South Korea has temporarily blocked employee access to Chinese AI startup DeepSeek over security concerns. A government notice urged ministries and agencies to exercise caution when using AI services, including DeepSeek and ChatGPT. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the defence ministry, and the foreign ministry have all imposed restrictions on DeepSeek access.
Australia and Taiwan have already banned DeepSeek from government devices, citing security risks. Italy previously ordered the company to block its chatbot over privacy concerns. Authorities in the US, India, and parts of Europe are also reviewing the implications of using the AI service. South Korea’s privacy watchdog plans to question DeepSeek on its handling of user data.
Korean businesses are also tightening restrictions on generative AI. Kakao Corp advised employees to avoid using DeepSeek, despite its recent partnership with OpenAI. SK Hynix has limited access to generative AI services, and Naver has asked employees not to use AI tools that store data externally.
DeepSeek has not yet responded to requests for comment. The company’s latest AI models, released last month, have drawn attention for their capabilities and cost efficiency. However, growing security concerns are leading governments and corporations to impose stricter controls on their use.
Google has introduced new versions of its Gemini AI models, including the budget-friendly “Flash-Lite,” to compete with lower-cost rivals such as China‘s DeepSeek. The updates include the public release of Gemini 2.0 Flash and the testing of a new ‘Pro’ model. Flash-Lite was developed following positive feedback on the previous Flash 1.5 version, with the goal of making AI more affordable.
Investor scrutiny has increased over the rising costs of AI model development. DeepSeek recently claimed to have spent under $6 million on training a model, significantly less than what US AI firms are believed to invest. The emergence of cheaper alternatives has influenced discussions at Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta, with all three companies reaffirming their commitment to high AI investment.
Alphabet’s stock declined on Tuesday amid concerns over a planned increase in capital expenditure, which exceeded Wall Street expectations by 29%. Google’s pricing strategy for Gemini Flash-Lite sets its cost at $0.019 per million tokens, placing it between OpenAI’s cost-efficient model at $0.075 and DeepSeek’s current rate of $0.014, which is set to increase soon.
A 2,000-year-old burnt scroll from the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum has been read for the first time using AI and X-ray imaging. The scroll, charred by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, was too fragile to open physically. As part of the Vesuvius Challenge, a project launched in 2023, researchers employed synchrotron X-rays to scan the papyrus, creating a 3D reconstruction, while AI detected and replicated the ink to reveal parts of the text.
The researchers successfully deciphered several columns, including the Ancient Greek word ‘διατροπή’ meaning ‘disgust.’ These breakthroughs come as University of Oxford scholars continue efforts to interpret the text further. The Vesuvius Challenge, led by computer scientist Brent Seales, aims to read other ancient scrolls discovered in Herculaneum, which were preserved under volcanic ash.
This technological achievement has been hailed as a monumental step in historical research, as scholars, librarians, and computer scientists collaborate to unlock the secrets of the past. Despite the promising results, further improvements in AI software are needed to read the entirety of these ancient documents.
Amazon is set to unveil its long-awaited generative AI-powered Alexa, with a preview event scheduled for 26 February in New York. The update marks the most significant overhaul since the voice assistant’s launch in 2014, aiming to improve user interactions with advanced AI-driven conversations. A final decision on the product’s readiness is expected at an internal meeting on 14 February.
The new AI capabilities will allow Alexa to handle multiple requests in sequence and act on behalf of users without direct input. While initially free for a limited number of users, Amazon is considering a monthly subscription fee of $5 to $10. The company will continue offering the existing version, known as Classic Alexa, though it has reportedly stopped adding new features to it.
Despite Alexa’s early success, usage has remained limited due to a lack of major updates in recent years. The generative AI revamp is designed to make Alexa more useful for tasks like shopping, scheduling, and entertainment. Analysts suggest that even a fraction of users subscribing to the service could generate significant revenue for Amazon.
The update will rely on AI software from Anthropic, a startup backed by Amazon’s $8 billion investment. Previous attempts to launch an improved Alexa were delayed due to concerns over accuracy and performance. With the upcoming release, Amazon hopes to re-establish Alexa as a key part of everyday digital interactions.
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. DeepSeek’s breakthrough in developing a competitive large language model, cheaper to produce than those of US giants like OpenAI, has ignited a surge in investments, particularly in Chinese chipmakers, software companies, and data centre operators. This patriotic investment surge follows US President Donald Trump’s fresh tariffs and trade war tactics.
Shares in AI, semiconductor, and robotics firms in China and Hong Kong have seen notable increases, with the Hang Seng AI Index rising by more than 5% and related sectors climbing over 11%. Investors are optimistic about the rapid adoption of AI technologies, with industry experts predicting significant growth in AI applications by 2025. Companies such as Nancal Technology and Suzhou MedicalSystem Technology are seen as likely beneficiaries of the AI boom.
