Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has voiced his disappointment following reports that China has instructed its leading technology firms to cease purchasing Nvidia’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Speaking to BBC News, Huang emphasized the importance of global access to advanced technology, stating, ‘The advance of human society is not a zero-sum game.’ Huang, who is among the tech executives accompanying US President Donald Trump on his state visit to the UK, acknowledged the competitive ambitions of both nations, noting, ‘President Trump wants America to win, and President Xi wants China to win, and it’s possible for both of them to.’ He expressed confidence that ongoing discussions would resolve the issue. This development comes after Nvidia, the world’s leading chipmaker, faced a temporary ban on selling its most advanced chips to China, which was later reversed by Trump in July. However, Nvidia must now allocate 15% of its Chinese revenues to the US government under a unique agreement. The Financial Times recently reported that China’s Cyberspace Administration has directed tech companies to halt the use of Nvidia chips specifically designed for the Chinese market, causing Nvidia’s shares to drop by over 1% in premarket trading. Huang reiterated his support for the US in addressing geopolitical challenges and pledged to convey the same message to Trump if questioned during the state banquet in the UK. The US and China have been engaged in trade talks in Europe this week, with China’s market regulator accusing Nvidia of violating anti-monopoly laws. As Nvidia continues to play a pivotal role in the global AI boom, China is striving to challenge US dominance in the AI sector by developing its own chips. Major Chinese tech firms like DeepSeek, Tencent, and Alibaba, which had previously ordered Nvidia chips, are now affected by the purchase halt. Meanwhile, Nvidia has announced significant investments in the UK, including supplying chips to the Stargate UK data center in collaboration with OpenAI, Arm, and NScale.
分类： technology
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Deal is done to keep TikTok in the US, says Trump
In a significant development, the United States and China have reached an agreement to ensure TikTok continues its operations in the US. President Donald Trump announced the deal, stating that he will confirm the details with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an upcoming call. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, had faced the threat of a shutdown unless it sold its US operations. However, Trump has repeatedly postponed the ban since its initial announcement in January, with the latest extension pushing the deadline to December 16.
Under the negotiated deal, TikTok’s US business will be controlled by an investor consortium, including tech giant Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. The new US entity will see American investors holding approximately 80% of the stake, with US nationals dominating the board, including one government-appointed member. US users will transition to a new app, currently in testing, which will utilize content-recommendation algorithms licensed from ByteDance—a key factor in TikTok’s success.
Oracle will maintain its existing agreement to host TikTok servers within the US, addressing concerns about data security. The deal is expected to be finalized within the next 30 to 45 days. Earlier, a US trade delegation in Madrid announced a ‘framework’ agreement with China, which China confirmed but emphasized that no deal would compromise its firms’ interests. Wang Jingtao, deputy head of China’s cyberspace administration, highlighted that the agreement includes licensing algorithms and intellectual property rights, subject to Chinese government approval.
Trump’s reversal on TikTok marks a shift from his initial stance during his first term, when he called for the app’s ban. The US Supreme Court upheld a 2024 law banning TikTok unless ByteDance sold its US operations, citing national security concerns. ByteDance has consistently denied sharing user data with the Chinese government, maintaining that its US operations are independent. The deadline for a sale has been extended four times, with the latest delay set to expire on December 16.
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Colombian court rules Meta was wrong to bar porn star’s Instagram account
Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that Meta, the parent company of Instagram, violated the freedom of expression of adult content actress Esperanza Gómez by deleting her Instagram account without clear justification. The court found that Meta’s action lacked transparency and was inconsistent in applying its policies on nudity and sexual content, as other similar accounts remained active. Gómez, a prominent figure in Colombia’s adult entertainment industry with over five million followers, argued that the account closure hindered her professional activities and was influenced by her work outside the platform. The court emphasized that social media posts are protected under Colombia’s constitution and should only be restricted proportionately. It ordered Meta to revise Instagram’s terms of use and privacy policy to ensure users are informed about moderation decision challenges and to clarify rules on implicit sexual content. The court also highlighted that if offline activities are used for content moderation, they must be explicitly stated. While the court did not specify sanctions or redress for Gómez, this ruling follows similar legal actions in South America, such as Brazil’s Supreme Court holding social media platforms directly accountable for illegal content. Meta has not yet responded to the ruling.
