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HPE unveils private cloud AI platform featuring Nvidia Blackwell chips

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nvidia have unveiled new AI factory solutions to accelerate AI adoption across multiple sectors.

Announced at HPE Discover in Las Vegas, the new offerings include modular AI factory infrastructure, AI-ready RTX PRO servers (HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12), and the next iteration of HPE’s turnkey platform, HPE Private Cloud AI.

The portfolio combines Nvidia’s Blackwell accelerated computing, Spectrum-X Ethernet, and BlueField-3 networking with Nvidia AI Enterprise software and HPE’s hardware, software, and services. The result is a modular, pre-integrated infrastructure stack intended to simplify AI deployment at scale.

HPE’s OpsRamp Software, a validated observability solution for Nvidia’s Enterprise AI Factory, and HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software for orchestration are also part of the integrated platform.

A key component is the next-generation HPE Private Cloud AI, jointly developed by HPE and Nvidia. It includes ProLiant DL380a Gen12 servers featuring Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs, supporting various enterprise and industrial AI applications. These systems are now available for order.

The platform also supports Nvidia AI Blueprints, such as the AI-Q Blueprint, for AI agent creation and workflow management.

HPE additionally announced the Compute XD690, a new Nvidia HGX B300 system powered by Nvidia Blackwell Ultra GPUs, expected to ship in October 2025.

International collaborations are part of the strategy. HPE is partnering with Japanese telecom provider KDDI to build AI infrastructure at the KDDI Osaka Sakai Data Centre using Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72 platform, based on the Grace Blackwell architecture.

In financial services, HPE is working with Accenture to test agentic AI workflows via Accenture’s AI Refinery, leveraging HPE Private Cloud AI for procurement, sourcing, and risk analysis.

Security and governance features have also been emphasised, including air-gapped management, multi-tenancy support, and post-quantum cryptography.

As part of its broader ecosystem expansion, HPE has added 26 partners to its ‘Unleash AI’ initiative, offering more than 70 packaged AI workloads covering video analytics, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and sovereign AI.

To support enterprise adoption, HPE and Nvidia have launched AI Acceleration Workshops aimed at helping organisations scale AI implementations.

Separately, Nvidia recently collaborated with Deutsche Telekom to launch Europe’s first industrial AI cloud in Germany, designed to support the manufacturing sector with applications in engineering, simulation, digital twins, and robotics.

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AU Open Forum at IGF 2025 highlights urgent need for action on Africa’s digital future

At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway, the African Union’s Open Forum served as a critical platform for African stakeholders to assess the state of digital governance across the continent. The forum featured updates from the African Union Commission, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and voices from governments, civil society, youth, and the private sector.

The tone was constructive yet urgent, with leaders stressing the need to move from declarations to implementation on long-standing issues like digital inclusion, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Dr Maktar Sek of UNECA highlighted key challenges slowing Africa’s digital transformation, including policy fragmentation, low internet connectivity (just 38% continent-wide), and high service costs.

He outlined several initiatives underway, such as a continent-wide ICT tax calculator, a database of over 2,000 AI innovations, and digital ID support for countries like Ethiopia and Mozambique. However, he also stressed that infrastructure gaps—especially energy deficits—continue to obstruct progress, along with the fragmentation of digital payment systems and regulatory misalignment that hinders cross-border cooperation.

The Dar es Salaam Declaration from the recent African IGF in Tanzania was a focal point, outlining nine major challenges ranging from infrastructure and affordability to cybersecurity and localised content. Despite widespread consensus on the problems, only 17 African countries have ratified the vital Malabo Convention on cybersecurity, a statistic met with frustration.

Calls were made to establish a dedicated committee to investigate ratification barriers and to draft model laws that address current digital threats more effectively. Participants repeatedly emphasised the importance of sustainable funding, capacity development, and meaningful youth engagement.

Several speakers challenged the habitual cycle of issuing new recommendations without follow-through. Others underscored the need to empower local innovation and harmonise national policies to support a pan-African digital market.

As the session concluded, calls grew louder for stronger institutional backing for the African IGF Secretariat and a transition toward more binding resolutions—an evolution participants agreed is essential for Africa’s digital aspirations to become reality.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Microsoft and OpenAI revisit investment deal

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman revealed that he had a conversation with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday to discuss the future of their partnership.

