🌐 AI bets on Saudi, Internet goes niche, China’s data dilemma
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, February 26. Today we are covering:
Why one of the world's major AI pioneers is betting big on Saudi Arabia
The future of the internet is likely smaller communities, with a focus on curated experiences
China wants tech companies to monetize data, but few are buying in
How North Korea pulled off a $1.5 billion crypto heist-the biggest in history
Apple's UK Privacy Fight Is Noble But Shortsighted
Let’s dive in
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Why one of the world's major AI pioneers is betting big on Saudi Arabia
By Anup Kaphle via Rest of World
Jürgen Schmidhuber, a pioneer in deep learning and neural networks, has been instrumental in shaping modern AI but remains controversial for his outspoken views on AI ethics and accusations of plagiarism in the field.
Now based at KAUST in Saudi Arabia, Schmidhuber is advancing AI research as the kingdom invests heavily in Vision 2030, aiming to become a global tech and AI hub while fostering AI-driven industries such as healthcare, robotics, and automation.
He argues that fears of AI’s existential threat are exaggerated, predicting that AI will democratize intelligence, become increasingly affordable and widespread, and play a fundamental role in reshaping science, industry, and daily life—akin to the printing press.
𝕏: "In the not-so-distant future, the most creative and influential scientists will no longer be human." @SchmidhuberAI, the father of modern AI, exchanges his thoughts with @AnupKaphle on some of the existential questions arising from the rise of AI. - Mehboob Jeelani (@JeelaniReports)
The future of the internet is likely smaller communities, with a focus on curated experiences
By Edwin Wong via The Verge
Smaller, purpose-driven communities are shaping the future of the internet as users move away from legacy platforms in search of authentic, trusted experiences and deeper connections.
AI's role in digital spaces is controversial—while it drives automation, many consumers reject AI-generated content in favor of human-driven engagement and more meaningful interactions.
Big platforms are losing trust—with 42% of users finding Google search less useful and 60% viewing social media negatively, the shift toward niche platforms and decentralized communities is accelerating.
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China wants tech companies to monetize data, but few are buying in
By Lizzi C. Lee via Rest of World
China has introduced a groundbreaking policy allowing companies to record data as assets on balance sheets, aiming to establish a regulated data marketplace and enhance valuations—but adoption remains sluggish.
China Unicom, a state-owned telecom firm, is the first major company to utilize the policy, but most tech firms remain hesitant due to high compliance costs, stringent security requirements, and uncertainty over the economic benefits.
Beijing is aggressively pushing data monetization to boost its slowing economy, with regulatory pressure mounting on private firms to participate, despite ongoing concerns over data security, legal risks, and unclear international accounting standards.
How North Korea pulled off a $1.5 billion crypto heist-the biggest in history
By Dan Goodin via Ars Technica
North Korea-linked hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit, a Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange, in what is now the biggest crypto heist in history, exploiting weaknesses in smart contract logic and UI manipulation.
The attackers bypassed multisig cold wallet protections by hacking the Safe wallet UI, deceiving multiple Bybit employees into approving fraudulent transactions, a method that has shattered long-held crypto security assumptions.
The breach underscores the persistent threat of North Korean cyber operations, which leverage advanced malware, UI manipulation, and social engineering to compromise even the most secure financial systems.
Apple's UK Privacy Fight Is Noble But Shortsighted
By Parmy Olson via Bloomberg
Apple has disabled end-to-end encryption for UK iCloud users rather than comply with government demands for a backdoor, betting on public backlash to pressure policymakers.
The UK government argues that encryption hinders intelligence efforts and criminal prosecutions, pushing for special access despite global security standards.
The move highlights a broader debate: while Apple markets privacy as a core value, public concern over encryption may be weaker than the company expects.
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