Governance
Tech giants race to remake social media with AI
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Tech firms are racing to integrate AI into social media, reshaping online interaction while raising fresh concerns over privacy, misinformation, and copyright. Platforms like OpenAI’s Sora and Meta’s Vibes are at the centre of the push, blending generative AI tools with short-form video features similar to TikTok. OpenAI’s Sora allows users to create lifelike videos from text prompts, but film studios say copyrighted material is appearing without permission. OpenAI has promised tighter controls and a revenue-sharing model for rights holders, while Meta has introduced invisible watermarks to identify AI content. – https://dig.watch/updates/tech-giants-race-to-remake-social-media-with-ai – https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/11/tech/openai-sora-2-meta-ai-slop-social-media
Netherlands safeguards economic security through Nexperia intervention
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) The Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs has invoked the Goods Availability Act in response to serious governance issues at semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia. The measure, announced on 30 September 2025, seeks to ensure the continued availability of the company’s products in the event of an emergency. Nexperia, headquartered in Nijmegen, will be allowed to maintain its normal production activities. – https://dig.watch/updates/netherlands-safeguards-economic-security-through-nexperia-intervention – https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/10/12/minister-of-economic-affairs-invokes-goods-availability-act
When AI agents go rogue, the federal government needs reversible resilience
(Travis Rosiek – NextGov – 10 October 2025) The age of agentic AI — where autonomous systems make decisions and take actions at speed — has dawned in ways government agencies may struggle to grasp. As agencies explore ways to bring agentic AI into public service, resilience can no longer be a component of the strategy; it is the strategy. When integrating AI agents, the federal government must prioritize rapid reversibility and transparent, auditable recovery. – https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2025/10/when-ai-agents-go-rogue-federal-government-needs-reversible-resilience/408757/?oref=ng-homepage-river
Like putting on glasses for the first time”—how AI improves earthquake detection
(Kai Williams – Ars Technica – 10 October 2025) On January 1, 2008, at 1:59 am in Calipatria, California, an earthquake happened. You haven’t heard of this earthquake; even if you had been living in Calipatria, you wouldn’t have felt anything. It was magnitude -0.53, about the same amount of shaking as a truck passing by. Still, this earthquake is notable, not because it was large but because it was small—and yet we know about it. Over the past seven years, AI tools based on computer imaging have almost completely automated one of the fundamental tasks of seismology: detecting earthquakes. What used to be the task of human analysts—and later, simpler computer programs—can now be done automatically and quickly by machine-learning tools. – https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/10/like-putting-on-glasses-for-the-first-time-how-ai-improves-earthquake-detection/
People, Planet, Progress: An opportunity for an international agreement on AI climate sustainability at India’s AI Impact Summit 2026
(Jon Truby, PhD – OECD.AI – 9 October 2025) India will host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026, bringing together global leaders to discuss artificial intelligence’s role in society. The summit’s theme of three ‘sutras’, including ‘People, Planet, Progress’, reflects a vision that technology should serve humanity and sustainability. Having recently become the ‘COP of AI’ for global policymakers, the summit is an opportunity to agree on high-level global governance to improve the climate sustainability of AI compute. Policymakers can examine international governance measures to integrate AI into climate frameworks so they incorporate environmental accountability into AI development and use. The New Delhi summit builds on the momentum of its predecessors. The Bletchley Park and Seoul summits focused on AI safety. The Paris Action Summit in 2025 expanded the agenda by introducing sustainability and inclusivity priorities at the international level. The India meeting can go further by focusing the global discussion on the everyday impacts of AI and compute. It can give global governance a stronger focus on beneficial planetary outcomes rather than only risks. India is also well-positioned to help bridge the divide between the global North and South. – https://oecd.ai/en/wonk/people-planet-progress-an-opportunity-for-an-international-agreement-india-ai-impact-summit-2026
Legislation
Datacenter water use? California governor says don’t ask, don’t tell
