Economic

Lip-Bu Tan outlines his vision for Intel’s future

Intel’s newly appointed chief executive, Lip-Bu Tan, has pledged to restore customer trust and strengthen the company’s engineering-driven culture.

Speaking at the Intel Vision conference, he assured customers that the next-generation Panther Lake chips would launch this year, continuing Intel’s progress in advanced chipmaking.

With a background in electronic design automation, Tan brings extensive industry experience but is not a traditional semiconductor executive. He has served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems and was previously a venture capitalist and an Intel board member.

Acknowledging Intel’s recent struggles, he vowed to refine strategies, spin off non-core businesses, and focus on AI and software-driven growth.

Tan promised to lead Intel’s expansion into third-party chip manufacturing and collaborate with policymakers to advance its foundry business.

Emphasising his commitment to turning the company around, he urged customers to be ‘brutally honest’ about their expectations, stating, ‘We may not be perfect in the beginning, but eventually, I will make it perfect.’

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AI transforms autism therapy in China

In Shenzhen, a quiet breakthrough is unfolding in autism rehabilitation as AI-powered tools begin to transform how young children receive therapy.

At a local centre, a therapist guides a three-year-old boy through speech exercises, while an AI system documents progress and instantly generates a tailored home-training plan, offering much-needed support to both therapists and families.

China faces a severe shortage of autism therapists, with only around 100,000 professionals serving a community of over 10 million individuals, including 3 million children.

Traditional diagnosis and treatment rely on time-consuming behavioural assessments. Now, AI is streamlining this process.

Centres like Dami & Xiaomi, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, have developed RICE AI, a system trained on over 80 million behavioural data points to generate faster, personalised interventions and even custom visual materials for home learning.

By dramatically reducing workloads and enhancing precision, AI is helping to close the gap in early intervention and support.

More facilities are following suit, with efforts underway to unify and open-source these tools across the country. As one mother tearfully recalled her autistic son’s first spoken word, the emotional impact of this technological shift was clear, AI is not replacing care, but deepening it.

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Emergence AI launches platform that builds AI with AI

The startup Emergence AI has launched a new no-code platform that allows users to generate custom AI agents simply by describing tasks in natural language.

These agents can then autonomously create other, more specialised agents to complete complex work, in real time and without requiring human coding expertise.

The system, which the company calls a breakthrough in ‘recursive intelligence’, checks its registry of agents for task compatibility. If existing agents aren’t suitable, new ones are created instantly to handle the job.

These can also anticipate related tasks, boosting automation across enterprise operations. Emergence AI claims the platform can seamlessly orchestrate collaboration among multiple agents, bringing a new level of efficiency to data transformation, migration, analytics, and even code generation and verification.

Users can select from a range of major large language models including OpenAI’s GPT-4.5, Anthropic’s Claude, and Meta’s Llama. Enterprises can also integrate their own models.

With safety and oversight in mind, Emergence AI has built in access controls, performance verification tools, and human review processes to ensure responsible deployment. Pricing has yet to be disclosed, but interested parties are encouraged to contact the firm directly.

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Qualcomm taps Vietnamese talent to push AI innovation

Qualcomm has acquired MovianAI, the generative AI division of Vietnam’s VinAI, in a move aimed at enhancing its capabilities across smartphones, PCs, and automotive technologies.

The US chipmaker described the acquisition as a strategic step to fuel future innovation in AI, with particular emphasis on customised models and advanced engineering.

MovianAI brings expertise in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Qualcomm highlighted the value of adding ‘high-calibre talent’ to its engineering team, with MovianAI’s founder and CEO Hung Bui, who previously worked at Google DeepMind, set to join the company.

Bui stated that his team is eager to contribute to Qualcomm’s mission of scaling foundational AI breakthroughs across industries.

Qualcomm has a two-decade history of working with Vietnamese companies, particularly in 5G, IoT, and AI development. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Vietnamese outlet VNExpress International reported that Qualcomm has acquired a 65 per cent stake in MovianAI.

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Google report exposes North Korea’s growing cyber presence in blockchain industry

North Korean cyber operatives have expanded their activities by targeting blockchain startups in the United Kingdom and European Union.

A report from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) revealed that IT workers linked to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have embedded themselves in crypto projects beyond the United States, across the UK, Germany, Portugal, and Serbia.

These operatives, posing as remote developers, have left compromised data and extortion attempts in their wake.

Affected projects include blockchain marketplaces, AI web applications, and Solana-based smart contracts. Some developers worked under multiple fake identities, using falsified university degrees and residency documents to gain employment.

Payments were routed through services like TransferWise and Payoneer, obscuring funds flowing back to the North Korean regime. Cybersecurity experts warn that companies hiring these workers risk espionage, data theft, and security breaches.

GTIG reports that these cyber operations are generating revenue for North Korea, which has been accused of using overseas IT specialists to finance its sanctioned weapons programmes.

Financial service providers, including Wise, have stated that they monitor transactions closely and report any suspicious activity. With increasing global scrutiny, experts caution businesses to remain vigilant against fraudulent hires in the blockchain sector.

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Bybit shuts down NFT and IDO platforms

Bybit, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced the discontinuation of its NFT marketplace. The platform will also shut down its Initial DEX Offering (IDO) product pages.

