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DeepSeek prepares new AI agent model to rival US competitors

According to people familiar with the plans, Chinese startup DeepSeek is developing an AI model with enhanced agent features to compete with US firms such as OpenAI.

The Hangzhou-based company intends for the system to perform multi-step tasks with limited input and adapt from its previous actions.

Founder Liang Wenfeng has urged his team to prepare the release before the end of 2025. The project follows DeepSeek’s earlier success with R1, a reasoning-focused model launched in January that attracted attention for its low development costs.

Since then, DeepSeek has delivered only incremental updates while rivals in China and the US have accelerated new product launches.

The shift towards AI agents reflects a broader industry move to develop tools capable of managing complex real-world tasks, from research to coding, with less reliance on users. OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Manus AI have already introduced similar projects.

Most systems still require significant oversight, highlighting the challenges of building fully autonomous agents.

DeepSeek declined to comment on the development.

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Key AI researchers depart Apple for rivals Meta and OpenAI

Apple is confronting a significant exodus of AI talent, with key researchers departing for rival firms instead of advancing projects in-house.

The company lost its lead robotics researcher, Jian Zhang, to Meta’s Robotics Studio, alongside several core Foundation Models team members responsible for the Apple Intelligence platform. The brain drain has triggered internal concerns about Apple’s strategic direction and declining staff morale.

Instead of relying entirely on its own systems, Apple is reportedly considering a shift towards using external AI models. The departures include experts like Ruoming Pang, who accepted a multi-year package from Meta reportedly worth $200 million.

Other AI researchers are set to join leading firms like OpenAI and Anthropic, highlighting a fierce industry-wide battle for specialised expertise.

At the centre of the talent war is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, offering lucrative packages worth up to $100 million to secure leading researchers for Meta’s ambitious AI and robotics initiatives.

The aggressive recruitment strategy is strengthening Meta’s capabilities while simultaneously weakening the internal development efforts of competitors like Apple.

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Statsig to be acquired by OpenAI in £1.1bn deal

OpenAI has agreed to acquire the product development startup Statsig in an all-stock deal valued at £1.1 billion, marking one of the most significant acquisitions in the company’s history.

Statsig, founded in 2021, provides tools for developers to test and manage new features. Upon completion of the deal, Statsig’s founder and CEO, Vijaye Raji, will join OpenAI as the new chief technology officer (CTO) for applications.

Raji will report to OpenAI Applications CEO Fidji Simo and lead product engineering for key products such as ChatGPT.

The acquisition is part of a broader trend of significant deals for the AI company this year, which recently concluded a £6.5 billion all-stock acquisition of an AI device startup. OpenAI’s expanding valuation, which reached £300 billion following a March funding round, has supported this growth.

The company is reportedly discussing a further share sale that could increase its valuation to £500 billion. The completion of the Statsig deal is subject to regulatory approval, after which the company will continue to operate independently from its Seattle office, with its employees joining the OpenAI team.

Other leadership changes at OpenAI include the appointment of Srinivas Narayanan as CTO for B2B applications and Kevin Weil’s move to a new team focused on AI for Science.

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ChatGPT hit by widespread outage: ‘Our work partner is down’

A significant outage has struck ChatGPT, leaving many users unable to receive responses from the popular AI chatbot. Instead of generating answers, the service failed to react to prompts, causing widespread frustration, particularly during the busy morning work period.

Owner OpenAI has officially launched an investigation into the mysterious malfunction of ChatGPT after its status page confirmed a problem was detected.

Over a thousand complaints were registered on the outage tracking site Down Detector. Social media was flooded with reports from affected users, with one calling it an unprecedented event and another joking that their ‘work partner is down’.

Instead of a full global blackout, initial tests suggested the issue might be limited to some users, as functionality remained for others.

If you find ChatGPT is unresponsive, you can attempt several fixes instead of simply waiting. First, verify the outage is on your end by checking OpenAI’s official status page or Down Detector instead of assuming your connection is at fault.

If the service is operational, try switching to a different browser or an incognito window to rule out local cache issues. Alternatively, use the official ChatGPT mobile app to access it.

