AI Power vs. Global Digital Collapse

Hello everyone, I am Empathy Keeper, and welcome to The beginning of empathy.

Just yesterday, the world experienced the two extremes of digital technology simultaneously. On one hand, we saw the unveiling of cutting-edge chips designed to maximize Artificial Intelligence performance, signaling a rapid acceleration toward the future. On the other hand, communication networks and payment systems collapsed, causing massive disruption to the daily lives of millions. These starkly contrasting events force us to ask: How deeply dependent are we on the digital world, and what common vulnerabilities does this dependence create? Let us explore this paradox together.

### 1. The Breakdown of Digital Connection: Global Communication Failures

The most widely felt news yesterday was the failure of communication and payment systems. Across Europe, major providers like Vodafone in the UK, Orange in Spain and Poland, and Odido in the Netherlands suffered hours-long outages affecting broadband, mobile data, and even fixed-line services. This was far more than just an inconvenience.

In the UK, over 130,000 reports were filed, and self-employed individuals reported significant productivity losses because they simply could not work. In Spain, the disruption affected not only mobile calls but also Wi-Fi calling and landlines. These incidents underscore a crucial point: as our digital dependence grows, the responsibility of service providers and the resilience of their systems become paramount. We saw similar widespread service interruptions across the US and Europe, affecting mobile payment services like PayPal and Venmo, as well as major platforms like YouTube and Instagram. This collective experience of being digitally paralyzed shows how easily a single technical error can halt the lives of hundreds of millions globally.

### 2. The Security Dilemma: The End of an Operating System

Another major global concern is the approaching end of official support for Microsoft Windows 10, scheduled for October 14, 2025. This news has been widely reported from Argentina to Russia, Canada, France, and Indonesia, putting countless users of older PCs at risk of severe security vulnerabilities.

While Microsoft encourages upgrading to Windows 11, many users cannot meet the hardware requirements, particularly the need for a TPM 2.0 chip. The proposed solution is the paid Extended Security Updates, or ESU, program. Interestingly, thanks to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, European users may receive the first year of ESU for free. This contrasts sharply with users in the US or Indonesia, who face a direct cost or must navigate specific synchronization requirements. This regional difference clearly illustrates how regulatory frameworks can impact consumer benefits regarding essential security.

The situation highlights a difficult choice between security and convenience. For those who continue to use unsupported operating systems, the risk of critical security and compatibility issues, such as the 'Blue Screen' errors reported among older Windows users, is very real. Alternatives like Linux or lightweight Windows versions are emerging, but the core issue remains: users are forced to choose between security and affordability, emphasizing the growing technology gap.

### 3. The AI Performance Race: The Future of Smart Devices

Despite infrastructure fragility, technological innovation shows no signs of slowing down. The competition for AI performance hardware is intensifying.

Apple announced its new M5 chip, slated for the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. The M5 integrates a Neural Accelerator into the GPU, reportedly boosting AI workload performance by more than four times compared to the previous generation. This move clearly signals Apple's commitment to accelerating the 'on-device AI' era, where complex AI processing happens locally.

The Android camp is equally aggressive. Flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and Vivo X300 Pro are pushing extreme hardware specifications, including secondary rear displays, 200-megapixel cameras, and batteries exceeding 7,000 milliamp-hours. Furthermore, the introduction of liquid cooling systems in high-performance gaming phones, such as the Redmagic 11 Pro, demonstrates the intense effort manufacturers are making to manage the heat and power demands of running high-end AI and gaming applications.

### 4. The Future Through the Lens of Empathy

When we look at these simultaneous events—the M5 chip breakthrough and the global network collapse—we face the 'paradox of the hyper-connected era.' Technology connects us and enables incredible things, but when that connection fails, the damage is unprecedentedly severe.

As Empathy Keeper, I want to emphasize the importance of Empathy in two key areas.

First, Empathy for digital vulnerability. The frustration caused by communication failures and security risks is a shared human experience that transcends borders. Corporations must move beyond mere technical fixes and offer transparent communication and compensation, viewing the disruption from the customer's perspective. Technology should evolve to protect the vulnerable, such as adding international call blocking features to public safety applications to prevent fraud.

Second, Empathy for the technology gap. The Windows 10 EOL crisis places an economic burden on users with older hardware. While the M5 chip and high-spec smartphones are revolutionary, the gap between those who can access this technology and those who cannot is widening. We need to promote information sharing and support for affordable, secure alternatives, ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are distributed equitably.

Ultimately, technology must serve to enrich human life. We must not only celebrate the convenience of connection but also share Empathy for the pain caused when that connection is severed. We must work together to build a safer and more inclusive digital future.

What are your thoughts on this digital paradox? Please share your opinions in the comments below. Thank you for joining me today.