Apple plans to add its generative AI software to its extended reality Vision Pro headsets in April as part of an operating system update.
A beta version of the visionOS 2.4 software is currently available to developers with the public release slated for April. Apple Intelligence is a set of AI-based tools currently available on selected iPhone, iPad and Mac models.
Like its rollout on iPhones, Apple Intelligence Vision Pro features will come in waves with the first set focusing on generating, proofing, rewriting and summarising text messages using OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Writing Tools.
Another upcoming application touted by Apple was Image Playground, which will enable Vision Pro users to create unique images from themes, costumes, accessories, and places using verbal prompts.
These features are already available on iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.
Initially they will support US English, with more features and additional languages to follow over the course of 2025.
Also in April, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to browse visionOS content such as TV shows and movies on iPhones before transferring them to their headsets using the Apple Vision Pro app.
Apple pitched the Vision Pro as a spatial computing device when launching it in 2024 and billed the $3,500 headset as its next major platform.
During its fiscal Q1 2025 (the period to 28 December 2024) results statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted Vision Pro had more than 2,500 native spatial apps and 1,500,000 compatible apps for its operating system.
According to market research company AppFigures, the number of new Vision Pro apps has declined every month since the headset hit the market. It estimates that fewer than 1,900 apps are currently active.
GSMA Foundry, the industry association’s innovation arm, introduced an open-source initiative aimed at improving large language models (LLMs) for telecoms applications.
Dubbed the Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks, the initiative is intended to provide a new framework to assess AI models on capability, energy efficiency, and safety in real-world telecoms scenarios.
Described by the GSMA as an “open-source community”, the offering is backed by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, computer application developer Hugging Face, and non-profit coding hub Linux Foundation. Operators including Deutsche Telekom, LG Uplus and SK Telecom, as well as vendor Huawei are also supporting the launch.
As AI adoption in telecoms accelerates, the GSMA explained that existing LLMs struggle with troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, and handling technical telecoms knowledge. Tests revealed that the GPT-4 model scored below 75 per cent on a dataset designed to evaluate telecoms-specific industry knowledge of LLMs. In another case, GPT-4 also performed less than 40 per cent on a dataset assessing the model’s understanding of 3GPP standards.
“Today’s AI models struggle with telecom-specific queries, often producing inaccurate, misleading or impractical recommendations,”explained Louis Powell, head of AI initiatives at the GSMA.
The new benchmarks community will enable mobile operators, AI researchers and developers to contribute use cases, datasets, and AI models for evaluation. A standardised benchmarking system will allow the AI models to be tested against practical telecoms challenges, including domain expertise, mathematical reasoning, energy efficiency and safety. Benchmarks will be hosted on Hugging Face’s platform to promote transparency and engagement.
Powell added that by establishing benchmarks, the initiative aims to improve AI model performance while ensuring “AI in telecoms is safe, reliable and aligned with real-world operational needs”.
As the industry puts focus on ethical and sustainable AI in telecoms, the initiative aligns with the GSMA’s previous commitments. Last year, the trade body introduced the Responsible AI Maturity Roadmap, a framework designed to help mobile operators implement best-practice principles in AI development and deployment.
Apple outlined a plan to spend more than $500 billion over the next four years to hire 20,000 new employees, expand its data centre capacity across five US states and build its own AI servers.
The additional jobs will focus on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI and machine learning.
Apple stated the investment and new jobs are its biggest US commitments to date.
“We are bullish on the future of American innovation and we’re proud to build on our long-standing US investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” Apple CEO Tim Cook stated.
Bloomberg wrote US President Donald Trump implied Apple is investing domestically to skirt 10 per cent tariffs on products imported from China following a recent meeting with Cook.
Cook was among many tech titans to attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony on 20 January.
The vendor and its partners intend to open a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the state of Texas in 2026 to produce servers for its Apple Intelligence software and AI tools.
It will also double its US Advanced Manufacturing Fund created in 2017 to support innovation and manufacturing jobs. The fund is growing from $5 billion to $10 billion as part of the new investment.
The expansion of the fund includes a multi-billion-dollar commitment from Apple to produce advanced silicon in a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company facility in the state of Arizona.
It also plans to open the Apple Manufacturing Academy in the state of Michigan to help companies transition to advanced manufacturing by implementing AI and smart manufacturing techniques.
Apple also plans to expand data centre capacity in the states of North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada.
Chinese tech giants began shifting their AI development set-ups to mimic DeepSeek’s low-cost large language model, spurring a surge in demand for US-based Nvidia’s AI chips designed for the nation, Reuters reported.
The news agency stated Tencent, Alibaba and ByteDance significantly increased orders for Nvidia’s H20 chips, which are not covered by US export licensing rules.
Nvidia reconfigured its high-end offerings for China following US export controls on AI chips introduced in October 2023. The H20 is its top-end chip available in the country.
The US government is mulling fresh restrictions on exports of chips including the H20 and forcing companies in Japan and the Netherlands to back the expanded curbs.
DeepSeek jolted the international AI industry after launching its R1 model, which reportedly was developed at a fraction of the typical cost, using less-advanced chips compared with big name US counterparts.
