Telecommunications infrastructure Archives | Page 12 of 122

Latam-GPT signals new AI ambition in Latin America

Chile has introduced Latam-GPT to strengthen Latin America’s presence in global AI.

The project, developed by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence with support across South America, aims to correct long-standing biases by training systems on the region’s own data instead of material drawn mainly from the US or Europe.

President Gabriel Boric said the model will help maintain cultural identity and allow the region to take a more active role in technological development.

Latam-GPT is not designed as a conversational tool but rather as a vast dataset that serves as the foundation for future applications. More than eight terabytes of information have been collected, mainly in Spanish and Portuguese, with plans to add indigenous languages as the project expands.

The first version has been trained on Amazon Web Services. At the same time, future work will run on a new supercomputer at the University of Tarapacá, supported by millions of dollars in regional funding.

The model reflects growing interest among countries outside the major AI hubs of the US, China and Europe in developing their own technology instead of relying on foreign systems.

Researchers in Chile argue that global models often include Latin American data in tiny proportions, which can limit accurate representation. Despite questions about resources and scale, supporters believe Latam-GPT can deliver practical benefits tailored to local needs.

Early adoption is already underway, with the Chilean firm Digevo preparing customer service tools based on the model.

These systems will operate in regional languages and recognise local expressions, offering a more natural experience than products trained on data from other parts of the world.

Developers say the approach could reduce bias and promote more inclusive AI across the continent.

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Next-gen AI infrastructure boosted by Samsung HBM4

Samsung Electronics has commenced mass production and commercial shipments of its next-generation HBM4 memory, marking the first industry deployment of the advanced high-bandwidth solution.

The launch strengthens the company’s position in AI infrastructure hardware as demand for accelerated computing intensifies.

Built on sixth-generation 10nm-class DRAM and a 4nm logic base die, HBM4 delivers transfer speeds of 11.7Gbps, with performance scalable to 13Gbps. Bandwidth per stack has surged, reducing data bottlenecks as AI models and processing demands grow.

Engineering upgrades extend beyond raw speed. Enhanced stacking architecture, low-power design integration, and thermal optimisation have improved energy efficiency and heat dissipation, supporting large-scale data centre deployments and sustained GPU workloads.

Production scale-up is already in motion, backed by expanded manufacturing capacity and industry partnerships. Samsung expects HBM revenue growth to accelerate into 2026, with next-generation variants and custom configurations scheduled for future release cycles.

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Saudi Arabia recasts Vision 2030 with new priorities

The new phase of Vision 2030 is being steered toward technology, digital infrastructure and advanced industry by Saudi Arabia instead of relying on large urban construction schemes.

Officials highlight the need to support sectors that can accelerate innovation, strengthen data capabilities and expand the kingdom’s role in global tech development.

The move aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and build long-term competitiveness in areas such as smart manufacturing, logistics technology and clean energy systems.

Recent adjustments involve scaling back or rescheduling some giga projects so that investment can be channelled toward initiatives with strong digital and technological potential.

Elements of the NEOM programme have been revised, while funding attention is shifting to areas that enable automation, renewable technologies and high-value services.

Saudi Arabia aims to position Riyadh as a regional hub for research, emerging technologies and advanced industries. Officials stress that Vision 2030 remains active, yet its next stage will focus on projects that can accelerate technological adoption and strengthen economic resilience.

The Public Investment Fund continues to guide investment toward ecosystems that support innovation, including clean energy, digital infrastructure and international technology partnerships.

An approach that reflects earlier recommendations to match economic planning with evolving skills, future labour market needs and opportunities in fast-growing sectors.

Analysts note that the revised direction prioritises sustainable growth by expanding the kingdom’s participation in global technological development instead of relying mainly on construction-driven momentum.

Social and regulatory reforms connected to digital transformation also remain part of the Vision 2030 agenda. Investments in training, digital literacy and workforce development are intended to ensure that young people can participate fully in the technology sectors the kingdom is prioritising.

