Development

New Fiverr AI model offers creative control to freelancers

Freelance marketplace Fiverr is rolling out new AI tools designed to help gig workers streamline their work and maintain competitiveness. The ‘Personal AI Creation Model’ allows freelancers to train AI systems on their own work, offering clients either automated or blended content.

Freelancers retain ownership of the generated content and can set prices for its use, with the service costing $25 per month.

The tools aim to address challenges in the gig economy, where generative AI has increased competition while reducing opportunities. Fiverr highlights that the AI creation model prioritises freelancers’ control, ensuring their data is not misused.

Additionally, a ‘Personal AI Assistant’ is available to help with routine tasks and client communication, priced at $29 per month or included with Fiverr’s premium subscription.

Fiverr is also introducing a programme granting company shares to its top-performing freelancers. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the initiative reflects efforts to support gig workers in an increasingly competitive market.

As generative AI reshapes industries, Fiverr’s initiatives could help freelancers navigate the evolving landscape while enhancing their earning potential and safeguarding their creative work.

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Google settles tax dispute in Italy for 326 million euros

Milan prosecutors have announced plans to drop a case against Google’s European division after the company agreed to settle a tax dispute by paying 326 million euros (£277 million). The settlement covers the period from 2015 to 2019, including penalties, sanctions, and interest.

The tax dispute stemmed from allegations that Google had failed to file and pay taxes on revenue generated in Italy, based on the digital infrastructure it operates within the country. This comes after the company settled a previous tax case with Italian authorities in 2017 by paying 306 million euros, which acknowledged Google’s permanent presence in Italy.

In 2023, Italy had requested that Google pay 1 billion euros in unpaid taxes and penalties. However, with this latest settlement, the case against the tech giant appears to be resolved for now.

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AI leadership goal drives South Korea’s GPU investment

South Korea has unveiled plans to acquire 10,000 high-performance GPUs by the end of the year, aiming to strengthen its national AI computing capabilities.

Officials emphasised that global AI competition has escalated from corporate rivalries to clashes between nations’ innovation ecosystems. Acting President Choi Sang-mok stated that public-private cooperation would be key to launching services at the country’s national AI computing centre.

The initiative comes amid the US government’s newly implemented restrictions on exporting AI chips, which categorise countries into tiers. South Korea remains exempt from these restrictions, allowing it access to advanced GPUs.

Details on the budget, specific GPU models, and private sector partners are expected to be finalised by September, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

US-based Nvidia dominates the GPU market with an 80% share, with rivals Intel and AMD trailing behind. Meanwhile, OpenAI, supported by Microsoft, is developing its first in-house AI chip to reduce dependency on Nvidia.

Chinese startup DeepSeek has also entered the AI scene with models prioritising computational efficiency over raw processing power, potentially narrowing the technological gap with US-made processors.

As nations race to secure technological supremacy, South Korea’s move signals its commitment to advancing its AI infrastructure and staying competitive in the global AI ecosystem.

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Vision pro to get AI and guest mode upgrade in April

Apple is set to introduce AI-driven features to its Vision Pro headset, including a new spatial content app and an enhanced guest user mode. The update, expected in April, may be available in beta for developers as early as this week, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.

The AI integration, dubbed ‘Apple Intelligence,’ will bring tools such as Writing Tools, Genmojis, and the Image Playground app to the Vision Pro. This move aligns with Apple’s broader push to incorporate AI into its ecosystem, as the company also explores AI partnerships for iPhones in China.

The Vision Pro, which launched in February 2024 with a hefty price tag of $3,499, initially saw strong sales but has since faced slowing demand. By enhancing its software with AI and new content features, Apple hopes to reignite consumer interest and better compete with more affordable alternatives, such as Meta’s Quest headsets.

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Chip experts nominated for Samsung’s board

Samsung Electronics has nominated two of its top chip executives and a semiconductor expert for its board, aiming to enhance its position in the competitive chip market. The move reflects a strategic effort to revitalise its struggling semiconductor business.

Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung’s chip division, and Chief Technology Officer Song Jai-hyuk have been proposed for board membership. Additionally, Lee Hyuk-jae, a professor at Seoul National University and leader of its semiconductor research centre, has been named as an outside director.

Samsung has been working to regain its footing in the semiconductor industry, where it recently lost market leadership in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to rival SK Hynix. HBM chips are crucial for AI-driven GPUs, a rapidly growing market dominated by firms like Nvidia.

The nominations will be presented for approval at Samsung’s shareholders’ meeting scheduled for 19 March. The company hopes the addition of these experts will strengthen its long-term strategy in the chip sector.

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Greece plans satellite launch to boost digital strategy

Greece is poised to launch its first satellites by the end of the year, marking a significant advancement in the country’s digital strategy. Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, speaking at the Innovent Forum in Larissa, outlined the ambitious plans to deploy microsatellites by late 2025. These satellites will provide critical data across various sectors, significantly enhancing the country’s digital capabilities and supporting its broader technological goals.

