Welcome to the October 24, 2025 edition of ACM TechNews, providing timely information for computer professionals three times a week.

HEADLINES AT A GLANCE

• U.S. in Talks to Take Equity Stakes in Quantum Computing Firms
• India Proposes Strict Rules to Label AI Content
• U.S. ‘Slipping’ on Cybersecurity, Report Concludes
• Google Says Quantum Computer Surpasses Ability of Supercomputers
• ACM TechBrief Urges World Governments to Achieve 'Digital Transformation'
• App That Translates Speech to Sign Language Wins African Innovation Award
• Pairing Computer Science with Culturally Responsive Education Shows Results
• Drones Test Europe’s Readiness for Russian Attacks, Disinformation
• GM Unveils Plans for Eyes-Off Driving, Conversational AI
• Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs with Robots
• Grassroots Logistics Networks Fed New Yorkers During COVID-19 Crisis
• Europe Auto Industry Braces for Chip Disruption
• Reddit Sues Perplexity for Scraping Data to Train AI System

U.S. in Talks to Take Equity Stakes in Quantum Computing Firms

The White House is in talks with several quantum computing companies, including IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum, to take equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, according to insiders. The Commerce Department could invest $10 million per firm as part of its push to secure U.S. leadership in critical technologies. The move follows a similar deal giving the government a 10% stake in Intel. Deputy Commerce Secretary Paul Dabbar (pictured), co-founder of Bohr Quantum Technology, is leading the discussions.
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India Proposes Strict Rules to Label AI Content

India has proposed strict rules requiring AI and social media platforms to clearly label AI-generated content to curb misinformation and deepfakes. The rules would mandate that visual AI content must display labels on at least 10% of its surface area, with similar labels required on the first 10% of audio content. Platforms also would be required to obtain user declarations on AI-generated uploads and implement technical checks.
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U.S. ‘Slipping’ on Cybersecurity, Report Concludes

The successor to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC)—whose mandate ended after being established by Congress in 2019 to recommend ways to strengthen defenses against hacking attacks—warned in its latest report that U.S. cybersecurity is “slipping” as federal efforts lag behind rapidly evolving technology. The report criticizes budget and personnel cuts, stressing weakened leadership at key agencies including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Recommendations include restoring CISA’s budget and workforce.
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Google Says Quantum Computer Surpasses Ability of Supercomputers

Google claims to have achieved a quantum computing milestone by running an algorithm that computed molecular structures beyond classical supercomputers’ capabilities, demonstrating “quantum advantage.” The algorithm operated 13,000 times faster than conventional methods and was verified using nuclear magnetic resonance. Google acknowledged, however, that real-world use of quantum computers remained years away.
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ACM TechBrief Urges World Governments to Achieve 'Digital Transformation'

The ACM global Technology Policy Council's latest TechBrief says recent advances in technology make a renewed public focus on digital transformation vital. The TechBrief offers six pillars to guide a successful government transformation: digital public infrastructure, digital identity, data governance and privacy, interoperability frameworks, information and data system modernization, and citizen-centered design. Said TechBrief co-lead author Simson Garfinkel, "We hope that this TechBrief will be a roadmap for policymakers who are eager to help transform the systems that their governments have today into the unified system that we all hope to use in the future."
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App That Translates Speech to Sign Language Wins African Innovation Award

Kenyan Elly Savatia received the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for creating Terp 360, an AI-powered app that translates speech into sign language in real time using 3D avatars. The app currently can convert both English and Swahili into Kenyan Sign Language. Terp 360 captures hand movements with motion sensors and aims to expand to other African and global sign languages by 2027.
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Pairing Computer Science with Culturally Responsive Education Shows Results

A report from the New York University-based Research Alliance for New York City Schools found that pairing computer science lessons with culturally responsive education significantly improved students’ confidence and attitudes, especially among girls and Black and Latinx students. The approach highlights diverse role models and explores biases in technology, helping address structural barriers to participation. Elementary students showed the largest gains in interest and computational thinking skills, while high schoolers exposed to the program were twice as likely to major in computer science.
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Drones Test Europe’s Readiness for Russian Attacks, Disinformation

When Russian drones entered Polish airspace last month, the physical threat was quickly followed by a digital one. Within hours, tens of thousands of social media posts claimed the drones were Ukrainian, part of what researchers say was a coordinated Russian disinformation campaign to divide Polish opinion and test NATO’s response. Analysts say such incursions reflect Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics of combining drone provocations with online manipulation.
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GM Unveils Plans for Eyes-Off Driving, Conversational AI

General Motors (GM) unveiled plans to implement major in-vehicle technologies by 2028, including a new “eyes-off” driver-assistance system and a conversational AI assistant powered by Google Gemini. The AI, debuting next year, will allow drivers to speak with their vehicles, while the autonomous system to launch with the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ EV will use LiDAR to “see” its surroundings. Said GM’s Sterling Anderson (pictured), “Autonomy will make our roads safer.”
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Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs with Robots

Amazon plans to automate up to 75% of its operations, potentially replacing more than 500,000 jobs with robots, according to internal documents. The company’s automation strategy aims to double product sales by 2033 while avoiding major workforce expansion, saving about 30 cents per item processed. Amazon is testing nearly human-free warehouses in Shreveport, LA, and plans to replicate the model nationwide.
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Grassroots Logistics Networks Fed New Yorkers During COVID-19 Crisis

Grassroots logistics networks in New York City filled gaps in traditional supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical food and essentials, according to a study by researchers at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering and the University of Toronto in Canada. The study examined the emergence of community-driven distribution systems during that period, including immigrant street vendors in Queens, a theater-turned-food pantry in Manhattan, and a citywide mutual aid network.
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Europe Auto Industry Braces for Chip Disruption

Europe’s auto industry anticipates major disruptions following China’s decision to block exports of semiconductors made by Nexperia, a Dutch chipmaker owned by China’s Wingtech Technology. The restrictions could halt production across the sector within two to three weeks. The move escalates trade tensions already high following the Dutch government’s seizure of Nexperia to protect strategic assets. EU automakers have launched crisis talks with European and Chinese officials to secure alternative supplies, though replacement sourcing could take months.
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Reddit Sues Perplexity for Scraping Data to Train AI System

Reddit has filed suit in New York federal court against AI startup Perplexity and three other companies, accusing them of illegally scraping its content to train Perplexity’s AI search engine. The complaint claims the companies bypassed Reddit’s data protection measures to obtain content crucial for powering Perplexity’s “answer engine.” Reddit emphasized that it licenses its material to major AI firms like Google and OpenAI, but Perplexity lacked such permission.
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