In today’s Digest, we discuss tech giants stepping up efforts to fix AI security flaws; Alibaba investing USD$281m to expand Taobao stores; and the global TV and video market on track to hit USD$1tn by 2030.

Tech giants step up efforts to fix AI security flaws

Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft are intensifying efforts to address a growing cybersecurity threat linked to large language models (LLMs). A key concern is the rise of indirect prompt injection attacks, where malicious actors embed hidden commands in digital content such as websites or emails to manipulate AI systems into disclosing sensitive information. These vulnerabilities, experts warn, stem from the models’ inability to distinguish between legitimate user instructions and deceptive inputs, making them susceptible to jailbreaking and unauthorised data access. 

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre recently flagged these flaws as a rising threat, citing the potential for widespread phishing and scam operations targeting millions of users. Another critical issue is data poisoning where adversaries insert harmful content into datasets used to train AI models, effectively creating back doors.

Techniques like automated red teaming and external testing are being deployed to identify and mitigate these risks, but a definitive solution remains elusive.

Alibaba invests $281m to expand Taobao stores

Alibaba Group has announced a major investment of 2 billion yuan (£208m) to expand its footprint in China’s instant commerce sector. The initiative centers on transforming existing convenience stores into Taobao-branded outlets. These upgraded stores will serve as hubs for Alibaba’s on-demand delivery service, Taobao Shangou, and will be equipped with advanced digital infrastructure to streamline operations and enhance customer experience.

According to Hu Qiugen, general manager of Alibaba’s instant commerce division, participating stores will benefit from a suite of technological enhancements.

TV and video market on track for $1tn by 2030

The global video entertainment industry is poised for a major financial milestone, with combined revenues from online streaming and traditional television expected to surpass USD$1tn (£740bn) annually by 2030. This projection, drawn from two recent Omdia reports, highlights a shifting landscape where growth is increasingly driven by digital platforms. While pay-TV remains a significant contributor, its revenue trajectory is largely stagnant. In contrast, online video is surging, with streaming revenue forecasted to hit USD$214.6bn (£158.8 bn) in 2025, an annual growth rate of 12.8%. Subscription services will dominate this segment, accounting for 77% of the total, while premium advertising formats are set to generate $42.1bn (£31.2bn) globally, marking a 15.6% increase over the previous year.

According to Tony Gunnarsson, principal analyst at Omdia, “Streaming remains primarily a subscription business, and in 2025 the total number of paid subscriptions continues to grow steadily. But there is a wake-up call ahead: through to 2030, the market will keep expanding but lower annual growth rates are expected for premium streaming, reflecting that streaming has reached mass-market penetration globally.”