Critical infrastructure

Coinbase relies on AI for nearly half of its code

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said AI now generates around 40 per cent of the exchange’s code, expected to surpass 50 per cent by October 2025. He emphasised that human oversight remains essential, as AI cannot be uniformly applied across all areas of the platform.

Armstrong confirmed that engineers were instructed to adopt AI development tools within a week, with those resisting the mandate dismissed. The move places Coinbase ahead of technology giants such as Microsoft and Google, which use AI for roughly 30 per cent of their code.

Security experts have raised concerns about the heavy reliance on AI. Industry figures warn that AI-generated code could contain bugs or miss critical context, posing risks for a platform holding over $420 billion in digital assets.

Larry Lyu called the strategy ‘a giant red flag’ for security-sensitive businesses.

Supporters argue that Coinbase’s approach is measured. Richard Wu of Tensor said AI could generate up to 90 per cent of high-quality code within five years if paired with thorough review and testing, similar to junior engineer errors.

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UK factories closed as cyberattack disrupts Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has ordered factory staff to work from home until at least next Tuesday as it recovers from a major cyberattack. Production remains suspended at key UK sites, including Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton.

The disruption, first reported earlier this week, has ‘severely impacted’ production and sales, according to JLR. Reports suggest that assembly line workers have been instructed not to return before 9 September, while the situation remains under review.

The hack has hit operations beyond manufacturing, with dealerships unable to order parts and some customer handovers delayed. The timing is particularly disruptive, coinciding with the September release of new registration plates, which traditionally boosts demand.

A group of young hackers on Telegram, calling themselves Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has claimed responsibility for the incident. Linked to earlier attacks on Marks & Spencer and Harrods, the group reportedly shared screenshots of JLR’s internal IT systems as proof.

The incident follows a wider spate of UK retail and automotive cyberattacks this year. JLR has stated that it is working quickly to restore systems and emphasised that there is ‘no evidence’ that customer data has been compromised.

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Advanced Pilot Assistance System enters year-long trial on CB Pacific

Mythos AI has installed its Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) on the CB Pacific, a chemical tanker operated by CB Tankers under the Lomar group. The deployment marks the beginning of a year-long trial to introduce advanced bridge intelligence to the commercial shipping industry.

APAS uses a radar-first perception system that integrates with existing ship radars, processing multiple data streams to deliver prioritised alerts. By reducing its reliance on machine vision, the system aims to eliminate distractions, enhance decision-making, and improve navigation safety.

The CB Pacific, equipped with Furuno radar and consistent routes, will serve as a testbed to evaluate APAS performance in live conditions. Trials will assess collision prediction, safe navigation, signal processing, and compliance with maritime rules.

Mythos AI emphasises that APAS is designed to support crews, not replace them. CEO Geoff Douglass said the installation marks the company’s first operational use of the system on a tanker and a milestone in its wider commercial roadmap.

For LomarLabs, the pilot showcases its hands-on innovation model, offering vessel access and oversight to facilitate collaboration with startups. Managing Director Stylianos Papageorgiou said the radar-first architecture shows how modular autonomy can be advanced through trust, time, and fleet partnerships.

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EASA survey reveals cautious optimism over aviation AI ethics

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published survey results probing the ethical outlook of aviation professionals on AI deployment, released during its AI Days event in Cologne.

The AI Days conference gathered nearly 200 on-site attendees from across the globe, with even more participating online.

The survey measured acceptance, trust and comfort across eight hypothetical AI use cases, yielding an average acceptance score of 4.4 out of 7. Despite growing interest, two-thirds of respondents declined at least one scenario.

Their key concerns included limitations of AI performance, privacy and data protection, accountability, safety risks and the potential for workforce de-skilling. A clear majority called for stronger regulation and oversight by EASA and national authorities.

In a keynote address, Christine Berg from the European Commission highlighted that AI in aviation is already practical, optimising air traffic flow and predictive maintenance, while emphasising the need for explainable, reliable and certifiable systems under the EU AI Act.

Survey findings will feed into EASA’s AI Roadmap and prompt public consultations as the agency advances policy and regulatory frameworks.

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Atlassian bets on AI browsers with $610m deal

The proprietary software firm Atlassian is entering the AI browser market with a $610 million deal to acquire The Browser Company of New York, creator of Arc and Dia. The move signals an attempt to turn browsers into intelligent assistants instead of leaving them as passive tools.

Traditional browsers are blank slates, forcing users to juggle tabs and applications without context. Arc and Dia promise a different approach by connecting tasks, offering in-line AI support, and adapting to user behaviour. Atlassian believes these features could transform productivity for knowledge workers.

Analysts note, however, that AI browsers are still experimental. While they offer potential to integrate workflows and reduce distractions, rivals like Chrome, Edge and Safari already dominate with established ecosystems and security features. Convincing users to change habits may prove difficult.

