Category: Biz Tech

Nirmata, a San Jose-based IT startup specializing in cloud-native security policy automation and governance solutions, has announced a $4 million pre-Series A funding round led by Z5 Capital. Additional participants include Uncorrelated Ventures, Samsung Next, Benhamou Global Ventures , and angel investors Saqib Syed and BV Jagadeesh. This investment aims to accelerate the development of Kyverno, Nirmata's open-source Kubernetes native policy management tool.Kyverno, designed to streamline the adoption of Kubernetes policies, has experienced significant growth, surpassing six million downloads. Notable

DeepFest 2025, held from 9 to 12 February in Riyadh, has underscored Saudi Arabia's burgeoning role in the global artificial intelligence arena. The event, co-located with the LEAP technology conference, attracted over 48,000 AI enthusiasts, including thought leaders, data scientists, and innovators from around the world.The Kingdom's significant progress in AI was highlighted by its ascent to the 14th position globally in the 2024 Global AI Index, making it the leading nation in the Arab world. This leap of 17

Valve Corporation has announced a ban on all in-game advertisements and sponsorships during The International 2024, its premier Dota 2 tournament. This decision, disclosed just a week before the event in Copenhagen, Denmark, aims to eliminate distractions and maintain focus on the gameplay and participants.Historically, Valve integrated features within Dota 2 to honor teams and players. However, these elements have increasingly been utilized for advertising purposes. To address this, Valve has prohibited in-game ads and sponsorships at The International, including

Sega Sammy Holdings has reported an 8% decline in revenue, amounting to $2.1 billion, for the nine months ending 31 December 2024. This downturn coincides with the company's announcement to cancel the anticipated release of Football Manager 25, a decision that has garnered significant attention in the gaming community.The cancellation of Football Manager 25 was confirmed by Sports Interactive, the game's developer, after extensive internal discussions with Sega. Initially slated for a November 2024 release, the game faced multiple delays,

LibreOffice has announced the release of version 25.2, introducing a range of enhancements across its suite of applications. This update focuses on refining user experience, bolstering accessibility, and expanding functionality.In Writer, users can now remove personal information from documents, mitigating the risk of unintended data exposure. The change-tracking system has been improved for more intuitive collaboration; selecting altered text highlights the corresponding entry in the "Manage Changes" window and sidebar, facilitating efficient navigation. Compatibility with DOCX files has been enhanced,

Chinese researchers have unveiled 'Black Panther 2.0', a quadrupedal robot capable of sprinting at 10 meters per second, matching the pace of elite human sprinters. Developed by Zhejiang University's Institute of Humanoid Robotics in collaboration with Hangzhou-based startup Mirror Me, this 38-kilogram robot stands at 0.63 meters tall and was officially introduced on January 13 in Hangzhou's Xiaoshan District.The development of 'Black Panther 2.0' began in 2018, with the team achieving multiple innovative iterations in control algorithms and hardware structures.

Researchers at the Technical University of Liberec in Czechia have harnessed the realism of Euro Truck Simulator 2 to advance driver fatigue monitoring. Led by Mr. Martinka from the Faculty of Textiles, the team integrated smart t-shirts equipped with sensors to track vital signs, utilizing the game to replicate authentic driving conditions. This approach enabled safe and controlled simulations of prolonged driving sessions, essential for studying fatigue without real-world risks.The research involved constructing a simulator featuring a real car

Gmail users are facing an unprecedented wave of sophisticated phishing attacks powered by artificial intelligence , prompting the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue a stark warning: exercise extreme caution and avoid clicking on unsolicited links. These AI-enhanced scams have become increasingly convincing, making them more challenging to detect and posing significant risks to personal and financial information.The FBI's advisory highlights that legitimate customer support or security teams will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals. This reminder comes as

A 19-year-old member of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency , Edward Coristine, was previously terminated from an internship at Path Network, a cybersecurity firm, for allegedly leaking proprietary information to a competitor. In a June 2022 communication, a Path Network executive stated that Coristine had been dismissed due to the unauthorized disclosure of internal data, emphasizing the company's zero-tolerance policy towards such breaches.Following his departure from Path Network, Coristine reportedly boasted on a Discord channel about retaining access to

Amazon has announced plans to invest over $100 billion in capital expenditures for 2025, with a significant portion allocated to artificial intelligence infrastructure within its cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services . This move underscores the company's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI sector.In a recent earnings call, CEO Andy Jassy emphasized the transformative potential of AI, likening it to the advent of the internet. He stated, "AI represents, for sure, the biggest opportunity

Oracle and Google Cloud have unveiled plans to significantly broaden the reach of Oracle Database@Google Cloud, aiming to introduce the service in eight additional regions over the next year. This strategic move is designed to enhance flexibility, bolster resilience, and reduce costs for users.The planned regional expansions include U.S. Central 1 , North America-Northeast 1 , North America-Northeast 2 , Asia-Northeast 1 , Asia-Northeast 2 , Asia-South 1 , Asia-South 2 , and South America-East 1 . To meet growing

