Schneider joins SK Telecom on new AI data centre project in Ulsan

SK Telecom has expanded its partnership with Schneider Electric to develop an AI Data Centre (AIDC) in Ulsan.

Under the deal, Schneider Electric will supply mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment, such as switchgear, transformers, automated control systems and Uninterruptible Power Supply units.

The agreement builds on a partnership announced at Mobile World Congress 2025 and includes using Schneider’s Electrical Transient Analyser Program within SK Telecom’s data centre management system.

It will allow operations to be optimised through a digital twin model instead of relying only on traditional monitoring tools.

Both companies have also agreed on prefabricated solutions to shorten construction times, reference designs for new facilities, and joint efforts to grow the Energy-as-a-Service business.

A Memorandum of Understanding extends the partnership to other SK Group affiliates, combining battery technologies with Uninterruptible Power Supply and Energy Storage Systems.

Executives said the collaboration would help set new standards for AI data centres and create synergies across the SK Group. It is also expected to support SK Telecom’s broader AI strategy while contributing to sustainable and efficient infrastructure development.

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Legal barriers and low interest delay Estonia’s AI rollout in schools

Estonia’s government-backed AI teaching tool, developed under the €1 million TI-Leap programme, faces hurdles before reaching schools. Legal restrictions and waning student interest have delayed its planned September rollout.

Officials in Estonia stress that regulations to protect minors’ data remain incomplete. To ensure compliance, the Ministry of Education is drafting changes to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act.

Yet, engagement may prove to be the bigger challenge. Developers note students already use mainstream AI for homework, while the state model is designed to guide reasoning rather than supply direct answers.

Educators say success will depend on usefulness. The AI will be piloted in 10th and 11th grades, alongside teacher training, as studies have shown that more than 60% of students already rely on AI tools.

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Econet brings smart tech to Zimbabwe Agricultural Show to support farmers

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is showcasing its latest technologies at the 2025 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show under the theme ‘Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry & Community’.

The company is engaging thousands of visitors, including farmers and policymakers, by spotlighting digital inclusive finance, insurance and smart infrastructure innovations.

The display features EcoCash mobile payments, Moovah Insurance for agricultural and business risks, and digital entertainment platforms. A standout addition is Econet’s smart water metres, which provide real-time monitoring to help farmers and utilities manage water use, minimise waste and support sustainable development in agriculture.

Econet emphasises that these solutions reinforce its vision of empowering communities through accessible technology. Smart infrastructure and financial tools are presented as vital enablers for productivity, resilience and economic inclusion in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.

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Estonia’s Vocal Image uses AI to boost communication skills

Estonia-based startup Vocal Image is deploying AI to help people improve their vocal and communication skills. Its app features an interactive library of tongue twisters, breathing exercises and suggestions for gestures, all enhanced with automated feedback and personalised coaching tips.

Led by CEO Nick Lahoika, the company has scaled rapidly, achieving upwards of 4 million downloads and serving approximately 160,000 active users.

Vocal Image positions itself as an affordable, mobile-first alternative to traditional one-on-one voice training, rooted in Lahoika’s own journey overcoming speaking anxiety.

The app’s design enables users to practice at home with privacy and convenience, offering daily, bite-sized lessons informed by AI that assess strengths, suggest improvements and nurture confidence with no need for human instructors.

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Claude chatbot misused in unprecedented cyber extortion case

A hacker exploited Anthropic’s Claude chatbot to automate one of the most extensive AI-driven cybercrime operations yet recorded, targeting at least 17 companies across multiple sectors, the firm revealed.

According to Anthropic’s report, the attacker used Claude Code to identify vulnerable organisations, generate malicious software, and extract sensitive files, including defence data, financial records, and patients’ medical information.

The chatbot then sorted the stolen material, identified leverage for extortion, calculated realistic bitcoin demands, and even drafted ransom notes and extortion emails on behalf of the hacker.

Victims included a defence contractor, a financial institution, and healthcare providers. Extortion demands reportedly ranged from $75,000 to over $500,000, although it remains unclear how much was actually paid.

