Tech Diplomacy Newsletter 12-24

Digital Cooperation Organization: Digital Prosperity For All

The 4th Diplomatic Connect took place on December 17th, in Riyadh, organized by the (DCO) and hosted by the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), highlighted the vital intersection of diplomacy and technology in shaping our global future. Martin Rauchbauer, co-founder of the Tech Diplomacy Network, delivered a keynote address titled Tech Diplomacy Forecast 2025 during this pivotal event, held in conjunction with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024. The discussions underscored the growing importance of collaborative efforts to address pressing global challenges in the digital age.

News Roundup Top Tech Diplomacy Resources “Global Trusted Tech (xGTT) Standard Initiative“: Announced on December 5, 2024, by the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, this initiative aims to establish the world’s first Global Trusted Tech Standard. The xGTT Standard seeks to define and label trusted technology, facilitating secure and efficient collaboration across companies, countries, and organizations. It’s Time to Move Past AI Nationalism: The need for global collaboration in artificial intelligence development to address shared challenges and prevent the fragmentation of AI advancements due to nationalistic policies. Global AI Revolution to Create Top Tech Winners by 2025: Analysts predict that the ongoing AI revolution will lead to significant gains for top tech companies by 2025, with Nvidia Corp. expected to lead the market. Software companies are also joining the AI surge, with firms like Palantir and Salesforce highlighted as key players. This growth is anticipated despite potential regulatory and economic challenges. AI Robots Entering Public Spaces with Mixed Results: AI-powered robots are increasingly being deployed in public settings such as retail stores, museums, and restaurants, performing tasks like cleaning and customer interaction. While advancements in generative AI have propelled this trend, challenges remain in executing tasks that are simple for humans, indicating that further development is needed for seamless integration. Beijing Pushes to Use China-Made Chips in Its EVs: China is intensifying efforts to incorporate domestically produced chips into its electric vehicles (EVs), with local production now accounting for about 15%. The government views self-sufficiency in semiconductor manufacturing as crucial for the nation’s industrial future, implementing aggressive targets and substantial state funding to support this ini North America Canada to Drive Investments in AI Compute Capacity: Canada has announced a strategy to invest in cutting-edge AI infrastructure, aiming to strengthen the country’s AI advantage and innovation capabilities. U.S. Finalizes $7.86 Billion Chips Manufacturing Award for Intel: The U.S. Commerce Department has confirmed a $7.86 billion subsidy for Intel to support semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon, as part of efforts to boost domestic chip production. Africa Kenya Records Major Gains in Digital ID Backlog Clearance: Kenya has made significant progress in clearing the backlog of its digital ID program, Maisha Namba, improving access to government services for its citizens. Africa Technology Policy Tracker Launched: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in collaboration with the Africa Telecommunications Union, has introduced the Africa Technology Policy Tracker (AfTech). This interactive digital platform aggregates digital economy laws, policies, and regulations across African nations, offering insights into the continent’s digital governance landscape. Asia Vietnam Suspends Chinese Online Retailer Temu: Vietnam has suspended the operations of Chinese online retailer Temu for failing to register with the government. The Ministry of Industry and Trade set a deadline for e-retailers to register by the end of December to address concerns over deep discounts, counterfeit goods, and tax exemptions undermining local businesses. Temu has taken steps to comply by removing non-compliant promotions and limiting discounts. Vietnam’s Law on Data 2024 to Take Effect from July 1, 2025: Vietnam has passed a new data protection law, set to take effect in July 2025, mandating stricter requirements for data storage and processing by foreign companies to bolster data sovereignty and cybersecurity. Malaysia Launches National AI Office for Policy and Regulation: Malaysia has inaugurated a national artificial intelligence (AI) office to shape policies and address regulatory issues as part of its effort to become a regional AI hub. This announcement comes alongside significant investments from global tech giants such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, which have invested in data centers and AI projects within the country. Europe EU Enacts New Cybersecurity Regulations for Digital Products: On December 10, 2024, the European Commission announced the implementation of new cybersecurity rules aimed at enhancing the security of digital products and software across the EU. These regulations impose requirements on manufacturers and retailers to ensure safer digital environments for consumers. International AI Summit Held in Brussels: The International Artificial Intelligence Summit 2024 took place in Brussels on December 5, bringing together key figures in AI policy, governance, and industry. Discussions focused on the latest advancements in AI and the evolution of European and global AI governance cooperation. EU Tech Policy Brief Highlights December Developments: The Center for Democracy & Technology released its EU Tech Policy Brief for December 2024, summarizing significant discussions and regulatory developments in the European tech landscape. Topics included consumer protection in the digital age and the balance between innovation and regulation. Latin America Argentina Partners with U.S. Investor for Nuclear-Powered AI Initiative: Argentina is collaborating with a U.S. investor to expand its nuclear energy sector using Argentine-designed Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. This initiative aims to develop a new 1.2GW nuclear plant in Buenos Aires province, replacing a previously planned Chinese-financed reactor. The project is expected to be operational by 2030 and positions Argentina as a potential leader in next-generation nuclear reactors, with ambitions to attract energy-intensive tech companies and establish a “Nuclear City” in Patagonia. China’s EV Makers Expand into Latin America: Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are entering the Latin American market, capitalizing on the region’s demand for affordable vehicles and abundant lithium resources. Companies like BYD are repurposing former automotive facilities in Brazil to establish production hubs, aiming to produce hundreds of thousands of cars annually. This expansion follows trade restrictions in other markets, positioning Latin America as a strategic region for Chinese EV makers. Oceania Australia Introduces ‘News Tax’ on Tech Companies: The Australian government has announced plans to implement a ‘news tax’ on major technology companies, requiring them to compensate news publishers for content shared on their platforms. This move aims to support the journalism industry and ensure fair remuneration for content creators. Australia Bans Social Media for Users Under 16: The Australian Parliament has approved legislation prohibiting individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This law is part of broader efforts to protect minors from online harms and enhance digital safety.