Two versions of the popular Gravity Forms plugin for WordPress were found infected with malware after a supply chain attack, prompting urgent security warnings for website administrators. The compromised plugin files were available for manual download from the official page on 9 and 10 July.
The attack was uncovered on 11 July, when researchers noticed the plugin making suspicious requests and sending WordPress site data to an unfamiliar domain.
The injected malware created secret administrator accounts, providing attackers with remote access to websites, allowing them to steal data and control user accounts.
According to developer RocketGenius, only versions 2.9.11.1 and 2.9.12 were affected if installed manually or via composer during that brief window. Automatic updates and the Gravity API service remained secure. A patched version, 2.9.13, was released on 11 July, and users are urged to update immediately.
RocketGenius has rotated all service keys, audited admin accounts, and tightened download package security to prevent similar incidents instead of risking further unauthorised access.
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Meta Platforms is building several of the world’s largest data centres to power its AI ambitions, with the first facility expected to go online in 2026.
Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg revealed on Threads that the site, called Prometheus, will be the first of multiple ‘titan clusters’ designed to support AI development instead of relying on existing infrastructure.
Frustrated by earlier AI efforts, Meta is investing heavily in talent and technology. The company has committed up to $72 billion towards AI and data centre expansion, while Zuckerberg has personally recruited high-profile figures from OpenAI, DeepMind, and Apple.
That includes appointing Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang as chief AI officer through a $14.3 billion stake deal and securing Ruoming Pang with a compensation package worth over $200 million.
The facilities under construction will have multi-gigawatt capacity, placing Meta ahead of rivals such as OpenAI and Oracle in the race for large-scale AI infrastructure.
One supercluster in Richland Parish, Louisiana, is said to cover an area nearly the size of Manhattan instead of smaller conventional data centre sites.
Zuckerberg confirmed that Meta is prepared to invest ‘hundreds of billions of dollars’ into building superintelligence capabilities, using revenue from its core advertising business on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to fund these projects instead of seeking external financing.
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Nearly half of UK marketers surveyed already harness AI for essential tasks such as market research, campaign optimisation, creative asset testing, and budget allocation.
Specifically, 46 % use AI for research, 44 % generate multiple asset variants, 43.7 % optimise mid‑campaign content, and over 41 % apply machine learning to audience targeting and media planning.
These tools enable faster ideation, real‑time asset iteration, and smarter spend decisions. Campaigns can now be A/B tested in moments rather than days, freeing teams to focus on higher‑level strategic and creative work.
Industry leaders emphasise that AI serves best as a ‘co‑pilot‘, enhancing productivity and insight, not replacing human creativity.
Responsible deployment requires careful prompt design, ongoing ethical review, and maintaining a clear brand identity in increasingly automated processes.
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Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has downplayed concerns over Chinese military use of American AI technology, stating it is improbable that China would risk relying on US-made chips.
He noted the potential liabilities of using foreign tech, which could deter its adoption by the country’s armed forces.
In an interview on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, Huang responded to Washington’s growing export controls targeting advanced AI hardware sales to China.
He suggested the military would likely avoid US technology to reduce exposure to geopolitical risks and sanctions.
The Biden administration had tightened restrictions on AI chip exports, citing national security and fears that cutting-edge processors might boost China’s military capabilities.
Nvidia, whose chips are central to global AI development, has seen its access to the Chinese market increasingly limited under these rules.
While Nvidia remains a key supplier in the AI sector, Huang’s comments may ease some political pressure around the company’s overseas operations.
The broader debate continues over balancing innovation, commercial interest and national security in the AI age.
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According to leading industry voices, banks and financial institutions are expected to play a central role in accelerating AI adoption across African markets.
Experts at the ACAMB stakeholders’ conference in Lagos stressed the need for region-specific AI solutions to meet Africa’s unique financial needs.
Niyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, highlighted AI’s evolution since the 1950s and its growing influence on modern banking.
He called for AI algorithms tailored to local challenges, rather than relying on those designed for advanced economies.
Yusuf noted that banks have long used AI to enhance efficiency and reduce fraud, but warned that customer trust must remain at the heart of digital transformation. He said the success of future innovations depends on preserving transparency and safeguarding data.
Professor Pius Olarenwaju of the CIBN described AI as a general-purpose technology driving the fourth industrial revolution. He warned that resisting adoption would risk excluding stakeholders from the future of financial services.
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Bitcoin reached a record high of $122,000 on Coinbase in the early hours of 14 July, extending its July gains to 13% and marking a third consecutive month in the green. The rally is fuelled by institutional demand, led by BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, which now holds over 700,000 BTC and exceeds $83 billion in assets.
