Prominent personalities

Meta’s AI research VP Joelle Pineau announces departure

Joelle Pineau, the Vice President of AI research at Meta, announced she will be leaving the company by the end of May, after nearly eight years with the organisation.

Pineau, who joined Meta in 2017, has overseen key AI initiatives, including the FAIR research unit, PyTorch, and the Llama AI models.

In a LinkedIn post, Pineau reflected on her time at Meta, mentioning the creation of groundbreaking AI projects such as PyTorch, FAISS, and Roberta.

She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside top AI researchers, with the aim of accelerating innovation through open-source contributions.

Pineau, also a professor at McGill University, stated that after her departure, she plans to take some time to reflect before pursuing new ventures. Her departure comes as Meta intensifies its focus on AI, including the recent launch of its Meta AI chatbot in Europe.

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Former Meta AI leaders launch Yutori with $15 million in funding

Two former Meta AI executives have secured $15 million in funding for Yutori, a San Francisco-based startup focused on developing AI personal assistants.

The funding round was led by Radical Ventures, with backing from prominent investors including AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li and Google DeepMind’s Jeff Dean.

Yutori aims to create autonomous AI agents capable of executing complex online tasks without human intervention. Unlike traditional chatbots, these AI assistants will handle real-world actions, from ordering food to managing travel plans, streamlining everyday digital interactions.

The company is also advancing post-training techniques to enhance AI models’ ability to navigate the web efficiently.

With a team of experts who previously worked on Meta’s AI projects, including the development of Llama 3 and Llama 4 models, Yutori is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven automation.

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Trump dismisses Signal leak, supports Waltz

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the incident in which sensitive military plans for a strike against Yemen’s Houthis were mistakenly shared in a group chat that included a journalist. Trump referred to it as ‘the only glitch in two months’ and insisted that it was ‘not a serious’ issue.

The development, which surprised him when first questioned by reporters, has sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers accusing the administration of mishandling sensitive information.

The lapse occurred when US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz unintentionally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a group chat with 18 high-ranking officials discussing military strike plans.

Waltz admitted to the mistake and accepted full responsibility, stating that an aide had mistakenly added Goldberg’s contact to the conversation.

The incident, which took place over the Signal app, has raised concerns due to the app’s public availability and its use for discussing such sensitive matters.

While Trump continued to express support for Waltz, Democratic critics, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have voiced strong disapproval.

Clinton, commenting on the breach, highlighted the irony of the situation, given Trump’s previous criticisms of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server for sensitive material.

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EU pushes for satellite internet funding for Ukraine

The European Commission has urged EU nations to fund Ukraine’s access to satellite internet through European commercial providers, amid growing concerns over the country’s reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The call, outlined in a newly published defence white paper, comes as Ukraine faces potential service disruptions unless it agrees to a minerals deal with the US. European satellite operators are now in talks with the EU to explore alternative solutions.

Brussels has proposed granting Kyiv access to the EU’s space programme to ensure stable connectivity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience by diversifying its satellite-based services. Poland, which partially funds Ukraine’s Starlink access, has also backed the need for alternative providers.

Spain’s Hisdesat has confirmed plans to expand its coverage over Ukraine, while other European satellite firms, such as Eutelsat and SES, have been approached for potential involvement.

The move reflects Europe’s broader strategy to secure independent infrastructure for Ukraine and reduce dependence on private or non-EU providers.

The Commission’s proposal, if implemented, could mark a significant shift in how Kyiv maintains vital communications during the ongoing conflict.

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Musk’s SpaceX challenges global barriers on Starlink service

SpaceX has called on the US government to address trade barriers that impact its global operations, particularly its Starlink satellite service.

The company claims it faces higher costs than foreign competitors due to import duties, regulatory fees, and the need to pay foreign governments for access to spectrum.

These challenges are seen as non-tariff trade barriers that inflate operating expenses and slow the rollout of its service in many countries.

Starlink, which operates in over 120 markets worldwide, has to navigate additional hurdles in some regions, including coordination with domestic satellite operators for spectrum sharing.

SpaceX has argued that such requirements are deliberately designed to protect local competitors, making it harder for the company to offer its lower-cost, high-quality services abroad.

The call for action comes amid wider discussions about trade barriers affecting American businesses. Companies like Tesla, also owned by Elon Musk, have warned of the risks posed by retaliatory tariffs resulting from trade tensions, particularly with countries like China, Canada, and the EU.

Musk has long been involved in efforts to streamline government regulations and advocate for freer trade policies.

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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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