Top 10 Tech News of the Week

The digital world is abuzz with activity, from Europe’s quest for technological independence to groundbreaking advancements in AI and robotics, and significant shifts in how we consume media and energy. Let’s delve into the week’s most compelling tech stories.

1. Europe’s Digital Sovereignty Battle: Saying Goodbye to Big Tech

A significant movement is gaining momentum across European public and private sectors, aiming to reduce reliance on American tech giants, particularly Microsoft. Cities like Lyon and Echirolles are moving from Microsoft Office suites to open-source alternatives like OnlyOffice and Nextcloud for file sharing. Even prestigious institutions like the École Polytechnique have reconsidered contracts with Microsoft for cloud services, driven by concerns over data sovereignty and the extraterritorial reach of U.S. laws. This trend isn’t confined to France; Denmark and Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein region have announced similar initiatives, reflecting a growing unease about entrusting critical data to companies potentially subject to foreign legal scrutiny. This shift highlights a deeper consciousness about economic costs and the strategic importance of digital independence, notably amplified by incidents like the alleged shutdown of the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s email on Donald Trump’s orders.

2. Robotic Taxis Arrive in Europe (But Not the EU)

The future of autonomous mobility is inching closer to Europe, with the American company Waymo (Alphabet’s subsidiary) set to launch its driverless taxi service in London by 2026. This marks Waymo’s first international expansion, following successful deployments in several U.S. cities. While not within the European Union, this move into the UK signals progress in autonomous vehicle technology on the continent. The British government plans pilot projects in spring 2026, with full legislative framework for broader deployment anticipated by 2027. This development prompts questions about the eventual rollout of similar services in major European cities like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, suggesting that technical feasibility is rapidly outpacing regulatory and societal acceptance. For now, Europeans might content themselves with automated metros, but the presence of driverless taxis in a major European capital hints at a broader transformation of urban transport.

3. Chat Control Project Shelved in Europe

A controversial European Union initiative aimed at monitoring private messaging conversations (WhatsApp, Signal, Messenger) for child exploitation content, dubbed “Chat Control,” has been put on hold. Germany’s strong opposition to the measure effectively buried the proposal, at least for the time being. While some European states supported the idea, many others, including privacy advocates, expressed deep concerns about potential violations of fundamental rights to privacy and the broad scope of surveillance. The decision to shelve it reflects the ongoing tension between security concerns and digital liberties, highlighting the public and political reluctance to implement sweeping surveillance measures that could undermine encrypted communications.

4. Chatbots Get Coquettish: ChatGPT Embraces Racy Conversations

In a notable shift, OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT will soon allow “coquettish” and erotic conversations, provided users are clearly identified as adults. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman justified the move by stating the aim is to “treat adults like adults,” challenging the previous self-imposed censorship on such content. This strategic decision appears to be driven by competitive pressures, particularly from rivals like Elon Musk’s Grok AI, which already permits more suggestive interactions. While these conversations are intended to be private between the user and the chatbot, the move raises questions about content moderation, potential misuse, and the possibility of “leaks” that could see such content appearing on social media platforms. It underscores the evolving boundaries of AI interaction and content generation.

5. Apple Unleashes M5 Power for MacBook Pro and iPad Pro

Apple made several significant product announcements this week, albeit through low-key press releases rather than elaborate launch events. The star of the show is the new M5 processor, Apple’s latest in-house silicon, promising enhanced power and efficiency, particularly for AI-related tasks. Two key products were unveiled with this new chip:

• 14-inch MacBook Pro: This new laptop offers superior performance for AI workloads thanks to the M5 chip, maintaining its iconic design, display, and connectivity. However, a controversial change is the omission of the power adapter from the box, requiring customers to purchase it separately for €65. Apple cites European regulations and environmental concerns, but critics point to it as a move to boost accessory sales. Compatible third-party chargers are available, but users are warned against low-quality options.
• iPad Pro (11-inch and 13-inch): The latest iPad Pro models also feature the M5 chip, bringing them closer to laptop-level performance. Beyond raw power, they also gain Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, promising faster and more reliable wireless performance. Despite the hardware advancements, the fundamental “tablet vs. laptop” debate persists, with many still viewing iPads as distinct from traditional computers due to interface and software differences.
• Vision Pro: Apple’s spatial computer also receives a performance upgrade with the M5 chip, accompanied by a slight price reduction from approximately €4,000 to €3,700 for the base model in France. This update aims to enhance the user experience and potentially make the premium device more accessible, though it remains a significant investment.

