Digital cooperation Archives | Page 10 of 196

Next-gen AI infrastructure boosted by Samsung HBM4

Samsung Electronics has commenced mass production and commercial shipments of its next-generation HBM4 memory, marking the first industry deployment of the advanced high-bandwidth solution.

The launch strengthens the company’s position in AI infrastructure hardware as demand for accelerated computing intensifies.

Built on sixth-generation 10nm-class DRAM and a 4nm logic base die, HBM4 delivers transfer speeds of 11.7Gbps, with performance scalable to 13Gbps. Bandwidth per stack has surged, reducing data bottlenecks as AI models and processing demands grow.

Engineering upgrades extend beyond raw speed. Enhanced stacking architecture, low-power design integration, and thermal optimisation have improved energy efficiency and heat dissipation, supporting large-scale data centre deployments and sustained GPU workloads.

Production scale-up is already in motion, backed by expanded manufacturing capacity and industry partnerships. Samsung expects HBM revenue growth to accelerate into 2026, with next-generation variants and custom configurations scheduled for future release cycles.

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Saudi Arabia recasts Vision 2030 with new priorities

The new phase of Vision 2030 is being steered toward technology, digital infrastructure and advanced industry by Saudi Arabia instead of relying on large urban construction schemes.

Officials highlight the need to support sectors that can accelerate innovation, strengthen data capabilities and expand the kingdom’s role in global tech development.

The move aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and build long-term competitiveness in areas such as smart manufacturing, logistics technology and clean energy systems.

Recent adjustments involve scaling back or rescheduling some giga projects so that investment can be channelled toward initiatives with strong digital and technological potential.

Elements of the NEOM programme have been revised, while funding attention is shifting to areas that enable automation, renewable technologies and high-value services.

Saudi Arabia aims to position Riyadh as a regional hub for research, emerging technologies and advanced industries. Officials stress that Vision 2030 remains active, yet its next stage will focus on projects that can accelerate technological adoption and strengthen economic resilience.

The Public Investment Fund continues to guide investment toward ecosystems that support innovation, including clean energy, digital infrastructure and international technology partnerships.

An approach that reflects earlier recommendations to match economic planning with evolving skills, future labour market needs and opportunities in fast-growing sectors.

Analysts note that the revised direction prioritises sustainable growth by expanding the kingdom’s participation in global technological development instead of relying mainly on construction-driven momentum.

Social and regulatory reforms connected to digital transformation also remain part of the Vision 2030 agenda. Investments in training, digital literacy and workforce development are intended to ensure that young people can participate fully in the technology sectors the kingdom is prioritising.

With such a shift, the government seeks to balance long-term economic diversification with practical technological goals that reinforce innovation and strengthen the country’s competitive position.

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AI pushes schools to rethink learning priorities

Students speaking at a major education technology conference said AI has revealed weaknesses in traditional learning. Heavy focus on memorisation is becoming less relevant in a world where digital tools provide instant answers.

AI helps learners summarise information and understand complex subjects more easily. Improved access to such tools has made studying more efficient and, in some cases, more engaging.

Teachers have responded by restricting technology use and returning to handwritten assignments. These measures aim to protect academic integrity but have created mixed reactions among students.

Participants supported guided AI use instead of banning it completely. Communication, collaboration and presentation skills were seen as more valuable and less vulnerable to AI shortcuts.

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Global coalition demands ban on AI-nudification tools over child-safety fears

More than 100 organisations have urged governments to outlaw AI-nudification tools after a surge in non-consensual digital images.

Groups such as Amnesty International, the European Commission, and Interpol argue that the technology now fuels harmful practices that undermine human dignity and child safety. Their concerns intensified after the Grok nudification scandal, where users created sexualised images from ordinary photographs.

Campaigners warn that the tools often target women and children instead of staying within any claimed adult-only environment. Millions of manipulated images have circulated across social platforms, with many linked to blackmail, coercion and child sexual abuse material.

Experts say the trauma caused by these AI images is no less serious because the abuse occurs online.

Organisations within the coalition maintain that tech companies already possess the ability to detect and block such material but have failed to apply essential safeguards.

They want developers and platforms to be held accountable and believe that strict prohibitions are now necessary to prevent further exploitation. Advocates argue that meaningful action is overdue and that protection of users must take precedence over commercial interests.

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Google acquisition of Wiz cleared under EU merger rules

The European Commission has unconditionally approved Google’s proposed acquisition of Wiz under the EU Merger Regulation, concluding that the deal raises no competition concerns in the European Economic Area.

