Digital standards

New Airbyte connectors support AI and data privacy

San Francisco-based data startup Airbyte has unveiled a new set of enterprise tools aimed at helping companies move and manage data more securely, especially as AI becomes more central to operations. The updates, announced Thursday, include new connectors for apps such as NetSuite, SAP, and ServiceNow, as well as support for extracting unstructured data from platforms like Google Drive and SharePoint.

A key highlight of the release is compatibility with Apache Iceberg, an open-source format that enables businesses to centralise data into a single, AI-compatible “lakehouse.” This allows companies to better control how and where their data flows while preserving the flexibility needed for high-performance analytics and machine learning.

Airbyte co-founder and CEO Michel Tricot stressed the importance of data sovereignty in an AI-driven era. He noted that while AI tools can be powerful, giving away sensitive internal data, like employee compensation or strategic business metrics, to external services is a risk many companies are no longer willing to take. Airbyte’s approach ensures that only the enterprise sees and manages its data pipelines.

Founded in 2020, Airbyte now serves over 7,000 enterprise clients, including names like Invesco and Calendly, and has secured more than $181 million in funding. As businesses continue to prioritise secure, scalable infrastructure for AI, Airbyte’s offerings are positioning it as a go-to partner for data portability without compromise.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Apple accused of misleading AI advertising

Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit in the United States over delays in delivering its much-promoted Apple Intelligence features.

The legal action, filed in a US based San Jose federal court, claims the company misled customers by advertising advanced AI tools that have yet to materialise on supported devices.

The complaint argues that buyers of new iPhones and other Apple products were promised ‘transformative’ AI capabilities at launch, only to find these features were either severely limited or completely absent.

According to the plaintiffs, Apple’s marketing created a “reasonable consumer expectation” that was ultimately not met.

This legal challenge adds to mounting pressure on the company, which has struggled to roll out its next-generation AI tools.

A recent Bloomberg report suggested internal tensions, revealing that CEO Tim Cook has reportedly lost confidence in AI chief John Giannandrea’s ability to deliver on the company’s ambitions.

The case reflects growing scrutiny of tech firms’ promises around AI, especially as consumer trust becomes more closely tied to the reality behind flashy announcements.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

US judge says Social Security unlawfully shared data with Musk’s aides

A federal judge has ruled that the Social Security Administration (SSA) likely violated privacy laws by granting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) unrestricted access to millions of Americans’ personal data.

The ruling halts further data sharing and requires DOGE to delete unlawfully accessed records. United States District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander stated that while tackling fraud is important, government agencies must not ignore privacy laws to achieve their goals.

The case has drawn attention to the extent of DOGE’s access to sensitive government databases, including Numident, which contains detailed personal information on Social Security applicants.

The SSA’s leadership allowed DOGE staffers to review vast amounts of data in an effort to identify fraudulent payments. Critics, including advocacy groups and labour unions, argue that the process lacked proper oversight and risked compromising individuals’ privacy.

The ruling marks a major legal setback for DOGE, which has been expanding its influence across multiple federal agencies. The White House condemned the decision, calling it judicial overreach, while SSA officials indicated they would comply with the order.

The controversy highlights growing concerns over government data security and the limits of executive power in managing public records.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

ChatGPT wrongly accuses man of murder

A Norwegian man has lodged a complaint against OpenAI after ChatGPT falsely claimed he had murdered his two sons and was serving a 21-year prison sentence.

Arve Hjalmar Holmen, who has never been accused of any crime, says the chatbot’s response was deeply damaging, leading him to seek action from the Norwegian Data Protection Authority.

Digital rights group Noyb, representing Holmen, argues the incident violates European data protection laws regarding the accuracy of personal data.

The error highlights a growing concern over AI ‘hallucinations,’ where chatbots generate false information and present it as fact.

Holmen received the incorrect response when searching for his own name, with ChatGPT fabricating a detailed and defamatory account of a crime that never occurred. Although the chatbot carries a disclaimer about potential inaccuracies,

Noyb insists this is not enough, arguing that spreading false information cannot be justified by a simple warning label.

AI-generated hallucinations have plagued multiple platforms, including Apple and Google, with some errors being bizarre but others causing real harm.

Experts remain uncertain about the underlying causes of these inaccuracies in large language models, making them a key focus of ongoing research.

While OpenAI has since updated ChatGPT’s model to incorporate current news sources, the case raises questions about accountability and the transparency of AI-generated content.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

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.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI-powered robot dog mimics human learning process

Swedish AI startup IntuiCell has introduced Luna, a robot dog with a functional digital nervous system that enables it to learn and adapt like humans and animals.