Anthropic declined to disclose the companies affected but confirmed new safeguards are in place. The firm warned that AI lowers the barrier to entry for sophisticated cybercrime, making such misuse increasingly likely.

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Fragmenting digital identities with aliases offers added security

People often treat their email address as harmless, just a digital ID for receipts and updates. In reality, it acts as a skeleton key linking behaviour, purchases, and personal data across platforms.

Using the same email everywhere makes tracking easy. Companies may encrypt addresses, but behavioural patterns remain intact. Aliases disrupt this chain by creating unique addresses that forward mail without revealing your true identity.

Each alias becomes a useful tracker. If one is compromised or starts receiving spam, it can simply be disabled, cutting off the problem at its source.

Aliases also reduce the fallout of data breaches. Instead of exposing your main email to countless third-party tools, scripts, and mailing platforms, an alias shields your core digital identity.

Beyond privacy, aliases encourage healthier habits. They force a pause before signing up, add structure through custom rules, and help fragment your identity, thereby lowering the risks associated with any single breach.

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Microsoft launches new AI models MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1 Preview

Microsoft has unveiled two new AI models, marking a major step in its efforts to build its own technology rather than rely solely on OpenAI.

The first model, MAI-Voice-1, generates high-fidelity audio and supports both single and multi-speaker scenarios. Microsoft said the system can create a full minute of expressive audio in under a second on a single GPU, making it one of the fastest of its kind.

MAI-Voice-1 is already available in Copilot Daily and Podcasts, while Copilot Labs allows users to experiment with storytelling and speech demos. Microsoft sees voice as a vital interface for future AI companions.

MAI-1 Preview is currently undergoing community testing on LMArena and will soon be integrated into selected Copilot use cases. Microsoft said it plans to expand its family of specialised models, aiming to orchestrate different systems for diverse user needs.

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China sets 10-year targets for mass AI adoption

China has set its most ambitious AI adoption targets yet, aiming to embed the technology across industries, governance, and daily life within the next decade.

According to a new State Council directive, AI use should reach 70% of the population by 2027 and 90% by 2030, with a complete shift to what it calls an ‘intelligent society’ by 2035.

The plan would mean nearly one billion Chinese citizens regularly using AI-powered services or devices within two years, a timeline compared to the rapid rise of smartphones.

Although officials acknowledge risks such as opaque models, hallucinations and algorithmic discrimination, the policy calls for frameworks to govern ‘natural persons, digital persons, and intelligent robots’.

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New AI surveillance system to monitor Indonesia’s seas

Indonesia will deploy an AI-driven maritime surveillance network to combat piracy and other illegal activities across its vast waters.

The Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard Unit has signed a 10-year agreement with UK-based SRT Marine Systems for its SRT-MDA platform. The system, to be known locally as the National Maritime Security System, will integrate terrestrial, mobile and satellite surveillance with AI-powered analytics.

Fifty command posts will be digitised under the plan, enabling authorities to detect, track and predict activities from piracy to environmental violations. The deal, valued at €157.9m and backed by UK Export Finance, has been strongly supported by both governments.

Piracy remains a pressing issue in Indonesian waters, particularly in the Singapore Strait, where opportunistic thefts against slow-moving ships quadrupled in the first half of 2025 compared with last year. Analysts warn that weak deterrence and economic hardship are fuelling the rise in incidents.

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Nigeria drafts framework for AI use in governance and services

According to the IT regulator, Nigeria is preparing a national framework to guide responsible use of AI in governance, healthcare, education and agriculture.

NITDA Director General Kashifu Abdullahi told a policy lecture in Abuja that AI could accelerate economic transformation if properly harnessed. He emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population should move from being consumers to becoming innovators and creators.

He urged stakeholders to view automation as an opportunity to generate jobs, highlighting that over 60% of Nigerians are under 25. Abdullahi described this demographic as a key asset in positioning the nation for global competitiveness.

Meanwhile, a joint report from the Digital Education Council and the Global Finance & Technology Network found that AI boosts productivity, though adoption remains uneven. It warned of a growing divide between organisations that use AI effectively and those falling behind.

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