The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to make a significant $40 billion investment in Italy, covering sectors such as energy, technology, and defence. This follows the first-ever state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Italy. The investment will span various projects, including data centres, AI, renewable energy, and subsea activities.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised that this partnership will strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on mutual economic growth and collaboration. The investment aligns with the Mattei plan, aimed at boosting African development and reducing migrant arrivals to Italy. One notable project involves transporting electricity through an undersea cable between Italy, Albania, and the UAE, further enhancing regional cooperation.
In addition to economic and energy initiatives, both nations agreed to ramp up defence and security collaborations, including joint military production, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and disaster response efforts. The partnership will also support advanced research and development, contributing to sustainable development and digital growth.
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Google has launched a new free AI tool aimed at helping developers with code completion and assistance. Gemini Code Assist for Individuals allows users to interact with a Google AI model through a chat window, helping to fix bugs, complete code, or explain parts of a codebase. The tool can be integrated into popular coding environments like VS Code and JetBrains, and supports a range of programming languages. It offers impressive capabilities, with 180,000 code completions per month—90 times more than GitHub’s free Copilot plan—and 240 daily chat requests, well beyond the limits of competing tools.
In addition, Google unveiled Gemini Code Assist for GitHub, a tool that automatically scans code in pull requests to identify bugs and provide helpful suggestions. These tools highlight Google’s increasing efforts to compete with Microsoft and GitHub in the developer space. Both tools leverage Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model, fine-tuned for coding tasks, and offer a context window four times larger than similar models, enabling the AI to process more complex code.
The launch marks a strategic move by Google to attract developers, especially those early in their careers, with the hope that some will eventually transition to premium plans. Gemini Code Assist for Individuals is available through a free public preview, with Google planning to roll out additional enterprise features soon, including integration with third-party tools and more advanced customisation options for businesses.
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Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani is focusing on small businesses and promoting innovative neuroscience research to boost Reliance’s revenue from the Indian Premier League (IPL). After striking an $8.5 billion merger with Walt Disney, Reliance plans to attract small companies to advertise during the IPL by offering affordable ad packages starting at $17,000. The company has been conducting closed-door seminars in various Indian cities to pitch these packages, aiming to expand its digital ad inventory and increase streaming revenue.
Reliance is also experimenting with “brain mapping” research to show higher engagement rates for its IPL ads compared to rivals like Google and Meta. The company claims its ads have up to four times more focus, engagement, and memorability, based on neural studies of participants. However, the ad rates for IPL streaming have risen by up to 25%, creating competition with lower-cost platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where some businesses find advertising more affordable.
Despite heavy investments in IPL and other cricket rights, Reliance faces challenges in making the venture profitable. The company is battling major global players in India’s growing digital advertising market, where Google and Meta dominate. Reliance’s ad pitch focuses on user data, offering targeted ads based on viewer demographics. Yet, experts argue that Reliance’s efforts, including using brain scans to boost ad appeal, may not be enough to compete with the sheer reach of platforms like YouTube.
The high cost of IPL broadcast rights, coupled with increasing ad rates, puts pressure on Reliance’s strategy. Still, Ambani remains confident in the IPL’s potential to attract advertisers and retain viewers who may subscribe to additional content offerings. With competition intensifying in India’s $28-billion digital ad market, Reliance’s new tactics may shape its future in the entertainment and advertising sectors.
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In Nagpur, India, flower shop owner Ashish Nagose is one of many young Indians turning to cryptocurrency trading as a way to supplement their income. With regulations tightening around equity derivatives in India, Nagose hopes that trading in crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum can provide stability during slower months for his family-owned flower business. His efforts reflect a broader trend among young Indians who are increasingly looking to cryptocurrencies as a source of income, with the crypto market in India growing rapidly.
The surge in cryptocurrency trading volumes on Indian exchanges has been remarkable, more than doubling in the last quarter of 2024. As of now, young retail traders, particularly in smaller cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Pune, are driving much of the interest in crypto. Many of these individuals are seeking opportunities to earn more in a country where job growth has not kept pace with the economy. With India’s crypto market projected to grow to $15 billion by 2035, local platforms like CoinSwitch are seeing increasing numbers of users.
However, this rise in crypto interest is not without challenges. The Indian government has imposed steep taxes on crypto trading and has issued warnings about the risks and volatility of these digital assets. Despite these concerns, young traders like Sagar Neware are determined to make a living through crypto, aiming to restart their family’s business with the money they earn from trading.
The surge in crypto trading in India is also drawing attention to the need for regulatory oversight. While the government has yet to adopt comprehensive regulations for cryptocurrencies, it has warned of potential risks to macroeconomic stability. Despite the central bank’s caution, India’s young crypto enthusiasts are undeterred, continuing to learn and trade in hopes of a more prosperous future.
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Indonesia and Apple have reportedly reached an agreement to lift the country’s ban on iPhone 16s, with a potential deal expected to be signed this week. The ban was imposed in October after Apple failed to meet the requirement that smartphones sold in Indonesia must include at least 35% locally-made parts.
As part of the agreement, Apple will invest $1 billion into a manufacturing plant in Indonesia, focused on producing components for smartphones and other products. Additionally, Apple will commit to training local workers in research and development, expanding beyond its existing Apple academies. However, Apple has no immediate plans to begin iPhone production in the country.
Neither Apple nor Indonesia’s Ministry for Industry have responded to requests for comment on the matter.