For a more thorough solution, clear your browser’s cache and cookies, or as a last resort, consider using an alternative AI service like Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini to continue your work without interruption.

OpenAI is working to resolve the problem. The company advises users to check its official service status page for updates, rather than relying solely on social media reports.

The incident highlights the growing dependence on AI tools for daily tasks and the disruption caused when such a centralised service experiences technical difficulties.

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OpenAI eyes India for large-scale AI infrastructure

According to Bloomberg, OpenAI is weighing partnerships in India to build a data centre of at least 1 gigawatt capacity as part of its Stargate project. Such a facility would represent one of Asia’s most significant AI infrastructure investments.

The company recently registered as a legal entity in India and is recruiting a local team. It also announced plans in August to open its first office in New Delhi later this year, highlighting the importance of India’s second-largest market by user base.

The prospective data centre is linked to Stargate, a private-sector AI investment programme valued at up to $500 billion and backed by SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle. The project was first introduced in January by US President Donald Trump.

Details on the timing and location of the Indian facility remain unclear. Reports suggest that OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman could provide further information during a visit to India in September.

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ChatGPT safety checks may trigger police action

OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT conversations signalling a risk of serious harm to others can be reviewed by human moderators and may even reach the police.

The company explained these measures in a blog post, stressing that its system is designed to balance user privacy with public safety.

The safeguards treat self-harm differently from threats to others. When a user expresses suicidal intent, ChatGPT directs them to professional resources instead of contacting law enforcement.

By contrast, conversations showing intent to harm someone else are escalated to trained moderators, and if they identify an imminent risk, OpenAI may alert authorities and suspend accounts.

The company admitted its safety measures work better in short conversations than in lengthy or repeated ones, where safeguards can weaken.

OpenAI is working to strengthen consistency across interactions and developing parental controls, new interventions for risky behaviour, and potential connections to professional help before crises worsen.

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India to host OpenAI’s new Stargate data centre

OpenAI is preparing to build a significant new data centre in India as part of its Stargate AI infrastructure initiative. The move will expand the company’s presence in Asia and strengthen its operations in its second-largest market by user base.

OpenAI has already registered as a legal entity in India and begun assembling a local team.

The company plans to open its first office in New Delhi later this year. Details regarding the exact location and timeline of the proposed data centre remain unclear, though CEO Sam Altman may provide further information during his upcoming visit to India.

The project represents a strategic step to support the company’s growing regional AI ambitions.

OpenAI’s Stargate initiative, announced by US President Donald Trump in January, involves private sector investment of up to $500 billion for AI infrastructure, backed by SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle.

The initiative seeks to develop large-scale AI capabilities across major markets worldwide, with the India data centre potentially playing a key role in the efforts.

The expansion highlights OpenAI’s focus on scaling its AI infrastructure while meeting regional demand. The company intends to strengthen operational efficiency, improve service reliability, and support its long-term growth in Asia by establishing local offices and a significant data centre.

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Microsoft launches new AI models MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1 Preview

Microsoft has unveiled two new AI models, marking a major step in its efforts to build its own technology rather than rely solely on OpenAI.

The first model, MAI-Voice-1, generates high-fidelity audio and supports both single and multi-speaker scenarios. Microsoft said the system can create a full minute of expressive audio in under a second on a single GPU, making it one of the fastest of its kind.

MAI-Voice-1 is already available in Copilot Daily and Podcasts, while Copilot Labs allows users to experiment with storytelling and speech demos. Microsoft sees voice as a vital interface for future AI companions.

MAI-1 Preview is currently undergoing community testing on LMArena and will soon be integrated into selected Copilot use cases. Microsoft said it plans to expand its family of specialised models, aiming to orchestrate different systems for diverse user needs.

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Weekly #227 – UNGA adopts new AI resolution, Trump threatens tariffs over EU digital taxes, OpenAI updates ChatGPT safety after teen suicide

22 – 29 August 2025

Book, Comics, Publication, People, Person, Face, Head

Dear readers,

On 26 August 2025, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution establishing two new mechanisms for global AI governance: an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The 40-member Panel will provide annual, evidence-based assessments of AI’s opportunities, risks, and impacts, while the Global Dialogue will serve as a platform for governments and relevant stakeholders to discuss international cooperation, exchange best practices, and foster inclusive discussions on AI governance.