New Jersey's AI ecosystem has received a significant boost with the addition of Microsoft and CoreWeave as founding partners of the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Hub . The initiative, which launched in winter 2024 under the leadership of Governor Phil Murphy and Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber, aims to solidify the state’s position as a frontrunner in artificial intelligence research and development.The collaboration between Microsoft, one of the world’s leading tech giants, and CoreWeave, a prominent cloud infrastructure provider,

Australia has moved to ban the DeepSeek AI system from all government devices due to escalating concerns over potential security threats. The decision, announced by the federal government, underscores growing fears surrounding the software’s links to the Chinese government and the risks it poses to national security and data privacy. DeepSeek, a powerful artificial intelligence tool used for data analysis and decision-making, has been increasingly scrutinised for its origins and capabilities, leading to significant policy shifts in various nations.The ban,

Accellera has officially approved the Universal Verification Methodology for Mixed-Signal 1.0 standard, a significant milestone aimed at enhancing verification processes for analog and mixed-signal designs. The new standard, built upon the UVM IEEE Std. 1800.2, represents a unified approach to AMS verification, offering improved consistency, efficiency, and accuracy for engineers working across a wide range of semiconductor and electronic systems.This new methodology aims to streamline the verification of complex mixed-signal designs, which combine both analog and digital components,

Tether, the prominent stablecoin issuer behind USDT, has announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence software development kit platform designed to drive the convergence of AI and cryptocurrency. The move positions Tether as a key player in blending these two transformative technologies, aiming to reshape the cryptocurrency landscape with AI-powered solutions.The new platform is expected to facilitate the development of AI-driven applications and services that will integrate seamlessly with Tether’s stablecoins and blockchain-based financial products. Tether’s SDK

Canadian technology firm Nebula Block has entered into a strategic partnership with AI-focused blockchain platform Swan Chain, focusing on the acquisition and deployment of GPU resources. The deal is designed to address the growing demand for high-performance computing power, which is critical for the evolving landscape of AI and blockchain applications.Nebula Block, a prominent player in the cloud computing and hardware supply sector, has long been a key supplier of Nvidia GPUs, which are integral to AI and machine learning

DeepSeek, a trailblazer in artificial intelligence, has unveiled a cutting-edge low-cost AI model poised to revolutionise the optical communication industry. This development is expected to significantly influence the growth of optical transceivers, with shipment projections indicating an impressive 56.5% increase in 2025. The widespread adoption of this technology is set to enhance data centre interconnectivity, positioning the sector for a new wave of demand driven by the insatiable need for faster and more efficient data transmission.The optical transceiver market, integral

MediaTek has announced significant improvements in its design workflow efficiency, thanks to its adoption of Cadence Virtuoso Studio and Spectre Simulation on Nvidia’s accelerated computing platform. The collaboration is set to propel MediaTek’s ability to meet the demands of advanced semiconductor technologies, particularly as the company prepares for 2nm process node designs in the future. The integration of these tools, which leverage artificial intelligence , promises to streamline MediaTek’s design processes and increase operational efficiency by up to 30%.The partnership

Mastercard has teamed up with Payrails, a payment technology firm, to offer enterprises innovative digital payment solutions. This partnership focuses on transforming payment processes for large businesses by providing seamless and efficient transaction handling across global operations. The collaboration aims to deliver a robust platform that can simplify complex payment workflows, improve operational flexibility, and enhance financial optimization.The deal combines Mastercard's vast experience in global payment processing with Payrails' cutting-edge technology, designed to address the evolving demands of modern enterprises.

Appknox, a leading mobile application security firm, has launched a suite of advanced artificial intelligence features aimed at strengthening mobile ecosystem protection in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. This move comes in response to the escalating security risks posed by Generative AI technologies and the increasing reliance on mobile applications across various industries.The new security capabilities leverage AI to provide businesses with real-time visibility into potential threats, allowing for swift identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities. This integration of

Cloudflare, Inc. , a leading connectivity cloud company, is set to present its innovative Connectivity Cloud at LEAP 2025, scheduled from 9 to 12 February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the company's third consecutive participation in the global technology event.

