As Germany prepares for national elections on February 23, political parties are outlining their tech policy priorities, including digitalisation, AI, and platform regulation. Here’s where the leading parties stand as they finalise their programs ahead of the vote.
The centre-right CDU, currently leading in polls with 33%, proposes creating a dedicated Digital Ministry to streamline responsibilities under the Ministry of Transport. The party envisions broader use of AI and cloud technology in German industry while simplifying citizen interactions with authorities through digital accounts.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD, polling at 15%, focuses on reducing dependence on US and Chinese tech platforms by promoting European alternatives. The party also prioritises faster digitalisation of public administration and equitable rules for regulating AI and digital platforms, echoing EU-wide goals of tech sovereignty and security.
The Greens, with 14% support, highlight the role of AI in reducing administrative workloads amid labour shortages. They stress the need for greater interoperability across IT systems and call for an open-source strategy to modernise Germany’s digital infrastructure, warning that the country lags behind EU digitalisation targets.
The far-right AfD, projected to secure 17%, opposes EU platform regulations like the Digital Services Act and seeks to reverse Germany’s adoption of the NetzDG law. The party argues these measures infringe on free speech and calls for transparency in funding non-state actors and NGOs involved in shaping public opinion.
The parties’ contrasting visions set the stage for significant debates on the future of technology policy in Germany.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has reopened five years after a devastating fire left the iconic landmark in ruins. Painstakingly restored to its original grandeur, the reconstruction relied on technologies, including lasers and 3D modelling, to recreate the historic structure.
The restoration effort was supported by data from art historian Andrew Tallon’s 2015 laser scans, which captured billions of precise points across the cathedral. These scans were combined with post-fire drone footage and modern technology to create a detailed 3D model that guided the process. Companies such as Autodesk and AGP donated their expertise to ensure accuracy.
The newly restored cathedral now includes updated features such as fire suppression systems, optimised lighting, and a modernised plaza, designed with the help of 3D visualisations. Experts believe these advancements set a precedent for using technology to preserve cultural heritage and assist in disaster recovery.
Looking ahead, the detailed 3D model will help maintain Notre Dame and safeguard its legacy for generations. This project serves as a testament to the power of innovation in protecting the world’s most treasured monuments.
Researchers have achieved a milestone in AI, teaching it to predict the complex aromas of whiskies and even identify their origins. The study, conducted in Germany, utilised AI to analyse the molecular makeup of 16 American and Scottish whiskies. It then predicted the five strongest aroma notes and distinguished between the two countries of origin with remarkable accuracy.
The AI surpassed human experts in consistency and precision, identifying aromas like menthol and citronellol for US whiskies and smoky, medicinal notes for Scotch. This innovation could ensure flavour consistency in whisky production, detect counterfeit goods, and even find applications in blending recycled materials to reduce odours.
While promising, the study was limited to a small selection of whiskies, raising questions about its performance on broader varieties or aged batches. Experts also noted that flavour perception depends on external factors, highlighting room for further exploration in this emotive domain. Nonetheless, this blend of technology and tradition signals a new step for the whisky industry.
Microsoft is taking steps to diversify the AI powering its flagship product, Microsoft 365 Copilot. While OpenAI’s GPT-4 model has been a cornerstone of the AI assistant since its launch in March 2023, Microsoft is now integrating internal and third-party AI models, including its proprietary Phi-4, to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This move reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy to lessen reliance on OpenAI, its long-time partner, as it looks to offer faster, more cost-effective solutions to enterprise customers.
The shift is driven by concerns over the high costs and slower speeds associated with OpenAI’s technology for enterprise users. A company spokesperson confirmed that OpenAI remains a partner for advanced models but emphasised that Microsoft customises and incorporates a range of AI models depending on the product. Beyond its collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft is also customising open-weight models to make its services more accessible and affordable, with potential cost savings for customers.
Microsoft’s approach mirrors similar changes in its other business units. For example, GitHub, acquired by Microsoft in 2018, has started incorporating AI models from Anthropic and Google as alternatives to OpenAI’s offerings. These efforts align with Microsoft’s goal of demonstrating the return on investment for its AI tools, particularly as some enterprises remain cautious about adopting 365 Copilot due to concerns over pricing and utility.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft reports growing adoption of 365 Copilot. The company states that 70% of Fortune 500 companies are using the AI assistant, and analysts predict that more than 10 million users will adopt it this year. As Microsoft continues refining its AI technology, leaders like CEO Satya Nadella are keeping a close watch, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation in enterprise AI.
Stc Bahrain has partnered with Huawei to launch the fourth edition of its successful Technical Capacity Program, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 to foster digital innovation and talent development. The program aims to advance Bahrain’s digital economy by providing extensive training in critical ICT sectors, including networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, and emerging technologies.
Participants will gain hands-on experience through technology showcases, engaging with the latest industry advancements and best practices. This year, the program will expand across stc Bahrain’s entire technology divisions, including Digital, Business, Wholesale, Consumer, and Customer Experience, reflecting the company’s commitment to empowering its workforce and driving the country’s digital transformation.
