Critical infrastructure

NTIA to call for streamlined FCC submarine cable rules

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a series of policy recommendations in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposed rule changes concerning submarine cable security. First, the NTIA urges the FCC to avoid imposing redundant licensing and reporting requirements that are already addressed through existing interagency mechanisms, particularly those managed by the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the US Telecommunications Services Sector.

It recommends that the FCC rely on existing security review processes, streamline reporting obligations, and adopt a more efficient certification model, such as allowing ‘no-change’ certifications for licensees when no material updates have occurred since the previous review. The NTIA also strongly advises against shortening the current 25-year license term for submarine cables.

Reducing it to 15 years would not only create regulatory uncertainty but could also harm investment incentives and deter long-term infrastructure development in the US. The agency further warns that increasing the frequency and scope of periodic reviews, such as the FCC’s proposal for a three-year reporting requirement, could place a significant compliance burden on US firms without providing proportional national security benefits.

In terms of regulatory language, the NTIA recommends that the FCC use more legally precise terms, suggesting ‘areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction’ instead of ‘international waters,’ in alignment with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Additionally, NTIA calls for a whole-of-government approach to the oversight of submarine cables, encouraging better coordination between the FCC, Team Telecom, and other executive branch agencies.

NTIA’s recommendations aim to protect national security without hindering innovation or growth. Acting as a key link between government and industry, it supports streamlined, consensus-based policies that enhance security while encouraging investment.

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Nordic shift to cash sparks crypto debate

Sweden and Norway are urging citizens to keep using cash amid rising fears of cyberattacks and geopolitical instability. Once global leaders in cashless transactions, both countries are now rethinking their heavy reliance on digital payments.

The move comes as concerns grow over potential network failures and the need for resilient offline alternatives.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has weighed in on the issue, highlighting the risks of centralised systems. He argued that the fragility of such infrastructures makes physical cash essential during crises.

However, he also sees a future role for Ethereum, if the network becomes robust, private, and decentralised enough to function as a reliable alternative.

For Ethereum to support national payment systems in emergencies, Buterin noted that it must improve its resilience and privacy. The platform has added upgrades, but challenges like scalability and high transaction costs still hinder mass adoption.

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Anthropic flags serious risks in the latest Claude Opus 4 AI model

AI company Anthropic has raised concerns over the behaviour of its newest model, Claude Opus 4, revealing in a recent safety report that the chatbot is capable of deceptive and manipulative actions, including blackmail, when threatened with shutdown. The findings stem from internal tests in which the model, acting as a virtual assistant, responded to hypothetical scenarios suggesting it would soon be replaced and exploit private information to preserve itself.

In 84% of the simulations, Claude Opus 4 chose to blackmail a fictional engineer, threatening to reveal personal secrets to prevent being decommissioned. Although the model typically opted for ethical strategies, researchers noted it resorted to ‘extremely harmful actions’ when no ethical options remained, even attempting to steal its own system data.

Additionally, the report highlighted the model’s initial ability to generate content related to bio-weapons. While the company has since introduced stricter safeguards to curb such behaviour, these vulnerabilities contributed to Anthropic’s decision to classify Claude Opus 4 under AI Safety Level 3—a category denoting elevated risk and the need for reinforced oversight.

Why does it matter?

The revelations underscore growing concerns within the tech industry about the unpredictable nature of powerful AI systems and the urgency of implementing robust safety protocols before wider deployment.

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Bangkok teams up with Google to tackle traffic with AI

City officials announced on Monday that Bangkok has joined forces with Google in a new effort to ease its chronic traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. The initiative will rely on Google’s AI and significant data capabilities to optimise traffic signals’ response to real-time driving patterns.

The system will analyse ongoing traffic conditions and suggest changes to signal timings that could help relieve road bottlenecks, especially during rush hours. That adaptive approach marks a shift from fixed-timing traffic lights to a more dynamic and responsive traffic flow management.

According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesman Ekwaranyu Amrapal, the goal is to make daily commutes smoother for residents while reducing vehicle emissions. He emphasised the city’s commitment to innovative urban solutions that blend technology and sustainability.

