Governance, Legislation, and Geostrategies
U.S. Quantum Industry Leaders Press Congress to Expand Support
(Quantum Insider – 8 May 2025) At a May 7 House Science Committee hearing, lawmakers and quantum industry leaders supported reauthorizing the National Quantum Initiative to maintain U.S. leadership in quantum technologies. Witnesses from Google, Microsoft, PsiQuantum, and QED-C emphasized the need for expanded federal investment, workforce development, and secure supply chains. Committee members warned that rival nations are accelerating quantum efforts, and urged bipartisan action despite fiscal constraints and recent cuts to research funding. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/08/u-s-quantum-industry-leaders-press-congress-to-expand-u-s-support/
Even Quantum is Bigger in Texas: Texas House Passes Bill to Launch Quantum Initiative
(Quantum Insider – 8 May 2025) The Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 4751 to establish the Texas Quantum Initiative, aiming to position the state as a national leader in quantum technology. The initiative would create a statewide strategic plan, support workforce and supply chain development, and provide grants through a newly established public fund for universities and businesses. If enacted, the program would be anchored in the Governor’s Office and guided by a seven-member executive committee, with implementation scheduled to begin September 1, 2025. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/08/even-quantum-is-bigger-in-texas-texas-house-passes-bill-to-launch-quantum-initiative/
From Budapest to Hanoi: Comparing the COE and UN Cybercrime Conventions
(Kenneth Propp, DeBrae Kennedy-Mayo – Lawfare – 8 May 2025) At the end of 2024, the United Nations gave final approval to a hotly contested Convention Against Cybercrime (UN Convention). Later this year, Vietnam will host a signing ceremony in Hanoi. Many countries are expected to sign the convention at that time. The Trump administration has yet to indicate whether the United States will be among them. Without U.S. participation, the UN Convention would be a much less effective instrument. Many Western countries, including the United States and those in Europe, initially opposed the idea of a universal cybercrime treaty. Instead, they encouraged countries to accede to the 2001 Council of Europe (COE) Cybercrime Convention (popularly known as the Budapest Convention) and its protocols. There are now 78 parties to the Budapest Convention. But major countries, including China, India, and Russia, have not joined the Budapest Convention and are not likely to in the future. Many in the Global South perceive the Budapest Convention as “in name and spirit a European convention” and “dismiss [it] as non-inclusive and non-representative.” Russia seized on such sentiment to propose a UN Cybercrime Convention, and it put forward an initial draft text that would have addressed vague conduct relating to extremism and terrorism, alarming many countries. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/from-budapest-to-hanoi–comparing-the-coe-and-un-cybercrime-conventions
UK police struggle to contain online misinformation
(Digital Watch Observatory – 8 May 2025) Sir Andy Cooke has urged that Ofcom be granted stronger powers to swiftly remove harmful online posts, particularly misinformation linked to public unrest. He criticised delays in tackling false content during the 2024 riots, which allowed damaging narratives to spread unchecked. – https://dig.watch/updates/uk-police-struggle-to-contain-online-misinformation
Meta’s AI friends raise ethical questions as experts urge caution
(Digital Watch Observatory – 8 May 2025) Meta is developing AI-powered friends to help address the loneliness epidemic, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed in a recent interview with Dwarkesh Patel. The company has already launched a new AI assistant app described as ‘the assistant that gets to know your preferences, remembers context and is personalised to you.’ Now, Zuckerberg says he wants to take this concept further with AI companions that serve as virtual friends. – https://dig.watch/updates/metas-ai-friends-raise-ethical-questions-as-experts-urge-caution
Security
G7 to address North Korea’s role in major crypto hacks
(Digital Watch Observatory – 8 May 2025) Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations are set to tackle North Korea’s ongoing cyber threats, particularly its involvement in large-scale cryptocurrency hacks. The agenda will reportedly focus on the regime’s use of stolen crypto funds to finance weapons programmes. The issue has raised international concern over global security risks. – https://dig.watch/updates/g7-to-address-north-koreas-role-in-major-crypto-hacks
LockBit ransomware Bitcoin addresses exposed
(Digital Watch Observatory – 8 May 2025) Nearly 60,000 Bitcoin addresses linked to LockBit’s ransomware operations have been exposed following a major breach of the group’s dark web affiliate panel. The leak, which included a MySQL database dump, was shared publicly online and could assist blockchain analysts in tracing LockBit’s financial activity instead of leaving such transactions untracked. – https://dig.watch/updates/lockbit-ransomware-bitcoin-addresses-exposed
