DeepSeek’s progress is a clear sign of the growing influence of Chinese companies in the AI sector, according to a spokesperson for China’s parliament. Lou Qinjian, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, praised the achievements of DeepSeek’s young team, describing their work as ‘commendable’.
He highlighted the company’s open-source approach and its efforts to spread AI technology globally, contributing ‘Chinese wisdom’ to the world.
The AI startup has been widely celebrated in China, particularly for rolling out AI models that offer a significantly lower cost than those developed by US rivals like OpenAI.
While some countries, including South Korea and Italy, have removed DeepSeek’s chatbot from their app stores over privacy concerns, it has been embraced within China, where local governments and tech firms are integrating it into their systems.
Based in Hangzhou, DeepSeek is rapidly advancing its next-generation model, set to succeed its R1 release from January, as it continues to make waves in the global tech sector.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Taiwan has announced its support for TSMC’s plans to invest in the US, while also ensuring that the most advanced semiconductor technology remains within the country.
The statement, made by the presidential office on Tuesday, reassured that Taiwan would assist the semiconductor giant in its future US investments.
However, the government emphasised that Taiwan would retain its cutting-edge chip technologies to secure its position as a leader in the global semiconductor industry.
TSMC, Taiwan’s largest chipmaker, revealed plans for a significant $100 billion investment in the US to expand its presence and build five new chip manufacturing facilities over the coming years.
The announcement was made during a meeting between TSMC’s CEO and US President Donald Trump on Monday.
Move like this one is part of a broader push to bolster semiconductor production in the US, particularly in response to global supply chain issues and national security concerns surrounding chip dependence on foreign markets.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has set a 31 March deadline for social media and online platforms to submit a risk assessment on the likelihood of users encountering illegal content. This move follows new laws passed last year requiring companies such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as ByteDance’s TikTok, to take action against criminal activities on their platforms. Under the Online Safety Act, these firms must assess and address the risks of offences like terrorism, hate crimes, child sexual exploitation, and financial fraud.
The risk assessment must evaluate how likely it is for users to come across illegal content, or how user-to-user services could facilitate criminal activities. Ofcom has warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in enforcement actions against the companies. The new regulations aim to make online platforms safer and hold them accountable for the content shared on their sites.
The deadline is part of the UK‘s broader push to regulate online content and enhance user safety. Social media giants are now facing stricter scrutiny to ensure they are addressing potential risks associated with their platforms and protecting users from harmful content.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Amazon has announced plans to use AI to help reduce flood risks in Spain’s northeastern region of Aragon, where it is building new data centres.
As part of its $17.9 million investment, Amazon’s cloud computing unit AWS will modernise infrastructure and optimise agricultural water use to tackle flood concerns.
The move follows catastrophic floods that impacted large areas around Valencia and comes as AWS continues its €15.7 billion expansion in the region’s cloud infrastructure.
The region is prone to flooding, especially along the Ebro River, highest-flow river in Spain, which crosses through Aragon on its way to the Mediterranean.
Amazon will deploy advanced cloud computing technologies to create an early warning system combining real-time data collection, sensor networks, and AI-powered analysis.
However, this system will help Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, monitor flood risks more effectively and provide timely warnings to emergency services.
In addition to its technological investment, local authorities in Zaragoza are building flood defences at the Barranco de la Muerte, or Death Ravine, to mitigate future flood damage.
With these combined efforts, Amazon aims to contribute to reducing the region’s vulnerability to floods while supporting its own expanding data infrastructure.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The Guardian reports on the shift in the USA digital diplomacy with a major impact on global cyber geopolitics. After rumours of dropping Russia as a cyber threat, the first public signal on this shift was the USA’s statement at the UN working group meeting on cybersecurity when Liesyl Franz, a US representative, did not indicate Russia as a cyber threat alongside China and Iran. It is a significant shift in the USA digital diplomacy and cyber geopolitics.
The US representative also omitted usual USA references to allies and partners in cyber politics. The Guardian reports on various concerns of this shift, including a view of James Lewis, USA cybersecurity veteran: ‘It’s incomprehensible to give a speech about threats in cyberspace and not mention Russia, and it’s delusional to think this will turn Russia and the FSB [the Russian security agency] into our friends.’