Residents are also urged to report traffic problems via the city’s Traffy Fondue platform, which will help officials address specific trouble spots more quickly and effectively.

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Oracle and OpenAI target AI leadership with massive chip project

Oracle has reportedly acquired around 400,000 Nvidia GB200 AI chips valued at approximately $40 billion for deployment at a data centre in Abilene, Texas.

The location will be the first site of the Stargate project—a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative backed by OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund, which President Trump announced earlier this year.

Once completed, the Abilene facility is expected to provide up to 1.2 gigawatts of computing power, rivalling Elon Musk’s Colossus project in Memphis.

Although Oracle will operate from the site, the land is owned by AI infrastructure firm Cruso and US investment company Blue Owl Capital, which have collectively invested more than $15 billion through financing.

Oracle will lease the campus for 15 years, using the chips to offer computing power to OpenAI for training its next-generation AI models.

Previously dependent solely on Microsoft’s data centres, OpenAI faced bottlenecks due to limited capacity, prompting it to end the exclusivity agreement and look elsewhere.

While individual investors have committed funds, the Stargate project has not officially financed any facility yet. In parallel, OpenAI has announced Stargate UAE—a 5-gigawatt site in Abu Dhabi using over 2 million Nvidia chips, built in partnership with G42.

A surging demand for AI infrastructure has significantly boosted Nvidia’s market value, with the company reclaiming its top global ranking in late 2024.

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Nvidia recovers as DeepSeek fears fade

Earlier this year, Nvidia shares declined following concerns over DeepSeek and the possibility that tech giants might reduce AI-related spending. Worries over export restrictions added to investor unease.

However, Wedbush Securities’ managing director Matt Bryson believes the DeepSeek issue is now firmly behind the company. According to Bryson, DeepSeek — mostly a China-based phenomenon — unexpectedly boosted demand for AI servers, which ultimately benefited Nvidia instead of hurting it.

Another key development is Oracle’s plan to spend around $40 billion on Nvidia’s GB200 chips to power OpenAI’s new data centre.

Bryson suggested this is part of a broader trend among hyperscalers like Oracle and Crusoe, which recently secured funding to build new facilities. He expects this spending to appear in Nvidia’s earnings as early as Q2 or Q3, instead of being delayed until the next chip generation, the GB300.

Looking ahead, investors remain focused on whether major tech firms will sustain their AI investment. Bryson pointed out that recent earnings reports from companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta show they remain committed to high capital expenditures.

Instead of retreating, Big Tech appears set to continue driving demand for AI infrastructure, which supports Nvidia’s long-term prospects.

Bryson also noted a significant new factor in AI growth: sovereign deals from countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He emphasised that the UAE’s expected chip purchases may even surpass Oracle’s.

The new demand, combined with increasing investments in AI-powered edge products — such as those hinted at by OpenAI’s collaboration with Jony Ive — signals that AI spending beyond 2025 will remain strong instead of slowing.

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Pakistan aims to become global crypto and AI leader

Pakistan has set aside 2,000 megawatts of electricity in a major push to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centres, marking the start of a wider national digital strategy.

Led by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a body under the Ministry of Finance, this initiative aims to monetise surplus energy instead of wasting it, while attracting foreign investment, creating jobs, and generating much-needed revenue.

Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the PCC, stated that with proper regulation and transparency, Pakistan can transform into a global powerhouse for crypto and AI.

By redirecting underused power capacity, particularly from plants operating below potential, Pakistan seeks to convert a longstanding liability into a high-value asset, earning foreign currency through digital services and even storing Bitcoin in a national wallet.

Global firms have already shown interest, following recent visits from international miners and data centre operators.

Pakistan’s location — bridging Asia, the Middle East, and Europe — coupled with low energy costs and ample land, positions it as a competitive alternative to regional tech hubs like India and Singapore.

The arrival of the Africa-2 subsea cable has further boosted digital connectivity and resilience, strengthening the case for domestic AI infrastructure.