The new satellite program is designed to offer more precise and narrowly focused information on key areas such as natural disasters, crops, water quality, land use, and urban planning. By using advanced satellite technology, Greece aims to improve its ability to respond to environmental challenges, optimise resource management, and make more informed decisions in urban and rural planning. Papastergiou emphasised that these upgrades are essential for the country to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Alongside the satellite initiative, Papastergiou also discussed ongoing efforts to digitalise state services, tackling long-standing issues of bureaucratic red tape. He pointed to the digitisation of the national cadaster as a key example of these reforms, which are intended to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of government operations. The minister’s remarks signal a continued push for modernising Greece’s public sector to meet the demands of the digital age.

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Polish cybersecurity to gain from Microsoft funding

Microsoft has announced plans to invest an additional $700 million in Poland, aiming to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity capabilities.

The investment will be carried out in collaboration with Poland’s armed forces, marking a significant boost in security infrastructure.

The funding forms part of the second phase of Microsoft’s earlier commitment to the region, following a $1 billion data centre project announced in 2020.

That project saw the opening of a data centre in 2023, which provides cloud services to businesses and government institutions.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined Microsoft President Brad Smith at a press conference to discuss the plans. The investment highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in the partnership between Microsoft and Poland.

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Robotics and AI steal the show at NBA Tech Summit

When the NBA held its first Tech Summit in 2000, few imagined it would become a cornerstone of All-Star weekend. Now, 25 years later, the summit has returned to the Bay Area, where it all began, marking a milestone in the league’s embrace of technology.

What started as a simple conversation about the future has evolved into an exclusive gathering of industry leaders, featuring discussions on AI, robotics, and the media revolution that has reshaped sports. Commissioner Adam Silver shared the stage with advanced Physical AI robots at this year’s event, showcasing how innovation continues transforming the game.

Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot dogs even appeared, launching T-shirts and entertaining the crowd. The summit also featured a high-profile panel on streaming services, with executives from Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and YouTube discussing the ongoing digital shift—a vision first championed by Mark Cuban at the inaugural summit.

Despite initial scepticism, the Tech Summit has become an essential platform where NBA owners, players, and media moguls exchange ideas on the ever-evolving landscape of sports and technology. This year’s speakers included All-Star players Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson, WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu, and the USA Basketball chairperson, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.

Legendary broadcaster Bob Costas also sat down for a conversation with Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, adding another layer of insight to the event. As Silver reflected on the summit’s past and future, he admitted that predicting the next 25 years is nearly impossible.

‘We’re featuring AI and robotics this year. Who knew?’ he said. While the Tech Summit continues to evolve, one thing remains certain—it will always be a space to explore the next big thing in basketball and beyond.

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Meta plans the world’s longest undersea cable

Meta has announced plans for Project Waterworth, an ambitious 50,000km subsea cable system set to be the longest in the world. The infrastructure project aims to enhance global connectivity by linking the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other regions. Designed with 24 fiber pairs, the system will offer significantly higher data capacity, supporting Meta’s growing AI-driven services and contributing to digital inclusion and economic growth in key markets.

The tech giant has been at the forefront of undersea cable development for over a decade, collaborating on more than 20 similar projects. With most of the world’s internet traffic reliant on such cables, concerns over security have intensified, particularly as geopolitical tensions rise. In response to recent incidents, NATO has increased surveillance of critical maritime infrastructure, while the UK is reassessing its ability to safeguard its undersea network against potential threats.

Meta plans to lay sections of the cable at depths of up to 7,000 meters and employ advanced burial techniques in high-risk areas to minimise risks. This move follows recent disruptions, such as the damage to Tonga’s undersea cable, which left much of the island in a digital blackout. Meanwhile, Meta’s decision to scale back fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram has drawn criticism, highlighting the broader implications of its expanding digital footprint.

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Tiger Brokers embraces AI with DeepSeek integration

Tiger Brokers has integrated DeepSeek’s AI model into its TigerGPT chatbot, marking a significant step in the race to adopt AI in the financial industry. The DeepSeek-R1 model is already being used by over 20 Chinese brokers and fund managers, transforming areas such as market analysis, risk management, and client interaction. The technology, developed at a fraction of the cost of Western AI models, is expected to revolutionise how financial firms operate, with DeepSeek tapping into valuable data to enhance decision-making and trading strategies.

Tiger Brokers, supported by investors like Xiaomi and Jim Rogers, views this AI breakthrough as a game changer. The upgraded TigerGPT, which will initially be available for free in China and Singapore, now offers enhanced logical reasoning capabilities, allowing for more accurate market predictions and investment opportunities. CEO Wu Tianhua described the impact as transformative, helping users understand market shifts and boosting the overall investment experience.

As AI adoption accelerates, financial IT spending in China is forecasted to rise by 24% in the next five years, a trend expected to benefit tech companies like Hundsun Technologies. The integration of DeepSeek’s models is reshaping the financial industry, with firms such as Sinolink Securities and CICC Wealth Management already exploring AI’s potential to improve efficiency, from risk management to investment advisory services.

Despite the promise, the financial industry faces challenges in standardising data for AI models. However, companies are moving quickly to implement AI solutions, eager to unlock the full potential of their data and enhance their internal operations, marketing, and investing strategies.

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