Cybersecurity

US administration pushes back on proposal to restrict Nvidia sales to China

The White House is urging Congress to reject a bipartisan proposal that would restrict Nvidia from selling advanced AI chips to China and other countries subject to an embargo. The GAIN AI Act would require chipmakers to prioritise US buyers before exporting high-performance hardware.

Lawmakers are debating whether to attach the provision to the annual defence spending bill, a move that could accelerate approval. The White House intervention represents a significant win for Nvidia, which has lobbied to maintain export flexibility amid shifting trade policies.

China was previously a significant market for Nvidia, but the firm has pared back expectations due to rising geopolitical risks. Beijing has also increased scrutiny of US-made chips as it pushes for self-reliance in AI and semiconductor technology.

The policy discussions come shortly after Nvidia posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings and issued an upbeat outlook. CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against concerns of an AI-driven valuation bubble, arguing demand remains robust.

Nvidia’s shares rose 5 percent after hours following the earnings report, reflecting investor confidence as Washington continues to debate the future of AI chip export controls.

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KT launches secure public cloud with Microsoft for South Korean enterprises

The telco firm, KT Corp, has introduced a Secure Public Cloud service in partnership with Microsoft, designed to meet South Korea’s stringent data sovereignty demands instead of relying solely on global cloud platforms.

Built on Microsoft Azure, the platform targets sectors such as finance and manufacturing, offering high-performance computing while ensuring all data remains stored and processed domestically.

A service that is based on three pillars: end-to-end data protection, enhanced enterprise control over cloud resources, and strict compliance with the residency requirements of South Korea.

Confidential computing encrypts data even during in-memory execution, while a managed hardware security module allows customers to fully own and manage encryption keys, enabling true end-to-end protection.

KT said the platform is particularly suitable for AI training, transaction-heavy applications, and operational workloads where data exposure could pose major risks.

By combining domestic governance with the flexibility and scalability of Azure, the company aims to give enterprises a reliable cloud solution without compromising performance or compliance.

The launch also strengthens KT’s broader cloud ecosystem, which includes KT Cloud and managed global cloud services like AWS.

KT plans to expand the Secure Public Cloud gradually across industries, responding to rising demand from organizations that need robust domestic data controls instead of facing the risks of cross-border data exposure.

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Climate tech and AI will shape Europe’s technology future

Europe faces a pivotal moment in its technology sector, with AI, climate tech and defence set to shape the continent’s future. Sustained investment is essential if Europe wants to remain competitive against the US and China in high-tech industries.

Venture capital firm Atomico’s State of European Tech 2025 report shows that AI already attracts the majority of funding, led by companies such as Mistral AI, Lovable, Synthesia and n8n.

Defence tech is also growing, with firms like Helsing, Isar Aerospace and Cambridge Aerospace securing significant investment to advance AI-powered systems.

Despite strong talent and innovation, Europe must match US levels of research funding, expand computing infrastructure and simplify regulations to realise its potential fully.

Experts say aligning ambition with commitment will be crucial for Europe to develop the next generation of world-leading tech companies.

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Foxconn and OpenAI strengthen US AI manufacturing

OpenAI has formed a new partnership with Foxconn to prepare US manufacturing for a fresh generation of AI infrastructure hardware.

The agreement centres on design support and early evaluation instead of immediate purchase commitments, which gives OpenAI a path to influence development while Foxconn builds readiness inside American facilities.

Both companies expect rapid advances in AI capability to demand a new class of physical infrastructure. They plan to co-design several generations of data centre racks that can keep pace with model development instead of relying on slower single-cycle upgrades.

OpenAI will share insight into future hardware needs while Foxconn provides engineering knowledge and large-scale manufacturing capacity across the US.

A key aim is to strengthen domestic supply chains by improving rack architecture, widening access to domestic chip suppliers and expanding local testing and assembly. Foxconn intends to produce essential data centre components in the US, including cabling, networking, cooling and power systems.

The companies present such an effort as a way to support faster deployment, create more resilient infrastructure and bring economic benefits to American workers.

OpenAI frames the partnership as part of a broader push to ensure that critical AI infrastructure is built within the US instead of abroad. Company leaders argue that a robust domestic supply chain will support American leadership in AI and keep the benefits widely shared across the economy.

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AI in healthcare gains regulatory compass from UK experts

Professor Alastair Denniston has outlined the core principles for regulating AI in healthcare, describing AI as the ‘X-ray moment’ of our time.

Like previous innovations such as MRI scanners and antibiotics, AI has the potential to improve diagnosis, treatment and personalised care dramatically. Still, it also requires careful oversight to ensure patient safety.

The MHRA’s National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare is developing a framework based on three key principles. The framework must be safe, ensuring proportionate regulation that protects patients without stifling innovation.

It must be fast, reducing delays in bringing beneficial technologies to patients and supporting small innovators who cannot endure long regulatory timelines. Ultimately, it must be trusted, with transparent processes that foster confidence in AI technologies today and in the future.

Professor Denniston emphasises that AI is not a single technology but a rapidly evolving ecosystem. The regulatory system must keep pace with advances while allowing the NHS to harness AI safely and efficiently.

Just as with earlier medical breakthroughs, failure to innovate can carry risks equal to the dangers of new technologies themselves.

The National Commission will soon invite the public to contribute their views through a call for evidence.

Patients, healthcare professionals, and members of the public are encouraged to share what matters to them, helping to shape a framework that balances safety, speed, and trust while unlocking the full potential of AI in the NHS.

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Trilateral sanctions target Media Land for supporting ransomware groups

The United States has imposed coordinated sanctions on Media Land, a Russian bulletproof hosting provider accused of aiding ransomware groups and broader cybercrime. The measures target senior operators and sister companies linked to attacks on businesses and critical infrastructure.

