Critical infrastructure

Apple pledges $100 billion more to boost US chip production

Apple is increasing its domestic investment by an additional $100 billion, bringing its total commitment to US manufacturing to $600 billion over the next four years.

The announcement was made by CEO Tim Cook during a joint appearance with President Donald Trump at the White House, as the administration signals plans to impose steep tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors.

The investment includes a new American Manufacturing Program aimed at expanding US production of key Apple components, such as AI servers and rare earth magnets. Facilities are already under development in states including Texas, Kentucky, and Arizona.

Apple says the initiative will support 450,000 jobs across all 50 states and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.

Apple’s expanded spending arrives amid criticism of its slow progress in AI. With its ‘Apple Intelligence’ software struggling for traction, and the recent departure of foundation model head Rouming Pang to Meta, the company is now shifting focus.

Cook confirmed that investment in AI infrastructure is accelerating, with data centres expanding in five states.

While Apple’s move has drawn praise for supporting American jobs, it has also stirred controversy. Some users expressed discontent with Cook’s public alignment with Trump, despite the strategic importance of avoiding tariffs.

Trump stated that companies investing in the US would not face the proposed import charges.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

United Airlines grounds mainline flights amid tech glitch

An unexpected technical issue led United Airlines to temporarily ground all its mainline flights across key US airports. The disruption affected hundreds of departures, notably at hubs like Newark, San Francisco and Denver.

United Express flights remained unaffected, and in‑air services continued as planned. The airline reassured customers that safety was the top priority while staff worked to restore systems.

So far around 827 flights have been delayed and 23 cancelled. United confirmed that a cyberattack was not to blame for the outage.

Passengers reported delayed departures due to missing system data needed for take‑off. The airline noted delays may persist into the evening as technical fixes are completed

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

US court system suffers sweeping cyber intrusion

A sweeping cyberattack has compromised the federal court filing system across multiple US states, exposing sensitive case data and informant identities. The breach affects core systems used by legal professionals and the public.

Sources say the Administrative Office of the US Courts first realised the scale of the hack in early July, with authorities still assessing the damage. Nation-state-linked actors or organised crime are suspected.

Critical systems like CM/ECF and PACER were impacted, raising fears over sealed indictments, search warrants and cooperation records now exposed. A dozen dockets were reportedly tampered with in at least one district.

Calls to modernise the ageing court infrastructure have intensified, with officials warning of rising cyber threats and the urgent need for system replacements.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

South Korean chipmakers avoid US tariffs through domestic investments

South Korea’s Trade Minister said Samsung and SK Hynix will avoid the 100% US tariffs on semiconductor imports. The exemption follows both companies’ significant investments in US chip manufacturing facilities.

Trump had warned that countries failing to produce semiconductors domestically would incur steep tariffs but offered relief for those building factories in the US.

Samsung operates two chip fabrication plants in Texas, supported by the CHIPS and Science Act. Meanwhile, SK Hynix is building a packaging plant in Indiana with government grants and loans.

Samsung’s partnership with Apple will see chips manufactured at its Texas facility supply the iPhone line, particularly image sensors for next-generation models. Analysts expect this collaboration to boost Samsung’s semiconductor sales.

Apple also announced plans to invest an additional $100 billion in US operations over the next four years, highlighting the growing importance of domestic chip production.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

US agencies to adopt ChatGPT to modernise government operations

The US government has finalised a deal with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT Enterprise across all federal agencies. Each agency will access ChatGPT for $1 to support AI adoption and modernise operations.

According to the General Services Administration, the move aligns with the White House’s AI Action Plan, which aims to make the US a global leader in AI development. The plan promotes AI integration, innovation, and regulation across public institutions.

However, privacy advocates and cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over the risks of centralised AI in government. Critics cite the potential for mass surveillance, narrative control, and sensitive data exposure.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has cautioned users that AI conversations are not protected under privacy laws and could be used in legal proceedings. Storing data on centralised servers via large language models raises concerns over civil liberties and government overreach.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Security flaw in Dell models affects millions

Millions of Dell laptops faced a serious security risk due to a flaw in a Broadcom chip used for storing sensitive data. Cisco Talos researchers uncovered the vulnerability, which could have allowed attackers to steal passwords and monitor activity.

Dell confirmed over 100 laptop models were impacted, especially those with its ‘ControlVault’ security software used in sensitive industries. A fix has been issued through security patches since March.

No evidence suggests the flaw was exploited, but experts warn users to install updates promptly to avoid exposure. The issue highlights the risks of storing biometrics and credentials directly on devices.

