Critical infrastructure Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Claude AI experiences temporary global outage

Anthropic’s AI chatbot, Claude, experienced a global outage, leaving users unable to access the platform. Visitors reported error messages indicating the system had broken down, though the company said it was working to resolve the issue.

The Claude API, used by other websites to integrate the chatbot, remained operational. Anthropic confirmed that the outage was limited to the Claude web interface and did not affect other integrations, emphasising that engineers were actively resolving the issue.

The outage, tracked by Down Detector, began around noon in the UK and affected users worldwide. Messages on the platform reassured users that Claude would return soon and that the problem had been identified and was being fixed.

The interruption comes at a sensitive time for Anthropic, as the company navigates heightened attention surrounding access to its Claude AI system. The situation unfolds amid broader discussions about the role of advanced AI tools in defence contexts, with industry players facing increasing scrutiny over their policies and partnerships.

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Claws become the new trend in local agentic AI

A new expression has entered the AI vocabulary, with ‘claws’ becoming the latest term to capture the industry’s imagination.

The term refers to a growing family of open-source personal assistants designed to run locally on consumer hardware, often on Apple’s compact Mac mini rather than on cloud-based servers.

These assistants can access calendars, email accounts, coding tools, browsers and external model APIs, enabling them to carry out complex digital tasks autonomously.

Interest increased after AI researcher Andrej Karpathy described his experiments with claws, prompting broader attention across online communities.

Many users have begun adopting the tools as lightweight agentic systems capable of handling real work, from scheduling meetings to writing software overnight by linking to models from providers such as OpenAI.

The name originated with Clawdbot, which was recently rebranded as OpenClaw and became a prominent example in Silicon Valley.

A wave of variants, including NanoClaw, ZeroClaw and IronClaw, has followed, marking a surge in locally run assistants that appeal to users seeking greater autonomy, privacy and experimentation.

Growing enthusiasm for claws highlights a wider shift towards agentic AI running directly on personal devices.

Whether these systems become mainstream or remain a niche developer trend, they show how quickly the AI landscape can evolve and how new concepts often spread long before they fully mature.

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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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Central bank in Russia cracks down on crypto-enabled pyramid schemes

Russia’s central bank reports that two-thirds of pyramid scheme operators use crypto, with funds sent to over 4,600 fraudster-controlled wallets in 2025. Authorities identified 7,087 online scams last year, most of which used crypto and money mules to collect illicit funds.

Officials highlighted that these schemes typically operate without physical offices, engaging victims via social media, chat apps, and phone calls. Nearly 1,500 firms offered fake crypto investments, and 84% of scammers used cryptocurrency to raise funds, up from 77% in 2024.

The central bank has blocked 21,500 web pages and social media posts linked to fraudulent operators.

The government is fast-tracking regulations, warning that only licensed firms can offer investments to Russian retail investors. Authorities plan to continue monitoring sophisticated online schemes and enhance public awareness to combat crypto-enabled fraud.

Crypto markets remain active, with Bitcoin trading at $66,566, up 3.8%, and Ethereum at $1,990, up more than 6% in the past 24 hours.

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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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Singapore and South Korea expand AI partnership

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung used the opening day of his state visit to Singapore to set out plans for deeper cooperation in emerging technologies and renewable energy.

He framed the partnership as a chance to build a future-oriented agenda shaped by a shared reliance on human capital rather than natural resources.

The visit precedes a summit with Lawrence Wong, their second meeting in four months following the upgrade of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Both governments want to broaden collaboration across AI, energy, the green transition and defence while maintaining strong trade and investment links.

Lee told Korean residents in Singapore that the strengthened partnership could guide relations for the next fifty years by opening new routes for collaboration across strategic sectors. He added that expanding cooperation would support wider regional stability and long-term technological development.

The programme also includes a meeting with Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attendance at AI Connect. This forum connects business leaders and entrepreneurs from both countries seeking opportunities in AI research and commercial innovation.

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OpenAI and Microsoft strengthen their long-term AI collaboration

Microsoft and OpenAI have reaffirmed their long-standing collaboration after new funding and partnerships raised speculation about their relationship.

Both firms stressed that recent announcements leave their original agreements intact, preserving a framework built on technical integration, trust and shared ambitions for AI development.

Microsoft’s exclusive licence to OpenAI’s intellectual property remains untouched, as does its position as the sole cloud provider for stateless APIs powering OpenAI models.

These APIs can be accessed through either company. Yet all such calls, including those arising from third-party partnerships such as OpenAI’s work with Amazon, continue to run on Azure rather than on alternative clouds. OpenAI’s own products, including Frontier, also stay hosted on Azure.

Revenue-sharing arrangements are unchanged, alongside the contractual definition and evaluation process for artificial general intelligence.

Both companies emphasised that the partnership was designed to allow independent initiatives while preserving deep cooperation across research, engineering and product innovation.

OpenAI retains the freedom to secure additional compute capacity elsewhere, supported by large-scale initiatives such as the Stargate project.

Even with broader collaborations emerging across the industry, both firms present their alliance as central to advancing responsible AI and expanding access to powerful tools worldwide.

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AI data centre planned for East Manchester

Latos Data Centres is preparing plans for a 28,000 sq ft data centre in Monsall, East Manchester, aimed at serving rising demand for AI computing. The scheme would occupy a three acre brownfield site at Bower Street and Ten Acres Lane in Manchester.

The East Manchester project is designed as a neural edge data centre, bringing AI processing closer to end users than traditional cloud facilities. Latos said the Manchester development would form part of a broader plan to deliver 30 UK sites by 2030.

A live consultation in Manchester will run until 16 March, with Create Architecture leading the design. Advisers on the Manchester scheme include Euan Kellie Property Solutions on planning and SK Transport Planning on transport matters.

Latos said the Manchester facility would regenerate a vacant industrial plot and operate to high environmental and safety standards. The developer is also delivering a separate data centre in Tees Valley as it expands its AI-focused portfolio across the UK.

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Action-capable AI highlights new security challenges

AI agents are evolving from demos into autonomous tools, with OpenClaw emerging as a leading example. Unlike chatbots, these agents execute tasks directly, interacting with software and systems without constant human input.

The rise of action-capable AI introduces new security challenges. Agents can be manipulated through untrusted input or prompt injection. Persistent memory can also prolong mistakes or unintended behaviour.

The combination of access to sensitive data, external actions, and unverified content, sometimes called the ‘lethal trifecta’, amplifies risks, making careful configuration and oversight essential.

Self-hosted agents offer more control, while cloud-based versions simplify setup but shift security responsibility. Experts recommend running agents in isolated environments, limiting permissions, and requiring approval for sensitive actions.

These precautions reduce the chance of accidental or malicious harm while allowing users to experiment safely.

OpenClaw illustrates the potential of AI agents to automate workflows, handle repetitive tasks, and act proactively rather than passively advising. These tools show the future of consumer AI, but broader adoption requires stronger safety measures and awareness of risks.

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