Speaking on a New York Times podcast, Altman described the dialogue as part of ongoing efforts to align on the evolving nature of their collaboration.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft — OpenAI’s primary backer — and the AI firm are in discussions to revise the terms of their investment. Topics under negotiation reportedly include Microsoft’s future equity stake in OpenAI.

According to the Financial Times, Microsoft is weighing whether to pause the talks if the two parties cannot resolve key issues. Neither Microsoft nor OpenAI responded to media requests for comment outside regular business hours.

‘Obviously, in any deep partnership, there are points of tension, and we certainly have those,’ Altman said. ‘But on the whole, it’s been wonderfully good for both companies.’

Altman also commented on his recent discussions with United States President Donald Trump regarding AI. He noted that Trump appeared to grasp the technology’s broader geopolitical and economic significance.

In January, Trump announced Stargate — a proposed private sector initiative to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure — with potential backing from SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle.

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Global consensus grows on inclusive and cooperative AI governance at IGF 2025

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, the ‘Building an International AI Cooperation Ecosystem’ session spotlighted the urgent need for international collaboration to manage AI’s transformative impact. Hosted by China’s Cyberspace Administration, the session featured a global roster of experts who emphasised that AI is no longer a niche or elite technology, but a powerful and widely accessible force reshaping economies, societies, and governance frameworks.

China’s Cyberspace Administration Director-General Qi Xiaoxia opened the session by stressing her country’s leadership in AI innovation, citing that over 60% of global AI patents originate from China. She proposed a cooperative agenda focused on sustainable development, managing AI risks, and building international consensus through multilateral collaboration.

Echoing her call, speakers highlighted that AI’s rapid evolution requires national regulations and coordinated global governance, ideally under the auspices of the UN.

Speakers, such as Jovan Kurbalija, executive director of Diplo, and Wolfgang Kleinwächter, emeritus professor for Internet Policy and Regulation at the University of Aarhus, warned against the pitfalls of siloed regulation and technological protectionism. Instead, they advocated for open-source standards, inclusive policymaking, and leveraging existing internet governance models to shape AI rules.

Regional case studies from Shanghai and Mexico illustrated diverse governance approaches—ranging from rights-based regulation to industrial ecosystem building—while initiatives like China Mobile’s AI+ Global Solutions showcased the role of major industry actors. A recurring theme throughout the forum was that no single stakeholder can monopolise effective AI governance.

Instead, a multistakeholder approach involving governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector is essential. Participants agreed that the goal is not just to manage risks, but to ensure AI is developed and deployed in a way that is ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to all humanity.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Global digital funding crisis takes centre stage at IGF 2025 session in Norway

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 in Norway, a pivotal session hosted by the APNIC Foundation gathered global experts to address widening digital funding gaps in the developing world.

The discussion spotlighted the shrinking resources for internet development just as 32% of the world’s population remains unconnected, mainly in the Global South.

Neeti Biyani, from the APNIC Foundation, opened the discussion by framing the urgency of transforming digital development into a vehicle for broader socioeconomic outcomes. ‘We need to shift our mindset from infrastructure delivery to meaningful transformation,’ she said, highlighting the need for collaboration beyond traditional donor-recipient models.

Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Executive Director at the Tech Global Institute, warned of an ‘unhealthy tension between digital development and human rights,’ particularly as governments impose internet shutdowns while touting digital progress. ‘We’re not only leaving people unconnected, we’re actively disconnecting them,’ she said. Diya also called for communities to take greater ownership of digital transformation, moving beyond imposed solutions from the Global North.

Raj Singh, CEO of the APNIC Foundation, expressed concern over the persistent duplication of efforts in digital development. ‘We keep talking about collaboration, but the reality is, there’s very little of it,’ he observed. Singh called for a shift from capacity-building to capability-building and from output-based to outcome-based funding. ‘Without structural change and a supportive ecosystem, we’re just repeating old mistakes,’ he added.

Remy Friedmann of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs stressed that digital inclusion must be treated as a cross-sectoral development priority, not a standalone infrastructure issue. ‘Meaningful internet access is not a luxury—it’s fundamental for economic participation and resilience,’ he said.

GIZ’s Franz von Weizsäcker highlighted the challenges of maintaining development momentum amid declining official development assistance (ODA) and restrictive investment climates. He raised concerns about monopolised satellite infrastructure and the need for open ecosystems. ‘Without proper regulation and procurement capacity, many countries won’t benefit from connectivity, even if the cables are laid,’ he noted.

