SpaceX is preparing to deploy its Starlink satellite internet terminals to enhance the information technology networks that support the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) national airspace system, according to Bloomberg News.
The move is expected to improve connectivity and speed within the FAA’s complex network, which manages the vast and busy American airspace.
Integrating Starlink into the FAA’s infrastructure could boost the agency’s ability to handle data-heavy operations, improve real-time communications, and strengthen system resilience during peak travel periods or emergencies.
Reliable satellite internet could also help modernise outdated network components and reduce disruptions in air traffic control services.
Starlink, known for its global satellite coverage and high-speed internet capabilities, has been expanding its commercial and governmental partnerships.
The collaboration with the FAA highlights Starlink’s growing role in critical infrastructure, pushing SpaceX further into sectors where reliable connectivity is essential.
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Nvidia has filed a lawsuit against the European Commission for accepting a referral from Italy to review its acquisition of AI startup Run:ai. The US chipmaker argues that the Commission violated a recent court ruling that restricts its powers over minor transactions. This case follows growing concerns over the Commission’s use of Article 22, which allows it to review smaller mergers that fall below EU merger thresholds, a move companies have criticised as overreach.
While the case will not impact the approval of the AI‘s deal, which was cleared in December, a ruling in favour of Nvidia could curb the European Commission’s ability to regulate similar transactions in the future. Nvidia argues that the decision breaches legal principles, including proportionality and equal treatment, and undermines legal certainty for businesses operating in the EU.
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More than 1,000 musicians have joined forces to release a silent album as part of a protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright laws. The changes would allow AI companies to use artists’ work to train models without needing permission, a move critics argue would undermine creators’ rights. The silent album, titled ‘Is This What We Want?’, features empty studios and performance spaces, symbolising the potential loss of control over their work.
The changes have sparked outrage from high-profile artists such as Kate Bush, who warned that this could lead to the exploitation of musicians by tech companies. The protest album, which includes contributions from other major artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, aims to highlight the negative impact of such reforms on the livelihoods of creators.
The UK government argues that these changes will help boost the AI and creative industries, allowing them to reach their full potential. However, the controversy over copyright law is growing, with many in the music industry urging a rethink before any new regulations are finalised.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to make a significant $40 billion investment in Italy, covering sectors such as energy, technology, and defence. This follows the first-ever state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Italy. The investment will span various projects, including data centres, AI, renewable energy, and subsea activities.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised that this partnership will strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on mutual economic growth and collaboration. The investment aligns with the Mattei plan, aimed at boosting African development and reducing migrant arrivals to Italy. One notable project involves transporting electricity through an undersea cable between Italy, Albania, and the UAE, further enhancing regional cooperation.
In addition to economic and energy initiatives, both nations agreed to ramp up defence and security collaborations, including joint military production, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and disaster response efforts. The partnership will also support advanced research and development, contributing to sustainable development and digital growth.
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Google has launched a new free AI tool aimed at helping developers with code completion and assistance. Gemini Code Assist for Individuals allows users to interact with a Google AI model through a chat window, helping to fix bugs, complete code, or explain parts of a codebase. The tool can be integrated into popular coding environments like VS Code and JetBrains, and supports a range of programming languages. It offers impressive capabilities, with 180,000 code completions per month—90 times more than GitHub’s free Copilot plan—and 240 daily chat requests, well beyond the limits of competing tools.
In addition, Google unveiled Gemini Code Assist for GitHub, a tool that automatically scans code in pull requests to identify bugs and provide helpful suggestions. These tools highlight Google’s increasing efforts to compete with Microsoft and GitHub in the developer space. Both tools leverage Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model, fine-tuned for coding tasks, and offer a context window four times larger than similar models, enabling the AI to process more complex code.
The launch marks a strategic move by Google to attract developers, especially those early in their careers, with the hope that some will eventually transition to premium plans. Gemini Code Assist for Individuals is available through a free public preview, with Google planning to roll out additional enterprise features soon, including integration with third-party tools and more advanced customisation options for businesses.
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Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani is focusing on small businesses and promoting innovative neuroscience research to boost Reliance’s revenue from the Indian Premier League (IPL). After striking an $8.5 billion merger with Walt Disney, Reliance plans to attract small companies to advertise during the IPL by offering affordable ad packages starting at $17,000. The company has been conducting closed-door seminars in various Indian cities to pitch these packages, aiming to expand its digital ad inventory and increase streaming revenue.
Reliance is also experimenting with “brain mapping” research to show higher engagement rates for its IPL ads compared to rivals like Google and Meta. The company claims its ads have up to four times more focus, engagement, and memorability, based on neural studies of participants. However, the ad rates for IPL streaming have risen by up to 25%, creating competition with lower-cost platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where some businesses find advertising more affordable.
