A joint statement committed to signing an administrative agreement on AI, aligned with principles from the Hiroshima AI Process. Shared initiatives include a €4 million EU-supported quantum R&D project named Q‑NEKO and the 6G MIRAI‑HARMONY research effort.
Both parties pledge to enhance data governance, digital identity interoperability, regulatory coordination across platforms, and secure connectivity via submarine cables and Arctic routes. The accord builds on the Strategic Partnership Agreement activated in January 2025, reinforcing their mutual platform for rules-based, value-driven digital and innovation cooperation.
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A growing number of US teens rely on AI for daily decision‑making and emotional support, with chatbots such as ChatGPT, Character.AI and Replika. One Kansas student admits she uses AI to simplify everyday tasks, using it to choose clothes or plan events while avoiding schoolwork.
A survey by Common Sense Media reveals that over 70 per cent of teenagers have tried AI companions, with around half using them regularly. Roughly a third reported discussing serious issues with AI, sometimes finding it as or more satisfying than talking with friends.
Experts express concern that such frequent AI interactions could hinder development of creativity, critical thinking and social skills in young people. The study warns adolescents may become overly validated by AI, missing out on real‑world emotional growth.
Educators caution that while AI offers constant, non‑judgemental feedback, it is not a replacement for authentic human relationships. They recommend AI use be carefully supervised to ensure it complements rather than replaces real interaction.
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Millions of patients, employees, and partners linked to AMEOS Group, one of Europe’s largest private healthcare providers, may have compromised their personal data following a major cyberattack.
The company admitted that hackers briefly accessed its IT systems, stealing sensitive data including contact information and records tied to patients and corporate partners.
Despite existing security measures, AMEOS was unable to prevent the breach. The company operates over 100 facilities across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, employing 18,000 staff and managing over 10,000 beds.
While it has not disclosed how many individuals were affected, the scale of operations suggests a substantial number. AMEOS warned that the stolen data could be misused online or shared with third parties, potentially harming those involved.
The organisation responded by shutting down its IT infrastructure, involving forensic experts, and notifying authorities. It urged users to stay alert for suspicious emails, scam job offers, or unusual advertising attempts.
Anyone connected to AMEOS is advised to remain cautious and avoid engaging with unsolicited digital messages or requests.
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Asia stands at a pivotal moment as policymakers urge swift deployment of converging 5G and AI technologies. Experts argue that 5G should be treated as a foundational enabler for AI, not just a telecom upgrade, to power future industries.
A report from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy identifies ten urgent imperatives, notably forming national 5G‑AI strategies, empowering central coordination bodies and modernising spectrum policies. Industry leaders stress that aligning 5G and AI investment is essential to sustain innovation.
Without firm action, the digital divide could deepen and stall progress. Coordinated adoption and skilled workforce development are seen as critical to turning incremental gains into transformational regional leadership.
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Amazon is shutting down its AI research lab in Shanghai, marking another step in its gradual withdrawal from China. The move comes amid continuing US–China trade tensions and a broader trend of American tech companies reassessing their presence in the country.
The company said the decision was part of a global streamlining effort rather than a response to AI concerns.
A spokesperson for AWS said the company had reviewed its organisational priorities and decided to cut some roles across certain teams. The exact number of job losses has not been confirmed.
Before Amazon’s confirmation, one of the lab’s senior researchers noted on WeChat that the Shanghai site was the final overseas AWS AI research lab and attributed its closure to shifts in US–China strategy.
The team had built a successful open-source graph neural network framework known as DGL, which reportedly brought in nearly $1 billion in revenue for Amazon’s e-commerce arm.
Amazon has been reducing its footprint in China for several years. It closed its domestic online marketplace in 2019, halted Kindle sales in 2022, and recently laid off AWS staff in the US.
Other tech giants including IBM and Microsoft have also shut down China-based research units this year, while some Chinese AI firms are now relocating operations abroad instead of remaining in a volatile domestic environment.
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EE’s 5G standalone network is set to reach more than 34 million people across the UK by the end of August. The expansion will cover over half of the country’s population, including major cities, holiday destinations and key sporting and entertainment venues.
The telecom provider has already launched the upgraded network in many towns and cities, with a further 38 locations joining by the end of next month. These include places such as Aberdeen, Canterbury, Grimsby, Ipswich, Salisbury, Wrexham and Yeovil, among others.