Tubidy has emerged as a popular platform for users seeking to download music and videos, offering access to MP3 and MP4 files across a variety of genres. With its simple interface and widespread use, the platform has attracted millions who wish to convert and download media from sources like YouTube without paying for subscriptions or purchasing individual tracks.However, Tubidy’s rise has not come without scrutiny. The platform operates by offering downloadable files directly to users, which raises significant concerns regarding

The content delivery network market is on track for remarkable growth, with estimates showing a surge in revenue from $26.8 billion in 2024 to $121.9 billion by 2033. This trajectory represents a compound annual growth rate of 18%, driven by a confluence of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and the widespread adoption of 5G networks.As businesses worldwide increasingly rely on digital content delivery, the demand for CDNs—systems designed to accelerate the delivery of content, such as websites,

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and a pivotal figure behind the Grand Theft Auto series, has announced his latest endeavor: an original story-driven action-comedy adventure game set in the "Absurdaverse." This project marks a significant step for Houser's new media company, Absurd Ventures, which he established after departing Rockstar in 2020.Absurd Ventures, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, aims to craft narrative worlds across various mediums, including live-action, animation, video games, graphic novels, and podcasts. The company's mission is to

RiseUp has partnered with Misr Italia Properties to host the inaugural "RiseUp AI Summit" in Cairo, marking a significant milestone for artificial intelligence in Egypt and the broader MENA region. The summit, taking place on February 4, 2025, will bring together key industry leaders, tech innovators, and entrepreneurs to explore AI's potential and its future impact across various sectors.The summit is expected to provide a dynamic platform for discussions on the latest AI trends, technological advancements, and their applications

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority recently hosted a significant gathering in Riyadh, bringing together more than 400 officials from both the public and private sectors. The primary focus of this assembly was to discuss and enhance the regulation and governance of Artificial Intelligence technologies within the Kingdom. This initiative underscores SDAIA's dedication to establishing comprehensive policies, standards, and controls to guide the ethical and effective deployment of AI across various sectors.Held at the JW Marriott Hotel

The euro zone's manufacturing sector displayed tentative signs of recovery at the start of 2025, as the latest data pointed to a moderation in the downturn that has plagued the industry over the past year. The sector's performance, while still under pressure, showed resilience in the face of rising costs and geopolitical tensions, including the looming threat of tariffs from the United States.Data from the Purchasing Managers’ Index revealed that factory activity in the euro area improved modestly in

BioWare, the renowned video game developer behind franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, has experienced substantial staff reductions, leaving the studio with fewer than 100 employees. This downsizing follows the termination of approximately two dozen staff members and the reassignment of others to different projects within its parent company, Electronic Arts . These changes are part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on upcoming titles.In a recent "Studio Update," BioWare's General Manager, Gary McKay, emphasized the

YugabyteDB has announced a major update to its platform, enhancing compatibility with PostgreSQL 15 features. This development, currently available as a tech preview, offers a significant boost for users of the open-source distributed SQL database. By introducing support for PostgreSQL 15, YugabyteDB aims to deliver increased flexibility, reliability, and scalability for organizations running PostgreSQL workloads.The latest enhancements mark a crucial step in YugabyteDB’s mission to improve its alignment with PostgreSQL, which has long been a staple for developers due to

Alibaba Cloud has unveiled a series of advancements aimed at reinforcing its foothold in the global generative AI landscape. The company, a key player in cloud services and AI solutions, recently introduced new support programs, infrastructure improvements, and cutting-edge AI development tools. These moves are designed to cater to developers worldwide and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across industries.The new initiatives emphasize Alibaba Cloud's commitment to supporting AI innovation at a larger scale. The company has long been a

Downloading TikTok videos without the watermark has become a desire for many users who want to share or repurpose the content. Snaptik has emerged as a popular platform that enables users to easily download TikTok videos without the watermark, offering a solution to an issue that many face when saving videos from the social media app.TikTok, one of the leading platforms for short-form video content, has gained massive popularity across the globe, with millions of videos uploaded daily. The app's

Oligo Security, a prominent provider of Application Detection and Response solutions, has successfully raised $50 million in a Series B funding round led by Greenfield Partners. The round also saw participation from Red Dot Capital Partners, Strait Capital, and existing investors Ballistic Ventures. This substantial investment underscores the growing emphasis on advanced cybersecurity measures in today's digital landscape.Founded by CEO Nadav Czerninski, CTO Gal Elbaz, and CPO Avshalom Hilu, all former officers in Israel's elite cyber units, Oligo Security

As generative artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly integral part of corporate strategies, a growing number of IT leaders are expressing concerns about its potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. According to a new survey, while 65% of IT leaders have adopted GenAI technologies in their organizations, a significant 89% remain worried that these technologies could expose their companies to serious cyber risks.Generative AI, a subset of AI designed to produce new content, such as text, images, and even code, has revolutionized the

LinkedIn, the professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, is confronting a class-action lawsuit filed in a California federal court. The suit alleges that LinkedIn unlawfully shared private messages from its Premium subscribers with third parties to train artificial intelligence models without obtaining proper user consent. The legal action seeks $1,000 per user for violations of the Stored Communications Act, along with additional damages for breach of contract and violations of California's unfair competition law.According to the complaint, LinkedIn "quietly"