Ireland’s burgeoning data centre industry, dominated by global tech firms like Google and Amazon, is consuming over 20% of the nation’s electricity. Rising demand has led to restrictions on new developments near Dublin until 2028, as regulators address concerns over energy use, emissions, and household electricity costs.
Efforts to expand data centres into rural areas like County Offaly promise economic opportunities but raise environmental and cultural preservation debates. Residents remain divided over renewable energy projects linked to these facilities.
As Ireland navigates energy and climate goals, questions linger about balancing technological growth with sustainability.
If AI was the buzzword for 2023 and 2024, quantum computing looks set to claim the spotlight in the years ahead. Despite growing interest, much remains unknown about this transformative technology, even as leading companies explore its immense potential.
Quantum computing and AI stand as two revolutionary technologies, each with distinct principles and goals. Quantum systems operate on the principles of quantum mechanics, using qubits capable of existing in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition. Such systems can address problems far beyond the reach of classical computers, including molecular simulations for medical research and complex optimisation challenges.
AI and quantum computing intersect in areas like machine learning, though AI still depends on classical computing infrastructure. Significant hurdles remain for quantum technology, including qubit errors and scalability. The extreme sensitivity of qubits to external factors, such as vibrations and temperature, complicates their control.
Experts suggest quantum computers could become practical within 10 to 20 years. Classical computers are unlikely to be replaced, as quantum systems will primarily focus on solving tasks beyond classical capabilities. Leading companies are working to shorten development timelines, with advancements poised to transform the way technology is utilised.
Huge investments in quantum computing
Investments in quantum computing have reached record levels, with start-ups raising $1.5 billion across 50 funding rounds in 2024. Figure like this one nearly doubles the $785 million raised the previous year, setting a new benchmark. The growth in AI is partly driving these investments, as quantum computing promises to handle AI’s significant computational demands more efficiently.
Quantum computing offers unmatched speed and energy efficiency, with some estimates suggesting energy use could be reduced by up to 100 times compared to traditional supercomputers. As the demand for faster, more sustainable computing grows, quantum technologies are emerging as a key solution.
Microsoft and Atom Computing announce breakthrough
In November 2024, Microsoft and Atom Computing achieved a milestone in quantum computing. Their system linked 24 logical qubits using just 80 physical qubits, setting a record in efficiency. This advancement could transform industries like blockchain and cryptography by enabling faster problem-solving and enhancing security protocols.
Despite the challenges of implementing such systems, both companies are aiming to release a 1,000-qubit quantum computer by 2025. The development could accelerate the adoption of quantum technologies across various sectors, paving the way for breakthroughs in areas such as machine learning and materials science.
Overcoming traditional computing’s limitations
Start-ups like BlueQubit are transforming quantum computing into a practical tool for industries. The San Francisco-based company has raised $10 million to launch its Quantum-Software-as-a-Service platform, enabling businesses to use quantum processors and emulators that perform tasks up to 100 times faster than conventional systems.
Industries such as finance and pharmaceuticals are already leveraging quantum optimisation. Specialised algorithms are addressing challenges like financial modelling and drug discovery, showcasing quantum computing’s potential to surpass traditional systems in tackling complex problems.
Google among giants pushing quantum computing
Google has recently introduced its cutting-edge quantum chip, Willow, capable of solving a computational problem in just five minutes. Traditional supercomputers would require approximately 10 septillion years for the same task.
The achievement has sparked discussions about quantum computing’s link to multiverse theories. Hartmut Neven, head of Google’s Quantum AI team, suggested the performance might hint at parallel universes influencing quantum calculations. Willow’s success marks significant advancements in cryptography, material science, and artificial intelligence.
Commercialisation is already underway
Global collaborations are fast-tracking quantum technology’s commercialisation. SDT, a Korean firm, and Finnish start-up SemiQon have signed an agreement to integrate SemiQon’s silicon-based quantum processing units into SDT’s precision measurement systems.
SemiQon’s processors, designed to work with existing semiconductor infrastructure, lower production costs and enhance scalability. These partnerships pave the way for more stable and cost-effective quantum systems, bringing their use closer to mainstream industries.
Quantum technologies aiding mobile networks
Telefonica Germany and AWS are exploring quantum applications in mobile networks. Their pilot project aims to optimise mobile tower placement, improve network security with quantum encryption, and prepare for future 6G networks.
