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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Chinese technology startups are scrambling for fresh funding to capitalise on the growing excitement around AI, fueled by DeepSeek‘s AI breakthrough and President Xi Jinping’s recent support for private enterprises. Companies such as AI-powered optics startup Rid Vision, brain-computer interface firm AI CARE Medical, and robotics maker Shanghai Qingbao Engine Robotics are among those seeking new onshore investments, according to venture capitalist Andrew Qian.
The surge in investment interest comes after a long period of stagnation in China‘s venture capital sector. New Access Capital, which has invested in several AI startups, noted that many businesses are now attracting both cooperation discussions and investment offers. The DeepSeek case has highlighted the rise of innovative Chinese tech firms, moving away from previous trends of copycat startups, and offering hope for a revitalised venture capital environment.
Despite the growing investor enthusiasm, challenges remain. The strict regulatory scrutiny of initial public offerings (IPOs) in China, coupled with heightened tensions between China and the US, complicate the prospects for exit strategies. Venture capital firms are particularly focused on AI-related businesses, with several companies in sectors like AI image generation and medical tech securing significant funding in recent weeks.
However, the overall fundraising environment remains difficult. Data shows a sharp decline in venture capital investments since 2021, and while investor sentiment has improved post-DeepSeek, concerns over the regulatory landscape and geopolitical tensions persist. Some analysts remain cautious about the near-term outlook for IPOs, especially for offshore listings.
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The Ethereum Foundation has announced $2 million in grants for academic research focused on Ethereum, with applications due by 16 March 2025. This marks the third annual Academic Grants Round, following successful programmes in 2023 and 2024. The foundation encourages proposals across various fields such as economics, cryptography, security, and consensus protocols.
Researchers at all stages of their projects are invited to submit proposals, with a focus on innovative contributions to Ethereum’s ecosystem. Last year’s round received 300 applications from 25 countries, demonstrating growing global interest. The foundation aims to broaden participation in 2025, with all funded projects required to produce open-access research.
Eligible applicants include academic institutions, researchers, and teams, with detailed proposals required, including a timeline, budget, and public repository links. Undergraduate researchers must work with postdoctoral advisors, and proposals related to financial products or token launches are excluded. The submissions will be judged on impact, clarity, and alignment with Ethereum’s goals.
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Three men have been charged with fraud in Singapore as part of an investigation that may be linked to the illegal transfer of advanced Nvidia chips to the Chinese AI company, DeepSeek. The United States is also probing whether DeepSeek used US-made chips, which are prohibited from being shipped to China. This case is part of a wider investigation into potential AI chip smuggling operations involving several individuals and companies across countries, including Singapore.
The charges focus on two Singaporeans, Aaron Woon Guo Jie and Alan Wei Zhaolun, who are accused of falsely claiming that Nvidia chips would not be transferred to unauthorised recipients. A third man, Chinese national Li Ming, is charged with committing similar fraud regarding the shipment of servers. These actions are believed to be connected to DeepSeek’s use of Nvidia chips, although the authorities have not confirmed the company’s involvement.
If convicted, the men could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both. Singapore’s authorities have been actively investigating the smuggling network, with police recently arresting nine individuals in a raid across 22 locations, seizing records and electronic evidence.
Nvidia’s business in Singapore is substantial, making it the company’s second-largest market after the US. However, only a small percentage of its revenue comes from direct shipments to the country. Singapore’s government has emphasised its commitment to strict enforcement of export controls, underscoring that the nation will not tolerate any attempts to evade international regulations.
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In Tokyo, a groundbreaking demonstration of an AI-driven humanoid robot named AIREC showcased its potential in elderly care. The 150-kg (330 lb) robot, designed to assist with tasks such as changing diapers and preventing bedsores, gently moved a man lying on his back to his side. AIREC, a prototype for Japan’s rapidly ageing society, addresses the country’s severe shortage of aged-care workers, exacerbated by a declining birth rate and a shrinking workforce.
With Japan‘s ageing population and the ‘baby boomer’ generation all turning at least 75 by the end of 2024, the need for technological solutions in elderly care has become urgent. The nursing sector is struggling with a lack of workers, and while foreign workers have filled some of the gap, their numbers remain low. Experts, like Takashi Miyamoto, suggest that technology, especially robots like AIREC, is crucial to addressing the future challenges in elderly care.
Currently, robots like AIREC are still being developed and tested, with Sugano, the Waseda University professor leading the project, predicting it could be ready for use in facilities by 2030. While robots are making small strides in elderly care, such as monitoring sleep conditions or assisting with simple tasks, experts believe a collaboration between humans and robots will be the future of care. However, the high cost and technological precision required for humanoid robots to interact safely with humans remains a challenge for widespread adoption.
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