COMMUNIST CHINA STOCKPILES U.S. CHIPS
Xi is hoarding chips — cutting corners and cheating his way around U.S.A. trade restrictions. But will it backfire?
Reuters’ Heekyong Yang, Fanny Potkin and Karen Freifeld with the scoop:
Chinese tech giants including Huawei and Baidu as well as startups are stockpiling high bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors from Samsung Electronics in anticipation of U.S. curbs on exports of the chips to China, three sources said.
To recap:
Team U.S.A. has the chips China wants, so Xi is hoarding them… China has the drones that Taiwan wants, but Taiwan is innovating around Xi…
Flashback, via WSJ earlier this summer — > Small, inexpensive drones are helping Ukraine hold off a better-equipped Russian army. For Taiwan, replicating that strategy risks relying on Chinese suppliers. Full story here.
hello future, it’s me kev.
…and this is a dispatch from the digital frontier. Your one-stop shop for markets, tech and the future. The day is 225. The year is 2024. The planet is Earth. And my name is Kevin Cirilli.
I’m currently watching the Olympics Closing Ceremony, where the French are putting on some type of dance routine with an actor dressed as an extraterrestrial alien who is now holding a Greek flag.
I don’t really get the French’s vision of the insect alien thingy but I did enjoy the games… and nobody could stop ‘em… not even Russia online…
PUTIN’S ARMY OF TROLLS FAILS TO PUT OUT OLYMPIC FLAME, via Associated Press.
For decades, Russia has continuously spread disinformation about America and the West during the Olympics.
But this time around, the biggest scandal wasn’t Putin’s cyber attacks — but rather that the Aussies can’t breakdance. And to think that Putin was trying to peddle a fake A.I. Tom Cruise documentary…
Speaking of Cruise… did you see him jump off the end of the arena and then ride off on a motorcycle for the 2028 Olympics in L.A.?
Back to the future…
Actually, back to Hollywood…
NOTABLE: Silicon Valley tech to help Los Angeles prepare venues for 2028 Olympics, via NBC SanFran.
IRANIAN CYBER THREATS ESCALATE —> MICROSOFT WARNS OF IRAN CYBER ATTACKS TARGETING U.S. ELECTIONS
Microsoft has issued a critical threat report revealing that Iranian cyber actors are increasing their online activities to influence upcoming elections.
These actors have created fake websites and impersonated activists… they even tried to hack into a presidential candidate’s account… and also senior U.S. campaign officials…
Iran’s objective appears to be spreading chaos and divisive messaging. Microsoft advises vigilance as these tactics are expected to continue, highlighting disinformation as a core strategy in geopolitical conflicts.
“Looking forward, we expect Iranian actors will employ cyberattacks against institutions and candidates while simultaneously intensifying their efforts to amplify existing divisive issues within the US, like racial tensions, economic disparities, and gender-related issues.” — Microsoft Threat Intelligence Report, Aug. 9, 2024
Read Microsoft’s full report here.
DIGITAL DEMOCRACY? E-VOTING VERSUS HACKERS AT DEF CON VEGAS.
Hackers swarmed Las Vegas for DEF CON, taking on Secure Internet Voting (SIV) to see if e-voting can go mainstream. The tech lets you vote from your phone or computer… think American Idol… Clarkson versus Aiken…
Despite fears of hacking risks, fans argue it could be safer than paper ballots — no more hanging chads — with the right protections. SIV got a big trial run in Utah’s 2023 Republican primary. But don't get too excited—voting security guru Harri Hursti says we're decades away from widespread e-voting, even if it passes the hack test.
Full story —> Can online voting be secure? Experts in Las Vegas try to hack new platform | James Pearson | Reuters
Elon Musk
LEPRECHAUN LOCKDOWN: ELON MUSK’S ‘X’ HITS A DATA ROADBLOCK IN IRELAND.
An Irish court took on X's data practices last week. The Irish Data Protection Commission wants to stop X from using EU user data to train its artificial intelligence. The court revealed that X began processing user data on May 7 but didn't offer an opt-out until July 16.
WHAT’S NEXT? X has agreed not to use data collected between May 7 and August 1 for AI training until the case wraps up. X is set to file opposition papers by September 4 and slammed the order as “unwarranted” and “overboard.”
—> FULL STORY: X agrees to not use some EU user data to train AI chatbot | Reuters
Substack generate: Futuristic skyscraper on Mars
SKYSCRAPER OF THE FUTURE: A GIANT BATTERY IN THE SKY.
Brace yourselves! Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Energy Vault have unleashed a jaw-dropping concept: a 3300-foot skyscraper that doubles as a massive battery.
This tower stores energy by lifting a giant weight and releasing it when needed, just like a vertical hydropower plant. It’s a game-changer for stabilizing renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Full story via CNN’s Amy Gunia here.
Meanwhile, back in the present… I can barely find my iPhone charger…
Onward…
Space weather
Here’s what happening in your neck of the galaxy….
Aurora alert: Possible geomagnetic storm could see northern lights alongside Perseid meteor shower this weekend, via Space.com
WSBT: Northern lights possible, the appetizer to summer's best meteor shower
have a good tomorrow, today :)
the future is what you make it… we want to grow with you if you believe in our mission: embrace democracy to meet the future’s challenges and opportunities. follow along: Substack | Instagram: @mtfnow | Youtube: @mtfnow | X: @mtfnow | LinkedIn.
about kev: Kevin N. Cirilli, based in D.C., is a media fellow at the Atlantic Council and former chief Washington correspondent for Bloomberg News, where he launched a daily geopolitical program. His work has appeared on major networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, and more.
With more than a decade in DC, he’s launched successful news verticals and programs. Kevin, who grew up in Delco, is now launching mtf.tv’s Meet the Future NOW, a weekly newsletter on markets, tech, and all things the future. The first season of the mtf NOW video podcast is in development. Stay tuned…
