The ongoing US government shutdown in October 2025 ignited global widespread concern about cyber security vulnerabilities, especially due to the temporary lapse of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015, which slowed federal threat intelligence funding.

However, the true risk exposed by the shutdown is not the pause in government operations, but rather a clear reminder that effective cyber defence begins within organisations themselves. While many focus on the potential for “cyber chaos,” the greater danger lies in relying too heavily on government intervention for cyber security protection.

Organisations around the world must instead prioritise their own security measures, such as zero-trust identity frameworks, supply-chain fortification, and proactive threat monitoring, to stay ahead of evolving threats.

The myth of government as a cyber shield

No government, whether in Washington, London, or Brussels, can be considered a cyber security saviour. Organisations with robust internal defenses should be minimally impacted by events like the US shutdown or proposed significant cuts to civilian cyber programmes.

The issue of overreliance on government support is not unique to the US; it should be a global concern. Governments around the world, from the UK to the EU, face financial and operational constraints that can delay their ability to provide timely and adequate cyber support. Remarkably, when the Solorigate/Sunburst incident occurred at SolarWinds in 2020, the American government itself was a victim due to weak internal controls, not a lack of federal alerts.

The real threat is the mistaken belief that resolving vulnerabilities published by government sources alone will ensure safety from attacks. Cyber security must be viewed as an organisational responsibility, not a public service.

Government limitations in cyber defence

Governments can help standardise threat intelligence and regulate basic cyber security controls, but the notion that they form the backbone of global cyber security is a misconception. The US shutdown reflects challenges faced internationally. For example, in 2017, the UK’s NHS suffered a major ransomware attack due to outdated security practices and slow patching, not because of government inaction.

During the 2018-2019 US shutdown, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) operated with only 10% of its staff, yet breaches did not increase as a direct result. This is because the process of patching vulnerabilities is typically slow and lags behind updates from government threat feeds, which can overwhelm security teams.

Additionally, vulnerability scoring often lacks sufficient context, leading to misrepresentation of the true threat landscape. Relying solely on governmental threat feeds is insufficient, much like waiting for a weather report only after you are already affected.

Building an adaptive, self-reliant defence

The primary reason that even well-resourced organisations continue to experience breaches is not a lack of government support, but rather weak identity security controls and limited visibility into identity credentials. Nearly 80% of all web-based attacks stem from identity compromise, and 59% of breaches can be attributed to identity-driven threats, highlighting how the issue is often higher than reported.

While unpatched vulnerabilities can provide entry points for attackers, the underlying issue is frequently a weak identity security platform that allows credentials to remain unchecked and move freely within an organisation. This recurring pattern is evident in many security breaches. To counteract this, organisations must reinforce their defences by focusing on zero-trust identity frameworks, supply-chain fortification, and proactive threat monitoring.

Zero-trust: More than a buzzword

Zero-trust identity security is not merely a trendy concept; it represents a fundamental shift in mindset. Every user should be considered a potential threat, necessitating risk-based, adaptive identity security controls to prevent compromise.

Strengthening identity security includes auditing identity providers and accounts, removing blind spots, enforcing least-privilege access, implementing adaptive access controls, and integrating real-time behavioral analytics.

As government services lag, adaptive zero-trust identity security becomes the critical firewall against chaos, and with AI-driven attacks expected to rise by 40% by 2027, vigilance and self-reliance are increasingly vital.

For instance, one healthcare organisation used predictive analytics to thwart a ransomware attack before it could spread, demonstrating the importance of combining robust internal monitoring with external intelligence for proactive threat defense.

A new era of cyber independence

The Trump administration’s budget suggests a shift away from civilian cyber programmes, prompting the private sector to innovate and fill the gaps. This trend is likely to continue globally as governments face budgetary pressures. For cyber security professionals and organisations, this transition should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a setback.

Private firms, ISACs, and open-source intelligence sources can offer robust alternatives to government-provided options. The shutdown reveals a fundamental truth: cyber security is the responsibility of organisations themselves, not the government.

Take control today

Organisations must not allow government shutdowns or policy changes to dictate the strength of their cyber security. If government disruptions cause concern, that fear is misplaced.

Instead, focus should be placed on building a resilient security ecosystem. Investing in zero-trust security by implementing adaptive and comprehensive identity security platforms is essential.

Organisations should also strengthen supply chain security and third-party diligence through regular audits and ensure continuous monitoring of threat exposure both internally and externally. Expanding internal monitoring and integrating threat intelligence from multiple sources will further enhance security posture.

Ultimately, effective organisational cyber security is not about surviving a government shutdown, but about continuously outsmarting and outmaneuvering adversaries who never rest. By acting now, organisations can turn government pauses into strategic advantages, achieving greater self-reliance and adaptability in cyber defense.