Telefonica’s migration of millions of 5G users to AWS cloud infrastructure demonstrates how combining quantum and cloud technologies can enhance network efficiency. The project highlights the growing impact of quantum computing on telecommunications.
Addressing emerging risks
Chinese researchers at Shanghai University have exposed the potential threats quantum computing poses to existing encryption standards. Using a D-Wave quantum computer, they breached algorithms critical to modern cryptographic systems, including AES-256, commonly used for securing cryptocurrency wallets.
Although current quantum hardware faces environmental and technical limitations, researchers stress the urgent need for quantum-resistant cryptography. New encryption methods are essential to safeguard digital systems against future quantum-based vulnerabilities.
Quantum computing promises revolutionary capabilities but must overcome significant challenges in scaling and stability. Its progress depends on interdisciplinary collaboration in physics, engineering, and economics. While AI thrives on rapid commercial investment, quantum technology requires long-term support to fulfil its transformative potential.
As Germany prepares for national elections on February 23, political parties are outlining their tech policy priorities, including digitalisation, AI, and platform regulation. Here’s where the leading parties stand as they finalise their programs ahead of the vote.
The centre-right CDU, currently leading in polls with 33%, proposes creating a dedicated Digital Ministry to streamline responsibilities under the Ministry of Transport. The party envisions broader use of AI and cloud technology in German industry while simplifying citizen interactions with authorities through digital accounts.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD, polling at 15%, focuses on reducing dependence on US and Chinese tech platforms by promoting European alternatives. The party also prioritises faster digitalisation of public administration and equitable rules for regulating AI and digital platforms, echoing EU-wide goals of tech sovereignty and security.
The Greens, with 14% support, highlight the role of AI in reducing administrative workloads amid labour shortages. They stress the need for greater interoperability across IT systems and call for an open-source strategy to modernise Germany’s digital infrastructure, warning that the country lags behind EU digitalisation targets.
The far-right AfD, projected to secure 17%, opposes EU platform regulations like the Digital Services Act and seeks to reverse Germany’s adoption of the NetzDG law. The party argues these measures infringe on free speech and calls for transparency in funding non-state actors and NGOs involved in shaping public opinion.
The parties’ contrasting visions set the stage for significant debates on the future of technology policy in Germany.
The European Investment Bank’s global arm, EIB Global, has granted a €43 million loan to Azerbaijan’s state-owned enterprise, AzInTelecom LLC, to develop a digital infrastructure for public administration. The funding will be used to construct two new state-of-the-art data centres offering cloud services and using green technologies.
That marks EIB Global’s first loan to Azerbaijan’s public sector. The project aims to improve the security, speed, and accessibility of government services while fostering innovation and creating skilled jobs. Expected to be completed by 2027, it will modernise public administration, contribute to sustainable economic growth, and support social progress in the country.
The initiative aligns with the European Union’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership and the Global Gateway strategy. These frameworks underscore the EU’s commitment to promoting digital transformation and sustainable development in the region.
By supporting this project, the EU aims to help Azerbaijan achieve greater innovation, transparency, and economic resilience, contributing to broader regional stability and progress goals.
The IEEE Lebanon Section and Rethinking Lebanon have formed a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 20 December 2024, aimed at empowering Lebanese youth and fostering technological innovation to support Lebanon’s socioeconomic development. This collaboration combines the expertise of IEEE Lebanon in capacity development, research, and technological advancement with the mission of Rethinking Lebanon to reshape the country’s future.
The partnership has several key objectives, including engaging youth through mentorship programs, hackathons, and collaborative challenges; conducting joint research on integrating technology into Lebanon’s economy and governance; advocating for sustainable development policies; organising forums, conferences, and workshops on innovation topics such as Smart Cities and digital transformation; and fostering community development by connecting IEEE members with policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts.
The partnership aligns with both organisations’ shared vision to inspire innovation and growth among Lebanese youth while enhancing the country’s global competitiveness. This collaboration provides a platform to rethink Lebanon’s potential and strengthen its role on the international stage. By working together, the IEEE Lebanon Section and Rethinking Lebanon aim to create impactful programs and initiatives to contribute to Lebanon’s long-term growth and success in the global economy.
Datastreams and Vietnam Post (VNPOST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20 December 2024, forming a strategic partnership focused on comprehensive data collaboration. The partnership aims to establish a data exchange to drive innovation in data-driven business models and develop platforms for VNPOST’s postal and logistics services.
