Researchers have uncovered a large phishing operation, known as Quantum Route Redirect (QRR), that creates fake Microsoft 365 login pages across nearly 1,000 domains. The campaign uses convincing email lures, including DocuSign notices and payment alerts, to steal user credentials.
QRR operations have reached 90 countries, with US users hit hardest. Analysts say the platform evades scanners by sending bots to safe pages while directing real individuals to credential-harvesting sites on compromised domains.
The kit emerged shortly after Microsoft disrupted the RaccoonO365 network, which had stolen thousands of accounts. Similar tools, such as VoidProxy and Darcula, have appeared; yet, QRR stands out for its automation and ease of use, which enable rapid, large-scale attacks.
Cybersecurity experts warn that URL scanning alone can no longer stop such operations. Organisations are urged to adopt layered protection, stronger sign-in controls and behavioural monitoring to detect scams that increasingly mimic genuine Microsoft systems.
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Leading Chinese technology companies are increasingly training their latest AI models outside the country to maintain access to Nvidia’s high-performance chips, according to a report by the Financial Times. Firms such as Alibaba and ByteDance are shifting parts of their AI development to data centres in Southeast Asia, a move that comes as the United States tightens restrictions on advanced chip exports to China.
The trend reportedly accelerated after Washington imposed new limits in April on the sale of Nvidia’s H20 chips, a key component for developing sophisticated large language models. By relying on leased server space operated by non-Chinese companies abroad, tech firms are able to bypass some of the effects of US export controls while continuing to train next-generation AI systems.
One notable exception is DeepSeek, which had already stockpiled a significant number of Nvidia chips before the export restrictions took effect. The company continues to train its models domestically and is now collaborating with Chinese chipmakers led by Huawei to develop and optimise homegrown alternatives to US hardware.
Neither Alibaba, ByteDance, Nvidia, DeepSeek, nor Huawei has commented publicly on the report, and Reuters stated that it could not independently verify the claims. However, the developments underscore the increasing complexity of global AI competition and the lengths to which companies may go to maintain technological momentum amid geopolitical pressure.
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A US federal judge has condemned immigration agents in Chicago for using AI to draft use-of-force reports, warning that the practice undermines credibility. Judge Sara Ellis noted that one agent fed a short description and images into ChatGPT before submitting the report.
Body camera footage cited in the ruling showed discrepancies between events recorded and the written narrative. Experts say AI-generated accounts risk inaccuracies in situations where courts rely on an officer’s personal recollection to assess reasonableness.
Researchers argue that poorly supervised AI use could erode public trust and compromise privacy. Some warn that uploading images into public tools relinquishes control of sensitive material, exposing it to misuse.
Police departments across the US are still developing policies for safe deployment of generative tools. Several states now require officers to label AI-assisted reports, while specialists call for stronger guardrails before the technology is applied in high-stakes legal settings.
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Amazon Web Services plans to invest $50 billion in high performance AI infrastructure dedicated to US federal agencies. The programme aims to broaden access to AWS tools such as SageMaker AI, Bedrock and model customisation services, alongside support for Anthropic’s Claude.
The expansion will add around 1.3 gigawatts of compute capacity, enabling agencies to run larger models and speed up complex workloads. AWS expects construction of the new data centres to begin in 2026, marking one of its most ambitious government-focused buildouts to date.
Chief executive Matt Garman argues the upgrade will remove long-standing technology barriers within government. The company says enhanced AI capabilities could accelerate work in areas ranging from cybersecurity to medical research while strengthening national leadership in advanced computing.
AWS has spent more than a decade developing secure environments for classified and sensitive government operations. Competitors have also stepped up US public sector offerings, with OpenAI, Anthropic and Google all rolling out heavily discounted AI products for federal use over the past year.
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AI-driven fraud schemes are on the rise across the US health system, exposing older adults to increasing financial and personal risks. Officials say tens of billions in losses have already been uncovered this year. High medical use and limited digital literacy leave seniors particularly vulnerable.
Criminals rely on schemes such as phantom billing, upcoding and identity theft using Medicare numbers. Fraud spans home health, hospice care and medical equipment services. Authorities warn that the ageing population will deepen exposure and increase long-term harm.
AI has made scams harder to detect by enabling cloned voices, deepfakes and convincing documents. The tools help impersonate providers and personalise attacks at scale. Even cautious seniors may struggle to recognise false calls or messages.
Investigators are also using AI to counter fraud by spotting abnormal billing, scanning records for inconsistencies and flagging high-risk providers. Cross-checking data across clinics and pharmacies helps identify duplicate claims. Automated prompts can alert users to suspicious contacts.
Experts urge seniors to monitor statements, ignore unsolicited calls and avoid clicking unfamiliar links. They should verify official numbers, protect Medicare details and use strong login security. Suspicious activity should be reported to Medicare or to local fraud response teams.
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OpenAI Academy is running a US nationwide Small Business AI Jam for more than 1,000 owners. Workshops in San Francisco, New York, Detroit, Houston and Miami give practical help using AI to handle everyday tasks.
