Europe’s next generation of deep-tech pioneers head to GITEX AI EUROPE 2026

• The Cyber Express weekly roundup highlights a surge in global cyber risks driven by AI acceleration, massive data breaches, and increased international law enforcement activity. • Key security incidents reported include a cyberattack on Transport for London (TfL) and a significant data breach at the Japanese telecommunications company KDDI.

• Startups across Africa and the Middle East raised a total of $336.7 million during Week 26. • The funding period was dominated by a single massive $260 million raise by Dream, which overshadowed other regional deals.

• Foreign investors withdrew capital from India-focused funds during the March quarter, redirecting investments toward AI-driven markets. • Capital flows shifted primarily toward technology hubs in Korea and Taiwan to capitalize on the global artificial intelligence boom.

• A new Vi Business MSME Growth Insights Study 2026 highlights that AI is becoming a primary driver for scaling India's MSME sector, which contributes over 31% to the national GDP. • The study reveals that 57% of MSMEs identify AI as a vital tool for business growth, with 25% of these enterprises having already integrated AI solutions into their workflows.

• Amazon has announced a massive $13 billion investment in India, specifically targeting the expansion of its artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure. • Several other startups have successfully secured fresh capital, including healthtech and beauty-focused companies SuperLiving, Bodycraft, and Zave.

• European and Chinese leaders called for a shift from "tech rivalry" to "constructive engagement" during the CEIBS Forums on June 26, 2026. • The leaders warned against zero-sum competition, urging both regions to leverage their complementary strengths in AI industrial application and governance.

• The global luxury sector is entering the second half of 2026 facing a "polycrisis" of geopolitical turbulence, economic volatility, and significant cultural shifts. • A new report by Bain & Company and Altagamma indicates that while these disruptions persist, the industry's underlying fundamentals are showing signs of gradual stabilization.

• Asian markets experienced a sharp decline on Friday, driven by a global technology sell-off fueled by concerns over AI valuations, rising chip costs, and quarter-end profit booking. • South Korea's KOSPI plummeted 8.2%, leading authorities to halt program trading for 20 minutes, while Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 5%.

• China’s Zhipu AI has released GLM-5.2, a cost-effective coding model designed to challenge global leaders in artificial intelligence. • The model marks a significant milestone as the first Chinese release to rank in the top three globally on a major industry benchmark.

• Global companies are investing billions of dollars into India's AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and data centers, reflecting strong confidence in the nation's digital expansion. • Despite this trend, HSBC Private Bank's latest Asia investment roadmap prioritizes high-conviction bets on China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore over India.

• The "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance has warned that frontier AI models could significantly reshape the landscape of cyberattacks within months. • These advanced AI capabilities are expected to pose urgent security risks to governments, businesses, and nations like South Africa by 2026.