Massachusetts libraries face sweeping service reductions as federal funding cuts threaten critical educational and digital access programmes. Local and major libraries are bracing for the loss of key resources including summer reading initiatives, online research tools, and English language classes.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) said it has already lost access to 30 of 34 databases it once offered. Resources such as newspaper archives, literacy support for the blind and incarcerated, and citizenship classes have also been cancelled due to a $3.6 million shortfall.
Communities unable to replace federal grants with local funds will be disproportionately affected. With over 800 library applications for mobile internet hot spots now frozen, officials warn that students and jobseekers may lose vital lifelines to online learning, healthcare and employment.
The cuts are part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to shrink federal institutions, targeting what it deems anti-American programming. Legislators and library leaders say the result will widen the digital divide and undercut libraries’ role as essential pillars of equitable access
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A new national survey shows that roughly 72% of American teenagers, aged 13 to 17, have tried AI companion apps such as Replika, Character.AI, and Nomi, with over half interacting with them regularly.
Although some teens report benefits like practising conversation skills or emotional self-expression, significant safety concerns have emerged.
Around 34% have been left uncomfortable by the bot’s behaviour, and one-third have turned to AI for advice on serious personal issues. Worryingly, nearly a quarter of users disclosed their real names or locations in chats.
Despite frequent use, most teens still prefer real friendships—two-thirds say AI interactions are less satisfying, and 80% maintain stronger ties to human friends.
Experts warn that teens are especially vulnerable to emotional dependency, manipulative responses, and data privacy violations through these apps.
Youth advocates call for mandatory age verification, better content moderation, and expanded AI literacy education, arguing that minors should not use companionship bots until more regulations are in place and platforms become truly safe for young users.
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NVIDIA’s CEO has praised China’s open-source AI work during a high-profile visit to Beijing, spotlighting DeepSeek as an example of world-class science and engineering.
At the International Supply Chain Expo, Huang highlighted the global value of Chinese contributions to AI research.
He told former Alibaba executive Wang Jian that Chinese researchers publish more AI papers than any other nation, calling their output A-plus in both science and engineering. Huang named DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, MiniMax, and Baidu’s Ernie Bot globally significant AI leaders.
The visit coincides with a policy shift by the US government allowing Nvidia to resume H20 chip exports to China. Huang confirmed that export licenses are expected soon, potentially unlocking billions in lost revenue.
Industry watchers see this development as pivotal for Nvidia, which had paused shipments under earlier restrictions. The chipmaker’s renewed access to China’s semiconductor market could reshape global AI infrastructure over the next year.
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The United States is moving to strengthen the security of its digital infrastructure by proposing new regulations on undersea internet cables.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to ban the connection of submarine cables to the US if they involve Chinese technology or equipment. It also aims to prohibit companies that are flagged as national security threats, including Huawei and ZTE.
Additionally, the FCC will seek public comments on further measures to protect undersea cable infrastructure, as part of an ongoing review of regulations overseeing the global network of submarine cables that carry 99% of international internet traffic.
These policy moves reflect US concerns over China’s role in internet infrastructure and potential espionage. Since 2020, regulators have blocked multiple cable projects linking the US to Hong Kong due to security risks.
Recent incidents, such as suspected sabotage in the Baltic Sea, Taiwan’s accusations of cable cutting by Chinese vessels, and Houthi-linked damage to cables in the Red Sea, highlight the growing vulnerability of global communications networks.
These steps guard against foreign adversary ownership, cyber threats, and physical sabotage.
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A US state’s Army National Guard network was thoroughly compromised by the Chinese cyberespionage group Salt Typhoon from March to December 2024. According to a confidential federal memo, hackers extracted highly sensitive information, including administrator credentials, network maps, and interstate communication data, raising alarm over data leaked across all 50 states and four US territories.
Security analysts caution that the breach goes beyond intelligence gathering. With access to National Guard systems, integral to state-level threat response and civilian support, the group is poised to exploit vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, particularly during crises or conflict.
Salt Typhoon, linked to China’s Ministry of State Security, has a track record of penetrating telecommunications, energy grids, transport systems, and water utilities. Often leveraging known vulnerabilities in Cisco and Palo Alto equipment, the group has exfiltrated over 1,400 network configuration files from more than 70 US critical infrastructure providers.
