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Deutsche Telekom expands partnership with Google Cloud

Deutsche Telekom has strengthened its collaboration with Google, moving more of its services to the Google Cloud platform as part of its transformation into an ‘AI-first company.’ The expanded partnership aims to improve the agility and efficiency of Deutsche Telekom’s operations through AI-driven solutions.

Stefan Schloter, Chief Infrastructure Officer for Europe at Deutsche Telekom, highlighted how leveraging data and AI will enhance digital solutions across business entities, software engineering, and customer interfaces.

The MyMagenta app, for example, will integrate Google’s AI-powered Gemini assistant, further improving customer experience.

Google Cloud will also serve as the technical foundation of Deutsche Telekom’s new AI platform, the ‘One Data Ecosystem.’ However, this platform consolidates data systems and enhances data processing speed while ensuring compliance with privacy and data-sharing regulations.

Marianne Janik, Vice President of Google Cloud for Northern Europe, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting how cloud technology is pivotal for communications providers in driving innovation, flexibility, and growth for enhanced user experiences.

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Microsoft rethinks AI data centre strategy amid market shifts

Microsoft has reportedly scaled back or delayed several major data centre projects, just three months after announcing plans to invest $80 billion in AI infrastructure through the current fiscal year.

According to Bloomberg, the company has paused developments in multiple locations, including Australia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and US states such as Illinois, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Instead of denying the report, Microsoft confirmed adjustments to its plans, citing the need for long-term flexibility. A spokesperson said the company continuously reviews future infrastructure needs to ensure alignment with growing AI demand, adding that the changes reflect Microsoft’s adaptable strategy.

The halted projects include negotiations for high-performance AI chip facilities in the UK and a site near Chicago, along with construction delays in Jakarta and Wisconsin.

These moves come amid growing scrutiny over whether the AI sector is entering a bubble, especially as emerging models challenge the assumption that vast computing power is always necessary for innovation.

Instead of sticking to high-cost development, Microsoft may be responding to a new trend: efficient, lower-cost AI models from Chinese firms that rival those of Western tech giants.

With AI development costs dropping and access expanding, Microsoft’s strategic pause could reflect a shift towards a more sustainable and agile future in AI infrastructure.

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Meta and UFC to transform fight experience

UFC President Dana White has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Meta, following his recent appointment to the tech giant’s board.

The collaboration marks a significant moment for both organisations, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a well-known MMA enthusiast and practitioner, praising White’s ability to elevate global sports brands.

The deal aims to revolutionise fan engagement through cutting-edge technologies. According to White, plans are already underway to redesign the UFC’s ranking system, with hopes of delivering more compelling matchups.

While details remain under wraps, he hinted that AI could be central to the project, potentially transforming how fights are scored and analysed in real time.

Zuckerberg expressed excitement about the future of UFC fan experiences, suggesting Meta’s tech resources could introduce innovative ways for audiences to connect with the sport.

Enhanced data analysis may also support fighters in training and strategy, leading to higher-quality contests and fewer controversial decisions.

The full impact of the partnership will unfold in the coming years, with fans and athletes alike anticipating significant change.

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India among few developing nations with strong AI investment

India and China were the only developing nations to attract notable private investment in AI in 2023, according to the UN’s Technology and Innovation Report 2025. Instead of the US simply leading the field, it dominated with $67 billion in AI investment, accounting for 70 per cent of the global total.

China followed with $7.8 billion, while India ranked tenth worldwide with $1.4 billion. Instead of being evenly distributed, access to AI infrastructure and research remains heavily concentrated in a handful of countries, mainly the US and China.

India’s rise in the AI space stems from policy-driven innovation and education rather than organic growth alone. It climbed to 36th place out of 170 on the UNCTAD Frontier Technologies Readiness Index in 2024, improving from 48th in 2022.

Instead of only focusing on economic size, the index measures readiness through ICT availability, skills, R&D, industrial capacity, and financing. India performed well in R&D and industrial capacity but fell behind in ICT access and skill development.

India has supported its AI ecosystem through collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector. The country hosts a large developer base, around 13 million, and contributes actively to generative AI projects on platforms like GitHub.

Programmes such as the India AI Mission aim to boost AI education and innovation in smaller cities, instead of keeping progress limited to major urban centres. Institutes like IIT Hyderabad and IIT Kharagpur were named among the country’s key centres of AI excellence.

Still, India faces challenges in expanding its AI capabilities across all sectors. Instead of allowing AI to widen inequalities, the report urges investment in workforce reskilling and inclusion. While AI can boost productivity, it may also displace jobs unless paired with supportive policies.

The technology, if harnessed wisely, could create new industries and strengthen employment rather than replace it.

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Siemens buys Dotmatics to boost AI drug research

Siemens announced on Wednesday its acquisition of US software firm Dotmatics for $5.1 billion, aiming to enhance its AI capabilities for drug discovery.

The German company described the deal as complementary to its expansion into Life Sciences, positioning itself in a market increasingly reliant on digital transformation to meet growing medical needs.

Siemens expects Dotmatics to generate $100 million annually in the mid-term, rising to $500 million in the long run, and said the acquisition would be immediately profitable. The transaction is set to be completed in the first half of next year.

Founded in 2005, Dotmatics employs 800 people and specialises in AI-driven R&D software designed to accelerate drug research. This move follows Siemens’ recent $10 billion purchase of another AI-powered US software firm, Altair Engineering.

