Meta Faces $2 Billion Acquisition Review While Equinor Saves $130 Million

Chinese officials are currently scrutinizing Meta Platforms Inc.'s $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus. This review focuses on potential violations of national security and technology export rules. Authorities are assessing whether the transfer of Manus's staff and technology to Singapore, followed by its sale to Meta, required an export license under Chinese law. Manus gained recognition for its general AI agent, capable of independent decision-making and task execution. This initial review could significantly impact the deal's future. Beyond acquisitions, artificial intelligence continues to drive substantial operational efficiencies and savings across industries. Equinor, for instance, reports saving $130 million in 2025 alone by integrating AI into its operations. Since 2020, AI has generated over $330 million in value for the company. Equinor leverages AI on offshore platforms and land facilities for tasks like predictive maintenance, which has saved $120 million since 2020 by monitoring over 700 machines. AI also accelerated seismic data interpretation, covering 700,000 square kilometers in 2025, ten times faster than before. However, the rapid adoption of AI also brings significant security challenges. The UK's AI Security Institute (AISI), established in 2024, tested 22 advanced AI models and found all were vulnerable to "jailbreaks," leading to over 62,000 harmful actions. Notably, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, while performing well, exhibited weaker safety controls. This highlights the need for businesses to verify AI systems independently. In response, the US National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 mandates the Department of Defense to create an AI security framework for contractors, addressing risks like data poisoning and accidental data leaks. The evolving AI landscape is reshaping job markets and public safety initiatives. While AI and automation are causing cybersecurity hiring to remain flat by filling many security gaps, demand for specialized AI-related cybersecurity skills is growing. Conversely, Australia is experiencing a boom in AI-related jobs, with roles like AI specialists and machine learning engineers among the fastest-growing, offering salaries up to $255,000. Meanwhile, the Spartanburg City Police Department unveiled its new real-time AI crime center, funded partly by $500,000 secured by Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, to enhance public safety and improve response times. Further demonstrating AI's diverse applications, Timekettle announced significant upgrades to its in-ear AI translation technology at CES 2026. These enhancements include a new SOTA Translation Engine Selector that automatically picks the best AI model for different languages, improving accuracy and speed. Concurrently, the integration of large language models into software development is redefining application security risk models. Experts like James Wickett of DryRun Security note that AI systems introduce new, unpredictable behaviors and data access points, requiring novel security controls to address issues like prompt injection.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese officials are reviewing Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus for potential technology export and national security violations.
• Equinor saved $130 million in 2025 and generated over $330 million in value since 2020 by using AI for predictive maintenance, well planning, and seismic data interpretation.
• The UK's AI Security Institute (AISI) found all 22 tested advanced AI models, including Claude 3.5 Sonnet, vulnerable to "jailbreaks," leading to over 62,000 harmful actions.
• The US National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2026 requires the Department of Defense to establish an AI security framework for contractors, addressing risks like data poisoning.
• AI and automation are contributing to flat growth in general cybersecurity hiring, but specialized AI-related cybersecurity roles are seeing increased demand.
• Australia's job market shows AI specialist, machine learning engineer, and data scientist roles as fastest-growing, with salaries up to $255,000.
• The Spartanburg City Police Department launched a new real-time AI crime center, secured with $500,000 in funding, to enhance public safety and investigations.
• Timekettle upgraded its in-ear AI translation technology at CES 2026 with a new SOTA Translation Engine Selector and improved audio capture.
• The integration of large language models into software development is creating new application security risks, such as prompt injection, requiring updated security models.

China reviews Meta's Manus AI deal

Chinese officials are reviewing Meta's $2 billion purchase of AI startup Manus. The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that they are checking for possible technology control violations. Officials are assessing if moving Manus's staff and technology to Singapore and then selling it to Meta needed an export license under Chinese law. This review is in early stages but could affect the deal. Manus became popular for its general AI agent, which can make decisions and do tasks on its own.

China scrutinizes Meta's $2 billion AI acquisition

Chinese officials are looking into Meta Platforms Inc.'s $2 billion purchase of AI startup Manus. They are checking if the deal broke any national security or technology export rules. This initial review could cause problems for the acquisition later on. Officials will determine if any wrongdoing occurred.

