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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On Valentine’s Day in San Francisco, the NBA Tech Summit took place ahead of the NBA All-Star weekend, showcasing the latest trends in sports, media, and technology. With the help of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and legendary Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the audience was introduced to the evolution of event broadcasting, companies set to make significant investments in the coming years, and the future of basketball as a sport.
The panels also included renowned basketball experts, media figures, and former NBA players. A common consensus emerged: robotics and AI will reshape the sport as we know and significantly help athletes achieve far better results than ever before.
However, this is not exactly a novelty, as many innovations were presented ahead of the Paris Olympics, where certain programmes helped analysts and audiences follow their favourite events in greater detail.
The future of the NBA and the role of fans during matches
The same idea applies to the NBA, particularly with the integration of augmented reality (AR) and a feature called ‘Tabletop’, which allows the display of a virtual court with digital avatars tracking player movements in real time.
A feature like this one generated the most interest from the audience, as it enables viewers to watch matches from various angles, analyse performances in real-time, access interactive player data, and simulate alternative outcomes—essentially exploring how the game would have unfolded if different decisions had been made on the court.
An important aspect of these innovations is that fans have the opportunity to vote for competition participants, ask real-time questions, and take part in virtual events designed to keep them engaged during and after match broadcasts.
AI plays a crucial role in these systems, primarily by analysing strategies and performances, allowing coaches and players to make better-informed decisions in key moments of the game.
Player health as a priority
With a packed schedule of matches, additional tournaments, and extensive travel, professional basketball players face daily physical challenges. To help preserve their health, new technologies aim to minimise potential injuries.
Wearable health-tracking sensors embedded in equipment to collect data on physical parameters were introduced at the NBA Summit. This technology provides medical teams with real-time insights into players’ conditions, helping prevent potential injuries.
Basketball spirit through cutting-edge technology: What did the NBA Tech Summit deliver? 4
Biometric sensors, motion-analysis accelerometers, injury-prevention algorithms, dehydration and fatigue tracking, and shoe sensors for load analysis are just some of the innovations in this field.
Ultra cameras, ultra broadcasts, ultra experience
For fans of high-resolution and interactive matches, the latest technological advancements offer new viewing experiences. While still in the final development stages, fans can already enjoy Ultra HD 8K and 360-degree cameras, along with the highly anticipated ‘player cam’ perspective, which allows for close-up tracking of individual players.
It is also possible to independently control the camera during matches, offering a complete view of the court and arena from every possible angle. Additionally, matches can be broadcast as holograms, providing a new dimension in 3D space on specialised platforms.
The integration of 5G technology ensures faster and more stable transmissions, enabling high-resolution streaming without delays.
Fewer mistakes, less stress
Refereeing mistakes have always been part of the sport, influencing match outcomes and shaping the history of one of the world’s most popular games. In response, the NBA has sought to minimise errors through Hawk-Eye technology for ball and boundary tracking.
A multi-camera system monitors the ball to determine whether it has crossed the line, touched the boundary, or shot on time. AI also analyses player contact in real time, suggesting potential fouls for referees to review.
Beyond these features, the NBA now operates a centralised Replay Centre, offering detailed analysis of controversial situations where AI plays a crucial role in providing recommendations for quicker decision-making. Additional innovations include hoop sensors, audio analysis for simulating unsportsmanlike fouls, and more.
Environmental sustainability and awareness
As an organisation reliant on cutting-edge technology, the NBA is also focused on environmental awareness, which is increasingly becoming a key aspect of the league. Modern arenas utilise solar energy, energy-efficient lighting, and water recycling systems, reducing electricity consumption and waste.
Digital tickets and contactless payments contribute to sustainability efforts, particularly through apps that enable quicker and more eco-friendly entry to arenas and access to various services.
Partnerships with environmental organisations are a crucial part of the NBA’s sustainability initiatives, with collaborations including the Green Sports Alliance and the NRDC. These efforts aim to reduce the environmental impact of events while enhancing the fan experience.
For basketball fans (and followers of other sports adopting similar advancements), the most important takeaway is that the fundamental rules and essence of the game will remain unchanged. Despite the inevitable technological progress, the core spirit of basketball, established in Springfield in 1891, will continue to be preserved.
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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Vanguard International Semiconductor has cautioned that US tariffs on imported chips may drive inflation and weaken global economic growth.
Chairman Leuh Fang stated that while the direct impact on Vanguard would be minimal, broader consequences for the semiconductor industry remain uncertain.
The company remains in a wait-and-see mode, as it is unclear how far the proposed tariffs will go. Higher import duties could reduce purchasing power and slow economic expansion, Fang noted.
