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AI boom strains global memory chip supply

Gadget makers face rising costs as AI drives intense demand for memory chips. Supplies of DRAM and storage components have tightened across global markets.

Manufacturers have shifted production towards AI data centres, squeezing availability for consumer devices. Analysts warn the memory shortage could extend well into next year.

Higher prices are already affecting laptops, smartphones and connected devices. Some companies are redesigning products or limiting features to manage the costs of chip components.

Industry experts say engineers are writing leaner software to reduce memory use. The AI surge is marking the end of an era of cheap and abundant memory.

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AI-generated images raise consent concerns in the UK

UK lawmaker Jess Asato said an AI-altered image depicting her in a bikini circulated online. The incident follows wider reports of sexualised deepfake abuse targeting women on social media.

Platforms hosted thousands of comments, including further manipulated images, heightening distress. Victims describe the content as realistic, dehumanising and violating personal consent.

Government ministers of the UK pledged to ban nudification tools and criminalise non-consensual intimate images. Technology firms face pressure to remove content, suspend accounts, and follow Ofcom guidance to maintain a safe online environment.

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Government IT vulnerabilities revealed by UK public sector cyberattack

A UK public sector cyberattack on Kensington and Chelsea Council has exposed the growing vulnerability of government organisations to data breaches. The council stated that personal details linked to hundreds of thousands of residents may have been compromised after attackers targeted the shared IT infrastructure.

Security experts warn that interconnected systems, while cost-efficient, create systemic risks. Dray Agha, senior manager of security operations at Huntress, said a single breach can quickly spread across partner organisations, disrupting essential services and exposing sensitive information.

Public sector bodies remain attractive targets due to ageing infrastructure and the volume of personal data they hold. Records such as names, addresses, national ID numbers, health information, and login credentials can be exploited for fraud, identity theft, and large-scale scams.

Gregg Hardie, public sector regional vice president at SailPoint, noted that attackers often employ simple, high-volume tactics rather than sophisticated techniques. Compromised credentials allow criminals to blend into regular activity and remain undetected for long periods before launching disruptive attacks.

Hardie said stronger identity security and continuous monitoring are essential to prevent minor intrusions from escalating. Investing in resilient, segmented systems could help reduce the impact of future UK public sector cyberattack incidents and protect critical operations.

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One-click vulnerability in Telegram bypasses VPN and proxy protection

A newly identified vulnerability in Telegram’s mobile apps allows attackers to reveal users’ real IP addresses with a single click. The flaw, known as a ‘one-click IP leak’, can expose location and network details even when VPNs or proxies are enabled.

The issue comes from Telegram’s automatic proxy testing process. When a user clicks a disguised proxy link, the app initiates a direct connection request that bypasses all privacy protections and reveals the device’s real IP address.

Cybersecurity researcher @0x6rss demonstrated an attack on X, showing that a single click is enough to log a victim’s real IP address. The request behaves similarly to known Windows NTLM leaks, where background authentication attempts expose identifying information without explicit user consent.

Attackers can embed malicious proxy links in chats or channels, masking them as standard usernames. Once clicked, Telegram silently runs the proxy test, bypasses VPN or SOCKS5 protections, and sends the device’s real IP address to the attacker’s server, enabling tracking, surveillance, or doxxing.

Both Android and iOS versions are affected, putting millions of privacy-focused users at risk. Researchers recommend avoiding unknown links, turning off automatic proxy detection where possible, and using firewall tools to block outbound proxy tests. Telegram has not publicly confirmed a fix.

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OpenAI and SoftBank back a $1 billion AI data centre energy partnership

SoftBank Group and OpenAI announced a strategic partnership with SB Energy, involving a combined investment of $1 billion to support the development of large-scale AI data centres and energy infrastructure in the US.

The agreement forms part of the broader Stargate initiative, which aims to expand domestic AI computing capacity.

As part of the arrangement, OpenAI signed a lease for a 1.2 gigawatt data centre project in Milam County, Texas, with SB Energy selected to develop and operate the facility.

The partners stated that the project is designed to support the rising demand for AI computing while minimising water usage and enhancing local energy supply.

SB Energy also secured an additional $800 million in redeemable preferred equity from Ares, strengthening its financial position for further expansion.

The companies stated that the collaboration is expected to generate construction employment, long-term operational roles and investment in grid modernisation, while establishing a scalable model for future AI-focused data centre developments.