Defense, Intelligence, and Warfare
Ghost Navy: China unveils Star Wars-like tech to make one warship look like an armada
(Interesting Engineering – 8 May 2025) In the Star Trek universe, starships like the Defiant and Voyager use advanced deception technologies like holographic decoys and cloaking devices to mislead enemies. Similarly, Chinese defense researchers have created a system that enables a warship to appear as a fleet of “ghosts” on radar through coordinated electronic jamming. In a recent development in electronic warfare, Chinese researchers have unveiled a new deception system that could significantly change naval combat dynamics. – https://interestingengineering.com/military/china-one-warship-appear-as-a-fleet?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=article_post&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4XkJ9l5cxktGstmou6ozIaZX-jBZbhjlCyX7SYYFdkKaMvFf31SglHZI_59w_aem_sW1s6gJtj66pgqf8rGGvWg
Frontiers
New Quantum Index Monitors Progress in Life-Sciences Demand for Quantum Tools
(Quantum Insider – 8 May 2025) The Quantum Insider and HorizonX Consulting have launched the Quantum Innovation Index – Life Sciences, ranking over 30 life-sciences organizations on workforce capabilities, R&D investment, and strategic partnerships. The index reveals that leading pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and chemical firms are integrating quantum technologies into research pipelines, signaling early-stage commercial adoption. Top performers include Boehringer Ingelheim, Cleveland Clinic, Merck, and Roche, with use cases ranging from quantum-enhanced drug simulations to predictive models for clinical treatments. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/08/new-quantum-index-monitors-progress-in-life-sciences-demand-for-quantum-tools/
China’s Origin Quantum Releases Fourth-Generation Quantum Control System, Heads Toward Mass Production
(Quantum Insider – 8 May 2025) China’s Origin Quantum launched its fourth-generation quantum control system, Tianji 4.0, marking a key step toward scalable production of hundred-qubit quantum computers. Tianji 4.0 enables more efficient, automated signal control for superconducting quantum chips, reducing reliance on highly specialized personnel. The new system builds on the success of Origin Wukong and is integrated into efforts to create a fully self-developed Chinese quantum computing ecosystem. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/08/chinas-origin-quantum-releases-fourth-generation-quantum-control-system-heads-toward-mass-production/
Irish startup launches first silicon quantum computer
(Digital Watch Observatory – 8 May 2025) An Irish startup, Equal1, has unveiled the world’s first silicon-based quantum computer designed to integrate smoothly into existing data centres instead of requiring entirely new infrastructure. Named Bell-1, the compact six-qubit device is built to slot directly into standard server racks, weighing just over 200 kilograms and roughly matching the size of a conventional GPU server. – https://dig.watch/updates/irish-startup-launches-first-silicon-quantum-computer
US firm’s humanoid robot to perform welding tasks in South Korea’s shipbuilding
(Interesting Engineering – 8 May 2025) A Houston-based robotics company is set to deliver a humanoid robotic worker to South Korea for shipbuilding tasks in the coming years. Persona AI has partnered with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Robotics, and manufacturing firm Vazil to develop humanoid robots capable of performing advanced welding tasks in shipyards. The humanoid welding robots are expected to boost productivity while lowering physical strain and safety risks for workers. The prototype is set to be completed by the end of 2026, with field testing and full commercial use planned for 2027. “As heavy industry faces growing labor constraints—especially in high-risk trades like welding—the need for rugged, autonomous humanoid robots is more urgent than ever. This partnership with HD Hyundai and Vazil is more than symbolic—deploying to the shipyard is one of the largest real-world proving grounds for Persona’s tough, humanoid robots,” said Nicolaus Radford, CEO of Persona AI, in a statement. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-humanoid-robot-in-korea-shipbuilding
Neuralink implant enables patient to make YouTube videos with generative AI’s help
(Interesting Engineering – 7 May 2025) Bradford G. Smith, living with ALS and unable to speak or move, is now communicating by thinking thanks to a Neuralink brain implant. Interestingly, Smith is the first non-verbal individual and only the third person globally to receive a Neuralink Brain-Chip Interface (BCI) implant. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare nervous system disease that impacts the ability to control muscles. The disorder is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects motor neurons and hinders voluntary muscle control. As the condition progresses, it impacts independent speech, eating, movement, and breathing. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/neuralink-implant-enables-patient-to-make-youtube-videos