The assessment focused on the fast-growing cloud security market, where both companies are active. Google provides cloud infrastructure and security services via Google Cloud Platform, while Wiz offers a cloud-native application protection platform for multi-cloud environments.

Regulators examined whether Google could restrict competition by bundling Wiz’s tools or limiting interoperability with rival cloud providers. The market investigation found customers would retain access to credible alternatives and could switch suppliers if needed.

The Commission also considered whether the acquisition would give Google access to commercially sensitive data relating to competing cloud infrastructure providers. Feedback from customers and rivals indicated that the data involved is not sensitive and is generally accessible to other cloud security firms.

Based on these findings, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in any relevant market. The deal was therefore cleared unconditionally following a Phase I review.

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South Korea confirms scale of Coupang data breach

The South Korean government has confirmed that 33.67 million user accounts were exposed in a major data breach at Coupang in South Korea. The findings were released by the Ministry of Science and ICT in Seoul.

Investigators in South Korea said names and email addresses were leaked, while delivery lists containing addresses and phone numbers were accessed 148 million times. Officials warned that the impact in South Korea could extend beyond the headline account figure.

Authorities in South Korea identified a former employee as the attacker, alleging misuse of authentication signing keys. The probe concluded that weaknesses in internal controls at Coupang enabled the breach in South Korea.

The ministry in South Korea criticised delayed reporting and plans to impose a fine on Coupang. The company disputed aspects of the findings but said 33.7 million accounts were involved in South Korea.

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Fukushima rebuilds as technology hub

Fukushima is repositioning itself as a technology and innovation hub, more than a decade after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. The Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework aims to revitalise the coastal Hamadori region of Fukushima Prefecture.

At the centre of the push in Fukushima is the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation, which plans a major research complex in Namie. The site in Fukushima will focus on robotics, energy, agriculture and radiation science, drawing researchers from across Japan and overseas.

Fukushima already hosts the Fukushima Robot Test Field and the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field. Projects in Fukushima include hydrogen production from solar power and large-scale robotics and drone testing.

Officials in Fukushima say the strategy combines clean energy, sustainable materials and advanced research to create jobs and attract families back to Japan’s northeast. Fukushima is positioning itself as a global case study in post-disaster recovery through technology.

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EU launches cyberbullying action plan to protect children online

The European Commission has launched an Action Plan Against Cyberbullying aimed at protecting the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers online across the EU. The initiative focuses on reporting access, national coordination, and prevention.

A central element is the development of an EU-wide reporting app that would allow victims to report cyberbullying, receive support, and safely store evidence. The Commission will provide a blueprint for Member States to adapt and link to national helplines.

To ensure consistent protection, Member States are encouraged to adopt a shared understanding of cyberbullying and develop national action plans. This would support comparable data collection and a more coordinated EU response.

The Action Plan builds on existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and the AI Act. Updated guidelines will strengthen platform obligations and address AI-enabled forms of abuse.

Prevention and education are also prioritised through expanded resources for schools and families via Safer Internet Centres and the Better Internet for Kids platform. The Commission will implement the plan with Member States, industry, civil society, and children.

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Microsoft explores superconductors for AI data centres

Microsoft is studying high-temperature superconductors to transmit electricity to its AI data centres in the US. The company says zero-resistance cables could reduce power losses and eliminate heat generated during transmission.

High-temperature superconductors can carry large currents through compact cables, potentially cutting space requirements for substations and overhead lines. Microsoft argues that denser infrastructure could support expanding AI workloads across the US.

The main obstacle is cooling, as superconducting materials must operate at extremely low temperatures using cryogenic systems. Even high-temperature variants require conditions near minus 200 degrees Celsius.

Rising electricity demand from AI systems has strained grids in the US, prompting political scrutiny and industry pledges to fund infrastructure upgrades. Microsoft says efficiency gains could ease pressure while it develops additional power solutions.

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Custom AI bots support student negotiating skills

In Cambridge, instructors at MIT and the Harvard Negotiation Project are using AI negotiation bots to enhance classroom simulations. The tools are designed to prompt reflection rather than offer fixed answers.

Students taking part in a multiparty exercise called Harborco engage with preparation, back-table and debriefing bots. The system helps them analyse stakeholder interests and test strategies before and after live negotiations.

Back-table bots simulate unseen political or organisational actors who often influence real-world negotiations. Students can safely explore trade-offs and persuasion tactics in a protected digital setting.

According to reported course findings, most participants said the AI bots improved preparation and sharpened their understanding of opposing interests. Instructors in Cambridge stress that AI supports, rather than replaces, human teaching and peer learning.

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