(The Register – 13 October 2025) California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed legislation requiring data centers to disclose their water consumption, even as he champions efforts to address the state’s water scarcity challenges. Assembly Bill 93 would have mandated that data center operators provide water suppliers with estimates of expected usage before obtaining business licenses, followed by annual reports of actual consumption when renewing permits. However, in an October 11 letter to the California State Assembly, Newsom declined to sign the bill. “While I appreciate the author’s intent, I am reluctant to impose rigid reporting requirements about operational details on this sector without understanding the full impact on businesses and the consumers of their technology,” Newsom wrote. Newsom also noted AI-driven demand for datacenter capacity throughout the nation, and as “the global epicenter of the technology sector,” California is strategically positioned to support infrastructure development within the state – and he doesn’t want to do anything that may discourage this. – https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/13/california_datacenter_water_bill/
Senators try to save cyber threat sharing law, sans government funding
(The Register – 13 October 2025) A bipartisan Senate duo has introduced a bill to revive and extend America’s cyber threat-sharing law for another ten years after its authorization lapsed during the government shutdown. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the Protecting America from Cyber Threats (PACT) Act in the upper legislative chamber on Thursday. The brief bill would extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA) by ten years – from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2035 – and proposes renaming it as the PACT Act throughout the US code. – https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/13/senators_cyber_threat_sharing_bill/
Google cautions Australia on youth social media ban proposal
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) The US tech giant, Google (also owner of YouTube), has reiterated its commitment to children’s online safety while cautioning against Australia’s proposed ban on social media use for those under 16. Speaking before the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee, Google’s Public Policy Senior Manager Rachel Lord said the legislation, though well-intentioned, may be difficult to enforce and could have unintended effects. – https://dig.watch/updates/google-cautions-australia-on-youth-social-media-ban-proposal – https://blog.google/intl/en-au/our-opening-statement-to-the-senate-environment-and-communications-references-committee/
Geostrategies
Should the AI Race Be About Bigger Models, or the Search for Meaning?
(Vinay K. Chaudhri – Tech Policy Press – 13 October 2025) Top executives at American artificial intelligence giants OpenAI, Microsoft, and Advanced Micro Devices said at a US Senate hearing recently that while the US is ahead in the race, Washington needs to boost infrastructure and champion AI chip exports to stay ahead of Beijing. The fight for AI supremacy relies on the scaling hypothesis that says that by making current models larger, training them on ever-increasing amounts of data, and utilizing greater compute— the hardware resources required — we are sure to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). If the scaling hypothesis proves to be true, it will indeed be an exciting development for humanity, as the upside is tremendous. But what if the scaling hypothesis turns out to be false? Would that mean we have lost the AI race? What would be our Plan B? – https://www.techpolicy.press/should-the-ai-race-be-about-bigger-models-or-the-search-for-meaning/
JPMorganChase’s $1.5 Trillion Security and Resiliency Initiative Includes Investments in Quantum
(Quantum Insider – 13 October 2025) JPMorganChase launched the Security and Resiliency Initiative, a 10-year, $1.5 trillion plan to finance and invest in industries vital to U.S. economic and national security. The firm will make up to $10 billion in direct equity and venture capital investments and expand its total facilitation target by 50 percent to support companies in supply chain, defense, energy, and frontier technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. The initiative includes hiring new experts, creating an external advisory council, and commissioning research on rare earths and emerging technologies while advocating for policies that accelerate R&D, permitting, and workforce development. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/13/jpmorganchases-1-5-trillion-security-and-resiliency-initiative-includes-investments-in-quantum/
China probes Qualcomm’s Autotalks deal amid rising US trade tensions
(The Register – 13 October 2025) China’s competition regulator has launched an investigation into Qualcomm’s purchase of Israeli firm Autotalks, the latest salvo in the escalating tech trade war between Washington and Beijing. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) described its probe as routine, according to state-run broadcaster CGTN, yet the timing is pointed. It came as China tightened exports of rare earth metals last Thursday, ratcheting up tensions with the US. In response, Donald Trump (…) threatened additional tariffs of 100 percent on Chinese imports. Qualcomm has now attracted scrutiny for its acquisition in June of Autotalks, an Israeli firm “devoted to vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.” The company has operations in North America, Germany, France, China, Japan, and Korea – all the major automaking powers. Qualcomm had abandoned an earlier bid for Autotalks over concerns about regulatory approval. Presumably, the San Diego-based chip giant felt approvals were in the bag when it finally sealed a deal earlier this summer. However, SAMR has reportedly questioned whether Qualcomm jumped the gun, failing to inform the regulator of key details. Carthage Capital founder and managing partner Stephen Wu notes that China is pushing for standardization of vehicle communications. – https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/13/qualcomm_autotalks_china_probe/
