Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reaffirmed the importance of global collaboration in technology during a visit to Hong Kong, even as potential United States policy shifts on export controls loom. Speaking to the media, Huang stressed that cooperation in science and technology underpins societal and scientific progress, a principle he believes will endure despite regulatory changes.
In a speech at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Huang celebrated the transformative potential of AI, calling it ‘the most important technology of our time.’ He urged graduates to embrace the opportunities presented by a rapidly evolving industry and highlighted Nvidia‘s contributions to advancing AI and computing over the past 25 years.
Huang received an honorary doctorate at the event alongside other distinguished honourees, noting that the emerging era of AI offers a unique chance for young innovators to tackle global challenges and revolutionise industries.
Apple and Google face growing scrutiny in the UK over allegations of stifling competition in mobile web browsers. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) claims that both companies use their dominant positions to restrict consumer choice, citing Apple’s limits on progressive web apps as a barrier to innovation on iOS devices. Progressive web apps could bypass app stores and their fees, offering faster and more secure browsing.
The CMA’s report also points to a revenue-sharing deal between Apple and Google that discourages competition in mobile ecosystems. Both companies have responded, with Apple defending its privacy and security measures and Google emphasising the openness of its Android platform.
This investigation is part of a broader crackdown on Big Tech, with regulators in the US and UK aiming to curb monopolistic practices. The CMA plans to finalise its report in March and use upcoming digital competition laws to address these concerns.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with TikTok under the ‘Safer Together’ initiative to enhance digital safety and literacy in Nigeria. That collaboration, announced at the TikTok Online Safety and Digital Awareness Programme in Abuja, reflects Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital transformation, supported by a growing tech ecosystem and increasing connectivity.
The partnership addresses key challenges such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and digital exploitation while aligning with NITDA’s regulatory framework, emphasising awareness, innovation, and inclusivity. NITDA aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027, fostering digital inclusion and empowering youth to drive the country’s digital economy. TikTok’s safety features, including screen time management and anti-bullying tools, are integral to educating parents, teachers, and stakeholders on safe and responsible digital practices.
The programme highlights the importance of collective efforts in creating a secure digital environment, requiring collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society. Through initiatives like this, the partnership aims to inspire creativity, build trust, and shape positive digital experiences for millions in Nigeria while addressing the risks associated with technological advancement.
South Korea has become Taiwan’s largest source of trade deficit, surpassing Japan, with a record $18.1 billion deficit in the first 10 months of this year, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance. Integrated circuits account for $12.9 billion, or 71.3%, of the total deficit, driven by South Korea’s dominance in memory chip production and its role in the AI supply chain.
South Korea’s SK hynix, the second-largest memory chip maker, has partnered with Taiwan’s TSMC to produce advanced HBM chips for AI leader NVIDIA, underscoring the countries’ intertwined roles in the tech industry. Taiwan relies on South Korea for DRAM, a key component in packaging and integrating AI technologies, further fueling the deficit.
Trade between the two nations remains robust, with South Korea ranking as Taiwan’s fifth-largest export market and fourth-largest import source. Both export-oriented economies share overlapping industrial structures, particularly in electronics, highlighting their competition and collaboration within global supply chains.
Wang Shouwen, China‘s vice commerce minister, held discussions with Jay Puri, Nvidia‘s executive vice president for worldwide field operations, in Beijing on Monday, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Details of the meeting were not disclosed, but the talks underscore Nvidia’s growing significance in the global tech landscape and its potential role in China’s semiconductor sector.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions over technology trade between China and the United States, where Nvidia is a leading player in advanced chip production. Both sides may seek to address mutual interests while navigating ongoing restrictions and competition in the semiconductor industry.
Google has announced a $20 million fund, with an additional $2 million in cloud credits, to support researchers using AI to tackle complex scientific challenges. The initiative, unveiled by Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis at the AI for Science Forum in London, is part of Google’s broader strategy to foster innovation and collaboration with academic and non-profit organisations globally.