As Siemens’ industrial software faces slowing demand, its digital division has been driving revenue growth instead of its traditional factory automation products. The company, Germany’s second-largest by market value, continues expanding its software portfolio to capitalise on AI-driven innovations.

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OpenAI’s Deep Research feature to expand to free users

OpenAI is preparing to make its Deep Research feature available to free-tier users, following its initial rollout to Plus and Enterprise customers.

The tool, designed to conduct in-depth online research, allows ChatGPT to analyse vast amounts of information, synthesise key findings, and generate detailed reports. Isa Fulford, a member of OpenAI’s technical staff, recently confirmed the planned expansion in a post on X.

Deep Research is powered by an optimised version of the o3 model, which enhances web browsing and data analysis capabilities.

Users can request reports on various topics, such as global smartphone adoption trends, and receive summaries with citations, graphs, and insights. The tool can also process text, images, and PDFs from online sources to provide more comprehensive responses.

No official timeline has been announced for when free users will gain access to the feature, but OpenAI’s move signals an effort to expand the accessibility of advanced AI-driven research.

The functionality may also allow users to upload their own files for more personalised analysis, further enhancing the potential of ChatGPT as a research assistant.

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Anthropic introduces Claude to revolutionise learning and teaching

Claude for Education, launched by Anthropic, introduces a specialised AI for higher education, aiming to support universities in teaching, learning, and administration.

The initiative includes key features like Learning mode, full campus access for top universities, and partnerships with organisations like Internet2 and Instructure to integrate AI into academic tools.

Learning mode helps students develop critical thinking by guiding them through problems with Socratic questioning instead of providing direct answers. It also offers templates for research and study.

Key academic partnerships include Northeastern University, London School of Economics, and Champlain College, all of which will benefit from campus-wide access to Claude. These partnerships ensure AI’s responsible integration and accessibility for all students.

New student programs, such as the Claude Campus Ambassadors and API credit initiatives, provide opportunities for students to engage with and build on AI tools.

The launch also coincides with efforts to integrate AI into the academic plans of institutions like Northeastern University, which is pioneering AI adoption in higher education with its ‘Northeastern 2025’ initiative.

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AppLovin joins TikTok takeover frenzy

As the 5 April deadline approaches for TikTok to secure a non-Chinese buyer or face a US ban, the list of potential acquirers continues to grow.

Marketing platform AppLovin has submitted a preliminary bid to acquire TikTok’s operations outside of China, aiming to expand its footprint in the global digital advertising arena.

AppLovin’s move adds to the mounting interest in TikTok, with Amazon and a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely also entering the fray.

These developments come amid US government concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership, which officials argue poses national security risks, a claim that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have consistently denied.

The White House has taken an unusually active role in facilitating the sale.

President Donald Trump indicates openness to a deal wherein China approves the transaction in exchange for relief from US tariffs on Chinese imports.

This intertwining of trade negotiations and tech acquisitions underscores the complex geopolitical landscape influencing the fate of TikTok in the US.

Private equity firm Blackstone is also evaluating a minority investment in TikTok’s US operations, potentially joining non-Chinese shareholders like Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic in contributing fresh capital.

The future of TikTok, an app used by nearly half of all Americans, remains uncertain as the deadline looms and negotiations continue.

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Retail stocks slump after tariff shock

Retail giants are facing sharp declines in after-hours trading as new tariffs from the US on imports from China, the European Union, and Vietnam begin to rattle markets. Walmart and Amazon both saw their shares fall, with Nike also heavily impacted due to its dependence on Chinese manufacturing.

Walmart’s drop of over 4% reflects its heavy reliance on Chinese imports, with roughly 70% of its merchandise tied to the country. Amazon, similarly exposed through its third-party sellers, dipped close to 5% amid fears that rising costs will force sellers to raise prices, dampening consumer demand. These developments could severely affect the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Nike, meanwhile, saw shares fall by more than 6% as news emerged that many of its products, including popular sneakers, are produced in China and Vietnam. Although the company has been diversifying production to Vietnam, the move offers little relief now, as Vietnam faces an even steeper 46% tariff. The new policies may force widespread price hikes, putting further pressure on consumers and the broader retail sector.

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UK’s Royal Mail investigates major data breach

Royal Mail is investigating a significant cybersecurity incident after a hacker known as ‘GHNA’ claimed to have leaked 144GB of sensitive customer data. The files were allegedly obtained through Spectos, a third-party analytics provider, and posted on the BreachForums platform. While the leaked information includes names, addresses, parcel data, and internal recordings, Royal Mail stated that its delivery services remain unaffected.

Spectos confirmed a breach on 29 March, explaining that the attack stemmed from a 2021 malware infection that compromised an employee’s credentials. Cybersecurity firm Hudson Rock linked the same login data to another recent attack involving Samsung. The exposed dataset includes thousands of files containing mailing lists from Mailchimp, Zoom meetings, logistics details, and a WordPress database, raising concerns about the security of Royal Mail’s extended network.

The breach is the latest in a series of cyber incidents targeting the UK’s Royal Mail, following a 2023 ransomware attack that halted international shipping and a 2022 outage in its tracking systems. While the full extent of the latest leak remains under investigation, experts warn that prolonged access to internal systems may have occurred before the data was released. No public notification procedures have yet been confirmed.

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