NTT and Toyota have expanded their partnership with a new initiative aimed at advancing safer mobility and reducing traffic accidents. The firms announced a Mobility AI Platform that combines high-quality communications, distributed computing and AI to analyse large volumes of data.
Toyota intends to use the platform to support software-defined vehicles, enabling continuous improvements in safety through data-driven automated driving systems.
The company plans to update its software and electronics architecture so vehicles can gather essential information and receive timely upgrades, strengthening both safety and security.
The platform will use three elements: distributed data centres, intelligent networks and an AI layer that learns from people, vehicles and infrastructure. As software-defined vehicles rise, Toyota expects a sharp increase in data traffic and a greater need for processing capacity.
Development will begin in 2025 with an investment of around 500 billion yen. Public trials are scheduled for 2028, followed by wider introduction from 2030.
Both companies hope to attract additional partners as they work towards a more connected and accident-free mobility ecosystem.
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South Korea has gained nationwide satellite coverage as Starlink enters the market and expands the country’s already advanced connectivity landscape.
The service offers high-speed access through a dense LEO network and arrives with subscription options for households, mobile users and businesses.
Analysts see meaningful benefits for regions that are difficult to serve through fixed networks, particularly in mountainous areas and offshore locations.
Enterprise interest has grown quickly. Maritime operators moved first, with SK Telink and KT SAT securing contracts as Starlink went live. Large fleets will now adopt satellite links for navigation support, remote management and stronger emergency communication.
The technology has also reached the aviation sector as carriers under Hanjin Group plan to install Starlink across all aircraft, aiming to introduce stable in-flight Wi-Fi from 2026.
Although South Korea’s fibre and 5G networks offer far higher peak speeds, Starlink provides reliability where terrestrial networks cannot operate. Industry observers expect limited uptake from mainstream households but anticipate significant momentum in maritime transport, aviation, construction and energy.
An expansion in South Korea that marks one of Starlink’s most strategic Asia-Pacific moves, driven by industrial demand and early partnerships.
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European ministers have adopted conclusions aimed to boosting the Union’s digital competitiveness, urging quicker progress toward the 2030 digital decade goals.
Officials called for stronger digital skills, wider adoption of technology, and a framework that supports innovation while protecting fundamental rights. Digital sovereignty remains a central objective, framed as open, risk-based and aligned with European values.
Ministers supported simplifying digital rules for businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups, which face complex administrative demands. A predictable legal environment, less reporting duplication and more explicit rules were seen as essential for competitiveness.
Governments emphasised that simplification must not weaken data protection or other core safeguards.
Concerns over online safety and illegal content were a prominent feature in discussions on enforcing the Digital Services Act. Ministers highlighted the presence of harmful content and unsafe products on major marketplaces, calling for stronger coordination and consistent enforcement across member states.
Ensuring full compliance with EU consumer protection and product safety rules was described as a priority.
Cyber-resilience was a key focus as ministers discussed the increasing impact of cyberattacks on citizens and the economy. Calls for stronger defences grew as digital transformation accelerated, with several states sharing updates on national and cross-border initiatives.
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Authorities in Taiwan will block the Chinese social media and shopping app RedNote for a year following a surge in online scams linked to the platform. Officials report that more than 1,700 fraud cases have been linked to the app since last year, resulting in losses exceeding NT$247 million.
Regulators report that the company failed to meet required data-security standards and did not respond to requests for a plan to strengthen cybersecurity.
Internet providers have been instructed to restrict access, affecting several million users who now see a security warning message when opening the app.
Concerns over Beijing’s online influence and the spread of disinformation have added pressure on Taiwanese authorities to tighten oversight of Chinese platforms.
RedNote’s operators are also facing scrutiny in mainland China, where regulators have criticised the company over what they labelled ‘negative’ content.
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England’s preparations for next summer’s World Cup increasingly rely on AI systems designed to sharpen decision-making both on and off the pitch. Analysts now utilise advanced tools to analyse vast datasets in hours rather than days, providing coaches with clearer insights before matches.
Penalty planning has become one of England’s most significant gains, with AI mapping opposition tendencies and each player’s striking style to ease pressure during high-stakes moments.
Players say the guidance helps them commit with confidence, while goalkeepers benefit from more detailed and precise information.
Player well-being is also guided by daily AI-powered checks that flag signs of fatigue and inform training loads, meal plans, and medical support.
