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Quantum tech could break online security, warns India

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), alongside cybersecurity firm SISA, cautions that these powerful machines could soon break the encryption used to protect everything from online banking to personal identity systems.

CERT-In’s new white paper outlines how attackers may already be stockpiling encrypted data to unlock later using quantum tools, a tactic called ‘harvest now, decrypt later’. If left unaddressed, this strategy could expose sensitive data stored today once quantum technology matures.

AI is adding to the urgency. As it becomes more embedded in digital systems, it also increases access to user data, raising the stakes if encryption is compromised. The biggest digital systems in India, including Aadhaar, cryptocurrencies, and smart devices, are seen as particularly exposed to this looming risk.

Everyday users are advised to take precautions: update devices regularly, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and avoid storing sensitive data online long-term. Services like Signal or ProtonMail, which use strong encryption, are also recommended.

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Stay True To The Act campaign defends music rights

More than 30 European musicians have launched a united video campaign urging the European Commission to preserve the integrity of the EU AI Act.

The Stay True To The Act campaign calls on policymakers to enforce transparency and uphold copyright protections.

Artists, including Spanish singer-songwriter Álex Ubago and Poland’s Eurovision 2025 entrant Justyna Steczkowska, have voiced concern over the unauthorised use of their work to train AI models. They demand the right to be informed and the power to refuse such usage.

The EU AI Act, passed in 2024, includes provisions requiring developers to disclose the content used in AI training. However, as implementation plans develop, artists fear the law may be diluted, weakening protections for creators.

The campaign appeals for vigorous enforcement of the Act’s original principles: transparency, copyright control and fair innovation. Artists say AI and music can coexist in Europe only if ethical boundaries are upheld.

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AI brings new life to martial arts cinema legends

China is embarking on a major digital restoration project to preserve its rich martial arts film heritage. Announced at the Shanghai International Film Festival, the government-backed initiative aims to restore 100 classic kung fu movies using AI.

Unlike Hollywood’s trend of digitally recreating actors, this effort focuses on enhancing image and sound quality while preserving the original storytelling and aesthetics. Films like Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury, Jackie Chan’s Police Story, and Jet Li’s Once Upon a Time in China will receive the high-definition makeover.

The project, supported by the China Film Foundation, is being framed to safeguard cultural treasures for future generations. Officials emphasise that AI will serve only as a preservation tool, not altering the essence of these iconic works.

However, the initiative has sparked debate: some critics fear that overreliance on technology could dilute the human touch in cinema, while supporters believe this will help introduce these classics to younger global audiences who may otherwise overlook them.

In parallel, China is experimenting with a more radical approach through A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border, a fully AI-animated reboot that reimagines a beloved story rather than simply restoring it. That contrast highlights the country’s growing ambition to blend tradition with cutting-edge technology in the entertainment industry. Whether seen as a bold step toward the future or a controversial new chapter, the legendary kung fu films of the past are poised to shine again in stunning clarity.

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Japan smashes internet speed record

Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology researchers pushed optical networking to its limits.

They successfully transmitted data at a blistering 1.02 petabits per second, a breakthrough speed equivalent to transferring Netflix-quality content or entire encyclopedias in under a second. The test covered nearly 1,800 km, showcasing raw capacity and long-haul viability.

A pioneering 19-core optical fibre, no thicker than typical single-core cables, enabled this achievement. Multiple wavelength bands were combined and amplified 21 times to ensure signal integrity across the distance.

However, this feat doubles last year’s record and retains compatibility with existing fibre infrastructure.

Beyond breaking records, the project signals that future networks could support the massive bandwidth demands of AI, 8K streaming, cloud computing and even 6G.

By demonstrating that modern infrastructure can handle this scale, the researchers hope to accelerate deployment in undersea cables, national backbones, and data centres.

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Most US teens use AI companion bots despite risks

A new national survey shows that roughly 72% of American teenagers, aged 13 to 17, have tried AI companion apps such as Replika, Character.AI, and Nomi, with over half interacting with them regularly.

Although some teens report benefits like practising conversation skills or emotional self-expression, significant safety concerns have emerged.

Around 34% have been left uncomfortable by the bot’s behaviour, and one-third have turned to AI for advice on serious personal issues. Worryingly, nearly a quarter of users disclosed their real names or locations in chats.

Despite frequent use, most teens still prefer real friendships—two-thirds say AI interactions are less satisfying, and 80% maintain stronger ties to human friends.

Experts warn that teens are especially vulnerable to emotional dependency, manipulative responses, and data privacy violations through these apps.

Youth advocates call for mandatory age verification, better content moderation, and expanded AI literacy education, arguing that minors should not use companionship bots until more regulations are in place and platforms become truly safe for young users.

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xAI eyes data centre deal with Humain

Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, has entered early discussions with Humain to secure data centre capacity instead of relying solely on existing infrastructure.