Despite heavy investments in IPL and other cricket rights, Reliance faces challenges in making the venture profitable. The company is battling major global players in India’s growing digital advertising market, where Google and Meta dominate. Reliance’s ad pitch focuses on user data, offering targeted ads based on viewer demographics. Yet, experts argue that Reliance’s efforts, including using brain scans to boost ad appeal, may not be enough to compete with the sheer reach of platforms like YouTube.
The high cost of IPL broadcast rights, coupled with increasing ad rates, puts pressure on Reliance’s strategy. Still, Ambani remains confident in the IPL’s potential to attract advertisers and retain viewers who may subscribe to additional content offerings. With competition intensifying in India’s $28-billion digital ad market, Reliance’s new tactics may shape its future in the entertainment and advertising sectors.
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In Nagpur, India, flower shop owner Ashish Nagose is one of many young Indians turning to cryptocurrency trading as a way to supplement their income. With regulations tightening around equity derivatives in India, Nagose hopes that trading in crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum can provide stability during slower months for his family-owned flower business. His efforts reflect a broader trend among young Indians who are increasingly looking to cryptocurrencies as a source of income, with the crypto market in India growing rapidly.
The surge in cryptocurrency trading volumes on Indian exchanges has been remarkable, more than doubling in the last quarter of 2024. As of now, young retail traders, particularly in smaller cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Pune, are driving much of the interest in crypto. Many of these individuals are seeking opportunities to earn more in a country where job growth has not kept pace with the economy. With India’s crypto market projected to grow to $15 billion by 2035, local platforms like CoinSwitch are seeing increasing numbers of users.
However, this rise in crypto interest is not without challenges. The Indian government has imposed steep taxes on crypto trading and has issued warnings about the risks and volatility of these digital assets. Despite these concerns, young traders like Sagar Neware are determined to make a living through crypto, aiming to restart their family’s business with the money they earn from trading.
The surge in crypto trading in India is also drawing attention to the need for regulatory oversight. While the government has yet to adopt comprehensive regulations for cryptocurrencies, it has warned of potential risks to macroeconomic stability. Despite the central bank’s caution, India’s young crypto enthusiasts are undeterred, continuing to learn and trade in hopes of a more prosperous future.
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Recent weeks have seen a surge in AI-generated videos that transport viewers to historical eras, from the medieval streets during the Black Death to the dramatic eruption of Vesuvius. Creators Dan from the UK and Hogne from Norway, behind the accounts POV Lab and Time Traveller POV, have produced these first-person narratives to bring history to life in a unique and engaging manner.
While the videos have attracted millions of views and sparked widespread fascination, several historians have raised concerns over their historical accuracy. Experts such as Dr Amy Boyington and Dr Hannah Platts point out numerous inaccuracies, including anachronistic details like modern bread rolls and train tracks in medieval scenes, that risk misrepresenting historical facts. They caution that such artistic interpretations, though visually striking, could mislead young viewers and distort their understanding of history.
The creators defend their work as a means to spark curiosity and encourage further research, openly acknowledging that their videos are not intended to be strict documentaries. They label their content as AI-created and urge audiences to verify historical details independently. Despite the debate, these innovative videos are opening up new ways for the public to engage with the past, even as calls for greater accuracy and transparency grow louder.
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The European Court of Justice has backed Italy‘s antitrust authority in a ruling against Google, stating that the tech giant’s refusal to allow Enel’s JuicePass app to work with its Android Auto platform could constitute an abuse of market power. This decision supports a 2021 fine of 102 million euros imposed by the Italian watchdog after Google blocked the e-mobility app. Google had argued that the refusal was due to security concerns and the absence of a specific template for compatibility, but the court disagreed, stating that dominant companies must ensure their platforms are interoperable with third-party apps unless doing so would harm security.
Although Google has since resolved the issue, the ruling sets a precedent for future cases involving platform dominance. The court acknowledged that companies could refuse interoperability if it compromises platform security, but if this is not the case, they must develop a compatible template in a reasonable timeframe. Google claimed the feature was only relevant to a small percentage of cars in Italy at the time, but the ruling now forces the company to comply with the antitrust decision. The case is final and cannot be appealed, and the Italian Council of State will follow the court’s guidance in its future ruling.
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology is set to cut up to 500 staff members, a move that could devastate the US AI Safety Institute and its related programme, Chips for America. Recent reports indicate that these cuts are primarily aimed at probationary employees, with some already receiving verbal notice of termination.
Established under a previous US presidential directive, the AI Safety Institute has faced an uncertain future ever since its inception. The current government’s plans to reduce its workforce are raising concerns among experts, who warn that such reductions will hinder the nation’s capacity to develop critical safety standards in AI development.
Critics from various AI safety and policy organisations have voiced their alarm, emphasising that these cuts occur at a time when specialised expertise is essential. The potential loss of institutional knowledge could leave the government ill-equipped to manage emerging risks in artificial intelligence.
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