John Paul Cunningham is chief information security officer (CISO) at Silverfort, an identity security specialist.

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The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OpenAI to provide civil servants with access to ChatGPT Enterprise. The MoU includes the option of UK data residency for customers using the OpenAI API Platform, ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Edu. 

OpenAI technology is being used across the UK government to provide artificial intelligence (AI) in several tools, including the Whitehall AI assistant, Humphrey, which has been designed to ease the administrative burden on civil servants.

OpenAI is also behind the government’s Consult tool, which supports the policymaking process by automatically sorting public consultation responses, a task that typically takes officials weeks but can now be completed in minutes, while leaving important decisions to experts.

The agreement supports the MoJ’s AI action plan for justice, and will provide 2,500 employees with access to ChatGPT Enterprise. It follows a successful pilot that showed time-saving benefits across a range of routine tasks including writing support, compliance and legal work, data and research processes, and document analysis.

Given the current geopolitical climate, IT leaders in both the public and private sector are rethinking how they go about maintaining digital sovereignty. This has resulted in the adoption of geographically isolated availability zones from the hyperscale cloud providers.

However, given these businesses are predominantly US-headquartered, there is a risk that under the US Cloud Act, lawmakers have a legal route to access data held outside of the US. A bigger potential risk is if a foreign government prevents access to the services provided by a US-headquartered software provider. As a consequence, there are plans in Europe to develop sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure.

Commenting on the MoU, deputy prime minister David Lammy said: “Our partnership with OpenAI places Britain firmly in the driving seat of the global tech revolution – leading the world in innovation and using technology to deliver fairness and opportunity for every corner of the United Kingdom.”

OpenAI said the MoU agreement with the UK government includes a focus on expanding the UK’s sovereign AI capability.

Following the Stargate UK AI infrastructure partnership with Nvidia and Nscale, which was signed in September 2025 to coincide with US president Donald Trump’s state visit, OpenAI is now introducing UK data residency, which it said would give British customers and developers the option to store their data in the UK to help meet local data protection preferences or requirements. The Ministry of Justice will be the first to benefit from this offer as part of the MoU agreement.

UK-headquartered startup Nscale is one of the companies with strong links to the UK government’s AI expansion plans. Last month, it announced it had partnered with Microsoft to deliver the UK’s largest AI supercomputer at Nscale’s AI Campus in Loughton. Due to go live in 2027, the site will initially house 23,040 Nvidia GB300 graphics processing units (GPUs) for Microsoft UK’s Azure public cloud service. 

The Open AI Stargate UK initiative also uses Nscale infrastructure, which will be set to go live in Q1 2026. This has the potential to scale to 31,000 Nvidia GPUs over time. 

“The number of people using our products in the UK has increased fourfold in the past year,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. “It’s exciting to see them using AI to save time, increase productivity and get more done. Civil servants are using ChatGPT to improve public services and established firms are reimagining operations. We’re proud to continue supporting the UK and the government’s AI plan.”

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You may have to pay to play, but who says you need to pay top-dollar to have a good pair of headphones? A Sony headset deal happening on Amazon right now, for under $10 proves that budget-friendly audio is achievable. The Sony ZX Series wired on-ear headphones, available in black or white, can be snagged at that price for a limited time. Despite being lightweight, they pack some punchy sound thanks to two 1.38-inch neodymium dynamic drivers. Cushioned earpads keep your ears cozy no matter how long you’re wearing them, making them excellent for travel. Meanwhile, they’re wired so you don’t have to worry about battery life, just make sure they’re compatible with your device, as some newer phones don’t have a 3.5mm port.

The portability of the ZX Series is one of the main selling points. You could take them back and forth between home and the office, use them during your commute, or wear them around the house when you need a lightweight pair, like when cleaning. The swivel, folding design means they’ll fit in any purse, day bag, or backpack, plus the cable is designed to be tangle-free and snag-resistant. No more pulling headphones out of your bag to find a nasty wad of tangled cords. When you look at the complete package, $10 isn’t a bad price at all for what you’re getting. That’s cheaper than most fast food meals these days. Sure, opting for a pair like the Beats Studio Pro over AirPods Max may get you improved audio and a more compact fit, but those will set you back over $170, and that’s if they’re on sale.

Why are these Sony ZX Series wired headphones so cheap?

The super low price might initially give the impression to some that these Sony ZX headphones are low-quality. That’s not true at all. While Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones are still some of the best for active noise cancellation (ANC) on the market, they’re quadruple the price, especially with this Amazon discount live. With these wired headphones, you’re giving up wireless connectivity, ANC, and other bells and whistles like a carrying case. But if you’re just listening to music, podcasts, or some audiobooks and don’t care about lossless qualities or high-range fidelity, these will do just fine. That’s also what makes them such a fantastic secondary pair.