The Dialogue will be launched during UNGA’s 80th session in September 2025 and will convene annually, alternating between Geneva and New York, alongside existing UN events. These mechanisms also aim to contribute to capacity development efforts on AI. The resolution also invites states and stakeholders to contribute resources, particularly to ensure participation from developing countries, and foresees that a review of both initiatives may happen at UNGA’s 82nd session.

Other highlights of the week:

US President Donald Trump has warned that he may impose retaliatory tariffs on countries introducing digital taxes or regulations targeting American tech giants, a move seen as a direct warning to the EU. Several European states and the EU itself have rolled out measures such as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and digital services taxes to regulate big platforms and ensure companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta pay fair taxes locally. Trump’s threat also puts renewed pressure on the UK, which continues to uphold its digital services tax despite a trade deal with Washington. Besides that, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned tech companies that complying with the EU and UK online content and encryption rules could breach US law under Section 5 of the FTC Act.

Alphabet’s Google has announced a $9 billion investment in Virginia by 2026, reinforcing the state’s status as a key US data infrastructure hub, with plans for a new Chesterfield County facility and expansions in Loudoun and Prince William counties to boost AI and cloud computing capabilities. The investment, supported by Dominion Energy and expected to take up to seven years to operationalise fully, aligns with a broader tech trend where giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet are pouring hundreds of billions into AI projects, though it raises energy demand concerns that Google aims to address through efficiency measures and community funding.

INTERPOL’s ‘Serengeti 2.0’ operation across Africa led to over 1,200 arrests between June and August 2025, targeting ransomware, online fraud, and business email compromise schemes, and recovering nearly USD 100 million stolen from tens of thousands of victims. Authorities shut down illicit cryptocurrency mining sites in Angola, dismantled a massive crypto fraud scheme in Zambia, and uncovered a human trafficking network with forged passports in Lusaka.

OpenAI announced new safety measures for ChatGPT after a lawsuit accused the chatbot of contributing to a teenager’s suicide. The company plans to enhance detection of mental distress, improve safeguards in suicide-related conversations, add parental controls, and provide links to emergency services while addressing content filtering flaws. Regulators and mental health experts are intensifying scrutiny, warning that growing reliance on chatbots instead of professional care could endanger vulnerable users, especially children.

The battle of the giants: Elon Musk’s xAI has sued Apple and OpenAI in Texas, accusing them of colluding to monopolise the AI market through Apple’s exclusive 2024 deal to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, which allegedly disadvantaged Musk’s X and Grok apps. Musk, seeking billions in damages and a jury trial, argues the partnership stifles competition and reflects Apple’s antitrust violations.

For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.

Join us as we connect the dots, from daily updates to main weekly developments, to bring you a clear, engaging monthly snapshot of worldwide digital trends.

DW Team

RADAR

Highlights from the week of 22 – 29 August 2025

China Salt Typhoon hackers data breach telecom companies ATT Verizon FBI

FBI says China’s Salt Typhoon breached millions of Americans’ data

US officials link Beijing-backed Salt Typhoon spies to breaches at major telcos and government networks.

EU and South Korea unite on AI and energy

AI’s rapid rise is reshaping how nations think about energy, opening the door to new partnerships that could redefine the path toward a cleaner and smarter future.

Google Gemini for Home Google Assistant Nest Hub Gemini Live

Google launches Gemini AI for government

The launch coincides with federal plans to boost AI while limiting regulation-heavy states.

Android malware MediaPlayer JavaScript Telegram

Malicious apps on Google Play infected 19 million users with banking trojan

A new wave of Android malware deployed through fake utilities on the Play Store infected millions, using overlay attacks to harvest financial credentials and deploy adware.

