Tech Intelligence Copy RSS link Link copied to clipboard!
US and allies urge careful adoption of AI agents
The Australian and US governments, alongside British, Canadian, and New Zealand counterparts, released guidance on Friday warning of risks associated with agentic AI systems. The document highlights potential productivity losses, service disruptions, and cybersecurity incidents. It advises organisations to restrict access to sensitive data, use agents only for low-risk tasks, and implement strong governance, human oversight, and continuous monitoring to mitigate systemic risks and unexpected behaviours.
General Dynamics lands $716M Abrams sustainment deal
General Dynamics Land Systems secured a $716.2 million five-year sustainment contract for Abrams tanks, Joint Assault Bridges, and Assault Breacher Vehicles, effective through April 2031. The agreement, awarded by the Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal, covers maintenance, training, and foreign military sales support. A separate $13.5 million modification pushed a related technical support contract past $1 billion in cumulative value. Funding will be obligated per task order.
Microchip Technology builds new hydrogen maser facility in Alabama
Microchip Technology announced the construction of a new facility in Alabama to increase production of hydrogen masers. The expansion addresses surging demand from GPS III satellites, 5G and 6G networks, and military contracts. The plant aims to reduce lead times, enhance supply chain resilience, and secure national security by manufacturing critical timing components domestically. The project will create dozens of jobs and leverages state incentives.
US technology companies invest 700 billion in AI creating pressure on China
US technology giants are investing over 700 billion USD in artificial intelligence this year, significantly outpacing Chinese counterparts. Major US firms including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are increasing capital expenditure, driven by high memory costs and growing application demand. While Chinese cloud providers are estimated to spend around 105 billion USD, representing roughly one-tenth of US investment, analysts note that Chinese companies are developing large-scale AI models of comparable quality. This disparity is attributed to US restrictions on advanced chip exports, forcing Chinese firms to rely more on software and algorithmic improvements.
Splunk warns backdoor injection threatens AI model reliability
Splunk, a security firm owned by Cisco, reports in its Top 50 Cybersecurity Threats that backdoor injection attacks pose a severe risk to AI models. These attacks involve implanting hidden triggers in training data, causing models to behave maliciously under specific conditions. Research indicates that as few as 250 poisoned documents can compromise models regardless of size. Additionally, model poisoning can lead to misinformation and a lack of trust. The report highlights that supply chain vulnerabilities and shared datasets increase these risks, potentially accelerating model collapse.
NIST NCCoE launches new OT cybersecurity project to boost visibility
The National Institute of Standards and Technology and its National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence have launched a new operational technology cybersecurity project aimed at enhancing visibility into OT environments. The initiative addresses critical blind spots in industrial control systems, legacy infrastructure, and embedded devices that pose significant risks to national security and critical infrastructure. By focusing on scalable methods for asset discovery and monitoring, the project seeks to mitigate vulnerabilities exploited by nation-states and ransomware gangs, shifting cybersecurity strategy from reactive controls to proactive, intelligence-driven risk management.
Rockwell Collins awarded $472m contract for Chinook avionics
The US Army Contracting Command awarded Rockwell Collins a $472.4 million contract for CH-47 Chinook avionics integration, modification, and engineering support. The cost-plus-fixed-fee CTES V contract covers command, control, and communications integration across all Chinook variants through April 2031. Work locations and funding are determined per order. Rockwell Collins, now part of RTX's Collins Aerospace, is the sole bidder and primary avionics partner for the program.
Big Tech earnings focus on AI capex
Earnings reports from Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are scheduled to be released after the bell. These four companies are the largest spenders on artificial intelligence computing infrastructure. Mandeep Singh of Bloomberg Intelligence provided a preview of the upcoming reports.
Tech giants ramp up AI spending but returns remain uncertain
Jefferies reports that global technology companies plan to spend approximately $700 billion on AI infrastructure this year, with projections reaching $800 billion next year. Despite this unprecedented investment by major US firms including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta, concerns persist regarding weak returns and unclear monetisation strategies. The report highlights that capital expenditure as a percentage of operating cash flow is projected to rise to 92% by 2026. While demand for computing power continues, the gap between investment and profitability remains a significant risk for the sector.
Pentagon accelerates development of containerized 300kW+ laser weapons for cruise missile defense
New Pentagon budget documents reveal the US military is accelerating the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS), a containerized directed-energy system capable of over 300 kilowatts. Designed to shoot down cruise missiles, the JLWS is a key component of the $17.9 billion Golden Dome initiative. The FY2027 budget allocates $452 million for directed energy system development. The Navy aims to integrate high-energy laser subsystems with command-and-control and thermal management for naval testing, building on lessons from earlier programs like HELIOS.