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How AI is helping some small-scale farmers weather a changing climate
In the wake of Cyclone Freddy’s devastation in 2023, Alex Maere, a 59-year-old farmer from Malawi, faced the loss of his farm and livelihood. The catastrophic floods stripped his land of fertile soil, leaving behind a barren wasteland of sand and rocks. Once producing 850 kilograms of corn annually to support his family, Maere salvaged a mere 8 kilograms from the wreckage. Determined to adapt, he turned to an AI chatbot developed by Opportunity International, a non-profit organization, for farming advice. Supported by the Malawi government, the AI tool suggested Maere diversify his crops by growing potatoes alongside corn and cassava. Following the guidance, Maere cultivated half a soccer field’s worth of potatoes, earning over $800 in sales and securing his children’s education. This success story highlights the transformative potential of AI in sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholder farms account for 70-80% of the food supply. Despite challenges like language diversity, low literacy, and poor digital infrastructure, AI is empowering farmers with critical insights on crop diseases, drought forecasting, and yield optimization. The Ulangizi app, accessible via WhatsApp and available in Chichewa and English, bridges the gap for farmers without smartphones through on-the-ground support agents. However, scaling up remains a hurdle due to limited internet access and affordability. Trust in AI is fragile, as inaccurate advice could devastate already vulnerable farmers. Yet, by combining AI with traditional community collaboration, Malawi is fostering resilience and productivity in its agriculture sector.
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New technology may confirm destruction at Iran’s Fordow nuke site
A groundbreaking study utilizing cutting-edge hyperspectral imaging technology has provided new insights into the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility. The analysis, conducted by Orbital Sidekick (OSK) Inc., employed its Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite (GHOSt) constellation to assess the aftermath of a U.S. military strike codenamed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ on June 22, 2025. The findings suggest that the facility, officially known as the Shahid Ali Mohammadi Nuclear Facility, suffered ‘extremely severe damage and destruction,’ particularly to its underground enrichment halls. The GHOSt system, which leverages hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and advanced data analytics, identified significant subsidence and concrete debris pushed to the surface, indicating potential structural collapse. This marks a significant leap in satellite technology’s ability to monitor and analyze critical infrastructure and military targets. The study also highlights the evolution of satellite imaging from the Landsat era, which began in 1972, to today’s sophisticated systems capable of providing detailed environmental and situational awareness. The implications of such technology extend beyond military applications, offering potential uses in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental management. However, the commercial nature of these systems raises concerns about their accessibility to potential adversaries, underscoring the dual-use dilemma of advanced satellite technology.
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One Tech Tip: No more lost cats and dogs. Use tech to track your pet
In London, the question ‘Have you seen the cats?’ is a familiar one in many households, especially for pet owners like myself with free-roaming felines like Maple and Juniper. These cats, equipped with microchips, explore the neighborhood freely, but their adventures can sometimes lead to anxiety for their owners. Fortunately, advancements in pet technology offer solutions to keep track of our furry friends. Pet trackers, such as those from Tractive, Jiobit, and Pawfit, use GPS and 4G or Wi-Fi signals to relay the animal’s location to a smartphone app. These devices, tailored for both dogs and cats, allow owners to set safe zones and receive alerts if their pets wander beyond these boundaries. While the cost of these devices is generally under $100, subscription fees for cellular service can add up, but many find the peace of mind worth the expense. Battery life varies, with most lasting two to three days, though signal strength can impact this. Beyond location tracking, these apps offer health and activity monitoring, similar to fitness watches for humans. However, it’s important to note that these trackers won’t physically restrain pets; they merely alert owners when pets leave designated areas. For those who prefer alternatives, Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s Air Tags or Samsung’s SmartTags offer another option, though they are not specifically designed for pets and have limited range. Ultimately, whether through GPS trackers or microchips, technology is providing pet owners with innovative ways to ensure their pets’ safety and well-being.
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Ex-Japan PM urges tech collaboration with China
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has called for enhanced technological collaboration between Japan and China, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Speaking at the Shanghai Forum 2025, Hatoyama emphasized the complementary strengths of the two nations, with Japan excelling in precision and fundamental materials, and China demonstrating robust organizational capabilities and industrial achievements. He highlighted China’s rapid advancements in AI and robotics, noting that the country has achieved a world-leading position in these fields. Hatoyama also pointed out the potential for mutual benefits through a macro-micro partnership, leveraging each country’s unique advantages. He stressed the importance of adhering to historical agreements in Sino-Japanese relations and called for a reconsideration of Japan’s strategic alignment with the United States. Hatoyama proposed the establishment of a mechanism to regulate competition between China and the U.S. in technology fields, advocating for collaborative efforts involving Japan, South Korea, and European countries. The forum, themed ‘Age of innovation: Technology, development and governance,’ brought together over 500 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, fostering discussions on global technological advancements and governance.