OpenAI is set to close its latest funding round led by SoftBank Group, valuing the company at $300 billion, nearly doubling its previous valuation of $157 billion. The investment round includes SoftBank's initial $7.5 billion and a syndicate's $2.5 billion, with an additional $30 billion expected later this year. This latest influx of capital is part of the Stargate Project, a private infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, which aims to build AI data centers and foster innovation in the US.
https://www.adweek.com/media/openai-set-to-close-40b-softbank-led-funding/The UK's Spring Budget has sparked concerns about the impact on green energy, with Anthony Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer at npower Business Solutions, warning that the budget may hinder progress towards net zero emissions. The SBTi's revised Corporate Net Zero Standard is also under consultation until June 2025, aiming to tackle Scope 3 emissions and enhance accountability. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Schneider Electric are investing in AI-powered sustainability solutions, while IBM is ramping up renewables to power its data centers. British Airways has partnered with Aggreko to support the grid with electric vehicles, as part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions.
https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/12-pieces-of-advice-from-world-leading-sustainability-execsA federal court in Illinois has rejected GradImages' attempt to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the company improperly collected facial data from students without their notice or consent. The students claim that GradImages, a graduation photography company, used their "faceprints" for commercial purposes. The court ruled that whether GradImages and its associated companies are contractors of state or local government, which are exempt from Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), is an issue that should be addressed in the case rather than at the motion to dismiss stage.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/gradimages-stuck-with-biometric-data-suit-from-illinois-studentsHyundai Motor and Samsung are co-developing batteries optimized for robots, with AI-powered humanoid robot Atlas set to begin trials at Hyundai's factories this year. The company is enhancing its in-house autonomous driving systems using AI deep learning, high-performance neural processing units, and lightweight model architectures. Hyundai's Level 2+ system will rely on camera and radar-based perception and is designed to evolve over time through continuous learning, making the vehicle a "learning machine." This shift towards software-centric mobility technology aims to decouple hardware and software in its vehicle architecture, enabling more efficient over-the-air updates and streamlining the integration of new autonomous features across vehicle models.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-03-28/business/industry/Hyundai-Motor-aims-to-implement-Level-2-selfdriving-tech-by-2027/2272805IBM is taking its commitment to sustainability to new heights with Christina Shim at the helm, aiming to make a significant impact in the industry. The company has partnered with L'Oréal to utilize AI in sustainable cosmetics, while also ramping up renewable energy sources to power its data centers. Meanwhile, IBM's Chief Operating Officer Anthony Ainsworth is responding to the UK's Spring Budget, citing potential impacts on green energy. Sustainability Magazine is connecting top executives from leading brands like Unilever and Oracle to discuss key issues and innovations in the field, including the revised Corporate Net Zero Standard and the use of AI for workplace sustainability.
https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/meet-christina-shim-ibms-chief-sustainability-officerIndonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid has issued a statement after the launch of a new government regulation aimed at enhancing child protection in electronic systems within the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta. The regulation, launched on March 28, 2025, is part of efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of children in digital environments.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/350181/govt-prohibits-digital-platforms-from-making-children-commodity?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightMorphing Meerkat's phishing kits are unique in that they dynamically serve phishing login webpages based on the DNS MX record of each victim's email domain, making the experience feel natural due to consistent design with spam emails. The operation has sent thousands of spam emails from servers mostly located in the UK and US, but is difficult to detect at scale as attackers exploit security blind spots via open redirects, adtech, and popular file-sharing services. To protect themselves, organizations should add strong DNS security, including tightening controls and blocking DoH communication, to reduce their attack surface.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/this-new-phishing-campaign-can-tailor-its-messages-to-target-you-with-your-favorite-businessesThe Mumbai Police are taking a proactive approach to prevent any incidents following a threat posted on social media. They have activated their control room and are using advanced technical methods to identify the person responsible. The police assure citizens that strict measures are in place to maintain law and order in the city, particularly during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Navi Mumbai.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/mumbai/eid-al-fitr-mumbai-police-on-high-alert-after-social-media-post-warns-of-riots-and-bomb-blasts-in-dongri-on-ramadan-eid-a522/The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned about cyber threats posed by Russian and Chinese threat actors, including sophisticated espionage campaigns and ransomware attacks on healthcare, energy, and local government services. A recent breach by a major IT provider for the NHS and other public sector organizations exposed sensitive data and disrupted essential services. State-sponsored cybercriminals are targeting supply chains to infiltrate public sector organizations, exploiting vulnerabilities in third-party vendors and contractors with lower security standards. Governments must prioritize cybersecurity awareness training for employees, implement robust AI governance frameworks, and transition to continuous monitoring of third-party vendors to prevent cyber threats.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/digital-transformation-without-cybersecurity-is-a-risk-that-public-sector-cant-afford