The United States, Japan, and South Korea held two Trilateral Quantum Cooperation meetings this week in Seoul and Tokyo. Officials and experts from government and industry gathered to discuss securing quantum ecosystems against cyber, physical, and intellectual property threats.
The US State Department stressed that joint efforts will ensure breakthroughs in quantum computing benefit citizens while safeguarding innovation. Officials said cooperation is essential as quantum technologies could reshape industries, global power balances, and economic prosperity.
The President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, described the partnership as entering a ‘golden era’, noting that Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo must work together both to address North Korea and to drive technological progress.
The talks come as Paul Dabbar, the former CEO of Bohr Quantum Technology, begins his role as US Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Dabbar brings experience in deploying emerging quantum network technologies to the new trilateral framework.
North Korea has also signalled interest in quantum computing for economic development. Analysts note that quantum’s lower energy demand compared to supercomputers could appeal to a country plagued by chronic power shortages.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Production at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is to remain halted until at least next week after a cyberattack crippled the carmaker’s operations. Disruption is expected to last through September and possibly into October.
The UK’s largest car manufacturer, owned by Tata, has suspended activity at its plants in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton. Thousands of staff have been told to stay home on full pay while ‘banking’ hours are to be recovered later.
Suppliers, including Evtec, WHS Plastics, SurTec, and OPmobility, which employ more than 6,000 people in the UK, have also paused their operations. The Sunday Times reported speculation that the outage could drag on for most of September.
While there is no evidence of a data breach, JLR has notified the Information Commissioner’s Office about potential risks. Dozens of internal systems, including spare parts databases, remain offline, forcing dealerships to revert to manual processes.
Hackers linked to the groups Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters have claimed responsibility for the incident. JLR stated that it was collaborating with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to restore systems in a controlled and safe manner.
The agreement will enable seamless data transfers between the EU and Brazil across sectors, including business, government, and research.
This mutual decision marks one of the broadest scopes of data adequacy granted by the EU and is expected to boost economic ties between the two regions, which together serve 670 million consumers, Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen said.
Brazil is also advancing its adequacy decision to allow data flows to the EU. Virkkunen described Brazil as a ‘natural partner’ and stressed the importance of collaboration amid global uncertainty.
Commissioner Michael McGrath praised Brazil’s privacy framework, emphasising that robust data protection ensures consumer trust, rights, and transparency.
The draft decision will now undergo review by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and require approval from the EU member states and scrutiny by the European Parliament.
Once adopted, the adequacy decision will be subject to regular evaluations to ensure continued compliance with the EU standards.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
ASML has reportedly become the top shareholder in French AI company Mistral after investing €1.3 billion. The deal forms part of a wider €2 billion funding round that values Mistral at $14 billion, marking a significant milestone for the Paris-based startup.
The Dutch chip-making equipment giant will also gain a board seat at Mistral, with Bank of America advising on the investment. The move is seen as a step towards reinforcing European technological sovereignty by reducing reliance on American and Chinese AI systems.
The partnership could help Mistral expand its generative AI tools and open-source platforms while enhancing ASML’s ability to integrate data analytics into its operations.
Industry analysts suggest the collaboration will unite two European technology leaders at a critical moment in the global race for AI dominance.
Founded by Timothée Lacroix, Guillaume Lample, and Arthur Mensch, Mistral has quickly become one of Europe’s most valuable AI startups.
The company, backed by investors including Microsoft, Databricks, and General Catalyst, develops open-source generative AI models that directly compete with those produced by OpenAI.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Nigeria has pledged to become one of the top 50 AI-ready nations, according to presidential adviser Hadiza Usman. Speaking in Abuja at a colloquium on AI policy, she said the country needs strong leadership, investment, and partnerships to meet its goals.
She stressed that policies must address Nigeria’s unique challenges and not simply replicate foreign models. The government will offer collaboration opportunities with local institutions and international partners.
The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Commission reinforced its support, noting that technology should secure depositors without restricting innovators.
Private sector voices said AI could transform healthcare, agriculture, and public services if policies are designed with inclusion and trust in mind.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Universal Internet connectivity by 2030 could cost up to $2.8 trillion, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology (CST) Commission. The blueprint urges global cooperation to connect the one-third of humanity still offline.
