AI

Eindhoven chip manufacturer NXP Semiconductors reported a 19 percent year-on-year revenue increase to $3.5 billion for the second quarter, while net profit rose 33 percent to $918 million. Growth was led by a 41 percent jump in its communication infrastructure segment and a 12 percent rise in automotive chips, driven by expanding artificial intelligence applications in physical devices. NXP forecasts third-quarter revenue growth between 15 and 21 percent.

The EU is requiring Google to open its search data and Android AI access to competitors, aiming to reduce Google’s market dominance and expand user choice. Key obligations begin in 2027 under the Digital Markets Act.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) warns that rapidly advancing AI is making phishing and cyberattacks more convincing and more damaging. Criminals are using AI to craft realistic, personalised messages, increasing the risk of account takeovers and large‑scale breaches.

The Dutch manufacturing sector maintained strong momentum in June as a surge in new orders pushed the national purchasing managers' index to 55.5. Industrial growth found support from heavy corporate stockpiling ahead of expected price hikes and booming global demand for semiconductor equipment. While geopolitical conflicts raised supply costs, local factories successfully protected margins by passing price increases directly to buyers.

The Netherlands has more millionaires than ever, with both their numbers and total wealth rising. A new Capgemini report links the increase to economic growth, higher incomes, and strong stock markets driven by AI optimism.

TSMC, the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer, has confirmed that global appetite for AI chips continues to outstrip production capacity—even as the company pours billions into expanding its manufacturing footprint.

AI firm Anthropic is expanding access to its Mythos model to around 150 organisations across fifteen countries to help them identify software security flaws. The tool has already helped early users detect over ten thousand vulnerabilities, but its expansion is raising concerns among financial and cybersecurity regulators. Watchdogs warn that the highly autonomous model could eventually be weaponised by criminals to discover and exploit software weaknesses within minutes.

The European Union is set to unveil a new strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign technology providers for microchips, AI, and cloud services. The draft proposals include emergency powers to override contracts and fast-track local data centre infrastructure. These measures come amid growing concerns in Brussels over the dominant market share of American digital companies.