Datastreams and Vietnam Post (VNPOST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20 December 2024, forming a strategic partnership focused on comprehensive data collaboration. The partnership aims to establish a data exchange to drive innovation in data-driven business models and develop platforms for VNPOST’s postal and logistics services.
VNPOST will manage internal project development, research data fabric technology applications, and analyse data exchange requirements. At the same time, Datastreams will provide expertise in data fabric technology, assist with implementation, and offer a project roadmap.
The following collaboration is expected to accelerate VNPOST’s digital transformation, and by 2026, VNPOST plans to build a data platform and data exchange with Datastreams, contributing to AI and data fabric technologies. Through this partnership, both companies seek to secure innovations, expand Datastreams’ technological presence, and contribute to the economy of Vietnam.
Google’s proposed adjustments to its search result formats, aimed at complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), have gained backing from Airlines for Europe, a major lobbying group representing airlines such as Air France KLM and Lufthansa. The DMA prohibits tech giants like Google from favouring their services in search results, with non-compliance risking fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
The airline group endorsed Google’s horizontal layout, featuring same-sized boxes for airlines and comparison sites, with a distinct blue colour for differentiation. However, they raised concerns over pricing consistency and criticised Google’s plan to use indicative dates rather than specific ones for flight bookings, arguing that this change could harm the consumer experience.
In response to ongoing disagreements with rivals, Google has signalled it may revert to its older “10 blue links” search result format if consensus cannot be reached on its current proposals. This highlights the challenges tech companies face in balancing regulatory compliance with the demands of diverse stakeholders.
Ceneo, a subsidiary of Polish e-commerce platform Allegro, has filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company Alphabet, seeking 2.33 billion zlotys ($567.6 million) in damages. The lawsuit claims Google’s preference for its price comparison services in search results caused significant harm to Ceneo’s business.
Ceneo’s demands include 1.72 billion zlotys for losses incurred and an additional 615 million zlotys in interest from 2013 to November 2024. The company also plans to seek statutory interest from the filing date until damages are paid. The case is tied to the European Union’s $2.7 billion antitrust fine against Google for leveraging its dominance in search to disadvantage smaller rivals.
A Google spokesperson responded to the lawsuit, expressing disagreement and stating the company’s ‘Shopping remedy’ has been effective in supporting brands, retailers, and comparison sites across Europe. Meanwhile, broader efforts to curb Google’s dominance include a US Department of Justice recommendation for Google to divest its Chrome browser and abstain from re-entering the browser market for five years.
Venture funding in Europe may be headed for a flat year overall, but European AI startups are thriving, with AI companies receiving 25% of the region’s VC funding in 2024, totalling $13.7 billion. This marks a significant rise from 15% four years ago and has led to the creation of new unicorns like Poolside and Wayve. According to James Wise of Balderton Capital, breakthrough AI technology in Europe can now attract hundreds of millions, or even billions, of euros at the early stages, similar to the US.
The collective value of European AI companies has doubled in four years, reaching $508 billion, now making up nearly 15% of the region’s entire tech sector. While much of the funding still comes from outside Europe, especially the US, the local AI ecosystem is flourishing with a growing talent pool. In 2024, 349,000 people were employed by AI companies in Europe, a 168% increase since 2020, indicating a buoyant and increasingly productive sector.
Wise suggests that the rise of smaller, highly productive AI companies will be the future, with generative AI tools significantly boosting efficiency in various industries. This growing adoption of AI tools is likely to continue benefiting the European AI sector in the long run, even if the category becomes less distinct in the future.
Proton Intelligence, a Canadian startup, has raised $6.95 million in a seed round to develop a wearable device for continuous potassium monitoring. The device, which will be inserted just under the skin, will connect to a smartphone app, allowing patients to track potassium levels and receive alerts if they fall out of a safe range. The product, currently in clinical trials, is expected to launch in 2025.
The company’s solution aims to address the life-threatening challenges of potassium imbalances, which are particularly dangerous for those with chronic kidney disease or at risk of heart failure. Proton’s device also includes a clinician dashboard, enabling healthcare providers to monitor trends and adjust therapies.
Proton was co-founded by CEO Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi and CSO Victor Cadarso, who both have extensive backgrounds in wearable biosensors. Ranamukhaarachchi emphasised that the device could prevent hospitalisations and sudden cardiac deaths by offering continuous monitoring, a critical step in managing potassium levels.
The startup faces competition from other companies in the space, such as AliveCor, Alio, and Renalyse, but Proton claims its technology offers superior accuracy and usability. The seed funding round was led by SOSV, with additional support from We Venture Capital, Tenmile, LongeVC, and others.
Apple is closing in on a historic $4 trillion market valuation, driven by investor enthusiasm over its advancements in artificial intelligence and hopes for a surge in iPhone upgrades. Shares have surged 16% since November, adding $500 billion to its market cap, and positioning Apple ahead of rivals Nvidia and Microsoft in the race to this milestone. Analysts attribute the rally to expectations of a new “supercycle” in iPhone sales fueled by AI enhancements, despite modest revenue growth projections for the holiday season.