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Tesla has introduced a long-awaited update to its Autopilot software in China, adding city navigation features that allow for automatic lane changes and traffic light detection. However, many Chinese Tesla owners were disappointed, expressing that the update did not meet the high expectations set by CEO Elon Musk. The new features, while similar to the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, are less advanced in China due to insufficient data on local roads and traffic rules.
Tesla faces stiff competition from Chinese automakers like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BYD, which offer advanced driver-assistance systems at lower prices or even for free. These rivals have already launched vehicles capable of navigating complex Chinese traffic, leaving Tesla behind in the race for smart-driving technology. Despite this, Tesla continues to charge its customers nearly $9,000 for the limited version of its FSD software, which many feel does not live up to the promises made by the company.
The delays in rolling out full FSD in China are partly due to regulatory hurdles and restrictions on data transfer between China and the US. Tesla is working on gaining approval from Beijing for its advanced systems, but China currently only requires registration for level-two autonomous features like Autopilot. Tesla is also looking into establishing a data centre in China to train its AI software, though the process has been complicated by strict Chinese data laws.
While Tesla’s Autopilot update is seen as a step forward, it faces growing criticism for not keeping pace with the rapidly evolving smart-driving features offered by local competitors. Tesla’s challenge in China highlights the complex balance the company must maintain between innovation, regulatory compliance, and local competition.
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The European Court of Justice has backed Italy‘s antitrust authority in a ruling against Google, stating that the tech giant’s refusal to allow Enel’s JuicePass app to work with its Android Auto platform could constitute an abuse of market power. This decision supports a 2021 fine of 102 million euros imposed by the Italian watchdog after Google blocked the e-mobility app. Google had argued that the refusal was due to security concerns and the absence of a specific template for compatibility, but the court disagreed, stating that dominant companies must ensure their platforms are interoperable with third-party apps unless doing so would harm security.
Although Google has since resolved the issue, the ruling sets a precedent for future cases involving platform dominance. The court acknowledged that companies could refuse interoperability if it compromises platform security, but if this is not the case, they must develop a compatible template in a reasonable timeframe. Google claimed the feature was only relevant to a small percentage of cars in Italy at the time, but the ruling now forces the company to comply with the antitrust decision. The case is final and cannot be appealed, and the Italian Council of State will follow the court’s guidance in its future ruling.
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A groundbreaking study from the University of Copenhagen has demonstrated that AI can decode emotions in animals. By training a machine-learning model to analyse the vocal patterns of seven ungulate species, including cows, pigs, and wild boars, the research achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 89.49%. This study, the first of its kind to cross species, marks a significant step forward in understanding animal emotions.
The AI model identified key acoustic indicators of emotional states, such as duration, frequency, and amplitude of vocalisations, revealing that emotional expressions are evolutionarily conserved across species. This discovery could revolutionise animal welfare, enabling real-time monitoring of animals’ emotional well-being, particularly in livestock management, veterinary care, and conservation efforts.
The implications for animal welfare are profound. Early detection of stress or discomfort could lead to timely interventions, improving animals’ lives. Additionally, promoting positive emotions could enhance overall welfare. The researchers have made their emotional call database publicly available to support further studies and encourage more AI-driven research in animal welfare and conservation.
This study not only sheds new light on animal emotions but also offers insights into the evolutionary roots of human language, opening up exciting possibilities for future scientific exploration and better understanding of animal behaviour.
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Bluesky, the rapidly growing decentralised social media platform, has partnered with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As part of the collaboration, Bluesky will gain access to the IWF’s tools, which include a list of websites containing CSAM and a catalogue of digital fingerprints, or ‘hashes,’ that identify abusive images. This partnership aims to reduce the risk of users encountering illegal content while helping to keep the platform safe from such material.
Bluesky’s head of trust and safety, Aaron Rodericks, welcomed the partnership as a significant step in protecting users from harmful content. With the platform’s rapid growth—reaching over 30 million users by the end of last month—the move comes at a crucial time. In November, Bluesky announced plans to expand its moderation team to address the rise in harmful material following the influx of new users.
The partnership also highlights the growing concern over online child sexual abuse material. The IWF reported record levels of harmful content last year, with over 291,000 web pages removed from the internet. The foundation’s CEO, Derek Ray-Hill, stressed the urgency of tackling the crisis, calling for a collective effort from governments, tech companies, and society.
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Elon Musk’s Starlink network is facing increasing competition in the satellite internet market, particularly from SpaceSail, a Shanghai-based company backed by the Chinese government, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. SpaceSail is expanding rapidly, having entered Brazil in November and begun operations in Kazakhstan by January. Meanwhile, Brazil is also in talks with Project Kuiper and Canada’s Telesat to diversify its options for providing high-speed internet to remote areas.
SpaceSail plans to launch 648 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites this year, with the ambition of deploying up to 15,000 by 2030. This move aims to compete directly with Starlink, which currently operates around 7,000 satellites but plans to increase its constellation to 42,000 by the end of the decade. China’s push into satellite internet is part of its broader strategy to dominate space and digital technologies, which has raised concerns among Western governments, particularly regarding Beijing’s potential to extend its censorship and surveillance reach globally.
China’s rapid expansion in satellite technology, supported by state funding and military research, has intensified. It has launched 263 LEO satellites in the past year alone, and researchers are focusing on low-latency systems to compete with Starlink’s capabilities. The Chinese government is also exploring ways to track and monitor satellite constellations, potentially targeting Starlink as a strategic competitor.
As competition in the satellite internet sector intensifies, particularly between the US, China, and other players like Brazil, the geopolitical and military implications of these space technologies are becoming clearer. With nations striving to secure positions in space, experts warn of an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
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