China’s top universities are set to expand undergraduate enrolment to develop talent in key strategic fields, particularly AI.
The move follows the rapid rise of AI startup DeepSeek, which has drawn global attention for producing advanced AI models at a fraction of the usual cost.
The company’s success, largely driven by researchers from elite institutions in China, is seen as a major step in Beijing’s efforts to boost its homegrown STEM workforce.
Peking University announced it would add 150 undergraduate spots in 2025 to focus on national strategic needs, particularly in information science, engineering, and clinical medicine.
Renmin University will expand enrolment by over 100 places, aiming to foster innovation in AI. Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiao Tong University plans to add 150 spots dedicated to emerging technologies such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, and new energy.
This expansion aligns with China’s broader strategy to strengthen its education system and technological capabilities. In January, the government introduced a national action plan to enhance education efficiency and innovation by 2035.
Additionally, authorities plan to introduce AI education in primary and secondary schools to nurture digital skills and scientific curiosity from an early age.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Investors are moving away from semiconductor stocks and turning their focus to software companies as the AI investment landscape evolves.
A surge in AI chip demand drove record growth for semiconductor firms in 2024, but new competition and trade restrictions have dampened enthusiasm. The emergence of China‘s DeepSeek, offering lower-cost AI models, has further pressured chip stocks, leading investors to seek new opportunities in software.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has fallen 5.6% this year, with Nvidia dropping nearly 13%, while software firms such as Atlassian, CrowdStrike, and Palantir have gained between 7% and 19%.
Investment flows reflect the shift, with software-focused exchange-traded funds seeing significant inflows, while semiconductor ETFs have recorded large outflows. Analysts see the trend as a natural progression, with AI technology increasingly monetised through software applications rather than hardware.
Morgan Stanley and other investment firms now favour software firms such as Palantir, Microsoft, and Oracle. While some software companies have yet to see AI-related revenue growth reflected in their financials, analysts predict gains by 2026.
High valuations remain a concern, but investors are betting on the long-term need for AI applications rather than additional hardware.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Taco Bell is ramping up its use of AI as part of a broader $1 billion investment by parent company Yum Brands in digital and technology.
At a recent investor event in New York, executives showcased the company’s ‘Byte by Yum’ AI tools, which aim to improve labour management and inventory tracking. Taco Bell’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Dane Mathews, said AI is already being used to streamline operations without reducing labour costs.
Around 500 Taco Bell locations in the United States now use AI-driven voice technology to handle drive-through orders, a significant increase from 100 locations in mid-2024.
During the investor event, executives presented a video skit demonstrating how AI could assist managers by suggesting staffing adjustments and optimising inventory. Analysts found the presentation both innovative and slightly unsettling, with Yum suggesting AI would help free up employees for other tasks rather than replace them.
Fast food chains are increasingly adopting AI to modernise operations, with companies like McDonald’s and Chipotle also investing in automation and digital tools. While Yum’s AI technology is currently used in nearly 25,000 of its 61,000 global restaurants, executives acknowledged there is still a long road ahead.
Analysts believe Yum may eventually commercialise its AI software beyond its own restaurant network. Taco Bell’s AI-driven strategy comes as the chain projects an 8% rise in same-store sales for the current quarter.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
China is stepping up the use of AI and big data in elderly and social care as it seeks to address economic challenges posed by a shrinking workforce and an ageing population.
Civil affairs minister Lu Zhiyuan announced the initiative at the ‘Two Sessions’ political gathering, highlighting efforts to make services more accessible and efficient.
The country’s population has declined for a third consecutive year, with over 310 million people now aged 60 and above.
Officials are increasingly turning to technology to drive future growth. Local governments have moved swiftly to integrate AI into public services, with DeepSeek‘s chatbot gaining traction since its latest version was released in January.
Despite restrictions on AI chip sales imposed by the United States, DeepSeek’s cost-effective model has outperformed several Western competitors, reinforcing China’s position in AI development.
President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed the government’s support for AI, recently meeting with leaders from top technology firms, including DeepSeek, Tencent, Huawei and Xiaomi.
The push for AI adoption in social welfare services reflects a broader strategy to maintain economic stability and innovation in the face of demographic challenges.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Indonesia has granted local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the iPhone 16 after the company met requirements for locally-made components.
Apple still needs further approvals from the communications and trade ministries before it can officially sell the devices in the country.
