At a recent press briefing, Mexico’s Foreign Secretary, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, announced an emergency mobile application slated for January to ensure the protection of Mexican citizens in the USA. Created with assistance from the Digital Transformation Agency, this app will enable Mexicans to notify their nearest consulate during immigration enforcement actions swiftly.
Additionally, immediate notifications can be directed to chosen family members and the Foreign Ministry of Mexico, strengthening personal and broader support networks. The following technological initiative forms part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance community engagement and deliver reliable assistance during emergencies.
The Foreign Secretary has personally engaged in several open meetings to convey to Mexican citizens that they remain neither isolated nor unsupported, reaffirming the availability of extensive rights and assistance. The consular app will help reach out to the big Mexican population in the US – 38.4 million Mexicans live there, with 11.5 million as first-generation immigrants, including 4.8 million undocumented.
The Mexican consular app is an example of the practical use of digital technology to conduct one of the core functions of diplomacy – to protect citizens abroad.
Starting 28 December 2024, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, and other electronic devices sold in the European Union must have a USB-C charging port. This new rule aims to reduce electronic waste, simplify device use, and cut costs for consumers, who will no longer need to buy a new charger with each new device.
The European Commission’s decision to adopt a common charging standard comes after years of disagreements with tech giants, particularly Apple, which initially opposed the move. While most manufacturers had already adopted USB-C, Apple continued to use its proprietary Lightning port until late 2023. The new law, first approved in 2022, gives laptop makers until 2026 to comply.
Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port.
With the standardisation of charging ports, the EU expects to save consumers at least 200 million euros annually and reduce electronic waste by over a thousand tonnes annually. The shift to USB-C, which supports faster charging and higher data transfer speeds, is seen as a step toward more efficient and sustainable tech consumption.
Overall, the EU’s new rules are designed to make life easier for consumers by eliminating the need for multiple chargers and benefiting the environment by reducing waste.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the government and Sberbank, the nation’s largest bank, to deepen collaboration with China in the development of AI. The announcement, published on the Kremlin’s website, comes three weeks after Putin unveiled plans for Russia to work alongside BRICS nations and other partners to advance AI technologies. Sberbank, which leads Russia’s AI initiatives, has been tasked with fostering technological cooperation with China.
That move reflects Russia’s efforts to circumvent Western sanctions that have restricted its access to key technologies, including microchips essential for AI development. The sanctions have caused major global chip manufacturers to halt exports to Russia, creating significant hurdles for its AI ambitions.
Sberbank CEO German Gref admitted that replacing GPUs, the microchips vital to AI, remains a critical challenge for the country. By partnering with non-Western allies, Russia aims to counterbalance US dominance in the rapidly evolving AI sector, which Putin has described as a cornerstone of the 21st century.
As part of this strategy, a newly proposed AI Alliance Network will unite experts from BRICS nations and other interested states to bolster innovation and investment. However, Russia still lags behind its competitors, ranking 31st in the Global AI Index, far below leaders like the US, China, and even BRICS partners India and Brazil.
Nvidia has emerged as the standout performer in the global market capitalisation race for 2024, driven by a surge in demand for its AI-centric chips. The company’s market value soared by over $2 trillion in just one year, reaching $3.28 trillion at the year’s close.
The remarkable growth positions Nvidia as the world’s second-most valuable publicly traded company, trailing only Apple, which remains at the top with a market value nearing $4 trillion. Apple’s rise was bolstered by investor confidence in its forthcoming AI advancements, designed to rejuvenate iPhone sales.
Other tech giants also saw significant gains, with Microsoft securing third place at $3.1 trillion, Alphabet Inc., and Amazon, each valued at around $2.3 trillion. These companies’ successes fueled a broader market rally, pushing the S&P 500 index up by 23.3% and the Nasdaq by 28.6% in 2024. The strong performance underscores the continued dominance of technology firms in shaping global financial markets.
Despite potential headwinds such as US-China trade tensions and uncertainties around US interest rate policies, analysts are optimistic about the sector’s trajectory in 2025. Daniel Ives of Wedbush projects a 25% gain in tech stocks, citing robust AI initiatives, reduced regulatory pressures, and stable foundations for Big Tech.
‘The AI Revolution will remain a key driver, with over $2 trillion in incremental investments expected over the next three years,’ Ives stated, signalling a bright future for the industry.
The Chinese technology powerhouse, Alibaba, has announced substantial price cuts of up to 85% for its large language models (LLMs), including the visual language model Qwen-VL. Designed to process and interpret both text and images, Qwen-VL is tailored for enterprise use, marking a departure from consumer-facing AI tools like ChatGPT. These discounts signal a competitive push to expand AI accessibility in the enterprise sector.
The move comes amid a broader race among Chinese tech giants to dominate the AI landscape. Companies like Tencent, Baidu, Huawei, and ByteDance have launched their own LLMs, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for advanced AI solutions. Alibaba’s decision to focus on enterprise customers has already shown results, with its Qwen models adopted by over 90,000 businesses since May.
Analysts predict these price cuts could reshape global AI accessibility, enabling smaller firms and startups to leverage cutting-edge technology. Lower costs may allow traditional industries to modernise operations, while venture capital flows into supporting technologies are expected to further fuel innovation.
The global AI race is poised to accelerate into 2025, with Chinese companies playing a central role in advancing machine reasoning and practical applications. The intensifying competition could define the future of AI development, offering more use cases across diverse industries worldwide.