The funding will prioritise interdisciplinary projects addressing challenges in fields such as rare disease research, experimental biology, sustainability, and materials science. Google plans to distribute the funding to approximately 15 organisations by 2026, ensuring each grant is substantial enough to drive impactful breakthroughs. The programme reflects Google’s aim to position itself as a key partner in advancing science through AI, building on successes like AlphaFold, which recently earned DeepMind leaders a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The move aligns with a growing trend among Big Tech firms investing heavily in AI-driven research. Amazon’s AWS recently committed $110 million to similar grants, underscoring the race to attract leading scientists and researchers into their ecosystems. Hassabis expressed hope that the initiative would inspire greater collaboration between the private and public sectors and further demonstrate AI’s transformative potential in science.
Vietnam and Burundi have partnered to strengthen their telecommunications and technology development collaboration. The agreement, signed on 19 November, was attended by key officials from both countries.
Notably, Vietnam’s telecom provider, Lumitel, has significantly contributed to Burundi’s market, paying over $500 million in taxes and securing a dominant market share. Given the shared challenges of war, sanctions, and poverty faced by both nations, it was emphasised that digital technology could address issues such as rural-urban wealth gaps and limited public services.
In light of this, Vietnam encouraged further investment in Burundi, particularly beyond telecommunications, and proposed increased exchanges in ICT, digital economy, and workforce training to accelerate Burundi’s digital transformation. Furthermore, scholarships and short-term online training programs were announced to support the development of Burundi’s digital workforce.
In response, Burundi’s government expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s expertise, particularly in telecommunications, and praised Lumitel for its significant role in improving the local market. Burundi also invited Lumitel to expand its operations, with assurances of government support to ensure favourable business conditions.
Moreover, platforms such as Vietnam International Digital Week were acknowledged, as they foster global digital partnerships and facilitate the exchange of technological experiences. Finally, Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Lumitel’s growth and emphasised that Vietnamese enterprises must comply with local laws and tax obligations while operating abroad.
Africa’s largest mobile operator, MTN, is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite providers to improve internet access in rural and remote areas, CEO Ralph Mupita announced on Monday. Satellite-based internet, increasingly popular in Africa through providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink, offers high-speed connectivity where traditional infrastructure is costly or impractical.
MTN is conducting trials with several LEO satellite operators and considering becoming a reseller for enterprise customers in specific regions. Competitors like Vodacom and Cell C are also embracing LEO partnerships, with Vodacom teaming up with Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
Mupita emphasised the need for regulatory fairness, calling for satellite providers to meet the same requirements as terrestrial operators, such as compliance with data privacy and spectrum access rules. While Starlink is operational in parts of Africa, regulatory hurdles remain in countries like South Africa, where a clear framework for satellite internet is still being developed.
South Korean Naver Corporation has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company to establish a joint venture focused on digital twin platform projects in the Middle East. Digital twin technology, which creates virtual replicas of real-world environments, will be central to the collaboration, enabling advanced urban planning, real-time monitoring, disaster prediction, and smart city development.
The venture will develop city monitoring platforms and mapping applications to enhance public administration and services. That initiative builds on Naver’s previous success in implementing digital twin platforms for Riyadh and four other Saudi cities, solidifying its position as a leader in smart city innovation.
The partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national initiative to drive digital transformation and sustainable development. By integrating advanced technologies into urban planning and public administration, the joint venture aims to support the creation of efficient, modern cities, furthering technological and economic progress in the region.
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Shenzhen Data Exchange Centre (SDEC) have partnered to foster data exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. That partnership aims to promote data interconnection between the two cities, develop data element markets, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in utilising data for business growth and digital transformation.
Additionally, the organisations will focus on building a data ecosystem that encourages innovation and collaboration around data-driven solutions. Moreover, they plan to explore initiatives to advance the digital economy in both regions, creating new opportunities and enhancing their competitive edge. The collaboration will involve stakeholders such as government agencies, data service providers, traders, and SMEs, with HKPC and SDEC combining their expertise to drive these efforts forward.
Furthermore, HKPC and SDEC will organise seminars and briefings to engage stakeholders and share knowledge on leveraging data for growth. These sessions will provide valuable insights into how businesses can utilise the growing digital economy and enhance their data-driven capabilities. As a result, both organisations are committed to advancing regional cooperation in data exchange and innovation, thereby contributing to developing a stronger, more connected digital ecosystem.