You can have an expensive pair for those times where crystal clear audio is preferred, but if you’re ever worried about losing those while out and about, Sony’s ZX makes for a great alternative. For example, the ZX Series would be great for chilling at the beach, as you wouldn’t want to risk losing your expensive buds to the tide. You also don’t have to worry if they get damaged or exposed to the sand, an inevitability of every beach day. That said, if you make these your core headphones, you’ll still come away happy. The 30mm drivers and 12Hz to 22kHz wide frequency response range mean the audio is going to sound crisp, clear, and full of bass, and everyone knows it’s all about that bass. Plus, that puts these Sony ZX Series on par with some of the best headphones out there.

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The US state of Maryland has launched a statewide Vulnerability Disclosure Programme (VDP) to give ethical hackers the chance to probe systems across its government for flaws and vulnerabilities and allow them safe, straightforward and transparent reporting mechanisms.

The programme, which will be operated by bug bounty and VDP programme specialists at Bugcrowd, will give Maryland access to a well-established community of hackers, proven workflows and scalable reporting infrastructure. The state’s leaders said that working in this way would increase hacker participation, improve the efficiency of vulnerability triaging and enable internal IT teams to stay focused on remediation while maintaining value for the state’s taxpayers.

Writing on LinkedIn, acting Maryland state CISO James Saunders said: “Cyber security is often called a team sport. I believe that deeply, and more importantly, we are all on the same team. If you see something insecure, report it. Every observation helps us strengthen our defences and improve together.

“At its core, cyber security has always been about people. Technology matters, but trust, communication, and shared responsibility matter more. These efforts remind us that when we collaborate, learn, and protect one another, we make Maryland stronger – together!”

Maryland is not the first American jurisdiction to operate such a programme, California, Iowa, Ohio, Delaware, Minnesota, Idaho, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Washington DC also operate such schemes, but the creation of the VDP at this moment in time in part reflects growing momentum among state governments to take more charge of their own affairs as cuts to the currently shutdown federal government continue.

In the cyber security sector, concerns continue to swirl following cutbacks to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which critics of the Trump administration say limits the US’ capacity to respond to cyber threats both within its borders and on the global stage.

In recent days, CISA – which sits within the Department of Homeland Security – saw its Stakeholder Engagement Division hit by sweeping layoffs, according to our sister title Cybersecurity Dive. Citing sources familiar with the matter, it reported that the latest cuts would leave units that engage with academic institutions, CNI operators, government agencies, non-profits, SMEs, and state and local governments effectively unstaffed.

Compulsory intel sharing

Meanwhile, additional to its new VDP, Maryland is expanding its in-house Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (MD-ISAC), mandating the participation of all state agencies, local governments, critical infrastructure operators and private sector partners working in the state.

Saunders said real-time collaboration and trusted information sharing were “essential to our collective resilience in today’s fast-moving cyber landscape”.

According to state leaders, a number of “critical cyber security incidents” have highlighted that Maryland lacks a single, secure, and universal channel to spread sensitive threat information and incident details in a timely manner.

Compulsory participation will give in-scope bodies access to a repository of threat indicators to allow cyber teams to research new threats and enhance detection and prevention capabilities; state specific threat data related to patterns, trends and anomalies seen on Maryland’s own systems; and continuous threat exchange collaboration capabilities.

“Maryland officials point to earlier bug bounty pilots, where researchers identified dozens of issues, as proof that involving the hacker community demonstrably reduces risk,” said Noelle Murata, senior security engineer at Xcape, a managed security services provider (MSSP).

“With James Saunders newly installed as state CISO, the project suggests a push to standardise intake, safe-harbour reporting, and remediation across agencies. The combined goal of VDP and MD-ISAC is to transform ad hoc findings into statewide speed alerts and actionable remedies.

“Maryland’s message to defenders and researchers is simple – if you see something, say something, and we’ll fix it fast, together,” she said.

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Bereaved families are calling for a public inquiry over “repeated failures” by the government and online harms regulator Ofcom to effectively deal with a “nihilistic” suicide forum.

According to a report by the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), a suicide prevention charity targeted to people under the age of 25, government departments were warned a total of 65 times about the online forum.

It added that, so far, the forum has been linked to the deaths of at least 133 people in the UK over the past five years, after they obtained toxic chemicals promoted by the site.

While the forum owners voluntarily moved to block UK IP addressed from accessing the site in response to an Ofcom investigation launched in April 2025, the MRF claims the regulator is “failing to take the necessary steps” to prevent the ongoing threat posed by the site.