Specialists insist that human judgement remains central, yet acknowledge that wealthier nations may gain an edge as smaller federations struggle to afford similar technologies.
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Researchers at the University of Bradford are preparing to pilot an AI-enabled wildfire detection system that uses robotic dogs, drones, and emerging 6G networks to identify early signs of fire and alert emergency services.
The trial, set to take place in Greece in 2025, is part of the EU-funded 6G-VERSUS research project, which explores how next-generation connectivity can support crisis response.
According to project lead Dr Kamran Mahroof, wildfires have become a ‘pressing global challenge’ due to rising frequency and severity. The team intends to combine sensor data collected by four-legged robotic platforms and aerial drones with AI models capable of analysing smoke, vegetation dryness, and early heat signatures. High-bandwidth 6G links enable the near-instantaneous transmission of this data to emergency responders.
The research received funding earlier this year from the EU’s Horizon Innovation Action programme and was showcased in Birmingham during an event on AI solutions for global risks.
While the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stated that it does not currently employ AI for wildfire operations, it expressed interest in the project. It described its existing use of drones, mapping tools, and weather modelling for situational awareness.
The Bradford team emphasises that early detection remains the most effective tool for limiting wildfire spread. The upcoming pilot will evaluate whether integrated AI, robotics, and next-generation networks can help emergency services respond more quickly and predict where fires are likely to ignite.
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At an event hosted on 2 December by VIKAND in partnership with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), 30 UK maritime companies were awarded for their continued commitment to safety at sea through the AMVER system.
In total, 255 vessels under their operation represent 1,587 collective years of eligibility in AMVER. However, this reflects decades of voluntary participation in a global ship-reporting network that helps coordinate rescue operations far from shore using real-time vessel-position data.
Speakers at the ceremony emphasised that AMVER remains essential for ‘mariners helping mariners’, enabling merchant vessels to respond swiftly to distress calls anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality.
Representatives from maritime insurers, navigational-services firms and classification societies underscored the continuing importance of collaboration, readiness and mutual support across the global shipping industry.
This recognition illustrates how safety and solidarity at sea continue to matter deeply in an industry facing mounting pressures, from regulatory change to environmental and geopolitical risks. The awards reaffirm the UK fleet’s active role in keeping maritime trade not only productive, but also ready to save lives.
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Europe is building a laser-based ground station in Greenland to secure satellite links as Russian jamming intensifies. ESA and Denmark chose Kangerlussuaq for its clear skies and direct access to polar-orbit traffic.
The optical system uses Astrolight’s technology to transmit data markedly faster than radio signals. Narrow laser beams resist interference, allowing vast imaging sets to reach analysts with far fewer disruptions.
Developers expect terabytes to be downloaded in under a minute, reducing reliance on vulnerable Arctic radio sites. European officials say the upgrade strengthens autonomy as undersea cables and navigation systems face repeated targeting from countries such as Russia.
The Danish station will support defence monitoring, climate science and search-and-rescue operations across high latitudes. Work is underway, with completion planned for 2026 and ambitions for a wider global laser network.
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The UAE unveiled a scholarship programme to nurture future leaders in AI at MBZUAI. The initiative, guided by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, targets outstanding undergraduates beginning in the 2025 academic year.
Approximately 350 students will be supported over six years following a rigorous selection process. Applicants will be assessed for mathematical strength, leadership potential and entrepreneurial drive in line with national technological ambitions.
Scholars will gain financial backing alongside opportunities to represent the UAE internationally and develop innovative ventures. Senior officials said the programme strengthens the nation’s aim to build a world-class cohort of AI specialists.
MBZUAI highlighted its interdisciplinary approach that blends technical study with ethics, leadership and business education. Students will have access to advanced facilities, industry placements, and mentorships designed to prepare them for global technology roles.
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Pope Leo XIV urged global institutions to guide younger generations as they navigate the expanding influence of AI. He warned that rapid access to information cannot replace the deeper search for meaning and purpose.
Previously, the Pope had warned students not to rely solely on AI for educational support. He encouraged educators and leaders to help young people develop discernment and confidence when encountering digital systems.
Additionally, he called for coordinated action across politics, business, academia and faith communities to steer technological progress toward the common good. He argued that AI development should not be treated as an inevitable pathway shaped by narrow interests.
He noted that AI reshapes human relationships and cognition, raising concerns about its effects on freedom, creativity and contemplation. He insisted that safeguarding human dignity is essential to managing AI’s wide-ranging consequences.
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