Huawei Technologies is preparing to test its newest AI processor, the Ascend 910D, as it seeks to offer an alternative to Nvidia’s products following US export restrictions. The company has approached several Chinese tech firms to assess the technical feasibility of the new chip.
Extensive testing will follow to ensure the chip’s performance before it reaches the wider market. Sources claim Huawei aims for the Ascend 910D to outperform Nvidia’s H100 chip, widely used for AI training since 2022.
Huawei is already shipping large volumes of its earlier Ascend 910B and 910C models to state-owned carriers and private AI developers like ByteDance. Demand for these processors has risen as US restrictions tightened Nvidia’s ability to sell its H20 chip to China.
Increased domestic demand for Huawei’s AI hardware signals a shift in China’s semiconductor market amid geopolitical tensions. Analysts believe this development strengthens Huawei’s ambition to compete globally in the AI chip market.
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A group of former OpenAI employees, supported by Nobel laureates and AI experts, has urged the attorneys general of California and Delaware to block the company’s proposed transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure.
They argue that such a shift could compromise OpenAI’s founding mission to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits all of humanity, potentially prioritising profit over public safety and accountability, not just in the US, but globally.
The coalition, including notable figures like economists Oliver Hart and Joseph Stiglitz, and AI pioneers Geoffrey Hinton and Stuart Russell, expressed concerns that the restructuring would reduce nonprofit oversight and increase investor influence.
They fear this change could lead to diminished ethical safeguards, especially as OpenAI advances toward creating AGI. OpenAI responded by stating that any structural changes would aim to ensure broader public benefit from AI advancements.
The company plans to adopt a public benefit corporation model while maintaining a nonprofit arm to uphold its mission. The final decision rests with the state authorities, who are reviewing the proposed restructuring.
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Smartphones, computers, and key tech components have been granted exemption from the latest round of US tariffs, providing relief to American technology firms heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing.
The decision, which includes products such as semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards, marks the first major rollback in President Donald Trump’s trade war with China.
The exemptions, retroactively effective from 5 April, come amid concerns from US tech giants that consumer prices would soar.
Analysts say this move could be a turning point, especially for companies like Apple and Nvidia, which source most of their hardware from China. Industry reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with suggestions that the policy shift could reshape global tech supply chains.
Despite easing tariffs on electronics, Trump has maintained a strict stance on Chinese trade, citing national security and economic independence.
The White House claims the reprieve gives firms time to shift manufacturing to the US. However, electronic goods will still face a separate 20% tariff due to China’s ties to fentanyl-related trade. Meanwhile, Trump insists high tariffs are essential leverage to renegotiate fairer global trade terms.
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Google DeepMind is enforcing strict non-compete agreements in the United Kingdom, preventing employees from joining rival AI companies for up to a year. The length of the restriction depends on an employee’s seniority and involvement in key projects.
Some DeepMind staff, including those working on Google’s Gemini AI, are reportedly being paid not to work while their non-competes run. The policy comes as competition for AI talent intensifies worldwide.
Employees have voiced concern that these agreements could stall their careers in a rapidly evolving industry. Some are seeking ways around the restrictions, such as moving to countries with less rigid employment laws.
While DeepMind claims the contracts are standard for sensitive work, critics say they may stifle innovation and mobility. The practice remains legal in the UK, even though similar agreements have been banned in the US.
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Morocco has set ambitious goals to boost its economy through investment in emerging technologies, aiming for a 10% increase in GDP by 2030. As part of its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, the government is committing over 11 billion dirhams ($1.1 billion) by 2026 to drive digital transformation, create more than 240,000 jobs, and train 100,000 young people annually in digital skills.
The roadmap prioritises digitising government services through a Unified Administrative Services Portal, with the long-term goal of placing Morocco among the world’s top 50 tech nations. Blockchain plays a central role in this vision, being adopted to improve transparency and efficiency in public services, and already undergoing trials in private sectors like healthcare and finance.
