Capacity development

US House subpoenas Alphabet over content moderation

The US House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Alphabet on Thursday, demanding information on its communications with the Biden administration regarding content moderation policies. The committee, led by Republican Jim Jordan, also requested similar communications with external companies and groups.

The subpoena specifically seeks details on discussions about restricting or banning content related to US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, COVID-19, and other conservative topics. Republicans have accused Big Tech companies of suppressing conservative viewpoints, with the Federal Trade Commission warning that coordinating policies or misleading users could breach the law.

Last year, Meta Platforms acknowledged pressure from the Biden administration to censor content, but Alphabet has not publicly distanced itself from similar claims. A Google spokesperson stated the company will demonstrate its independent approach to policy enforcement.

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FCC to vote on GPS alternatives amid rising interference fears

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote next month on exploring alternatives to GPS due to growing national security concerns.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that relying on a single system for navigation and timing leaves the United States vulnerable to disruptions. Reports of increased GPS interference, particularly spoofing attacks since 2023, have raised fears of accidents if aircraft are misdirected.

Concerns over GPS security have been discussed for years, with President Donald Trump and bipartisan lawmakers calling for action.

The FCC’s March 27 vote will launch an inquiry into alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems that could complement or replace GPS. The aim is to encourage innovation in navigation technology and strengthen resilience against disruptions.

GPS plays a crucial role in aviation, replacing traditional ground-based navigation systems. However, its reliance on satellite signals makes it susceptible to interference.

The Federal Aviation Administration is already working on global authentication measures to counter spoofing threats and improve the security of satellite-based navigation.

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Singapore expands charges in server fraud case

Singapore authorities have filed additional charges against three men in a widening investigation into server fraud, which may involve AI chips, court documents revealed on Thursday.

The suspects are accused of deceiving tech firms Dell and Super Micro by falsely representing the final destination of the servers they purchased.

Officials have stated the servers could contain Nvidia chips but have not confirmed whether they fall under US export controls.

The case is part of a broader probe involving 22 individuals and companies suspected of fraudulent transactions. US authorities are also investigating whether Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has been using restricted American chips.

Singapore has confirmed that some servers were sent to Malaysia, where authorities are now examining if any laws were violated.

Two suspects, Aaron Woon and Alan Wei, face additional fraud charges, while a third, Li Ming, had his earlier charge updated to include an alleged offence dating back to 2023.

Lawyers representing the men have either declined to comment or stated that the case is complex due to its international scope.

Meanwhile, Singapore police have seized 42 electronic devices and are analysing bank statements as they work with foreign law enforcement to trace the movement of funds.

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Alibaba unveils new AI model boosting shares by 8%

Alibaba Group’s latest AI breakthrough sent its Hong Kong-listed shares soaring more than 8% on Thursday.

The e-commerce giant announced its new AI reasoning model, QwQ-32B, which it claims performs on par with DeepSeek’s R1 model despite having far fewer parameters—32 billion compared to 671 billion.

The unveiling comes as China pushes for advancements in AI, humanoid robots, and 6G technology, with government support pledged on Wednesday.

Alibaba’s new model is available through its chatbot service, Qwen Chat, which offers various AI models, including the high-powered Qwen2.5-Max.

The company said QwQ-32B demonstrated strong performance in areas such as mathematical reasoning, coding, and problem-solving, competing closely with top global models like OpenAI’s o1 mini and DeepSeek’s R1.

DeepSeek has gained recognition in China for producing highly efficient AI models at a fraction of the cost of its Western rivals.

Meanwhile, another Chinese AI innovation also made headlines on Thursday. A startup called Monica introduced an AI agent named Manus, which reportedly outperformed OpenAI’s Deep Research on an AI assistant benchmark.

Unlike traditional chatbots, AI agents are designed for more complex tasks, with Manus capable of creating travel itineraries and comparing insurance policies.

Currently available by invitation only, the agent gained significant attention online, with a demonstration video amassing over 280,000 views and users eager to gain access.

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Google unveils experimental AI search for premium users

Google has introduced an experimental version of its search engine that removes the traditional 10 blue links in favour of AI-generated summaries.

The new ‘AI Mode’ is available to subscribers of Google One AI Premium, a $19.99 per month plan, and can be accessed through a tab alongside existing options like Images and Maps.

Users will see a detailed AI summary with hyperlinks to cited sources, replacing standard search results with a search bar for follow-up questions.

The feature is powered by a customised version of Google’s Gemini 2.0 model, designed to handle complex queries more effectively.

AI Overviews, which provide summaries atop search results, are already available in over 100 countries, with advertisements integrated into them since last May. Google says the new AI-driven approach responds to demand from “power users” seeking more AI-generated responses.

As Google pushes deeper into AI-powered search, it faces competition from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, which introduced search capabilities to ChatGPT last October.

The shift has raised concerns among content creators, with edtech company Chegg suing Google in February, alleging that AI previews are reducing demand for original content and hurting publishers’ ability to compete.

