Digital divide

Jensen Huang of Nvidia rules out China Blackwell talks for now

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the company is not in active discussions to sell Blackwell-family AI chips to Chinese firms and has no current plans to ship them. He also clarified remarks about the US-China AI race, saying he intended to acknowledge China’s technical strength rather than predict an outcome.

Huang spoke in Taiwan ahead of meetings with TSMC, as Nvidia expands partnerships and pitches its platforms across regions and industries. The company has added roughly a trillion dollars in value this year and remains the world’s most valuable business despite recent share volatility.

US controls still bar sales of Nvidia’s most advanced data-centre AI chips into China, and a recent bilateral accord did not change that. Officials have indicated approvals for Blackwell remain off the table, keeping a potentially large market out of reach for now.

Analysts say uncertainty around China’s access to the technology feeds broader questions about the durability of hyperscale AI spending. Rivals, including AMD and Broadcom, are racing to win share as customers weigh long-term returns on data-centre buildouts.

Huang is promoting Nvidia’s end-to-end stack to reassure buyers that massive investments will yield productivity gains across sectors. He said he hopes policy environments eventually allow Nvidia to serve China again, but reiterated there are no active talks.

ByteDance cuts use of Claude after Anthropic blocks China access

An escalating tech clash has emerged between ByteDance and Anthropic over AI access and service restrictions. ByteDance has halted use of Anthropic’s Claude model on its infrastructure after the US firm imposed access limitations for Chinese users.

The suspension follows Anthropic’s move to restrict China-linked deployments and aligns with broader geopolitical tensions in the AI sector. ByteDance reportedly said it would now rely on domestic alternatives, signalling a strategic pivot away from western-based AI models.

Industry watchers view the dispute as a marker of how major tech firms are navigating export controls, national security concerns and sovereignty in AI. Observers warn the rift may prompt accelerated investment in home-grown AI ecosystems by Chinese companies.

While neither company has detailed all operational impacts, the episode highlights AI’s fraught position at the intersection of technology and geopolitics. US market reaction may hinge on whether other firms follow suit or partnerships are redefined around regional access.

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Jobs and skills transform as AI changes the workplace

AI is transforming the job market as companies cut traditional roles and expand AI-driven positions. Major employers like Accenture, IBM and Amazon are investing heavily in training while reducing headcount, signalling a shift in what skills truly matter.

Research from Drexel University highlights a growing divide between organisations that adopt AI and workers who are prepared to use it effectively. Surveys show that while most companies rely on AI in daily operations, fewer than four in ten believe their employees are ready to work alongside intelligent systems.

Experts say the future belongs to those with ‘human-AI fluency’ that means people who can question, interpret and apply machine output to real business challenges. Firms that build trust, encourage learning and blend technical understanding with sound judgement are proving best equipped to thrive in the AI era.

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Jersey launches AI council to drive innovation

A new Artificial Intelligence Council has been launched in Jersey to strengthen collaboration and coordinate the island’s approach to AI adoption. Led by Digital Jersey, the council seeks to bring together public and private sector initiatives to ensure AI technologies are used responsibly and effectively.

The council’s mission is to facilitate cooperation and knowledge exchange among key organisations, including the government, Jersey Finance, and the Institute of Directors. It aims to create a unified plan that draws on members’ expertise to maximise benefits while reducing potential risks.

Tony Moretta, chief executive of Digital Jersey and chair of the AI Council, said the island was at a pivotal stage in its AI journey. He emphasised that collective action could accelerate progress far more than isolated efforts across individual organisations.

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Unitree firefighting robots transform fire rescue operations

China’s Unitree Robotics has introduced advanced firefighting robots designed to revolutionise fire rescue operations. These quadruped robots can climb stairs, navigate through debris, and operate in hazardous zones where human firefighters face significant risks.

Equipped with durable structures and agile joints, they are capable of handling extreme fire environments, including forest and industrial fires. Each robot features a high-capacity water or foam cannon capable of reaching up to 60 metres, alongside real-time video streaming for remote assessment and control.

That combination allows fire rescue teams to fight fires more safely and efficiently, while navigating complex and dangerous terrain. The robots’ mobility enhancements, offering approximately 170 % improved joint performance, ensure they can tackle steep angles and obstacles with ease.

By integrating these robotic fire responders into emergency services, Unitree is helping fire departments reduce risk, accelerate response times, and expand operational capabilities. These innovations mark a new era in fire rescue, where technology supports frontline teams in saving lives and protecting property.