The certification follows Apple’s recent pledge to invest over $300 million in Indonesia, including funding component manufacturing plants and a research and development centre.
Industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief confirmed that Apple received certificates for 11 phone models and nine tablets.
However, negotiations had been ‘tricky’, according to Indonesia’s industry minister. Apple remains outside the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia, according to research firm Canalyst.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Reddit has introduced new tools to help users follow community rules and track content performance, aiming to boost engagement on the platform. The update comes after a slowdown in user growth due to Google’s algorithm changes, though traffic from the search engine has since recovered.
Among the new features is a ‘rules check’ tool, currently being tested on smartphones, which helps users comply with subreddit guidelines. Additionally, a post-recovery option allows users to repost content in alternative subreddits if their original submission is removed. Reddit will also suggest subreddits based on post content and clarify posting requirements for specific communities.
The company has enhanced its post insights feature, offering detailed engagement metrics to help users refine their content. This follows Reddit’s December launch of Reddit Answers, an AI-powered search tool designed to provide curated summaries of community discussions, which is still in beta testing.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Microsoft has announced plans to invest an additional 5.4 billion rand (about $296.81 million) by 2027 to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa.
The investment comes in response to the increasing demand for the company’s Azure services in the region, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of businesses integrating AI technology into their operations.
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, revealed the initiative during an event in Johannesburg, confirming that the company would also fund technical certification exams for 50,000 individuals.
These exams will cover crucial digital skills, including cloud architecture, AI, and cybersecurity, aiming to address the shortage of skilled professionals in high-demand sectors.
The new investment builds on Microsoft’s previous spending of 20.4 billion rand to establish South Africa’s first enterprise-grade data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
These data centres have become essential hubs for handling the computational demands of AI, as local businesses look to adopt AI-driven solutions.
The company’s broader strategy includes a global commitment to invest around $80 billion in 2025 to further develop data centres and deploy AI and cloud-based applications. South Africa, as a growing tech hub, is expected to play a key role in Microsoft’s plans for the future.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The US House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Alphabet on Thursday, demanding information on its communications with the Biden administration regarding content moderation policies. The committee, led by Republican Jim Jordan, also requested similar communications with external companies and groups.
The subpoena specifically seeks details on discussions about restricting or banning content related to US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, COVID-19, and other conservative topics. Republicans have accused Big Tech companies of suppressing conservative viewpoints, with the Federal Trade Commission warning that coordinating policies or misleading users could breach the law.
Last year, Meta Platforms acknowledged pressure from the Biden administration to censor content, but Alphabet has not publicly distanced itself from similar claims. A Google spokesperson stated the company will demonstrate its independent approach to policy enforcement.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Italy’s ruling League party is urging the government to choose Elon Musk’s Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for secure satellite communications, arguing that Starlink’s technology is more advanced.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is looking for an encrypted communication system for officials operating in high-risk areas, with both Starlink and Eutelsat in talks for the contract.
League leader Matteo Salvini, a strong supporter of former US President Donald Trump, has emphasised the need to prioritise US technology over a French alternative.
Meanwhile, Eutelsat’s CEO confirmed discussions with Italy as the country seeks an interim solution before the EU’s delayed IRIS² satellite system becomes operational.
Meloni’s office has stated that no formal negotiations have taken place and that any decision will be made transparently.
However, opposition parties have raised concerns over Starlink’s involvement, given recent speculation that Musk could cut off Ukraine from its service, potentially affecting national security interests.
Musk responded positively to the League’s endorsement, calling it ‘much appreciated’ on his social media platform X.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote next month on exploring alternatives to GPS due to growing national security concerns.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that relying on a single system for navigation and timing leaves the United States vulnerable to disruptions. Reports of increased GPS interference, particularly spoofing attacks since 2023, have raised fears of accidents if aircraft are misdirected.
Concerns over GPS security have been discussed for years, with President Donald Trump and bipartisan lawmakers calling for action.
The FCC’s March 27 vote will launch an inquiry into alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems that could complement or replace GPS. The aim is to encourage innovation in navigation technology and strengthen resilience against disruptions.
GPS plays a crucial role in aviation, replacing traditional ground-based navigation systems. However, its reliance on satellite signals makes it susceptible to interference.
The Federal Aviation Administration is already working on global authentication measures to counter spoofing threats and improve the security of satellite-based navigation.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
