Prominent personalities

Mark Cuban: AI is a tool, not the answer

Mark Cuban, the tech entrepreneur and investor, spoke at the SXSW conference, where he highlighted the importance of AI for small businesses. He stressed that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should never be seen as the ultimate answer to business success. Cuban explained that AI can help entrepreneurs by making it easier to start and grow businesses, answering questions, and aiding in tasks like research, emails, and sales calls. However, he cautioned against over-relying on AI.

Cuban encouraged entrepreneurs to spend time learning about AI, pointing out how much easier it is to start a business today compared to the past, thanks to the availability of AI tools and internet access. He acknowledged that AI can make mistakes and isn’t perfect, but noted that human experts can also be wrong. In creative fields, Cuban argued that while AI can help with certain tasks like video creation, it’s not a substitute for human creativity, especially when it comes to things like writing scripts or generating quality art.

The tech mogul highlighted that AI should amplify human skills, not replace them. He warned that those who neglect to use AI might find themselves at a disadvantage, as competitors who utilise AI will have the edge.

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Reliance Jio and SpaceX partner for Starlink in India

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to India, marking a surprising turn after months of rivalry over spectrum allocation.

Under the agreement, Jio will stock Starlink equipment in its retail stores, giving the US company direct access to thousands of outlets across the country.

Move like this one comes after New Delhi sided with Musk’s preferred method of spectrum allocation, despite Ambani’s earlier concerns that Starlink could dominate India’s telecom sector.

The deal follows a similar partnership between Starlink and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom provider, both of which depend on government approval for operations to begin. While Airtel’s shares dipped slightly after the Jio announcement, Reliance Industries saw a marginal rise in trading.

Starlink, which has been awaiting licenses since 2022 due to national security concerns, is using the agreement as a low-cost entry into India’s fast-growing satellite internet market, expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030.

For Musk, the stakes in India go beyond Starlink, as he recently secured a deal to open Tesla’s first showroom in the country.

However, high tariffs on imported electric vehicles remain a challenge. Meanwhile, Jio and SpaceX are also exploring other areas of cooperation, while Jio continues its own satellite broadband plans with Luxembourg-based SES.

Despite past disputes, the partnership signals a shift from competition to collaboration in India’s evolving telecom landscape.

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Poland pushes ahead with tech tax despite US criticism

Poland’s deputy prime minister reaffirmed plans to introduce a new tax on big tech firms despite warnings from the incoming US ambassador, intensifying tensions between Warsaw and Washington. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski dismissed Ambassador Thomas Rose’s remarks as interference, calling it ‘sick’ for another country to dictate Poland’s legislation.

The dispute adds to growing friction between the two allies, fueled by a recent online clash involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Elon Musk, and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski over Poland’s funding of Ukraine’s Starlink services. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in, cautioning against ‘arrogance’ from Poland’s allies.

While Gawkowski has not provided specifics on the proposed tax, he suggested it would target the profits of major tech companies operating in Poland and support local tech development. However, some within Poland’s coalition government question the timing, warning of potential trade consequences. Meanwhile, the nationalist opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) argues that the move risks straining relations with Washington.

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Tusk warns against arrogance after US-Poland social media clash

Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has urged allies to show respect and avoid arrogance in a recent post on X, following a heated social media exchange between Polish and US officials. The remarks came after a disagreement over the role of Starlink satellites in Ukraine’s war effort. Radosław Sikorski, Poland‘s foreign minister, had suggested Ukraine may need an alternative to Starlink if its reliability becomes an issue. Poland funds the satellite service for Ukraine, which is crucial for military communications.

The dispute escalated when Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, accused Sikorski of being ungrateful, stating that ‘no one has made any threats about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink.’ Rubio emphasised the importance of Starlink in Ukraine’s success, saying the war could have been lost without it. Sikorski responded by thanking Rubio for reaffirming the collaboration between the US and Poland in providing the service.

The controversy deepened when Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, which operates Starlink, labelled Sikorski a “small man” and told him to ‘be quiet’ after the suggestion that Poland may seek alternatives. Musk reiterated his commitment to keeping Starlink operational in Ukraine, despite political disagreements, and denied using the service as a bargaining chip.

The ongoing debate highlights growing tensions surrounding the role of private companies in international conflict and the geopolitical importance of satellite technology. Meanwhile, the Franco-British operator Eutelsat saw a surge in stock prices, as speculation grows that it could potentially replace Starlink in providing services to Ukraine.

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SEC fraud lawsuit against hex founder thrown out

A US federal judge has dismissed a fraud lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Richard Heart, the founder of the cryptocurrency platform Hex.

The SEC accused Heart of raising over $1 billion through unregistered offerings and misappropriating investor funds for luxury purchases, including sports cars and a black diamond.

