E-commerce and trade

OpenAI and AMD strike 6GW GPU deal to power next-generation AI infrastructure

AMD and OpenAI have announced a strategic partnership to deploy up to six gigawatts of AMD GPUs, marking one of the largest AI compute collaborations.

The multi-year agreement will begin with the rollout of one gigawatt of AMD Instinct MI450 GPUs in the second half of 2026, with further deployments planned across future AMD generations.

A deal that deepens a long-standing relationship between the two companies began with AMD’s MI300X and MI350X series.

OpenAI will adopt AMD as a core strategic compute partner, integrating its technology into large-scale AI systems and jointly optimising product roadmaps to support next-generation AI workloads.

To strengthen alignment, AMD has issued OpenAI a warrant for up to 160 million shares, with tranches vesting as the partnership achieves deployment and share-price milestones. AMD expects the collaboration to deliver tens of billions in revenue and boost its non-GAAP earnings per share.

AMD CEO Dr Lisa Su called the deal ‘a true win-win’ for both companies, while OpenAI’s Sam Altman said the partnership will ‘accelerate progress and bring advanced AI benefits to everyone faster’.

The collaboration positions AMD as a leading hardware supplier in the race to build global-scale AI infrastructure.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Galaxy users get Coinbase One perks via Samsung Wallet

Samsung Electronics has expanded its partnership with Coinbase to integrate cryptocurrency trading directly into Samsung Wallet for US Galaxy users. The update allows users to buy crypto within the app using Samsung Pay, further merging digital payments with investment management.

The collaboration also introduces a complimentary three-month Coinbase One subscription for Samsung Wallet users. The premium tier removes trading fees on select assets, increases staking rewards, and provides exclusive partner deals.

Samsung executives said the goal is to make everyday financial tools more seamless for millions of Galaxy users. The Wallet already stores IDs, memberships, and car keys, and now supports peer-to-peer transfers and instalment payments through partnered financial institutions.

Coinbase said the initiative leverages its trusted trading infrastructure and Samsung’s global reach to make crypto access more convenient. More than 75 million US Galaxy users are expected to benefit, with expansion to other markets planned in the near future.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Nintendo denies lobbying the Japanese government over generative AI

The video game company, Nintendo, has denied reports that it lobbied the Japanese government over the use of generative AI. The company issued an official statement on its Japanese X account, clarifying that it has had no contact with authorities.

However, this rumour originated from a post by Satoshi Asano, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, who suggested that private companies had pressed the government on intellectual property protection concerning AI.

After Nintendo’s statement, Asano retracted his remarks and apologised for spreading misinformation.

Nintendo stressed that it would continue to protect its intellectual property against infringement, whether AI was involved or not. The company reaffirmed its cautious approach toward generative AI in game development, focusing on safeguarding creative rights rather than political lobbying.

The episode underscores the sensitivity around AI in the creative industries of Japan, where concerns about copyright and technological disruption are fuelling debate. Nintendo’s swift clarification signals how seriously it takes misinformation and protects its brand.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Alibaba shares climb to highest since 2021

Alibaba’s $250 billion rebound has turned it into China’s hottest AI stock, with analysts saying the rally may still have room to run.

The group’s US-listed shares have more than doubled this year as Beijing pushes for greater technological self-reliance. Despite the surge, the stock remains 65% below its 2020 peak, keeping valuations attractive compared with US giants like Microsoft and Amazon.

Fund managers say global investors still hold relatively minor positions in Alibaba, creating scope for further gains. Some caution remains, however, with Chinese short bets rising last month and price wars in food delivery threatening to dent margins.

Alibaba trades roughly 22 times the estimated forward earnings in Hong Kong, which is in line with the Hang Seng Tech Index but below its historic peak and US peers. Investors say its valuation looks reasonable given its AI push and improving sentiment.

Shares touched their highest level since August 2021 on Friday, standing out against declines in the broader Hong Kong market. The key test will be whether Alibaba can convert its AI ambitions into mainstream revenues.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Mexico drafts law to regulate AI in dubbing and animation

The Mexican government is preparing a law to regulate the use of AI in dubbing, animation, and voiceovers to prevent unauthorised voice cloning and safeguard creative rights.

Working with the National Copyright Institute and more than 128 associations, it aims to reform copyright legislation before the end of the year.

The plan would strengthen protections for actors, voiceover artists, and creative workers, while addressing contract conditions and establishing a ‘Made in Mexico’ seal for cultural industries.

A bill that is expected to prohibit synthetic dubbing without consent, impose penalties for misuse, and recognise voice and image as biometric data.

Industry voices warn that AI has already disrupted work opportunities. Several dubbing firms in Los Angeles have closed, with their projects taken over by companies specialising in AI-driven dubbing.

Startups such as Deepdub and TrueSync have advanced the technology, dubbing films and television content across languages at scale.

Unions and creative groups argue that regulation is vital to protect both jobs and culture. While AI offers efficiency in translation and production, it cannot yet replicate the emotional depth of human performance.

The law is seen as the first attempt of Mexico to balance technological innovation with the rights of workers and creators.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Taiwan rejects US proposal on semiconductor production split

Taiwan has dismissed reports of a US plan to divide global semiconductor production evenly between the two sides. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, returning from tariff talks in Washington, said her negotiating team had never discussed or agreed to a 50-50 split on chipmaking.

‘Rest assured, we did not discuss this issue during this round of talks, nor would we agree to such conditions,’ Cheng told reporters.

