Microsoft president Brad Smith stated that the company plans to invest approximately $80 billion into artificial intelligence (AI) research this fiscal year, emphasizing the importance of the US leading in AI technology as it has the potential to transform various aspects of life.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/05/business/top-business/microsoft-to-spend-80b-on-ai/2030306Microsoft president Brad Smith has called on President-elect Donald Trump and Congress to increase funding for AI research at universities and the National Science Foundation, in order to maintain the United States' position as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Smith argues that the US is poised to be the first mover in the development of AI technology, but notes that China is also making significant investments in the field. Microsoft itself plans to invest $80 billion this year in AI datacenters and cloud-based applications, with the goal of promoting its AI technology as superior and more trustworthy than Chinese alternatives.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/microsoft-to-spend-80-bn-on-artificial-intelligence-in-2025-13849821.htmlMicrosoft's capital expenditures reached $20 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, with $14.9 billion spent on property and equipment. The company's revenue from Azure and other cloud services increased by 33% due to a 12 percentage point boost from AI services. Microsoft CFO Amy Hood stated that capital expenditures will rise sequentially in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Microsoft's CEO Smith urged the incoming US administration to promote American AI technologies abroad to maintain the country's leadership in AI, as China is offering subsidized access to developing countries and building local AI data centers.
https://www.businesstelegraph.co.uk/microsoft-expects-to-spend-80-billion-on-ai-enabled-data-centers-in-fiscal-2025/Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a detailed discussion with Meta executive Sundar Pichai's colleague, Vinodh Kumar Sikka, about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on India. The meeting focused on how AI can be used to uplift people while upholding democratic values.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-committed-to-taking-lead-in-ai-says-pm-modi-after-meeting-ex-infosys-ceo/article69061112.ecePALIT has released its first AI computer, the Pandora, which is powered by NVIDIA's Jetson Orin NX SUPER chip. The device is designed to support generative AI applications and is expected to be priced and released soon.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/key-nvidia-partner-unveils-a-tiny-mini-pc-build-for-ai-that-has-a-unique-feature-3d-printed-designsExperts are warning that social engineering tactics, which use human interaction to deceive individuals, are becoming increasingly sophisticated with the integration of artificial intelligence. According to Jake Moore, a cybersecurity advisor at ESET, this trend is making it more challenging for people to protect themselves from phishing emails that can evade security measures and trick users into divulging sensitive information.
https://nypost.com/2025/01/04/tech/gmail-outlook-and-apple-users-urged-to-watch-out-for-this-new-email-scam-cybersecurity-experts-sound-alarm/South Korean tech companies Samsung and LG are set to showcase their latest artificial intelligence (AI) innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2025. LG will unveil a vehicle safety system, while Ceragem's health appliances have received six awards for their AI-powered features. Additionally, CES has established a dedicated session on quantum technology in collaboration with the World Quantum Congress, highlighting its potential to accelerate the deployment of AI.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-04/business/tech/More-AI-offerings-at-CES-2025-with-a-glimpse-of-quantum/2214907The UAE is expected to see a growing demand for highly skilled professionals, particularly in AI and fields leveraging AI technologies across various industries. According to a report by Deel, a global HR management company, the UAE ranked as the top choice for workers seeking work visas worldwide. The country also secured the fourth spot globally in the InterNations ranking of the best countries for expatriates to live and work. Experts predict that AI will significantly shape the UAE's job market in 2025, with professionals expected to focus on problem-solving, continuous learning, and relationship-building. Industries such as marketing, technology, and healthcare are expected to be significant employers of fresh graduates, including software engineers due to AI advancements and healthcare practitioners in response to population growth and diverse health needs. The UAE's economic expansion is also expected to positively impact the job market, with a 5.1 per cent growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2025/01/04/ai-and-economic-growth-shaping-uaes-labour-marketSafeguarding minister Jess Phillips has vowed to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images this year, citing her own experience as a target of the technology. A private members' bill was proposed by Tory peer Baroness Owen in the Lords but failed to gain government support. The issue is being raised due to concerns over AI-generated videos being used for sexual exploitation, child pornography, fraud and political disinformation. Last year, explicit deepfakes of celebrities such as Taylor Swift went viral on social media, while actress Emma Watson was targeted by a fake ad featuring her engaging in a sexual act. In 2023, deepfaked videos received 34 million views, with women making up 99% of those targeted.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14248775/Labour-minister-pledges-ban-creation-deepfake-porn-images-despite-Government-failing-Tory-bid-outlaw-vile-practice-MONTH.html