Development Archives | Page 304 of 541 | Digital Watch Observatory

Amazon launches AU$ 20 bn investment in Australian solar-powered data centres

Amazon will invest AU$ 20 billion to expand its data centre infrastructure in Australia, using solar and wind power instead of traditional energy sources.

The plan includes power purchase agreements with three utility-scale solar plants developed by European Energy, one of which—Mokoan Solar Park in Victoria—is already operational. The other two projects, Winton North and Bullyard Solar Parks, are expected to lift total solar capacity to 333MW.

The investment supports Australia’s aim to enhance its cloud and AI capabilities. Amazon’s commitment includes purchasing over 170MW of power from these projects, contributing to both data centre growth and the country’s renewable energy transition.

According to the International Energy Agency, electricity demand from data centres is expected to more than double by 2030, driven by AI.

Amazon Web Servic es CEO Matt Garman said the move positions Australia to benefit from AI’s economic potential. The company, already active in solar projects across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, continues to prioritise renewables to decarbonise operations and meet surging energy needs.

Instead of pursuing growth through conventional means, Amazon’s focus on clean energy could set a precedent for other tech giants expanding in the region.

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

OpenAI turns to Google Cloud in shift from solo AI race

OpenAI has entered into an unexpected partnership with Google, using Google Cloud to support its growing AI infrastructure needs.

Despite being fierce competitors in AI, the two tech giants recognise that long-term success may require collaboration instead of isolation.

As the demand for high-performance hardware soars, traditional rivals join forces to keep pace. OpenAI, previously backed heavily by Microsoft, now draws from Google’s vast cloud resources, hinting at a changing attitude in the AI race.

Rather than going it alone, firms may benefit more by leveraging each other’s strengths to accelerate development.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, speaking on a podcast, suggested there is room for multiple winners in the AI sector. He even noted that a major competitor had ‘invited me to a dance’, underscoring a new phase of pragmatic cooperation.

While Google still faces threats to its search dominance from tools like ChatGPT, business incentives may override rivalry.

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

AI health tools need clinicians to prevent serious risks, Oxford study warns

The University of Oxford has warned that AI in healthcare, primarily through chatbots, should not operate without human oversight.

Researchers found that relying solely on AI for medical self-assessment could worsen patient outcomes instead of improving access to care. The study highlights how these tools, while fast and data-driven, fall short in delivering the judgement and empathy that only trained professionals can offer.

The findings raise alarm about the growing dependence on AI to fill gaps caused by doctor shortages and rising costs. Chatbots are often seen as scalable solutions, but without rigorous human-in-the-loop validation, they risk providing misleading or inconsistent information, particularly to vulnerable groups.

Rather than helping, they might increase health disparities by delaying diagnosis or giving patients false reassurance.

Experts are calling for safer, hybrid approaches that embed clinicians into the design and ongoing use of AI tools. The Oxford researchers stress that continuous testing, ethical safeguards and clear protocols must be in place.

Instead of replacing clinical judgement, AI should support it. The future of digital healthcare hinges not just on innovation but on responsibility and partnership between technology and human care.

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

Taiwan tightens rules on chip shipments to China

Taiwan has officially banned the export of chips and chiplets to China’s Huawei and SMIC, joining the US in tightening restrictions on advanced semiconductor transfers.

The decision follows reports that TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, was unknowingly misled into supplying chiplets used in Huawei’s Ascend 910B AI accelerator. The US Commerce Department had reportedly considered a fine of over $1 billion against TSMC for that incident.

Taiwan’s new rules aim to prevent further breaches by requiring export permits for any transactions with Huawei or SMIC.

The distinction between chips and chiplets is key to the case. Traditional chips are built as single-die monoliths using the same process node, while chiplets are modular and can combine various specialised components, such as CPU or AI cores.

Huawei allegedly used shell companies to acquire chiplets from TSMC, bypassing existing US restrictions. If TSMC had known the true customer, it likely would have withheld the order. Taiwan’s new export controls are designed to ensure stricter oversight of future transactions and prevent repeat deceptions.

The broader geopolitical stakes are clear. Taiwan views the transfer of advanced chips to China as a national security threat, given Beijing’s ambitions to reunify with Taiwan and the potential militarisation of high-end semiconductors.