With such a shift, the government seeks to balance long-term economic diversification with practical technological goals that reinforce innovation and strengthen the country’s competitive position.

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Russia tightens controls as Telegram faces fresh restrictions

Authorities in Russia have tightened their grip on Telegram after the state regulator Roskomnadzor introduced new measures accusing the platform of failing to curb fraud and safeguard personal data.

Users across the country have increasingly reported slow downloads and disrupted media content since January, with complaints rising sharply early in the week. Although officials initially rejected claims of throttling, industry sources insist that download speeds have been deliberately reduced.

Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, argues that Roskomnadzor is trying to steer people toward Max rather than allowing open competition. Max is a government-backed messenger widely viewed by critics as a tool for surveillance and political control.

While text messages continue to load normally for most, media content such as videos, images and voice notes has become unreliable, particularly on mobile devices. Some users report that only the desktop version performs without difficulty.

The slowdown is already affecting daily routines, as many Russians rely on Telegram for work communication and document sharing, much as workplaces elsewhere rely on Slack rather than email.

Officials also use Telegram to issue emergency alerts, and regional leaders warn that delays could undermine public safety during periods of heightened military activity.

Pressure on foreign platforms has grown steadily. Restrictions on voice and video calls were introduced last summer, accompanied by claims that criminals and hostile actors were using Telegram and WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Max continues to gain users, reaching 70 million monthly accounts by December. Despite its rise, it remains behind Telegram and WhatsApp, which still dominate Russia’s messaging landscape.

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Slovenia sets out an ambitious AI vision ahead of global summit

Ambitions for AI were outlined during a presentation at the Jožef Stefan Institute, where Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob highlighted the country’s growing role in scientific research and technological innovation.

He argued that AI has moved far beyond a supportive research tool and is now shaping the way societies function.

He called for deeper cooperation between engineering and the natural sciences instead of isolated efforts, while stressing that social sciences and the humanities must also be involved to secure balanced development.

Golob welcomed the joint bid for a new national supercomputer, noting that institutions once competing for excellence are now collaborating. He said Europe must build a stronger collective capacity if it wants to keep pace with the US and China.

Europe may excel in knowledge, he added, yet it continues to lag behind in turning that knowledge into useful tools for society.

Government officials set out the investment increases that support Slovenia’s long-term scientific agenda. Funding for research, innovation and development has risen sharply, while work has begun on two major projects: the national supercomputer and the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.

Leaders from the Jožef Stefan Institute praised the government for recognising Slovenia’s AI potential and strengthening financial support.

Slovenia will present its progress at next week’s AI Action Summit in Paris, where global leaders, researchers, civil society and industry representatives will discuss sustainable AI standards.

Officials said that sustained investment in knowledge remains the most reliable route to social progress and international competitiveness.

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EU challenges Meta over WhatsApp AI restrictions

The European Commission has warned Meta that it may have breached EU antitrust rules by restricting third-party AI assistants from operating on WhatsApp. A Statement of Objections outlines regulators’ preliminary view that the policy could distort competition in the AI assistant market.

The probe centres on updated WhatsApp Business terms announced in October 2025 and enforced from January 2026. Under the changes, rival general-purpose AI assistants were effectively barred from accessing the platform, leaving Meta AI as the only integrated assistant available to users.

Regulators argue that WhatsApp serves as a critical gateway for consumers AI access AI services. Excluding competitors could reinforce Meta’s dominance in communication applications while limiting market entry and expansion opportunities for smaller AI developers.

Interim measures are now under consideration to prevent what authorities describe as potentially serious and irreversible competitive harm. Meta can respond before any interim measures are imposed, while the broader antitrust probe continues.

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EU telecom simplification at risk as Digital Networks Act adds extra admin

The ambitions of the EU to streamline telecom rules are facing fresh uncertainty after a Commission document indicated that the Digital Networks Act may create more administrative demands for national regulators instead of easing their workload.

