Author: Akin Naphtal

Video game publisher, Electronic Arts has announced that it expects to reach the upper end of its annual bookings forecast, alongside the unveiling of the latest instalment in its long-running “Battlefield” franchise. The announcement was made at EA’s investor day conference on Tuesday, 18th September. The upcoming Battlefield release will return to a modern-day setting after the previous three games explored different historical periods, aiming to compete directly with Activision Blizzard’s “Call of Duty” series. This move comes as consumers cut back on discretionary spending, focusing more on established franchises amid persistent inflation. In July, EA projected fiscal 2025 bookings…

Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, has announced that its Blindsight experimental implant, aimed at restoring vision, has been granted the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “breakthrough device” designation. This status is reserved for medical devices that offer treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening conditions, accelerating their development and review process. Blindsight is designed to enable even individuals who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to regain their vision, according to Musk, who shared the news in a post on X. Neuralink has not yet provided details on when human trials for the device might begin, and the FDA…

Meta Platforms has begun overhauling privacy and parental controls for Instagram users under 18, converting their accounts into “Teen Accounts,” and making them private by default to address growing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on young people. With the new controls, users of Teen Accounts will only be able to receive messages and tags from accounts they already follow or are connected to. The platform’s sensitive content settings will also be set to the most restrictive level available, ensuring a safer experience for younger users. Those under 16 can only change these default settings with a parent’s…

Oracle and Microsoft have launched Oracle Database@Azure in the Australia East region of Microsoft Azure. This service combines Oracle Database’s performance on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) with the security and flexibility of Azure. It allows customers to benefit from both platforms while offering high availability, scalability, and advanced workload management. Oracle Database@Azure is already available in six Azure regions, including Australia, with plans to expand to 15 more regions worldwide. The service integrates with Azure’s security and monitoring tools, including Microsoft Sentinel, while also offering new features like Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service and OCI GoldenGate, enhancing…

The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) has launched the first industry-wide Responsible AI (RAI) Maturity Roadmap to help telecommunications organizations adopt and measure ethical approaches to artificial intelligence (AI). The roadmap is designed to guide telco operators as they explore an estimated $680 billion market opportunity over the next 15-20 years. Developed with insights from McKinsey and a group of telecom operators, the roadmap provides tools for organizations to assess their current AI maturity. It offers clear guidance for enhancing responsible AI practices. This is the first time the telecoms sector has united under a common framework for AI…

Microsoft and BlackRock have announced a joint initiative to launch an over $30 billion fund aimed at investing in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, with a focus on building data centres and energy projects. According to the the Financial Times, the new investment vehicle, known as the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, is designed to enhance AI supply chains and energy sourcing to support the growing computational demands of AI technologies. AI models, especially those used for deep learning and large-scale data processing, require significant computational power, which in turn drives higher energy consumption. To meet these demands, tech companies must…

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has announced a global ban on Russian state media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, accusing them of using deceptive methods to conduct covert influence operations online. The decision represents an escalation in Meta’s actions against Russian media, after previous measures had focused on limiting the outlets’ reach and prohibiting them from running ads. “After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity,” Meta said in a statement. The move, which…

Vodafone and Three have issued a formal response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) provisional findings on their proposed merger, which aims to reshape the UK’s mobile market. The telecom giants argue that the combination of their networks will enhance competition, drive investment, and significantly improve the country’s digital infrastructure, particularly in 5G availability and speed. Currently, the UK ranks 22nd out of 25 European nations for 5G performance, according to an Opensignal report. The companies disagree with certain elements of the CMA’s findings, especially concerning pricing and the potential impact on the wholesale market. Vodafone and Three…

Intel has revealed significant developments in its foundry business as part of its ongoing efforts to improve its performance. The chipmaker is transitioning its Intel Foundry division into an independent subsidiary while maintaining leadership and oversight under an operating board with independent directors, Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger announced in a blog post. In a key move, Intel has paused its chip fabrication projects in Poland and Germany for two years due to anticipated market demand. The company is also reconsidering its chip packaging and testing operations in Malaysia. Previously, Intel committed over $36 billion for semiconductor factories in Germany, $4.6…

Amazon has announced a stricter return-to-office policy starting next year, requiring employees to work from company offices five days per week, a change from the company’s previous three-day hybrid model. The e-commerce giant’s CEO, Andy Jassy, shared the update in a letter to employees, posted on Amazon’s website, noting the necessity of in-person work for “invention, collaboration, and connection.” Jassy noted that the three-day requirement had strengthened Amazon’s belief in the benefits of in-office work, leading to the decision to fully bring employees back. This move places Amazon in a more stringent position compared to other tech companies, many of…