Ericsson employed low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to handle 5G backhaul in a remote area, advancing the potential of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) as a connectivity option in areas not covered by mobile or fixed infrastructure.
In a trial conducted in Spain with industrial digital technology multinational Oesia Group and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), Ericsson used a portable 5G gNodeB to connect to a data centre laboratory operated by 5TONIC, an R&D facility initiated by Telefonica and IMDEA Networks Institute.
The trial focused on connecting the transport element of the private gNodeB network with the laboratory’s Control Plane functions, proving the set-up can be used to maintain connectivity in areas lacking traditional infrastructure.
Ericsson explained the set-up connected 5G devices at the remote location using the portable private network, with the NTN element providing broader connectivity. The transition from mobile to satellite access was shown to be smooth, employing 3GPP Advanced Traffic Steering-Switching-Splitting technology.
Manuel Lorenzo, head of Technology and Innovation at Ericsson Spain, said the “seamless transition between mobile and satellite access”, would enable continuity of service.
There is also potential to apply the approach in areas affected by disasters, UC3M Signal Theory and Communications Department expert Daniel Segovia noted.
Maria Grana, director of technology with Oesia’s Inster unit, explained it provided a satellite terminal using an electronically steered Ku-band antenna which connected to Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO constellation.
She said the trial is “a significant achievement for satellite communications”.
UC3M coordinated the trial, which employed Ericsson’s 5G infrastructure alongside the Inster terminals.
New contract expands Network International’s growing portfolio of issuer processing collaborations in the African continent
Network International (Network), a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has been appointed as a Payment Processor – Issuing partner for MTN Group Fintech, Africa’s leading mobile financial services provider. This partnership marks a significant extension of Network’s portfolio of issuer processing collaborations throughout the African continent.
With a footprint spanning over 50 countries and serving over 250 financial institutions, Network International brings its expertise to this partnership which will enhance MTN Fintech’s cutting-edge mobile services and provide even greater value to stakeholders and customers across Africa.
The partnership will focus on rolling out card issuance products across key MTN Fintech markets, starting with Rwanda which is already operational. Soon Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria will also be covered under this collaboration. Network International will provide a comprehensive range of services, including transaction processing, card management and online fraud prevention. MTN Fintech users will benefit from a seamless experience accessing both traditional mobile services and innovative digital payment solutions.
Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International commented: “Our collaboration with MTN Group Fintech marks a major milestone for our outsourced payments services in Africa. It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) via our fully-fledged processing solutions and our continued dedication and commitment to the African region. We are excited to support MTN Group Fintech’s growth strategy, and its business development plans across the continent.”
Cedric N’guessan, Executive for Payment and E-commerce at MTN Group Fintech added, “This collaboration with Network International is pivotal in enhancing financial inclusion across Africa and beyond. It enables our customers to actively engage in the global economy, aligning perfectly with our strategic goals alongside Mastercard to broaden access to digital financial services across the continent.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the EMIs Chamber of Ghana, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey has charged stakeholders within the global digital financial ecosystem to prioritize effective collaboration to reduce the incidence of fraud.
According to him the rising levels of fraud and their complicated nature, undermines trust, stifles innovation, and erodes financial inclusion gains made in Ghana and across the world.
He made the remarks as a special guest speaker at the recently held 18th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards – West Africa 2025, in Accra, Ghana.
Speaking on the topic “Collaborative Approaches to Fraud Mitigation: Building a Trustworthy Digital Finance Landscape,” Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the increasing sophistication of fraudsters and the urgent need for stakeholders across the digital finance ecosystem to work together.
“The collaborative roles required to mitigate fraud within our ecosystem cannot be understated. No one institution can do it alone as fraud is a complex problem which demands a unified stakeholder approach,” Dr. Ashigbey stated.
The Role of Stakeholders in Fighting Fraud
Dr. Ashigbey outlined the critical roles different stakeholders must play in fraud prevention and mitigation, including:
Regulators and Policymakers – Enforcing stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, promoting cross-border collaboration, and establishing regulatory sandboxes for testing innovative fraud mitigation solutions.
Telecom Companies (Telcos) – Securing SIM registration processes, partnering with banks and fintechs to detect and block fraudulent transactions, and leveraging data analytics for fraud detection.
Banks and Fintechs – Implementing AI-driven fraud detection systems, educating customers on digital security, and sharing fraud intelligence to create a unified defense.
Consumers – Being vigilant about sharing personal information, using strong passwords, and reporting suspicious activities promptly.
Academia – Conducting research on emerging fraud trends and working with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions.
Security Agencies – Upgrading skills to stay ahead of cybercriminals, conducting regular security audits, and integrating cybercrime policing at all levels.
The Judiciary – Strengthening legal frameworks, speeding up fraud-related cases, and enhancing sentencing to deter cybercriminals.
Leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure for Fraud Prevention
Dr. Ashigbey also underscored the importance of a robust National Identification system in fraud prevention. He emphasized that affordable, secure, and interoperable digital identity solutions are essential for reducing identity theft and ensuring a more trustworthy financial ecosystem.