Apple’s integration of AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT across its devices and apps marks a strategic pivot in a market long dominated by Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta. Although iPhone demand remains muted, analysts forecast a rebound in 2025, as AI-powered features and broader availability drive renewed interest. Meanwhile, Apple’s premium valuation—its price-to-earnings ratio recently hit a three-year high of 33.5—has sparked mixed reactions among investors, with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway scaling back its holdings.
Despite challenges such as geopolitical risks and fluctuating market conditions, Apple’s approach to this milestone underscores its enduring dominance in the tech sector. Analysts and investors remain optimistic about the company’s ability to navigate near-term hurdles and leverage AI innovation to maintain its leadership in a competitive landscape.
The Biden administration has initiated a trade investigation targeting Chinese-made legacy semiconductors, which power everyday goods like cars and telecom equipment. This ‘Section 301’ probe aims to address concerns about China’s state-driven expansion in chip manufacturing, which US officials warn could harm American semiconductor producers. Departing President Joe Biden had already imposed a 50% tariff on Chinese semiconductors, set to take effect 1 January, while tightening export controls on advanced AI and memory chips.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo revealed that Chinese legacy chips account for two-thirds of semiconductors in US products, with many companies unaware of their origin—a finding she called alarming, particularly for the defence industry. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai stated that China’s subsidised chip pricing threatens global competition, enabling rapid capacity growth and undercutting market-oriented producers.
China’s commerce ministry has criticised the probe, calling it protectionist and a potential disruptor to global supply chains. Meanwhile, a public hearing on the issue is scheduled for March, with the probe expected to conclude within a year. The investigation follows the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on semiconductor supply chains, prompting the US efforts to bolster domestic chip production with $52.7 billion in subsidies.
As the Biden administration transitions to President-elect Donald Trump’s leadership in January, this probe may offer Trump an opportunity to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, echoing the trade practices he implemented during his prior term. Critics, including the US tech industry, have urged officials to approach the investigation collaboratively to avoid further disruption.
Microsoft is taking steps to diversify the AI powering its flagship product, Microsoft 365 Copilot. While OpenAI’s GPT-4 model has been a cornerstone of the AI assistant since its launch in March 2023, Microsoft is now integrating internal and third-party AI models, including its proprietary Phi-4, to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This move reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy to lessen reliance on OpenAI, its long-time partner, as it looks to offer faster, more cost-effective solutions to enterprise customers.
The shift is driven by concerns over the high costs and slower speeds associated with OpenAI’s technology for enterprise users. A company spokesperson confirmed that OpenAI remains a partner for advanced models but emphasised that Microsoft customises and incorporates a range of AI models depending on the product. Beyond its collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft is also customising open-weight models to make its services more accessible and affordable, with potential cost savings for customers.
Microsoft’s approach mirrors similar changes in its other business units. For example, GitHub, acquired by Microsoft in 2018, has started incorporating AI models from Anthropic and Google as alternatives to OpenAI’s offerings. These efforts align with Microsoft’s goal of demonstrating the return on investment for its AI tools, particularly as some enterprises remain cautious about adopting 365 Copilot due to concerns over pricing and utility.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft reports growing adoption of 365 Copilot. The company states that 70% of Fortune 500 companies are using the AI assistant, and analysts predict that more than 10 million users will adopt it this year. As Microsoft continues refining its AI technology, leaders like CEO Satya Nadella are keeping a close watch, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation in enterprise AI.
Data centres in the United States could consume up to 12% of the country’s electricity by 2028 due to the rapid growth of AI, according to a new report. The Department of Energy-backed study predicts energy usage from data centres will rise from 4% to between 6.7% and 12%, depending on GPU availability and demand.
The shift to AI-driven infrastructure is driving the surge, with GPU-accelerated servers and cooling systems responsible for doubling power use in recent years. Researchers are calling for annual reports and strategies to track trends and enhance efficiency.
The findings highlight concerns about the impact of AI on power grids, energy bills, and climate change. Researchers also suggest increased transparency in data centre energy use, aiming to encourage efficiency and sustainable growth within the industry.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, the cryptocurrency industry is urging him to swiftly implement his promised overhaul of crypto policies through executive orders. Industry officials are pushing for measures such as creating a bitcoin stockpile, ensuring crypto firms have access to banking services, and establishing a crypto advisory council. They hope these actions will come within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency, with some anticipating an order on his first day in office, January 20.
During his campaign, Trump positioned himself as a “crypto president” and promised to support the industry’s growth. In contrast to the regulatory crackdowns under President Joe Biden, which focused on concerns about crime and volatility in the sector, Trump’s team is aiming to reverse course, encouraging innovation and positioning the US as a global leader in cryptocurrency. His crypto policy team, including crypto-friendly figures like Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins and White House crypto czar David Sacks, is already taking shape.
One of the most discussed proposals is the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, a plan Trump first mentioned in July. Some in the industry, like the Bitcoin Policy Institute, have even drafted potential executive orders for this purpose, suggesting the Treasury Secretary could spend $21 billion over a year to amass the reserve. However, analysts are divided on whether this can be achieved via executive orders or will require congressional action.
Trump is also expected to address the ongoing challenges that crypto firms face in accessing banking services, as many institutions avoid working with them due to regulatory concerns. While an executive order could signal a shift in policy, some executives caution that it may not have the legal force to immediately change regulations, as federal banking authorities are independent.
