Microsoft has taken legal action against a group accused of bypassing security measures in its Azure OpenAI Service. A lawsuit filed in December alleges that the unnamed defendants stole customer API keys to gain unauthorised access and generate content that violated Microsoft’s policies. The company claims the group used stolen credentials to develop hacking tools, including software named de3u, which allowed users to exploit OpenAI’s DALL-E image generator while evading content moderation filters.
An investigation found that the stolen API keys were used to operate an illicit hacking service. Microsoft alleges the group engaged in systematic credential theft, using custom-built software to process and route unauthorised requests through its cloud AI platform. The company has also taken steps to dismantle the group’s technical infrastructure, including seizing a website linked to the operation.
Court-authorised actions have enabled Microsoft to gather further evidence and disrupt the scheme. The company says additional security measures have been implemented to prevent similar breaches, though specific details were not disclosed. While the case unfolds, Microsoft remains focused on strengthening its AI security protocols.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an ambitious plan to position the UK as a global leader in AI. In a speech on Monday, Starmer outlined proposals to establish specialised zones for data centres and incentivise technology-focused education, aiming to boost economic growth and innovation. According to the government, fully adopting AI could increase productivity by 1.5% annually, adding £47 billion ($57 billion) to the economy each year over the next decade.
Central to the plan is the adoption of recommendations from the “AI Opportunities Action Plan,” authored by venture capitalist Matt Clifford. Measures include fast-tracking planning permissions for data centres and ensuring energy connections, with the first such centre to be built in Culham, Oxfordshire. Starmer emphasised the potential for AI to create jobs, attract investment, and improve lives by streamlining processes like planning consultations and reducing administrative burdens for teachers.
The UK, currently the third-largest AI market behind the US and China, faces stiff global competition in establishing itself as an AI hub. While Starmer pledged swift action to maintain competitiveness, challenges persist. The Labour government’s recent high-tax budget has dampened some business confidence, and the Bank of England reported stagnation in economic growth last quarter. However, Starmer remains optimistic, declaring, “We must move fast and take action.”
By integrating AI into its economic strategy, the UK hopes to capitalise on technological advancements, balancing innovation with regulatory oversight in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, and Google Cloud have partnered to launch a pioneering open network for agriculture, powered by Google’s Gemini and enabled by the Beckn Protocol. The initiative will provide millions of farmers with seamless access to essential services, including advisory, credit, mechanisation, and market linkages, all through a single platform.
The network is designed to be open and decentralised, allowing any service provider—from input suppliers to financial institutions and government agencies—to connect with farmers. Google’s Gemini framework facilitates easy access by enabling voice command interactions in multiple languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Punjabi, with more languages to be added in the future.
The Beckn Protocol ensures interoperability and decentralisation, making the network an innovative alternative to traditional, closed-market systems. It encourages the development of customised solutions, fostering competition and innovation within the agricultural ecosystem.
The open network is part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader vision to digitise agriculture, double farmers’ incomes, and bridge the digital divide using AI technologies. The initiative also serves as a model for other regions, demonstrating how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can transform agriculture on a large scale.
The Uttar Pradesh government aims to empower farmers with the tools and resources they need to thrive in the 21st century. By leveraging the Beckn Protocol and Google Cloud’s DPI-in-a-box solution, the network enables the decentralised exchange of value, making agri-commerce and advisory services more accessible. Through this collaboration, Uttar Pradesh seeks to accelerate progress in agriculture while fostering innovation and enhancing its farming community’s economic and social impact.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a $11 billion investment to build new data centres in Georgia, aiming to support the growing demand for cloud computing and AI technologies. The facilities, located in Butts and Douglas counties, are expected to create at least 550 high-skilled jobs and position Georgia as a leader in digital innovation.
The move highlights a broader trend among tech giants investing heavily in AI-driven advancements. Last week, Microsoft revealed an $80 billion plan for fiscal 2025 to expand data centres for AI training and cloud applications. These facilities are critical for supporting resource-intensive AI technologies like machine learning and generative models, which require vast computational power and specialised infrastructure.
The surge in AI infrastructure has also raised concerns about energy consumption. A report from the Electric Power Research Institute suggests data centres could account for up to 9% of US electricity usage by 2030. To address this, Amazon has secured energy supply agreements with utilities like Talen Energy in Pennsylvania and Entergy in Mississippi, ensuring reliable power for its expanding operations.
Amazon’s commitment underscores the growing importance of AI and cloud services, as companies race to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Israeli cybersecurity companies raised $4 billion in 2024, more than doubling the previous year’s total, according to venture capital firm YL Ventures. The sector, a key driver of Israel’s economy, saw strong investment growth despite geopolitical challenges. Cloud security and AI played a significant role in attracting funding, with early-stage startups securing $400 million across 50 seed rounds.
