Sustainable development

EU delays ETIAS launch until late 2026

The European Union has announced that the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will require visa-free travellers from non-EU countries, including the UK, to obtain authorisation before short stays in the Schengen Area.

Initially planned for 2026, the system has been delayed and is now set to launch in late 2026, with full implementation not expected until 2027. The ETIAS aims to improve border security and will apply to travellers from 60 non-EU countries who don’t need a visa.

To apply for the ETIAS, travellers will need to complete an online application, provide personal details, answer security questions, and pay a €7 fee.

However, this authorisation will be linked to the traveller’s passport and remain valid for three years, or until the passport expires. Also, children under 18 and adults over 70 will be exempt from the fee, though they still need to apply for authorisation.

The ETIAS will not become mandatory until six months after the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational. The EES, which is set to launch in phases starting in October 2025, will be a registration system for non-EU travellers, including those from the UK and US.

However, due to delays in the installation of necessary technology at Schengen borders, the launch of the ETIAS has been pushed back to late 2026.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

BMW to equip cars with Huawei HiCar system

BMW will integrate Huawei’s HiCar system into its locally produced models starting in 2026, strengthening its presence in the Chinese market.

The partnership will enable seamless connectivity between Huawei devices and BMW vehicles, enhancing smart driving applications through the Harmony operating system.

The German automaker emphasised its commitment to deeper collaboration with Chinese partners, aiming to integrate them more closely into its global innovation network.

By working with local suppliers, BMW seeks to foster long-term cooperation and technological advancement in one of the world’s largest automotive markets.

An approach that aligns with BMW’s broader strategy of leveraging local expertise to remain competitive in a fast-evolving automotive landscape.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Europe’s tech giants push for sovereign fund

More than 90 European technology companies and lobby groups, including Airbus and Dassault Systèmes, have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to establish a sovereign infrastructure fund.

In an open letter dated 14 March, they emphasised the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its strategic autonomy in critical digital infrastructure, from AI frameworks to semiconductor manufacturing.

The letter warns that Europe’s reliance on foreign technology creates security risks and weakens economic growth. It highlights the importance of public investment, particularly in capital-intensive sectors like quantum computing and microchips. The signatories also suggest a ‘buy European’ policy in government procurement to boost demand and encourage local businesses to invest.

Prominent supporters of the initiative include French cloud provider OVH Cloud, the European Software Institute, and the German AI Association. The appeal also reached EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, as Europe faces increasing pressure to compete with major US and Asian technology powers.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Turkey investigates Netflix, Disney, and Amazon for competition law violations

The Turkish Competition Board has opened an investigation into major subscription-based, on-demand video service providers, including Netflix, Disney, and Amazon. This decision follows a preliminary inquiry into whether these global streaming platforms have violated Turkey‘s competition laws.

The board is particularly focused on examining their business practices within the Turkish market and assessing whether any anti-competitive behaviour has occurred. The investigation highlights Turkey’s increasing scrutiny of digital platforms operating within its borders.

The inquiry comes at a time when subscription-based streaming services are growing rapidly in Turkey, with Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video among the most popular platforms in the country. The Turkish Competition Board’s investigation aims to ensure that the market remains competitive and that no service provider is unfairly dominating the sector.

By looking into the practices of these major players, the board seeks to protect consumers and maintain a level playing field for all companies involved in the digital entertainment industry.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Thailand approves millions for data centres

Thailand has approved investments worth 90.9 billion baht ($2.7 billion) in data centres and cloud services, further boosting its growing tech sector. The newly approved projects include data centres by China’s Beijing Haoyang Cloud&Data Technology, Singapore-based Empyrion Digital, and Thailand’s GSA Data Center 02, according to the country’s investment board.

Among these, Beijing Haoyang plans to build a 300-megawatt data centre valued at 72.7 billion baht, while GSA Data Center 02 is investing 13.5 billion baht in a 35-megawatt facility.

The rapid rise of AI has fuelled demand for data infrastructure across Southeast Asia, making Thailand an attractive hub for investment. In January, TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, announced plans to establish a data hosting service in Thailand worth 126.8 billion baht.

It follows significant investments from tech giants such as Google, which pledged $1 billion last year, and Amazon Web Services, which committed $5 billion over 15 years.

Microsoft has also revealed plans to open its first regional data centre in Thailand, reinforcing the country’s status as a growing digital hub in the region. With an increasing number of global technology firms choosing Thailand for data operations, the country is set to play a key role in Southeast Asia’s evolving digital economy.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Baidu launches new AI models to compete in global race

Baidu has unveiled two new AI models, including ERNIE X1, which it claims matches the performance of DeepSeek R1 at half the cost. The company says X1 is a deep-thinking model capable of autonomous tool use, with enhanced reasoning, planning, and adaptability.

Meanwhile, Baidu’s latest foundation model, ERNIE 4.5, boasts improved multimodal capabilities, advanced language understanding, and a better grasp of satire and internet culture.