The clarification followed comments by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who suggested Washington was seeking such an arrangement. Neither the US Department of Commerce nor the Office of the Trade Representative commented on the reports.

Taiwan, home to leading chipmaker TSMC, currently faces a 20% tariff on exports to the United States but hopes negotiations will lead to more favourable trade terms.

TSMC is already expanding production abroad with a $165 billion investment in factories in Arizona, though the majority of its output will remain in Taiwan. The government has emphasised that the ongoing trade talks with Washington have achieved ‘certain progress’ but remain focused on tariffs, not production quotas.

Separately, President Lai Ching-te met with US officials to discuss agricultural trade. Taiwan pledged to purchase $10 billion worth of American agricultural products, including soybeans, wheat, corn, and beef, over the next four years, signalling broader economic cooperation despite tensions over chips.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

China’s new K visa sparks public backlash

China’s new K visa, aimed at foreign professionals in science and technology, has sparked heated debate and online backlash. The scheme, announced in August and launched this week, has been compared by Indian media to the US H-1B visa.

Tens of thousands of social media users in China have voiced fears that the programme will worsen job competition in an already difficult market. Comments also included xenophobic remarks, particularly directed at Indian nationals.

State media outlets have stepped in, defending the policy as a sign of China’s openness while stressing that it is not a simple work permit or immigration pathway. Officials say the visa is designed to attract graduates and researchers from top institutions in STEM fields.

The government has yet to clarify whether the visa allows foreign professionals to work, adding to uncertainty. Analysts note that language barriers, cultural differences, and China’s political environment may pose challenges for newcomers despite Beijing’s drive to attract global talent.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Germany invests €1.6 billion in AI but profits remain uncertain

In 2025 alone, €1.6 billion is being committed to AI in Germany as part of its AI action plan.

The budget, managed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, has grown more than twentyfold since 2017, underlining Berlin’s ambition to position the country as a European hub for AI.

However, experts warn that the financial returns remain uncertain. Rainer Rehak of the Weizenbaum Institute argues that AI lacks a clear business model, calling the current trend an ‘investment game’ fuelled by speculation.

He cautioned that if real profits do not materialise, the sector could face a bubble similar to past technology hype cycles. Even OpenAI chief Sam Altman has warned of unsustainable levels of investment in AI.

Germany faces significant challenges in computing capacity. A study by the eco Internet Industry Association found that the country’s infrastructure may only expand to 3.7 gigawatts by 2030, while demand from industry could exceed 12 gigawatts.

Deloitte forecasts a capacity gap of around 50% within five years, with the US already maintaining more than twenty times Germany’s capacity. Without massive new investments in data centres, Germany risks lagging further behind.

Some analysts believe the country needs a different approach. Professor Oliver Thomas of Osnabrück University argues that while large-scale AI models are struggling to find profitability, small and medium-sized enterprises could unlock practical applications.

He advocates for speeding up the cycle from research to commercialisation, ensuring that AI is integrated into industry more quickly.

Germany has a history of pioneering research in fields such as computer technology, MP3, and virtual and augmented reality, but much of the innovation was commercialised abroad.

Thomas suggests focusing less on ‘made in Germany’ AI models and more on leveraging existing technologies from global providers, while maintaining digital sovereignty through strong policy frameworks.

Looking ahead, experts see AI becoming deeply integrated into the workplace. AI assistants may soon handle administrative workflows, organise communications, and support knowledge-intensive professions.

Small teams equipped with these tools could generate millions in revenue, reshaping the country’s economic landscape.

Germany’s heavy spending signals a long-term bet on AI. But with questions about profitability, computing capacity, and competition from the US, the path forward will depend on whether investments can translate into sustainable business models and practical use cases across the economy.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Adobe Premiere debuts free mobile app for iPhone users

The US software company, Adobe, has launched a free version of its Premiere video-editing software for iPhone, bringing professional-level tools to mobile creators. The app is now available worldwide in Apple’s App Store, with an Android release still in development.

A new mobile Premiere app that allows users to edit videos on a multi-track timeline, enhance audio with AI-powered sound effects, and create studio-quality voiceovers. It also offers millions of free multimedia assets, including images, fonts, stickers, and audio files.

Projects can be exported directly to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, with the app automatically adjusting video sizes for each platform.

Users can start editing on the iPhone app and then transfer their projects to Premiere Pro on a desktop for more advanced refinements. Adobe has also integrated its generative AI, enabling features such as backdrop expansion, image-to-video conversion, and custom AI stickers.

While the app is free, upgrades are available for additional storage and generative credits.

The launch highlights Adobe’s push to make professional editing more accessible to streamers, podcasters, and vloggers.

By blending mobile flexibility with cross-platform collaboration, the company aims to empower creators to produce high-quality content anytime and anywhere.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Portugal to bring AI into bureaucracy to save time

The Portuguese government is preparing to bring AI into public administration to accelerate licensing procedures and cut delays, according to State Reform Minister Gonçalo Matias.

Speaking at a World Tourism Day conference in Tróia, he said AI can play a key role in streamlining decision-making while maintaining human oversight at the final stage.

Matias explained that the reform will reallocate staff from routine tasks to work of higher value, while introducing a system of prior notifications.

Under the plan, citizens and businesses in Portugal will be allowed to begin most activities without a licence, with tacit approval granted if the administration fails to respond within set deadlines.

The minister said the reforms will be tied to strict accountability measures, emphasising a ‘trust contract’ between citizens, businesses and the public administration. He argued the initiative will not only speed up processes but also foster greater efficiency and responsibility across government services.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!