SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s decision to partner with OpenAI and Oracle on a $500 billion AI venture, Stargate, showcases his bold, headline-grabbing approach to dealing with the Trump administration. The project, announced at the White House alongside President Donald Trump, promises to build AI infrastructure in the US and marks a significant part of Son’s earlier $100 billion investment pledge. SoftBank shares surged 11% following the news, reflecting investor confidence in the group’s aggressive strategy.
However, analysts argue that Son’s methods, rooted in rapid decision-making and high-risk bets, are difficult for traditional Japanese corporations to replicate. Japan Inc’s emphasis on long-term planning contrasts sharply with Son’s willingness to embrace Trump’s pro-investment stance to navigate potential tariffs and trade pressures. The reluctance of other Japanese executives to engage directly with Trump highlights a broader struggle to adapt in a politically charged environment.
Son’s flashy investments draw comparisons to his previous $50 billion pledge during Trump’s first term and underscore his vision for AI as a transformative technology. While his moves are reestablishing SoftBank as a global player after setbacks like WeWork’s collapse, questions remain about how the Stargate project will be funded and whether traditional Japanese companies can adapt their strategies to find similar success in Trump’s America.
Microsoft announced changes to its longstanding agreement with OpenAI following the AI leader’s new partnership with Oracle and SoftBank on a $500 billion AI data centre project, Stargate. The joint venture, unveiled by President Donald Trump at the White House, aims to solidify US leadership in AI, leveraging Nvidia chips and other cutting-edge technologies.
While Microsoft retains exclusive rights to OpenAI’s APIs, the amendments now allow OpenAI to build additional capacity outside of Microsoft’s infrastructure. This paves the way for Oracle’s involvement in Stargate, which will operate as a separate entity with governance rights shared among founding members and external investors like UAE’s MGX. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son will chair the venture’s board.
Despite this shift, Microsoft remains a central technology partner, continuing to benefit from revenue-sharing agreements with OpenAI and maintaining exclusivity over key offerings through its Azure cloud service. “The key elements of our partnership remain intact through 2030,” Microsoft said, reaffirming its commitment to OpenAI’s long-term growth.
Oracle and OpenAI have not commented on Microsoft’s statements, but the partnership underscores the strategic realignments shaping the future of AI infrastructure in the US.
A state-of-the-art £225 million supercomputer, Isambard-AI, is set to become the most powerful in the UK when fully operational this summer. Based at the National Composites Centre in Bristol, the system uses artificial intelligence to aid in developing vaccines and drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer. Researchers are already using its vast computational power to enhance melanoma detection across diverse skin tones.
Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, a high-performance computing expert at the University of Bristol in the UK, described Isambard-AI as “potentially world-changing.” By simulating molecular interactions, the AI can drastically cut the time and cost of drug development, which traditionally relied on educated guesses and laborious physical experiments. The system virtually screens millions of potential treatments, allowing researchers to identify promising candidates faster.
Despite concerns about its energy consumption, the supercomputer is designed to operate efficiently and may even repurpose its waste heat to warm local homes and businesses. Highlighting the project’s broader significance, Professor McIntosh-Smith likened Isambard-AI to the invention of the internet, emphasising its potential to save millions of lives while keeping its research publicly accessible.
The UK government has introduced a new AI assistant named ‘Humphrey,’ inspired by the scheming character Sir Humphrey Appleby from the sitcom Yes, Minister. This innovative suite of digital tools aims to modernise civil service workflows, reduce costs, and simplify tasks such as summarising public feedback and searching parliamentary records.
The initiative forms part of a broader overhaul of government digital services, announced by Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Central to this plan are two new apps for secure document storage, including digital driving licences. The Humphrey AI tools, particularly Consult and Parlex, are designed to replace costly external consultants and assist policymakers in navigating parliamentary debates.
Despite the programme’s ambitions, the choice of name has sparked debate. Critics like Tim Flagg from UKAI argue that the association with Sir Humphrey’s ‘devious and controlling’ persona might undermine trust in the technology. However, Flagg also expressed optimism about the government’s technical capabilities, calling the project a positive step towards embracing AI.
The UK government insists that these tools will foster efficiency and collaboration, with improved data sharing between departments being another key feature of the initiative. By cutting consultancy costs and increasing transparency, officials hope Humphrey will become a symbol of progress, rather than parody.
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has pledged up to €800 million to support the expansion of Germany’s 5G infrastructure, part of an effort to reduce reliance on Chinese technology. The project, which includes contributions from private banks across Europe and Japan, aims to build a secure and advanced telecom system for Germany.
The funding will support United Internet AG, a German telecom company, in adopting Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. This system allows seamless integration of equipment from multiple suppliers, reducing the risks of over-dependence on a single provider. A significant portion of the software involved is developed by Rakuten Group Inc., a Japanese tech firm.
Germany has relied heavily on Chinese manufacturers for 5G infrastructure, with 59% of its network sourced from Huawei and ZTE in 2022. This new initiative reflects Germany’s ambition to phase out Chinese components by 2029 and strengthen national security. JBIC’s €300 million contribution represents the largest share of the funding, ensuring stability and mitigating risks for the ambitious expansion.
