The robotics company Agibot has launched a series of Asia-Pacific strategic initiatives for 2026 with a high-profile event in Malaysia, signalling its push to expand embodied AI and robotics across the region.
The launch, held at i-City in Selangor, was attended by executives, Malaysian government officials, partners, and customers. It also marked the opening of the first AI and Robotics Experience Centre in Malaysia.
The centre was developed in partnership with I-Bhd and officiated by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. Agibot said the facility will showcase real-world applications of humanoid robotics.
Founder and CEO of Agibot, Deng Taihua, said the company produced its 5,000th humanoid robot in 2025, strengthening its position as it begins regional expansion in 2026.
The firm plans to deploy its systems across property, hospitality, tourism, and urban services, while its partnership with I-Bhd will focus on wellness, longevity, and residential robotics.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A Grok-powered AI support tool has been added to Starlink’s website, expanding automated help for broadband users. The chatbot builds on a similar service already available through the company’s mobile app.
Users can access the chatbot via the checkout support page, receiving a link by email. Responses are limited to Starlink services and usually appear within several seconds.
The system is designed to streamline support for millions of users worldwide, including rural UK customers. Public opinion remains divided over the growing reliance on AI instead of human support staff.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera has stated that the EU has a constitutional obligation under its treaties to uphold its digital rulebook, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Speaking at a competition law conference, Ribera framed enforcement as a duty to protect fair competition and market balance across the bloc.
Her comments arrive amid growing criticism from US technology companies and political pressure from Washington, where enforcement of EU digital rules has been portrayed as discriminatory towards American firms.
Several designated gatekeepers have argued that the DMA restricts innovation and challenges existing business models.
Ribera acknowledged the right of companies to challenge enforcement through the courts, while emphasising that designation decisions are based on lengthy and open consultation processes. The Commission, she said, remains committed to applying the law effectively rather than retreating under external pressure.
Apple and Meta have already announced plans to appeal fines imposed in 2025 for alleged breaches of DMA obligations, reinforcing expectations that legal disputes around EU digital regulation will continue in parallel with enforcement efforts.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The US Department of Defence plans to integrate Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok into Pentagon networks later in January, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The system is expected to operate across both classified and unclassified military environments as part of a broader push to expand AI capabilities.
Hegseth also outlined an AI acceleration strategy designed to increase experimentation, reduce administrative barriers and prioritise investment across defence technology.
An approach that aims to enhance access to data across federated IT systems, aligning with official views that military AI performance relies on data availability and interoperability.
The move follows earlier decisions by the Pentagon to adopt Google’s Gemini for an internal AI platform and to award large contracts to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and xAI for agentic AI development.
Officials describe these efforts as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen US military competitiveness in AI.
Grok’s integration comes amid ongoing controversy, including criticism over generated imagery and previous incidents involving extremist and offensive content. Several governments and regulators have already taken action against the tool, adding scrutiny to its expanded role within defence systems.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Keir Starmer has told Labour MPs that he is open to an Australian-style ban on social media for young people, following concerns about the amount of time children spend on screens.
Starmer previously opposed such a ban, arguing that enforcement would prove difficult and might instead push teenagers towards unregulated online spaces rather than safer platforms. Growing political momentum across Westminster, combined with Australia’s decision to act, has led to a reassessment of that position.
Speaking to MPs, Starmer said different enforcement approaches were being examined and added that phone use during school hours should be restricted.
UK ministers have also revisited earlier proposals aimed at reducing the addictive design of social media and strengthening safeguards on devices sold to teenagers.
Support for stricter measures has emerged across party lines, with senior figures from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK signalling openness to a ban.
A final decision is expected within months as ministers weigh child safety, regulation and practical implementation.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The US AI company, OpenAI, has acquired healthcare technology startup Torch only days after unveiling ChatGPT Health, signalling an accelerated push into medical and clinical applications.
Financial terms were not officially disclosed, although media reports estimate the transaction at between $60 million and $100 million.
Torch was developed as a unified medical memory platform, designed to consolidate patient data from hospitals, laboratories, wearable devices and consumer testing services.
The company positioned its technology as a means to support AI systems in navigating fragmented healthcare information, rather than relying on isolated data sources.
Torch’s four-person team will join OpenAI following the acquisition, reinforcing the company’s internal healthcare expertise. OpenAI has emphasised privacy, safety and collaboration with medical professionals as core principles guiding its expansion into sensitive data environments.
The move follows a broader strategy by OpenAI to strengthen enterprise offerings, particularly for large healthcare organisations. Recent hires and partnerships suggest healthcare remains a priority area as AI adoption increases across regulated sectors.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Ant International has announced a partnership with Google to support the launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol, a new open standard designed to enable agent-driven commerce across discovery, purchasing and post-purchase support.
A collaboration that aims to simplify how AI agents, merchants and payment providers interact across platforms.
The protocol establishes a shared language that enables agents to collaborate seamlessly without requiring bespoke integrations, while remaining compatible with existing industry frameworks. Google says alignment on common standards is essential for agentic commerce to scale across sectors and markets.
AI interfaces such as the Gemini app and AI Mode in Google Search are expected to support native purchasing within conversations. Users expressing shopping intent will receive curated product options and complete payments through integrated wallet services without leaving the chat environment.
Ant International is contributing payment expertise, alternative payment methods and AI-based risk management to ensure traceable transactions and consumer trust.
The company states that secure intent verification and fraud protection are crucial as users entrust purchasing decisions to intelligent agents.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
UK-based microcomputer manufacturer Raspberry Pi Holdings plc announced that surging demand for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) from AI data centres is tightening the supply of key components used in its products, leading to heightened uncertainty about future trading.
Investors reacted negatively, with shares sliding about 7.5 percent on the London Stock Exchange after the company’s warning that memory pricing and availability may remain constrained beyond the first half of 2026.
Raspberry Pi stressed that it has taken steps to mitigate the situation, including qualifying additional suppliers, developing lower-memory products and raising prices, and maintains sufficient inventory for the near term.
The company also reported that adjusted earnings for 2025 were ahead of market forecasts, supported by strong unit shipments. However, it highlighted ‘limited visibility’ for the second half of 2026 and beyond due to the unpredictable memory supply landscape.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Körber Supply Chain and Sereact have formed a strategic partnership to bring AI-controlled pick-and-place robotics technology into automated production and distribution solutions.
The collaboration aims to overcome the limitations of conventional automation by using AI systems that analyse visual and object data in real-time and autonomously adjust picking strategies for a wide variety of products.
The Sereact solution is now part of Körber’s broader supply chain ecosystem, enabling companies to integrate flexible and scalable robot automation into their warehouse and logistics operations.
AI-enabled robots can handle unknown or complex items with precision and speed, making logistics processes more efficient and reducing reliance on manual labour.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A Northern Ireland politician, Cara Hunter of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), has quit X after renewed concerns over Grok AI misuse. She cited failures to protect women and children online.
The decision follows criticism of Grok AI features enabling non-consensual sexualised images. UK regulators have launched investigations under online safety laws.
UK ministers plan to criminalise creating intimate deepfakes and supplying related tools. Ofcom is examining whether X breached its legal duties.
Political leaders and rights groups say enforcement must go further. X says it removes illegal content and has restricted Grok image functions on the social media.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