BlackRock’s ETF has become the fastest in history to reach that milestone, outpacing previous records held by gold and equity ETFs. Analysts see this as a sign of growing confidence among major investors.
Despite the rally, on-chain indicators suggest that Bitcoin has not yet entered an overheated phase. The Long-Term Holder Net Unrealised Profit/Loss metric remains below the historical threshold associated with market tops.
Network activity continues to rise steadily. Average daily transactions have climbed to 364,000, still below previous cycle peaks, indicating a calm and composed market. Meanwhile, accumulation wallets have been increasing their holdings, now holding 250,000 BTC—the highest level recorded in 2024.
Data from CryptoQuant shows a 71% jump in 30-day demand, highlighting strong conviction from long-term holders. With no signs of mass profit-taking and institutional momentum growing, many analysts believe Bitcoin could push higher in the coming weeks.
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Global demand for crypto talent is accelerating, fuelled by Bitcoin’s surge past $122,000 on 14 July. As the market hits a valuation of over $3.8 trillion, countries are competing to become hubs for blockchain careers.
The United States ranks first in a recent Taurex study, offering 292 active listings and an average salary of $148,100. Its dominance is underpinned by a mature policy landscape and a strong base of 170 crypto firms. The UAE follows closely, combining competitive pay with the world’s highest Bitcoin ownership rate at 27%.
India, Singapore and the UK round out the top five. India leads in company count and user base, while Singapore shows the strongest job search interest globally. The UK remains Europe’s top destination, offering stable regulation and nearly 100,000 in average salary.
Other nations including Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong and Poland are also seeing sharp growth. Poland stands out with 157 listings, despite lower average salaries.
With job volume, salary potential and regulatory clarity on the rise, crypto careers are fast becoming a global mainstream option.
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Malaysia’s trade ministry announced new restrictions on the export, transshipment and transit of high-performance AI chips of US origin. Effective immediately, individuals and companies must obtain a trade permit and notify authorities at least 30 days in advance for such activities.
The restrictions apply to items not explicitly listed in Malaysia’s strategic items list, which is currently under review to include relevant AI chips. The move aims to close regulatory gaps while Malaysia updates its export control framework to match emerging technologies.
‘Malaysia stands firm against any attempt to circumvent export controls or engage in illicit trade activities,’ the ministry stated on Monday. Violations will result in strict legal action, with authorities emphasising a zero-tolerance approach to export control breaches.
The announcement follows increasing pressure from the United States to curb the flow of advanced chips to China. In March, the Financial Times reported that Washington had asked allies including Malaysia to tighten semiconductor export rules.
Malaysia is also investigating a shipment of servers linked to a Singapore-based fraud case that may have included restricted AI chips. Authorities are assessing whether local laws were breached and whether any controlled items were transferred without proper authorisation.
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Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has expressed strong opposition to private banks issuing stablecoins, warning they could introduce systemic risks and erode monetary sovereignty.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Bailey said the UK should focus instead on tokenising bank deposits. He argued against creating a central bank digital currency or supporting private stablecoin issuers.
Bailey, who now chairs the international Financial Stability Board, is expected to advocate for stricter controls on the global expansion of stablecoins. He argued that widespread adoption of such tokens could weaken national currencies and destabilise financial systems.
While the UK and other European nations are taking a cautious approach, the United States has fully embraced stablecoins under the Trump administration. US officials say stablecoins could boost dollar influence by making debt instruments accessible through digital wallets.
European policymakers remain concerned that dollar-based stablecoins could displace the euro in cross-border trade, threatening financial stability across the continent. The debate highlights a growing divide between the US and Europe over the future of digital finance.
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Meta has acquired California-based startup PlayAI to strengthen its position in AI voice technology. PlayAI specialises in replicating human-like voices, offering Meta a route to enhance conversational AI features instead of relying solely on text-based systems.
According to reports, the PlayAI team will join Meta next week.
Although financial terms have not been disclosed, industry sources suggest the deal is worth tens of millions. Meta aims to use PlayAI’s expertise across its platforms, from social media apps to devices like Ray-Ban smart glasses.
The move is part of Meta’s push to keep pace with competitors like Google and OpenAI in the generative AI race.
Talent acquisition plays a key role in the strategy. By absorbing smaller, specialised teams like PlayAI’s, Meta focuses on integrating technology and expert staff instead of developing every capability in-house.
The PlayAI team will report directly to Meta’s AI leadership, underscoring the company’s focus on voice-driven interactions and metaverse experiences.
Bringing PlayAI’s voice replication tools into Meta’s ecosystem could lead to more realistic AI assistants and new creator tools for platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
However, the expansion of voice cloning raises ethical and privacy concerns that Meta must manage carefully, instead of risking user trust.
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