Tesla has introduced a long-awaited update to its Autopilot software in China, adding city navigation features that allow for automatic lane changes and traffic light detection. However, many Chinese Tesla owners were disappointed, expressing that the update did not meet the high expectations set by CEO Elon Musk. The new features, while similar to the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, are less advanced in China due to insufficient data on local roads and traffic rules.
Tesla faces stiff competition from Chinese automakers like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BYD, which offer advanced driver-assistance systems at lower prices or even for free. These rivals have already launched vehicles capable of navigating complex Chinese traffic, leaving Tesla behind in the race for smart-driving technology. Despite this, Tesla continues to charge its customers nearly $9,000 for the limited version of its FSD software, which many feel does not live up to the promises made by the company.
The delays in rolling out full FSD in China are partly due to regulatory hurdles and restrictions on data transfer between China and the US. Tesla is working on gaining approval from Beijing for its advanced systems, but China currently only requires registration for level-two autonomous features like Autopilot. Tesla is also looking into establishing a data centre in China to train its AI software, though the process has been complicated by strict Chinese data laws.
While Tesla’s Autopilot update is seen as a step forward, it faces growing criticism for not keeping pace with the rapidly evolving smart-driving features offered by local competitors. Tesla’s challenge in China highlights the complex balance the company must maintain between innovation, regulatory compliance, and local competition.
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The European Court of Justice has backed Italy‘s antitrust authority in a ruling against Google, stating that the tech giant’s refusal to allow Enel’s JuicePass app to work with its Android Auto platform could constitute an abuse of market power. This decision supports a 2021 fine of 102 million euros imposed by the Italian watchdog after Google blocked the e-mobility app. Google had argued that the refusal was due to security concerns and the absence of a specific template for compatibility, but the court disagreed, stating that dominant companies must ensure their platforms are interoperable with third-party apps unless doing so would harm security.
Although Google has since resolved the issue, the ruling sets a precedent for future cases involving platform dominance. The court acknowledged that companies could refuse interoperability if it compromises platform security, but if this is not the case, they must develop a compatible template in a reasonable timeframe. Google claimed the feature was only relevant to a small percentage of cars in Italy at the time, but the ruling now forces the company to comply with the antitrust decision. The case is final and cannot be appealed, and the Italian Council of State will follow the court’s guidance in its future ruling.
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A groundbreaking study from the University of Copenhagen has demonstrated that AI can decode emotions in animals. By training a machine-learning model to analyse the vocal patterns of seven ungulate species, including cows, pigs, and wild boars, the research achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 89.49%. This study, the first of its kind to cross species, marks a significant step forward in understanding animal emotions.
The AI model identified key acoustic indicators of emotional states, such as duration, frequency, and amplitude of vocalisations, revealing that emotional expressions are evolutionarily conserved across species. This discovery could revolutionise animal welfare, enabling real-time monitoring of animals’ emotional well-being, particularly in livestock management, veterinary care, and conservation efforts.
The implications for animal welfare are profound. Early detection of stress or discomfort could lead to timely interventions, improving animals’ lives. Additionally, promoting positive emotions could enhance overall welfare. The researchers have made their emotional call database publicly available to support further studies and encourage more AI-driven research in animal welfare and conservation.
This study not only sheds new light on animal emotions but also offers insights into the evolutionary roots of human language, opening up exciting possibilities for future scientific exploration and better understanding of animal behaviour.
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Bluesky, the rapidly growing decentralised social media platform, has partnered with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As part of the collaboration, Bluesky will gain access to the IWF’s tools, which include a list of websites containing CSAM and a catalogue of digital fingerprints, or ‘hashes,’ that identify abusive images. This partnership aims to reduce the risk of users encountering illegal content while helping to keep the platform safe from such material.
Bluesky’s head of trust and safety, Aaron Rodericks, welcomed the partnership as a significant step in protecting users from harmful content. With the platform’s rapid growth—reaching over 30 million users by the end of last month—the move comes at a crucial time. In November, Bluesky announced plans to expand its moderation team to address the rise in harmful material following the influx of new users.
The partnership also highlights the growing concern over online child sexual abuse material. The IWF reported record levels of harmful content last year, with over 291,000 web pages removed from the internet. The foundation’s CEO, Derek Ray-Hill, stressed the urgency of tackling the crisis, calling for a collective effort from governments, tech companies, and society.
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Elon Musk’s Starlink network is facing increasing competition in the satellite internet market, particularly from SpaceSail, a Shanghai-based company backed by the Chinese government, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. SpaceSail is expanding rapidly, having entered Brazil in November and begun operations in Kazakhstan by January. Meanwhile, Brazil is also in talks with Project Kuiper and Canada’s Telesat to diversify its options for providing high-speed internet to remote areas.