Speaking remotely, ICANN board director Maarten Botterman emphasised the need for local ownership and multistakeholder collaboration. ‘We can’t just push digital transformation down people’s throats. Local communities need to know what to ask for and be part of shaping it,’ he said.

The session also heard from audience members, including Molly Pugh-Jones from the Digital Health and Rights Project, who highlighted challenges in tracking donor investments and called for transparency in digital development funding. A Norwegian entrepreneur expressed frustration with market access barriers, reflecting a broader distrust of private sector actors in development contexts.

Participants agreed that digital development must become a collective effort driven by cooperation, accountability, and locally defined priorities. ‘We’ve solved harder problems before—think polio eradication,’ Diya concluded. ‘It’s time we applied the same collaborative ambition to digital inclusion.’

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Parliamentarians call for stronger platform accountability and human rights protections at IGF 2025

At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway, parliamentarians from around the world gathered to share perspectives on how to regulate harmful online content without infringing on freedom of expression and democratic values. The session, moderated by Sorina Teleanu, Diplo’s Director of Knowledge, highlighted the increasing urgency for social media platforms to respond more swiftly and responsibly to harmful content, particularly content generated by AI that can lead to real-world consequences such as harassment, mental health issues, and even suicide.

Pakistan’s Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan delivered a powerful appeal, pointing to cultural insensitivity and profit-driven resistance by platforms that often ignore urgent content removal requests. Representatives from Argentina, Nepal, Bulgaria, and South Africa echoed the need for effective legal frameworks that uphold safety and fundamental rights.

Argentina’s Franco Metaza, Member of Parliament of Mercosur, cited disturbing content that promotes eating disorders among young girls and detailed the tangible danger of disinformation, including an assassination attempt linked to online hate. Nepal’s MP Yogesh Bhattarai advocated for regulation without authoritarian control, underscoring the importance of constitutional safeguards for speech.

Member of European Parliament, Tsvetelina Penkova from Bulgaria, outlined the EU’s multifaceted digital laws, like the Digital Services Act and GDPR, which aim to protect users while grappling with implementation challenges across 27 diverse member states.

Youth engagement and digital literacy emerged as key themes, with several speakers emphasising that involving young people in policymaking leads to better, more inclusive policies. Panellists also stressed that education is essential for equipping users with the tools to navigate online spaces safely and critically.

Calls for multistakeholder cooperation rang throughout the session, with consensus on the need for collaboration between governments, tech companies, civil society, and international organisations. A thought-provoking proposal from a Congolese parliamentarian suggested that digital rights be recognised as a new, fourth generation of human rights—akin to civil, economic, and environmental rights already codified in international frameworks.

Other attendees welcomed the idea and agreed that without such recognition, the enforcement of digital protections would remain fragmented. The session concluded on a collaborative and urgent note, with calls for shared responsibility, joint strategies, and stronger international frameworks to create a safer, more just digital future.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

WSIS+20 review highlights gaps in digital access and skills

Experts gathered at the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Norway to assess progress since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was launched two decades ago. The session, co-hosted by the Government of Finland and ICANN, offered a timely stocktake ahead of the WSIS+20 negotiations in December 2025.

Panellists emphasised that WSIS has successfully anchored multistakeholder participation in internet governance. Yet, pressing challenges persist, particularly the digital divide, gender gaps, and lack of basic digital skills—issues that remain just as urgent now as in 2005.

Yu Ping Chan of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stressed that WSIS principles are ‘just as relevant today,’ calling for precise language in negotiations and continued commitment to digital capacity development. She highlighted the disconnect between New York diplomatic processes and those who’ve worked on technical implementation for decades.

Jarno Syrjälä, Undersecretary of State at Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, said WSIS and the Global Digital Compact must be implemented in sync. ‘A strong focus on trusted, open and secure connectivity is vital for ensuring the internet remains a driver for rights, trade, and sustainability,’ he noted.

Fiona Alexander from American University reminded attendees that WSIS’s hallmark was opening internet governance to all stakeholders. She urged continued pressure to maintain that openness: ‘Don’t accept the status quo—show up, speak up, and stay at the table.’

