Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #221 – Cyberattacks surge alert, Europe leaps in quantum computing, chip sales and export controls side effects!
The past week has witnessed a surge in cyberattacks, underscoring the growing vulnerability of digital systems amid evolving threats.
Hackers stole $500,000 in cryptocurrency by deploying a malicious Cursor AI extension, exploiting AI supply chains and highlighting the risks of trusted tools turning into attack vectors.
The Salt Typhoon campaign intensified, compromising critical US infrastructure, including telecommunications and government networks, prompting the US House to pass the NTIA Cyber Leadership Bill to formalise agency coordination after severe telecom breaches.
This wave of incidents, driven by sophisticated tactics and geopolitical tensions, reveals a critical need for robust defences. However, the reactive nature of legislative and corporate responses raises doubts about their ability to keep pace with this escalating threat landscape.
EU’s digital policy developments of the week
Chip export control side effects
Nvidia announced plans to resume AI chip sales to China following productive US-China talks, signalling a potential thaw in restrictions that had strained supply chains, though compliance with US export rules remains a focal point. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, asserted that the Chinese military’s use of US chips is unlikely, aiming to ease concerns and justify the restart. Yet, this claim lacks independent verification, raising questions about oversight effectiveness.
For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.
Highlights from the week of 11 – 18 July 2025
Ethical AI must prioritise the common good over profit or efficiency.
Crypto jobs are going mainstream as market value climbs past $3.8 trillion and top economies offer stronger policy support.
EXA Infrastructure has launched a major 1,200 km fibre route connecting key European hubs, featuring the first new North Sea subsea cable in 25 years.
Pennsylvania to become a key player in Trump’s ‘AI economy’, as major energy and tech projects worth $100 billion are announced during Pittsburgh summit.
Cambridge facility is Meta’s largest engineering investment outside the US, signalling a push for leadership in immersive AI wearables.
Experts warn that children are using AI chatbots instead of seeking real friendships, raising concerns about emotional dependency and blurred lines between human and machine.
Seoul’s bold push to merge cutting-edge AI with its defence industry is set to redefine how nations balance security, innovation, and ethical responsibility in the age of intelligent warfare.
President Bukele’s controversial Bitcoin policy is yielding long-term value, despite ongoing international criticism.
Renewables face rollback under Trump’s infrastructure blueprint.
Military AI is advancing faster than global rules can keep up, raising urgent questions about accountability, hidden biases, and the terrifying possibility of wars escalating beyond human control.
The US plans to ban undersea cables using Chinese technology from connecting to its networks, citing rising cybersecurity and espionage risks.
SpaceX backs Musk’s xAI venture with $2 billion, linking space technology and AI instead of keeping the two sectors separate.
Featuring 12 stops and archival animations, the self-guided route highlights Miep Gies and other rescuers, offering fresh insight into courageous wartime acts.
Elon Musk’s xAI has secured a $200 million Pentagon contract, raising ethics questions following recent scandals involving its Grok chatbot on social media.
21 July 2025
July 2025 online courses | Diplo Academy Diplo Academy is excited to announce the start of three online courses on 21 July 2025:
23 July 2025
Five years on: Achievements, failures, and the future of the UN Cyber Dialogue The one-hour session will bring together four discussants – two representatives
19 Jul 2025 – 25 Jul 2025
The 123th meeting of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) will take place from 19 to 25 July 2025 in Madrid, Spain.