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Scale AI wins Pentagon AI contract

Scale AI has secured a multimillion-dollar contract with the US Department of Defense to develop AI tools for military operations. The project, named Thunderforge, is the Pentagon’s flagship AI initiative aimed at enhancing decision-making, simulation, and operational planning. Led by the Defense Innovation Unit, the programme will see collaboration with technology partners such as Microsoft and Anduril, initially focusing on the Indo-Pacific and European Commands before expanding further.

Thunderforge represents a shift towards AI-driven military strategies, promising increased speed and efficiency in modern warfare. The Department of Defense and Scale AI have emphasised the importance of rapid response times, with the technology designed to process vast amounts of information quickly. However, while Scale AI has assured that human oversight will be maintained, the Defence Innovation Unit has not explicitly highlighted this aspect in its communications.

The deal comes as more AI firms reconsider their stance on military applications. Companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google have altered policies that previously restricted AI development for defence purposes. Critics argue that these technologies could be used for harmful applications despite company assurances, raising ethical concerns about the potential for AI in warfare. Some experts warn that firms may have limited control over how their AI is ultimately deployed.

This latest partnership highlights the growing integration of AI into defence strategies, despite previous pushback from tech industry employees. While firms insist their technologies will be used responsibly, concerns remain over the long-term implications of AI-driven warfare and the ability to ensure its ethical use.

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Nvidia shares drop after US tariffs announcement

Nvidia’s shares plummeted nearly 9% on 3 March following an announcement by US President Donald Trump confirming new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect on 4 March. The decline contributed to a broader market downturn, with the Dow Jones falling by 800 points and the Nasdaq dropping by over 3%. Nvidia’s market value took a sharp hit, losing around $265 billion and falling to $2.79 trillion, a steep drop from its previous $3 trillion valuation.

Despite reporting strong earnings, with revenue surging 78% year-over-year to $39.33 billion, Nvidia’s stock has lost 13% since 26 February. The 25% tariffs could affect the company’s operations, particularly as some of its systems are manufactured in the US and Mexico. However, CEO Jensen Huang remains optimistic, highlighting Nvidia’s AI advancements and the upcoming Blackwell chips, which he says will drive strong performance in the next quarter.

Nvidia also plans to play a key role in Taiwan Semiconductor’s $100 billion expansion in the US, a project mentioned by Trump. While the company faces short-term market volatility and policy challenges, its long-term strategy remains focused on technological growth and innovation.

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South Korea launches $34 billion fund for strategic industries

South Korea has announced the creation of a $34 billion policy fund to support companies in key industries such as semiconductors, automotive, and advanced technologies, in response to growing global competition and protectionist policies.

The state-run Korea Development Bank will manage the fund by providing low-interest loans and other financial support over the next five years to businesses involved in national strategic industries.

The government stressed that maintaining competitiveness in these strategic sectors has become crucial to the country’s economic security, particularly amid the uncertainties caused by the new US administration.

South Korea has identified 12 industries, including semiconductors, AI, and biopharmaceuticals, as critical for its future economic stability and will offer targeted financial support to strengthen these sectors.

In addition to the fund, South Korea also unveiled new policies to attract skilled global talent in cutting-edge fields. These measures include offering top-tier visas and permanent residency to professionals with experience at major international firms, aiming to enhance the country’s workforce in strategic industries.

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Musk’s bid to halt OpenAI’s for-profit transition rejected

A US court has denied Elon Musk’s request for a preliminary injunction against OpenAI’s transition into a for-profit organisation.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk did not meet the high standards required to block the move. However, the judge indicated that she would expedite a trial on the matter, which is expected to take place later this year.

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left before its major success, argued that OpenAI had initially sought his charitable funding to create AI for the public good, but has since shifted its focus towards making profits.

His lawyer, Marc Toberoff, expressed satisfaction that the judge had agreed to a swift trial, claiming that the case involves urgent public interest concerns.

OpenAI, which is seeking to become a for-profit entity to attract the necessary capital for its AI projects, welcomed the court’s decision.

The company emphasised that its goal is to develop advanced AI models to benefit society. Musk’s legal action, which also includes antitrust claims, stems from his frustration with OpenAI’s shift in direction since he departed from the organisation.

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UK regulator approves Synopsys’ $35 billion Ansys deal

Britain’s competition regulator has approved Synopsys’ $35 billion acquisition of Ansys after the companies addressed concerns about the potential negative impact on innovation and pricing.

In December, the regulator raised alarms that the deal could reduce competition in the chip design software market, possibly leading to higher prices and less innovation.

However, following negotiations and the companies’ offer of remedies to mitigate these concerns, the regulator decided not to refer the deal for an in-depth phase-2 investigation.

Synopsys, a major player in the chip design software industry, announced the acquisition in January. The deal, which will be a mix of cash and stock, aims to strengthen Synopsys’ portfolio and expand its offerings in the design and development of complex products.

Ansys, a well-established provider of simulation software, is used by a range of industries, from aerospace to sports equipment, to design and optimise products like aeroplanes and tennis rackets.

The acquisition marks a significant move for Synopsys, enhancing its capabilities in the design and development of advanced technology.

The deal is expected to bring together the strengths of both companies, allowing them to offer a broader set of solutions to customers in various sectors, from semiconductor manufacturing to engineering and consumer goods.

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