Users are advised to keep security patches current and use reliable antivirus software to help reduce threats from similar vulnerabilities in future.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Chinese nationals accused of bypassing US export controls on AI chips

Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the US with illegally exporting millions of dollars’ worth of advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, violating the export controls.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang operated California-based ALX Solutions, which allegedly shipped restricted hardware without the required licences over the past three years.

The DOJ claims that the company exported Nvidia’s H100 and GeForce RTX 4090 graphics processing units to China via transit hubs in Singapore and Malaysia, concealing their ultimate destination.

Payments for the shipments allegedly came from firms in Hong Kong and mainland China, including a $1 million transfer in January 2024.

Court documents state that ALX falsely declared shipments to Singapore-based customers, but US export control officers could not confirm the deliveries.

One 2023 invoice for over $28 million reportedly misrepresented the buyer’s identity. Neither Geng nor Yang had sought export licences from the US Commerce Department.

Yang was arrested on Saturday, and Geng surrendered soon after. Both appeared in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Nvidia and Super Micro, a supplier, said they comply with all export regulations and will cooperate with authorities.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Korea’s LG CNS wins first overseas AI data centre deal in Indonesia

LG CNS has secured a 100 billion won ($72 million) contract to build an AI data centre in Jakarta, a first for a Korean firm in a project of this kind overseas. The centre is expected to be completed by 2026 and will house over 100,000 servers.

The deal was signed through LG Sinar Mas Technology Solutions, a joint venture between Sinar Mas Group of Indonesia and LG of South Korea. Local partner KMG, backed by Korea Investment Real Asset Management, is leading the project to create Indonesia’s largest hyperscale AI data centre.

The 11-storey facility will launch with a power capacity of 30 megawatts, with plans to expand to 220 megawatts in future phases. LG CNS will manage key infrastructure, including electricity, cooling, and telecoms systems, using technologies across the LG Group.

Safety has been a key selling point. The centre will utilise seismic isolation systems to safeguard equipment in earthquake-prone Southeast Asia. Redundant power systems will also ensure continuous operation even during outages.

Southeast Asia is emerging as a cost-effective hub for AI among global technology giants. LG CNS plans to leverage the Jakarta project as a launchpad for expanding into Singapore, Malaysia, and other international markets.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UK GP surgery praised for using AI to boost efficiency and patient care

UK Health Minister Karin Smyth praised St George’s Surgery in Weston-super-Mare for utilising AI to enhance efficiency. Serving nearly 14,000 patients, the surgery uses AI to automate note-taking and letter drafting, reducing administrative burdens on staff.

It has been reported that, in June of 2025, St George’s Surgery handled over 9,000 appointments, with more than half booked and held on the same day. As part of the UK’s 10-Year Health Plan, the government stated it aims to expand AI adoption in healthcare, potentially freeing up the capacity of over 2,000 full-time GPs.

Andy Carpenter, Digital Director at Mendip Vale Medical Group, highlighted that AI is helping to manage growing patient demand, increase face-to-face time with GPs, and maintain strong data protection standards. Health Minister Karin Smyth also stressed the need for safe, well-regulated AI in healthcare, noting its practical uses, such as remote monitoring of vaccine fridge temperatures.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Malaysia tackles online scams with AI and new cyber guidelines

Cybercrime involving financial scams continues to rise in Malaysia, with 35,368 cases reported in 2024, a 2.53 per cent increase from the previous year, resulting in losses of RM1.58 billion.

The situation remains severe in 2025, with over 12,000 online scam cases recorded in the first quarter alone, involving fake e-commerce offers, bogus loans, and non-existent investment platforms. Losses during this period reached RM573.7 million.

Instead of waiting for the situation to worsen, the Digital Ministry is rolling out proactive safeguards. These include new AI-related guidelines under development by the Department of Personal Data Protection, scheduled for release by March 2026.

The documents will cover data protection impact assessments, automated decision-making, and privacy-by-design principles.

The ministry has also introduced an official framework for responsible AI use in the public sector, called GPAISA, to ensure ethical compliance and support across government agencies.

Additionally, training initiatives such as AI Untuk Rakyat and MD Workforce aim to equip civil servants and enforcement teams with skills to handle AI and cyber threats.

In partnership with CyberSecurity Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the ministry is also creating an AI-powered application to verify digital images and videos.

Instead of relying solely on manual analysis, the tool will help investigators detect online fraud, identity forgery, and synthetic media more effectively.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!