Critical cPanel zero-day exploited alongside Black Axe arrests and HHS data center review
A critical authentication bypass vulnerability in cPanel (CVE-2026-41940) is being actively exploited, prompting an emergency patch. Simultaneously, Swiss and German police arrested ten suspected members of the Nigerian transnational criminal group Black Axe for romance scams and money laundering. In the US, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee is reviewing whether to designate data centers as a standalone critical infrastructure sector. Additional threats include a new Python backdoor, widespread phishing attacks in the UK, AI-generated npm malware linked to North Korea, and rapid exploitation of a LiteLLM SQL injection flaw.
Bluekit phishing platform uses AI to automate sophisticated cyberattacks
A new platform called Bluekit has emerged, enabling digital criminals to automate phishing attacks using artificial intelligence models such as GPT-4, Claude, and LLaMA. The tool allows users to create highly convincing, personalized emails and fake login pages for popular services including Gmail, iCloud, GitHub, and Ledger without requiring advanced technical skills. It integrates with Telegram for real-time data exfiltration and includes anti-detection mechanisms to evade security systems. Experts warn that this technology significantly lowers the barrier to entry for cybercrime, making attacks harder to identify and more effective against even experienced users.
Raytheon receives $335m contract to build more SM-6 missiles
On April 24, 2026, the U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon a $335 million contract modification to produce Standard Missile-6 Tactical All-Up Rounds through May 2030. Production is distributed across seven locations, including Tucson, East Camden, and Wolverhampton. Raytheon has invested nearly $900 million over three years to expand capacity to meet unprecedented demand driven by operational use in the Red Sea. The contract funds manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery of the multi-mission missile system.
Microsoft reports surge in CAPTCHA and ClickFix credential theft tactics
Microsoft Threat Intelligence recorded 8.3 billion email-based phishing threats in Q1 2026, with credential harvesting remaining the dominant goal. Attackers increasingly combined QR codes, fake CAPTCHA gates, and ClickFix tricks to steal credentials. CAPTCHA-gated phishing volumes doubled in March to 11.9 million attacks. QR code phishing volumes increased 146% from January to March. Despite disruptions to the Tycoon2FA platform, attackers shifted infrastructure and continued using these evasion techniques. Defenders are advised to focus on layered email and identity controls.
Samsung warns RAM shortage will intensify through 2027
Samsung memory chip executive Kim Jaejune warned that the global RAM shortage is set to continue and intensify through 2027 due to AI data centre demand outpacing supply. This shortage is already driving price increases for smartphones, laptops, and gaming handhelds. The forecast follows reports suggesting the supply-demand gap may not close until 2030. Additionally, a planned 18-day strike by Samsung's labour union starting May 21 could further constrain output from the company, exacerbating the supply constraints for consumers and device makers.
Mark Zuckerberg attributes Meta layoffs to capital expenditure on AI infrastructure
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated at a town hall that recent and upcoming layoffs are driven by rising capital expenditure on AI compute infrastructure rather than AI productivity gains. He described a trade-off between spending on infrastructure and personnel costs. Chief People Officer Janelle Gale did not rule out further job cuts, while CFO Susan Li noted the optimal workforce size remains unknown. Meta raised its 2026 capex guidance to $125-$145 billion, causing shares to fall 9% after hours.
US debt crosses 100% of GDP as Big Tech AI buildout competes for capital
US debt held by the public exceeded 100% of GDP for the first time since World War II, reaching 100.2% at the end of March. The annual interest bill now surpasses defence spending. This milestone coincides with Big Tech companies committing $660 to $690 billion in AI capital expenditure for 2026. Both the government and the technology sector are financing these activities through the same debt markets, raising concerns about capital market sustainability and rising borrowing costs.
US Army awards contract for THOR backpack drone to Mistral Inc
On 1 May 2026, the US Army Contracting Command awarded Mistral Inc. a contract for the THOR Group 2 unmanned aircraft system. Developed by FUSE, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd., the backpack-portable, fully autonomous VTOL drone supports company-level reconnaissance, surveillance, and resupply. The agreement involves Mistral, FUSE, and Avandra LLC to ensure US-based sustainment and support infrastructure for the system.
White House restricts Anthropic Mythos model access amid national security concerns
The White House has requested that Anthropic halt further expansion of access to its Mythos AI model, citing national security risks and concerns over cyber capabilities. This intervention represents an ad-hoc government control of AI deployment without specific legal authority or concrete thresholds. The move creates an informal licensing regime, raising questions about the lack of formal regulation and the potential for executive discretion to guide critical business decisions regarding dangerous AI technologies.
Indra leads European SHIMBAD programme to develop 4D multiband radar
Indra leads the SHIMBAD R&D programme, a European Defence Fund initiative costing €42.5 million, to develop the first fully European 4D multiband radar for military vessels. The project aims to enhance surveillance against hypersonic missiles, drones, and uncrewed surface vessels. Indra coordinates a multinational consortium to design and validate a scalable prototype of a 4D AESA antenna capable of simultaneous multi-band operation. The Spanish Navy drives the initiative to define future operational requirements, while the system is intended to strengthen European technological sovereignty and interoperability across navies.