Cutting-Edge TEC
Lyon to Phase Out Microsoft Products, Adopt Open-Source Software
Cutting-Edge TEC
France’s third-largest city Lyon announced on June 27 it will replace Microsoft products—including Office and Microsoft SQL—with open-source alternatives like Linux, PostgreSQL, and OnlyOffice. The move aims to reduce reliance on U.S. software, extend hardware lifespans to cut environmental impact, and strengthen technical sovereignty in public services.more
U.S. Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Ban "Adversarial AI" from Foreign Adversaries
Cutting-Edge TEC
U.S. bipartisan lawmakers introduced a new bill, the No Adversarial AI Act, on June 25 local time. It aims to restrict federal government procurement and use of AI technologies developed by "foreign adversaries" like China, strengthening technical security for national critical systems.more
Trump Administration Moves to Speed Up Offshore Critical Minerals Exploration
Cutting-Edge TEC
The Trump administration announced on June 25 that it will accelerate exploration and development of offshore critical minerals, foreign media reported.more
US Considers Ending Semiconductor Exemptions for China Factories
Cutting-Edge TEC
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is planning to revoke "blanket exemptions" that allow TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and SK Hynix to use American technology in their Chinese mainland facilities without prior approval, The Wall Street Journal reported on June 20. If implemented, the move would force these companies to apply for individual licenses for U.S.-made semiconductor equipment shipments to China, with approval processes potentially dragging on for months and disrupting production upgrades and capacity expansion .more
China, Hong Kong Launch Cross-Border Payment Connect System
Cutting-Edge TEC
China’s central bank and Hong Kong’s monetary authority launched "Payment Connect" on June 22, linking mainland China’s Online Interbank Payment Clearing System (IBPS) with Hong Kong’s Faster Payment System (FPS) to enable real-time cross-border remittances. The initiative, announced in a joint statement on June 20, aims to streamline cross-border transactions for residents in both regions.more
UK Unveils New Policies to Bolster AI, Quantum Computing with Funding and Talent Drive
Cutting-Edge TEC
The UK government has introduced a series of new policies to significantly boost support for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. On June 22, it announced the establishment of a “Global Talent Fund” with an investment of £54 million to attract world-leading researchers to the UK. A “Global Talent Taskforce” was also set up, dedicated to recruiting scientists, engineers, and creative talents—with a special focus on key areas like AI and green technology—and encouraging them to innovate and develop long-term in the UK.more