Investment in later-stage cybersecurity firms also surged, with growth-stage funding rounds raising $2.9 billion—an increase of 300% from 2023. The expansion reflects growing global confidence in Israel’s cybersecurity industry, which is increasingly recognised as a leader in the field. YL Ventures highlighted the role of Israeli military intelligence units in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that strengthens the sector.
The ongoing war following Hamas’s October 2023 attack has added pressure on tech founders, many of whom have been called into military service. Industry leaders have had to navigate operational challenges while maintaining business continuity. Looking ahead to 2025, venture capital firms anticipate continued investment growth, particularly in early and mid-stage funding rounds, as cybersecurity remains a global priority.
Microsoft will invest $3 billion to expand AI and cloud-computing infrastructure in India, CEO Satya Nadella announced during a conference in Bengaluru. The investment, the company’s largest expansion in the country, aims to strengthen its Azure cloud services and AI capabilities. Nadella also revealed plans to train 10 million people in AI by 2030, building on an earlier commitment to provide AI skilling opportunities for two million individuals by 2025, with a focus on smaller cities and rural areas.
India’s growing importance as a tech hub has attracted interest from major US technology firms, with recent visits from Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Meta’s chief AI scientist Yann LeCun. Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss technology, innovation, and Microsoft‘s ambitious plans for expansion in the country. India’s vast population and affordable internet access make it a key market for AI-driven growth.
Microsoft is making significant global investments in AI and cloud infrastructure, committing around $80 billion in fiscal 2025. More than half of that will be directed towards US data centers to support AI model training and cloud-based applications. With India positioned as a strategic market, Microsoft’s latest investment underscores the country’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem.
Goodman Group has emerged as a standout performer in Australia’s real estate sector this year, with its stock soaring 45.8%, marking its strongest run since 2006. The surge is driven by a boom in AI, which has sparked frenzied demand for data centres. Global tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have poured billions into expanding their data centre capacity, fueling growth for developers like Goodman.
At the end of September, 42% of Goodman’s A$12.8 billion ($7.96 billion) development portfolio was dedicated to data centres, a jump from 37% last year. Analysts like John Lockton of Sandstone Insights see this focus as a key strength, noting the company’s access to land with power supply, a critical factor for future data-centre projects.
Despite the optimism, some caution remains. Analysts warn that soaring valuations in the data-centre sector could cool investor enthusiasm. Goodman’s high stock prices and concerns over risks like obsolescence and increased competition raise questions about long-term returns. Nonetheless, with robust demand for AI infrastructure, Goodman’s pipeline and strategic positioning keep it well-poised for continued growth.
China Mobile International (CMI) and Telecom Egypt have forged a strategic commercial partnership to address the growing global demand for data and enhance global connectivity. By leveraging their subsea cable infrastructure, the collaboration aims to meet the surging need for high-bandwidth applications like video streaming, cloud computing, and remote work solutions.
With global internet traffic projected to reach 396 exabytes per month by 2025 and a 23% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sectors like e-commerce, finance, and telemedicine through 2030, the partnership focuses on expanding network routes to improve diversity and resiliency. That will ensure more reliable services and seamless connectivity for businesses and consumers worldwide.
Additionally, CMI’s advanced digital solutions, combined with Telecom Egypt’s extensive infrastructure, will offer enterprises tailored DICT (digital, information, communication, and technology) solutions, empowering them to drive digital transformation and remain competitive in the evolving market. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of the digital economy and create greater economic and societal value.
By enhancing infrastructure and expanding global reach, CMI and Telecom Egypt are positioned to lead the digital services market, providing innovative solutions supporting business growth and international consumers’ evolving needs. The partnership strengthens their ability to serve businesses in Egypt and the surrounding regions and contributes to broader economic growth through enhanced connectivity and digital transformation.
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.
Stc Bahrain has partnered with Huawei to launch the fourth edition of its successful Technical Capacity Program, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 to foster digital innovation and talent development. The program aims to advance Bahrain’s digital economy by providing extensive training in critical ICT sectors, including networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, and emerging technologies.
Participants will gain hands-on experience through technology showcases, engaging with the latest industry advancements and best practices. This year, the program will expand across stc Bahrain’s entire technology divisions, including Digital, Business, Wholesale, Consumer, and Customer Experience, reflecting the company’s commitment to empowering its workforce and driving the country’s digital transformation.
The initiative plays a key role in stc Bahrain’s broader digital transformation strategy by equipping employees with the skills necessary to innovate and lead in the telecommunications sector. The program is vital for nurturing a culture of continuous learning and talent development.
Through this collaboration, stc Bahrain is contributing to developing a highly skilled ICT workforce in Bahrain and supporting the kingdom’s goal of achieving sustainable economic growth and leadership in the digital space.