Japan pushes domestic AI to boost national security
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Japan will prioritise home-grown AI technology in its new national strategy, aiming to strengthen national security and reduce dependence on foreign systems. The government says developing domestic expertise is essential to prevent overreliance on US and Chinese AI models. Officials revealed that the plan will include better pay and conditions to attract AI professionals and foster collaboration among universities, research institutes and businesses. Japan will also accelerate work on a next-generation supercomputer to succeed the current Fugaku model. – https://dig.watch/updates/japan-pushes-domestic-ai-to-boost-national-security – https://japantoday.com/category/tech/japan-to-promote-domestic-ai-development-for-national-security
The United States Has Always Prepared to Fight a Space War
(Clayton Swope – Lawfare – 12 October 2025) The U.S. military has long understood it must prepare to fight in space and protect satellites that play a critical role in winning wars on Earth—a fact that U.S. allies increasingly recognize as well. The creation of the Space Force and reestablishment of the Space Command, announcement of the Golden Dome missile shield, and increased defense space spending by Germany are merely recent chapters in the story. However, some experts and countries—including, not surprisingly, Russia and China—suggest these developments signal a pivot, threaten peace, or might run afoul of international law. Many of these observations are anchored in a belief that outer space, from a legal perspective but also on principle, has been reserved only for peaceful purposes. While that may be a laudable aspirational goal, it has been neither a reality nor stipulated in any binding international agreement. Since the dawn of the space race, international treaties, as well as U.S. policies and actions, have always reflected the position that space will be used for both military and nonmilitary purposes. As far back as 1959, senior U.S. leaders were clear that space should be used to gain “scientific knowledge, military strength, economic capabilities, and political position.” These are the same goals for U.S. efforts in space today. To a large degree, national policies and international agreements about what types of activities should be permitted in outer space date back to the start of the Cold War and reflect a tension—dating back even further to Robert H. Goddard’s rocket research in the 1910s—about why nations have sought to develop technologies to reach space in the first place. On the one hand, countries have built rockets, satellites, and spacecraft to explore the cosmos, make scientific discoveries for the benefit of humankind, and peacefully pursue economic and commercial opportunities in orbit. On the other hand, nations have aimed to use all those same technologies for military advantage. The first artificial object to reach outer space was an Aggregat-4 rocket, more commonly known as the V-2 ballistic missile, designed and launched by Nazi Germany in June 1944. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-united-states-has-always-prepared-to-fight-a-space-war
Security and Surveillance
SimonMed Imaging discloses a data breach impacting over 1.2 million people
(Security Affairs – 13 October 2025) SimonMed Imaging suffered a ransomware attack by the Medusa group, which claimed to have stolen 200 GB of data. SimonMed Imaging is one of the largest outpatient medical imaging providers in the U.S., offering services such as MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, and mammography across multiple states, focusing on advanced diagnostic imaging and patient-centered care. According to the data breach notification shared with the Maine Attorney General, the security breach affected over 1.2 million individuals, exposing sensitive information and highlighting the growing threat of large-scale cyberattacks on healthcare organizations. – https://securityaffairs.com/183342/uncategorized/simonmed-imaging-discloses-a-data-breach-impacting-over-1-2-million-people.html
Astaroth Trojan abuses GitHub to host configs and evade takedowns
(Security Affairs – 13 October 2025) McAfee discovered a new Astaroth campaign using GitHub repositories to host malware configurations. This allows attackers to evade takedowns by pulling fresh configs from GitHub whenever C2 servers are shut down, ensuring continuous operation and resilience against law enforcement actions. Astaroth mainly targets South America (Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama), but also hit Portugal and Italy. – https://securityaffairs.com/183323/cyber-crime/astaroth-trojan-abuses-github-to-host-configs-and-evade-takedowns.html
Harvard investigating breach linked to Oracle zero-day exploit