SpaceSail plans to launch 648 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites this year, with the ambition of deploying up to 15,000 by 2030. This move aims to compete directly with Starlink, which currently operates around 7,000 satellites but plans to increase its constellation to 42,000 by the end of the decade. China’s push into satellite internet is part of its broader strategy to dominate space and digital technologies, which has raised concerns among Western governments, particularly regarding Beijing’s potential to extend its censorship and surveillance reach globally.
China’s rapid expansion in satellite technology, supported by state funding and military research, has intensified. It has launched 263 LEO satellites in the past year alone, and researchers are focusing on low-latency systems to compete with Starlink’s capabilities. The Chinese government is also exploring ways to track and monitor satellite constellations, potentially targeting Starlink as a strategic competitor.
As competition in the satellite internet sector intensifies, particularly between the US, China, and other players like Brazil, the geopolitical and military implications of these space technologies are becoming clearer. With nations striving to secure positions in space, experts warn of an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
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Alibaba has announced plans to invest at least 380 billion yuan ($52.44 billion) in cloud computing and AI infrastructure over the next three years. This significant investment, revealed on Monday, follows the company’s earnings announcement on Friday, where it reported revenue of 280.15 billion yuan for the quarter ending December 31, slightly surpassing analysts’ expectations. The investment in AI and cloud computing will exceed the company’s total spending in these areas over the past decade.
The announcement marks a strategic push for Alibaba in the rapidly growing AI sector, positioning the company as a key player in China’s AI race. This has already paid off in the stock market, with Alibaba’s shares climbing over 68% so far this year, reflecting strong investor confidence. The move also comes as other Chinese tech giants, such as ByteDance, are making similar investments, with ByteDance reportedly allocating over 150 billion yuan this year to enhance its AI capabilities.
This wave of investment underscores the growing importance of AI and cloud computing to China’s tech landscape. It also highlights the competitive race between Chinese firms to dominate these sectors and secure their positions in the global technology arena.
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US drugmaker Amgen has announced a $200 million investment in a new technology centre in southern India, which will focus on using AI and data science to support the development of new medicines. The centre, located in Hyderabad, is expected to have a workforce of around 2,000 by the end of the year, with 300 employees already on-site. Amgen plans to make additional investments in the coming years as part of its ongoing expansion in India.
Amgen’s decision to invest in India reflects the growing importance of the country in the global pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as the ‘pharmacy of the world.’ The company’s new centre aligns with broader efforts by global pharmaceutical companies to increase their presence in India. The BioAsia conference in Hyderabad will feature executives from major drugmakers, including Amgen, Eli Lilly, and Novartis.
Amgen’s move comes amid heightened cooperation between India and the US, which recently launched discussions for an early trade deal. A key focus of these talks is to promote collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, which includes areas like pharmaceuticals. US officials have praised Amgen’s expansion as a model for how both countries can work together to harness innovation and technology.
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Australia’s eSafety Commission has fined messaging platform Telegram A$1 million ($640,000) for failing to respond promptly to questions regarding measures it took to prevent child abuse and extremist content. The Commission had asked social media platforms, including Telegram, to provide details on their efforts to combat harmful content. Telegram missed the May 2024 deadline, submitting its response in October, which led to the fine.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasised the importance of timely transparency and adherence to Australian law. Telegram, however, disagreed with the penalty, stating that it had fully responded to the questions, and plans to appeal the fine, which it claims was solely due to the delay in response time.
The fine comes amid increasing global scrutiny of Telegram, with growing concerns over its use by extremists. Australia’s spy agency recently noted that a significant portion of counter-terrorism cases involved youth, highlighting the increasing risk posed by online extremist content. If Telegram does not comply with the penalty, the eSafety Commission could pursue further legal action.
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US House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan has called on European Union antitrust chief Teresa Ribera to clarify how the EU enforces its Digital Markets Act (DMA), which he believes disproportionately targets American companies. His request follows a memorandum signed by US President Donald Trump, warning that the administration would scrutinise the EU’s new rules regulating how US companies interact with consumers in Europe.
Jordan and his co-signatory, Scott Fitzgerald, criticised the DMA’s hefty fines, which can reach up to 10% of a company’s global revenue for violations. They argue that the rules not only disadvantage US companies but also potentially benefit Chinese firms, stifling innovation and handing over valuable data to adversarial nations. The letter urges Ribera to address these concerns with the judiciary committee by March 10.
The European Commission, where Ribera is the second-highest official, has rejected claims that its laws are aimed at American companies. Ribera defended the DMA in a recent interview, stating that the EU should not be pressured into altering laws that have already been approved by European lawmakers.
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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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