China Dominates Global Patent Race with Record-Breaking 2024 Surge
China led the world in patent activity in 2024, filing 1.8 million patent applications—nearly half of the global total and over three times the number submitted in the United States, according to WIPO. China also issued over 1 million patents, far surpassing the U.S. tally of 319,815. While U.S. approvals increased modestly, China’s grew by 124,000 cases, reflecting a far stronger upward trend. Globally, inventors submitted a record 3.7 million applications, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth.
China’s Photonic Quantum Chip Pushes Computing Beyond Classical Limits
China has made a major breakthrough in computing with a new optical quantum chip that accelerates complex problem-solving by more than a thousandfold. The photonic chip won the “Leading Technology Award” at the 2025 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, standing out among 400 global contenders. Designed to boost AI data centres and supercomputers, it is already used in aerospace, biomedicine and finance, offering computing performance “beyond the limit of classical computers,” according to its developers.
Germany Moves to Block Chinese Tech from Future 6G Networks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Chinese technology suppliers, including Huawei, will be barred from Germany’s future telecom networks to strengthen national security and digital sovereignty. Speaking in Berlin, he said the government will replace foreign components in 5G systems with domestically produced alternatives and fully exclude Chinese parts from upcoming 6G infrastructure. Germany had already ordered telecom operators to remove Huawei equipment from core networks and is now considering public funds to help providers like Deutsche Telekom replace remaining Chinese gear.
Silicon Valley’s Newest Data Centers Stand Empty as Power Shortages Stall AI Growth
Two massive Silicon Valley data centers are fully built yet completely idle due to a lack of available electricity. Despite their readiness to host high-density AI hardware, both may remain empty for years as Santa Clara’s utility, Silicon Valley Power, struggles to expand grid capacity. The city is investing $450 million in upgrades slated for completion by 2028, but rising AI demand is outpacing infrastructure timelines nationwide, with similar multi-year delays in Virginia, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeast. Even Microsoft has admitted GPUs are sitting unused due to power shortages.
Former Intel Engineer Sued for Stealing 18,000 “Top Secret” Files
Intel has filed a $250,000 lawsuit against former software engineer Jinfeng Luo, accusing him of stealing around 18,000 confidential files, including material marked “Intel Top Secret.” Luo, who joined Intel in 2014, was notified of his termination in July 2024 amid the company’s massive workforce cuts. According to the lawsuit, Luo first tried unsuccessfully to copy files to an external drive, then later transferred data to a NAS system and spent his remaining days downloading sensitive assets. Intel, is now seeking to recover the stolen information after Luo vanished following his departure.
Tesla Faces ADA Lawsuit After Firing Deaf Technician Over Heat-Induced Hearing Aid Failures
A deaf technician at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, Hans Kohls, has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by firing him instead of granting a reasonable accommodation. Assigned to the casting department, where aluminum is melted at 1,220°F, Kohls’ hearing aids malfunctioned, making it impossible to hear safety alarms. He requested a transfer to a cooler department where he had already excelled during training, but Tesla allegedly denied the request, failed to explore alternatives like visual alarms, and terminated him within nine days.
Study Shows High-Income Workers Are the Most Enthusiastic About AI Tools
A Morning Consult study reveals that workers earning over $100,000 are the most enthusiastic adopters of AI, even as many fear job displacement. In this high-income group, the fastest-growing brands are AI companies such as Gemini, OpenAI, and Microsoft’s Copilot, with ChatGPT emerging as the clear leader due to significantly higher awareness and consideration rates. In contrast, middle-income consumers lean toward brands like DoorDash and MTV, while lower-income groups gravitate toward discount essentials.