However, the firm expects little direct exposure to the tariffs due to its focus on legacy chips for automotive and display applications.
Vanguard has no plans to establish a US manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, larger industry players such as TSMC, which owns over a quarter of Vanguard’s shares, are investing in American production to navigate trade uncertainties.
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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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DeepSeek, an up-and-coming AI startup from China, is rapidly pushing forward the release of its latest AI model, R2, following the remarkable success of its predecessor, R1. The company’s roots in Hangzhou drew global attention when R1, a budget-friendly AI reasoning tool, sparked a $1 trillion market sell-off last month. Namely, it only demonstrated R1’s ability to excel over more costly Western alternatives, emphasising that true innovation does not necessitate a steep price. With R2’s launch being expedited from its planned release in May, DeepSeek aims to enhance its lead with improved capabilities, including advanced coding skills and multilingual reasoning.
At the heart of DeepSeek’s ascent is its visionary founder, Liang Wenfeng, a billionaire known for creating the High-Flyer hedge fund. Liang has built a research-centric, agile enterprise distinguished by a culture of flexibility and collaboration. Situated near Beijing’s top academic institutions, the company draws a young workforce eager to escape the infamous ‘996’ culture, focusing instead on collaborative and innovative projects. This unique approach, combined with High-Flyer’s prior investment in infrastructure like the Fire-Flyer II cluster packed with Nvidia A100 chips, allowed DeepSeek to create its R1 model using less costly, commercially available tech, setting new efficiency standards for AI development.
Why does it matter?
The launch of R2 is poised to reshape the AI landscape, potentially breaking the dominance of a select few market leaders and sparking a global move towards more affordable AI innovations, as industry figure Vijayasinha Alilughatta suggested. However, this shift alarms some in Washington, wary of China’s increasing AI foothold, possibly leading to tighter US controls on chip exports. Despite this tension, Beijing supports DeepSeek, with significant Chinese tech entities integrating its models, although Liang remains intentionally low-profile to avoid unwanted attention.
While DeepSeek prepares for R2’s launch, challenges arise, including global app stores removing their products due to privacy concerns and navigating chip embargoes. Despite these hurdles, Liang’s unique leadership and strategic approach have ignited competition in the AI sector and exemplified how innovative underdogs can disrupt the industry. As circumstances develop, DeepSeek stands at the forefront of inspiring affordable, potent AI solutions globally, challenging established norms and potentially exacerbating US-China tech tensions.
The US financial regulator continues discussions with industry leaders over cryptocurrency regulations, with indications that enforcement actions against some companies could be dropped. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already closed an investigation into Robinhood Crypto and is reportedly set to abandon its case against Coinbase.
According to recent filings, officials from the SEC’s cryptocurrency task force have met with representatives from multiple companies, including the Crypto Council for Innovation, infrastructure provider Zero Hash, and investment firm Paradigm Operations. Strategy executive chair Michael Saylor was also involved in discussions. Those present urged the regulator to reconsider its previous stance that many digital assets fall under its remit as financial instruments.
The task force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, has held similar meetings with the Blockchain Association, Jito Labs, and Multicoin Capital. While it remains unclear whether the SEC will shift its regulatory approach under acting chair Mark Uyeda, the commission has suggested that it may adopt a more flexible stance. Peirce has called for public input on a potential framework that acknowledges some cryptocurrencies may not qualify as financial instruments.
This apparent change in direction comes as the SEC remains without a permanent chair. The US Senate has yet to schedule a hearing for former commissioner Paul Atkins, who is expected to take up the role. Meanwhile, the regulator has withdrawn an appeal blocking a controversial broker-dealer rule for cryptocurrency companies, hinting at a broader move towards easing restrictions under the new administration.
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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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The European Union has introduced its 16th package of sanctions against Russia, marking three years since the Ukraine conflict began. The measures include financial restrictions, trade bans, and stricter oversight of digital assets linked to Russian entities. A total of 83 new listings have been added, targeting individuals and organisations accused of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty, including those involved in cryptocurrency transactions used to bypass previous sanctions.
These new restrictions extend to Belarus, adding trade controls and tighter regulations on crypto wallets and financial services. The EU has also blacklisted 74 vessels accused of circumventing oil price caps and imposed stricter controls on banks using Russia’s SPFS messaging system. Further trade limitations target companies in China, India, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and other nations allegedly supporting Russia’s defence sector.
Beyond direct economic impact, these sanctions highlight the growing role of digital assets in geopolitical conflicts. While regulators push for greater oversight, Russia continues exploring alternative financial systems, including its digital rouble. The effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, as decentralised networks and emerging payment systems present ongoing challenges for policymakers.
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