Under the Online Safety Act – which became law in October 2023 but only went into full effect on 25 July 2025 – Ofcom was able from March 2025 to take action against sites hosting illegal content, which includes content promoting suicide. If sites fail to show they have systems in place to remove illegal material, Ofcom can block them or impose fines of up to £18m.

According to a 13 October 2025 update from Ofcom, while the site initially contained messaging on its landing page telling users how to circumvent the block, this was subsequently removed following further engagement from the regulator.

“These restrictions have reduced the likelihood that people in the UK will be exposed to illegal or harmful content that may be present on the service, meaning safer online experiences for them,” it said. “We are actively monitoring these restrictions to check they are maintained consistently and to make sure that the service refrains from promoting or encouraging ways for UK users to avoid them. Depending on the outcome of our monitoring process, we may re-assess prioritisation of this case in line with our general approach to enforcement.”

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the MRF, said the state’s failure “to protect its vulnerable citizens means that the nihilistic potential of a suicide forum has cost countless lives”, adding: “It is inexplicable that Ofcom has left the fate of a forum that exists to groom and coerce others to end their lives [to itself] rather than take swift and decisive action to legally shut it down in the UK. Nothing less than a public inquiry is now needed to learn the countless lessons and act on them to save lives.”

The MRF said that Ofcom should have moved to restrict access itself, rather than leaving it to the site operators. The MRF also claims that despite multiple government departments – including the Home Office, Department for Health and Social Care, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology – being warned a combined total of 65 times by both campaigners and coroners about the risk of further deaths since 2019, no concerted action was taken.

Instead, they accused the departments of playing “pass the parcel” with their concerns, and highlighted how there are no mechanisms in place to track whether action is taken in response to coroners’ concerns.

Bereaved families who are part of Families and Survivors to Prevent Online Suicide Harms have now written to the prime minister calling for an inquiry into why these warnings have been ignored.  

“We have seen government departments work ineffectively to respond to emerging suicide threats. A suicide forum being allowed to continue to promote a harmful substance over a number of years; regulation that allows for the sale of a lethal poison to vulnerable people domestically and from overseas; and frontline responses that have let down some of those most in need of support,” they wrote. “This is despite the numerous warnings from coroners, investigations by journalists and the sustained efforts of bereaved family members to shine a spotlight on these harms.”

While the government has not confirmed whether it will consider an inquiry, it said sites must prevent users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content or face “robust enforcement, including substantial fines”.

A government spokesperson added that the substance in question “is closely monitored and is reportable under the Poisons Act”, meaning retailers should tell the authorities if they suspect it is being bought to cause harm.

A message on the forum’s homepage says it was not blocked in the UK as a result of government action, but instead because of a “proactive” decision to “protect the platform and its users”.

“We operate under the protection of the First Amendment. However, UK authorities have signalled intentions to enforce their domestic laws on foreign platforms, potentially leading to criminal liability or service disruption,” it said.

In a statement given to Computer Weekly, Ofcom said: “In response to our enforcement action, the online suicide forum put in place a geo-block to restrict access by people with UK IP addresses. Services that choose to block access by people in the UK must not encourage or promote ways to avoid these restrictions.”

It added that the forum remained on its watchlist and that its previous investigation into the site remained open while it checked the block was being maintained.

If you’re struggling, text MRF to 85258 so you can speak to a trained volunteer from Shout, the UK’s Crisis Text Line service.

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By Sai Vsr Oct. 5, 2025 3:17 pm EST

Houston just became the proving ground for a development that many in the freight world have been waiting for: a completely driverless validation run. Bot Auto’s autonomous trucking platform rolled onto the highway without a backup driver in the cab, and without a remote operator babysitting from afar. This wasn’t a tightly staged stunt or a limited pilot — this was a real run, under real conditions, with the system fully in charge. That might not seem like much if you’ve been following the slow crawl of self-driving tests over the past decade, but it’s a milestone that changes the conversation.

Traditionally, autonomous trucking companies have talked a big game while keeping a human in the loop. Even the most confident startups refused to let trucks operate without someone ready to grab the wheel. This validation run breaks that barrier. According to Bot Auto, the system managed lane merges, timed traffic interactions, and handled logistics timing end-to-end. For an industry that runs on thin margins and depends on reliability above all else, the fact that the truck didn’t need a handoff at any point is more than symbolic — it’s the first real proof that the technology can stand on its own.

Why this matters for the industry

Trucking is the backbone of supply chains in North America, and it’s been under stress for years. The American Trucking Associations has estimated a driver shortage of tens of thousands, with retirements outpacing new entrants. Longer routes are harder to fill, delivery times get pushed, and the pressure trickles down to businesses and consumers alike. This is where autonomous AI trucking comes in as a possible lifeline.