Despite an ongoing official ban, digital asset ownership has surged, more than six million Moroccans now hold such assets, representing over 15% of the population. In parallel, the country is rapidly expanding its use of AI. Notably, Morocco has introduced AI into its judiciary, launched an AI-powered university learning system, and trained over 1,000 small- and medium-sized businesses in AI adoption through partnerships with LinkedIn and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
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Satellite-based mobile coverage could arrive in the UK by the end of 2025, with Ofcom launching a consultation on licensing direct-to-smartphone services.
The move would allow users to stay connected in areas without mast coverage using an ordinary mobile phone.
The proposal favours mobile networks teaming up with satellite operators to share frequencies in unserved regions, offering limited services like text messaging at first, with voice and data to follow.
Ofcom plans strict interference controls, and Vodafone is among those preparing to roll out such technology.
If approved, the service would be available across the UK mainland and surrounding seas, but not yet in places like the Channel Islands.
The public has until May to respond, as Ofcom seeks to modernise mobile access and help close the digital divide.
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Mark Cuban, the tech entrepreneur and investor, spoke at the SXSW conference, where he highlighted the importance of AI for small businesses. He stressed that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should never be seen as the ultimate answer to business success. Cuban explained that AI can help entrepreneurs by making it easier to start and grow businesses, answering questions, and aiding in tasks like research, emails, and sales calls. However, he cautioned against over-relying on AI.
Cuban encouraged entrepreneurs to spend time learning about AI, pointing out how much easier it is to start a business today compared to the past, thanks to the availability of AI tools and internet access. He acknowledged that AI can make mistakes and isn’t perfect, but noted that human experts can also be wrong. In creative fields, Cuban argued that while AI can help with certain tasks like video creation, it’s not a substitute for human creativity, especially when it comes to things like writing scripts or generating quality art.
The tech mogul highlighted that AI should amplify human skills, not replace them. He warned that those who neglect to use AI might find themselves at a disadvantage, as competitors who utilise AI will have the edge.
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Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Hoettges has urged Germany and Europe to invest more in artificial intelligence and data centres to stay competitive with the US and Asia. Speaking after the release of the company’s annual results, Hoettges stressed the need for Europe to increase its computing power, citing a growing demand for data centres that he expects to rise by at least 30%. Deutsche Telekom is already expanding its infrastructure with plans to build four new data centres in Europe, aiming to create one gigawatt of capacity.
Hoettges also emphasised the importance of AI for Europe’s economic growth and sovereignty in the digital age. His comments come as Europe strives to catch up with major AI investments made by the US, with the European Commission pledging to mobilise 200 billion euros for AI development. This contrasts with the US, where private companies have committed up to $500 billion to AI infrastructure.
The call for greater AI investment follows a wave of AI advancements, such as China’s DeepSeek model, which has begun to challenge Western competitors. Hoettges warned that Germany must act quickly or risk falling behind in the global AI race.
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Nvidia has filed a lawsuit against the European Commission for accepting a referral from Italy to review its acquisition of AI startup Run:ai. The US chipmaker argues that the Commission violated a recent court ruling that restricts its powers over minor transactions. This case follows growing concerns over the Commission’s use of Article 22, which allows it to review smaller mergers that fall below EU merger thresholds, a move companies have criticised as overreach.
While the case will not impact the approval of the AI‘s deal, which was cleared in December, a ruling in favour of Nvidia could curb the European Commission’s ability to regulate similar transactions in the future. Nvidia argues that the decision breaches legal principles, including proportionality and equal treatment, and undermines legal certainty for businesses operating in the EU.
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology is set to cut up to 500 staff members, a move that could devastate the US AI Safety Institute and its related programme, Chips for America. Recent reports indicate that these cuts are primarily aimed at probationary employees, with some already receiving verbal notice of termination.
Established under a previous US presidential directive, the AI Safety Institute has faced an uncertain future ever since its inception. The current government’s plans to reduce its workforce are raising concerns among experts, who warn that such reductions will hinder the nation’s capacity to develop critical safety standards in AI development.
Critics from various AI safety and policy organisations have voiced their alarm, emphasising that these cuts occur at a time when specialised expertise is essential. The potential loss of institutional knowledge could leave the government ill-equipped to manage emerging risks in artificial intelligence.
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