Ransomware groups have evolved into billion-dollar operations targeting critical infrastructure across multiple countries, employing increasingly sophisticated extortion schemes. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 865 documented attacks were recorded across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
Criminals have escalated from simple encryption to double and triple extortion, threatening to leak stolen data as added leverage. Attack vectors include phishing, botnets, and unpatched flaws. Once inside, attackers use stealthy tools to persist and spread.
BlackSuit, formerly known as Conti, led with 141 attacks, followed by LockBit’s 129, according to data from the Australian Institute of Criminology. Ransomware-as-a-Service groups hit higher volumes by splitting developers from affiliates handling breaches and negotiations.
Industrial targets bore the brunt, with 239 attacks on manufacturing and building products. The consumer goods, real estate, financial services, and technology sectors also featured prominently. Analysts note that industrial firms are often pressured into quick ransom payments to restore production.
Experts warn that today’s ransomware combines military-grade encryption with advanced reconnaissance and backup targeting, raising the stakes for defenders. The scale of activity underscores how resilient these groups remain, adapting rapidly to law enforcement crackdowns and shifting market opportunities.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Quantum computers may soon grow more powerful through 3D printing, with researchers building miniaturised ion traps to improve scalability and performance.
Ion traps, which confine ions and control their quantum states, play a central role in ion-based qubits. Researchers at UC Berkeley created 3D-printed traps just a few hundred microns wide, which captured ions up to ten times more efficiently than conventional versions.
The new traps also reduced waiting times, allowing ions to be usable more quickly once the system is activated. Hartmut Häffner, who led the study, said the approach could enable scaling to far larger numbers of qubits while boosting speed.
3D printing offers flexibility not possible with chip-style manufacturing, allowing for more complex shapes and designs. Team members say they are already working on new iterations, with future versions expected to integrate optical components such as miniaturised lasers.
Experts argue that this method could address the challenges of low yield, high costs, and poor reproducibility in current ion-trap manufacturing, paving the way for scalable quantum computing and applications in other fields, including mass spectrometry.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Universal Internet connectivity by 2030 could cost up to $2.8 trillion, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology (CST) Commission. The blueprint urges global cooperation to connect the one-third of humanity still offline.
The largest share, up to $1.7 trillion, would be allocated to expanding broadband through fibre, wireless, and satellite networks. Nearly $1 trillion is needed for affordability measures, alongside $152 billion for digital skills programmes.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasised that connectivity is essential for access to education, employment, and vital services. She noted the stark divide between high-income countries, where 93% of people are online, and low-income states, where only 27% use the Internet.
The study shows costs have risen fivefold since ITU’s 2020 Connecting Humanity report, reflecting both higher demand and widening divides. Haytham Al-Ohali from Saudi Arabia said the figures underscore the urgency of investment and knowledge sharing to achieve meaningful connectivity.
The report recommends new business models and stronger cooperation between governments, industry, and civil society. Proposed measures include using schools as Internet gateways, boosting Africa’s energy infrastructure, and improving localised data collection to accelerate digital inclusion.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has ordered factory staff to work from home until at least next Tuesday as it recovers from a major cyberattack. Production remains suspended at key UK sites, including Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton.
The disruption, first reported earlier this week, has ‘severely impacted’ production and sales, according to JLR. Reports suggest that assembly line workers have been instructed not to return before 9 September, while the situation remains under review.
The hack has hit operations beyond manufacturing, with dealerships unable to order parts and some customer handovers delayed. The timing is particularly disruptive, coinciding with the September release of new registration plates, which traditionally boosts demand.
A group of young hackers on Telegram, calling themselves Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has claimed responsibility for the incident. Linked to earlier attacks on Marks & Spencer and Harrods, the group reportedly shared screenshots of JLR’s internal IT systems as proof.
The incident follows a wider spate of UK retail and automotive cyberattacks this year. JLR has stated that it is working quickly to restore systems and emphasised that there is ‘no evidence’ that customer data has been compromised.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Mythos AI has installed its Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) on the CB Pacific, a chemical tanker operated by CB Tankers under the Lomar group. The deployment marks the beginning of a year-long trial to introduce advanced bridge intelligence to the commercial shipping industry.
APAS uses a radar-first perception system that integrates with existing ship radars, processing multiple data streams to deliver prioritised alerts. By reducing its reliance on machine vision, the system aims to eliminate distractions, enhance decision-making, and improve navigation safety.
The CB Pacific, equipped with Furuno radar and consistent routes, will serve as a testbed to evaluate APAS performance in live conditions. Trials will assess collision prediction, safe navigation, signal processing, and compliance with maritime rules.