The Houston test doesn’t solve everything overnight, but it eliminates the main question mark hanging over the field: Can a truck actually operate without human supervision? Now that the answer is “yes,” the conversation shifts to scalability. With AI handling the bulk of highway driving, the industry could see a reduction in accidents caused by fatigue, more predictable delivery schedules, and better fuel optimization through smarter routing. In short, efficiency gains at nearly every level.

It’s also about labor flexibility. Driverless semis don’t replace every human job outright, but they can take on the grueling long-haul legs that often keep new drivers away from the field. Humans could be shifted to regional and last-mile routes, where local knowledge and customer interaction hold a lot of importance. The test in Houston essentially shows that the technology can fill the gap no one wants: 600 miles of straight interstate at 2 a.m. This essentially brings in a shift in how the logistics workforce might be structured for the next decade.

What happens next

Ironheart/Getty Images

Of course, one successful run isn’t the end of the story. Regulators aren’t going to greenlight fleets of AI semis on every highway tomorrow. Safety agencies will want more data, in more conditions, across more routes. At the same time, logistics operators will run their own risk calculations. Sure, the cost savings are quite tempting, but trust doesn’t come overnight when you’re asking companies to put millions of dollars’ worth of freight into a truck with no driver on board.

Still, the Houston breakthrough is a turning point. Up until now, autonomous trucking has been stuck in a kind of holding pattern — constantly “two years away.” This is the first time a company has shown that the tech can truly hold its own. If Bot Auto and its rivals can keep showing the same results, the next step would be moving from one-off demos to actual freight work. That won’t mean trucks suddenly running coast to coast. You’d probably just see early deployment along a few well-mapped freight lanes in the South or Southwest, where the climate is predictable and regulators are already engaged. From there, expansion would happen gradually, depending on how well the systems perform and how quickly industry partners buy in.

And the effects won’t stop at shipping rates; insurance policies, highway planning, and even truck design could all shift once fleets start to include more AI-operated vehicles. Houston might have been the first proof point, but the significance of this run is likely to ripple well beyond Texas and into the entire freight industry.

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Abu Dhabi is turning racetracks into laboratories – on the Yas Marina circuit, better known for hosting Formula One, the Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is transforming motorsport into a proving ground for AI, robotics, and next-generation mobility systems.

Organised by Aspire, the programme management and challenge-led arm of the emirate’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), A2RL sits at the intersection of research, competition, and regulation. The goal is to make Abu Dhabi a world leader in autonomous innovation by taking AI and robotics out of simulation and into the real world.

“For me, A2RL represents the perfect fusion of passion and purpose,” said Stéphane Timpano, CEO of Aspire.

“Racing has always been about pushing machines to their limits, and in autonomy we’re now pushing algorithms to do the same. Representing the UAE on this global stage is a privilege because it shows the world that Abu Dhabi is not just following innovation trends, it’s setting them.”

Each race places AI systems under the kinds of stress that future autonomous vehicles will face on public roads, from GPS dropouts and sensor faults to unpredictable human inputs and split-second decisions at 250 km/h. These conditions generate valuable data for engineers developing the safety and reliability systems that will underpin tomorrow’s driverless transport.

“The racetrack is a live laboratory,” Timpano said. “Every lap, every overtake, every algorithmic decision is a glimpse into the future of mobility.”

Beyond motorsport: a deep-tech ecosystem

A2RL is not an isolated experiment. It is part of a wider national strategy to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for deep-tech innovation. Within the ATRC ecosystem, while Aspire defines grand challenges, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) develops the underlying technologies, and VentureOne turns those breakthroughs into commercial ventures.

“A2RL is deeply embedded in the UAE’s innovation ecosystem,” Timpano said. “Because it’s organised by Aspire, part of ATRC, insights from the racetrack feed directly into research at TII and commercialisation pathways at VentureOne. This full-stack model is rare globally.”

A2RL’s vehicles, developed with TII, use identical Super Formula-derived chassis fitted with UAE-designed sensor stacks and computing units. That standardisation means teams compete purely on algorithmic performance, ensuring transparency and comparability of AI capabilities.

This integration between research, testing, and commercialisation sets Abu Dhabi apart. “What we learn on the track doesn’t stay in competition,” Timpano said. “It moves into logistics, smart city planning, and even climate-tech applications.”

“Every lap, every overtake, every algorithmic decision is a glimpse into the future of mobility”

Stéphane Timpano, Aspire

The UAE views A2RL as both an R&D accelerator and a strategic signal of intent. It aligns with the country’s ambition to diversify its economy, attract global talent, and establish itself as a trusted testbed for emerging technologies.