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Global AI adoption reaches record levels in 2025

Global adoption of generative AI continued to rise in the second half of 2025, reaching 16.3 percent of the world’s population. Around one in six people now use AI tools for work, learning, and problem-solving, marking rapid progress for a technology still in its early years.

Adoption remains uneven, with the Global North growing nearly twice as fast as the Global South. Countries with early investments in digital infrastructure and AI policies, including the UAE, Singapore, and South Korea, lead the way.

South Korea saw the most significant gain, rising seven spots globally due to government initiatives, improved Korean-language models, and viral consumer trends.

The UAE maintains its lead, benefiting from years of foresight, including early AI strategy, dedicated ministries, and regulatory frameworks that foster trust and widespread usage.

Meanwhile, open-source platforms such as DeepSeek are expanding access in underserved markets, including Africa, China, and Iran, lowering financial and technical barriers for millions of new users.

While AI adoption grows globally, disparities persist. Policymakers and developers face the challenge of ensuring that the next wave of AI users benefits broader communities, narrowing divides rather than deepening them.

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AI sovereignty test in South Korea reaches a critical phase

South Korea’s flagship AI foundation model project has entered a decisive phase after accusations that leading participants relied on foreign open source components instead of building systems entirely independently.

The controversy has reignited debate over how ‘from scratch’ development should be defined within government-backed AI initiatives aimed at strengthening national sovereignty.

Scrutiny has focused on Naver Cloud after developers identified near-identical similarities between its vision encoder and models released by Alibaba, alongside disclosures that audio components drew on OpenAI technology.

The dispute now sits with the Ministry of Science and ICT, which must determine whether independence applies only to a model’s core or extends to all major components.

An outcome that is expected to shape South Korea’s AI strategy by balancing deeper self-reliance against the realities of global open-source ecosystems.

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AI could optimise power grids and reduce energy waste

AI could help make power grids cleaner and more efficient while reducing energy waste, even as data centres powering generative models consume increasing amounts of electricity. Researchers are exploring ways to balance these demands with optimisation techniques.

Accurate predictions of renewable energy availability using AI can help grid operators integrate solar and wind power more effectively. AI can solve complex optimisation problems, quickly and accurately managing power generation, battery use, and flexible loads.

Beyond real-time operations, AI can enhance grid planning and predictive maintenance, identifying potential faults before they lead to outages.

Application-specific AI models can support decarbonisation strategies and enable the integration of more renewable energy while keeping energy costs and environmental impacts in check.

Experts caution that not all AI development in the energy sector is equally beneficial. Large, general-purpose models are highly resource-intensive, whereas smaller, targeted models offer measurable advantages in terms of grid efficiency and sustainability.

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Portugal government backs AI with €400 million plan

Portugal has announced a €400 million investment in AI over the period 2026-2030, primarily funded by European programmes. The National Artificial Intelligence Agenda (ANIA) and its Action Plan (PAANIA) aim to strengthen Portugal’s position in AI research, industry, and innovation.

The government predicts AI could boost the country’s GDP by €18-22 billion in the next decade. Officials highlight Portugal’s growing technical talent pool, strong universities and research centres, renewable energy infrastructure, and a dynamic start-up ecosystem as key advantages.

Key projects include establishing AI gigafactories and supercomputing facilities to support research, SMEs, and start-ups, alongside a National Data Centre Plan aimed to simplifying licensing and accelerating the sector.

Early investments of €10 million target AI applications in public administration, with a total of €25 million planned.

Sectoral AI Centres will focus on healthcare and industrial robotics, leveraging AI to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and support productivity, competitiveness, and the creation of skilled jobs.

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Amazon makes Alexa+ available in web browsers

Growing demand for AI assistants has pushed Amazon to open access to Alexa+ through a web browser for the first time.

Early-access users in the US and Canada can now sign in through Alexa.com, allowing interaction with the service without relying solely on Echo devices or the mobile app.

Amazon has positioned the move as part of a broader effort to keep pace with rivals such as OpenAI, Google and Anthropic in the generative AI space.

Alexa+ is designed to operate as an intelligent personal assistant instead of a simple voice tool. Users can manage travel bookings, restaurant reservations, home automation and weekly meal planning while maintaining personalised preferences and chat history across devices.

Prime subscribers will eventually receive the paid service at no extra charge, and Amazon says tens of millions already have access.

Amazon expects availability to expand over time as the company places greater emphasis on AI-driven consumer services. Web-based access marks an effort to ensure the assistant is reachable wherever users connect, rather than being tied only to Amazon hardware.

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