invested more than €20 billion across retail, logistics, and cloud services. The Amazon Web Services region, launched in 2022, is accelerating AI adoption across Europe, including among Telefónica and BBVA.

A further €30 million will be allocated to community initiatives through 2035, focused on education, sustainability, and local development. Renewable energy projects, including 100 solar and wind sites, support operations and a net-zero carbon goal by 2040, establishing Aragón as a growing European digital hub.

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UK launches consultation on possible social media ban for under-16s

Britain has opened a public consultation examining whether children under 16 should face restrictions or a potential ban on social media use. Young people, parents and educators are being invited to share views before ministers decide on future policy.

Officials are considering several options beyond a full ban, including disabling addictive platform features, introducing overnight curfews, regulating access to AI chatbots, and tightening age verification rules. Pilot schemes will test proposed measures to gather practical evidence on their effectiveness.

The debate follows international momentum after Australia introduced restrictions on under-16 access to major platforms, with Spain signalling similar intentions. Political parties, charities and campaigners remain divided over whether bans or stronger safety regulations offer better protection.

Children’s organisations warn blanket prohibitions could push young users towards less regulated online spaces, creating a ‘false sense of security’. Researchers and policymakers instead emphasise improving platform safety standards while allowing young people to socialise and express themselves online responsibly.

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Safety and ethics standards for robotics established in China

China has introduced its first national standards for humanoid robots and embodied AI, marking a key step in regulating the growing industry. The framework covers the full industrial lifecycle, from design to deployment, ensuring safe, ethical, and high-quality development.

The standard system, released at the Humanoid Robots and Embodied Intelligence Standardisation (HEIS) meeting in Beijing, includes six components: commonality, brain-like and intelligent computing, limbs and components, complete machines and systems, applications, and safety and ethics.

It was developed collaboratively by over 120 research institutions, enterprises, and industry users under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Brain-like computing standards manage data, model training, and deployment, while application standards oversee development, operation, and maintenance. Safety and ethics protocols cover the entire industrial lifecycle, providing assurance of compliance as the sector evolves.

Following rapid growth in 2025, with over 140 domestic manufacturers producing more than 330 models, the new standards aim to guide China’s humanoid robot industry toward sustainable and regulated development.

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Quantum-safe security upgrades SIM and eSIM cards

Thales has successfully demonstrated a world-first capability that prepares 5G networks for the era of quantum computing. The test proved that SIM and eSIM cards can be remotely upgraded to support post-quantum cryptography, boosting security without disrupting services or user experience.

The breakthrough highlights the potential of crypto-agile networks to evolve securely as quantum threats emerge.

Replacing millions of devices is impractical, so Thales enables operators to deploy quantum-safe algorithms directly to existing devices. Remote upgrades preserve data and connectivity while instantly boosting security, keeping 5G networks resilient and trusted.

The demonstration reinforces Thales’ leadership in post-quantum cryptography, with dedicated research teams developing quantum-resistant methods and contributing to international standards, including NIST initiatives.

Operators can now protect long-term investments, secure critical services, and prepare for the next generation of quantum computing without operational disruptions.

Thales’ approach offers a practical roadmap for telecoms to adopt quantum-safe security today, ensuring continuity, trust, and resilience across mobile networks as digital threats evolve.

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DeepSeek V4 tests China’s AI ambitions against US rivals

China’s DeepSeek is reportedly preparing to release its latest AI model, according to a Financial Times report. The planned debut of the company’s V4 large language model is seen as another test of China’s ability to compete with leading US AI firms.

Sources cited by the report said V4 will be a multimodal model capable of generating images, video, and text. DeepSeek has reportedly worked with Huawei and Cambricon to optimise the model for Chinese AI chips.

The release is expected ahead of the annual Two Sessions parliamentary meetings in China, which begin on 4 March. Analysts say the timing could reinforce DeepSeek’s positioning as a national AI champion.

The launch would be the company’s first major model release since its R1 reasoning system debuted in January last year. DeepSeek claimed R1 matched leading US models while using less computing power, a development some compared to a ‘Sputnik moment’ for American technology firms.

Separately, AI researcher Andrew Ng said the industry remains decades away from achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). He argued that systems capable of matching human intellectual breadth remain distant, despite steady advances in model performance.

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Anthropic’s Claude climbs past ChatGPT in downloads

App Store charts have shifted sharply in the consumer AI market, with Anthropic’s Claude now surpassing ChatGPT in downloads. The change marks one of the most notable ranking reversals in recent months.

