Digital business models

Quantum and supercomputing converge in IBM-AMD initiative

IBM has announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures by integrating quantum computers with high-performance computing, a concept it calls quantum-centric supercomputing.

The company is working with AMD to build scalable, open-source platforms that combine IBM’s quantum expertise with AMD’s strength in HPC and AI accelerators. The aim is to move beyond the limits of traditional computing and explore solutions to problems that classical systems cannot address alone.

Quantum computing uses qubits governed by quantum mechanics, offering a far richer computational space than binary bits. In a hybrid model, quantum machines could simulate atoms and molecules, while supercomputers powered by CPUs, GPUs, and AI manage large-scale data analysis.

Arvind Krishna, IBM’s CEO, said the approach represents a new way of simulating the natural world. AMD’s Lisa Su described high-performance computing as foundational to tackling global challenges, noting the partnership could accelerate discovery and innovation.

An initial demonstration is planned for later this year, showing IBM quantum computers working with AMD technologies. Both companies say open-source ecosystems like Qiskit will be crucial to building new algorithms and advancing fault-tolerant quantum systems.

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Musk’s influence puts Grok at the centre of AI bias debate

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, has faced repeated changes to its political orientation, with updates shifting its answers towards more conservative views.

xAI, Musk’s company, initially promoted Grok as neutral and truth-seeking, but internal prompts have steered it on contentious topics. Adjustments included portraying declining fertility as the greatest threat to civilisation and downplaying right-wing violence.

Analyses of Grok’s responses by The New York Times showed that the July updates shifted answers to the right on government and economy, while some social responses remained left-leaning. Subsequent tweaks pulled it back closer to neutrality.

Critics say that system prompts, such as short instructions like ‘be politically incorrect’, make it easy to adjust outputs, but also leave the model prone to erratic or offensive responses. A July update saw Grok briefly endorse a controversial historical figure before xAI turned it off.

The case highlights growing concerns about political bias in AI systems. Researchers argue that all chatbots reflect the worldviews of their training data, while companies increasingly face pressure to align them with user expectations or political demands.

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Rapid Fusion unveils AI assistant for 3D printing

Exeter technology firm Rapid Fusion has introduced an AI-powered print assistant to enhance its robotic additive manufacturing systems. Known as Bob, the system has been in development for eight months and is now being rolled out to clients.

The AI aims to simplify machine operation, provide greater control and reduce downtime through predictive maintenance.

It is compatible with the company’s Apollo, Zeus and Medusa models, including the first UK large-format hybrid 3D gantry printer.

Rapid Fusion’s chief technology officer, Martin Jewell, said the system represents a breakthrough in making complex 3D printing more accessible. A standard version will be released in early 2026, while select partners and universities will act as super users to refine future updates.

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Google dismisses false breach rumours as Gmail security concerns grow

Reports that Gmail suffered a massive breach have been dismissed by Google, which said rumours of warnings to 2.5 billion users were false.

In a Monday blog post, Google rejected claims that it had issued global notifications about a serious Gmail security issue. It stressed that its protections remain effective against phishing and malware.

Confusion stems from a June incident involving a Salesforce server, during which attackers briefly accessed public business information, including names and contact details. Google said all affected parties were notified by early August.

The company acknowledged that phishing attempts are increasing, but clarified that Gmail’s defences block more than 99.9% of such attempts. A July blog post on phishing risks may have been misinterpreted as evidence of a breach.

Google urged users to remain vigilant, recommending password alternatives such as passkeys and regular account reviews. While the false alarm spurred unnecessary panic, security experts noted that updating credentials remains good practice.

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AI scams target seniors’ savings

Cybersecurity experts have warned that AI is being used to target senior citizens in sophisticated financial scams. The Phantom Hacker scam impersonates tech support, bank, and government workers to steal seniors’ life savings.

The first stage involves a fake tech support worker accessing the victim’s computer to check accounts under the pretence of spotting fraud. A fraud department impersonator then tells victims to transfer funds to a ‘safe’ account allegedly at risk from foreign hackers.

A fake government worker then directs the victim to transfer money to an alias account controlled by the scammers. Check Point CIO Pete Nicoletti says AI helps scammers identify targets by analysing social media and online activity.

Experts stress that reporting the theft immediately is crucial. Delays significantly reduce the chance of recovering stolen funds, leaving many victims permanently defrauded.

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Businesses absorb Bitcoin at four times the mining rate

Private and public businesses are acquiring Bitcoin nearly four times faster than miners are producing new coins, according to financial services firm River.

Companies, including publicly traded treasuries and private businesses, purchased an average of 1,755 BTC daily in 2025, with ETFs adding 1,430 BTC daily. Governments also joined in, buying about 39 BTC per day.