6. Honor’s Robot Phone: A Glimpse into the Future of Mobile Photography

Chinese tech brand Honor unveiled an intriguing concept product this week: the Honor Robot Phone. This futuristic smartphone incorporates a small, robotic, stabilized camera arm that can deploy and automatically track subjects within its field of view. Designed for content creators, it allows the camera to follow movement, ideal for hands-free filming or dynamic shots. When not in use, the camera conveniently retracts back into the device’s body. While currently a demonstration of technological prowess and limited to the Chinese market, the Robot Phone showcases innovative approaches to mobile photography and hints at an increasingly automated and AI-driven future for personal devices.

7. The Rise of AI-Generated Video and Deepfakes: A Growing Concern

The rapid advancements in AI video generation tools like Google’s VEO 3.1 and Microsoft’s MI Image (formerly known as M Image 1) are revolutionizing content creation but also raising significant concerns. VEO 3.1, for instance, now allows users to create scenes and integrate their own voices, producing highly realistic and personalized video content. Microsoft’s MI Image focuses on hyper-realistic photo generation. While these tools offer creative possibilities, the increasing difficulty in distinguishing AI-generated content from real footage is alarming. The previous integrity measures, like watermarks on Sora 2 videos, are easily circumvented, leading to a proliferation of potentially misleading or manipulated content across social media. This development is particularly worrisome given the potential for AI-generated video to be used in propaganda campaigns, misinformation, and other malicious activities, contributing to a “post-truth” digital environment.

8. Spotify and Netflix Team Up for Video Podcasts on TV

A notable partnership between Spotify and Netflix is set to bring video podcasts directly to TV screens. Two key video podcast series, one focusing on sports and another featuring one-on-one interviews, will initially be available on Netflix’s TV interface. This move marks Spotify’s strategic push into the television market, broadening its reach beyond audio and mobile devices and intensifying its rivalry with platforms like YouTube. Concurrently, Samsung TV is also launching a dedicated channel for Spotify’s productions, indicating Spotify’s aggressive expansion into the connected TV ecosystem. This trend reflects the evolution of podcasts, which are increasingly produced in video format and consumed on larger screens, blurring the lines between traditional audio entertainment and visual media.

9. Pixxle Place: A French Alternative for Local Community Engagement

Amidst Europe’s quest for digital sovereignty, a French company called Pixxle (PXXLE) has launched “Pixxle Place,” an application designed to foster local community engagement and information sharing. This initiative provides an alternative to dominant platforms like Google Maps or Google Local, allowing communities, administrations, and institutions to communicate directly with citizens, promote local events, and gather participation. Pixxle Place aims to offer a sovereign solution for local interaction, addressing the need for European-developed digital tools that respect data privacy and local governance, distinct from the global tech giants.

10. Nuclear Renaissance: Innovation Beyond the Reactor Core

The nuclear energy sector, often perceived as traditional, is experiencing a quiet but profound innovation boom, spotlighted at events like the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris. Beyond highly anticipated new reactor designs like SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), the real innovation lies in enhancing the efficiency and safety of existing facilities. Companies like Metroscope, an EDF spin-off, are developing “digital twins” of nuclear power plants. These AI-driven models can simulate plant operations, predict malfunctions, and identify efficiencies. By analyzing real-time data, these digital twins can flag potential issues, saving significant time and money by enabling proactive maintenance. Another innovation, from a company called XIR, utilizes AI to analyze unstructured reports from maintenance technicians, identifying patterns of recurring issues with specific equipment or suppliers. This helps in anticipating problems before they occur, further improving operational safety and cost-effectiveness. These innovations demonstrate how advanced technologies, particularly AI and data analytics, are transforming even established industries like nuclear power.