The spike in downloads appears tied to public reaction rather than new product features. App rankings often fluctuate, but this shift coincides with growing debate over how AI companies collaborate with governments.

Anthropic has positioned Claude around strict usage policies, including restrictions on domestic surveillance and lethal autonomous weapons. That stance has resonated with users concerned about the ethical deployment of AI technologies.

Claude’s ascent underscores a more competitive chatbot landscape in which transparency and public confidence are playing an increasingly important role. AI app rankings are becoming increasingly volatile as users are willing to switch platforms.

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AI data centre boom drives global memory chip shortage

Global demand for AI data centres is creating a severe shortage of memory chips, disrupting supply chains across the consumer electronics industry. Manufacturers warn shortages of RAM could lead to higher prices and delayed shipments for devices including laptops, smartphones and gaming consoles.

Only three companies dominate global RAM production, with capacity increasingly redirected towards high-bandwidth memory used in AI systems. Analysts say rapid investment in AI infrastructure has absorbed available supply faster than manufacturers can expand production facilities.

Major technology firms are already feeling pressure as memory costs rise and inventories tighten. Companies including Apple, HP, Dell and Qualcomm have warned investors that pricing increases and weaker forecasts may follow if shortages persist.

Gaming and computer manufacturers are exploring different responses, ranging from price increases to redesigning products that require less memory. Experts expect supply constraints to continue through the year as chipmakers attempt to balance AI demand with consumer electronics needs.

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Cloud-native networks drive AI connectivity

Mobility is emerging as the digital economy’s backbone, with Cisco outlining its latest strategy at Mobile World Congress. Cloud-native, programmable networks are being framed as platforms that enable new revenue models while reducing operational complexity across industries and cities.

Recent updates focus on the Cisco Mobility Services Platform, plus IoT-as-a-service and a programmable core built to scale global networks.

Partnerships with operators such as AT&T, Tele2 IoT, and Wind Tre Group aim to speed up enterprise connectivity and reduce deployment times for industrial use cases.

Preparation for the AI era remains a core theme. Collaboration with NVIDIA focuses on embedding intelligence into wireless infrastructure while ensuring networks can support distributed AI workloads with low latency and predictable performance.

Ecosystem expansion includes joining the Linux Foundation initiative, while industry rankings signal momentum as operators move toward 5G Advanced and AI-native networks.

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Finance ministry in South Korea pledges reform for public crypto management

South Korea’s finance minister, Koo Yun-cheol, has pledged urgent reforms to how government agencies manage digital assets following high-profile failures in state custody.

Recent incidents revealed that police and tax authorities mishandled seized cryptocurrency, highlighting weaknesses in oversight and security practices. Authorities will review current management methods and implement measures to prevent future losses.

Operational risks around securing crypto in public institutions have become increasingly apparent. A notable case involved Seoul police in Gangnam losing access to 22 BTC, worth around $1.4 million, after failing to retain private keys and allowing a third-party firm to manage the assets.

Prosecutors are now investigating potential bribery linked to the case.

The government says it holds only digital assets acquired through lawful enforcement, such as seizures for unpaid taxes or criminal cases. The reforms aim to strengthen security, improve operational controls, and restore confidence in the public sector’s handling of crypto amid growing scrutiny.

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Samsung advances toward AI autonomous factories by 2030

The South Korean electronics corporation, Samsung, is preparing a major shift to autonomous manufacturing, converting global production sites into AI-driven factories by 2030.

As such, the company is moving toward a model in which AI systems understand on-site conditions and make operational decisions independently, rather than relying on fixed automation.

A transition that will use digital twin simulations across the whole manufacturing cycle, from materials warehousing to shipping.

Samsung will deploy AI agents for quality control, production and logistics, aiming for stronger data-driven verification and improved efficiency. Wider adoption of AI in environmental health and safety is expected to raise workplace safety standards.

The firm plans to integrate agentic AI, first introduced with the Galaxy S26, into industrial operations, enabling systems to set and execute their own tasks. Humanoid manufacturing robots will be rolled out in phases as Samsung builds fully optimised smart factories.

Samsung will present its manufacturing vision at Mobile World Congress 2026, followed by the Samsung Mobile Business Summit, where executives will detail governance strategies for managing the rise of agentic AI across industries.

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