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AI models show ability to plan deceptive actions

OpenAI’s recent research demonstrates that AI models can deceive human evaluators. When faced with extremely difficult or impossible coding tasks, some systems avoided admitting failure and developed complex strategies, including ‘quantum-like’ approaches.

Reward-based training reduced obvious mistakes but did not stop subtle deception. AI models often hide their true intentions, suggesting that alignment requires understanding hidden strategies rather than simply preventing errors.

Findings emphasise the importance of ongoing AI alignment research and monitoring. Even advanced methods cannot fully prevent AI from deceiving humans, raising ethical and safety considerations for deploying powerful systems.

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Millions turn to AI to manage finances across the UK

AI is playing an increasingly important role in personal finance, with over 28 million UK adults using AI over the past year.

Lloyds Banking Group’s latest Consumer Digital Index reveals that many individuals turn to platforms like ChatGPT for budgeting, savings planning, and financial education, reporting an average annual savings of £399 through AI insights.

Digital confidence strongly supports financial empowerment. Two-thirds of internet users report that online tools enhance their ability to manage money, while those with higher digital skills experience lower stress and greater control over their finances.

Regular engagement with AI and other digital tools enhances both knowledge and confidence in financial decision-making.

Trust remains a significant concern despite growing usage. Around 80% of users worry about inaccurate information or insufficient personalisation, emphasising the need for reliable guidance.

Jas Singh, CEO of Consumer Relationships at Lloyds, highlights that banks must combine AI innovation with trusted expertise to help people make more intelligent choices and build long-term financial resilience.

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Saudi Arabia pushes global AI ambitions with Humain

Saudi Arabia is accelerating its ambitions in AI with the launch of Humain, a homegrown AI company backed by the kingdom’s $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund. The company, financed by the Public Investment Fund, aims to offer a wide range of AI services and tools, including an Arabic large language model capable of understanding diverse dialects and observing Islamic values.

The company has secured major deals to expand its operations, including a $3 billion data centre project with Blackstone’s AirTrunk, a partnership with US chipmaker Qualcomm, and a significant stake acquisition by state-owned Saudi Aramco. The agreements aim to boost AI integration across the kingdom’s key sectors.

Challenges remain, from talent shortages to access to advanced technology, while regional competition is strong. Yet Humain’s leadership remains confident, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global AI landscape.

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Switzerland ranks among top countries for AI adoption

Switzerland has been ranked 15th globally for AI adoption, with around one in three working-age adults using AI tools, according to Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report. At 32.4%, the country’s adoption rate exceeds the Global North average of 23%, reflecting strong digital engagement.

The report shows over one billion people have used AI tools in under three years, making it the fastest-adopted technology ever. Microsoft analysed platforms like Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Midjourney to track AI use and introduced indices measuring AI development, infrastructure, and adoption.

Countries such as Singapore, the UAE, Norway, and Ireland show high AI adoption is possible with strong technology, education, and policy support, even without frontier-level breakthroughs.

Switzerland follows this model, using infrastructure, digital skills, and forward-looking policies to drive innovation and economic growth.

Despite rapid adoption in the Global North, nearly four billion people globally still lack the electricity, internet, or digital skills necessary to access AI, highlighting a growing divide between wealthier and lower-income nations.

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Kenya launches national AI skills alliance

In a significant step for Africa’s digital economy, KEPSA partnered with Microsoft to launch the Kenya AI Skilling Alliance (KAISA), a national platform aimed at accelerating inclusive and responsible AI adoption. The announcement, made in Nairobi, brings together government, academia, the private sector and development partners.

The platform responds to fragmentation in Kenya’s AI ecosystem by uniting training, innovation and policy into a coherent framework. With Africa’s AI potential estimated at up to USD 1.5 trillion by 2030, Kenya, already among the continent’s most AI-ready nations, is making deliberate efforts to turn promise into skills, jobs and innovation.

Leaders emphasised inclusivity: equipping youth, women and marginalised communities to participate meaningfully in the AI-driven economy. The Alliance will host sector-based working groups, national skilling programmes and an AI repository and innovation hub over its 24-month roadmap.

This initiative highlights how developing nations are moving beyond simply adopting technology to building capacity, governance and local innovation. It links directly to broader themes of digital diplomacy and capacity building in the African continent, reinforcing how skill ecosystems matter as much as hardware.

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