Authorities in the UK and Australia say Media Land infrastructure aided ransomware groups, including LockBit, BlackSuit, and Play, and was linked to denial-of-service attacks on US organisations. OFAC also named operators and firms that maintained systems designed to evade law enforcement.

The action also expands earlier sanctions against Aeza Group, with entities accused of rebranding and shifting infrastructure through front companies such as Hypercore to avoid restrictions introduced this year. Officials say these efforts were designed to obscure operational continuity.

According to investigators, the network relied on overseas firms in Serbia and Uzbekistan to conceal its activity and establish technical infrastructure that was detached from the Aeza brand. These entities, along with the new Aeza leadership, were designated for supporting sanctions evasion and cyber operations.

The sanctions block assets under US jurisdiction and bar US persons from dealing with listed individuals or companies. Regulators warn that financial institutions interacting with sanctioned entities may face penalties, stating that the aim is to disrupt ransomware infrastructure and encourage operators to comply.

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DPDP law takes effect as India tightens AI-era data protections

India has activated new Digital Personal Data Protection rules that sharply restrict how technology firms collect and use personal information. The framework limits data gathering to what is necessary for a declared purpose and requires clear explanations, opt-outs, and breach notifications for Indian users.

The rules apply across digital platforms, from social media and e-commerce to banks and public services. Companies must obtain parental consent for individuals under 18 and are prohibited from using children’s data for targeted advertising. Firms have 18 months to comply with the new safeguards.

Users can request access to their data, ask why it was collected, and demand corrections or updates. They may withdraw consent at any time and, in some cases, request deletion. Companies must respond within 90 days, and individuals can appoint someone to exercise these rights.

Civil society groups welcomed stronger user rights but warned that the rules may also expand state access to personal data. The Internet Freedom Foundation criticised limited oversight and said the provisions risk entrenching government control, reducing transparency for citizens.

India is preparing further digital regulations, including new requirements for AI and social media firms. With nearly a billion online users, the government has urged platforms to label AI-generated content amid rising concerns about deepfakes, online misinformation, and election integrity.

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Ucom completes nationwide 5G rollout in Armenia

Ucom has completed nationwide 5G deployment across Armenia, reaching 48 cities and hundreds of communities. The operator states that more than 94% of the population now has access to high-speed mobile internet.

The rollout began in November 2024 and was completed within one year, covering all major settlements. Coverage also includes Myler Mountain Resort, the Yerevan-Dilijan highway and border crossings at Bagratashen, Bavra and Agarak.

General director Ralph Yirikian says expanding 5G is central to delivering modern, stable connectivity nationwide. Earlier work with Nokia to modernise the mobile network laid the foundations for the nationwide upgrade.

Armenian subscribers can now benefit from faster speeds, low latency and more reliable, internationally compliant connections. 5G enables higher quality video calls, real-time data transfers and innovative services, although Dastakert still lacks coverage.

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Kremlin launches new push for domestic AI development

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the creation of a national task force to accelerate the development of domestic generative AI systems, arguing that homegrown models are essential to safeguarding the country’s technological and strategic sovereignty. Speaking at AI Journey, Russia’s flagship AI forum, he warned that foreign large-language models shape global information flows and can influence entire populations, making reliance on external technologies unacceptable.

Putin said the new task force will prioritise expanding data-centre infrastructure and securing reliable energy supplies, including through small-scale nuclear power stations. Russia still trails global leaders like the United States and China, but local companies have produced notable systems such as Sberbank’s Gigachat and Yandex’s GPT.

Sberbank unveiled a new version of Gigachat and showcased AI-powered tools, ranging from humanoid robots to medical-scanning ATMs. However, recent public demonstrations have drawn unwanted attention, including an incident in which a Russian AI robot toppled over on stage.

The Kremlin aims for AI technologies to contribute more than 11 trillion roubles ($136 billion) to Russia’s economy by 2030. Putin urged state bodies and major companies to adopt AI more aggressively while cautioning against overly strict regulation.

However, he stressed that only Russian-made AI systems should be used for national security to prevent sensitive data from flowing abroad. Western sanctions, which restrict access to advanced hardware, particularly microchips, continue to hinder Russia’s ambitions.

The push for domestic AI comes as Ukraine warns that Russia is developing a new generation of autonomous, AI-driven drones capable of operating in coordinated swarms and striking targets up to 62 miles away, underscoring the growing military stakes of the AI race.

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EU simplifies digital rules to save billions for companies

The European Commission has unveiled a digital package designed to simplify rules and reduce administrative burdens, allowing businesses to focus on innovation rather than compliance.

An initiative that combines the Digital Omnibus, Data Union Strategy, and European Business Wallet to strengthen competitiveness across the EU while maintaining high standards of fundamental rights, data protection, and safety.

The Digital Omnibus streamlines rules on AI, cybersecurity, and data. Amendments will create innovation-friendly AI regulations, simplify reporting for cybersecurity incidents, harmonise aspects of the GDPR, and modernise cookie rules.

Improved access to data and regulatory guidance will support businesses, particularly SMEs, allowing them to develop AI solutions and scale operations across member states more efficiently.

The Data Union Strategy aims to unlock high-quality data for AI, strengthen Europe’s data sovereignty, and support businesses with legal guidance and strategic measures to ensure fair treatment of the EU data abroad.

Meanwhile, the European Business Wallet will provide a unified digital identity for companies, enabling secure signing, storage, and exchange of documents and communication with public authorities across 27 member states.

By easing administrative procedures, the package could save up to €5 billion by 2029, with the Business Wallet alone offering up to €150 billion in annual savings.

The Commission has launched a public consultation, the Digital Fitness Check, to assess the impact of these rules and guide future steps, ensuring that businesses can grow and innovate instead of being held back by complex regulations.

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