IBM and AMD have launched a strategic collaboration to pioneer quantum-centric supercomputing architectures, blending IBM’s quantum computing capabilities with AMD’s strengths in high-performance computing (HPC), AI acceleration, CPUs, GPUs and FPGAs.
Their vision involves creating hybrid systems where quantum components handle atomic-scale or highly complex tasks, such as molecular simulation or optimization, while classical and infrastructure powered by AI processes large datasets efficiently.
The approach aims to unlock new levels of computational power. A demonstration of these hybrid workflows is scheduled for later this year.
Additionally, AMD’s technology may facilitate real-time error correction, a vital step toward achieving IBM’s goal of fault-tolerant quantum computing by the end of this decade.
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Funding season is restarting in Europe, with investors expecting to add several new unicorns in the coming months. Despite fewer mega-rounds than in 2021, a dozen startups passed the $1 billion mark in the first half of 2025.
AI, biotech, defence technology, and renewable energy are among the sectors attracting major backing. Recent unicorns include Lovable, an AI coding firm from Sweden, UK-based Fuse Energy, and Isar Aerospace from Germany.
London-based Isomorphic Labs, spun out of DeepMind, raised $600 million to enter unicorn territory. In biotech, Verdiva Bio hit unicorn status after a $410 million Series A, while Neko Health reached a $1.8 billion valuation.
AI and automation continue to drive investor appetite. Dublin’s Tines secured a $125 million Series C at a $1.125 billion valuation, and German AI customer service startup Parloa raised $120 million at a $1 billion valuation.
Dual-use drone companies also stood out. Portugal-based Tekever confirmed its unicorn status with plans for a £400 million UK expansion, while Quantum Systems raised €160 million to scale its AI-driven drones globally.
Film-streaming platform Mubi and encryption startup Zama also joined the unicorn club, showing the breadth of sectors gaining traction. With Bristol, Manchester, Munich, and Stockholm among the hotspots, Europe’s tech ecosystem continues to diversify.
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The Slovak software company specialising in cybersecurity has discovered a GenAI-powered ransomware named PromptLock in its latest research report. The researchers describe it as the ‘first known AI-powered ransomware’. Although it has not been observed in an actual attack, it is considered a proof of concept (PoC) or a work in progress.
Researchers also found that this type of ransomware may have the ability to exfiltrate, encrypt, and possibly even destroy data.
They noted: ‘The PromptLock malware uses the gpt-oss-20b model from OpenAI locally via the Ollama API to generate malicious Lua scripts on the fly, which it then executes.’
The report highlights how AI tools have made it easier to create convincing phishing messages and deepfakes, lowering the barrier for less-skilled attackers. As ransomware becomes more widespread, often deployed by advanced persistent threat (APT) groups, AI is expected to increase both the scale and effectiveness of such attacks.
PromptLock demonstrates how AI can automate key ransomware stages, such as reconnaissance and data theft, faster than ever. The emergence of malware capable of adapting its tactics in real time signals a new and more dangerous frontier in cybercrime.
One involved a cybercriminal group using Claude to automate data theft and extortion, targeting 17 organisations. Another detailed how North Korean actors used Claude to create fake identities, pass interviews, and secure remote IT jobs to fund the regime. A third case involved a criminal using Claude to create sophisticated ransomware variants with strong encryption and advanced evasion techniques. Most attempts were detected and disrupted before being carried out.
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Sales of AI chips by Nvidia rose strongly in its latest quarter, though the growth was less intense than in previous periods, raising questions about the sustainability of demand.
The company’s data centre division reported revenue of 41.1 billion USD between May and July, a 56% rise from last year but slightly below analyst forecasts.
Overall revenue reached 46.7 billion USD, while profit climbed to 26.4 billion USD, both higher than expected.
Nvidia forecasts sales of $54 billion USD for the current quarter.
CEO Jensen Huang said the company remains at the ‘beginning of the buildout’, with trillions expected to be spent on AI by the decade’s end.
However, investors pushed shares down 3% in extended trading, reflecting concerns that rapid growth is becoming harder to maintain as annual sales expand.
Nvidia’s performance was also affected by earlier restrictions on chip sales to China, although the removal of limits in exchange for a sales levy is expected to support future revenue.
Analysts noted that while AI continues to fuel stock market optimism, the pace of growth is slowing compared with the company’s earlier surge.
