Digital cooperation Archives | Page 41 of 220

NVIDIA invests $2 billion as CoreWeave expands AI factory network

CoreWeave’s long-running partnership has deepened with NVIDIA to accelerate AI infrastructure deployment, including ambitious plans for multi-gigawatt AI factory capacity by 2030.

As part of the agreement, the US company is investing $2 billion in CoreWeave through the purchase of Class A common stock, signalling strong confidence in the company’s growth strategy and AI-focused cloud platform.

Both companies aim to deepen alignment across infrastructure, software and platform development, with CoreWeave building and operating AI factories using NVIDIA’s accelerated computing technologies and early access to upcoming architectures such as Rubin, Vera CPUs and BlueField systems.

The collaboration will also test and integrate CoreWeave’s AI-native software and reference designs into NVIDIA’s broader cloud and enterprise ecosystem, while NVIDIA supports faster site development through financial backing for land and power procurement.

Executives from both firms described the expansion as a response to surging global demand for AI computing, positioning large-scale AI factories as the backbone of future industrial AI deployment.

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France proposes EU tools to map foreign tech dependence

France has unveiled a new push to reduce Europe’s dependence on US and Chinese technology suppliers, placing digital sovereignty back at the centre of the EU policy debates.

Speaking in Paris, France’s minister for AI and digital affairs, Anne Le Hénanff, presented initiatives to expose and address the structural reliance on non-EU technologies across public administrations and private companies.

Central to the strategy is the creation of a Digital Sovereignty Observatory, which will map foreign technology dependencies and assess organisational exposure to geopolitical and supply-chain risks.

The body, led by former Europe minister Clément Beaune, is intended to provide the evidence base needed for coordinated action rather than symbolic declarations of autonomy.

France is also advancing a Digital Resilience Index, expected to publish its first findings in early 2026. The index will measure reliance on foreign digital services and products, identifying vulnerabilities linked to cloud infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

Industry data suggests Europe’s dependence on external tech providers costs the continent hundreds of billions of euros annually.

Paris is using the initiative to renew calls for a European preference in public-sector digital procurement and for a standard EU definition of European digital services.

Such proposals remain contentious among member states, yet France argues they are essential for restoring strategic control over critical digital infrastructure.

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Siri set for major AI overhaul through Google’s Gemini partnership

Apple is preparing a major AI upgrade for Siri powered by Google’s Gemini models, expected in the second half of February, according to Bloomberg. The update will run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute infrastructure using high-end Mac chips.

The iOS 26.4 release is set to introduce ‘World Knowledge Answers’, enabling Siri to provide web-based summaries with citations similar to ChatGPT and Perplexity. Deeper integration across core apps such as Mail, Photos, Music, TV, and Xcode is also planned.

Expanded voice controls are expected to let users search for and edit photos by spoken description, as well as generate emails based on calendar activity. Bloomberg also reported Apple is paying Google around $1 billion annually to access Gemini’s underlying AI technology.

Market reaction to the news pushed Apple shares higher, while Alphabet stock also rose following confirmation of the partnership. A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment on the reported developments.

Looking ahead, Apple is developing a chatbot-style assistant known internally as ‘Campos’ to eventually replace the current Siri interface. The system would analyse on-screen activity, suggest actions, and expand device control across future operating systems.

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Stargate UAE marks a bold $30bn leap in AI infrastructure

The Stargate UAE data centre project is expected to cost more than $30 billion, underscoring the scale of the Emirates’ investment in AI infrastructure.

Speaking at the Machines Can Think summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE Minister of State for AI described the project as a centrepiece of the UAE’s efforts to expand global cooperation on AI infrastructure.

Designed as a flagship development, Stargate UAE reflects the country’s ambition to lead in AI infrastructure. Spanning 19.2 square kilometres in Abu Dhabi, the campus will be built in phases, with the first phase due in the third quarter of 2026.

Beyond domestic capacity, the UAE is positioning Stargate UAE as a platform to support the sovereign AI and data sovereignty needs of other countries.

Officials emphasised that the initiative aims to provide non-profit-oriented AI options that nations can adapt, train, and build upon in response to rising global concerns about the control of data and AI systems.

The project is supported by the UAE’s expanding capabilities in large language model development, including Jais and K2 Think.

Stargate UAE is being developed by Khazna Data Centres, part of Abu Dhabi-based AI group G42, in partnership with global technology companies including OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and South Korea, reinforcing its role as a globally collaborative AI infrastructure initiative.

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AI surveillance cameras deployed to combat fly-tipping

New measures are being introduced in west Northamptonshire with the deployment of an AI-powered CCTV tower to combat fly-tipping in known hotspots. The mobile system will be rotated between locations until January 2027 to improve detection and deterrence.