Tesla’s energy storage Megafactory in Shanghai has commenced trial production, marking a milestone in US-China cooperation on climate solutions. The facility, Tesla’s second in the city, is dedicated to producing Megapacks, with full-scale production anticipated by early 2025. Initial capacity is set at 10,000 units annually, equating to approximately 40 gigawatt-hours of energy storage.
The plant highlights Tesla’s confidence in China’s manufacturing capabilities and commitment to investing in its thriving new energy sector. Rapid construction saw trial production launched within seven months, a record for the company in the region. The factory, spanning 200,000 square metres, represents a $201.7 million investment and is the first of its kind built outside the US.
China’s robust infrastructure and favourable business environment have been crucial to the project’s success. Shanghai remains a key hub for Tesla, which recently celebrated the production of its three-millionth vehicle at its other Gigafactory in the city. Foreign investment in China continues to rise, reflecting the nation’s efforts to support global investors through supply chain access and policy initiatives.
Collaboration between China and the US in energy storage underscores the potential for market-driven solutions to climate challenges. Tesla’s Shanghai ventures exemplify the mutual benefits of such cooperation, reinforcing the impracticality of decoupling in an interconnected global economy.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has commenced mass production at its first factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The facility manufactures 12 to 28-nanometer chips used in cars and image sensors, serving clients such as Sony Group and Denso Corp. Strengthening supply chains for critical goods is a priority for Japan, which views domestic chip production as vital for economic security amid geopolitical tensions.
TSMC plans a second factory in Kumamoto to produce advanced 6-nanometer chips, with construction set to begin by March 2025 and operations expected by late 2027. The Japanese government has pledged over 1 trillion yen in subsidies to support these initiatives, highlighting the strategic importance of reducing dependence on Taiwan’s chip supply.
Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura has also urged TSMC to consider a third plant in the prefecture, reflecting the region’s commitment to becoming a hub for semiconductor production. These developments underscore Japan’s determination to secure its technological future.
Eskom has reconnected the second unit of the Koeberg nuclear power plant to South Africa’s grid following a significant refurbishment, providing a welcome boost to electricity supply. This achievement follows a decade marked by controlled power outages, which have finally given way to nine months of uninterrupted electricity, improving business confidence in the country.
Located near Cape Town, Koeberg remains Africa’s sole commercial nuclear power plant, generating approximately 1,860 megawatts, or 5% of the nation’s electricity. Eskom’s CEO, Dan Marokane, highlighted Koeberg’s role in aligning economic and environmental goals, promoting a sustainable energy future.
In a move to extend the plant’s longevity, the nuclear regulator approved a 20-year extension of Unit 1’s operating licence in July. A similar decision for Unit 2 is anticipated by 2025, underscoring South Africa’s commitment to maintaining and expanding its nuclear energy resources.
Looking ahead, South Africa plans to add 2,500 megawatts of nuclear capacity. Efforts to revive the development of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, abandoned over a decade ago, are also under consideration as the nation explores innovative energy solutions.
India solidified its global leadership in 2024, making remarkable strides in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, defence, nuclear energy, and space exploration. Initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and breakthroughs such as the indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin propelled the pharmaceutical sector’s exports to USD 28 billion. Biotechnology expanded 13-fold over the past decade, achieving a valuation of USD 130 billion, with ambitions to hit USD 300 billion by 2030.
The nation’s defence sector reached unprecedented levels of self-reliance, recording indigenous production worth 15.24 billion USD and a 30-fold rise in exports. Achievements like the Agni-5 missile test and the deployment of advanced ballistic missile defence systems highlighted India’s strategic capabilities. In nuclear energy, capacity nearly doubled to 8,180 MW, with a roadmap to triple this by 2032 through projects like Bharat Small Reactors.
India’s space programme achieved significant milestones, including the approval of the Venus Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-4, as well as advancements in private sector contributions. The foundation of a second spaceport and the celebration of National Space Day underscored the sector’s growing prominence. Additionally, the solar mission Aditya-L1 made groundbreaking contributions to space weather predictions.
Infrastructure and emerging technologies further reinforced India’s position on the global stage. Developments such as the completion of a Hyperloop test track and the GNSS-enabled tolling system showcased futuristic planning. Quantum communication, AI, and blockchain innovations, including the Vishvasya platform, demonstrated India’s commitment to leading the next technological revolution.
Prominent figures in technology are heavily investing in nuclear energy, viewing it as crucial for future innovation. OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates are spearheading initiatives in advanced nuclear technology, with Altman chairing Oklo, a company developing sustainable nuclear reactors.
Data centres, essential for AI and cloud technologies, have seen electricity demands surge by 50% since 2020, now accounting for 4% of US energy use. Projections indicate this figure could rise to 9% by 2030, emphasising the need for scalable, carbon-free energy solutions. Nuclear power offers a consistent energy supply, unlike solar or wind, making it an attractive choice.
Microsoft has committed to reviving the Three Mile Island reactor by 2028, aiming to meet the energy needs of its growing AI operations. Experts, however, caution that tech-driven nuclear investments may prioritise corporate demands over broader public benefits.
Oklo and similar ventures highlight the increasing convergence of technology and energy, as industry leaders strive to support AI advancements sustainably. The debate continues on whether these moves truly serve societal needs or primarily benefit the tech sector.
