Development

China moves toward data centres in orbit

China is planning to develop large-scale space-based data centres over the next five years as part of a broader push to support AI development. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has announced plans to build gigawatt-class digital infrastructure in orbit, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Under CASC’s five-year development plan, the space data centres are expected to combine cloud, edge and terminal technologies, allowing computing power, data storage and communication capacity to operate as an integrated system. The aim is to create high-performance infrastructure capable of supporting advanced AI workloads beyond Earth.

The initiative follows a recent CASC policy proposal calling for solar-powered, gigawatt-scale space-based hubs to supply energy for AI processing. The proposal aligns with China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which is set to place AI at the centre of national development priorities.

China has already taken early steps in this direction. In May 2025, Zhejiang Lab launched 12 low Earth orbit satellites to form the first phase of its ‘Three-Body Computing Constellation.’ The research institute plans to eventually deploy around 2,800 satellites, targeting a total computing power of 1,000 peta operations per second.

Interest in space-based data centres is growing globally. European aerospace firm Thales Alenia Space has been studying its feasibility since 2023, while companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and several startups in the US and the UAE are exploring similar concepts at varying stages of development and ambition.

Supporters argue that space data centres could reduce environmental impacts on Earth, benefit from constant solar energy and simplify cooling. However, experts warn that operating in space brings its own challenges, including exposure to radiation, solar flares and space debris, as well as higher costs and greater difficulty when repairs are needed.

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EU confronts Grok abuse as Brussels tests its digital power

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Grok after the tool produced millions of sexualised images of women and children.

A scrutiny that centres on whether X failed to carry out adequate risk assessments before releasing the undressing feature in the European market. The case arrives as ministers, including Sweden’s deputy prime minister, publicly reveal being targeted by the technology.

Brussels is preparing to use its strongest digital laws instead of deferring to US pressure. The Digital Services Act allows the European Commission to fine major platforms or force compliance measures when systemic harms emerge.

Experts argue the Grok investigation represents an important test of European resolve, particularly as the bloc tries to show it can hold powerful companies to account.

Concerns remain about the willingness of the EU to act decisively. Reports suggest the opening of the probe was delayed because of a tariff dispute with Washington, raising questions about whether geopolitical considerations slowed the enforcement response.

Several lawmakers say the delay undermined confidence in the bloc’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights.

The investigation could last months and may have wider implications for content ranking systems already under scrutiny.

Critics say financial penalties may not be enough to change behaviour at X, yet the case is still viewed as a pivotal moment for European digital governance. Observers believe a firm outcome would demonstrate that emerging harms linked to synthetic media cannot be ignored.

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AI reduces late breast cancer diagnoses by 12% in landmark study

AI in breast cancer screening reduced late diagnoses by 12% and increased early detection rates in the largest trial of its kind. The Swedish study involved 100,000 women randomly assigned to AI-supported screening or standard radiologist readings between April 2021 and December 2022.

The AI system analysed mammograms and assigned low-risk cases to single readings and high-risk cases to double readings by radiologists.

Results published in The Lancet showed 1.55 cancers per 1,000 women in the AI group versus 1.76 in the control group, with 81% detected at the screening stage, compared with 74% in the control group.

Dr Kristina Lång from Lund University said AI-supported mammography could reduce radiologist workload pressures and improve early detection, but cautioned that implementation must be done carefully with continuous monitoring.

Researchers stressed that screening still requires at least one human radiologist working alongside AI, rather than AI replacing human radiologists. Cancer Research UK’s Dr Sowmiya Moorthie called the findings promising but noted more research is needed to confirm life-saving potential. 

Breast Cancer Now’s Simon Vincent highlighted the significant potential for AI to support radiologists, emphasising that earlier diagnosis improves treatment outcomes for a disease that affects over 2 million people globally each year.

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Prism launches as OpenAI’s new workspace for scientific papers

OpenAI has launched Prism, a cloud-based LaTeX workspace designed to streamline the drafting, collaboration, and publication of academic papers. The tool integrates writing, citation management, real-time collaboration, and AI assistance into a single environment to reduce workflow friction.

Built specifically for scientific use, Prism embeds GPT-5.2 directly inside documents rather than as a separate chatbot. Researchers can rewrite sections, verify equations, test arguments, and clarify explanations without leaving the editing interface, positioning AI as a background collaborator.

Users can start new LaTeX projects or upload existing files through prism.openai.com using a ChatGPT account. Co-authors can join instantly, enabling simultaneous editing while maintaining structured formatting for equations, references, and manuscript layout.

OpenAI says Prism supports academic search, converts handwritten formulas into clean LaTeX, and allows voice-driven edits for faster reviews. Completed papers export as publication-ready PDFs alongside full source files.

Initially available for free to personal ChatGPT users, the workspace will later expand to Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. The company frames the tool as a practical productivity layer rather than a research disruption platform.

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UK minister signals interest in universal basic income amid rising AI job disruption

Jason Stockwood, the UK investment minister, has suggested that a universal basic income could help protect workers as AI reshapes the labour market.

He argued that rapid advances in automation will cause disruptive shifts across several sectors, meaning the country must explore safety mechanisms rather than allowing sudden job losses to deepen inequality. He added that workers will need long-term retraining pathways as roles disappear.

Concern about the economic impact of AI continues to intensify.

Research by Morgan Stanley indicates that the UK is losing more jobs than it is creating because of automation and is being affected more severely than other major economies.

