OpenAI is reportedly set to launch a powerful new AI model, code-named Orion, with an initial release expected by December. Unlike its predecessors, Orion will be selectively available at first, with trusted partner companies given early access to integrate the model into their products. OpenAI’s primary partner, Microsoft, is preparing to host Orion on its Azure platform as early as November.
While some within OpenAI view Orion as a successor to GPT-4, it is unclear whether it will be formally named GPT-5. OpenAI has not confirmed the launch date, and CEO Sam Altman recently downplayed the existence of Orion. Nonetheless, speculation continues as an executive hinted that Orion may be up to 100 times more powerful than GPT-4, moving the company closer to its ambitious goal of artificial general intelligence.
Reports suggest that synthetic data from OpenAI’s 0.1 model, released earlier this year, helped train Orion. OpenAI has teased the model’s arrival through cryptic social media posts, with Altman recently referencing the upcoming “winter constellations” — a possible allusion to Orion, a prominent winter constellation.
Orion’s anticipated release aligns with OpenAI’s completion of a $6.6 billion funding round, with restructuring towards a for-profit model. The company, however, is facing notable internal changes, including the recent departures of CTO Mira Murati and other key research leaders, amid the heightened focus on this next-generation AI model.
China has reaffirmed its support for Apple’s business operations in the country, welcoming further expansion by the US tech company. In a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao stated that Apple is welcome to deepen its presence in the Chinese market, according to a statement from the ministry. This sentiment aligns with earlier discussions between Cook and China’s Minister for Industry and Information Technology in Beijing.
Wang highlighted China’s interest in stabilising Sino-US economic and trade relations, expressing a commitment to returning these ties to a healthier state through ongoing communication between the government and businesses. Such exchanges, he said, could foster a stronger, more stable trade partnership between the two countries.
China’s government also assured foreign companies, including Apple, of continued improvements to its business environment and high-quality services, signalling its openness to international investments. However, Wang emphasised that prioritising national security over trade cooperation could harm these efforts, subtly suggesting that an overemphasis on security concerns may disrupt normal economic interactions.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will prioritise new global standards for AI and digital public infrastructure (DPI), with the aim of fostering interoperability, trust, and inclusivity. The resolution, adopted at the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) held in Delhi, was led by India, which has promoted DPI platforms such as Aadhaar and UPI. This adoption underscores DPI’s importance as a technology that can bridge access to essential services across both public and private sectors, sparking particular interest from developing economies.
This year’s WTSA, attended by a record-breaking 3,700 delegates, also introduced standardisation frameworks for sustainable digital transformation, AI, and the metaverse, as well as enhancements to communications in vehicular technology and emergency services. These efforts aim to facilitate safer, more reliable AI innovations, particularly for nations lacking frameworks for emerging technologies. ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasised that strong AI standards are essential for building global trust and enabling responsible tech growth.
India’s influence at WTSA highlights its commitment to shaping the global tech landscape, including standards for next-generation technologies like 6G, IoT, and satellite communications. To that end, the assembly also introduced study group (ITU-T Study Group 21), focusing on multimedia and content delivery standards.
A new partnership has been formed between China’s International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) and Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The two countries aim to use space technology and big data to boost natural resource management and achieve regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The collaboration will focus on joint research, making use of data from the Sustainable Development Science Satellite 1 (SDGSAT-1). Launched in 2021, the satellite plays a vital role in monitoring progress toward sustainable development by providing valuable data insights.
Professor Guo Huadong, Director-General of CBAS, highlighted the importance of technological innovation and advanced data analysis in tackling challenges related to the UN’s 2030 Agenda. The shared efforts in data collection and analysis are expected to improve regional decision-making on sustainable development.
At the event, representatives from CBAS also presented the ‘Atlas of SDGSAT-1 Satellite Nighttime Light Image’ to scholars from Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Thailand, and Seychelles. It demonstrates the potential of satellite data to provide new perspectives on sustainability challenges.
As environmental concerns mount, the tech industry is increasingly focusing on making software more carbon-efficient. This trend is partly motivated by software’s impact on both the environment and consumers’ wallets, with solutions like /e/OS, a free Android-based operating system, emerging as a sustainable choice for extending device lifespan. By supporting over 200 aging devices, /e/OS lets users keep their phones longer, reducing the need for frequent hardware replacements and lessening the carbon emissions associated with device production.
The Green Software Foundation, which includes major tech players like Microsoft and Google, has introduced the Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) specification, a tool to help developers measure and minimise their software’s carbon footprint. The SCI specification tracks emissions from software operation and the embodied carbon in the devices it runs on, encouraging developers to be more eco-conscious by using fewer physical resources and aligning with cleaner energy sources.