VNPOST will manage internal project development, research data fabric technology applications, and analyse data exchange requirements. At the same time, Datastreams will provide expertise in data fabric technology, assist with implementation, and offer a project roadmap.
The following collaboration is expected to accelerate VNPOST’s digital transformation, and by 2026, VNPOST plans to build a data platform and data exchange with Datastreams, contributing to AI and data fabric technologies. Through this partnership, both companies seek to secure innovations, expand Datastreams’ technological presence, and contribute to the economy of Vietnam.
Venture funding in Europe may be headed for a flat year overall, but European AI startups are thriving, with AI companies receiving 25% of the region’s VC funding in 2024, totalling $13.7 billion. This marks a significant rise from 15% four years ago and has led to the creation of new unicorns like Poolside and Wayve. According to James Wise of Balderton Capital, breakthrough AI technology in Europe can now attract hundreds of millions, or even billions, of euros at the early stages, similar to the US.
The collective value of European AI companies has doubled in four years, reaching $508 billion, now making up nearly 15% of the region’s entire tech sector. While much of the funding still comes from outside Europe, especially the US, the local AI ecosystem is flourishing with a growing talent pool. In 2024, 349,000 people were employed by AI companies in Europe, a 168% increase since 2020, indicating a buoyant and increasingly productive sector.
Wise suggests that the rise of smaller, highly productive AI companies will be the future, with generative AI tools significantly boosting efficiency in various industries. This growing adoption of AI tools is likely to continue benefiting the European AI sector in the long run, even if the category becomes less distinct in the future.
Apple is closing in on a historic $4 trillion market valuation, driven by investor enthusiasm over its advancements in artificial intelligence and hopes for a surge in iPhone upgrades. Shares have surged 16% since November, adding $500 billion to its market cap, and positioning Apple ahead of rivals Nvidia and Microsoft in the race to this milestone. Analysts attribute the rally to expectations of a new “supercycle” in iPhone sales fueled by AI enhancements, despite modest revenue growth projections for the holiday season.
Apple’s integration of AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT across its devices and apps marks a strategic pivot in a market long dominated by Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta. Although iPhone demand remains muted, analysts forecast a rebound in 2025, as AI-powered features and broader availability drive renewed interest. Meanwhile, Apple’s premium valuation—its price-to-earnings ratio recently hit a three-year high of 33.5—has sparked mixed reactions among investors, with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway scaling back its holdings.
Despite challenges such as geopolitical risks and fluctuating market conditions, Apple’s approach to this milestone underscores its enduring dominance in the tech sector. Analysts and investors remain optimistic about the company’s ability to navigate near-term hurdles and leverage AI innovation to maintain its leadership in a competitive landscape.
Google has introduced Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental, an AI model designed for advanced reasoning, now available on its AI Studio platform. Billed as effective for multimodal understanding, coding, and complex problem-solving, it aims to enhance AI’s reasoning capabilities.
Unlike typical AI, reasoning models like Gemini fact-check themselves during response generation, improving accuracy but requiring more processing time. However, early testing shows mixed results, suggesting room for refinement in practical applications.
The rise of reasoning models reflects the industry’s search for new methods to optimise AI performance. While promising, challenges such as high computational costs and uncertain scalability remain points of debate.
China has enacted new regulations asserting state ownership over rare earth materials, critical for semiconductor production, with a rule effective from October 1. Additionally, on December 3, the Ministry of Commerce announced a ban on the export of dual-use items such as gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US. These moves are expected to impact industries reliant on these materials, especially solar cell production and semiconductor manufacturing.
As the world’s largest supplier of rare earths, China has long dominated the market due to its lax environmental regulations, which allow for large-scale extraction and refining. However, with many countries looking to reduce their dependency on China, the long-term effectiveness of these export restrictions may diminish. Nations like the US and Australia are expanding their rare earth production lines, and efforts to recycle rare earth materials are also gaining traction.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in replicating China’s refining capabilities, as many countries are limited by technical and environmental obstacles. Notably, the US has partnered with Australia’s Lynas Corporation to build a rare earth extraction facility, aiming to strengthen its supply chain.
The future of the rare earth market may shift toward the development of substitute materials, although creating viable replacements is a time-consuming process. In this ongoing battle, China has already secured patents for some high-performance materials that could serve as alternatives, indicating that the competition could soon turn to technological innovation and patent rights.