5G standalone networks offer faster, more secure and low-latency mobile experiences without relying on older 4G infrastructure.
According to BT Group’s chief networks officer, the rollout is designed to improve performance whether someone is on a packed train platform, livestreaming at a concert, or calling loved ones from a holiday destination.
EE’s move is part of a broader strategy to improve everyday connectivity across the UK, aiming to deliver a more seamless experience for millions rather than limiting high-speed coverage to major urban centres alone.
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Millions of Android-based devices have been infected by a new strain of malware called BadBox 2.0, prompting urgent warnings from Google and the FBI. The malicious software can trigger ransomware attacks and collect sensitive user data.
The infected devices are primarily cheap, off-brand products manufactured in China, many of which come preloaded with the malware. Models such as the X88 Pro 10, T95, and QPLOVE Q9 are among those identified as compromised.
Google has launched legal action to shut down the illegal operation, calling BadBox 2.0 the largest botnet linked to internet-connected TVs. The FBI has advised the public to disconnect any suspicious devices and check for unusual network activity.
The malware generates illicit revenue through adware and poses broader cybersecurity threats, including denial-of-service attacks. Consumers are urged to avoid unofficial products and verify devices are Play Protect-certified before use.
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Iran’s Minister of Communications has revealed the country’s digital economy shrank by 30% in just one month, losing around $170 million due to internet restrictions imposed during its recent 12-day conflict with Israel.
Sattar Hashemi told parliament on 22 July that roughly 10 million Iranians rely on digital jobs, but widespread shutdowns caused severe disruptions across platforms and services.
Hashemi estimated that every two days of restrictions inflicted 10 trillion rials in losses, totalling 150 trillion rials — an amount he said rivals the annual budgets of entire ministries.
While acknowledging the damage, he clarified that his ministry was not responsible for the shutdowns, attributing them instead to decisions made by intelligence and security agencies for national security reasons.
Alongside the blackouts, Iran endured over 20,000 cyberattacks during the conflict. Many of these targeted banks and payment systems, with platforms for Bank Sepah and Bank Pasargad knocked offline, halting salaries for military personnel.
Hacktivist groups such as Predatory Sparrow and Tapandegan claimed credit for the attacks, with some incidents reportedly wiping out crypto assets and further weakening the rial by 12%.
Lawmakers are now questioning the unequal structure of internet access. Critics have accused the government of enabling a ‘class-based internet’ in which insiders retain full access while the public faces heavy censorship.
MP Salman Es’haghi warned that Iran’s digital future cannot rely on filtered networks, demanding transparency about who benefits from unrestricted use.
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NASA engineers have revealed they remotely repaired a failing camera aboard the Juno spacecraft orbiting Jupiter using a bold heating technique known as annealing.
Instead of replacing the hardware, which was impossible given the 595 million kilometre distance from Earth, the team deliberately overheated the camera’s internals to reverse suspected radiation damage.
JunoCam, designed to last only eight orbits, surprisingly survived over 45 before image quality deteriorated on the 47th. Engineers suspected a voltage regulator fault and chose to heat the camera to 77°F, altering the silicon at a microscopic level.
The risky fix temporarily worked, but the issue resurfaced, prompting a second annealing at maximum heat just before a close flyby of Jupiter’s moon Io in late 2023.
The experiment’s success encouraged further tests on other Juno instruments, offering valuable insights into spacecraft resilience. Although NASA didn’t confirm whether these follow-ups succeeded, the effort highlighted the increasing need for in-situ repairs as missions explore deeper into space.
While JunoCam resumed high-quality imaging up to orbit 74, new signs of degradation have since appeared. NASA hasn’t yet confirmed whether another fix is planned or if the camera’s mission has ended.
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GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc. has begun delivering samples of its latest 5G chipsets to lead customers, including Airspan Networks and Orbic. The company offers chip and module formats to meet specific testing needs.
Initial shipments aim to fulfil early demand, after which GCT will work with clients to assess performance and establish production requirements. The firm is well positioned to scale with a robust supply chain and deep experience in high-speed connectivity.
The fabless semiconductor designer targets mid-tier 5G applications and plans to introduce a Verizon-certified module. GCT has said it remains focused on accelerating its role in the global 5G market.
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