Apple plans to introduce its own chips for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in devices starting in 2025, phasing out components currently supplied by Broadcom. The custom chip, code-named Proxima, has been in development for years and will debut in iPhones and smart home devices. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will handle production.
The shift aligns with Apple‘s broader strategy to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers. Alongside Proxima, Apple is also developing cellular modem chips to replace Qualcomm components, with plans to integrate both systems in the future.
In parallel, Apple is working on a server chip, internally called Baltra, to support AI processing. This move highlights the company’s efforts to reduce dependence on Nvidia‘s costly processors, which remain in high demand for AI applications.
Elon Musk announced that SpaceX’s headquarters is now officially located in Starbase, Texas, marking another shift for the billionaire’s companies away from California. The decision follows Musk’s earlier comments about relocating both SpaceX and social media platform X to Texas, citing dissatisfaction with California’s policies.
SpaceX‘s new base will be at its existing site in Boca Chica, Texas, while X will settle in Austin. Musk has also moved SpaceX’s incorporation to Texas, aligning with earlier actions to transfer Tesla’s incorporation after a Delaware court ruling.
Musk has increasingly favoured Texas, moving Tesla’s headquarters there in 2021 and choosing the state as his personal residence due to its tax benefits. While California remains Tesla’s main engineering hub in the United States, Musk continues to deepen his business operations in Texas.
Social media platforms operating in the UK have been given until March 2025 to identify and mitigate illegal content on their services or risk fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. The warning comes as the Online Safety Act (OSA) begins to take effect, with Ofcom, the regulator, releasing final guidelines on tackling harmful material, including child sexual abuse, self-harm promotion, and extreme violence.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s chief, described this as the industry’s “last chance” to reform. “If platforms fail to act, we will take enforcement measures,” she warned, adding that public pressure for stricter action could grow. Companies must conduct risk assessments by March, focusing on how such material appears and devising ways to block its spread.
While hailed as a step forward, critics argue the law leaves gaps in child safety measures. The Molly Rose Foundation and NSPCC have expressed concerns about the lack of targeted action on harmful content in private messaging and self-harm imagery. Despite these criticisms, the UK government views the Act as a reset of societal expectations for tech firms, aiming to ensure a safer online environment.
The 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2024) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, brought together a distinguished panel to address global challenges and opportunities in developing trusted digital identity systems. Moderated by Shivani Thapa, the session featured insights from Bandar Al-Mashari, Emma Theofelus, Siim Sikkut, Sangbo Kim, Kurt Lindqvist, and other notable speakers.
The discussion focused on building frameworks for trusted digital identities, emphasising their role as critical infrastructure for digital transformation. Bandar Al-Mashari, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Interior for Technology Affairs, highlighted the Kingdom’s innovative efforts, while Namibia’s Minister of Information, Emma Theofelus, stressed the importance of inclusivity and addressing regional needs.
The panellists examined the balance between enhanced security and privacy protection. Siim Sikkut, Managing Partner of Digital Nations, underscored the value of independent oversight and core principles to maintain trust. Emerging technologies like blockchain, biometrics, and artificial intelligence were recognised for their potential impact, though caution was urged against uncritical adoption.
Barriers to international cooperation, including the digital divide, infrastructure gaps, and the complexity of global systems, were addressed. Sangbo Kim of the World Bank shared insights on fostering collaboration across regions, while Kurt Lindqvist, CEO of ICANN, highlighted the need for a shared vision in navigating differing national priorities.
Speakers advocated for a phased approach to implementation, allowing countries to progress at their own pace while drawing lessons from successful initiatives, such as those in international travel and telecommunications. The call for collaboration was echoed by Prince Bandar bin Abdullah Al-Mishari, who emphasised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing global solutions.
The discussion concluded on an optimistic note. Fatma, briefly mentioned as a participant, contributed to a shared vision of digital identity as a tool for accelerating inclusion and fostering global trust. The panellists agreed that a unified approach, guided by innovation and respect for privacy, is vital to building secure and effective digital identity systems worldwide.
At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, representatives from the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and Access Partnership discussed advancing ethical AI governance. Chris Martin, Head of Policy Innovation at Access Partnership, emphasised the societal stakes of AI, stating, ‘Every decision that AI systems make…will shape our lives, how we work, and how we interact.’
Ahmad Bhinder of the DCO underscored the importance of aligning AI governance with human rights, explaining, ‘We identified which human rights are most impacted by AI and examined global approaches to regulation.’ The DCO introduced its six ethical principles for AI governance: accountability, transparency, fairness, privacy protection, sustainability, and human-centeredness.
Matthew Sharp of Access Partnership detailed a new AI ethics evaluation tool designed to help developers and deployers assess and mitigate human rights risks. The tool features risk assessments, interactive radar graphs, and actionable recommendations, making it a practical resource for ethical AI development. ‘The tool aims to be comprehensive and interactive, addressing diverse industries and applications,’ Sharp said.
An interactive exercise led by Thiago tested the tool’s application in real-world scenarios, such as using AI to diagnose diseases or perform job screenings. Alaa Abdulaal, DCO’s Chief of Digital Economy Foresight, highlighted the importance of collaboration in AI governance, stating that a multistakeholder approach is essential to ensure global and practical solutions. Martin also noted the uneven adoption of AI worldwide, with opportunities for growth in the Middle East and North Africa.
Why does it matter?
The session underscored DCO’s commitment to creating actionable tools for responsible AI deployment while protecting human rights. Feedback gathered from participants aims to refine these efforts further, demonstrating a collective push towards ethical AI in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Apple has begun rolling out ChatGPT integration into its devices, enhancing the Siri voice assistant with advanced AI capabilities. The update, part of Apple’s latest operating system releases for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, enables Siri to handle complex tasks like analysing documents and generating written content across supported apps.