The plan to simplify long-standing procedures risks becoming more complex as officials examine the impact on oversight bodies.

Concerns are growing among telecom authorities and BEREC, which may need to adjust to new reporting duties and heightened scrutiny. The additional requirements could limit regulators’ ability to respond quickly to national needs.

Policymakers hoped the new framework would reduce bureaucracy and modernise the sector. The emerging assessment now suggests that greater coordination at the EU level may introduce extra layers of compliance at a time when regulators seek clarity and flexibility.

The debate has intensified as governments push for faster network deployment and more predictable governance. The prospect of heavier administrative tasks could slow progress rather than deliver the streamlined system originally promised.

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Discord expands teen-by-default protection worldwide

Discord is preparing a global transition to teen-appropriate settings that will apply to all users unless they confirm they are adults.

The phased rollout begins in early March and forms part of the company’s wider effort to offer protection tailored to younger audiences rather than relying on voluntary safety choices. Controls will cover communication settings, sensitive content and access to age-restricted communities.

The update is based on an expanded age assurance system designed to protect privacy while accurately identifying users’ age groups. People can use facial age estimation on their own device or select identity verification handled by approved partners.

Discord will also rely on an age-inference model that runs quietly in the background. Verification results remain private, and documents are deleted quickly, with users able to appeal group assignments through account settings.

Stricter defaults will apply across the platform. Sensitive media will stay blurred unless a user is confirmed as an adult, and access to age-gated servers or commands will require verification.

Message requests from unfamiliar contacts will be separated, friend-request alerts will be more prominent and only adults will be allowed to speak on community stages instead of sharing the feature with teens.

Discord is complementing the update by creating a Teen Council to offer advice on future safety tools and policies. The council will include up to a dozen young users and aims to embed real teen insight in product development.

The global rollout builds on earlier launches in the UK and Australia, adding to an existing safety ecosystem that includes Teen Safety Assist, Family Centre, and several moderation tools intended to support positive and secure online interactions.

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Singtel opens largest AI ready data centre in Singapore

Singtel’s data centre arm Nxera has opened its largest data centre in Singapore at Tuas. The facility strengthens Singapore’s role as a regional hub for AI infrastructure.

The Tuas site in Singapore offers 58MW of AI-ready capacity and is described as the country’s highest- power-density data centre. More than 90 per cent of Singapore’s capacity was committed before the official launch.

Nxera said the Singapore facility is hyperconnected through direct access to international and domestic networks. Singapore gains lower latency and improved reliability from integration with a cable landing station.

Singtel said the Tuas development supports rising demand in Singapore for AI, cloud and high performance computing. Nxera plans further expansion in Asia while reinforcing Singapore’s position in digital infrastructure.

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EU strengthens cyber defence after attack on Commission mobile systems

A cyber-attack targeting the European Commission’s central mobile infrastructure was identified on 30 January, raising concerns that staff names and mobile numbers may have been accessed.

The Commission isolated the affected system within nine hours instead of allowing the breach to escalate, and no mobile device compromise was detected.

Also, the Commission plans a full review of the incident to reinforce the resilience of internal systems.

Officials argue that Europe faces daily cyber and hybrid threats targeting essential services and democratic institutions, underscoring the need for stronger defensive capabilities across all levels of the EU administration.

CERT-EU continues to provide constant threat monitoring, automated alerts and rapid responses to vulnerabilities, guided by the Interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board.

These efforts support the broader legislative push to strengthen cybersecurity, including the Cybersecurity Act 2.0, which introduces a Trusted ICT Supply Chain to reduce reliance on high-risk providers.

Recent measures are complemented by the NIS2 Directive, which sets a unified legal framework for cybersecurity across 18 critical sectors, and the Cyber Solidarity Act, which enhances operational cooperation through the European Cyber Shield and the Cyber Emergency Mechanism.

Together, they aim to ensure collective readiness against large-scale cyber threats.

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