Chinese AI startup Zhipu AI has raised over 1 billion yuan ($137.22 million) in new funding, following a previous 3 billion yuan investment in December. The latest funding round comes amid growing competition in China’s AI sector, particularly with rival DeepSeek’s large language models, which claim to rival Western models at a lower cost.
Investors in the new round include the state-backed Hangzhou City Investment Group Industrial Fund and Shangcheng Capital. Zhipu AI plans to use the funds to enhance its GLM language model and expand its AI ecosystem, with a focus on businesses in Zhejiang province and the Yangtze River Delta region.
Founded in 2019, Zhipu AI has completed 16 funding rounds and is considered one of China’s leading AI startups. The company aims to release a range of new AI models, including foundation and multimodal models, as part of its open-source strategy. The funding comes as competitors like DeepSeek continue to disrupt the AI landscape with open-source models that challenge established platforms.
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Vodafone UK has teamed up with IBM to explore quantum-safe cryptography as part of a new Proof of Concept (PoC) test for its mobile and broadband services, particularly for users of its ‘Secure Net’ anti-malware service. While quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, they could eventually break current internet encryption methods. In anticipation of this, Vodafone and IBM are testing how to integrate new post-quantum cryptographic standards into Vodafone’s existing Secure Net service, which already protects millions of users from threats like phishing and malware.
IBM’s cryptography experts have co-developed two algorithms now recognised in the US National Institute of Standards and Technology’s first post-quantum cryptography standards. This collaboration, supported by Akamai Technologies, aims to make Vodafone’s services more resilient against future quantum computing risks. Vodafone’s Head of R&D, Luke Ibbetson, stressed the importance of future-proofing digital security to ensure customers can continue enjoying safe internet experiences.
Although the PoC is still in its feasibility phase, Vodafone hopes to implement quantum-safe cryptography across its networks and products soon, ensuring stronger protection for both business and consumer users.
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British startup Wayve has announced plans to open a new testing and development hub in Germany, deploying a fleet of test vehicles in the Stuttgart region. The self-driving technology firm aims to enhance features like lane change assistance at the new facility, which will focus on improving its “Embodied AI” system that learns from human behaviour.
Wayve, which operates in the UK and the US, is expanding into Germany as part of its strategy to enter the European market, particularly Germany, the continent’s largest automotive hub. The company received a boost earlier this year, with Uber investing in August and SoftBank leading a $1 billion funding round in May, supported by Nvidia.
Despite the significant investments in autonomous vehicle technology, self-driving systems still face challenges in predicting and assessing risks as accurately as human drivers. Wayve’s technology is already integrated into six vehicle platforms, including electric models like the Jaguar I-PACE and Ford Mustang Mach-E, as part of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
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Singapore‘s government is investigating a fraud case involving servers supplied by US companies, potentially containing Nvidia’s advanced chips. Three men, including a Chinese national, were charged last week in connection with the alleged illegal transfer of these AI chips from Singapore to Chinese firm DeepSeek. Singapore’s Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that the servers were provided by Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer to local firms before being sent to Malaysia.
Authorities are still unsure whether Malaysia was the final destination, but they are working with US officials to determine if the servers contained restricted US export-controlled items. The US is already investigating whether DeepSeek has used banned Nvidia chips, which could lead to violations of export laws. The case forms part of a broader probe into suspected smuggling activities linked to AI chips being moved from countries like Singapore to China.
Singapore, a key market for Nvidia, is also examining allegations that DeepSeek may have acquired thousands of advanced Nvidia chips illegally. However, DeepSeek has denied these claims, stating that it only used legally purchased chips, including the Nvidia H800 model. The investigation is ongoing, with Singapore continuing to cooperate with US authorities.
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Chinese smartphone maker Honor plans to invest $10 billion over the next five years to develop AI for its devices as it prepares for a public listing. CEO James Li revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the company aims to expand beyond smartphones into AI-powered PCs, tablets, and wearables.
Honor’s push into AI comes after completing a shareholder restructuring in December, bringing it closer to an initial public offering, though no timeline has been set. The announcement also aligns with a surge in AI investment in China, driven by the popularity of DeepSeek’s affordable language models.
While Honor’s market share in China slipped from second to fourth place last year, it has gained significant support from the Shenzhen government, including R&D funding and tax breaks. The company is also focusing on expanding internationally as it strengthens its AI capabilities.
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Britain’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has launched an investigation into the child privacy practices of TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur. The ICO is scrutinising how these platforms manage personal data and age verification for users, particularly teenagers, to ensure they comply with UK data protection laws.