Participants from restaurants, retailers, professional services and creative firms work alongside mentors to build tailored AI tools. Typical projects include marketing assistants, customer communication helpers and organisers for bookings, stock or paperwork. Everyone leaves with at least one ready to use workflow.
A survey for OpenAI found around half of small business leaders want staff comfortable with AI. About sixty percent expect clear efficiency gains when employees have those skills, from faster content writing to smoother operations.
Only available in the US, owners gain access to an online academy hub before and after the in person events. Follow up offers a virtual jam on 4 December, office hours, and links to an AI for Main Street certification track and jobs platform.
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The EU has unveiled plans to scale back certain aspects of its AI and data privacy rules to revive innovation and alleviate regulatory pressure on businesses. The Digital Omnibus package delays stricter oversight for high-risk AI until 2027 and permits the use of anonymised personal data for model training.
The reforms amend the AI Act and several digital laws, cutting cookie pop-ups and simplifying documentation requirements for smaller firms. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen says the aim is to boost competitiveness by removing layers of rigid regulation that have hindered start-ups and SMEs.
US tech lobby groups welcomed the overall direction. Still, they criticised the package for not going far enough, particularly on compute thresholds for systemic-risk AI and copyright provisions with cross-border effects. They argue the reforms only partially address industry concerns.
Privacy and digital rights advocates sharply opposed the changes, warning they represent a significant retreat from Europe’s rights-centric regulatory model. Groups including NOYB accused Brussels of undermining hard-won protections in favour of Big Tech interests.
Legal scholars say the proposals could shift Europe closer to a more permissive, industry-driven approach to AI and data use. They warn that the reforms may dilute the EU’s global reputation as a standard-setter for digital rights, just as the world seeks alternatives to US-style regulation.
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OpenAI has formed a new partnership with Foxconn to prepare US manufacturing for a fresh generation of AI infrastructure hardware.
The agreement centres on design support and early evaluation instead of immediate purchase commitments, which gives OpenAI a path to influence development while Foxconn builds readiness inside American facilities.
Both companies expect rapid advances in AI capability to demand a new class of physical infrastructure. They plan to co-design several generations of data centre racks that can keep pace with model development instead of relying on slower single-cycle upgrades.
OpenAI will share insight into future hardware needs while Foxconn provides engineering knowledge and large-scale manufacturing capacity across the US.
A key aim is to strengthen domestic supply chains by improving rack architecture, widening access to domestic chip suppliers and expanding local testing and assembly. Foxconn intends to produce essential data centre components in the US, including cabling, networking, cooling and power systems.
The companies present such an effort as a way to support faster deployment, create more resilient infrastructure and bring economic benefits to American workers.
OpenAI frames the partnership as part of a broader push to ensure that critical AI infrastructure is built within the US instead of abroad. Company leaders argue that a robust domestic supply chain will support American leadership in AI and keep the benefits widely shared across the economy.
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Meta has defeated a major antitrust challenge after a US federal judge ruled it does not currently hold monopoly power in social networking. The decision spares the company from being forced to separate Instagram and WhatsApp, which regulators had argued were acquired to suppress competition.
The judge found the Federal Trade Commission failed to prove Meta maintains present-day dominance, noting that the market has been reshaped by rivals such as TikTok. Meta argued it now faces intense competition across mobile platforms as user behaviour shifts rapidly.
FTC lawyers revisited internal emails linked to Meta’s past acquisitions, but the ruling emphasised that the case required proof of ongoing violations.
Analysts say the outcome contrasts sharply with recent decisions against Google in search and advertising, signalling mixed fortunes for large tech firms.
Industry observers note that Meta still faces substantial regulatory pressure, including upcoming US trials regarding children’s mental health and questions about its heavyinvestment in AI.
The company welcomed the ruling and stated that it intends to continue developing products within a competitive market framework.
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US House Republicans are mounting a new effort to block individual states from regulating AI, reviving a proposal that the Senate overwhelmingly rejected just four months ago. Their push aligns with President Donald Trump’s call for a single federal AI standard, which he argues is necessary to avoid a ‘patchwork’ of state-level rules that he claims hinder economic growth and fuel what he described as ‘woke AI.’
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is now attempting to insert the measure into the National Defence Authorisation Act, a must-pass annual defence spending bill expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. If successful, the move would place a moratorium on state-level AI regulation, effectively ending the states’ current role as the primary rule-setters on issues ranging from child safety and algorithmic fairness to workforce impacts.
The proposal faces significant resistance, including from within the Republican Party. Lawmakers who blocked the earlier attempt in July warned that stripping states of their authority could weaken protections in areas such as copyright, child safety, and political speech.
Critics, such as Senator Marsha Blackburn and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, argue that the measure would amount to a handout to Big Tech and leave states unable to guard against the use of predatory or intrusive AI.
Congressional leaders hope to reach a deal before the Thanksgiving recess, but the ultimate fate of the measure remains uncertain. Any version of the moratorium would still need bipartisan support in the Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to advance.
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