Development

PostFinance expands digital asset range to 22 cryptocurrencies

Swiss lender PostFinance has broadened its digital-asset offering to 22 cryptocurrencies, adding Algorand, Arbitrum, NEAR Protocol, Stellar, USDC, and Sui to its platform. The expansion strengthens its position as one of the most comprehensive retail crypto offerings among Swiss banks.

Direct cryptocurrency access was introduced in early 2024, making the institution the first systemically important bank in Switzerland to provide such services. Further additions followed mid-year, reflecting growing client demand for regulated exposure to digital assets.

More than 36,000 custody accounts have been opened since launch, generating over 565,000 trades. According to Alexander Thoma, the bank continues to broaden its selection as customers increasingly prefer to manage crypto through their primary banking provider.

Trading is available via e-finance and the PostFinance app, with a minimum entry level of $50 for both savings plans and individual orders, a move aimed at lowering barriers and widening retail participation.

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Bitcoin divergence signals rising credit stress

A fresh analysis from Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin is signalling mounting stress in the global fiat system as it diverges from the Nasdaq 100. Hayes says Bitcoin is the most sensitive market gauge of credit supply, making its decoupling a possible early warning of systemic stress.

A significant drop in employment, he argues, could translate into large mortgage and consumer-credit losses for US banks.

Estimates suggest a 20% drop in US knowledge workers could trigger about $557 billion in credit losses, hitting bank capital and regional lenders first. Hayes expects instability to force the Federal Reserve to add liquidity, a move he says could lift Bitcoin to new highs.

Beyond the flagship cryptocurrency, Hayes said his firm Maelstrom may allocate stablecoin reserves to Zcash and Hyperliquid once monetary policy shifts, although timing and price targets remain unspecified.

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India unveils MANAV Vision as new global pathway for ethical AI

Narendra Modi presented the new MANAV Vision during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, setting out a human-centred direction for AI.

He described the framework as rooted in moral guidance, transparent oversight, national control of data, inclusive access and lawful verification. He argued that the approach is intended to guide global AI governance for the benefit of humanity.

The Prime Minister of India warned that rapid technological change requires stronger safeguards and drew attention to the need to protect children. He also said societies are entering a period where people and intelligent systems co-create and evolve together instead of functioning in separate spheres.

He pointed to India’s confidence in its talent and policy clarity as evidence of a growing AI future.

Modi announced that three domestic companies introduced new AI models and applications during the summit, saying the launches reflect the energy and capability of India’s young innovators.

He invited technology leaders from around the world to collaborate by designing and developing in India instead of limiting innovation to established hubs elsewhere.

The summit brought together policymakers, academics, technologists and civil society representatives to encourage cooperation on the societal impact of artificial intelligence.

As the first global AI summit held in the Global South, the gathering aligned with India’s national commitment to welfare for all and the wider aspiration to advance AI for humanity.

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Quantum Computing transforms port scheduling and maritime logistics optimization

Quantum computing is emerging as a complementary technology in maritime shipping, an industry defined by constant constraints, disruptions, and interdependent decisions. As global trade networks grow more complex, optimisation challenges in ports and logistics systems are becoming increasingly complex to solve with classical computing alone.

In hybrid workflows, classical systems manage data and operations, while quantum routines tackle the most computationally intensive bottlenecks.

The main difficulty in maritime logistics is not the volume of data, but the exponential growth in the number of possible decisions as constraints accumulate. Real-world variables such as weather, labour rules, emissions targets, congestion, and intermodal coordination make planning significantly more complex.

Problems, including berth allocation, crane sequencing, vehicle routing, fleet scheduling, and container loading, often require simplifications. Under time pressure, planners frequently settle for “good enough” solutions.

Quantum computing is particularly suited to dense, constraint-heavy optimisation tasks. In hybrid systems, it can improve replanning during disruptions and generate higher-quality scheduling options.

Early experimentation is underway in major ports, including initiatives in Los Angeles and Dubai. These pilots focus on measurable operational gains and technical readiness.

While hardware continues to mature, software accessibility remains a key barrier. Maritime leaders are encouraged to invest in modelling capabilities and integration planning to prepare for the gradual adoption of quantum.

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Top AI safety expert warns that an unregulated AI ‘arms race’ may pose existential risks

At an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Stuart Russell, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley and a prominent AI safety advocate, said the ongoing AI arms race between big tech companies carries ‘existential risk’ that could ultimately threaten humanity if super-intelligent AI systems overpower human control.

He argued that while CEOs of leading AI developers, whom he believes privately recognise the dangers, are reluctant to slow development unilaterally due to investor pressure, governments could work together to impose collective regulation and safety standards.

Russell characterised the current trajectory as akin to ‘Russian roulette’ with humanity’s future and urged political action to address both safety and ethical concerns around AI advancement.