(Bleeping Computer – 13 August 2025) Harvard University is investigating a data breach after the Clop ransomware gang listed the school on its data leak site, saying the alleged breach was likely caused by a recently disclosed zero-day vulnerability in Oracle’s E-Business Suite servers. “Harvard is aware of reports that data associated with the University has been obtained as a result of a zero-day vulnerability in the Oracle E-Business Suite system. This issue has impacted many Oracle E-Business Suite customers and is not specific to Harvard,” a Harvard University Information Technology spokesperson told BleepingComputer. “While the investigation is ongoing, we believe that this incident impacts a limited number of parties associated with a small administrative unit.” – https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/harvard-investigating-breach-linked-to-oracle-zero-day-exploit/
AI deepfake chaos disrupts South Korea’s National Assembly audit
(Cybernews – 13 October 2025) Chaos erupted in South Korea’s National Assembly after an AI deepfake video, shown by lawmaker Kim Jang-kyun and depicting officials in a secret meeting, sparked outrage. The video disrupted proceedings and highlighted the risks of AI misinformation. – https://cybernews.com/ai-news/ai-deepfake-south-korea-politics/
Over 30 potential victims identified in action against human trafficking enabled online
(Europol – 13 October 2025) From 15 to 19 September 2025, Europol supported the fourth edition of the EMPACT Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) Hackathon, an action week against human trafficking enabled online. It was led by Dutch authorities, with the support of Germany and the United Kingdom, and brought together 73 specialists from 26 countries across the world. Eurojust also participated in the action. – https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/over-30-potential-victims-identified-in-action-against-human-trafficking-enabled-online
Operation Heracles is a success: German police take down 1,400 scam websites used for cybertrading fraud
(Cybernews – 13 October 2025) German investigators and banking watchdog BaFin have shut down over 1,400 illegal domains in Eastern Europe that were involved in cybertrading fraud, officials said in a joint statement on Monday. Dubbed Operation Heracles, the probe was conducted by Baden Wuerttemberg state criminal police and BaFin, Europol and Bulgarian authorities in an effort to crack down on those facilitating the use of fraudulent trading accounts. – https://cybernews.com/cybercrime/german-police-nix-1400-websites-cybertrading-fraud/
“ChaosBot” malware turns Discord into a hacker command center
(Cybernews – 13 October 2025) New ChaosBot malware is spreading across Discord, with Chaos-C++ targeting large files and clipboard data for quick victim pressure. When you hear a name like “ChaosBot,” you wake up and take note. But what is it? ChaosBot is an elaborately named virus that was found in late 2025 in a financial firm’s system. The name came from the hacker or threat actor who called themselves chaos_00019. They used a new programming language, Rust, and often managed to bypass advanced antivirus tools. Hackers can control the ChaosBot through Discord, a chat app popular with gamers. Subsequently, they can send commands directly to infected PCs. – https://cybernews.com/cybercrime/chaosbot-malware-discord-hacker/
“Inflation Refund” scam texts spread among thousands of New Yorkers
(Cybernews – 13 October 2025) New Yorkers are getting thousands of text messages claiming they need to fill out documents to be eligible for the state’s “Inflation Refunds.” But this is, in fact, an ongoing smishing campaign. Already in late September, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office issued a warning about the scam, saying that the crooks were sending texts, emails, and even direct mail to trick people into providing sensitive payment information. But officials can’t seem to stop the smishing campaign, which is still active. So, if a New Yorker clicks on a link, they risk falling victim to it and probably losing money. – https://cybernews.com/security/inflation-refund-new-york-smishing/
Italy bans deepfake app that undresses people
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Italy’s data protection authority has ordered an immediate suspension of the app Clothoff, which uses AI to generate fake nude images of real people. The company behind it, based in the British Virgin Islands, is now barred from processing personal data of Italian users. – https://dig.watch/updates/italy-bans-deepfake-app-that-undresses-people – https://www.gpdp.it/web/guest/home/docweb/-/docweb-display/docweb/10174320#english
Ofcom fines 4chan £20K and counting for pretending UK’s Online Safety Act doesn’t exist
(The Register – 13 October 2025) Ofcom, the UK’s Online Safety Act regulator, has fined online message board 4chan £20,000 ($26,680) for failing to protect children from harmful content. The fine could rise by a further £6,000 – £100 per day for a maximum 60 days – if it continues to ignore its duties to comply with the regulator’s request for information regarding two separate matters. 4chan can stop the additional fines by providing copies of its illegal content risk assessments and information about its qualifying worldwide revenue to Ofcom. The enforcement action announced today is months in the making after Ofcom first opened an investigation into the notorious image board on June 10. – https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/13/4chan_ofcom_fine/