“A2RL allows us to test autonomy under extreme conditions, generate valuable data, and shape the regulatory frameworks that will govern tomorrow’s smart mobility systems,” Timpano said. “For us, competition is more than a spectacle, it’s a strategic tool to accelerate trust, innovation, and leadership.”

The league’s first season drew international teams from the US, Europe, and Asia, and more than 600,000 online viewers. A parallel AI drone race, in which an autonomous drone outpaced a professional human pilot, showcased the UAE’s growing leadership in multi-vehicle autonomy.

In 2025, A2RL will form the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, expanding into air, sea, and land mobility categories and uniting researchers, regulators, and manufacturers under a single ecosystem.

“It’s where policy, R&D, and industry come together,” said Timpano. “A2RL is the public showcase of that progress where research meets real-world application in front of a global audience.”

Inspiring and training the next generation

A2RL is also helping shape the UAE’s next generation of innovators. The excitement of seeing AI-driven vehicles compete at the limits of physics has inspired Emirati students to pursue careers in coding, data science, and robotics.

“Through our STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) programmes, students are learning to code drones, design algorithms, and build systems that can compete on a world stage,” said Timpano.

In partnership with Unicef, Aspire recently launched a drone STEM initiative where over 100 Emirati students received training in drone design and AI flight control with more than 60% earning international drone operator certification.

For startups, the league doubles as a live demonstration platform, offering a space to trial sensing, perception, and AI control systems under real-world stress and in front of global investors and equipment manufacturers.

“Over time, I believe the league will be remembered not just for its competitions, but for the ecosystem of talent, ventures, and breakthroughs it helped ignite in Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy,” said Timpano.

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Thanks to continuous advancements in TV technology, televisions are better and more affordable than ever. As a result, if you’re in the market for a new TV on a tight budget, you don’t have to sacrifice too much on features or picture quality. Most TV models on sale in 2025 have 4K resolution and include features such as HDR support, wide color gamut, multiple HDMI ports for seamless connectivity, and a smart TV operating system, providing easy access to apps, including popular streaming services.

Some models also include gaming features and advanced audio capabilities so that you don’t miss out on gaming or the best audio that the movie world has to offer. However, if you want the most bang for your buck, it can be tricky to choose between dozens of affordable and decent TV models. To help, we have handpicked the best affordable TVs on Amazon to buy right now.

Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (50-inch)

The 50-inch model of Amazon’s Fire TV 4-Series is one of the best cheap TVs you can buy. With a price tag of $400, which is often discounted to around $300, this Amazon TV model has several advantages. It features a 4K HDR panel, which may not compare to high-end TVs in terms of brightness or accuracy but has a good contrast ratio and a reasonable color gamut. The TV design is fairly nondescript, but that’s to be expected from a budget model. You also get four HDMI 2.0 ports, one of which doubles as an eARC port, enabling you to pass audio seamlessly to a connected soundbar or AV receiver.

As the name suggests, the Fire TV 4-Series runs on Amazon’s Fire operating system, which provides access to all popular streaming services and the Alexa voice assistant. In addition to navigating your TV, you can use Alexa to control compatible smart home devices. The Amazon Fire TV 4-Series has garnered an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 from almost 1,500 reviews. Amazon shoppers appreciate its value for money quotient, clear and vibrant visuals, and easy setup process. However, some buyers point out its poor viewing angles and excessive advertisements. 

Roku Select Series (55-inch)

Like Amazon, Roku offers its own lineup of televisions, with the 55-inch Select Series model being an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers. This 4K TV comes with a price tag of $350, but you can often purchase it for as low as $300 after a discount. It runs on the company’s Roku Smart TV operating system, which is known for its ease of use and intuitive design. Like other smart TV operating systems, it offers apps (or channels, as Roku prefers to call them) for all the most popular streaming services and supports live local TV broadcasts. 

One highlight of the Roku OS is the built-in support for Apple AirPlay, which enables you to cast content from your Apple device to your TV. In other features, the company has included support for both HDR10 and HDR10+ to enjoy high dynamic range content; the presence of HDR10+ is particularly notable, as it is often not found on budget TVs. There are also three HDMI 2.0 ports, including an eARC port and Wi-Fi 5 connectivity.

Amazon shoppers have given the Roku Select Series an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from around 1,200 reviews. Some of the positives mentioned by buyers include ease of use, a responsive interface, and cost-effectiveness. However, a small selection of buyers are not happy with the sound quality and the need to use a USB-C to USB-A adapter for connecting USB-A accessories with the TV.

