A US waste management firm has introduced AI-powered electric garbage trucks to reduce fire risks caused by improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. The vehicles, showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, can detect batteries in rubbish loads before they reach recycling centres, preventing potential fires.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in gadgets like phones and toothbrushes, are highly flammable and often slip through existing detection systems at recycling facilities. Fires linked to these batteries have caused significant damage, with several US recycling centres burning down annually. The new trucks allow drivers to flag sensitive collections and alert facilities in advance.
The advanced trucks, developed by industrial firm Oshkosh, also come with electric arm technology to speed up collections and AI software to spot contamination in recycling bins. These features help reduce risks, improve efficiency, and allow companies to hold customers accountable for improper recycling. Waste management officials see electrification as a key step, as garbage trucks typically travel shorter distances, making them ideal for battery-powered operation.
US antitrust regulators provided legal insights on Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging anticompetitive practices. While not taking a formal stance, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) highlighted key legal doctrines supporting Musk’s claims ahead of a court hearing in Oakland, California. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI and now leading AI startup xAI, accuses OpenAI of enforcing restrictive agreements and sharing board members with Microsoft to stifle competition.
The lawsuit also claims OpenAI orchestrated an investor boycott against rivals. Regulators noted such boycotts are legally actionable, even if the alleged organiser isn’t directly involved. OpenAI has denied these allegations, labelling them baseless harassment. Meanwhile, the FTC is conducting a broader probe into AI partnerships, including those between Microsoft and OpenAI, to assess potential antitrust violations.
Microsoft declined to comment on the case, while OpenAI pointed to prior court filings refuting Musk’s claims. However, the FTC and DOJ stressed that even former board members, like Reid Hoffman, could retain sensitive competitive information, reinforcing Musk’s concerns about anticompetitive practices.
Musk’s legal team sees the regulators’ involvement as validation of the seriousness of the case, underscoring the heightened scrutiny around AI collaborations and their impact on competition.
Taiwan is optimistic about the limited impact of US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on semiconductor exports, citing the nation’s technological edge in the global chip industry. On Friday, economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei emphasised that Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor processes, led by industry giant TSMC, maintain an irreplaceable position in the supply chain for major companies like Apple and Nvidia.
Despite Trump’s pledges for sweeping tariffs—10% on global imports and up to 60% on Chinese goods—Taiwanese policymakers acknowledged potential challenges for the island’s export-driven economy. However, Kuo reassured that the chip sector’s resilience lies in its technological leadership, which mitigates the risk of significant disruption.
To adapt to the shifting trade landscape, Taiwan plans to help companies relocate parts of their supply chains to the United States if necessary. The island also aims to deepen cooperation in industries like aerospace and advanced technology by fostering ties with US and Japanese firms. This includes establishing a dedicated office in Japan to bolster collaboration on AI and drone development, Kuo said.
Taiwan’s proactive approach reflects its strategic positioning in global trade and its commitment to maintaining robust economic ties amid evolving US policies.
Google and Microsoft have each pledged $1 million to support Donald Trump’s upcoming presidential inauguration, joining other tech giants such as Meta, Amazon, and Apple’s Tim Cook in contributing significant sums. The donations appear to be part of broader strategies by these companies to maintain access to political leadership in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Google, which has faced threats from Trump regarding potential break-ups, aims to secure goodwill through financial contributions and online visibility, including a YouTube livestream of the inauguration. Microsoft has also maintained steady political donations, previously giving $500,000 to Trump’s first inauguration as well as to President Joe Biden’s ceremony.
This alignment with Trump marks a notable trend of tech companies seeking to protect their interests, particularly as issues like antitrust regulations and data privacy laws remain in political crosshairs. With both tech giants navigating a landscape of increased government scrutiny, their contributions indicate a cautious approach to preserving influence at the highest levels of power.
These donations reflect a pragmatic move by Silicon Valley, where cultivating political ties is seen as a way to safeguard business operations amid shifting political dynamics.
French startup Rounded is developing an orchestration platform that allows companies to create their own AI voice agents. Initially focused on web3, the company shifted its attention to AI-powered voice interactions in mid-2023. Its first product, Donna, was designed for anesthetists, helping private hospitals handle large volumes of routine patient calls. The AI agent has already managed hundreds of thousands of conversations, improving in speed and accuracy over time.
After refining its technology, Rounded expanded its focus to offer a platform where businesses can build their own AI voice agents. Users can integrate various AI models, such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech engines, selecting components from providers like Azure, GPT-4o mini, and ElevenLabs. The platform also helps define prompts and parameters to optimise each agent’s performance for specific use cases.