The largest share, up to $1.7 trillion, would be allocated to expanding broadband through fibre, wireless, and satellite networks. Nearly $1 trillion is needed for affordability measures, alongside $152 billion for digital skills programmes.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasised that connectivity is essential for access to education, employment, and vital services. She noted the stark divide between high-income countries, where 93% of people are online, and low-income states, where only 27% use the Internet.
The study shows costs have risen fivefold since ITU’s 2020 Connecting Humanity report, reflecting both higher demand and widening divides. Haytham Al-Ohali from Saudi Arabia said the figures underscore the urgency of investment and knowledge sharing to achieve meaningful connectivity.
The report recommends new business models and stronger cooperation between governments, industry, and civil society. Proposed measures include using schools as Internet gateways, boosting Africa’s energy infrastructure, and improving localised data collection to accelerate digital inclusion.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
PayPal has partnered with Perplexity AI to provide PayPal and Venmo users in the US and select international markets with a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription and early access to the AI-powered Comet browser.
The $200 subscription allows unlimited queries, file uploads and advanced search features, while Comet offers natural language browsing to simplify complex tasks.
Industry analysts see the initiative as a way for PayPal to strengthen its position in fintech by integrating AI into everyday digital payments.
By linking accounts, users gain access to AI tools and cash back incentives and subscription management features, signalling a push toward what some describe as agentic commerce, where AI assistants guide financial and shopping decisions.
The deal also benefits Perplexity AI, a rising search and browser market challenger. Exposure to millions of PayPal customers could accelerate the adoption of its technology and provide valuable data for refining models.
Analysts suggest the partnership reflects a broader trend of payment platforms evolving into service hubs that combine transactions with AI-driven experiences.
While enthusiasm is high among early users, concerns remain about data privacy and regulatory scrutiny over AI integration in finance.
Market reaction has been positive, with PayPal shares edging upward following the announcement. Observers believe such alliances will shape the next phase of digital commerce, where payments, browsing, and AI capabilities converge.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Mythos AI has installed its Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) on the CB Pacific, a chemical tanker operated by CB Tankers under the Lomar group. The deployment marks the beginning of a year-long trial to introduce advanced bridge intelligence to the commercial shipping industry.
APAS uses a radar-first perception system that integrates with existing ship radars, processing multiple data streams to deliver prioritised alerts. By reducing its reliance on machine vision, the system aims to eliminate distractions, enhance decision-making, and improve navigation safety.
The CB Pacific, equipped with Furuno radar and consistent routes, will serve as a testbed to evaluate APAS performance in live conditions. Trials will assess collision prediction, safe navigation, signal processing, and compliance with maritime rules.
Mythos AI emphasises that APAS is designed to support crews, not replace them. CEO Geoff Douglass said the installation marks the company’s first operational use of the system on a tanker and a milestone in its wider commercial roadmap.
For LomarLabs, the pilot showcases its hands-on innovation model, offering vessel access and oversight to facilitate collaboration with startups. Managing Director Stylianos Papageorgiou said the radar-first architecture shows how modular autonomy can be advanced through trust, time, and fleet partnerships.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Financial services firms are adapting rapidly to the rise of AI in cybersecurity, according to David Ramirez, CISO at Broadridge. He said AI is changing the balance between attackers and defenders while also reshaping the skills security teams require.
On the defensive side, AI is already streamlining governance, risk management and compliance tasks, while also speeding up incident detection and training. He highlighted its growing role in areas like access management and data loss prevention.
He also stressed the importance of aligning cyber strategy with business goals and improving board-level visibility. While AI tools are advancing quickly, he urged CISOs not to lose sight of risk assessments and fundamentals in building resilient systems.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
OpenAI has reportedly placed a $10bn order with Broadcom to mass-produce custom AI chips, due for shipment in 2026. Sources told the Financial Times that the move would help reduce OpenAI’s dependence on Nvidia, its primary supplier.
Sam Altman recently said OpenAI will use ‘well over 1m GPUs’ by the end of 2025, highlighting the company’s accelerating demand for computing power. In contrast, Elon Musk’s xAI is expected to double its Nvidia Hopper GPUs to around 200,000.
Broadcom confirmed a large custom chip order during its latest earnings call, without naming the buyer. The company’s AI revenue rose 63 percent to $5.2bn, chip sales grew 57 percent to $9.1bn, and shares gained nearly 5 percent.
The new order is expected to be for internal use rather than external customers. Industry observers suggest that OpenAI’s decision signals a strategic shift, allowing the ChatGPT maker to secure supply for its AI expansion while diversifying beyond Nvidia.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