The investigation focuses on TikTok’s use of data from 13-17-year-olds to recommend content via its algorithm. The ICO is also examining how Reddit and Imgur assess and protect the privacy of child users. If evidence of legal breaches is found, the ICO will take action, as it did in 2023 when TikTok was fined £12.7 million for mishandling data from children under 13.
Both Reddit and Imgur have expressed a commitment to adhering to UK regulations. Reddit, for example, stated that it plans to roll out updates to meet new age-assurance requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok and Imgur have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The investigation comes amid stricter UK legislation aimed at safeguarding children online, including measures requiring social media platforms to limit harmful content and enforce age checks to prevent underage access to inappropriate material.
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The Clean Industrial Deal aims to help energy-intensive industries tackle high costs and complex regulations while competing with global rivals.
The plan includes new guarantee schemes, developed in partnership with the European Investment Bank, to lower costs for long-term renewable energy contracts and provide financial support for grid manufacturers.
A proposed EU Critical Raw Material Centre would coordinate the joint purchase of essential metals and minerals needed for the green transition.
Brussels’ initiative is part of a wider effort to streamline bureaucracy, adjust carbon duties, and create a more business-friendly environment for clean industries.
The proposal now awaits approval from the European Parliament and a reinforced majority of EU member states before it can take effect.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for tougher restrictions on Chinese technology, urging President Donald Trump’s nominee for a key trade role to reinforce AI chip controls.
In a letter to Jeffrey Kessler, the nominee for the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Warren cited concerns over Chinese startup DeepSeek and its AI advancements. She argued for tighter enforcement of export restrictions and measures to curb chip smuggling.
Chinese firms like Huawei and SMIC, already on the US Entity List, continue to acquire American technology through front companies, Warren warned.
She pressed Kessler to address this issue and determine whether these companies violated US laws by producing advanced chips using American technology. Strengthened controls on ChangXin Memory Technology and high-powered inference chips, such as Nvidia’s H20, were also among her recommendations.
Kessler, who previously served as the Commerce Department’s top trade enforcement official, acknowledged China‘s progress in cutting-edge technology. His confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee is set to examine how the US can maintain its technological edge while enforcing export restrictions effectively.
The debate comes amid ongoing tensions over AI and semiconductor technology between Washington and Beijing.
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The closure of USAID has ignited a crucial conversation about the evolving role of soft power and public digital diplomacy in a world increasingly driven by hard power and realpolitik. Jovan Kurbalija’s analysis delves into the heart of this debate, raising pressing questions that could reshape international relations and diplomacy:
Is soft power losing its relevance? In a world dominated by hard power, can values like justice, solidarity, and fairness still ‘win hearts and minds’?
Who will fill the soft power void? Will China, the EU, India, or others step up in regions like Africa and Asia?
What does this mean for the global balance of power? How will this shift reshape global diplomacy?
USAID has been a key contributor to the digital aspects of US soft power, supporting projects on information integrity, digital networks, and social media. With this segment of USAID’s work facing criticism from the Trump administration, the impact on public digital diplomacy is expected to be significant. Kurbalija’s analysis sparks a timely discussion focusing on critical questions:
Will the shift toward traditional, realpolitik diplomacy reduce the relevance of social media in diplomacy? Given that traditional diplomacy frequently occurs in a discreet setting, will digital platforms become less significant?
Who will shape public diplomacy narratives? With the decentralisation of global media—both traditional and digital—who will shape narratives on issues like human rights, climate change, and economic development?
Will the ‘hearts and minds’ battle move from social media campaigns to in situ diplomatic engagement? Growing scepticism towards the impartiality of digital media may revive the importance of traditional public diplomacy, with diplomats engaging local communities through cultural, artistic, and grassroots initiatives.
💬 Join the discussion: How do you see the future of soft power and digital public diplomacy evolving? Share your insights and be part of this critical conversation!
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OpenAI has rolled out a research preview of its latest GPT-4.5 model for Pro users, with plans to extend access to a wider audience over the next few weeks. The upgraded model boasts better pattern recognition, enhanced emotional intelligence, and an improved ability to generate creative insights.
The new version of GPT-4.5 also addresses a common issue with AI models, ‘hallucinations’ or the generation of false information, reducing its rate to 37.1%, compared to previous models’ higher rates. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman acknowledged some logistical challenges in the rollout, including GPU shortages, but assured users that more resources would be added soon.
While GPT-4.5 can handle tasks such as coding and content creation, it currently lacks some advanced features, such as voice and video capabilities. As OpenAI expands its offering, the company continues to refine the model to meet the growing demand for more powerful AI tools.
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