The Chinese tech giant has been striving to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, where startups like DeepSeek have disrupted the industry with high-performing, cost-effective models. While Baidu was one of the first Chinese companies to launch a ChatGPT-style chatbot, its Ernie LLM has faced challenges in achieving widespread adoption.

With growing competition from domestic and international AI firms, Baidu aims to solidify its position through continuous innovation. The company’s latest advancements highlight the push for more sophisticated AI systems capable of processing diverse forms of data, including text, images, and audio, as China intensifies its efforts to lead in AI.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Chinese hedge funds boost AI for competitive edge

China’s hedge fund industry is undergoing a transformative shift, spurred by High-Flyer’s integration of AI in its trading strategies. The multi-billion-dollar fund not only uses AI to enhance its portfolio but also created DeepSeek, a game-changing LLM that has disrupted the dominance of Western AI firms like those in Silicon Valley.

The breakthrough has ignited an AI arms race among Chinese asset managers, including firms like Baiont Quant, Wizard Quant, and Mingshi Investment Management, as they rush to incorporate AI into their investment workflows.

AI-powered trading has gained momentum, with many hedge funds now using AI to process market data and generate trading signals based on investor risk profiles. As competition for “alpha” (outperformance) intensifies, the demand for AI talent is surging.

Companies like Wizard Quant and Mingshi are actively recruiting top AI engineers, and even mutual funds, such as China Merchants Fund, have adopted DeepSeek to boost their efficiency. The open-source model has democratised access to AI, lowering the entry barrier for smaller Chinese funds, which had previously been unable to compete with their Western counterparts due to high costs.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

China claims quantum supremacy with Zuchongzhi 3.0 chip

Chinese researchers have developed the Zuchongzhi 3.0, a quantum processor 1 quadrillion times faster than the world’s best supercomputers. The 105-qubit chip, created at the University of Science and Technology of China, achieved impressive results, completing a quantum task in mere seconds—1 million times faster than Google’s Sycamore chip.

A breakthrough like this marks a major step forward in quantum computing, especially with its enhancements in coherence time and quantum error correction. The processor’s transmon qubits, made from materials like tantalum and niobium, also show significant improvements in gate fidelity, leading to more accurate computations.

Despite these advancements, experts note that classical computing methods could still close the gap, as seen in past quantum supremacy claims.

Zuchongzhi 3.0’s exceptional performance paves the way for more practical quantum computing applications, promising a new era of solving complex real-world challenges. The progress made in quantum gate fidelity and reduced noise sensitivity places China’s quantum processing technology at the forefront of global developments.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

The role of AI in precision farming for wine production

AI is making its mark in the wine industry, with vineyards across California adopting cutting-edge technology to optimise crop production.

One notable example is Napa Valley farmer Tom Gamble, who has integrated an autonomous tractor equipped with AI sensors to map his vineyard.

These AI-powered machines gather data that allows farmers to make more informed decisions about water use, fertilizer application, and pest control, improving efficiency and sustainability.

AI’s influence extends beyond tractors. Companies like John Deere in the US have developed AI-driven technologies that help vineyard managers apply materials more precisely, reducing waste and environmental impact.

Smart irrigation systems, for example, can monitor water use and even shut off in case of leaks, making vineyards more water-efficient.

Despite concerns about the cost of adopting such technology, particularly for smaller, family-run vineyards, AI offers a way to streamline operations and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

While AI is enhancing wine production, it also aids in managing crop health and predicting yields. By analysing images and soil data, AI systems can detect early signs of disease or nutrient deficiencies, helping farmers take preventive action before issues escalate.

However, this technology allows vineyards to make smarter decisions, ultimately improving the quality and consistency of their wine production.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

UK Technology Secretary uses ChatGPT for advice on media and AI

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has been using ChatGPT to seek advice on media appearances and to define technical terms related to his role.

His records, obtained by New Scientist through freedom of information laws, reveal that he asked the AI tool for recommendations on which podcasts to feature and for explanations of terms like ‘digital inclusion’ and ‘anti-matter.’

ChatGPT suggested The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Naked Scientists due to their broad reach and scientific focus.

Kyle also inquired why small and medium-sized businesses in the UK have been slow to adopt AI. The chatbot pointed to factors such as a lack of awareness about government initiatives, funding limitations, and concerns over data protection regulations like GDPR.

While AI adoption remains a challenge, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has praised its potential, arguing that the UK government should embrace AI more to improve efficiency.

Despite Kyle’s enthusiasm for AI, he has faced criticism for allegedly prioritising the interests of Big Tech over Britain’s creative industries. Concerns have been raised over a proposed policy that could allow tech firms to train AI on copyrighted material without permission unless creators opt out.

His department defended his use of AI, stating that while he utilises the tool, it does not replace expert advice from officials.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.