This Week's Top 5 Stories in Technology
Why xAI Merged with X in a Deal to Revolutionise AI
AI’s market transformation has been significantly built from strategic partnerships, substantial funding rounds and acquisitions designed to secure data, talent and computational resources.
Google’s parent Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon have all made AI investments while increasing integration between their existing platforms and new AI capabilities – and Microsoft's US$13bn investment in OpenAI exemplifies this trend, with the partnership resulting in AI integration across its product suite from Office applications to search engine Bing.
Recently, privately-held firms have been reassessing their market positions – technology leaders with multiple holdings increasingly viewing consolidated operations as essential for competing with larger rivals who benefit from vertical integration and cross-platform data access.
Now, Elon Musk has announced that xAI, his AI company, has acquired X (formerly known as Twitter) – combining two key elements of his technology portfolio at a time when competition in the AI industry continues to intensify.
Nokia on Cusp of Tech Revolution with New CEO Justin Hotard
Justin Hotard has begun his tenure as Nokia's new CEO.
His arrival comes at an important time for the telecommunications sector, with network providers under increased pressure to achieve exceptional performance, security and reliability thanks to rapid technological advancements.
Ad as cloud hyperscalers and technology firms aggressively push into the telecommunications realm, the competition sharpens, challenging traditional industry lines and setting the stage for a fierce rivalry for companies like Nokia.
This is where Justin comes in.
He brings to the table a wealth of specialised expertise in AI and data centre technologies from his previous leadership role at Intel, where he headed its Data Centre and AI Group.
This unique skill set is set to provide Nokia with a distinct edge in the telecommunications market, and he outlines his strategy in his first address to Nokia employees.
What the Latest Trump Tariffs Mean for the Tech Industry
US President Donald Trump has unveiled extensive new tariffs on imports to the US, branded by the White House as ‘Liberation Day’ measures. The policy imposes baseline 10% duties on all imports, with targeted nations facing rates as high as 50%.
The administration’s reciprocal framework applies higher rates to countries based on their existing trade barriers with the US.
Analysts predict retaliatory measures from affected nations, compounding stress on a world economy still recovering from post-pandemic inflation.
The tariffs threaten to disrupt supply chains for multinational corporations, particularly in automotive and technology sectors.
Trump’s tariffs have put a strain on tech firms, leaving them in limbo thanks to the latest announcement.
This is because, unsurprisingly, China accounts for a significant portion of global tech manufacturing — with estimates suggesting it produces around 30% to 35% of the world's total manufacturing output.
According to data published by the United Nations Statistics Division, China accounted for 31% of global manufacturing output in 2022.
Neighbouring Taiwan has also been impacted by Trump’s tariffs.
The country says the US tariffs imposed on it, 32%, are unreasonable.
Behind H&M's AI Digital Twin Fashion Models
In the fast-paced world of high fashion, efficiency and innovation are key.
The latest development? Utilising AI to create digital twins of models.
This approach to creativity allows models to be in two places at once — kind of.
With demands such as photoshoots scheduled on opposite sides of the country the same day, the digital twin technology crafted by H&M in collaboration with AI provider Uncut appears as a seamless solution.
H&M's venture into AI-assisted fashion imagery involves creating digital replicas of 30 real-life models, as reported by the Business of Fashion (BoF).
These AI-crafted likenesses are not just static images but are capable of participating in product marketing without the traditional logistical hurdles of organising photoshoots.
Collaborating directly with the models and their agencies, H&M aims to integrate these digital replicas in social media and actual advertising campaigns.
In the name of transparency, BoF notes that such content will be distinctly watermarked, acknowledging AI origin and allowing analysts to gauge public response to digitally crafted campaigns.
Microsoft: Mapping Renewables Worldwide with AI & Satellites
As the renewable sector continues to boom, the energy industry is continually turning to technology solutions to accelerate its rollout.
This comes as the world's energy consumption increased at a rapid pace in 2024.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there's an urgent need to escalate the production of all energy forms, including renewables, to meet demand.
Given that renewables made up 38% of the global energy supply growth, there are renewable assets scattered all over the world to support this shift.
But how much energy are renewable assets creating worldwide? And where are they?
This is a question Microsoft is answering with its AI and satellite technology.
Global Renewables Watch (GRW) is setting new standards by being a first-of-its-kind “living atlas”, aiming to map and measure every utility-scale solar and wind installation across the globe.
This is done using cutting-edge AI and satellite imagery.
Launched in 2022 by Microsoft, Planet Labs and The Nature Conservancy, GRW serves as a tool to assess the progress of the clean energy transition and spot trends in real-time.
The project is spearheaded by Microsoft’s CVP and Chief Data Scientist Juan Lavista Ferres, Will Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Labs and The Nature Conservancy’s CEO Jennifer Morris.
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