The decision comes shortly after the platform suffered a devastating security breach in February 2025. During the breach, it lost approximately $1.5 billion to North Korean hackers.

Although Bybit has cited ‘efforts to streamline our offerings’ as the reason for the shutdown, many believe it is a direct consequence of the hack and subsequent security concerns.

The discontinuation will take effect on 8 April 2025, at 16:00 UTC. Users have been urged to manage their assets before the deadline.

The exchange provided alternative NFT trading platforms, including OpenSea, Blur, and Magic Eden, for Ethereum-based assets. IDO participants have also been advised to transfer their airdropped tokens to private Web3 wallets.

The platform’s decision to shut down its NFT and IDO services is seen as a move to mitigate further risks and potential compliance issues. Bybit’s shutdown follows a broader trend in the NFT market, where many platforms have closed.

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TikTok bidding war intensifies as Amazon enters the fray

The roster of potential acquirers is expanding as the deadline for TikTok to secure a non-Chinese buyer approaches.

Amazon and a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely have recently expressed interest in purchasing the popular short-video platform.

The US government has set a 5 April deadline for TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban due to national security concerns.

Stokely’s new venture, Zoop, in collaboration with the Hbar Foundation, which manages the Hedera cryptocurrency network, has submitted a late-stage bid to acquire TikTok.

Their proposal emphasises a novel ownership model to benefit creators and their communities directly.

Zoop positions itself as a mainstream, family-friendly platform, distinct from the adult-content focus of OnlyFans.

The consortium has partnered with undisclosed investors to support their bid.

Amazon has also entered the fray, confirming its interest in TikTok through a letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

While Amazon has not publicly commented on the specifics, this move aligns with its longstanding ambition to establish a foothold in social media.

The tech giant previously acquired live-streaming platform Twitch and book review site Goodreads and has experimented with short-form video features akin to TikTok.

Other contenders include a group led by Oracle, with participation from venture capital firms such as Andreessen Horowitz and private equity firm Blackstone, all exploring potential investments in TikTok’s US operations.

The White House oversees negotiations, aiming to restructure TikTok into a US-based entity with Chinese ownership reduced below 20% to comply with legal requirements.

The urgency surrounding TikTok’s sale stems from a 2024 law mandating ByteDance to divest the app by 19 January, citing national security risks.

US officials have expressed concerns that ByteDance’s ownership could enable the Chinese government to conduct influence operations and collect data on American users.

As the deadline looms, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, with multiple parties vying for platform control. ​

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UK trade bodies urge government action on crypto and blockchain policies

A group of six UK trade bodies has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to take action on blockchain and crypto policy.

In a letter to Varun Chandra, Starmer’s business and investment adviser, the group made a call for government action. They urged the appointment of a special envoy and the creation of a national strategy to boost digital asset innovation.

The coalition includes leading industry groups like the UK Cryptoasset Business Council and Global Digital Finance. They believe that such measures could unlock job growth and establish the UK as a global leader in the sector.

The letter also pointed to the recent momentum in the US, where President Donald Trump appointed a crypto czar to lead policy on blockchain. The coalition believes that Britain can mirror this success, especially with its growing tech partnership with the US.

The trade bodies estimate that blockchain and digital assets could contribute £57 billion to the UK economy over the next decade. Globally, the sector is expected to add £1.39 trillion to GDP by 2030.

With digital assets becoming central to global finance, the UK’s actions now may determine its future as a competitive crypto hub.

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The Financial Freedom Act could allow Americans to invest retirement funds in crypto

US Senator Tommy Tuberville is set to reintroduce the Financial Freedom Act. The bill would enable Americans to invest their retirement funds in cryptocurrencies.

Tuberville emphasised that the US is a ‘country of freedom.’ He criticised the previous administration for imposing strict regulations on investments.

He also praised President Trump, calling him the ‘Crypto President.’ Tuberville noted that the Biden administration had been reluctant to support crypto.

The Financial Freedom Act, initially introduced in 2022, seeks to reverse Department of Labor (DOL) guidance. The guidance limits investment options for self-directed 401(k) account holders.

Tuberville has argued that excessive regulation hampers financial growth and restricts personal liberty. The bill would allow more freedom for individuals to select the types of investments they want in their retirement funds, including cryptocurrencies.

Senator Cynthia Lummis has championed the idea of adding cryptocurrencies to retirement portfolios. Ivory Johnson, a financial planner, supports this, recommending that crypto make up 2% to 8% of a portfolio.

However, financial experts like Amy Arnott warn that adding crypto could increase risks. It might show especially if the market suffers a downturn during retirement.

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Japan targets Apple and Google with new law

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) announced on Monday that it has designated Apple Inc., its Japanese subsidiary iTunes K.K., and Google LLC under the new smartphone software competition promotion law.

The law targets dominant IT companies in the smartphone app market, regulating areas like smartphone operating systems, app stores, web browsing software, and search engines.

The primary aim of the law is to prevent these giants from blocking market entry for other companies or giving preferential treatment to their own services. The law will take full effect in December, with the designated companies required to correct any problematic practices.

Apple will be required to allow other companies into the App Store business instead of monopolising it, fostering price competition. Google will be prohibited from displaying its services in search results instead of favouring them.

In response, both companies expressed concerns, with Apple questioning the impact on user experience and Google vowing to engage in discussions to ensure fairness.

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