Unapproved AI tools boom in UK workplaces
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Microsoft research reveals 71% of UK employees use unapproved AI tools at work, with 51% doing so weekly, raising concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity risks. Organisations face heightened risks to data privacy and cybersecurity as sensitive information enters unregulated platforms. Despite these dangers, awareness remains low, as only 32% express concern over data privacy and 29% over IT system vulnerabilities. – https://dig.watch/updates/unapproved-ai-tools-boom-in-uk-workplaces – https://ukstories.microsoft.com/features/rise-in-shadow-ai-tools-raising-security-concerns-for-uk/
Fake VPN apps linked to banking malware warn security experts
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Security researchers have issued urgent warnings about VPN applications that appear legitimate but secretly distribute banking trojans such as Klopatra and Mobdro. The apps masquerade as trustworthy privacy tools, but once installed they can steal credentials, exfiltrate data or give attackers backdoor access to devices. Victims may initially notice nothing amiss. – https://dig.watch/updates/fake-vpn-apps-linked-to-banking-malware-warn-security-experts – https://www.the-independent.com/tech/security/vpn-app-urgent-warning-banking-mobdro-klopatra-b2842593.html
Defence, Military, and Warfare
Chinese tanks could soon get fighter jet-like ability to strike unseen targets
(Kapil Kajal – Interesting Engineering – 13 October 2025) China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is moving its ground forces from traditional close-range tank warfare to long-range, beyond-visual-range combat, enabled by its latest generation of main battle tanks, according to a PLA Daily report published Monday. The shift marks what Chinese military experts call a “battlefield transformation,” as the PLA integrates advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and networked warfare capabilities into its armored units. – https://interestingengineering.com/military/chinese-tanks-could-get-fighter-jet-like-ability
Drones over Europe: when airspace is the new frontline
(Cybernews – 13 October 2025) Drone activity, particularly from Russia, is increasing over critical European infrastructure, raising security concerns. Current radar systems struggle to detect small drones, necessitating investment in new detection technologies & data sharing. A layered defense – combining detection, tracking & mitigation – is crucial, with open architecture key to effective protection, Ash Alexander-Cooper says. – https://cybernews.com/security/drones-russia-europe-airspace-danger-protection/
Frontiers
Feedzai Accelerates AI-led Financial Crime Prevention with New Investment Round that Grows Company’s Valuation to $2B
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) Feedzai secured $75M in new funding, pushing its valuation above $2B, with backing from Lince Capital, Iberis Capital, Explorer Investments, and existing investors Oxy Capital and Buenavista Equity Partners. The AI-native RiskOps platform now prevents over $2B in annual fraud losses, protecting $70B in payments through products like Feedzai Orchestration and Feedzai IQ while promoting responsible AI via its TRUST Framework. Feedzai consolidates fragmented financial crime tools into one end-to-end AI platform, helping global banks detect fraud, combat money laundering, and modernize legacy risk systems efficiently. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/feedzai-accelerates-ai-led-financial-crime-prevention-with-new-investment-round-that-grows-companys-valuation-to-2b/
Collaborative Fund Leads Phaidra’s $50M+ Series B to Build the AI Factories of the Future
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) Phaidra raised over $50M in Series B funding led by Collaborative Fund, with participation from NVIDIA, Sony Innovation Fund, Index Ventures, and others, to make AI factories more energy-efficient using AI agents. The company builds intelligent control systems that optimize power, cooling, and workload management in large-scale data centers, maximizing computing output per watt of energy. Founded by ex-Google DeepMind engineers, Phaidra partners with NVIDIA to develop AI agents that cut costs, boost efficiency, and reduce the environmental footprint of next-generation AI infrastructure. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/collaborative-fund-leads-phaidras-50m-series-b-to-build-the-ai-factories-of-the-future/
Swisslog Healthcare Partners with Diligent Robotics to Enhance Hospital Logistics
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) Swisslog Healthcare formed a strategic alliance with Diligent Robotics to deploy autonomous last-mile delivery robots in U.S. hospitals, expanding its end-to-end automation portfolio. The partnership offers a turnkey AMMR solution that complements TransLogic pneumatic tube systems with track-and-trace and addresses a service-robotics market projected to grow 15–18% annually over 3–5 years. Diligent’s Moxi is already proven with 1M+ deliveries (including ~300k pharmacy) across 25+ hospitals, and Swisslog will coordinate integration under Ray Castro to streamline workflows and free clinicians for patient care. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/swisslog-healthcare-partners-with-diligent-robotics-to-enhance-hospital-logistics/