Hisense A7NF

If you prefer the Fire TV operating system and want a budget 4K TV with a wide color gamut, the Hisense A7NF is a no-brainer. The 55-inch model of this Hisense TV will cost you only $350, or even less if you are willing to wait for a deal, which are often available. Besides a wide color gamut, it packs several features that you don’t get in most affordable TVs, such as support for variable refresh rate (VRR), a feature typically used in gaming, Dolby Vision HDR, and Dolby Atmos. However, VRR support is limited to 48Hz to 60Hz, as the TV doesn’t have a high refresh rate panel.

As mentioned, it runs on Amazon’s Fire TV operating system, giving you access to the Alexa voice assistant, the ability to control compatible smart home devices from your TV, and all popular streaming services. Moreover, the TV has AirPlay support, two HDMI 2.0 ports, one HDMI eARC port, and two USB-A ports for connecting external storage drives.

Thanks to its impressive features, the Hisense A7NF is well-liked among Amazon buyers, who have given it an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 from over 560 reviews. Shoppers enjoy its well-balanced feature set and aggressive pricing. However, the TV is not without its faults, as some buyers had issues with game mode, Hisense customer service, and viewing angles.

Hisense QD6QF

Want a large screen size, tons of features, and Fire TV OS? It’s hard to go wrong with the 65-inch model of the Hisense QD6QF. Part of Hisense’s quantum dot lineup, the QD6QF is a QLED TV (which differs from LCD and OLED) with 4K resolution, meaning it can deliver vibrant and lifelike visuals. Like the A7NF, it runs on Fire TV OS and supports AirPlay, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and VRR. However, it also comes with Filmmaker Mode, a special picture mode designed to eliminate the extra processing introduced by the TV, allowing the content creator’s vision to remain true.

It also comes with four HDMI ports, including an eARC port and two USB-A ports. The USB ports are limited to USB 2.0 speeds and 2.5W power, like most other televisions, which restricts the types of devices you can connect to them.

The TV is priced at $400 and has an average user rating of 4 out of 5 on Amazon from over 900 reviews. A small selection of buyers reported receiving defective units, whereas others found the Fire TV implementation on the QD6QF to be buggy and slow. Otherwise, the TV has generally positive reviews, with shoppers highlighting its good picture quality, affordable pricing, and decent built-in speakers.

TCL Q651F

The 65-inch model of the TCL Q651F is another excellent large-screen TV that’s affordable and chock-full of exciting features. It will set you back $380 and comes with features such as 4K resolution, Quantum Dot technology, and support for Dolby Vision, Atmos, HDR10+, and AirPlay 2. The TV runs on Amazon Fire OS, meaning you get the same smart TV features as most of our other recommendations, including access to a wide range of apps and games, as well as the Alexa voice assistant. Plus, you get three HDMI 2.0 ports and one USB 2.0 Type-A port (here are some good ways to use it).

One notable feature of the TCL TV is its support for VRR and 120Hz refresh rate at 1080p resolution, making it a decent, cheap gaming TV. However, you’ll only get the refresh rate of 60Hz when playing games in 4K, as the TV’s native refresh rate is 60Hz, and in order to increase it, the TV has to lower the resolution. The TCL Q651F has received an average rating of 4 out of 5 from over 540 reviews on Amazon. Buyers appreciate the TV’s excellent picture quality and the easy setup process. However, some individuals have experienced issues with customer service when they received defective units.

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Abu Dhabi is accelerating its aim to become a global hub for deep technology, and at the centre of this effort is VentureOne, a government-backed venture builder turning cutting-edge research into market-ready startups.

In just 18 months, it has launched four deep-tech companies, a pace that underscores how the UAE’s coordinated approach to innovation is reshaping the journey from laboratory breakthroughs to commercial success.

That pace is no coincidence. VentureOne sits within the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), alongside Aspire, which identifies real-world challenges, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), which develops the technology to solve them. VentureOne then takes those breakthroughs and turns them into commercial ventures.

“Our pace comes from having a fully integrated innovation ecosystem under ATRC,” says Reda Nidhakou, CEO of VentureOne.

“This pipeline minimises fragmentation and accelerates the journey from lab to market. Early internal funding gives each startup room to validate its technology and hire as needed, ensuring both speed and quality.”

The approach reflects a broader national ambition – to make the UAE not only a consumer of global technology but also a creator of it. By linking research, innovation, and commercialisation under one umbrella, Abu Dhabi has built a model designed to deliver homegrown, high-impact startups at scale.

Unlike traditional incubators, VentureOne doesn’t chase trends – it focuses on solving critical challenges. “We don’t choose sectors, we choose problems,” says Nidhakou. That has led to ventures in AI, autonomous robotics, post-quantum cyber security, and climate technology, fields that often require heavy R&D and long-term vision but deliver transformational value once commercialised.

The process starts with Aspire, which collaborates with government entities, industry leaders, and end-users to select problems worth solving. TII’s researchers then develop prototypes or proofs of concept, and VentureOne steps in to evaluate scalability, pilot with clients, and design viable business models.

