NVIDIA has publicly rejected calls to embed kill switches or backdoors in its AI chips amid growing political pressure. The statement follows proposals from US lawmakers and accusations by Chinese authorities.
Chief Security Officer David Reber Jr. said any such backdoor would endanger global digital infrastructure and open doors for hackers. He reaffirmed NVIDIA’s commitment to fixing vulnerabilities, not creating them.
The controversy arises as the chipmaker navigates strict US export controls while maintaining its foothold in China with the H20 chip. A Chinese agency recently claimed these chips already contain hidden controls.
Reber distinguished transparent, user-controlled tools like remote wipe from covert backdoors, arguing they serve customers without risking the system integrity of the chips.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Trump Media and Technology Group has begun testing a new AI-powered search engine called Truth Search AI on its Truth Social platform.
Developed in partnership with AI company Perplexity, the feature is intended to enhance access to information for users of the platform.
Devin Nunes, CEO and Chairman of Trump Media, said the tool will strengthen Truth Social’s position in the so-called ‘Patriot Economy’.
Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, added that the collaboration brings powerful AI to users who are seeking answers to significant questions.
The search engine is already live on the platform and has responded to politically sensitive queries with measured language.
When asked whether Donald Trump was a liar, the tool noted that the label often depends on context, but acknowledged that fact-checkers have documented many misleading claims.
A similar question about Nancy Pelosi prompted the response that such a claim was partisan rather than factual.
Trump Media plans to expand the feature to its iOS and Android apps shortly. The launch is part of a wider strategy to broaden the company’s digital offerings, which also include ventures in cryptocurrency and finance, such as a proposed Bitcoin ETF in partnership with Crypto.com and Yorkville America Digital.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
AWS CEO Matt Garman celebrated the partnership as a ‘powerhouse combination’, noting that the models outperform comparable options, claiming they are three times more price-efficient than Gemini and five times more than DeepSeek‑R1, when deployed via Bedrock.
Rich functionality comes with these models: wide context capacity, chain-of-thought transparency, adjustable reasoning levels, and compatibility with agentic workflows. Bedrock offers secure deployment with Guardrails support, while SageMaker enables experimentation across AWS regions.
Financial markets took notice. AWS stock rose after the announcement, as analysts viewed the pairing with OpenAI’s open models as a meaningful step toward boosting its AI offerings amid fierce cloud rivalry.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Beijing United Family Hospital and Alibaba DAMO Academy have launched a joint effort to bring advanced AI screening into clinical use.
Their flagship project uses a plain CT scan combined with DAMO Academy’s multi-condition detection AI to facilitate early identification of gastrointestinal cancers and chronic diseases.
The technology has already internationally earned the FDA’s ‘Breakthrough Device’ designation. Collaborators stress that combining AI with established international standards supports more accurate, patient-centred care.
The use of AI for travel planning has surged in the UAE, with six in ten travellers reporting they use AI to manage flights, hotels, itineraries, and dining. Tourism Economics and ATM data show that the UAE’s adoption rate significantly exceeds the global average.
Despite the technological appeal, travel professionals stress the importance of human contact. Automated agents may optimise logistics, but UAE customers continue to value emotionally intelligent service, especially for complex or premium experiences.
As Al Rais Travel puts it, a hybrid approach, where AI performs background analysis and humans provide real connection, is ideal.
Industry dialogue at ATM 2025 underscored trust as key: AI can generate draft itineraries and administrative support, but travellers still rely on agents to uncover hidden gems, accommodate cultural preferences, and fine-tune experiences.
Experts such as Naomi Ekberg argue that in the UAE’s cosmopolitan market, AI should free up staff to deliver memorable human moments rather than replace them.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Rod Stewart is under fire for using AI-generated visuals in a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during a recent US concert. The video showed a digitally recreated Osbourne taking selfies with late music icons in heaven.