Federal agencies, including DHS and CISA, are sounding the alarm: this deep infiltration presents a serious national security threat and indicates a strategic shift in cyber warfare. Navigating Sun Typhoon’s persistent access through local and federal networks is now a top priority in defending the critical systems on which communities rely.
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The Dutch government has released a policy paper urging the European Union to take coordinated action to reduce its heavy dependence on non-EU cloud providers, especially from the United States.
The document recommends that the European Commission introduce a clearer and harmonized approach at the EU level.
Key proposals include creating a consistent definition of ‘cloud sovereignty,’ adjusting public procurement rules to allow prioritizing sovereignty, promoting open-source technologies and standards, setting up a common European decision-making framework for cloud choices, and ensuring sufficient funding to support the development and deployment of sovereign cloud technologies.
These measures aim to strengthen the EU’s digital independence and protect public administrations from external political or economic pressures.
A recent investigation found that over 20,000 Dutch institutions rely heavily on US cloud services, with Microsoft holding about 60% of the market.
The Dutch government warned this dependence risks national security and fundamental rights. Concerns escalated after Microsoft blocked the ICC prosecutor’s email following US sanctions, sparking political outrage.
In response, the Dutch parliament called for reducing reliance on American providers and urged the government to develop a roadmap to protect digital infrastructure and regain control.
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A new AI programme is showing remarkable accuracy in detecting diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness. The SMART system, short for Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker, can scan retinal images using even basic smartphones and has achieved over 99% accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in the US trained the AI using thousands of retinal images from diverse populations across six continents. The system processes images in under a second and can distinguish diabetic retinopathy from other eye diseases.
Experts say the technology could dramatically expand access to eye screenings, particularly in areas lacking specialist care. By integrating the tool into regular check-ups, both primary care providers and ophthalmologists could streamline early diagnosis.
Researchers highlighted that the tool’s mobile accessibility allows for global reach, potentially screening billions. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society, though they have yet to be peer-reviewed.
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The AI boom is triggering alarms in the energy sector, with data centres expected to consume 3% of the world’s electricity by 2030, double today’s share. This projection has spurred tech firms to pursue aggressive efficiency strategies.
Control systems powered by AI regulate cooling more precisely, while liquid cooling systems replace inefficient air-based approaches. Cutting-edge chips and more innovative software have already yielded energy savings of 20–30% per workflow.
Infrastructure improvements mean data-centre support systems now consume just 10% of the energy that powering the servers does. Despite these advances, the total energy demand continues to rise, prompting investments in technology upgrades and low-carbon power sources.
A global race is underway as US and Chinese companies push for increasingly efficient AI chips. Still, experts warn that overall consumption will grow, so efficiency alone won’t be enough. Broad energy planning and sustainable strategies are critical to avoid a looming power crunch as AI proliferates.
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Chinese authorities reportedly use a powerful new malware tool called Massistant to extract data from seized Android phones. Developed by Xiamen Meiya Pico, the tool enables police to access messages, photos, locations, and app data once they have physical access to a device.
Cybersecurity firm Lookout revealed that Massistant operates via a desktop-connected tower, requiring unlocked devices but no advanced hacking techniques. Researchers said affected users include Chinese citizens and international travellers whose phones may be searched at borders.
The malware leaves traces on compromised phones, allowing for post-infection removal, but authorities already have the data by then. Forums in China have shown increasing user complaints about malware following police interactions.
Massistant is seen as the successor to an older tool, MSSocket, with Meiya Pico now controlling 40% of China’s digital forensics market. They previously sanctioned the firm for its surveillance tech links to the Chinese government’s use.
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Thinking Machines Lab, an AI startup founded earlier this year by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati, has raised $2 billion in new funding. The round, which values the company at $12 billion, was led by Andreessen Horowitz and backed by Nvidia, Cisco, AMD, and others.
The company aims to develop safer and more reliable AI systems by focusing on how people naturally interact with the world, including speech and vision. Its first product, due in the coming months, will offer open-source components designed to support researchers and startups.
At launch, nearly two-thirds of the team had previously worked at OpenAI, underscoring the company’s ambition to lead in the field of frontier AI. Murati said the startup plans to make its science publicly available to support understanding and transparency.
The investment comes amid a surge in AI-related funding, which accounted for over 64% of all US startup deal value in the first half of 2025. Growing interest in generative and multimodal AI continues to attract major capital despite wider concerns over tech sector spending.
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