This repositioning aligns with ongoing efforts to improve US-Russia relations, contrasting starkly with European allies’ views on the threat posed by Russia. It remains to be seen if this shift relates only to cybersecurity or it the US will revisit other aspects related to AI and digital governance.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Democratic lawmakers are calling for an explanation from the Pentagon after reports surfaced about an order to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia during sensitive negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
The decision to halt such operations, which disrupt rival computer networks, is not unusual in the context of diplomatic efforts but has raised concerns among lawmakers. The order was first reported by The Record and later confirmed by two anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the move, calling it a ‘critical strategic mistake’ and arguing that ‘the best defence is always a strong offence’, especially in cybersecurity.
Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, also demanded that the Pentagon provide Congress with details regarding the scope of the pause and its potential impact on US allies. He further questioned whether a risk assessment was made before the decision.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter, citing operational security concerns. The pause in cyber operations comes amid rising tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s recent dealings with Russia, including a public clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Trump has shifted US policy by engaging in talks with Moscow and openly criticising Zelenskiy, suggesting that America could pull its support for Ukraine if the war does not end soon.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Twenty-three industry groups across Europe have urged EU officials to approve a draft cybersecurity certification for cloud services.
The certification scheme, which was introduced in 2020 by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), aims to provide governments and businesses with reliable, secure cloud service providers.
It has been under revision since last year, with changes that favour major tech firms such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
The groups, including the American Chamber of Commerce and various EU trade associations, argue that the updated draft, which will be finalised in March 2024, strikes a balance between robust security standards and an open market.
These revisions removed political provisions, such as requirements for US tech companies to partner with EU firms for data storage, focusing instead on technical security criteria.
Despite this, concerns linger about the European Commission potentially delaying or even scrapping the certification scheme altogether. The groups have strongly urged the EU to push forward with its adoption, believing it will support Europe’s digital economy while promoting secure cloud computing solutions.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
A group of US lawmakers is raising concerns over the potential involvement of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in a $2.4 billion Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) telecommunications contract originally awarded to Verizon.
Musk, who owns satellite company Starlink, has been critical of the FAA’s existing telecom system and has reportedly sought to replace Verizon’s contract with his own company’s services.
Senator Maria Cantwell and other lawmakers have expressed alarm over what they see as potential interference in a competitive bidding process. The FAA, which awarded the 15-year contract to Verizon in 2023, is now reportedly reviewing the agreement.
Musk recently admitted to making false claims about Verizon’s role in aviation safety, further fuelling concerns about his influence.
The controversy has led to bipartisan scrutiny, with senators and representatives questioning whether the government is prioritising private interests over public safety. The FAA, meanwhile, has stated it has not yet made any decision regarding the contract.
Reports indicate that Starlink terminals are being tested in Alaska, raising further speculation about Musk’s involvement in the project.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The notice relates to the acquisition of two companies, Little Internet Private Limited and Nearbuy India Private Limited, covering the period from 2015 to 2019.
Paytm has stated that the alleged violations occurred before these companies became its subsidiaries. The company maintains that the notice has no impact on its services for consumers and merchants. No further details about the specific allegations have been disclosed.
The notice comes at a time of increased regulatory scrutiny of digital payment firms in India.
Paytm has previously faced challenges related to compliance and operations, making the latest development a significant issue for the company as it continues to navigate the country’s evolving financial regulations.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The founder of cryptocurrency financial services firm Gotbit has been extradited from Portugal to the United States to face charges of market manipulation and fraud.
Aleksei Andriunin, a 26-year-old Russian national, appeared in a Boston court, where he pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors allege his company engaged in sham trading to artificially inflate the value of digital tokens.
Authorities claim that between 2018 and 2024, Gotbit manipulated cryptocurrency trading volumes through a practice known as ‘wash trading’. The FBI’s ‘Operation Token Mirrors‘ played a key role in the investigation, reportedly using its own digital token to detect fraudulent activities.
Gotbit allegedly facilitated wash trades worth millions and profited tens of millions of dollars by boosting the market appeal of cryptocurrencies such as Saitama and Robo Inu.
Andriunin was arrested in Portugal in October when US authorities first announced charges against him and others. His company and two employees in Russia also face legal action, though they have not yet appeared in court.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on fraud in the cryptocurrency sector.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
