MTN South Africa, China Telecom, and Huawei collaborate strategically to advance 5G, cloud, AI, and business solutions. The partnership combines China Telecom’s global expertise in network solutions, MTN’s extensive regional reach, and Huawei’s advanced technology to drive digital infrastructure development across Africa.
The Executive Vice President of China Telecom Global emphasised that the alliance will unlock new business opportunities and enhance technological offerings in the region. The collaboration is also set to promote the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling non-computer devices like fridges to connect to the internet.
Why does it matter?
MTN South Africa anticipates that improvements in network services will provide new possibilities for business customers, especially in sectors like smart mining and industrial applications.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a wide-reaching antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s business practices, focusing on cloud computing, software licensing, and artificial intelligence. Allegations suggest the company has imposed restrictive licensing terms that make it difficult for customers to switch from its Azure cloud services to rival platforms. FTC Chair Lina Khan approved the probe ahead of her expected departure in January, raising questions about its future under a potentially business-friendlier administration.
Critics, including competitors and industry groups like NetChoice, claim Microsoft’s licensing policies unfairly lock customers into its ecosystem. Google has raised similar concerns with European regulators, citing significant mark-ups for using Windows Server on competing cloud services and delays in providing security updates. The FTC’s investigation also touches on broader competition concerns in AI and cybersecurity, including Microsoft’s acquisition of AI startup Inflection AI.
Microsoft has not commented on the probe, but complaints have mounted over its practices in cloud computing and the integration of AI tools into productivity products like Office and Outlook. Some industry observers note that Microsoft has been relatively spared in recent US antitrust actions targeting Big Tech firms, including Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon. However, the FTC’s focus on Microsoft could signal a shift in regulatory priorities.
The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain, particularly with a potential change in the political landscape. While the Trump administration previously pursued aggressive antitrust enforcement, including actions against Google and Meta, Microsoft has benefited from its policies in the past, such as winning a contentious $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract over Amazon. Experts believe a new administration may alter enforcement priorities but not necessarily halt ongoing probes.
Amazon has reportedly developed a new generative AI model, code-named Olympus, capable of processing images and videos alongside text. This innovation is expected to reduce Amazon’s reliance on Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, currently a prominent feature of Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to sources cited by The Information.
The Olympus model promises enhanced functionality, such as recognising scenes in visual content. For example, users could search for specific moments, like a game-winning basketball shot, using simple text prompts. This advancement aligns with Amazon’s strategy to solidify its position in the competitive generative AI landscape, currently dominated by Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
Amazon’s efforts come after its recent $4 billion investment in Anthropic, echoing a similar amount injected last year. These investments bolster Amazon’s generative AI capabilities, signalling its commitment to catching up with its tech rivals. An official announcement for Olympus may be made at the upcoming AWS re:Invent conference next week, according to insiders.
Amazon declined to comment on the matter when approached by Reuters. The e-commerce giant’s push for cutting-edge AI underscores its ambition to rival industry leaders and redefine user experiences through advanced AI tools.
A Cambridge start-up is trialing a groundbreaking device to support independence for people living with dementia. Supersense Technologies’ SenS2 hub monitors movement, temperature, and humidity in the home without using cameras or microphones, providing real-time updates to family members. The company is seeking 100 participants for further testing as part of its push for the £4.4m Longitude Prize on Dementia.
The technology has already made a difference for families in Cambridge. Maggie, a 83-year-old, who is living with dementia, and her daughter Lucy Gardner, say the device provides vital insights into Maggie’s daily routine while preserving her independence. Lucy explained that the alerts allow her to check on her mother without intruding, reducing stress for both.
Supersense co-founders Dr. James Brown and Dr. Matt Ash emphasise that every person’s needs are unique, and data-driven customisation is key. With AI integration, the SenS2 hub can interpret activity and provide tailored updates. The device reflects the growing potential of assistive technology to alleviate the challenges of dementia care, benefiting individuals and families alike.
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing an ‘AI czar’ to oversee federal artificial intelligence initiatives and policy coordination. The position would centralise AI strategies across government departments, potentially reflecting growing recognition of AI’s transformative impact.
According to sources cited by Axios, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, though not a candidate for the role, is expected to contribute to discussions on AI’s future use and implications in the United States.
