Digital cooperation

French tech giant bets on US expansion

Schneider Electric has announced plans to invest more than $700 million into its US operations over the next two years to support the rising energy demands driven by AI technology.

The French firm aims to boost manufacturing capacity and enhance the country’s energy resilience.

The expansion includes new and upgraded facilities across states like Texas, Ohio, and the Carolinas, with over 1,000 new jobs expected. Combined with previous spending, Schneider’s total US investment this decade will exceed $1 billion.

The move also comes amid ongoing trade tensions and tariff threats, which have prompted many global firms to shift production back to US soil.

Schneider says the investment marks a turning point for American industry, driven by AI’s rapid growth.

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Mobile coverage from space may soon be reality

Satellite-based mobile coverage could arrive in the UK by the end of 2025, with Ofcom launching a consultation on licensing direct-to-smartphone services.

The move would allow users to stay connected in areas without mast coverage using an ordinary mobile phone.

The proposal favours mobile networks teaming up with satellite operators to share frequencies in unserved regions, offering limited services like text messaging at first, with voice and data to follow.

Ofcom plans strict interference controls, and Vodafone is among those preparing to roll out such technology.

If approved, the service would be available across the UK mainland and surrounding seas, but not yet in places like the Channel Islands.

The public has until May to respond, as Ofcom seeks to modernise mobile access and help close the digital divide.

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Anduril confident in Trump-era defence priorities

Anduril, the AI-powered defence start-up founded by Palmer Luckey, is optimistic about the Trump administration’s approach to defence reform.

Company president Christian Brose said the administration’s focus on innovation aligns with Anduril’s work in low-cost autonomous military systems. The firm recently partnered with OpenAI to integrate advanced artificial intelligence into national security missions.

Brose, a former adviser to Senator John McCain, has long criticised traditional defence procurement processes and believes the administration’s willingness to do things differently presents a major opportunity.

The company is expanding its global footprint, with plans to build manufacturing facilities outside the United States. Australia has emerged as a key market, with Anduril’s AI intrusion detection software being trialled at RAAF Base Darwin, where US Marines rotate annually.

The firm is also bidding to produce solid rocket motors for Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.

Its Ghost Shark autonomous underwater system, developed in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force, is moving towards large-scale production, with a dedicated facility planned in New South Wales.

Autonomous military technology is a growing focus under the AUKUS treaty, which will see Australia invest heavily in nuclear-powered submarines with the support from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Brose emphasised that both crewed and autonomous systems will play a role in modern defence strategies, with the advantage of autonomous platforms being their faster production, larger deployment scale, and lower cost.

Anduril’s continued expansion highlights the increasing demand for AI-driven defence solutions in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.

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India demands $601 million from Samsung

Samsung, the largest smartphone manufacturer in India, is under pressure from the Indian government over an alleged tax evasion involving telecom equipment imports.

Authorities claim the company dodged import tariffs between 2018 and 2021 by misclassifying key components it sold to Reliance Jio.

The component in question, the ‘Remote Radio Head,’ was reportedly imported from Korea and Vietnam. While Samsung argues the part does not function as a transceiver and therefore shouldn’t be subject to import duties, Indian officials point to earlier communications from the company describing it as such.

Tax raids carried out in 2021 uncovered internal documents and emails that reportedly support the government’s case. Samsung denies any wrongdoing and insists it followed local laws, citing a disagreement over technical classification rather than deliberate fraud.

The company is now exploring legal options to contest the demand. Meanwhile, seven Samsung executives in India face additional fines totalling $81 million. Reliance Jio, the buyer of the equipment, has not issued a statement.

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PsiQuantum targets functional quantum machine by 2029

Quantum computing firm PsiQuantum is reportedly raising at least $750 million in a new funding round led by BlackRock, pushing the startup’s pre-money valuation to $6 billion.

The round remains ongoing, but it signals strong investor confidence in PsiQuantum’s ambitious timeline to deliver a fully functional quantum computer by 2029, or sooner.

The US, California-based company uses photonics and semiconductor techniques to produce quantum chips in partnership with GlobalFoundries at a facility in New York.

It has also secured collaborations with the governments of Australia and the US to build quantum computers in Brisbane and Chicago.

The Chicago project will anchor the new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, marking a major milestone in the commercialisation of quantum technologies.

PsiQuantum faces stiff competition from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia, all of whom are making significant strides in quantum research.

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Samsung loses Qualcomm chip deal

Qualcomm is reportedly passing over Samsung for its upcoming Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, choosing instead to stick with Taiwan’s TSMC for manufacturing.