AJJ Medtech and Huaxi Intelligent Sign into MoU for Joint Development Humanoid Elderly Care Robot
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) AJJ Medtech and Huaxi Intelligent signed a binding MoU to form a Singapore JV to develop and launch a multifunctional humanoid elder-care robot, with Singapore as the exclusive launch market for two years. The platform targets real-world use (assisted living, vitals monitoring, “emotional” interaction) across care settings, localized for Singapore’s languages/dialects, and will pursue HSA/MOH, cybersecurity and PDPC compliance. Early commercialization signals include Huaxi’s HT-X1 with 1,000+ pre-orders and nine patents, while timelines remain contingent on regulatory approvals, IP reviews, and market conditions. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/ajj-medtech-and-huaxi-intelligent-sign-into-mou-for-joint-development-humanoid-elderly-care-robot/
Figma Partners with Google to Integrate Gemini AI Models and Accelerate Design Workflows
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) Figma has announced a strategic partnership with Google to integrate advanced Gemini AI models directly into its design platform, expanding its suite of intelligent tools for product designers. The collaboration brings Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemini 2.0, and Imagen 4 to Figma’s ecosystem, enhancing the platform’s image editing and generation capabilities for its 13 million monthly active users. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/figma-partners-with-google-to-integrate-gemini-ai-models-and-accelerate-design-workflows/
New open-source tool helps engineers create gradient 3D-printed designs
(Neetika Walter – Interesting Engineering – 13 October 2025) A new open-source software is shaking up the way engineers design and print multi-material objects. Charles Wade, a PhD student in computer science at the University of Colorado Boulder, has developed OpenVCAD, a design system that goes beyond traditional modeling by using code to map not just shapes but also the distribution of materials within 3D objects. Created in the Matter Assembly Computation Lab led by Assistant Professor Robert MacCurdy, the tool enables engineers to design spatially varying multi-material objects with remarkable ease and precision. The project reflects a growing interest in computational approaches that merge coding with design, a shift that could transform additive manufacturing. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/openvcad-multi-material-3d-design
Aramco, NVIDIA Expect Gusher of Energy Insights From New Quantum Computing Emulator
(Quantum Insider – 13 October 2025) Saudi Aramco has developed one of the region’s largest quantum computing emulators, Dammam 7Q, as part of its digital transformation strategy to enhance energy exploration and computational research. Built on Aramco’s Dammam 7 supercomputer and powered by NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q platform, the emulator allows researchers to simulate up to 30 qubits per GPU, test hybrid quantum algorithms, and process large seismic datasets used in subsurface imaging. Managed by the Upstream Digital Center, the initiative positions Aramco as a leader in hybrid supercomputing research, using quantum emulation to accelerate algorithm development and prepare for future quantum-enabled exploration technologies. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/13/aramco-nvidia-expect-gusher-of-energy-insights-from-new-quantum-computing-emulator/
Baselane Announces $34M in New Funding, Debuts AI-Powered Tools to Automate Banking and Bookkeeping for Real Estate Investors
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) Baselane raised $34.4M ($20M Series B led by Thomvest Ventures + $14.4M Series A led by Matrix Partners) to expand its AI-powered financial platform for real-estate investors. Launched “Baselane Smart,” a subscription suite of automation tools that streamline bookkeeping, rent collection, tax reporting, and fund transfers — saving landlords up to 12 hours a week. Serving 50,000+ investors, Baselane has grown 900% since 2022, processing $2 billion annually and becoming a key financial hub for U.S. landlords managing 25 million rental units. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/baselane-announces-34m-in-new-funding-debuts-ai-powered-tools-to-automate-banking-and-bookkeeping-for-real-estate-investors/
Shuttle Pharma Plans $10 Million Acquisition of AI Startup Molecule.ai to Accelerate Therapeutics Discovery
(AI Insider – 13 October 2025) Shuttle Pharmaceuticals has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire artificial intelligence firm Molecule.ai for $10 million in cash and stock. The acquisition aims to integrate Molecule.ai’s platform, which uses large language models and agentic AI to accelerate drug discovery and molecule evaluation. Under the agreement, Molecule.ai will expand its platform to include drug-target interaction modeling and autonomous AI workflows for end-to-end therapeutic design. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/13/shuttle-pharma-plans-10-million-acquisition-of-ai-startup-molecule-ai-to-accelerate-therapeutics-discovery/