According to Bloomberg, the arrangement could involve several gigawatts of capacity, although Humain has yet to start building its facilities, meaning any deal would take years to materialise.

Humain is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). xAI is reportedly considering a fresh funding round where PIF might also invest.

At the same time, xAI is negotiating with a smaller company constructing a 200-megawatt data centre, offering a more immediate solution while waiting for larger projects.

Rather than operating in isolation, xAI joins AI competitors like Google, Meta and Microsoft in racing to secure vast computing power for training large AI models. The push for massive data centre capacity reflects the escalating demands of advanced AI systems.

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LEO becomes Africa’s first AI chatbot to enable remittances

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has introduced cross-border payments via its AI chatbot, LEO, enabling instant transfers across African nations in local currencies.

However, this marks the first time an AI-powered chatbot has facilitated such transactions on the continent.

The feature relies on the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, developed by Afreximbank, which allows seamless fund transfers between African countries supported by their central banks. It eliminates the need for hard currencies and aims to reduce fees while supporting financial inclusion.

UBA said the service allows customers to send and receive money across borders within seconds through self-service channels, with zero charges for recipients.

The initiative also supports Africa’s wider economic ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

The bank operates in 20 African countries and serves over 45 million customers worldwide. CEO Oliver Alawuba described the development as a bold step toward digital innovation and Pan-African integration.

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Huang says Chinese AI science is world class

NVIDIA’s CEO has praised China’s open-source AI work during a high-profile visit to Beijing, spotlighting DeepSeek as an example of world-class science and engineering.

At the International Supply Chain Expo, Huang highlighted the global value of Chinese contributions to AI research.

He told former Alibaba executive Wang Jian that Chinese researchers publish more AI papers than any other nation, calling their output A-plus in both science and engineering. Huang named DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, MiniMax, and Baidu’s Ernie Bot globally significant AI leaders.

The visit coincides with a policy shift by the US government allowing Nvidia to resume H20 chip exports to China. Huang confirmed that export licenses are expected soon, potentially unlocking billions in lost revenue.

Industry watchers see this development as pivotal for Nvidia, which had paused shipments under earlier restrictions. The chipmaker’s renewed access to China’s semiconductor market could reshape global AI infrastructure over the next year.

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Google expands AI tools in Search with new subscriber perks

Google has begun rolling out new AI features in Search, introducing AI-powered phone calling to help users gather business information instead of contacting places manually.

The service, free for everyone in the US, allows people to search for businesses and have Google’s AI check pricing and availability on their behalf.

Subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra receive additional exclusive capabilities. These include access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s most advanced AI model, which supports complex queries such as coding or financial analysis.

Users can enable Gemini 2.5 Pro through the AI Mode tab instead of relying on the default model. Google is also launching Deep Research tools through Deep Search for in-depth investigations related to work, studies, or major life decisions.

Rather than rolling everything out all at once, Google is phasing in the features gradually. AI-powered calling is now available to all Search users in the US, while Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Research are becoming available specifically to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.

With these updates, Google aims to position Search as more than a simple information tool by transforming it into an active digital assistant capable of handling everyday tasks and complex research instead of merely providing quick answers.

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Experts link Qantas data breach to AI voice impersonation

Cybersecurity experts believe criminals may have used AI-generated voice deepfakes to breach Qantas systems, potentially deceiving contact centre staff in Manila. The breach affected nearly six million customers, with links to a group known as Scattered Spider.

Qantas confirmed the breach after detecting suspicious activity on a third-party platform. Stolen data included names, phone numbers, and addresses—but no financial details. The airline has not confirmed whether voice impersonation was involved.

Experts point to Scattered Spiders’ history of using synthetic voices to trick help desk staff into handing over credentials. Former FBI agent Adam Marré said the technique, known as vishing, matches the group’s typical methods and links them to The Com, a cybercrime collective.

Other members of The Com have targeted companies like Salesforce through similar tactics. Qantas reportedly warned contact centre staff shortly before the breach, citing a threat advisory connected to Scattered Spider.

Google and CrowdStrike reported that the group frequently impersonates employees over the phone to bypass multi-factor authentication and reset passwords. The FBI has warned that Scattered Spider is now targeting airlines.

Qantas says its core systems remain secure and has not confirmed receiving a ransom demand. The airline is cooperating with authorities and urging affected customers to watch for scams using their leaked information.

Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro notes that voice deepfakes are now easy to produce, with convincing audio clips available for as little as $5. The deepfakes can mimic language, tone, and emotion, making them powerful tools for deception.

Experts recommend biometric verification, synthetic signal detection, and real-time security challenges to counter deepfakes. Employee training and multi-factor authentication remain essential defences.

Recent global cases illustrate the risk. In one instance, a deepfake mimicking US Senator Marco Rubio attempted to access sensitive systems. Other attacks involved cloned voices of US political figures Joe Biden and Susie Wiles.

As voice content becomes more publicly available, experts warn that anyone sharing audio online could become a target for AI-driven impersonation.

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