Mythos AI emphasises that APAS is designed to support crews, not replace them. CEO Geoff Douglass said the installation marks the company’s first operational use of the system on a tanker and a milestone in its wider commercial roadmap.
For LomarLabs, the pilot showcases its hands-on innovation model, offering vessel access and oversight to facilitate collaboration with startups. Managing Director Stylianos Papageorgiou said the radar-first architecture shows how modular autonomy can be advanced through trust, time, and fleet partnerships.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Private backing for UK AI companies has reached £2.9 billion, with average deals of £5.9 million, driving record growth across the sector. Ministers say investment is spreading regionally, with the number of firms in the Midlands, Yorkshire, Wales, and the North West doubling in just three years.
At Mansion House, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle urged industry to cut red tape, expand data centres, and attract global talent. He emphasised that public trust, supported by AI assurance measures, is crucial for growth.
The assurance roadmap aims to add billions to the economy by creating a dedicated profession to review AI systems for safety, ethics, and accountability. Independent experts will be tasked with certifying systems, while a consortium of professional bodies develops a code of ethics to guide standards.
Further initiatives include £2.7m to boost regulator capacity and AI projects for Ofgem, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Office for Nuclear Regulation, covering energy, aviation, and nuclear waste.
Officials say these measures will help position the UK as a world leader in AI innovation, while ensuring growth is matched with robust oversight and public confidence in the technology.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A new study by the European Travel Commission shows that national tourism organisations (NTOs) are experimenting with AI but are facing gaps in strategy and skills.
Marketing teams are leading the way, applying AI in content generation and workflow streamlining, whereas research departments primarily view the tools as exploratory. Despite uneven readiness, most staff show enthusiasm, with little resistance reported.
The survey highlights challenges, including limited budgets, sparse training, and the absence of a clear roadmap. Early adopters report tangible productivity gains, but most NTOs are still running small pilots rather than embedding AI across operations.
Recommendations include ring-fencing time for structured experiments, offering role-specific upskilling, and scaling budgets aligned with results. The report also urges the creation of shared learning spaces and providing practical support to help organisations transition from testing to sustained adoption.
ETC President Miguel Sanz said AI offers clear opportunities for tourism boards, but uneven capacity means shared tools and targeted investment will be essential to ensure innovation benefits all members.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
According to people familiar with the plans, Chinese startup DeepSeek is developing an AI model with enhanced agent features to compete with US firms such as OpenAI.
The Hangzhou-based company intends for the system to perform multi-step tasks with limited input and adapt from its previous actions.
Founder Liang Wenfeng has urged his team to prepare the release before the end of 2025. The project follows DeepSeek’s earlier success with R1, a reasoning-focused model launched in January that attracted attention for its low development costs.
Since then, DeepSeek has delivered only incremental updates while rivals in China and the US have accelerated new product launches.
The shift towards AI agents reflects a broader industry move to develop tools capable of managing complex real-world tasks, from research to coding, with less reliance on users. OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Manus AI have already introduced similar projects.
Most systems still require significant oversight, highlighting the challenges of building fully autonomous agents.
Starbucks will deploy an AI-powered inventory system across all North American stores. Built with NomadGo, it automatically scans shelves using AR and computer vision to flag low stock.
Counts that once took an hour now take about 15 minutes, enabling up to eight counts weekly. The system frees staff to focus on service while providing real-time data for more intelligent supply chain decisions.
The rollout follows other digital upgrades, including a Shift Marketplace for scheduling, Green Dot Assist for AI support, and a new point-of-sale system. Together, these tools show Starbucks’ growing reliance on AI.
Competitors like McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A are also turning to AI for back-of-house operations. From accuracy scales to computer vision food checks, fast-food chains are betting heavily on automation to boost efficiency.
For Starbucks, success will be judged by fewer shortages, consistent customer experiences, and staff reinvested in service. AI-driven accuracy could become a defining advantage in an industry built on trust.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Hisense will debut AI-powered innovations at IFA 2025 under the theme ‘AI Your Life,’ showcasing entertainment, smart homes, and climate-friendly technologies. The company aims to make AI seamless and personal.
Entertainment highlights include the 116-inch RGB-MiniLED UX TV with 8,000 nits brightness, plus new laser projectors offering IMAX-level clarity and portability for home cinema and gaming.
Appliances get smarter with the PureFlat refrigerator, featuring a 21-inch screen for cooking, streaming, and AI art. ConnectLife agents will optimise chores and energy use in daily routines.
The U8 S Pro Air Conditioner brings presence detection, AI voice controls, and air purification, while Hisense expands into smart buildings, energy systems, and automotive climate solutions.
Combining advanced display technologies with next-gen appliances, Hisense says its innovations will empower people to live more freely and confidently across global markets.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