The move could mark a significant shift in the government’s approach to advancing AI capabilities while addressing regulatory and ethical challenges.
Audio platform Pocket FM is leveraging AI to expand its vast library of over 200,000 hours of content. CEO Rohan Nayak highlighted the company’s focus on using AI tools for faster and more cost-effective content production while also exploring new genres and markets. Collaborations with AI firms like ElevenLabs have enabled the platform to produce audio content five times faster and at a fraction of the usual cost.
India-based Pocket FM is also experimenting with AI-powered tools to adapt stories for different regions. These tools not only translate but consider cultural nuances, enhancing relevance for diverse audiences. Additionally, an AI-driven writing assistant provides creators with ideas, alternative storylines, and insights based on user preferences, empowering solo writers to produce high-quality episodes consistently.
To grow its audience, Pocket FM is developing a “blockbuster engine” that analyses user engagement data to predict and create hit shows. However, the company acknowledges the challenge of maintaining content quality as AI accelerates production. Striking this balance remains critical to the platform’s success.
Since its founding, Pocket FM has raised $197M in funding and generated $127M in revenue in 2024. Competing with Audible and other audio platforms, the company aims to use AI as a cornerstone of its growth strategy.
Uber is expanding its gig worker ecosystem with a new initiative aimed at data labeling and AI annotation. The new division, called Scaled Solutions, provides services not only for Uber’s internal needs but also for outside clients like self-driving car company Aurora Innovation and game developer Niantic. This move highlights Uber’s effort to diversify beyond its core ride-hailing and delivery businesses.
The company has started recruiting contractors across multiple countries, including the US, Canada, and India. Scaled Solutions aims to tap into the booming demand for data annotation services, a critical component for training AI models. The initiative positions Uber in a growing market dominated by companies like Scale AI, which recently secured a $1B funding round at a $13.8B valuation.
Uber’s entry into data labeling reflects its push to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI world. By leveraging its gig workforce model, the company could establish a foothold in this high-demand sector while diversifying its revenue streams.
OpenAI is allowing employees to sell up to $1.5 billion worth of shares to Japan’s SoftBank Group in a new tender offer, according to sources familiar with the deal. This follows SoftBank’s $500 million investment in OpenAI during an October funding round that valued the Microsoft-backed AI startup at $157 billion. Employees have until 24 December to decide whether to sell their shares, with the offer price matching the last funding round.
SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 will finance the purchase, reflecting CEO Masayoshi Son’s strategy to increase his stake in AI ventures. Son has aggressively expanded his AI portfolio, including investments in OpenAI and chip startup Graphcore, as he positions the conglomerate to ride the AI boom.
OpenAI continues to attract global attention with its flagship product ChatGPT, which now boasts 250 million weekly active users. The company’s rapid growth and high valuation highlight its central role in shaping the AI revolution.
An innovative AI system called Squirrel Agent is being tested across the UK to help conserve endangered red squirrels. Developed by Genysys Engine, the tool uses thousands of images to distinguish between red and grey squirrels with 97% accuracy. It controls access to feeders, ensuring reds receive food while greys are directed to feeders containing contraceptive paste to reduce their population.
Conservationists believe this technology could be transformative. Grey squirrels, introduced to the United Kingdom 200 years ago, have significantly contributed to the decline of red squirrels by outcompeting them and spreading a lethal virus. The AI can rapidly analyse markers like size and weight, making it far more efficient than human observers in distinguishing between the two species.
Future upgrades aim to identify individual squirrels using their unique whisker patterns, enabling researchers to track family lines and monitor populations more closely. Similar AI applications have already proven useful in wildlife conservation, such as mapping animal survival in fire-affected regions.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reaffirmed the importance of global collaboration in technology during a visit to Hong Kong, even as potential United States policy shifts on export controls loom. Speaking to the media, Huang stressed that cooperation in science and technology underpins societal and scientific progress, a principle he believes will endure despite regulatory changes.
In a speech at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Huang celebrated the transformative potential of AI, calling it ‘the most important technology of our time.’ He urged graduates to embrace the opportunities presented by a rapidly evolving industry and highlighted Nvidia‘s contributions to advancing AI and computing over the past 25 years.
Huang received an honorary doctorate at the event alongside other distinguished honourees, noting that the emerging era of AI offers a unique chance for young innovators to tackle global challenges and revolutionise industries.