However, the judge ruled that the SEC’s claims lacked a direct link to the United States, as Heart’s activities were primarily directed at a global audience and occurred abroad.

The SEC had also alleged that Heart misled investors with exaggerated claims about potential returns from his Hex token and other crypto projects.

Despite these accusations, the court determined that the transactions, including fund misappropriations, took place outside of US jurisdiction, with no clear evidence of US-based investors being affected.

Heart’s legal team welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant victory for the cryptocurrency industry. They argued that the decision highlighted the need for clearer regulations surrounding digital assets. The SEC has not yet commented on the ruling.

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Drugmakers focus on AI while awaiting clarity on US tariffs

At a conference in Hyderabad this week, pharmaceutical companies highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in evolving the drug development process. Companies like Amgen and Parexel showcased how AI can reduce trial times, with Parexel demonstrating a model that speeds up drug safety reports by 30-45 minutes. Industry experts believe that AI can potentially halve the costs and time needed to develop drugs, cutting down the process from over a decade to just a few years.

Beyond speeding up trials, AI is also aiding in drug discovery and medical diagnostics. For instance, AI is being used to repurpose existing drugs for new uses and to analyse medical images, potentially identifying conditions such as cancer that might be missed by human doctors. Medtronic’s CTO stressed that integrating AI across the industry is essential to its future success.

Despite these technological strides, the conference was overshadowed by ongoing uncertainty regarding US President Trump’s proposed tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. Companies, particularly those based in India, expressed concern over the potential impact of these tariffs, with some, like Dr Reddy’s, opting to take a ‘wait and watch’ approach until further clarity emerges. This tariff uncertainty remains a pressing issue for India’s pharmaceutical industry, which is a major exporter of affordable drugs to the US.

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Competition heats up for Musk’s Starlink in satellite internet

Elon Musk’s Starlink is facing mounting competition from several ambitious satellite internet projects, including China’s SpaceSail and Jeff Bezos’s Project Kuiper. SpaceSail, backed by the Chinese government, recently expanded its reach to Brazil and Kazakhstan, with plans for a 15,000-satellite constellation by 2030. Meanwhile, Bezos’s Project Kuiper is in talks with Brazilian officials to establish its own LEO satellite network.

These developments come as Beijing accelerates its investment in satellite technology, having launched a record 263 satellites last year. With SpaceSail aiming to deploy 648 satellites in 2025 alone, it is positioning itself as a serious challenger to Starlink’s current fleet of around 7,000 satellites. SpaceSail’s plans are seen as part of China’s broader push to expand its digital influence, sparking concerns about potential censorship capabilities.

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Silent album released to challenge UK AI copyright reforms

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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Huawei’s Ren discusses China’s tech growth with Xi

Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei told President Xi Jinping that China’s concerns about a lack of domestically developed chips and operating systems have eased, following a meeting with key entrepreneurs. According to Chinese state media, Ren expressed confidence that China would rise faster, thanks to its advancements in technology, particularly in semiconductors and software. The phrase ‘lack of core and soul,’ which refers to the absence of critical technology like chips and operating systems, was first used in 1999 to highlight challenges in China’s information industry.

The meeting, which included prominent founders such as BYD’s Wang Chuanfu and Xiaomi’s Lei Jun, discussed the achievements and growth in sectors like electric vehicles and electronics. Ren’s comments reflected the progress made despite challenges like US sanctions, with Huawei playing a key role in pushing for China’s self-sufficiency. Wang shared how China’s EV industry had grown significantly, while Lei praised Xi’s leadership, stating that under his guidance, any challenges could be overcome.

Other entrepreneurs, including representatives from Will Semiconductor, Unitree Robotics, and New Hope Group, also spoke at the meeting, although details about their comments were not widely disclosed. The meeting was part of a broader push for China to strengthen its technological independence.

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Judge allows Musk’s DOGE to keep accessing government data

A US federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data from seven federal agencies or making further workforce cuts. The lawsuit, brought by 14 Democratic attorneys general, argued that DOGE was overstepping its authority by reshaping agencies and obtaining vast amounts of government information. However, Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove immediate harm, allowing DOGE to continue operations.

Despite this decision, the judge acknowledged serious constitutional concerns regarding Musk’s authority. She noted that Musk had not been nominated by the US President Trump or confirmed by the Senate, raising potential violations of the Appointments Clause. In her ruling, Chutkan also criticised the Trump administration’s legal arguments, suggesting inconsistencies in its justification for DOGE’s powers.

While the restraining order was denied, the states can still pursue their case, potentially seeking a preliminary injunction to halt DOGE’s access to federal data. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez vowed to continue the legal fight, accusing Musk of destabilising government functions and acting without proper oversight. The battle over DOGE’s legitimacy is expected to intensify in the coming months.

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