As part of a broader collaboration, financial institutions from France, Britain, and Japan are also participating in the loans. Beyond enhancing Germany’s telecom security, the project is expected to benefit Japanese firms operating in the country by offering a trusted platform for handling sensitive data.
A new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights progress in tackling unjustified geo-blocking in the EU but calls for stronger enforcement and expanded regulations. Geo-blocking, which restricts online access to goods and services based on nationality or location, was targeted by a 2018 regulation aimed at ensuring fairer treatment in the EU Single Market. However, the ECA found that inconsistent enforcement has left many consumers unprotected.
The report reveals significant disparities in penalties for non-compliance, ranging from minor fines of €26 in some countries to €5 million or even criminal liability in others. These gaps, combined with limited awareness among consumers and traders about available support, have undermined the regulation’s effectiveness. Key exemptions for sectors like audiovisual services—such as streaming platforms and TV distribution—are also causing frustration, with calls to broaden the regulation’s scope during its 2025 review.
Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, the ECA member responsible for the audit, warned that geo-blocking continues to restrict consumer choices and fuel dissatisfaction. In response, the European Commission has welcomed the findings, signalling potential reforms, including stricter enforcement mechanisms and exploring ways to address challenges tied to copyright practices. The Commission has committed to factoring the report into its upcoming evaluation of the regulation.
The UK government is exploring new AI tools to streamline public services and assist ministers and civil servants. Among these is Parlex, a tool that predicts how MPs may react to proposed policies, offering insights into potential support or opposition based on MPs’ previous parliamentary contributions. Described as a ‘parliamentary vibe check,’ the tool helps policy teams craft strategies before formally proposing new measures.
Part of the AI suite Humphrey—named after the Yes Minister character—Parlex and other tools aim to modernise government operations. These include Minute, which transcribes ministerial meetings, and Lex, which analyses the impact of laws. Another tool, Redbox, automates submission processing, while Consult is projected to save £80 million annually by improving public consultation processes. The Department for Work and Pensions has also utilised AI to analyse handwritten correspondence, accelerating responses to vulnerable individuals.
The broader government strategy, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasises integrating AI into public services while balancing privacy concerns. Plans include sharing anonymised NHS data for AI research under stringent safeguards. Ministers believe these innovations could address economic challenges and boost the UK’s economy by up to £470 billion over the next decade. However, past missteps, such as erroneous fraud accusations stemming from flawed algorithms, highlight the need for careful implementation.
Samsung and LG Electronics may shift some home appliance production from Mexico to the United States, according to a South Korean news report. The potential move follows former President Donald Trump’s announcement of possible 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect on February 1.
Samsung is reportedly considering relocating dryer production to its South Carolina plant, while LG may move refrigerator production to its Tennessee factory, which already produces washing machines and dryers. Both companies are evaluating their operations as they adapt to market changes and trade policies.
In statements, Samsung emphasised its flexible global production strategy, while LG highlighted its commitment to adjusting production systems to meet market demands. These considerations reflect broader shifts in manufacturing strategies due to trade uncertainties.
Donald Trump has rescinded a 2023 executive order issued by Joe Biden aimed at mitigating risks associated with AI to consumers, workers, and national security. Biden’s order mandated that developers of high-risk AI systems share safety test results with the US government before public release, under the Defense Production Act. It also required federal agencies to establish safety standards addressing potential threats such as cybersecurity, chemical, and biological risks. This move came amid congressional inaction on AI legislation.
The Republican Party had pledged to overturn Biden’s order, claiming it stifled AI innovation. The party’s 2024 platform emphasises support for AI development that aligns with free speech and human progress. Generative AI technologies, capable of creating content like text and images, have sparked both excitement and concern over their potential to disrupt industries and eliminate jobs.
While Trump revoked Biden’s AI safety framework, he left intact another executive order issued last week that supports the energy needs of advanced AI data centres. Biden’s newer order calls for federal assistance, including leasing Defense and Energy Department sites, to support the rapid growth of AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, US companies like Nvidia have criticised recent Commerce Department restrictions on AI chip exports, reflecting ongoing tensions between regulation and innovation in the tech sector.
HP Inc has launched the OMEN Max 16, the world’s first AI-driven gaming laptop, promising unparalleled performance and immersive experiences. Unveiled at CES 2025 on January 6, the device features cutting-edge OMEN AI technology that optimises performance and thermals automatically, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay for even the most demanding titles.
The OMEN AI Beta software is a standout innovation, offering gamers a personalised solution for maximising frames per second (FPS). Designed to eliminate trial-and-error troubleshooting, the software recommends optimised operating system, hardware, and game settings tailored to each unique setup. Starting with support for Counter-Strike, the application is set to expand to more popular games.
In addition to its advanced software, the OMEN Max 16 is equipped with top-tier hardware, including an Intel Core Ultra 9 or AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor and up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM. These features make it capable of handling even the most resource-intensive games with ease.
HP also introduced the OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor, its first gaming display with built-in Google TV, offering gamers an all-in-one entertainment and gaming solution. With these innovations, HP continues to redefine gaming technology, prioritising performance, personalisation, and ease of use.
