Tech & Space

Italy to Develop Independent Low-Orbit Satellite System as Alternative to Starlink

February 20, 2025

Italy to Develop Independent Low-Orbit Satellite System as Alternative to Starlink

Italy is preparing to launch its own national low-orbit satellite system for government communications, offering an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Minister Adolfo Urso announced that the project will involve key national players and be led by the national space agency through a feasibility study.

Arm’s New Chip: A Game-Changer for the Semiconductor Industry

February 13, 2025

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Arm’s New Chip: A Game-Changer for the Semiconductor Industry

Arm, the SoftBank-owned semiconductor design group, is set to unveil its first in-house chip as early as this summer a move that marks a dramatic departure from its traditional licensing model. With Meta secured as one of its first customers, the new chip is expected to serve as a CPU for data centre servers and could upend the $700bn semiconductor industry by pitting Arm against major customers like Nvidia and Qualcomm.

US and UK Refuse to Sign Paris Summit Declaration on ‘Inclusive’ AI

February 12, 2025

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US and UK Refuse to Sign Paris Summit Declaration on ‘Inclusive’ AI

At a landmark AI summit in Paris, the United States and the United Kingdom declined to sign a declaration promoting “inclusive and sustainable” artificial intelligence. The declaration, which calls for open, ethical, and transparent AI development, was endorsed by 60 other nations including France, China, India, Japan, Australia, and Canada. The decision came on the heels of US Vice President JD Vance’s criticism of Europe’s stringent technology regulations and his warning against overreliance on authoritarian partnerships.

Europe Unveils €200bn AI Coalition in Landmark Public-Private Initiative

February 11, 2025

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Europe Unveils €200bn AI Coalition in Landmark Public-Private Initiative

At the AI Action Summit held in Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an ambitious plan to inject an extra €50 billion in public funds into AI development, targeting the establishment of advanced “AI factories.” This move, when combined with €150 billion in private investments from over 120 leading European companies, forms an unprecedented €200 billion alliance designed to accelerate Europe’s journey toward reliable and innovative artificial intelligence.

Canadian Fund Brookfield to Invest €20bn in France for AI Data Centers

February 9, 2025

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Canadian Fund Brookfield to Invest €20bn in France for AI Data Centers

Canadian investment giant Brookfield has pledged €20 billion in France by 2030, with €15 billion allocated for new data centers, including a 1-gigawatt megaproject in Cambrai. The investment aligns with France's AI ambitions and follows a €30-50 billion data center project by the United Arab Emirates. The announcement was confirmed during the Paris AI Summit, where 35 additional sites have been identified for future data centers.

UK Invests in SpaceX Rival Orbex to Boost Domestic Space Industry

February 9, 2025

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UK Invests in SpaceX Rival Orbex to Boost Domestic Space Industry

The UK government has taken a £20 million ($24.8 million) stake in Scottish spaceflight startup Orbex, which specializes in small and medium-sized rockets powered by bio-propane, a renewable fuel. This investment is part of a larger £23 million funding round, with additional backing from Denmark’s Export & Investment Fund, Octopus Ventures, and former Informatica CEO Sohaib Abbasi. Orbex aims to launch its first rocket, "Prime," by late 2025, positioning itself as a competitor to SpaceX in the European microlauncher market.

United Arab Emirates to Build €50bn AI Data Center in France

February 6, 2025

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United Arab Emirates to Build €50bn AI Data Center in France

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will invest between €30 billion and €50 billion in France's largest artificial intelligence (AI) data center, as part of a strategic AI partnership signed in Paris. The campus, backed by the MGX investment fund, will have a computing capacity of up to one gigawatt, making it the largest AI hub in Europe. The exact location is yet to be determined, but an initial investment announcement is expected at the Choose France 2025 summit in May. The project is part of France’s ambition to compete with the US and China in AI development.

DeepSeek Buzz Triggers $1tn Selloff in Tech Stocks

January 27, 2025

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DeepSeek Buzz Triggers $1tn Selloff in Tech Stocks

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's new AI model has sent shockwaves through global markets, causing a $1 trillion drop in US and European tech stock valuations. The model's cost-efficiency challenges high-spending AI strategies of companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta. Nasdaq futures plunged, and Nvidia shares tumbled over 10%, putting the AI-driven rally under scrutiny.