Warnings from London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan and senior global business figures, including JP Morgan’s chief executive Jamie Dimon, point to the risk of mass unemployment unless governments and companies step in with support.

Stockwood confirmed that a universal basic income is not part of formal government policy, although he said people inside government are discussing the idea.

He took up his post in September after a long career in the technology sector, including senior roles at Match.com, Lastminute.com and Travelocity, as well as leading a significant sale of Simply Business.

Additionally, Stockwood said he no longer pushes for stronger wealth-tax measures, but he criticised wealthy individuals who seek to minimise their contributions to public finances. He suggested that those who prioritise tax avoidance lack commitment to their communities and the country’s long-term success.

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Google brings AI agent to Chrome in the US

Google is rolling out an AI-powered browsing agent inside Chrome, allowing users to automate routine online tasks. The feature is being introduced in the US for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.

The Gemini agent can interact directly with websites in the US, including opening pages, clicking buttons and completing complex online forms. Testers reported successful use for tasks such as tax paperwork and licence renewals.

Google said Gemini AI integrates with password management tools while requiring user confirmation for payments and final transactions. Security safeguards and fraud detection systems have been built into Chrome for US users.

The update reflects Alphabet’s strategy to reposition Chrome in the US as an intelligent operating agent. Google aims to move beyond search toward AI-driven personal task management.

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Physical AI becomes central to LG’s robotics and automation ambitions

LG Group affiliates are expanding into physical AI by combining robotics hardware, industrial data, and advanced AI models. The strategy aims to deliver integrated autonomous systems across industries. The group is positioning itself along the complete robotics value chain.

LG Electronics is strengthening its role in robotic actuators that enable precise humanoid movement. Leveraging decades of motor engineering, it recently launched the AXIUM actuator brand. The company has also expanded its investments across robotics manufacturers.

The company’s AI Research division is working on programs that help machines understand the real world. Its special lab puts seeing and language skills into robots and factory systems. The aim is for machines to predict and act autonomously in real time.

The CNS division is teaching robots the skills they need for different jobs. LG Display is making robot screens using bendable panels that perform well in harsh environments. Both groups are using their cars’ and factories’ know-how to build robots.

Power and sensing tools complete the group’s robot plans. LG Energy Solution makes powerful batteries for moving robots, while LG Innotek creates cameras and sensors. Group leaders see building intelligent machines as key to future growth.

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Netherlands faces rising digital sovereignty threat, data authority warns

The Dutch data protection authority has urged the government to act swiftly to protect the country’s digital sovereignty, warning that dependence on overseas technology firms could expose vital public services to significant risk.

Concern has intensified after DigiD, the national digital identity system, appeared set for acquisition by a US company, raising questions about long-term control of key infrastructure.

The watchdog argues that the Netherlands relies heavily on a small group of non-European cloud and IT providers, and stresses that public bodies lack clear exit strategies if foreign ownership suddenly shifts.

Additionally, the watchdog criticises the government for treating digital autonomy as an academic exercise rather than recognising its immediate implications for communication between the state and citizens.

In a letter to the economy minister, the authority calls for a unified national approach rather than fragmented decisions by individual public bodies.

It proposes sovereignty criteria for all government contracts and suggests termination clauses that enable the state to withdraw immediately if a provider is sold abroad. It also notes the importance of designing public services to allow smooth provider changes when required.

The watchdog urges the government to strengthen European capacity by investing in scalable domestic alternatives, including a Dutch-controlled government cloud. The economy ministry has declined to comment.

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Fake AI assistant steals OpenAI credentials from thousands of Chrome users

A Chrome browser extension posing as an AI assistant has stolen OpenAI credentials from more than 10,000 users. Cybersecurity platform Obsidian identified the malicious software, known as H-Chat Assistant, which secretly harvested API keys and transmitted user data to hacker-controlled servers.

The extension, initially called ChatGPT Extension, appeared to function normally after users provided their OpenAI API keys. Analysts discovered that the theft occurred when users deleted chats or logged out, triggering the transmission of credentials via hardcoded Telegram bot credentials.

At least 459 unique API keys were exfiltrated to a Telegram channel months before they were discovered in January 2025.

Researchers believe the malicious activity began in July 2024 and continued undetected for months. Following disclosure to OpenAI on 13 January, the company revoked compromised API keys, though the extension reportedly remained available in the Chrome Web Store.

Security analysts identified 16 related extensions sharing the identical developer fingerprints, suggesting a coordinated campaign by a single threat actor.

LayerX Security consultant Natalie Zargarov warned that whilst current download numbers remain relatively low, AI-focused browser extensions could rapidly surge in popularity.

The malicious extensions exploit vulnerabilities in web-based authentication processes, creating, as researchers describe, a ‘materially expanded browser attack surface’ through deep integration with authenticated web applications.

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Tech giants weigh massive investment in OpenAI

NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon are in talks to invest up to $60 billion in OpenAI, valuing the company at around $730 billion. The talks highlight intensifying competition among technology giants to secure strategic positions in the rapidly expanding AI sector.

NVIDIA is said to be considering the largest commitment, potentially investing as much as $30 billion, while Microsoft may add less than $10 billion despite its long-standing partnership with OpenAI.

Amazon could contribute more than $10 billion, strengthening its cloud and infrastructure ties with the company as demand for large-scale AI computing continues to rise.

OpenAI and NVIDIA are advancing plans to deploy large-scale data centre capacity, with a multi-year rollout starting in late 2026. The project aims to deliver large-scale high-performance computing, supporting OpenAI’s push towards artificial general intelligence and global expansion.

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