“This demand-led, data-driven model replaces speculation with validation,” Nidhakou says. “It dramatically increases our chances of delivering measurable, real-world impact.”

A major differentiator in Abu Dhabi’s model is talent. VentureOne has successfully attracted researchers and engineers from global tech giants such as Google, DeepMind, Meta, and Microsoft. According to Nidhakou, this is about more than competitive salaries or quality of life: “At ATRC, people get to build something valuable from start to finish. They work on high-impact challenges and see their innovations deployed. That sense of purpose is deeply motivating.”

Supporting this ecosystem is the UAE’s agile regulatory framework and unified innovation agenda. Government-backed funding reduces early-stage risk, while clear pathways to licensing and market entry make it easier for startups to grow.

“The government wants to export deep tech,” Nidhakou says. “They create an environment where technologies can be developed, validated, and scaled rapidly.”

Of course, turning research into viable products is not without challenges. The toughest part, Nidhakou admits, is bridging the “last mile” between technical readiness and market deployment. Many prototypes fail because they aren’t designed for integration or compliance. VentureOne tackles this by embedding engineering and advisory teams alongside clients to co-develop scalable, market-ready solutions.

The results are already visible. Four startups have launched across multiple sectors, each addressing real-world problems with advanced technology and strategic market validation, and more are set to follow over the next year.

“We’re seeing great traction locally and internationally,” says Nidhakou. “VentureOne is helping position the UAE as a global hub for bold, high-impact deep-tech ventures. Our goal now is to keep the momentum and build a strong ecosystem of successful, homegrown companies.”

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Telco Orange has revealed the first landing on European soil of the Medusa undersea cable system, designed to transform infrastructure in the Mediterranean region.

Owned by African infrastructure and telecoms operator AFR-IX Telecom, the Medusa Submarine Cable System is 8,760km long, and will be the first and longest subsea cable to connect the main Mediterranean countries, providing access to telecommunications infrastructure and 16 landing points around the Mediterranean Sea.

The cable will have segments with up to 24 fibre pairs, with a capacity of 20Tbs per fibre pair. Its festoon architecture is said to offer a unique design.

Designed as an open-access system, Medusa will look to offer telecom providers across the region with access to advanced connectivity services, supporting the roll-out of 5G, the growth of cloud infrastructure, and the increasing bandwidth demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and future technologies.

Operationally, Medusa will have two main regions: Europe and North Africa. In Europe, it has local operational branches in Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. These branches hold licenses and permits. The Network Operations Centre is based in Europe. In North Africa, Medusa has agreements with local licensed operators for landing parties.

Medusa is seen as being crucial for developing the digital ecosystem of populations in North African countries, taking a significant step towards closing the digital divide between Europe and North Africa, connecting countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Egypt with high-capacity fibre-optic links to six European Union (EU) member states: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus.

The investment is expected to have a positive impact on the economy of these countries, which will lead to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It is also backed financially by the EU.

With the arrival of the 1,050km-long submarine cable segment, Orange says it is reaffirming its commitment to international connectivity and digital dynamism in the Mediterranean through the continued development of its infrastructure in Marseille.

The cable is part of the ongoing development of submarine networks connecting both sides of the Mediterranean, from Marseille to Bizerte in Tunisia, meeting growing needs for bandwidth in the region.

With the fully redundant fibre optic infrastructure, Orange says it will provide its Marseille customers with simple, secure and direct access to all of the city’s datacentres, which are now interconnected and also have direct links to major European hubs such as Paris, London and Frankfurt, as well as the rest of the world. All aspects of the cable are fully managed by Orange, including from a technical, regulatory, security and environmental point of view.

The Marseille-Bizerte segment also benefits from co-financing by the EU through the Connecting Europe Facility. Three pairs of fibre belonging to Orange are supported in the framework of the European Global Gateway strategy, aimed at strengthening connections between Europe and Africa, supporting digital transition and reducing the digital divide.

The Medusa cable provider is Alcatel Submarine Networks. Elettra, a subsidiary of Orange and the project coordinator, managed the operation. Orange Marine’s cable ship, Sophie Germain, was tasked with the cable landing operations in Marseille. 

“We are proud to bring our leadership and expertise to the Medusa cable, hosted within our secure infrastructure in Marseille, with laying operations carried out by our cable ships, Teliri and Sophie Germain,” said Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale.

“Our infrastructure offers a key link in Mediterranean basin connectivity, ensuring digital resilience and supporting socio-economic development,” he added. “With this landing, Orange enhances Europe’s digital sovereignty and positions Marseille as a global digital hub, now hosting the arrival of 17 submarine cables connected worldwide.”

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