Uber and Chinese startup Momenta will begin robotaxi testing in Munich in 2026, marking their first public deployment in continental Europe. The trials will start with human safety operators, with plans to expand across additional European cities.
Founded in 2016, Momenta is one of China’s leading autonomous vehicle companies, having tested self-driving cars since 2018. The company is already collaborating with automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW to integrate advanced driver assistance systems.
Uber is broadening its global AV network, which already spans 20 partners across mobility, delivery, and freight. In the US, Waymo robotaxis operate via Uber’s app, while international partnerships include WeRide in the Gulf and Wayve in London.
Competition in Europe is intensifying. Baidu from China and Lyft plan to roll out robotaxis in Germany and the UK next year, while Uber has chosen Munich, Germany, as its engineering base and a strong automotive ecosystem.
German regulators must still certify Momenta’s technology and approve geo-fenced operating areas. If successful, Munich will become Momenta’s first European launchpad, building on its Shanghai robotaxi service and global ADAS deployment.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Quantum computers could become more efficient with a new quantum router that directs data more quickly within machines. Researchers at Stanford have built the component, which could eventually form the backbone of quantum random access memory (QRAM).
The router utilises superconducting qubits, controlled by electromagnetic pulses, to transmit information to quantum addresses. Unlike classical routers, it can encode addresses in superposition, allowing data to be stored in two places simultaneously.
In tests with three qubits, the router achieved a fidelity of around 95%. If integrated into QRAM, it could unlock new algorithms by placing information into quantum states where locations remain indeterminate.
Experts say the advance could benefit areas such as quantum machine learning and database searches. It may also support future ideas, such as quantum IP addresses, although more reliable designs with larger qubit counts are still required.
The Stanford team acknowledges the device needs refinement to reduce errors. But with further development, the quantum router could be a vital step toward practical QRAM and more powerful quantum computing applications.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A malvertising campaign is targeting IT workers in the EU with fake GitHub Desktop installers, according to Arctic Wolf. The goal is to steal credentials, deploy ransomware, and infiltrate sensitive systems. The operation has reportedly been active for over six months.
Attackers used malicious Google Ads that redirected users to doctored GitHub repositories. Modified README files mimicked genuine download pages but linked to a lookalike domain. MacOS users received the AMOS Stealer, while Windows victims downloaded bloated installers hiding malware.
The Windows malware evaded detection using GPU-based checks, refusing to run in sandboxes that lacked real graphics drivers. On genuine machines, it copied itself to %APPDATA%, sought elevated privileges, and altered Defender settings. Analysts dubbed the technique GPUGate.
The payload persisted by creating privileged tasks and sideloading malicious DLLs into legitimate executables. Its modular system could download extra malware tailored to each victim. The campaign was geo-fenced to EU targets and relied on redundant command servers.
Researchers warn that IT staff are prime targets due to their access to codebases and credentials. With the campaign still active, Arctic Wolf has published indicators of compromise, Yara rules, and security advice to mitigate the GPUGate threat.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Researchers combine human tissue models with explainable AI to analyse patient data and identify treatments that work best for specific patients. First applied to inflammatory bowel disease, the approach could improve clinical trial success rates and accelerate drug discovery.
REPROCELL, IBM, and the STFC Hartree Centre have developed Pharmacology-AI, a platform uniting tissue models with machine learning. Delivered through the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation, it reduces costs, enhances trial design, and enables more targeted therapies.
Unlike tools that seek to replace human expertise, the platform acts as a decision-support system. It helps scientists detect patterns in complex datasets while keeping outputs interpretable for clinical trial use. Developers emphasised usability, ensuring non-technical staff can work with the system.
Human fresh tissue models play a central role, preserving biological complexity and simulating drug effects before trials. However, this generates reliable data that can be paired with AI to identify optimal patient profiles and reduce the risk of costly trial failures.
The project’s success suggests broad applications beyond IBD. With explainable AI and high-quality patient data, Pharmacology-AI could improve outcomes across multiple disease areas, making drug development faster, more efficient, and more precise.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Stablecoins have become central to the digital economy, with billions in daily transactions and stronger regulatory backing under the GENIUS Act. Yet experts warn that advances in quantum computing could undermine their very foundations.
Elliptic curve and RSA cryptography, widely used in stablecoin systems, are expected to be breakable once ‘Q-Day’ arrives. Quantum-equipped attackers could instantly derive private keys from public addresses, exposing entire networks to theft.
The immutability of blockchains makes upgrading cryptographic schemes especially challenging. Dormant wallets and legacy addresses may prove vulnerable, putting billions of dollars at risk if issuers fail to take action promptly.
Researchers highlight lattice-based and hash-based algorithms as viable ‘quantum-safe’ alternatives. Stablecoins built with crypto-agility, enabling seamless upgrades, will better adapt to new standards and avoid disruptive forks.
Regulators are also moving. NIST is finalising post-quantum cryptographic standards, and new rules will likely be established before 2030. Stablecoins that embed resilience today may set the global benchmark for digital trust in the quantum age.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
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!