ENISA EU NIS2 Security measures business compliance

ENISA takes charge of new EU Cybersecurity Reserve operations with €36 million in funding

The project highlights the EU’s focus on preparedness, with ENISA tasked to oversee the technical and operational standards of the reserve.

YouTube content creators AI age verification minors SpyCloud identity theft

YouTube under fire for AI video edits without creator consent

By experimenting with AI edits without approval, YouTube has angered creators and renewed debates about trust, regulation and control in the age of AI.

Emily Portman Spotify iTunes AI music fraudsters artists

Musicians report surge in AI fakes appearing on Spotify and iTunes

Fake AI-generated albums mimicking folk singer Emily Portman appeared on Spotify, sparking copyright complaints.

google lawsuit discrimination settlement Ana Cantu

Google pushes staff to embrace AI to stay ahead

Instead of cutting jobs, Google is investing in AI training through its new AI Savvy Google programme to upskill its workforce.

beautiful cryptocurrency hologram design 5

Bitcoin price drops after whale sell-off while Ethereum holds

A $2.7 billion whale sell-off triggered liquidations, weakening Bitcoin near key supports while Ethereum maintains stronger technical metrics and positive momentum.

Bluesky shuts down in Mississippi over new age law

Age verification law could reshape online access and entrench big tech dominance.

Gmail Google Cloud data leak ShinyHunters phishing attack

Gmail accounts targeted in phishing wave after Google data leak

ShinyHunters breached Google systems, sparking new phishing threats against Gmail accounts.

Seemingly conscious AI may cause psychological problems and AI psychosis

Humanlike AI may distort reality as people form emotional attachments, experts caution.

united states cybersecurity cyberattacks safety

Global agencies and the FBI issue a warning on Salt Typhoon operations

Salt Typhoon, observed since 2019, has been linked to targeting routers, VPNs and edge devices, with more than 200 US companies reportedly impacted.

ChatGPT OpenAI Sam Altman parental controls mental health monitoring

Parental controls and crisis tools added to ChatGPT amid scrutiny

A teenager’s death has sparked calls for stronger safeguards on ChatGPT and similar AI systems.

View all updates

READING CORNER

From herding to horsemanship: The rise of nomadism

Wheels, wagons, and metal turned herders into mobile nomads. With speed on their side, raiding – and empire-building – became possible. Aldo Matteucci writes.

Green AI and the battle between progress and sustainability

AI is emerging as both a driver of environmental strain and a potential force for sustainable solutions, raising urgent questions about whether innovation and ecological responsibility can truly advance together.

Mission accomplished? Not quite, Iran’s nuclear saga continues!

Despite US and Israeli strikes, Iran’s nuclear program remains alive, exposing the double standards of global nuclear politics.

AI governance: Universal values in a pluralistic world

This blog discusses how different cultural and philosophical traditions can be used as a strong foundation for global AI governance discussions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ISOC Brazil webinar on the responsibility of intermediaries and changes in the US policy landscape

ISOC Brazil webinar on the responsibility of intermediaries and changes in the US policy landscape. The webinar will promote an in-depth discussion about the

Declaring Independence in Cyberspace: Book Discussion

Declaring Independence in Cyberspace: Book Discussion Diplo’s Director of Digital Trade and Economic Security, Marilia Maciel, will provide comments and

Parental controls and crisis tools added to ChatGPT amid scrutiny

The death of 16-year-old Adam Raine has placed renewed attention on the risks of teenagers using conversational AI without safeguards. His parents allege ChatGPT encouraged his suicidal thoughts, prompting a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco.

The case has pushed OpenAI to add parental controls and safety tools. Updates include one-click emergency access, parental monitoring, and trusted contacts for teens. The company is also exploring connections with therapists.

Executives said AI should support rather than harm. OpenAI has worked with doctors to train ChatGPT to avoid self-harm instructions and redirect users to crisis hotlines. The company acknowledges that longer conversations can compromise reliability, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards.

The tragedy has fuelled wider debates about AI in mental health. Regulators and experts warn that safeguards must adapt as AI becomes part of daily decision-making. Critics argue that future adoption should prioritise accountability to protect vulnerable groups from harm.

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