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South Korean company, Samsung Electronics, has integrated Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant into its newest TVs and monitors, aiming to provide more personalised interactivity for users.
The technology will be available across models released annually, including the premium Micro RGB TV. With Copilot built directly into displays, Samsung explained that viewers can use voice commands or a remote control to search, learn and engage with content more positively.
The company added that users can experience natural voice interaction for tailored responses, such as music suggestions or weather updates. Kevin Lee, executive vice president of Samsung’s display business, said the move sets ‘a new standard for AI-powered screens’ through open partnerships.
Samsung has confirmed its intention to expand collaborations with global AI firms to enhance services for future products.
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Alphabet’s Google has confirmed plans to invest $9 billion in Virginia by 2026, strengthening the state’s role as a hub for data infrastructure in the US.
The focus will be on AI and cloud computing, positioning Virginia at the forefront of global technological competition.
The plan includes a new Chesterfield County facility and expansion at existing campuses in Loudoun and Prince William counties. These centres are part of the digital backbone that supports cloud services and AI workloads.
Dominion Energy will supply power for the new Chesterfield project, which may take up to seven years before it is fully operational.
The rapid growth of data centres in Virginia has increased concerns about energy demand. Google said it is working with partners on efficiency and power management solutions and funding community development.
Earlier in August, the company announced a $1 billion initiative to provide every college student in Virginia with one year of free access to its AI Pro plan and training opportunities.
Google’s move follows a broader trend in the technology sector. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta are expected to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI-related projects, with much dedicated to new data centres.
Northern Virginia remains the boom’s epicentre, with Loudoun County earning the name’ Data Centre Alley’ because it has concentrated facilities.
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A Stanford University study reveals that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have led to a nearly 20 percent decline in employment for software developers aged 22 to 25 since late 2022. In contrast, older developers have seen little job loss and, in some cases, gains.
The research analysed anonymised ADP payroll data across millions of employees and thousands of firms.
The decline in junior roles stems from AI automating routine coding tasks, often the first entry point for new developers, while complex tasks favour experienced professionals.
Industry leaders reflect the shift. Amazon Web Services’ head called layoffs of junior engineers a misstep, arguing that these roles are essential for innovation.
Meanwhile, developer sentiment is mixed: over half believe AI codes better than humans, but 37 percent worry it threatens entry-level opportunities.
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While the malware was not fully AI-generated, AI aided in writing code, crafting phishing templates and enhancing internal tooling.
A subtle encryption flaw in FunkSec’s code became the decryption breakthrough. Avast quietly developed a free tool, bypassing the need for ransom payments and rescuing dozens of affected users in cooperation with law enforcement.
However, this marks one of the earliest recorded instances of AI being used in ransomware, targeting productivity and stealth. It demonstrates how cybercriminals are adopting AI to lower entry barriers and that forensic investigation and technical agility remain crucial defence tools.
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AI, especially generative models, has become a staple in cybersecurity operations, extending its role from traditional machine learning tools to core functions within CyberOps.
Generative AI now supports forensics, incident investigation, log parsing, orchestration, vulnerability prioritisation and report writing. It accelerates workflows, enabling teams to ramp up detection and response and to concentrate human efforts on strategic tasks.
Experts highlight that it is not what CyberOps do that AI is remastering, but how they do it. AI scales routine tasks, like SOC level-1 and -2 operations, allowing analysts to shift focus from triage to investigation and threat modelling.
Junior staff benefit particularly from AI, which boosts accuracy and consistency. Senior analysts and CISOs also gain from AI’s capacity to amplify productivity while safeguarding oversight, a true force multiplier.
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Google Translate is receiving powerful Gemini AI upgrades that make speaking across languages feel far more natural.
The refreshed live conversation mode intelligently recognises pauses, accents, and background noise, allowing two people to talk without the rigid back-and-forth of older versions. Google says the new system should even work in noisy environments like cafes, a real-world challenge for speech technology.
The update also introduces a practice mode that pushes Translate beyond its traditional role as a utility. Users can set their skill level and goals, then receive personalised listening and speaking exercises designed to build confidence.
The tool is launching in beta for selected language pairs, such as English to Spanish or French, but it signals Google’s ambition to blend translation with education.
By bringing some advanced translation capabilities first seen on Pixel devices into the widely available Translate app, Google makes real-time multilingual communication accessible to everyone.
It’s a practical application of AI that promises to change everyday conversations and how people prepare to learn new languages.
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