Despite Samsung’s proven 4nm process and efforts to regain market confidence, Qualcomm appears hesitant to return after earlier issues with Samsung’s 3nm technology.

The new chipset is said to feature a mix of high-performance Cortex-X4 and A720 cores, notably lacking Qualcomm’s custom Oryon designs. However, this time around the company is being left out despite recent improvements in yield and packaging capabilities.

Samsung has focused on enhancing its legacy chip processes, recently beginning mass production of its fourth-generation 4nm chips.

The persistent trust issues seem to outweigh the technical strides, with Qualcomm opting to play it safe and rely solely on Taiwan’s TSMC’s consistency for this release.

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Gmail uses AI to find emails faster

Google has introduced a new AI feature in Gmail aimed at making email searches faster and more accurate.

Instead of simply listing messages by date or keyword, the updated system now considers user habits, including frequently opened emails and commonly contacted senders, to provide more relevant results.

The enhanced search feature is being rolled out globally for personal Gmail accounts and is accessible via the web, Android, and iOS apps.

Users can now toggle between the new ‘most relevant’ results and the traditional ‘most recent’ option. Google has also stated that it plans to extend this functionality to business users in the near future.

By using AI to refine email searches, Gmail aims to reduce the time users spend digging through their inboxes.

However, this update is part of Google’s broader strategy to integrate more intelligent tools across its suite of productivity apps, offering a smoother, more efficient experience for everyday users.

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Microsoft bug report video requirement backfires as developers push back

Microsoft’s recent decision to require developers to include a video alongside bug reports has caused more trouble than clarity.

What was likely meant to filter low-quality submissions has instead sparked mockery and confusion, culminating in at least one bug hunter responding with an absurdist 15-minute performance piece rather than a clear walkthrough.

The video requirement, intended to improve reproducibility, has been widely criticised as a needless burden. Developers argue it adds an unnecessary tax on their time, especially when clear, written steps would suffice.

Rather than improving productivity, critics say the move risks demotivating contributors and reducing the number of valuable bug reports Microsoft receives.

The policy is being seen by some as a poorly thought-out ‘tariff on time’, a barrier that punishes those trying to help improve Microsoft’s software.

Critics suggest the company would be better served by educating users on effective bug reporting rather than adding extra steps.

As humorous as the backlash has been, the underlying lesson is serious: imposing clumsy restrictions can harm both sides. Whether in software or international trade, a poorly executed policy risks creating more inefficiency than improvement and sometimes, a viral protest video is the least of the consequences.

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EU pushes for satellite internet funding for Ukraine

The European Commission has urged EU nations to fund Ukraine’s access to satellite internet through European commercial providers, amid growing concerns over the country’s reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The call, outlined in a newly published defence white paper, comes as Ukraine faces potential service disruptions unless it agrees to a minerals deal with the US. European satellite operators are now in talks with the EU to explore alternative solutions.

Brussels has proposed granting Kyiv access to the EU’s space programme to ensure stable connectivity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience by diversifying its satellite-based services. Poland, which partially funds Ukraine’s Starlink access, has also backed the need for alternative providers.

Spain’s Hisdesat has confirmed plans to expand its coverage over Ukraine, while other European satellite firms, such as Eutelsat and SES, have been approached for potential involvement.

The move reflects Europe’s broader strategy to secure independent infrastructure for Ukraine and reduce dependence on private or non-EU providers.

The Commission’s proposal, if implemented, could mark a significant shift in how Kyiv maintains vital communications during the ongoing conflict.

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AI firm Cognite targets India as global tech hub

Cognite, the Saudi Aramco-backed industrial software company, has launched an AI services centre in Bengaluru as part of its global expansion strategy.

The firm, which specialises in optimising industrial operations, is seeking contracts with major Indian conglomerates and has already secured deals with a leading cement manufacturer and a major automotive firm.

While declining to name the companies, Cognite’s executives confirmed significant investments in the Indian market, with plans for further expansion.

Chief Executive Girish Rishi described India as a key growth destination, highlighting its appeal as an alternative to China for global tech firms.

Cognite’s parent company, Aker ASA, and major shareholders like Saudi Aramco have been supporting its global push, as AI-driven solutions increasingly play a role in industrial automation, safety, and efficiency.

The company, which recently relocated its headquarters to the US, counts AkerBP, Japanese refiner Cosmo Energy Holdings, and US-based Koch Chemical among its major clients.

India’s rapidly expanding technology sector has drawn interest from several global giants, including Apple, Tesla, and Jabil, following the Indian government’s incentives to attract international firms.

With AI transforming industries worldwide, Cognite’s move signals growing confidence in India’s capabilities as a major player in the global tech ecosystem.

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