With Huawei claiming its processors are nearly on par with Western chips—though analysts argue they lag two to three generations behind—the export ban could further isolate China’s chipmakers.

Speculation persists that Taiwan’s move was partly influenced by negotiations with the US to avoid the proposed fine on TSMC, bringing both countries into closer alignment on chip sanctions.

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

Indonesia’s cyber strategy balances power and capacity

Indonesia has taken a major step in decentralising its cybersecurity efforts by launching eight regional Cyber Crime Directorates across provinces, including Jakarta, West Java, East Java, and Papua. That marks a significant shift from a centralised system to one that recognises the localised nature of cyber threats, from financial fraud and data breaches to online disinformation.

The move reflects a growing awareness that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue but a broader governance challenge involving law enforcement at multiple levels. The rationale behind the decentralisation is clear: bringing cyber governance closer to where threats emerge allows for quicker responses and better local engagement.

It aligns with global ideas of ‘multi-level security governance,’ where various authorities work together across layers. However, while the creation of these regional directorates in Indonesia signals progress, it also reveals deep structural limitations—many local units still lack trained personnel, sufficient technology, and flexible organisational systems needed to tackle sophisticated cybercrime.

Experts warn that these new directorates risk becoming symbolic rather than effective without serious investments in infrastructure, education, and staff development. Current bureaucratic rigidity, hierarchical communication, and limited agency coordination further hamper their potential.

In some provinces, such as Central Sulawesi and Papua, the initiative may also reflect broader state security goals, highlighting how cybersecurity policy often intersects with political and geographic sensitivities. For Indonesia to build a truly adaptive and resilient cyber governance framework, reforms must go beyond institutional expansion.

That includes fostering partnerships with academia and civil society, enabling regional units to respond dynamically to emerging threats, and ensuring that cyber capabilities are built on solid foundations rather than unevenly distributed resources. Otherwise, the decentralisation could reinforce old inefficiencies under a new name.

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

Switzerland’s unique AI path: Blending innovation, governance, and local empowerment

In his recent blog post ‘Advancing Swiss AI Trinity: Zurich’s entrepreneurship, Geneva’s governance, and Communal subsidiarity,’ Jovan Kurbalija proposes a distinctive roadmap for Switzerland to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Rather than mimicking the AI power plays of the United States or China, Kurbalija argues that Switzerland can lead by integrating three national strengths: Zurich’s thriving innovation ecosystem, Geneva’s global leadership in governance, and the country’s foundational principle of subsidiarity rooted in local decision-making.

Zurich, already a global tech hub, is positioned to drive cutting-edge development through its academic excellence and robust entrepreneurial culture. Institutions like ETH Zurich and the presence of major tech firms provide a fertile ground for collaborations that turn research into practical solutions.

With AI tools becoming increasingly accessible, Kurbalija emphasises that success now depends on how societies harness the interplay of human and machine intelligence—a field where Switzerland’s education and apprenticeship systems give it a competitive edge. Meanwhile, Geneva is called upon to spearhead balanced international governance and standard-setting for AI.

Kurbalija stresses that AI policy must go beyond abstract discussions and address real-world issues—health, education, the environment—by embedding AI tools in global institutions and negotiations. He notes that Geneva’s experience in multilateral diplomacy and technical standardisation offers a strong foundation for shaping ethical, inclusive AI frameworks.

The third pillar—subsidiarity—empowers Swiss cantons and communities to develop AI that reflects local values and needs. By supporting grassroots innovation through mini-grants, reimagining libraries as AI learning hubs, and embedding AI literacy from primary school to professional training, Switzerland can build an AI model that is democratic and inclusive.

Why does it matter?

Kurbalija’s call to action is clear: with its tools, talent, and traditions aligned, Switzerland must act now to chart a future where AI serves society, not the other way around.

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

Google Gemini now summarizes PDFs with actionable prompts in Drive

Google is expanding Gemini’s capabilities by allowing the AI assistant to summarize PDF documents directly in Google Drive—and it’s doing more than just generating summaries.

Users will now see clickable suggestions like drafting proposals or creating interview questions based on resume content, making Gemini a more proactive productivity tool.