Timekettle upgrades in-ear AI translation at CES 2026

Timekettle announced a big upgrade to its real-time, in-ear AI translation technology at CES 2026. The new features make audio translations more complete, accurate, and faster for devices like the Timekettle M3 and WT2 Edge. A new SOTA Translation Engine Selector automatically picks the best AI model for different languages, improving precision. Timekettle also improved its bone-conduction technology and hybrid algorithm for clearer audio capture, even with background noise. These updates help users converse more naturally across languages.

Spartanburg police unveil AI crime center to public

The Spartanburg City Police Department showed off its new real-time crime center at a community briefing. South Carolina Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers hosted the event on Tuesday night. The center uses artificial intelligence to improve public safety, response times, and investigations. Rep. Henderson-Myers helped secure $500,000 in funding for this advanced technology. The briefing aimed to inform the community about how the system works and its benefits.

Equinor saves $130 million in 2025 using AI

Equinor saved $130 million in 2025 by using artificial intelligence in its operations. Since 2020, AI has helped the company create over $330 million in value. Equinor uses AI on offshore platforms and land facilities for tasks like predictive maintenance, which monitors over 700 machines and saved $120 million since 2020. AI also helped plan wells and field development, saving $12 million at the Johan Sverdrup field. Additionally, AI interprets seismic data ten times faster, covering 700,000 square kilometers in 2025. Hege Skryseth, an executive vice president, stated that AI is crucial for Equinor's goals on the Norwegian continental shelf.

UK AI Security Institute finds models vulnerable to misuse

The UK's AI Security Institute, AISI, discovered that many advanced AI models can be misused by cybercriminals. AISI, established in 2024 by the UK government, tested 22 different AI models. They found that every model was vulnerable to "jailbreaks," leading to over 62,000 harmful actions. For example, Claude 3.5 Sonnet performed well but had weaker safety controls. These findings mean businesses must carefully check AI systems themselves instead of only trusting vendors. Governments are also facing pressure to create standard ways to test AI safety.

AI slows cyber job growth but boosts specialized roles

Cybersecurity hiring is expected to stay flat in the coming year due to tight budgets and a tough economy. Artificial intelligence and automated tools are now filling many security gaps that once needed human workers. Companies are investing in AI security solutions that can find and react to threats quickly, reducing the need for manual checks. This shift means that while general cybersecurity jobs may not grow fast, there will be high demand for specialized skills. Professionals who can work with AI and adapt to new technologies will be most sought after.

Defense law sets AI security rules for contractors

A new defense policy law, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, requires the Department of Defense to create an AI security framework. This framework will set new security rules for contractors working with artificial intelligence and machine learning. It aims to address specific risks like data poisoning and accidental data leaks. The new rules will build on existing cybersecurity standards like CMMC and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. Contractors developing or using AI for the DoD will need to follow these upcoming requirements.

AI reshapes application security risk models

The way AI is used in software development is quickly changing how we think about application security. James Wickett, CEO of DryRun Security, explains that adding large language models to production creates new risks. These AI systems can act in unexpected ways and access new data, which older security tools cannot properly assess. Developers use AI for speed but worry about its stability and security. Companies now need clearer ways to define AI risks and new security controls for issues like prompt injection.

Australia sees AI jobs grow with high salaries

The Australian job market is changing a lot, with artificial intelligence roles becoming some of the fastest-growing jobs. Along with AI, positions in engineering, law, and health are also seeing big increases. Some of these top jobs offer high salaries, up to $255,000. Key areas of growth include AI specialists, machine learning engineers, and data scientists. There is also strong demand for engineers in renewable energy and lawyers specializing in technology law. Professionals who learn new skills like digital literacy and data analysis will be well-prepared for future career success.

Sources

• China reviews Meta's purchase of AI startup Manus, FT reports
• China Reviews Meta’s $2 Billion Deal to Buy AI Startup Manus
• Timekettle Reveals a Major Upgrade to Its Real-Time, In-Ear AI Translation Technology at CES 2026
• Spartanburg police showcase real-time crime center at community AI briefing
• Use of artificial intelligence saved Equinor USD 130 million in 2025
• Inside the UK's AI Security Institute
• Cloudy Outlook for Cyber Jobs as AI Fills Security Gaps
• CMMC for AI? Defense Policy Law Imposes AI Security Framework and Requirements on Contractors
• Why AI Changes the Risk Model for Application Security
• Top 15 fastest-growing jobs in Australia paying up to $255,000: ‘Job market is evolving’