SK Hynix has urged the South Korean government to relax fair trade rules to allow the creation of a special-purpose company for raising funds for significant investments. The move comes as the semiconductor firm faces high capital demands amid the global AI boom.
Currently, SK hynix, a second-tier subsidiary of SK Group through SK Square, must retain full ownership when establishing third-tier subsidiaries. The government pledged to cut the ownership requirement to 50 percent, giving chipmakers more flexibility in funding projects.
The company highlighted the rising costs of advanced facilities, noting that a cleanroom at the Yongin semiconductor cluster in 2019 required 7.5 trillion won ($5.14 billion), while the new M15X fabrication plant in 2025 cost around 20 trillion won.
The size and long-term nature of modern semiconductor investments increasingly strain existing methods for raising funds.
SK hynix said letting subsidiaries partner with external investors would ease financial pressure and improve corporate health. The company added that regulatory flexibility is crucial for sustaining investment and competitiveness in a sector marked by high volatility.
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A significant debate has erupted in South Korea after the National Assembly passed new legislation aimed at tackling so-called fake news.
The revised Information and Communications Network Act bans the circulation of false or fabricated information online. It allows courts to impose punitive damages up to five times the losses suffered when media outlets or YouTubers intentionally spread disinformation for unjust profit.
Journalists, unions and academics warn that the law could undermine freedom of expression and weaken journalism’s watchdog function instead of strengthening public trust.
Critics argue that ambiguity over who decides what constitutes fake news could shift judgement away from the courts and toward regulators or platforms, encouraging self-censorship and increasing the risk of abusive lawsuits by influential figures.
Experts also highlight the lack of strong safeguards in South Korea against malicious litigation compared with the US, where plaintiffs must prove fault by journalists.
The controversy reflects more profound public scepticism about South Korean media and long-standing reporting practices that sometimes rely on relaying statements without sufficient verification, suggesting that structural reform may be needed instead of rapid, punitive legislation.
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Deutsche Bank has warned that surging AI investment is helping to prop up US economic growth. Analysts say that broader spending would have stalled without the heavy outlays on technology.
The bank estimates hyperscalers could spend $4 trillion on AI data centres by 2030. Analysts cautioned returns remain uncertain despite the scale of investment.
Official data showed US GDP grew at a 4.3% annualised rate in the third quarter. Economists linked much of the momentum to AI-driven capital expenditure.
Market experts remain divided on risks, although many reject fears of a bubble. Corporate cash flows, rather than excessive borrowing, are funding the majority of AI infrastructure.
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Meta has restricted access in India to two AI-generated videos posted by the Congress party. The clips depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group.
The company stated that the content did not violate its community standards. Action followed takedown notices issued by Delhi Police under India’s information technology laws.
Meta warned that ignoring the orders could jeopardise safe harbour protections. Loss of those protections would expose platforms to direct legal liability.
The case highlights growing scrutiny of political AI content in India. Recent rule changes have tightened procedures for ordering online takedowns.
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AI is extending the clinical value of chest X-rays beyond lung and heart assessment. Researchers are investigating whether routine radiographs can support broader disease screening without the need for additional scans. Early findings suggest existing images may contain underused diagnostic signals.
A study in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging examined whether AI could detect hepatic steatosis from standard frontal chest X-rays. Researchers analysed more than 6,500 images from over 4,400 patients across two institutions. Deep learning models were trained and externally validated.
The AI system achieved area-under-curve scores above 0.8 in both internal and external tests. Saliency maps showed predictions focused near the diaphragm, where part of the liver appears on chest X-rays. Results suggest that reliable signal extraction can be achieved from routine imaging.
Researchers argue the approach could enable opportunistic screening during standard care. Patients flagged by AI could be referred for a dedicated liver assessment when appropriate. The method adds clinical value without increasing imaging costs or radiation exposure.
Experts caution that the model is not a standalone diagnostic tool and requires further prospective validation. Integration with clinical and laboratory data remains necessary to reduce false positives. If validated, AI-enhanced X-rays could support scalable risk stratification.
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Use of AI chatbots for everyday tasks, from structuring essays to analysing data, has become widespread. Researchers are increasingly examining whether reliance on such tools affects critical thinking and learning. Recent studies suggest a more complex picture than simple decline.
