Looking at only those news stories written in the last week, the most read stories on the site cover Raspberry Pi expanded its Touch Display 2 devices, a falling SOX index, and Chinese president Xi Xinping addressing the World AI Conference in Shanghai.

And there’s also Intel planning more layoffs in its datacentre and AI group and the latest UK government shakeup for ministers….

As always, let’s take them in reverse order, as according to Google Analytics:

5. Raspberry Pi goes big screen with 10-inch Touch Display 2
Raspberry Pi has expanded its range of multi-touch capacitive touch panels with a 10-inch Touch Display 2. You attach a Raspberry Pi to the rear of the display, via four M2.5 screws, and it is powered from the Pi’s GPIO, so a separate power supply is not needed. Note, however, the 10-inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 is only compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5 or Raspberry Pi Compute Modules (via a Raspberry Pi Compute Module IO Board or another compatible carrier board).

4. Semi stocks falling
Semiconductor company shares have lost over $3tn in value since June. The SOX is 20% lower than its June high and the iShares Semiconductor ETF is down 15% from June. Taiwan’s Taiex is down 10% since June, the Shanghai Star Market has fallen 25% ​from its 1 July ⁠peak. Kioxia’s share price has halved since its high in June. Arm shares have fallen from $439 in June to $267. Micron and SK Hynix shares are down 30% or more from their June highs. TSMC is 15% down on its June peak.

3. Xi sets out China’s AI stall
Chinese president Xi Xinping told the World AI Conference in Shanghai at the weekend: “As ancient Chinese observed: ‘A man of wisdom adapts to changes. A man of knowledge acts by circumstances’. “With AI advancing at a staggering speed, we must ensure its development is for the positive, for good, and for humanity,” added Xi. Xi put four questions to the conference. First, how to get along with thinking machines? Second, how to ensure security when algorithm is part of decision making?…

2. Intel planning more lay-offs
Intel said yesterday it is planning more layoffs in its datacentre and AI group (DCG). The number of layoffs has not been stated. “As part of our broader strategy to become a more focused and efficient company, DCG is aligning its organisation to ensure it has the right roles and skills in place to position the business for long-term success,” said Intel. “We are committed to treating all impacted employees with respect and providing resources to support them through this transition.”

1. Shake-up for tech ministers
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been abolished with most of its functions taken over by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST). Jonathan Reynolds has been appointed secretary of state for BIST. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will take over the functions of overseeing digital transformation and online harms, which had been the responsibility of the DSIT. The UK’s minister for AI – Kanishka Narayan (pictured) – now has the right to attend cabinet meetings.