Additionally, he highlighted other key digital public infrastructures such as Unified Payment Interfaces (UPIs), credit bureaus, blockchain technology, and digital land registries—all of which play a role in fraud prevention.
Ghana’s Leadership in Digital Finance
Drawing insights from Ghana’s success in mobile money interoperability, regulatory sandboxes, and public-private partnerships, Dr. Ashigbey urged deeper collaboration between the government, telecoms, fintechs, and academia.
“We must move beyond Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to Public-Private-Academia Partnerships (PPAP), leveraging research and innovation to combat digital fraud effectively,” he noted.
A Call to Action: Collaboration is Key
As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, Dr. Ashigbey called for a united front in tackling fraud, emphasizing that working in silos is no longer an option.
“As Nelson Mandela said, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ The only way we can outsmart fraudsters is through deep collaboration, leveraging AI and digital innovations to secure our financial future,” he concluded.
The event brought together key industry players, policymakers, and security experts to discuss the future of secure digital banking.
Nigeria has taken a significant step to protect its telecommunications infrastructure by setting up a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE), aims to curb the rampant fibre cuts that have disrupted telecom services nationwide.
Frequent damage to fibre optic cables, often caused by road construction and maintenance activities, has led to severe service interruptions, affecting millions of telecom users. In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded over 50,000 fibre cuts, with around 30,000 attributed to road construction projects.
The new committee, inaugurated on February 18, 2025, comprises representatives from both ministries and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). It will serve as a coordinating body to develop strategies for minimising cable damage and establishing clear communication protocols between telecom operators and construction firms.
Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi stressed that the committee’s primary role is to develop standardised engagement procedures to ensure fibre optic infrastructure is safeguarded before, during, and after road construction projects. This includes creating instant communication mechanisms between telecom firms and road contractors, ensuring that fibre placement is factored into road design and construction planning, and collaborating with Federal Controllers of Works to protect fibre infrastructure nationwide.
Additionally, Engr. Farouk Yusuf, Permanent Secretary at FMoCIDE, highlighted the critical role of fibre optics in Nigeria’s digital economy. Reliable fibre networks underpin both fixed and mobile broadband services, enabling seamless connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.
NCC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, stressed that reducing fibre cuts will improve service quality, lower maintenance costs, and enable faster broadband expansion. He acknowledged that the lack of an efficient coordination mechanism between road contractors and telecom firms has been a key factor behind rising fibre cuts.
“Every time a fibre cut occurs, Nigerians experience service disruptions. Operators are forced to invest heavily in redundant routes and repair work. If we can prevent these avoidable incidents, telecom companies can redirect funds toward expanding network infrastructure,” Dr. Maida explained.
Going forward, the government has committed to incorporating fibre optic ducting into new road infrastructure projects, ensuring that telecom networks remain resilient. The committee will meet regularly to evaluate progress, address emerging challenges, and refine its strategy.
Philippines-based Globe Telecom started testing Nokia’s Network Exposure Platform (NEP) to determine how it can provide banks and other enterprise clients with security verification tools to prevent fraudulent transactions.
In a statement, the vendor explained the pair are partnering to expand the number of APIs available to the operator and its enterprise customers to create security-focused applications.
Joel Agustin, Globe’s head of service planning and engineering, noted with cyberattacks on banking services accelerating, it is “crucial we make available the latest network-powered technologies to our enterprise customers and help them safeguard against fraud”.
The operator is now at the testing stage, he said.
Shkumbin Hamiti, head of Nokia’s network monetisation platform, explained its NEP supports Globe in organising, controlling and securing the way its network is integrated into developer ecosystems and platforms.
Nokia noted its offering is an implementation of the GSMA’s operator platform, which is designed to provide a common way of exposing network capabilities to developers.
Globe and Nokia contribute to GSMA Open Gateway and Linux Foundation CAMARA, the statement added.
Research by Omdia for Telstra’s global connectivity arm found manufacturing companies face an up to $2 million threat from cyberattacks after a significant hike in overall security incidents and breaches in 2024 due to greater use of IoT, AI and cloud technologies.
Omdia warned less than half of manufacturing companies had adequate cybersecurity in place as it revealed 80 per cent faced a considerable rise in threats during 2024. It stated businesses attacked were hit with resilience or availability issues costing between $200,000 and $2 million.
In its study for Telstra International, the research company noted dangers are growing as companies employ cloud, AI and IoT in digital transformation processes. Omdia explained the costs listed tended towards the higher end when enterprise and corporate systems or production control was affected.
Telstra International head of global enterprise business Geraldine Kor noted the figures put companies in a Catch-22 situation, increasing risks while they deploy much-needed fresh technology to unlock new potential in manufacturing.
She argued companies need a clear security strategy to overcome fragmentation, suggesting “one group or person” is granted “the authority to act on security challenges for mission-critical systems”.
The connectivity player’s global head of cybersecurity Ganesh Narayanan explained relying on air gapping is becoming ineffective as information and operational technologies converge, with Omdia senior principal analyst Adam Etherington suggesting companies should explore “proactive remediation”.
Omdia surveyed more than 500 technology executives globally.