ICANN CEO Kurtis Lindqvist spotlighted tangible successes such as DNSSEC, root server deployments, and internationalised domain names. ‘We risk forgetting that global internet standards have worked phenomenally well. That’s why we must protect the multistakeholder model that delivered them,’ he said.

Smart Africa’s Director General Lacina Koné outlined four digital development gaps for Africa: meaningful connectivity, regulatory harmonisation, skills development—including AI literacy—and digital sovereignty. He explained, ‘WSIS gives us the vision; Smart Africa is building the bridge.’

The group reflected on emerging issues like AI and the need for interoperable legal and technical frameworks. A live poll during the session revealed that capacity development remains the top global priority. Speakers called on governments, civil society, and the technical community to stay engaged in shaping WSIS+20 outcomes. As Koné put it, ‘Multipolarity is a fact, but multilateralism is a choice.’

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Google launches AI Mode Search in India

Google has launched its advanced AI Mode search experience in India, allowing users to explore information through more natural and complex interactions.

The feature, previously available as an experiment in the US, can now be enabled in English via Search Labs. Users test experimental tools on this platform and share feedback on early Google Search features.

Once activated, AI Mode introduces a new tab in the Search interface and Google app. It offers expanded reasoning capabilities powered by Gemini 2.5, enabling queries through text, voice, or images.

The shift supports deeper exploration by allowing follow-up questions and offering diverse web links, helping users understand topics from multiple viewpoints.

India plays a key role in this rollout due to its widespread visual and voice search use.

According to Hema Budaraju, Vice President of Product Management for Search, more users in India engage with Google Lens each month than anywhere else. AI Mode reflects Google’s broader goal of making information accessible across different formats.

Google also highlighted that over 1.5 billion people globally use AI Overviews monthly. These AI-generated summaries, which appear at the top of search results, have driven a 10% rise in user engagement for specific types of queries in both India and the US.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

SoftBank plans Arizona tech site; TSMC may join

According to a Bloomberg report, SoftBank Group Corp. founder and CEO Masayoshi Son is reportedly exploring plans to develop a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona focused on AI and robotics.

The Tokyo-based technology investment firm’s proposed initiative — Project Crystal Land — aims to re-establish high-tech manufacturing capabilities in the United States.

The complex may include production facilities dedicated to AI-powered industrial robots, Bloomberg cited a source familiar with the matter as saying.

SoftBank reportedly seeks to collaborate with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) on the venture.

However, details regarding the nature of TSMC’s potential involvement or whether the company is considering a formal partnership remain unclear.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Protecting the vulnerable online: Global lawmakers push for new digital safety standards

At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway, a parliamentary session titled ‘Click with Care: Protecting Vulnerable Groups Online’ gathered lawmakers, regulators, and digital rights experts from around the world to confront the urgent issue of online harm targeting marginalised communities. Speakers from Uganda, the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Kenya shared insights on how current laws often fall short, especially in the Global South where women, children, and LGBTQ+ groups face disproportionate digital threats.

Research presented showed alarming trends—one in three African women experience online abuse, often with no support or recourse, and platforms’ moderation systems are frequently inadequate, slow, or biassed in favor of users from the Global North.

The session exposed critical gaps in enforcement and accountability, particularly regarding large platforms like Meta and Google, which frequently resist compliance with national regulations. Malaysian Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and others emphasised that individual countries struggle to hold tech giants accountable, leading to calls for stronger regional blocs and international cooperation.

Meanwhile, Philippine lawmaker Raoul Manuel highlighted legislative progress, including extraterritorial jurisdiction for child exploitation and expanded definitions of online violence, though enforcement remains patchy. In Pakistan, Nighat Dad raised the alarm over AI-generated deepfakes and the burden placed on victims to monitor and report their own abuse.

Panellists also stressed that simply taking down harmful content isn’t enough. They called for systemic platform reform, including greater algorithm transparency, meaningful reporting tools, and design changes that prevent harm before it occurs.

Behavioural economist Sandra Maximiano introduced the concept of ‘nudging’ safer user behavior through design interventions that account for human cognitive biases—approaches that could complement legal strategies by embedding protection into the architecture of online spaces.

Why does it matter?

A powerful takeaway from the session was the consensus that online safety must be treated as both a technological and human challenge. Participants agreed that coordinated global responses, inclusive policymaking, and engagement with community structures are essential to making the internet a safer place—particularly for those who need protection the most.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.