A research study published by MIT found reduced cognitive activity among participants who used ChatGPT to write essays. Participants also showed weaker recall than those who completed tasks without AI assistance, raising questions about how learning develops when writing is outsourced.
Similar concerns emerged from studies by Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft. Surveys of white-collar workers linked higher confidence in AI tools with lower levels of critical engagement, prompting warnings about possible overreliance.
Studies involving students present a more nuanced outcome. Research published by Oxford University Press found that many pupils felt AI supported skills such as revision and creativity. At the same time, some reported that tasks became too easy, limiting deeper learning.
Experts emphasise that outcomes depend on how AI tools are used. Educators argue for clearer guidance, transparency, and further research into long-term effects. Used as a tutor rather than a shortcut, AI may support learning rather than weaken it.
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Chief financial officers predict AI will shift finance from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact in 2026. Real-time insights, scenario modelling and strategic decision-making are expected to become central to finance functions.
Success depends on trusted data, strong governance, modernised architectures and human judgement. AI will not replace expertise, but rather reveal gaps and reward organisations that integrate AI with their strategy.
CFOs plan to use AI for capital allocation, forecasting, risk management and operational efficiency. The focus is moving from efficiency gains to transformative, high-value work that drives measurable outcomes.
Enterprise-wide adoption of AI will require robust oversight and upskilling of finance teams. Leaders who modernise systems and combine AI with human expertise will gain a competitive edge.
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Amid growing attention on AI, Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis has argued that future systems could learn anything humans can.
He suggested that as technology advances, AI may no longer remain confined to single tasks. Instead of specialising narrowly, it could solve different kinds of problems and continue improving over time.
Supporters say rapid progress already shows how powerful the technology has become.
Other experts disagree and warn that human intelligence remains deeply complex. People rely on emotions, personal experience and social understanding when they think, while machines depend on data and rules.
Critics argue that comparing AI with the human mind oversimplifies how intelligence really works, and that even people vary widely in ability.
Elon Musk has supported the idea that AI could eventually learn as much as humans, while repeating his long-standing view that powerful systems must be handled carefully. His backing has intensified the debate, given his influence in the technology world.
The discussion matters because highly capable AI could reshape work, education and creativity, raising questions over safety and control.
For now, AI performs specific tasks extremely well yet cannot think or feel like humans, and no one can say for certain whether true human-level intelligence will ever emerge.
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Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University have developed a 72-qubit quantum computer prototype based on single neutral rubidium atoms. It marks the third Russian quantum computer to surpass the 70-qubit milestone.
The achievement was announced by Rosatom Quantum Technologies and highlights progress in reliable quantum operations.
The atom-based prototype features three zones: one for computing and two for storage and readout. Experiments have demonstrated two-qubit logical operations with 94% accuracy, enabling practical testing and development of quantum algorithms.
Scientists stress that lower error rates are vital for scaling quantum computers to solve complex industrial and financial problems. The work also supports Russia’s technological sovereignty and strengthens the competitiveness of domestic enterprises.
The project actively involves young researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates alongside leading specialists, ensuring the next generation gains hands-on experience in one of Russia’s most significant scientific initiatives.
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Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has called for punitive fines of up to 10 percent of company sales for repeated and serious data breaches, as public anger grows over large-scale leaks.
The government is seeking swift legislation to impose stronger sanctions on firms that fail to safeguard personal data, reflecting President Lee Jae Myung’s stance that violations require firm penalties instead of lenient warnings.
Kim said corporate responses to recent breaches had fallen far short of public expectations and stressed that companies must take full responsibility for protecting customer information.
Under the proposed framework, affected individuals would receive clearer notifications that include guidance on their rights to seek damages.
The government of South Korea also plans to strengthen investigative powers through coercive fines for noncompliance, while pursuing rapid reforms aimed at preventing further harm.
The tougher line follows a series of major incidents, including a leak at Shinhan Card that affected around 190,000 merchant records and a large-scale breach at Coupang that exposed the data of 33.7 million users.
Officials have described the Coupang breach as a serious social crisis that has eroded public trust.
Authorities have launched an interagency task force to identify responsibility and ensure tighter data protection across South Korea’s digital economy instead of relying on voluntary company action.
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