He also highlighted other societal issues tied to rapid AI deployment, including potential job losses, surveillance concerns and misuse. He pointed to growing public unease, especially among younger people, about AI’s dehumanising aspects.

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Microsoft pledges $50bn for AI in Global South

Microsoft has announced it is on pace to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to expand AI access across the Global South, speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The company said AI usage in the Global North is roughly double that of the Global South, with the gap widening.

In India and other regions of the Global South, Microsoft is increasing investment in data centre infrastructure, connectivity and electricity to support AI deployment. The company reported more than $8 billion invested in infrastructure serving the Global South in its last fiscal year.

Microsoft is also expanding skills and education programmes in India, including a pledge to help 20 million people gain AI credentials by 2028 and a target to equip 20 million people in India with AI skills by 2030.

Additional initiatives focus on multilingual AI development, food security projects in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa, and new data tools to measure AI diffusion. Microsoft said coordinated global partnerships are essential to ensure AI benefits reach countries in the Global South.

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AI climate benefits overstated says new civil society report

Environmental groups, including Beyond Fossil Fuels and Stand.earth, have published a report challenging claims that AI will meaningfully address climate change. The analysis argues that rapid data centre expansion is being justified by overstated promises of ‘AI for climate’ benefits.

Researchers found that many cited emissions reductions relate to older forms of machine learning rather than energy-intensive generative AI systems. At the same time, rising electricity demand from large-scale AI deployment is driving increased fossil fuel use.

The report also questions evidence presented by corporations and institutions such as the International Energy Agency, stating that projected climate gains are often weak or exaggerated. Companies are reported to be drifting away from climate targets even when renewable energy offsets are included.

Campaigners say framing AI as a climate solution risks distracting from corporate decisions that increase pollution and digital infrastructure growth. They call for stronger accountability and clearer scrutiny of environmental claims linked to emerging technologies.

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Ericsson launches AI integrated RAN radios and software to support next generation 5G networks

Telecoms giant Ericsson has launched a new range of AI-ready radios, antennas and RAN software designed to meet growing demand from AI-enabled and augmented reality devices. The portfolio will be showcased ahead of Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona.

New Massive MIMO and remote radios integrate Ericsson Silicon with neural network accelerators, enabling real-time AI inference and improved uplink performance. Higher-power FDD and TDD configurations aim to support data-intensive AI applications while lowering the total cost of ownership.

Updated RAN software introduces AI-managed beamforming, AI-powered outdoor positioning and instant coverage prediction. Additional latency prioritisation tools are designed to deliver faster response times for AI and AR services.

Five new energy-efficient antennas complete the lineup, enhancing spectrum use and simplifying site design. Ericsson says deeper AI integration across hardware and software will help communications service providers monetise next-generation connectivity.

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Rwanda and Anthropic sign AI partnership

Anthropic and the Government of Rwanda have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to expand AI deployment across health, education and public sector services in Rwanda. The agreement marks Anthropic’s first multi-sector government partnership in Africa.

In Rwanda’s health system, Anthropic will support national priorities, including efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and reduce malaria and maternal mortality. Rwanda’s Ministry of Health will work with Anthropic to integrate AI tools aligned with national objectives.

Public sector developer teams in Rwanda will gain access to Claude and Claude Code, alongside training, API credits and technical support. The partnership also formalises an education programme launched in 2025 that provided 2,000 Claude Pro licences to educators in Rwanda.

Officials in Rwanda have said the collaboration focuses on capacity development, responsible deployment and local autonomy. Anthropic stated that investment in skills and infrastructure in Rwanda aims to enable safe and independent use of AI by teachers, health workers and public servants.

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Generative AI revives historic images in New Brighton with Remarkable community engagement

Generative AI is increasingly being used to reinterpret cultural heritage and re-engage communities with their local history. In New Brighton, a creative initiative has digitally restored, colourised, and reanimated archival photographs dating from the Victorian era to the late twentieth century.

The project demonstrates how AI can transform static historical images into moving sequences, making the past more accessible to digital audiences. By combining archival research with creative experimentation, the initiative bridges heritage and contemporary technology.

Public response was immediate and substantial. Within hours of publication, the videos generated tens of thousands of views, hundreds of shares, and extensive social media commentary, reflecting strong community interest.

Beyond numerical engagement, the project prompted residents and former visitors to share personal memories of the pier, fairground, cinemas, and promenade. Organisers described the depth of emotional response as evidence that local identity and civic pride remain deeply rooted.

The initiative forms part of a broader creative revival in New Brighton. Upcoming public art projects, including a large-scale mural celebrating community volunteers, aim to build on this momentum and connect heritage with future regeneration efforts.

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