The AI-powered Writing Tools feature also lets users create text and generate images. Available on newer iPhones, iPads, and Macs, the update coincides with the critical holiday shopping season, a key sales period for Apple.
The integration aims to boost sales of the latest iPhone models amid investor concerns about the iPhone 16’s performance. Apple’s AI-driven features are positioned to make its devices more versatile and competitive in the growing artificial intelligence market.
The 19th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) officially began today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and civil society under the theme ‘Building our multistakeholder digital future.’ Held from 15 to 19 December 2024, this most relevant international event serves as a platform for open dialogue on pressing issues surrounding the digital space.
The IGF 2024 kicks off with a focus on four key themes that reflect the growing complexities and opportunities of the digital age. First, ‘Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space’ explores ways to maximise the benefits of rapid digital transformation while tackling its associated risks. Through shared success stories and best practices, stakeholders aim to create a safer, more innovative digital landscape for all.
The second theme, ‘Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability,’ positions digitalisation as a catalyst for socioeconomic change. Participants discuss how technology can drive sustainable development and improve the lives of both current and future generations, particularly in underserved regions.
Advancing inclusion remains a critical issue, so the third theme, ‘Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age,’ spotlights initiatives that ensure universal, meaningful connectivity while safeguarding digital rights. Discussions centre on bridging the digital divide, addressing inequalities, and fostering innovation that aligns with human rights principles.
Finally, the forum dedicates significant attention to ‘Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want.’ As global stakeholders continue to debate the future of Internet governance, this theme prioritises transparency, openness, and inclusive, bottom-up approaches to building a digital ecosystem that works for everyone.
The conference adopts a hybrid format, offering in-person participation in Riyadh alongside virtual attendance for delegates worldwide. With registration officially open, thousands of stakeholders from across governments, businesses, academia, and civil society are expected to engage in discussions and collaborative efforts to shape a resilient, inclusive, and innovative digital future.
For those unable to attend in person, Diplo is providing comprehensive coverage of the main sessions of IGF 2024. All updates, reports, and analyses can be followed live on the Digital Watch Observatory (dig.watch). In addition, Diplo has introduced chatbots for each event, allowing participants and online viewers to ask questions about specific sessions and get real-time insights on key discussions, topics, and outcomes.
With IGF 2024 underway, Riyadh has become the epicentre of global discussions on digital transformation, governance, and innovation. Through real-time reporting and interactive tools, Diplo ensures that audiences worldwide remain connected and informed, shaping a truly inclusive and multistakeholder digital future. With an eye toward global digital transformation, the forum sets the stage for shaping policies and solutions that will define the next chapter of our shared digital future.
Visa and ADGM Academy collaborate to advance innovation and talent development within the UAE’s financial sector. The partnership will focus on joint research and development in key areas such as cybersecurity, AI, and fintech, fostering innovation within the UAE’s financial community.
Also, Visa will offer certification programs through Visa University at ADGM Academy to upskill professionals, support Emiratization efforts, and prepare the workforce for the challenges of a digital economy. That collaboration aligns with national strategies like ‘We the UAE 2031’ and the UAE Central Bank’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation Program, contributing to the country’s economic diversification and digital transformation goals.
The partnership also exemplifies a successful public-private collaboration to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading financial hub. By combining Visa’s expertise in digital payments and fintech with ADGM Academy’s world-class training and research capabilities, both entities seek to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the UAE’s financial sector.
That alliance is vital in developing a future-ready workforce and supporting the UAE’s broader vision of a knowledge-based, digitally empowered economy.
Google and the Andhra Pradesh government in India have agreed to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre in Visakhapatnam. That move is expected to enhance the state’s digital ecosystem significantly.
The AI Data Centre will transform Visakhapatnam into a major hub for AI, sea cables, and data centres, drawing global attention and positioning the port city as a leader in technological advancements. The initiative is seen as a game-changer for the region, potentially stimulating economic and social growth by creating a robust IT ecosystem and generating substantial employment opportunities.
The Andhra Pradesh government has played a key role in bringing this partnership to life, with leadership efforts focused on fostering an environment conducive to technological innovation. Looking to the future, both Google and the state are optimistic about the transformative impact of the AI Data Centre on the region.
Google views the state as a key partner for future initiatives, and both parties are excited about the potential for innovation and technological progress. This collaboration aligns with the state’s progressive industrial policies, cultivating a business-friendly environment that attracts global investors like Google.
CelcomDigi and Universiti Malaya (UM) are collaborating to drive digital healthcare innovation by leveraging 5G, AI, and extended reality (XR). Through this collaboration, UM will become the first healthcare institution in Malaysia to integrate HoloMedicine, a transformative technology that uses 3D holograms in clinical care and operating theatres.
The initiative aims to enhance surgical precision, improve access to medical care, enable remote expert consultations, and revolutionise medical education through immersive XR technologies. Bridging the digital gap will also position Malaysia as a global leader in health tourism and advanced medical education, providing students and professionals with hands-on experience in complex procedures and treatment strategies.
The three-year partnership is part of CelcomDigi’s broader initiative to advance digital healthcare, enhancing the accessibility, efficiency, and personalisation of care across Malaysia’s healthcare system. By integrating these cutting-edge technologies, the collaboration seeks to transform medical education and healthcare delivery, ensuring that future medical practitioners are equipped with the tools necessary to deliver exceptional care.
The effort will also strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global healthcare ecosystem, empowering healthcare providers with advanced digital solutions and positioning the country as a leader in innovative medical practices.
