US officials are evaluating the potential national security risks posed by the Chinese AI app DeepSeek. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the National Security Council is leading the review, highlighting concerns about American AI dominance. White House AI and crypto adviser David Sacks suggested intellectual property theft might have played a role in DeepSeek’s development.
Global technology stocks faced a sell-off over fears that DeepSeek’s low-cost AI model could challenge major US firms like OpenAI and Google. Sacks explained that DeepSeek may have used a technique called distillation, allowing one AI model to learn from another. He warned that American AI companies would likely implement measures to block such practices.
Donald Trump argued that DeepSeek’s rise should push US firms to intensify their AI efforts. While acknowledging China’s progress, he maintained that American companies remain leaders in innovation. He suggested that more affordable AI solutions could benefit the industry without sacrificing technological advances.
Washington continues to restrict AI chip exports to China, aiming to slow its technological advancements. The Commerce Department, under Trump’s nominee Howard Lutnick, is set to play a key role in enforcing these limitations.
Google is ramping up efforts to influence public perception and policy on AI as it faces increasing global regulatory scrutiny. Kent Walker, Alphabet’s president of global affairs, emphasised the importance of educating the workforce on AI, saying that getting more people familiar with the technology would lead to better policy and open new opportunities. Google is keen on shaping the narrative around AI, especially as it competes with rivals like Microsoft and Meta in the fast-growing sector.
The company is also working to address concerns about job displacement and the potential for AI-driven workforce changes. Google has committed $120 million to AI education programs, with initiatives like the “Grow with Google” program, which provides online and in-person training to help workers gain skills in areas such as data analysis and IT. The company has already certified one million people through these programs and is now adding AI-focused courses.
As governments draft regulations on AI’s impact on privacy, copyright, and the economy, Google is pushing for public-private partnerships to help prepare workers for AI-related changes. Walker noted that while AI could displace some jobs, it will likely be integrated into most roles, creating new opportunities. Google is also researching AI’s potential in training programs, aiming to make adult retraining more engaging and effective.
Meta’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses, featuring a Live AI assistant, promise a futuristic way to interact with the world. Users can ask questions about their surroundings, with the AI offering answers in real time. From recipe ideas to decorating advice, Live AI aims to be a virtual assistant that sees what you see and responds conversationally.
Despite its intriguing potential, Live AI struggles in everyday use. Its responses often state the obvious, like suggesting scrambled eggs when a fridge has two eggs and no milk. Users also find it challenging to remember to use the feature, with a smartphone search frequently feeling more practical and efficient. Moreover, the AI’s suggestions often lack the depth needed to be genuinely useful.
Making Live AI effective requires users to master the art of asking precise, specific questions a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. This, combined with issues like misinterpreting conversations and a short battery life, makes the technology feel less magical in real-world scenarios. While the glasses point to a vision of hands-free AI, they currently struggle to provide a compelling alternative to existing devices.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at solidifying the country’s dominance in artificial intelligence. The directive includes creating an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan within 180 days to promote economic competitiveness, national security, and human well-being. The White House confirmed this initiative as part of efforts to position the nation as a global AI leader.
Trump has also instructed his AI and national security advisers to dismantle policies implemented by former President Joe Biden. Among these is a 2023 order requiring AI developers to submit safety test results to the government for systems with potential risks to national security, public safety, or the economy.
Biden’s policies aimed to regulate AI development under the Defence Production Act to minimise risks posed by advanced technologies. Critics argue the approach imposed unnecessary constraints, while supporters viewed it as a safeguard against potential misuse of AI.
The latest move reflects Trump’s broader strategy to reshape the nation’s AI framework, focusing on economic growth and innovation while rolling back measures seen as restrictive.
Marcus Bokkerink has been removed from his position as chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) by the UK government, marking a shift in regulatory practices aimed at boosting economic growth. The CMA, a key agency overseeing mergers and competition, had recently paused the high-profile Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger, showcasing its regulatory power. Bokkerink, appointed in 2022, was expected to serve a five-year term but will now step down as part of the government’s effort to realign regulatory bodies with its economic priorities.
This decision reflects a broader governmental push to reduce barriers to economic expansion. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds recently sent a letter to several regulators, including the CMA, urging them to prioritize growth. Government insiders have suggested that the move signals a serious commitment to reshaping the regulatory environment to encourage investment and economic development.
The removal of Bokkerink, a former senior partner at Boston Consulting Group, comes as the government continues to focus on attracting international investment, with key figures like Reeves and Reynolds attending the World Economic Forum in Davos to further this goal. The government’s efforts to reshape regulatory culture align with its broader strategy to make economic growth the country’s top priority.
India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has rebuked labour officials for inadequately investigating claims of employment discrimination at Foxconn’s iPhone manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu. The commission called for a thorough re-examination after a Reuters investigation revealed that Foxconn systematically excluded married women from assembly line jobs, relaxing the rule only during high-production periods.