However, this update builds on earlier integrations of Gemini in Drive, which now surface pop-up summaries and action prompts when a PDF is opened.

Users with smart features and personalization turned on will notice a new preview window interface, eliminating the need to open a separate tab.

Gemini’s PDF summaries are now available in over 20 languages and will gradually roll out over the next two weeks.

The feature supports personal and business accounts, including Business Standard/Plus users, Enterprise tiers, Gemini Education, and Google AI Pro and Ultra plans.

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

Nvidia’s Huang: ‘The new programming language is human’

Speaking at London Tech Week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called AI ‘the great equaliser,’ explaining how AI has transformed who can access and control computing power.

In the past, computing was limited to a select few with technical skills in languages like C++ or Python. ‘We had to learn programming languages. We had to architect it. We had to design these computers that are very complicated,’ Huang said.

That’s no longer necessary, he explained. ‘Now, all of a sudden, there’s a new programming language. This new programming language is called ‘human’,’ Huang said, highlighting how AI now understands natural language commands. ‘Most people don’t know C++, very few people know Python, and everybody, as you know, knows human.’

He illustrated his point with an example: asking an AI to write a poem in the style of Shakespeare. The AI delivers, he said—and if you ask it to improve, it will reflect and try again, just like a human collaborator.

For Huang, this shift is not just technical but transformational. It makes the power of advanced computing accessible to billions, not just a trained few.

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

UK health sector adopts AI while legacy tech lags

The UK’s healthcare sector has rapidly embraced AI, with adoption rising from 47% in 2024 to 94% in 2025, according to SOTI’s new report ‘Healthcare’s Digital Dilemma’.

AI is no longer confined to administrative tasks, as 52% of healthcare professionals now use it for diagnosis and 57% to personalise treatments. SOTI’s Stefan Spendrup said AI is improving how care is delivered and helping clinicians make more accurate, patient-specific decisions.

However, outdated systems continue to hamper progress. Nearly all UK health IT leaders report challenges from legacy infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) tech and telehealth tools.

While connected devices are widely used to support patients remotely, 73% rely on outdated, unintegrated systems, significantly higher than the global average of 65%.

These systems limit interoperability and heighten security risks, with 64% experiencing regular tech failures and 43% citing network vulnerabilities.

The strain on IT teams is evident. Nearly half report being unable to deploy or manage new devices efficiently, and more than half struggle to offer remote support or access detailed diagnostics. Time lost to troubleshooting remains a common frustration.

The UK appears more affected by these challenges than other countries surveyed, indicating a pressing need to modernise infrastructure instead of continuing to patch ageing technology.

While data security remains the top IT concern in UK healthcare, fewer IT teams see it as a priority, falling from 33% in 2024 to 24% in 2025. Despite a sharp increase in data breaches, the number rose from 71% to 84%.

Spendrup warned that innovation risks being undermined unless the sector rebalances priorities, with more focus on securing systems and replacing legacy tools instead of delaying necessary upgrades.

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

Ghana to bridge the digital divide with fairer data pricing

Ghana will boost mobile data bundle values starting July 2025 to improve affordability and bridge digital divides. The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations announced that all major mobile network operators in Ghana: AirtelTigo, Telecel, and MTN, will implement a minimum 10% increase in data bundle volumes.

MTN will go further, increasing bundles by 15% and reinstating its popular GHC399 Social Media bundle. These changes aim to address consumer concerns about data pricing and improving value for money.

To support this initiative, telecom providers have pledged significant investments. AirtelTigo, Telecel, and MTN will collectively invest around $150 million in network upgrades by the end of 2025. The National Communications Authority (NCA) will step up its oversight, conducting a nationwide quality of service assessment in the final quarter of 2025.

Additionally, quarterly billing integrity tests will be introduced to ensure that users are charged fairly and accurately. Operators failing to meet service standards will face sanctions. Furthermore, the Minister noted that tax rationalisation could lead to future reductions in data prices. A new telecom tariff framework is under development, which may result in additional cost savings for consumers.

The reforms target steep, uneven data prices that still block many Ghanaians from online services, especially in rural areas. By raising bundle values and tightening oversight, authorities aim to make internet access fairer and more affordable nationwide.

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