The rise of DeepSeek has also sparked discussions about the undervaluation of Chinese tech stocks compared to their US counterparts. Chinese stocks are trading at much lower price-to-earnings ratios, and analysts believe AI breakthroughs could help close this gap. While US export restrictions on Chinese tech could intensify, this may prompt further government support, driving faster growth in the AI sector.
However, not all investors are entirely convinced. Some remain cautious about the long-term profitability of AI-focused companies, with concerns that many are still far from turning a profit. Despite the optimism, the future of AI investments in China remains a delicate balancing act between technological innovation and market realities.
Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, is diving deeper into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with several new applications in development. Tether Data, the company’s AI division, is working on a range of tools including AI Translate, AI Voice Assistant, and AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant. These apps will focus on maintaining the privacy and self-custodial control over both data and money, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino.
The AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant will allow users to interact with a chatbot interface to manage their BTC wallet, such as checking their balance or making transactions. Meanwhile, the AI Translate tool provides simple chatbot-based translation, and the AI Voice Assistant will enable voice responses instead of text. Tether plans to launch an open-source AI SDK platform, compatible with various devices including mobile phones and laptops.
Tether’s commitment to AI growth has been evident since 2023, with the company acquiring a stake in Northern Data Group, a European crypto miner specialising in cloud computing and generative AI. The firm also began a global recruitment drive for AI talent in March 2023, intending to innovate and set new industry standards.
The firm has been making significant strides in both the AI and crypto industries, as it reported record profits of $13 billion for 2024, and its USDT stablecoin has seen an all-time high market capitalisation of $141 billion. Tether’s AI platform is expected to launch by the end of Q1 2025.
OpenAI is set to air its first-ever television advert during the upcoming Super Bowl, marking its entry into commercial advertising. The Wall Street Journal reported that the AI company will join other major tech firms in leveraging the massive Super Bowl audience to promote its brand. Google previously used the event to highlight its AI capabilities.
The Super Bowl is one of the most sought-after advertising platforms, with high costs reflecting its enormous reach. A 30-second slot for the 2025 game has sold for up to $8 million, an increase from $7 million last year.
The 2024 Super Bowl attracted an estimated 210 million viewers, and this year’s event will take place in New Orleans on 9 February at the Caesars Superdome.
OpenAI has seen rapid growth since launching ChatGPT in 2022, reaching over 300 million weekly active users. The company is in talks to raise up to $40 billion at a $300 billion valuation and recently appointed Kate Rouch as its first chief marketing officer. Microsoft holds a significant stake in the AI firm.
Greece is taking steps to address the impact of AI on the labour market by strengthening its Labour Market Needs Assessment Mechanism and implementing retraining programs. Speaking at a conference in Brussels, Labour Minister Niki Kerameus highlighted the rapid pace of AI development and its transformative effects on the workforce. She emphasised the need for protective measures to ensure workers benefit fully from AI’s potential.
Kerameus outlined two key initiatives Greece is focusing on. The first involves mapping current and future labour market needs, especially for new skills and specialities driven by AI. The Ministry of Labour is enhancing its market needs with a diagnostic mechanism to track real-time employee skills and labour market demands.
The second initiative involves retraining programs to help workers adapt to the evolving job landscape. Kerameus reassured that while AI will continue to change how people work, it should not be feared. Greece is prioritising skills programs, particularly in digital and green sectors, and aims to involve 10% of the active workforce in these initiatives by 2026.
OpenAI is set to introduce an education-focused version of its chatbot to around 500,000 students and faculty at California State University. The rollout, covering 23 campuses, aims to provide personalised tutoring for students and administrative support for faculty members. The initiative is part of OpenAI’s broader effort to integrate its technology into education despite initial concerns about cheating and plagiarism.
Universities such as the Wharton School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Oxford have already adopted ChatGPT Enterprise. In response, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Edu in May last year to cater specifically to academic institutions. The education sector has become a growing focus for AI companies, with Alphabet investing $120 million into AI education programs and preparing to introduce its Gemini chatbot into school-issued Google accounts for teenage students.
Competition in AI-driven education is intensifying. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer inaugurated the first Google-funded AI university in London, providing teens with AI and machine learning resources. As AI adoption in schools increases, major tech companies are vying for a dominant role in shaping the future of digital learning.
Australia has banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from all government devices, citing security risks. The directive, issued by the Department of Home Affairs, requires all government entities to prevent the installation of DeepSeek’s applications and remove any existing instances from official systems. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the immediate ban was necessary to safeguard Australia’s national security.
The move follows similar action taken by Italy and Taiwan, with other countries also reviewing potential risks posed by the AI firm. DeepSeek has drawn global attention for its cost-effective AI models, which have disrupted the industry by operating with lower hardware requirements than competitors. The rapid rise of the company has raised concerns over data security, particularly regarding its Chinese origins.
This is not the first time Australia has taken such action against a Chinese technology firm. Two years ago, the government imposed a nationwide ban on TikTok for similar security reasons. As scrutiny over AI intensifies, more governments may follow Australia’s lead in limiting DeepSeek’s reach within public sector networks.