Industry observers suggest Atlassian’s move is more a long-term bet on natural language and agentic browsing than an immediate market shift. For now, AI browsers remain promising but unproven alternatives to conventional tools.

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WhatsApp fixes flaw exploited in Apple device hacks

WhatsApp has fixed a vulnerability that exposed Apple device users to highly targeted cyberattacks. The flaw was chained with an iOS and iPadOS bug, allowing hackers to access sensitive data.

According to researchers at Amnesty’s Security Lab, the malicious campaign lasted around 90 days and impacted fewer than 200 people. WhatsApp notified victims directly, which urged all users to update their apps immediately.

Apple has also acknowledged the issue and released security patches to close the cybersecurity loophole. Experts warn that other apps beyond WhatsApp may have been exploited in the same campaign.

The identity of those behind the spyware attacks remains unclear. Both companies have stressed that prompt updates are the best protection for users against similar threats.

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China and India adopt contrasting approaches to AI governance

As AI becomes central to business strategy, questions of corporate governance and regulation are gaining prominence. The study by Akshaya Kamalnath and Lin Lin examines how China and India are addressing these issues through law, policy, and corporate practice.

The paper focuses on three questions: how regulations are shaping AI and data protection in corporate governance, how companies are embedding technological expertise into governance structures, and how institutional differences influence each country’s response.

Findings suggest a degree of convergence in governance practices. Both countries have seen companies create chief technology officer roles, establish committees to manage technological risks, and disclose information about their use of AI.

In China, these measures are largely guided by central and provincial authorities, while in India, they reflect market-driven demand.

China’s approach is characterised by a state-led model that combines laws, regulations, and soft-law tools such as guidelines and strategic plans. The system is designed to encourage innovation while addressing risks in an adaptive manner.

India, by contrast, has fewer binding regulations and relies on a more flexible, principles-based model shaped by judicial interpretation and self-regulation.

Broader themes also emerge. In China, state-owned enterprises are using AI to support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, while India has framed its AI strategy under the principle of ‘AI for All’ with a focus on the role of public sector organisations.

Together, these approaches underline how national traditions and developmental priorities are shaping AI governance in two of the world’s largest economies.

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SCO Tianjin Summit underscores economic cooperation and security dialogue

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin closed with leaders adopting the Tianjin Declaration, highlighting member states’ commitment to multilateralism, sovereignty, and shared security.

The discussions emphasised economic resilience, financial cooperation, and collective responses to security challenges.

Proposals included exploring joint financial mechanisms, such as common bonds and payment systems, to shield member economies from external disruptions.

Leaders also underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, with China pledging additional funding and infrastructure support across the bloc. Observers noted that these measures reflect growing interest in alternative global finance and economic governance approaches.

Security issues are prominently featured, with agreements to enhance counter-terrorism initiatives and expand existing structures such as the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure. Delegates also called for greater collaboration against cross-border crime, drug trafficking, and emerging security risks.

At the same time, they stressed the need for political solutions to ongoing regional conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Gaza, and Afghanistan.

With its expanding membership and combined economic weight, the SCO continues to position itself as a platform for cooperation beyond traditional regional security concerns.

While challenges remain, including diverging interests among key members, the Tianjin summit indicated the bloc’s growing role in discussions on multipolar governance and collective stability.

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TSMC faces curbs on shipping US tech to China

The United States has revoked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s licence to ship advanced technology from America to China. The decision follows similar restrictions on South Korean firms Samsung and SK Hynix, increasing uncertainty for chipmakers operating Chinese facilities.

TSMC confirmed that Washington has notified that its authorisation will expire by the end of the year. The company said it would discuss the matter with the US government and stressed its commitment to keeping operations in China running without disruption.

The curbs are part of broader US measures to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductors. While they could complicate shipments and force suppliers to seek individual approvals, analysts suggest the direct impact on TSMC will be limited, as its sole Chinese plant in Nanjing makes older-generation chips that contribute only a small share of revenue.

Chinese customers may increasingly turn to domestic chipmakers, even if their technology lags. Such a shift could spur innovation in less performance-critical areas, while global suppliers grapple with higher costs and regulatory hurdles.

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AI framework Hexstrike-AI repurposed by cybercriminals for rapid attacks

Within hours of its public release, the offensive security framework Hexstrike-AI has been weaponised by threat actors to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, most recently affecting Citrix NetScaler ADC and Gateway, within just ten minutes.

Automated agents execute actions such as scanning, exploiting CVEs and deploying webshells, all orchestrated through high-level commands like ‘exploit NetScaler’.

Researchers from CheckPoint note that attackers are now using Hexstrike-AI to achieve unauthenticated remote code execution automatically.

The AI framework’s design, complete with retry logic and resilience, makes chaining reconnaissance, exploitation and persistence seamless and more effective.

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