Fly-tipping remains a significant issue across the area, with more than 21,000 incidents cleared between April 2024 and March 2025. Local authorities say illegal dumping damages neighbourhoods, harms wildlife and places a heavy financial burden on taxpayers.

The tower uses 360-degree cameras and AI to monitor activity and identify offences as they occur. Automatic number plate recognition allows enforcement officers to link incidents to suspected vehicles more quickly.

Council leaders say a similar scheme in Dartford have reduced fly-tipping and believe the technology sends a strong message to offenders. Residents are encouraged to report incidents through the council website or smartphone app to support enforcement efforts.

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Monnett highlights EU digital sovereignty in social media

Monnett is a European-built social media platform designed to give people control over their online feeds. Users can choose exactly what they see, prioritise friends’ posts, and opt out of surveillance-style recommendation systems that dominate other networks.

Unlike mainstream platforms, Monnett places privacy first, with no profiling or sale of user data, and private chats protected without being mined for advertising. The platform also avoids “AI slop” or generative AI content shaping people’s feeds, emphasising human-centred interaction.

Created and built in Luxembourg at the heart of Europe, Monnett’s design reflects a growing push for digital sovereignty in the European Union, where citizens, regulators and developers want more control over how their digital spaces are governed and how personal data is treated.

Core features include full customisation of your algorithm, no shadowbans, strong privacy safeguards, and a focus on genuine social connection. Monnett aims to win users who prefer meaningful online interaction over addictive feeds and opaque data practices.

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Meta pauses teen access to AI characters

Meta Platforms has announced a temporary pause on teenagers’ access to AI characters across its platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta disclosed the decision to review and rebuild the feature for younger users.

In San Francisco, Meta said the restriction will apply to users identified as minors based on declared ages or internal age-prediction systems. Teenagers will still be able to use Meta’s core AI assistant, though interactive AI characters will be unavailable.

The move comes ahead of a major child safety trial in Los Angeles involving Meta, TikTok and YouTube. The Los Angeles case focuses on allegations that social media platforms cause harm to children through addictive and unsafe digital features.

Concerns about AI chatbots and minors have grown across the US, prompting similar action by other companies. In Los Angeles and San Francisco, regulators and courts are increasingly scrutinising how AI interactions affect young users.

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Australia’s social media ban raises concern for social media companies

Australia’s social media ban for under-16s is worrying social media companies. According to the country’s eSafety Commissioner, these companies fear a global trend of banning such apps. In Australia, regulators say major platforms reluctantly resisted the policy, fearing that similar rules could spread internationally.

In Australia, the ban has already led to the closure of 4.7 million child-linked accounts across platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. Authorities argue the measures are necessary to protect children from harmful algorithms and addictive design.

Social media companies operating in Australia, including Meta, say stronger safeguards are needed but oppose a blanket ban. Critics have warned about privacy risks, while regulators insist early data shows limited migration to alternative platforms.

Australia is now working with partners such as the UK to push tougher global standards on online child safety. In Australia, fines of up to A$49.5m may be imposed on companies failing to enforce the rules effectively.

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Rapid AI growth tests regulation in the Gulf

Gulf states are accelerating AI investment to drive diversification, while regulators struggle to keep pace with rapid technological change. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are deploying AI across key sectors while pursuing regional leadership in digital innovation.

Despite political commitment and large-scale funding, policymakers struggle to balance innovation with risk management. AI’s rapid pace and global reach strain governance, while foreign tech reliance raises sovereignty and security risks.

Corporate influence, intensifying geopolitical competition, and the urgent race to attract foreign capital further complicate oversight efforts, constraining regulators’ ability to impose robust and forward-looking governance frameworks.

With AI increasingly viewed as a source of economic and strategic power, Gulf governments face a narrowing window to establish effective regulatory frameworks before the technology becomes deeply embedded across critical infrastructure.

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China gains ground in global AI race

US companies are increasingly adopting Chinese AI models as part of their core technology stacks, raising questions about global leadership in AI. In the US, Pinterest has confirmed it is using Chinese-developed models to improve recommendations and shopping features.

In the US, executives point to open-source Chinese models such as DeepSeek and tools from Alibaba as faster, cheaper and easier to customise. US firms say these models can outperform proprietary alternatives at a fraction of the cost.

Adoption extends beyond Pinterest in the US, with Airbnb also relying on Chinese AI to power customer service tools. Data from Hugging Face shows Chinese models frequently rank among the most downloaded worldwide, including across US developers.

Researchers at Stanford University have found Chinese AI capabilities now match or exceed global peers. In the US, firms such as OpenAI and Meta remain focused on proprietary systems, leaving China to dominate open-source AI development.

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