Labour officials, who visited the Foxconn plant in July, reported that 6.7% of its 33,360 female workers were married but failed to confirm whether they worked on the assembly line. Federal investigators also relied on employee testimonies, finding no wage or promotion bias but neglected to scrutinise recruitment records. The NHRC criticised these findings as superficial, stating they failed to address the alleged discriminatory hiring practices effectively.
Foxconn and Apple, both key players in India‘s electronics manufacturing push, did not respond to inquiries about the NHRC’s concerns. While Foxconn previously instructed recruiters to remove discriminatory job criteria, the NHRC has ordered a fresh investigation into the matter. The statutory body, which holds civil court-like authority, continues to push for accountability in safeguarding workers’ rights.
Infosys, India’s second-largest software services exporter, anticipates a major shift in the way IT firms approach talent management. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, CTO Rafee Tarafdar highlighted the evolving market, driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI.
Tarafdar noted that the traditional ‘pyramid’ model, where most employees are at the entry level, may give way to a more dynamic framework. Infosys is actively experimenting with strategies to upskill its workforce while creating roles that did not exist before, including specialists in responsible AI and model engineering.
In addition to re-skilling existing employees, the company has developed bespoke small language models tailored to industries like banking and IT operations, offering these as services to clients. With AI creating both challenges and opportunities, Infosys believes a blend of evolving skills and innovative hiring will shape the future of tech talent.
As the IT sector grapples with rapid innovation, India’s Infosys remains focused on adapting its workforce to meet new demands, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the global technology industry.
President Donald Trump unveiled a $500 billion private-sector initiative on Tuesday aimed at transforming AI infrastructure in the US. The joint venture, called Stargate, brings together OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to build 20 massive data centres and create over 100,000 jobs. Backers have committed $100 billion for immediate deployment, with the remainder spread over the next four years.
The announcement, made at the White House with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison in attendance, underscores America’s push to lead in AI development. Ellison revealed that the first data centres, each half a million square feet, are already under construction in Texas. These facilities aim to power advanced AI applications, including analysing electronic health records to assist doctors.
Trump attributed the project’s launch to his leadership, with executives expressing their support. “We wouldn’t have decided to do this unless you won,” Son said. However, the ambitious project arrives amid concerns over the rising energy demands of AI data centres. Trump promised to simplify energy production for these facilities, even as experts warn of potential power shortfalls across the country in the coming decade.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of surging AI investments since OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in 2022, which sparked widespread adoption of AI across industries. Oracle and other tech stocks, including Nvidia and Dell, climbed on the news, reflecting market enthusiasm for the Stargate project.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s decision to partner with OpenAI and Oracle on a $500 billion AI venture, Stargate, showcases his bold, headline-grabbing approach to dealing with the Trump administration. The project, announced at the White House alongside President Donald Trump, promises to build AI infrastructure in the US and marks a significant part of Son’s earlier $100 billion investment pledge. SoftBank shares surged 11% following the news, reflecting investor confidence in the group’s aggressive strategy.
However, analysts argue that Son’s methods, rooted in rapid decision-making and high-risk bets, are difficult for traditional Japanese corporations to replicate. Japan Inc’s emphasis on long-term planning contrasts sharply with Son’s willingness to embrace Trump’s pro-investment stance to navigate potential tariffs and trade pressures. The reluctance of other Japanese executives to engage directly with Trump highlights a broader struggle to adapt in a politically charged environment.
Son’s flashy investments draw comparisons to his previous $50 billion pledge during Trump’s first term and underscore his vision for AI as a transformative technology. While his moves are reestablishing SoftBank as a global player after setbacks like WeWork’s collapse, questions remain about how the Stargate project will be funded and whether traditional Japanese companies can adapt their strategies to find similar success in Trump’s America.
Jobseekers are being targeted by a sophisticated scam that disguises malware as interview invitations. Masquerading as legitimate offers, these fraudulent emails claim to originate from reputable companies like CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm. However, the links they contain redirect victims to malicious websites, leading to the download of cryptomining software.
The malware, once installed, hijacks a computer’s CPU and GPU to mine cryptocurrency. This process severely degrades system performance, causing unresponsiveness, overheating, and increased energy consumption. The software also runs covertly, making it challenging to detect until significant harm is done.
CrowdStrike has acknowledged the scam, urging jobseekers to verify recruitment emails and avoid downloading files from unknown sources. Experts advise using robust antivirus software and remaining vigilant against unsolicited links or downloads during the job application process.
As cybercriminals continually innovate, individuals must exercise caution online. Even scams aimed at exploiting system resources can pave the way for far more invasive attacks, including financial theft and personal data breaches.