UK waves £750M supercomputer contract at HPC builders
(The Register – 13 October 2025) The British government is putting out feelers to industry ahead of the procurement process for the country’s most powerful supercomputer, set to begin next year. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has issued a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to get the attention of vendors that may have an interest in bidding to build the hardware for the Next National Supercomputing Service (NNSS), which will be based at the University of Edinburgh. – https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/13/edinburgh_supercomputer_procurement/
Tech connecting humanoid robots with machines nominated alongside Nvidia, Agibot
(Interesting Engineering – 13 October 2025) Flexxbotics, an American company known for its digital manufacturing solutions, is trying to make factories truly smart and humanoid-friendly with its FlexxCORE technology. The software technology company has been selected as a finalist in the Groundbreaking Technology category of the Humanoid Robotics Industry Awards 2025. The recognition places Flexxbotics among a competitive lineup of industry leaders, including Agibot for its AgiBot A2, LimX Dynamics for the LimX Oli, and NVIDIA for its Jetson Thor platform. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/flexxbotics-2025-humanoid-robotics-industry-award
China’s smart fabric turns everyday clothing into remote control for home appliances
(Interesting Engineering – 13 October 2025) Researchers from Soochow University in China have developed a textile fabric that turns clothes into always-accessible AI assistants. The fabric, known as A-Textile, uses AI to recognize voice commands by amplifying the electrostatic charges generated during speech. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-voice-powered-clothing-chatgpt
‘World’s most advanced’ bricklaying robot assembles 360 blocks/hour for faster homes
(Interesting Engineering – 13 October 2025) A new and upgraded robot, which can lay bricks, has completed factory acceptance testing in Australia. FBR Limited has announced the completion of the new type of testing for its Hadrian bricklaying robot unit at its facility in Western Australia. The company says that in tests, Hadrian demonstrated improved reliability and accuracy by laying over 285 blocks per hour. One of the important characteristics of the Hadrian is that it is a unique mobile robotic system that is mounted into a classic cab-over-engine truck for easy transportation from and to the site. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/australia-bricklaying-robot-hadrian
Imperial College unveils plans for new AI campus in west London
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Imperial College London has launched a public consultation on plans for a new twelve-storey academic building in White City dedicated to AI and data science. A proposed development that will bring together computer scientists, mathematicians, and business specialists to advance AI research and innovation. – https://dig.watch/updates/imperial-college-unveils-plans-for-new-ai-campus-in-west-london – https://www.imperial.ac.uk/white-city-campus/future/development-updates/new-academic-building/
Amazon expands Project Kuiper with new satellite launches
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Amazon’s Project Kuiper is moving ahead with its global satellite internet network, adding another 24 satellites to orbit as part of its ongoing deployment plan. The latest mission, known as KF-03, is scheduled for today, launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The KF-03 launch will bring the total number of Kuiper satellites to 153, furthering the plan of Amazon to build a low Earth orbit constellation of more than 3,200 spacecraft. – https://dig.watch/updates/amazon-expands-project-kuiper-with-new-satellite-launches – https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/project-kuiper-satellite-rocket-launch-progress-updates
Purple Fest highlights AI for disabilities
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) Entrepreneurs at International Purple Fest in Goa, India, from 9 to 12 October 2025, showcased AI transforming assistive technologies. Innovations like conversational screen readers, adaptive dashboards, and real-time captioning empower millions with disabilities worldwide. Designed with input from those with lived experience, these tools turn barriers into opportunities for learning, working, and leading independently. – https://dig.watch/updates/purple-fest-highlights-ai-for-disabilities – https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/10/1166082
Study links higher screen time to weaker learning results in children
(DigWatch – 13 October 2025) A study by researchers from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael’s Hospital has found a correlation between increased screen time before age eight and lower scores in reading and mathematics. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study followed over 3,000 Ontario children from 2008 to 2023, comparing reported screen use with their EQAO standardised test results. – https://dig.watch/updates/study-links-higher-screen-time-to-weaker-learning-results-in-children – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2839927?guestAccessKey=1b34668e-afe8-4888-aa3d-dd05b3b83eff