The initiative plays a key role in stc Bahrain’s broader digital transformation strategy by equipping employees with the skills necessary to innovate and lead in the telecommunications sector. The program is vital for nurturing a culture of continuous learning and talent development.
Through this collaboration, stc Bahrain is contributing to developing a highly skilled ICT workforce in Bahrain and supporting the kingdom’s goal of achieving sustainable economic growth and leadership in the digital space.
Data analytics firm Palantir Technologies and defence tech company Anduril Industries are leading efforts to form a consortium of technology companies to bid jointly for US government contracts, according to a report from the Financial Times. The group is expected to include SpaceX, OpenAI, Scale AI, autonomous shipbuilder Saronic, and other key players, with formal agreements anticipated as early as January.
The consortium aims to reshape the defence contracting landscape by combining cutting-edge technologies from some of Silicon Valley’s most innovative firms. A member involved in the initiative described it as a move toward creating “a new generation of defence contractors.” This collective effort seeks to enhance the efficiency of supplying advanced defence systems, leveraging technologies like AI, autonomous vehicles, and other innovations.
The initiative aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s push for greater government efficiency, spearheaded in part by Elon Musk, who has been outspoken about reforming Pentagon spending priorities. Musk and others have criticised traditional defence programs, such as Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet, advocating instead for the development of cost-effective, AI-driven drones, missiles, and submarines.
With these partnerships, the consortium hopes to challenge the dominance of established defence contractors like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin, offering a modernised approach to defence technology and procurement in the US.
The US Department of Commerce has asked Nvidia to investigate how its AI chips ended up in China despite ongoing export restrictions, The Information reported. In response, Nvidia has called on major distributors like Super Micro and Dell to conduct customer inspections in Southeast Asia. Nvidia chips, embedded in server products, have allegedly been smuggled to Chinese entities through various schemes, including duplicating or altering serial numbers.
Super Micro and Dell stated they strictly enforce export regulations and will terminate relationships with partners who violate these controls. Super Micro also confirmed it investigates unauthorised exports and complies with all US export laws.
These developments come as the Biden administration intensifies its crackdown on chip sales to China. Despite the broadened restrictions on high-end AI chips in 2023, Chinese institutions reportedly acquired Nvidia chips through resellers. Earlier this month, the US further limited semiconductor exports to 140 additional companies, underscoring efforts to control the flow of advanced technology to China.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple is in early talks with Tencent and ByteDance to integrate their AI models into iPhones sold in China. This comes as Apple rolls out OpenAI’s ChatGPT in other markets, but regulatory restrictions in China prevent the availability of the chatbot there. To comply with local rules and counter the declining market share, Apple is exploring partnerships with Chinese firms that already have government-approved AI models.
Potential partners include ByteDance’s Doubao and Tencent’s Hunyuan, part of a growing field of AI services in China. Although Apple previously discussed using Baidu’s Ernie model, reports suggest technical disagreements halted progress. Baidu’s shares dropped following news of these challenges, while Tencent’s stock saw a boost.
Apple faces increasing pressure in China’s competitive smartphone market, where domestic rivals like Huawei are surging ahead. Huawei’s recent AI-equipped models have attracted consumers, contributing to a 42% spike in sales. In contrast, Apple’s third-quarter sales dipped slightly, underscoring the need for a successful AI integration strategy to regain momentum in China.
The US Commerce Department has finalised a $458 million grant for SK Hynix to support an advanced chip packaging plant and AI research facility in Indiana. The South Korean company, a key supplier for Nvidia, plans to invest $3.87 billion in the project, which will produce high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI systems. The government will also provide $500 million in loans as part of the deal.
The Indiana facility is expected to create 1,000 jobs and strengthen the US semiconductor supply chain. SK Hynix’s CEO, Kwak Noh-Jung, highlighted the importance of building a resilient AI chip infrastructure in the United States. This grant is part of the $39 billion program approved by Congress in 2022 to boost domestic semiconductor production.
The Commerce Department has issued grants to major chipmakers like Intel, Micron, and TSMC. With the SK Hynix deal complete, only Samsung’s $6.4 billion award remains pending. The initiative aims to bolster US leadership in semiconductor technology and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing.
Apple has accused Meta of making excessive interoperability requests that could compromise user privacy and security, intensifying the rivalry between the two tech giants. Under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple must allow competitors access to its services or face significant fines. Apple claims Meta’s 15 requests — more than any other company — could expose sensitive data like messages, emails, and passwords.
Meta, which seeks integration for products like its Quest VR headsets and smart glasses, dismissed Apple’s privacy concerns as a cover for anticompetitive practices. Apple cited Meta’s past privacy violations in Europe as a reason for caution.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has outlined measures to ensure Apple complies with the DMA, including clear timelines and feedback mechanisms for developers. A final decision on Apple’s compliance with the law is expected in March 2025.
