Snapshot: The developments that made waves
AI governance
Chinese companies are increasingly backing DeepSeek‘s AI, marking a pivotal moment for the industry.
The European Commission has launched the OpenEuroLLM Project, a new initiative to develop open-source, multilingual AI models.
Australia has banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from all government devices, citing security risks.
World leaders gathered in Paris for the second day of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, where the focus turned to balancing national interests with global cooperation.
In his op-ed, From Hammurabi to ChatGPT, Jovan Kurbalija draws on the ancient Code of Hammurabi to argue for a principle of legal accountability in modern AI regulation and governance.
Technologies
DeepSeek, an up-and-coming AI startup from China, is rapidly pushing forward the release of its latest AI model, R2, following the remarkable success of its predecessor, R1.
Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, has unveiled its latest AI model, Grok-3, which the billionaire claims is the most advanced chatbot technology.
The New York Times has officially approved the use of AI tools for its editorial and product teams, allowing AI to assist with tasks such as generating social media copy, writing SEO headlines, and coding.
Microsoft has announced a groundbreaking quantum computing chip, Majorana 1, which it claims could make useful quantum computers a reality within years.
China has warned that the United States‘ efforts to pressure other nations into targeting its semiconductor industry will ultimately backfire.
Infrastructure
A state-of-the-art space lab on the outskirts of Cairo, touted as Africa’s first satellite production facility, has been built with substantial Chinese involvement.
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.
Cybersecurity
The EU Commission introduced a proposal aimed at strengthening the EU’s response to large-scale cyber attacks.
Hackers have stolen $1.5 billion from Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit in what is believed to be the largest digital heist in history.
Following the recent security breach at Bybit, major cryptocurrency firms have joined forces to combat the attack and mitigate its impact.
Digital rights
Elon Musk has reignited his rivalry with OpenAI by leading a consortium in a staggering $97.4 billion bid to acquire the nonprofit that governs the ChatGPT creator.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has raised concerns about the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, accusing it of excessively collecting personal data and using it for training purposes.
TikTok has introduced a new method for US Android users to download the app directly from its website, bypassing restrictions imposed by app stores.
South Korea’s data protection authority has suspended new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, citing concerns over non-compliance with the country’s privacy laws.
A US federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data from seven federal agencies or making further workforce cuts.
Legal
An online education company has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming its AI-generated search overviews are damaging digital publishing.
The Trump administration is reevaluating the conditions of CHIPS and Science Act subsidies, which allocate $39 billion to boost domestic semiconductor production.
Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has successfully removed a judge from a German court case concerning demands for real-time election data.
Trump Media & Technology Group and Rumble have filed an emergency motion in a US court against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Internet economy
Chinese investors are flocking to AI-related stocks, betting that the success of home-grown startup DeepSeek will propel China to the forefront of the AI race amid the escalating Sino-US technology conflict.
In a meeting at the White House on Friday, US President Donald Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang discussed the emerging challenges posed by China’s AI advancements, particularly the rapid rise of DeepSeek that has disrupted the global tech industry.
Macron announced private sector investments totalling around 109 billion euros ($112.5 billion) in its AI sector at the Paris AI summit, according to President Emmanuel Macron.
Elon Musk, who is leading Donald Trump’s federal cost-cutting initiative, has announced that efforts are underway to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he was in active discussions with China over the future of TikTok, as the US seeks to broker a sale of the popular app.
Elon Musk’s social media company X is currently discussing raising funds from investors at a $44 billion valuation.
Development
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.
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.
Sociocultural
A German court has ruled that Elon Musk’s social media platform X must provide researchers with data to track the spread of misinformation ahead of the country’s national election on 23 February.
French prosecutors have launched an investigation into X, formerly known as Twitter, over alleged algorithmic bias.
Meta has launched a new initiative with UNESCO to enhance AI language recognition and translation, focusing on underserved languages.
A recent report by Australia’s eSafety regulator reveals that children in the country are finding it easy to bypass age restrictions on social media platforms.
A Russian court has fined Google 3.8 million roubles (£32,600) for hosting YouTube videos that allegedly instructed Russian soldiers on how to surrender.
Mexico has strongly opposed Google’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’ for US Google Maps users.
For more information on cybersecurity, digital policies, AI governance and other related topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
Data Protection Day 2025: A new mandate for data protection
Data Protection Day 2025 brought experts to Brussels and online to discuss the latest privacy challenges. The event featured key speeches, panels, and discussions on data protection enforcement, international cooperation, and the impact of emerging technologies.