Research also highlights the need for efficient coding practices, as “code smells” patterns that suggest inefficient code can waste energy. While the push for sustainable software has grown, only a small fraction of large enterprises currently prioritise software sustainability. Yet, with the ICT sector’s emissions forecasted to rise, green software initiatives may soon become a central component of the industry’s environmental strategy.
Nvidia has deepened its ties with major Indian firms, including Reliance Industries, as it seeks to capitalise on the country’s growing AI market. At an AI summit in Mumbai, CEO Jensen Huang announced the launch of a new Hindi-focused AI model, Nemotron-4-Mini-Hindi-4B, designed to help businesses develop language-specific AI tools. This is part of Nvidia’s broader strategy to boost computing infrastructure in India, which Huang said will expand nearly 20 times by the end of this year.
The new model is tailored for Hindi, one of India’s 22 official languages, and aims to support companies in creating AI-driven solutions for customer service and content translation. Tech Mahindra is the first to adopt Nvidia’s offering, using it to develop a custom AI model, Indus 2.0, which also focuses on Hindi and its various dialects. Nvidia is also working with major IT players like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro to train half a million developers in AI.
In addition, companies such as Reliance and Ola Electric will use Nvidia’s “Omniverse” technology for virtual factory simulations, enhancing their industrial planning capabilities. The summit highlighted India’s growing significance in the global AI landscape as the country accelerates efforts to develop its semiconductor industry and AI infrastructure.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and global partners Bayer, Microsoft, and GSMA published a study on rural digital connectivity in rural Latin America and the Caribbean. The report, titled ‘Breaking down barriers, narrowing gaps,’ focuses on rural women and youth’s significant roles in adopting new technologies, drawing on data from prior studies and 31 interviews across 14 countries.
The report identifies three models of technology adoption – intensive adoption linked to higher education levels, value chain support utilisation common among the youth, and non-use due to geographic or environmental constraints. Policymakers, including Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Honduras’ Agriculture Secretary Laura Suazo, highlighted digital solutions’ crucial role in transforming rural agriculture.
Why does it matter?
The report calls for joint private and public sector initiatives to close the digital divide, ensuring rural communities actively participate in a digitally inclusive agricultural future. It also stressed the development of public policies that address agricultural challenges, focusing on technology access for women and youth and highlighting digital technologies as essential tools for reducing poverty and enhancing food security in rural areas.
Mongolia is strengthening its digital economy through a promising alliance with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The Mongolian government is prioritising digital development as part of its larger developmental agenda by undertaking two major projects focused on digitalisation. Central to these efforts is the development of a legal framework for big data and artificial intelligence to safeguard and efficiently manage digital processes.
At a recent event Minister Baatarkhuu underscored plans to modernise public services by improving data exchange systems such as XYP and the National Identification and Authentication System (DAN). These efforts aim to reduce reliance on paper-based documentation, supported by the EBRD’s recommendations to enhance the system’s security. Another ambitious step towards integrating new technologies includes establishing a ‘drone zone’.
The Ministry of Digital Development of Mongolia proposed a collaboration with the EBRD on the Esign Client Program Development Project, which seeks to normalise digital signatures over four years, enhancing the efficiency of document authentication.
Why does it matter?
This partnership demonstrates a strong bilateral commitment to advancing Mongolia’s digital infrastructure, leveraging EBRD’s expertise and resources for sustainable digital growth. EBRD expressed readiness to provide advisory support to navigate opportunities and challenges in the digital economy.
Portuguese startup Sensei, specialising in contactless store technology, has secured €15 million in a Series A funding round led by BlueCrow Capital. The investment also saw participation from Lince Capital, Explorer Investments, Kamay Ventures, and existing backers like Metro AG and Techstars Ventures. This follows Sensei’s 2021 seed round of €5.4 million.
Sensei aims to establish 1,000 fully autonomous retail points by 2026, with current operations in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Brazil. The company uses AI-powered sensors and computer vision to automate checkout, offering customers a seamless shopping experience and real-time store management for retailers.
As competition heats up in the contactless retail space, Sensei is up against major players like Standard Cognition, Trigo, and AiFi, which have raised substantial funds to develop similar technology.
Apple CEO Tim Cook met with China’s Minister for Industry and Information Technology, Jin Zhuanglong, during his recent visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Jin expressed hopes that Apple would continue expanding its presence in China, increasing innovation investments, and collaborating with Chinese companies. Apple has not commented on the meeting.
This visit marks Cook’s second trip to China in 2023. While in Beijing, he visited local sites and engaged with Chinese artists, as seen in his posts on the social media platform Weibo. Cook’s trip comes at a time when Apple faces increased competition in the Chinese smartphone market, particularly from domestic rival Huawei.
Apple launched its latest iPhones in China on September 20, the same day Huawei released its competing model. While early iPhone sales saw a 20% increase compared to the previous year, overall sales declined by 2% due to decreased interest in older models and the growing popularity of Huawei’s Mate and Pura series.