In contrast, miners produced just 450 BTC daily, raising fears of a potential supply crunch.

In the second quarter of 2025 alone, treasury companies acquired 159,107 BTC, bringing business holdings to around 1.3 million BTC. Michael Saylor’s firm Strategy leads with a corporate reserve of 632,457 BTC, making it the largest known holder.

Strategy says aggressive buying does not affect short-term prices, as most transactions are handled off-exchange through OTC markets. Analysts, however, continue to speculate that dwindling exchange reserves could become a powerful bullish force.

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ESMA highlights risks of tokenised equity products

A top European regulator has warned that tokenised stocks could mislead investors and undermine confidence in financial markets. Natasha Cazenave of ESMA said many tokenised stocks, like voting or dividends, lack shareholder rights.

Unlike traditional equities, tokenised stocks are typically issued through intermediaries and merely track share prices. Cazenave cautioned that retail investors may wrongly believe they own company shares, exposing them to a risk of misunderstanding.

Her warning follows the expansion of tokenised stock services on platforms like Robinhood and Kraken.

The World Federation of Exchanges recently echoed these concerns, urging regulators to strengthen oversight. Without intervention, the group warned that tokenised products could threaten market integrity and heighten investor risks.

Although advocates say tokenisation could cut costs and widen access, Cazenave noted most projects remain small, illiquid, and far from delivering promised efficiency. Regulators, she added, remain focused on balancing innovation with investor protection.

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ChatGPT safety checks may trigger police action

OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT conversations signalling a risk of serious harm to others can be reviewed by human moderators and may even reach the police.

The company explained these measures in a blog post, stressing that its system is designed to balance user privacy with public safety.

The safeguards treat self-harm differently from threats to others. When a user expresses suicidal intent, ChatGPT directs them to professional resources instead of contacting law enforcement.

By contrast, conversations showing intent to harm someone else are escalated to trained moderators, and if they identify an imminent risk, OpenAI may alert authorities and suspend accounts.

The company admitted its safety measures work better in short conversations than in lengthy or repeated ones, where safeguards can weaken.

OpenAI is working to strengthen consistency across interactions and developing parental controls, new interventions for risky behaviour, and potential connections to professional help before crises worsen.

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Alibaba shares soar on AI and cloud growth

Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares rose over 15%, their most significant single-day gain since early 2023, following strong AI revenue growth. AI-related sales surged triple digits, and the cloud division grew 26% to 33.4 billion yuan ($4.7 billion), exceeding expectations and driving expansion.

The results underline Alibaba’s transformation from a retail-heavy company into a diversified technology player. Analysts say AI is now a central growth driver, with cloud and AI offerings boosting investor confidence despite price war pressures from JD.com and Meituan.

Alibaba is investing in AI hardware and developing proprietary chips to reduce reliance on foreign semiconductors. The strategy aims to build faster, cheaper, and more secure AI systems for domestic and international markets, including Lazada and AliExpress.

Experts view this calculated self-reliance and strong cloud and AI services as a long-term growth driver.

While retail rivals continue to struggle with profit pressure, Alibaba’s leadership has emphasised AI as a core strategic focus.

CEO Eddie Wu emphasised ambitions in artificial general intelligence, with analysts noting AI could protect Alibaba from price wars and support growth across multiple business areas.

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Historic Bitcoin event set for November in San Salvador

El Salvador will host the world’s first state-sponsored Bitcoin conference, Bitcoin Histórico, on 12–13 November 2025 in San Salvador’s historic centre. The two-day event, organised by the National Bitcoin Office, will focus on money, culture, and crypto innovation, with early bird tickets available in Bitcoin or fiat.

Centro Histórico will be transformed into a hub for discussions, workshops, and cultural exchange. Keynote addresses at the National Palace will be broadcast to Plaza Gerardo Barrios, with additional sessions held at the National Library and National Theatre.

Speakers include billionaire Ricardo Salinas, author Jeff Booth, Bitcoin advocates Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert, Lightning Network developer Jack Mallers, and industry figures Pierre Rochard, Jimmy Song, Darin Feinstein, and Lina Seiche.

El Salvador’s government, holding 6,220 BTC, recently amended the constitution to extend presidential terms, allowing President Nayib Bukele another term.

The conference will address regulation, infrastructure, power use, financial inclusion, price volatility, and public understanding, guiding developing nations on using cryptocurrency.

The announcement coincides with a BTC recovery, trading above $109,175 following last week’s dip. Institutional demand remains strong, with Japanese company Metaplanet adding 1,009 BTC, while US spot ETFs recorded $440 million weekly inflows.

Anticipation of a Fed rate cut may further support Bitcoin and other risk assets.

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