The tribute, set to Stewart’s 1988 track Forever Young, was played at his Alpharetta performance. Artists like Whitney Houston, Kurt Cobain, Freddie Mercury, and Tupac Shakur featured in the AI montage.
While some called the display disrespectful and tasteless, others viewed it as a heartfelt tribute to legendary figures. Reactions online ranged from outrage to admiration.
Osbourne, who passed away last month at age 76, was honoured with global tributes, including flowers laid at Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bench by fans and family.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Taiwan’s Digital Minister, Huang Yen-nun, discussed deeper cooperation in digital and AI technologies with the United States during the recent APEC conference in Incheon—the talks from 3 August to 6 August marked a new phase in bilateral tech collaboration.
Huang confirmed that the APEC gathering had produced its first joint ministerial statement on digital and AI policy. Ministers pledged to enhance connectivity, prevent digital exclusion, promote trustworthy AI, and accelerate the adoption of responsible technology across the Asia-Pacific region.
Digital goals of Taiwan closely align with the APEC declaration, Huang said, particularly in areas such as online fraud prevention, resilience-building, and expanding the digital economy. He framed the agreement as a strong alignment with national priorities.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, was highlighted as a key ally. Huang also held talks with representatives from Japan and Southeast Asia to explore regional cooperation in emerging technologies.
Cybersecurity and semiconductors remain central to Taiwan’s leadership in the technology sector. However, Huang acknowledged that further investment and collaboration with digital trailblazers, such as those in the United States, are needed to maintain the country’s edge in high-value innovation.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson has warned that AI could damage creativity by undermining intellectual property rights.
At the company’s full-year results briefing in New York, he described the AI era as a historic turning point. He called for stronger protections to preserve America’s ‘comparative advantage in creativity’.
Thomson said allowing AI systems to consume and profit from copyrighted works without permission was akin to ‘vandalising virtuosity’.
He cited Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal, published by News Corp’s book division, questioning whether it should be used to train AI that might undermine book sales. Despite the criticism, the company has rolled out its AI newsroom tools, NewsGPT and Story Cutter.
News Corp reported a two percent revenue rise to US$8.5 billion ($A13.1 billion), with net income from continuing operations climbing 71 percent to US$648 million.
Growth in the Dow Jones and REA Group segments offset news media subscriptions and advertising declines.
Digital subscribers fell across several mastheads, although The Times and The Sunday Times saw gains. Profitability in news media rose 15 percent, aided by editorial efficiencies and cost-cutting measures.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
UK Health Minister Karin Smyth praised St George’s Surgery in Weston-super-Mare for utilising AI to enhance efficiency. Serving nearly 14,000 patients, the surgery uses AI to automate note-taking and letter drafting, reducing administrative burdens on staff.
It has been reported that, in June of 2025, St George’s Surgery handled over 9,000 appointments, with more than half booked and held on the same day. As part of the UK’s 10-Year Health Plan, the government stated it aims to expand AI adoption in healthcare, potentially freeing up the capacity of over 2,000 full-time GPs.
Andy Carpenter, Digital Director at Mendip Vale Medical Group, highlighted that AI is helping to manage growing patient demand, increase face-to-face time with GPs, and maintain strong data protection standards. Health Minister Karin Smyth also stressed the need for safe, well-regulated AI in healthcare, noting its practical uses, such as remote monitoring of vaccine fridge temperatures.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Google has introduced a new feature in its Gemini AI that allows users to create short, illustrated storybooks from prompts, essays, photos, and drawings. The tool can transform everyday materials into customised children’s books with art and narration.
The company demonstrated how a mother’s CV could be reimagined as a colouring book to explain her career to her children. Gemini can also turn vacation photos, children’s sketches, or personal life events into unique 10-page books in over 45 languages.
Users can select from various visual styles, including pixel art, claymation, crochet, comics, and colouring books.
People describe their desired story and upload optional images or files to use the feature. Gemini then generates a personalised book with illustrations and audio. The service is available worldwide on desktop and mobile through the Gemini app in all supported languages.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