Unlike traditional AI models that rely on vast datasets and pre-training, Luna learns through real-world interactions.

The company has even hired a professional dog trainer to teach Luna how to walk, mimicking the way neurons process information in biological systems.

CEO Viktor Luthman described Luna as a breakthrough in AI, allowing machines to learn without requiring high-powered data centres or offline simulations.

The technology, he says, could eventually lead to advanced autonomous robots capable of operating in unpredictable environments such as space and deep-sea exploration.

Future iterations could assist in disaster response or even contribute to constructing habitats on Mars.

Founded as a spin-off from Lund University in 2020, IntuiCell has received funding from Sweden’s Navigare Ventures, Norway’s SNÖ Ventures, and the European Union.

The company believes that Luna’s capabilities could mark a significant step forward in the development of humanoid and autonomous robots, with applications far beyond current AI-powered machines.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Apple faces EU crackdown over closed technology

The European Commission has ordered Apple to grant rival smartphone, headphone, and virtual reality companies access to its technology and mobile operating system.

The directive, part of the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, aims to curb the dominance of major tech firms and enhance competition. A separate mandate also requires Apple to establish a structured process for responding to interoperability requests from app developers.

Apple strongly criticised the decision, arguing that it places unfair constraints on its ability to innovate and benefits competitors without imposing the same restrictions on them.

Expressing concerns, the company warned that the new rules could negatively impact its products and European users, adding that the additional regulatory burden might slow progress.

The European Commission, however, dismissed Apple’s objections, stating that the order simply enforces existing laws and provides regulatory clarity.

Failure to comply could result in an investigation and potential fines of up to 10% of Apple’s global annual revenue. The ruling underscores the EU’s determination to rein in the power of Big Tech and ensure a more competitive digital market.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Baidu dismisses claims of leaked user information

Chinese tech giant Baidu has denied claims of an internal data breach after the teenage daughter of a senior executive was accused of sharing users’ personal information online.

The controversy erupted when internet users alleged that the daughter of Baidu vice president Xie Guangjun had posted private details, including phone numbers, following an online dispute.

Baidu insisted that neither employees nor executives have access to user data and claimed the information came from illegally obtained ‘doxing databases’ on foreign platforms.

The company has filed a police report regarding false claims, including allegations that Xie had given his daughter access to Baidu’s databases.

Xie apologised, stating that the data had been sourced from overseas social networking sites.

The case comes amid ongoing crackdown in China on data privacy breaches, with stricter laws in place to prevent unauthorised sharing of personal details.

The controversy has impacted investor confidence, with Baidu’s shares falling more than 4% in Hong Kong trading.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Amazon considers further appeal after losing GDPR case

Amazon has lost its appeal against a €746 million fine imposed by Luxembourg’s data protection regulator for breaching EU privacy laws.

The country’s administrative court upheld the penalty in a ruling on 18 March, siding with the National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD), which found Amazon had unlawfully processed personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The fine remains the largest issued under the EU privacy rules.

The CNPD also ordered Amazon to implement corrective measures, although enforcement will be suspended during the appeal period.

Amazon criticised the decision, arguing the fine was based on subjective legal interpretations without prior guidance from regulators. The company confirmed it is considering further legal action.

Europe has taken a strict stance on data privacy violations, with GDPR setting a global benchmark for consumer protections.

The ruling against Amazon reinforces the EU’s commitment to holding major tech companies accountable for their handling of personal data.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Disney’s next-gen robots powered by Nvidia’s Newton

Disney’s dream of bringing lifelike robotic characters to its theme parks is closer to reality, thanks to a new collaboration with Nvidia and Google DeepMind. At GTC 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang introduced Newton, an advanced physics engine designed to enhance how robots interact with their surroundings. The first to benefit from this technology will be Disney’s next-generation entertainment robots, including the Star Wars-inspired BDX droids, one of which made a surprise appearance on stage during Huang’s keynote.

Newton is engineered to improve the expressiveness and adaptability of robots, enabling them to handle complex tasks with greater precision. The open-source engine will allow developers to simulate interactions with real-world elements such as fabric, sand, and food, making robotic movement more natural. Nvidia confirmed that Newton will integrate seamlessly with Google DeepMind’s robotics toolkit, including MuJoCo, its multi-joint simulation engine.

Disney has long experimented with robotic characters for its theme parks, showcasing controlled demonstrations at events like SXSW. With the introduction of Newton, Disney Imagineering sees an opportunity to roll out these robots across multiple park locations starting next year. The collaboration between Nvidia, Disney, and Google DeepMind marks a major leap in entertainment robotics, promising theme park guests a more immersive and dynamic experience.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.