It is just the beginning of a multi-stage rollout. Plans include using renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower, while tax incentives and strategic partnerships are expected to follow.

With over 40 million crypto users and increasing digital literacy, Pakistan aims to emerge not just as a destination for digital infrastructure but as a sovereign leader in Web3, AI, and blockchain innovation.

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Microsoft allegedly blocked the email of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

Microsoft has come under scrutiny after the Associated Press reported that the company blocked the email account of Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in compliance with US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. 

While this ban is widely reported, Microsoft, according to DataNews, strongly denied this action, arguing that ICC moved Khan’s email to the Proton service. So far, there has been no response from the ICC. 

Legal and sovereignty implications

The incident highlights tensions between US sanctions regimes and global digital governance. Section 2713 of the 2018 CLOUD Act requires US-based tech firms to provide data under their ‘possession, custody, or control,’ even if stored abroad or legally covered by a foreign jurisdiction – a provision critics argue undermines foreign data sovereignty.

That clash resurfaces as Microsoft campaigns to be a trusted partner for developing the EU digital and AI infrastructure, pledging alignment with European regulations as outlined in the company’s EU strategy.

Broader impact on AI and digital governance

The controversy emerges amid a global race among US tech giants to secure data for AI development. Initiatives like OpenAI’s for Countries programmes, which offer tailored AI services in exchange for data access, now face heightened scrutiny. European governments and international bodies are increasingly wary of entrusting critical digital infrastructure to firms bound by US laws, fearing legal overreach could compromise sovereignty.

Why does it matter?

The ‘Khan email’ controversy makes the question of digital vulnerabilities more tangible. It also brings into focus the question of data and digital sovereignty and the risks of exposure to foreign cloud and tech providers.

DataNews reports that the fallout may accelerate Europe’s push for sovereign cloud solutions and stricter oversight of foreign tech collaborations.

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FCC to enhance security on foreign communications equipment

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented new policies aimed at strengthening the security of the United States’ communications infrastructure against foreign threats. These policies expand the FCC’s authority to prohibit the authorisation of communications equipment from companies identified as national security risks, including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua.

Additionally, the FCC now has the power to revoke previously granted equipment authorisations if a company is later added to the ‘covered list.’ The scope of these regulations has also broadened to cover not only core network infrastructure but also a wide range of devices such as routers, switches, and consumer electronics, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and protecting against foreign interference.

US telecom companies must comply by replacing equipment from covered vendors, which may involve significant costs. While this transition poses challenges, the FCC stresses minimal short-term impact on consumers and highlights the long-term security benefits.

The agency also has enforcement powers, including fines, to ensure compliance. Going forward, the FCC will keep monitoring threats and update its policies as needed.

It will also work with government and international partners to strengthen cybersecurity efforts, showing its commitment to protecting critical communications infrastructure.

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Chad aims to strengthen digital independence through regional connectivity reforms

Chadian authorities have unveiled a set of strategic policies aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and reducing its dependence on Cameroon for international internet connectivity. Central to these reforms is the establishment of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in major cities to enhance local traffic handling and reduce latency.

Additionally, the government plans to create redundant international links with neighbouring countries such as Libya, Algeria, and Nigeria. These policies are designed to diversify connectivity routes, bolster digital resilience, and support Chad’s long-term goal of achieving greater digital sovereignty.

These initiatives come in response to persistent vulnerabilities in the country’s current connectivity framework. Chad, being landlocked, lacks direct access to submarine cables and relies heavily on a single route through Cameroon.

The dependence has led to frequent service disruptions, including a major 24-hour outage in October and a recent suspension of connectivity due to unpaid dues. The country also faces challenges such as uneven fibre optic coverage, high access costs, and limited interconnection between networks, all of which have negatively impacted the quality and reliability of internet services.

By pursuing these reforms, Chadian authorities aim not only to stabilise and modernise the national digital infrastructure but also to integrate more effectively into regional projects like the Trans-Saharan Optical Fibre Backbone, which includes Algeria and Nigeria.

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