In his keynote, Leonardo Cervera Navas warned about algorithms being used to destabilise the EU democracies and the power imbalance caused by tech monopolies. Despite these challenges, he emphasised that European values and regulatory tools like the Digital Clearing House 2.0 could help uphold privacy.
A panel moderated by Kait Bolongaro examined data protection priorities and enforcement challenges. European Data Protection Supervisor Wojciech Wiewiorowski stressed the role of strong data protection authorities (DPAs) in ensuring GDPR compliance. Matthias Kloth highlighted the modernisation of Convention 108+ as a key legal advancement. The discussion also covered international cooperation, with panellists agreeing that while global collaboration is necessary, privacy standards must not be diluted.
Audience questions raised concerns about the complexity and cost of enforcing privacy rights. Wiewiorowski saw no major GDPR overhaul in the near future but suggested procedural adjustments. Jo Pierson proposed that civil society organisations assist individuals facing legal barriers. The discussion also touched on China’s DeepSeek AI, with panellists refraining from labelling it a threat but stressing the need for Europe to control AI training datasets. Wiewiorowski likened the AI race to the Cold War’s ‘Sputnik moment,’ questioning if Europe was falling behind.
A session on future data protection challenges, led by Anna Buchta, highlighted regulatory complexity. Marina Kaljurand noted a significant digital knowledge gap among European lawmakers, complicating policy decisions. She also raised concerns about the UK’s adequacy decision, which expires in June 2025, and worsening US-EU relations under Trump. UK Information Commissioner John Edwards emphasised AI’s disruptive impact on biometrics and tracking, while Alberto Di Felice from DIGITALEUROPE criticised excessive bureaucracy, advocating for streamlined regulatory oversight.
Beatriz de Anchorena, head of Argentina’s data protection authority, championed Convention 108+ as a global privacy standard. Argentina, the first non-European country to receive EU adequacy, has remained a leader in data protection reform.
A discussion on neuroscience and privacy, moderated by Ella Mein, explored ethical concerns surrounding brain data. Professor Marcello Ienca warned of potential ‘neuro-discrimination’ and the dangers of exploiting brain data. ECtHR Jurisconsult Anna Austin highlighted legal challenges, noting the high standards required for data waivers.
The final panel, led by Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna, addressed the need for stronger enforcement. Johnny Ryan of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties criticised the EU’s slow response to data misuse, while Nora Ni Loideain emphasised the GDPR’s role in giving DPAs greater enforcement power.
The event underscored the need for robust regulation, global cooperation, and better enforcement mechanisms to protect privacy in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Legacy media vs social media and alternative media channels
The rapid spread of digital information has transformed communication, offering opportunities and challenges. While social media and alternative platforms have democratised access to information, they have also enabled misinformation, deepfakes, and sensationalism to flourish. The tension between traditional media and these new forms of communication is at the heart of current debates on content policy and media integrity.
The case of Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open highlights this shift. After a Channel 9 journalist made derogatory remarks about him and his Serbian supporters, Djokovic refused an on-court interview and took to social media to share his perspective. His video went viral, attracting support from figures like Elon Musk, who criticised traditional media as a ‘negativity filter,’ This incident underscored the ability of social media to bypass mainstream media narratives, raising questions about journalistic objectivity, editorial oversight, and the role of direct communication in shaping public discourse.
Similarly, alternative media’s influence on political discourse was evident in Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. In 2024, Donald Trump’s appearance on the podcast allowed him to engage with audiences outside traditional news constraints, potentially boosting his presidential campaign. In contrast, Kamala Harris declined an invitation after requesting pre-approved questions. This difference illustrated how politicians navigate new media environments—some embracing unscripted discussions, others preferring controlled narratives. The case of Vladimir Klitschko further demonstrated how alternative media offers international figures a platform for nuanced discussions on global issues.
Elon Musk’s experience with the media further highlights these dynamics. After traditional media misrepresented a gesture he made at a public event, Musk turned to X (formerly Twitter) to counter the narrative. His criticism of ‘legacy media’ as biassed and slow to adapt resonated with many, reinforcing the growing preference for direct, unfiltered communication. However, this shift presents risks, as social media and alternative platforms lack the editorial oversight that traditional outlets provide, allowing misinformation to spread more easily.
The rise of podcasts, independent media, and social networks has disrupted traditional journalism, offering new ways to engage audiences. While these platforms provide greater freedom of expression, they raise concerns about accuracy, misinformation, and accountability. The challenge remains in balancing openness with factual integrity, ensuring that media—whether traditional or alternative—serves the public responsibly in an era where the boundaries between truth and fabrication continue to blur.