The startup has secured €600,000 in funding from UC Berkeley’s SkyDeck accelerator and business investors. With growing interest in AI-powered customer interactions, Rounded is poised to attract further investment as it expands its product offering.
AI is transforming the way new medicines are developed, with AI-powered drug discovery advancing at an unprecedented pace. Insilico Medicine, a US-based biotech firm, has designed an experimental treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using AI to identify a potential drug target and generate molecules. The approach significantly reduced the time and resources needed, with the drug discovery process taking 18 months instead of the usual four years.
AI-driven methods are being adopted by both startups and major pharmaceutical companies to accelerate drug development. Insilico Medicine has multiple drug candidates in clinical trials, while Recursion Pharmaceuticals is using AI to analyse vast biological datasets and uncover new treatment possibilities. A molecule designed by Recursion to target lymphoma and solid tumours has already entered human trials, demonstrating the growing potential of AI in medical research.
Despite the progress, experts note that AI-discovered drugs have yet to complete full clinical trials. The technology faces challenges, particularly in data availability and bias, but researchers remain optimistic. As AI continues to refine drug discovery, many believe it will lead to faster, more cost-effective treatments and a higher success rate in bringing new medicines to market.
Dragos and Singapore’s Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) are collaborating to enhance cybersecurity capabilities through a strategic partnership focusing on planning, training, and exchanging information about cyber threats. The agreement, announced during the Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) 2024, aims to fortify the defence of Singapore’s critical infrastructure and increase its resilience to cyber attacks.
The partnership builds on Dragos’s long-standing collaboration with Singapore, including a previous agreement in August 2023 with the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) to improve operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. DIS emphasised the importance of expanding cybersecurity partnerships across sectors, while Dragos commended Singapore’s proactive approach to cybersecurity as an example for other nations to follow.
That partnership underscores the shared commitment of both parties to secure critical infrastructure amid an evolving cyber threat landscape. By leveraging their expertise, Dragos and DIS aim to provide Singapore with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate emerging challenges, ensuring the protection of its infrastructure and citizens.
Brazil is becoming a major hub for data centres, with billions of dollars in investments expected as AI and digital infrastructure drive demand. Growth limitations in larger markets such as the United States and Europe have led companies to expand in Brazil, taking advantage of the country’s political stability, renewable energy resources, and increasing local demand. Several major players, including Ascenty, Equinix, and ODATA, are making significant investments to establish or expand their facilities.
Grupo FS is entering the sector with a $1.8 billion investment to build three new data centres. Equinix is expanding in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, while ODATA continues to grow following its acquisition by Aligned Data Centers. Tecto, backed by Brazilian bank BTG, has secured land in São Paulo for a new hyperscale facility powered entirely by renewable energy. Meanwhile, Elea Data Centers is expanding across Brazil, focusing on sustainable operations in key regions.
Investors see Brazil as an attractive destination due to its growing digital economy and strategic location. Companies are increasing their footprint to meet rising demand for cloud computing and AI-driven technologies. As the industry expands, Brazil is positioning itself as a leading data centre hub in Latin America, benefiting from a mix of international and domestic investment.
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk is strengthening its collaboration with a United States tech firm Valo Health to develop new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases using artificial intelligence and human data. The agreement, originally signed in 2023, has been expanded to cover up to 20 drug candidates, nearly doubling the initial scope of 11 treatments.
The expansion comes as Novo seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the booming obesity drug market, expected to be worth $150 billion in the next decade. A recent clinical trial for its weight-loss drug candidate, CagriSema, delivered underwhelming results, increasing pressure to develop a successor to its best-selling drug, Wegovy. Rival pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is also pushing forward with its own obesity treatments, intensifying the race for dominance in the sector.
Under the revised deal, Valo Health will receive up to $190 million in near-term payments and milestone payments of around $4.6 billion, significantly increasing its earnings potential compared to the original agreement, which offered up to $2.7 billion. Novo hopes the collaboration will lead to groundbreaking therapies that extend the health benefits of weight-loss drugs beyond obesity treatment.
Meta is set to trial a new feature allowing users in Germany, France, and the United States to browse eBay listings directly on Facebook Marketplace. Transactions will still be completed on eBay’s platform, but the integration aims to provide Facebook users with a wider selection of products while giving eBay sellers greater exposure.
The move follows a hefty $840 million fine imposed by the European Commission in November over alleged anticompetitive practices related to Facebook Marketplace. While Meta continues to appeal the decision, it says it is working to address regulators’ concerns. The European Commission has yet to comment on the latest development.
Meta’s partnership with eBay reflects broader efforts by tech companies to expand online marketplaces and enhance user experience. The initiative is expected to benefit both buyers and sellers by increasing reach and streamlining access to listings.
