growth[intelligence]

AI Mathematics Advances — OpenAI reported an internal model it has not released solved 400 previously unsolved mathematical problems in a development that has many leading mathematicians saying the field is forever changed. OpenAI did not disclose whether any of the models involved in the math solutions were the same models that over the past few months hacked government and commercial websites and attempted to hijack the company’s own internal monitoring and safety testing systems.

In a recent interview, OMB’s Scott Kupor, who is part of the new Super Intelligence Force headed by DNI Jay Clayton, said the administration was looking for ways to keep the United States ahead in the AI race safely and responsibly, and was looking to use existing regulatory and liability frameworks rather than develop new regulations or restrictions on the industry.

Provided by Senior Partner for Global Risk Management Mirriam-Grace MacIntyre 

Global Oil Markets — Under strain as conflicts in the Middle East and Russia continue to impact supply. Last week President Trump struck a deal with Russia that would allow Russia to export over one hundred thousand tons of diesel to US and other foreign markets. A bipartisan group of Senators has since pushed back saying the deal violates US law. President Trump is also pushing for an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine to reduce pressure on energy markets.

At the same time the energy picture in the Middle East remains uncertain. While export volumes continue to reach post-war highs, both Iran and the Houthi military group in Yemen have escalated attacks in recent days.

Russia Sanctions — US Senators also pressed the Trump Administration this week to implement the recently enacted Russia sanctions legislation, with key provisions approaching an October 18 effective date and lawmakers calling for stronger action against Russia’s shadow fleet, financial networks and dual-use technology procurement. Companies should prepare for additional sanctions guidance and possible restrictions affecting Russian-linked banks, vessels, financial intermediaries and third-country suppliers, reviewing transactions that may need reassessment before October 18.

Saudi Airport Attack — A missile strike by the Houthi military group in Yemen killed a dozen people and injured hundreds at the international airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. This latest attack highlights the threat that an escalating conflict between the Saudi’s and the Houthis presents to international travel and trade. Businesses with Gulf operations should review employee travel, airport dependencies, personnel evacuation plans, regional distribution routes and physical-security arrangements while preparing for possible retaliatory escalation.

Defense Executives Targeted — European intelligence agencies have warned that Russia is intensifying efforts to target defense-industry leaders, particularly executives associated with drone production and military support for Ukraine, as part of a broader campaign of intimidation and sabotage. Defense, aerospace, technology and critical-infrastructure companies should review executive protection, travel security, personnel exposure, suspicious surveillance reporting and protective measures for employees involved in sensitive programs.

EU-China Auto Deal — The European Union reached a deal last week with China that would halve China’s share of the EU electric vehicle market by limiting imports of Chinese EVs to 350,000 per year. This represents a shift in the EU’s approach to its burgeoning trade deficit with China, and could presage further measures aimed at protecting European industries and reducing dependence on Chinese imports. Companies should prepare for additional trade measures from the EU in the future and take action to develop alternative supply lines for certain Chinese-made items.

French Grocery Cyberattack — A coordinated cyberattack affected refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets on October 11–12, remotely triggering temperature changes that destroyed food inventories and reportedly caused fires; the responsible actor and any state connection have not been established.

Food, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, retail and logistics companies should urgently assess remote-access vulnerabilities in operational technology, including refrigeration and building-management systems, and verify that critical equipment can be operated or isolated manually.

Provided by growth[period]’s Canadian affiliate, GW Group

Steel Sector Layoffs — Cleveland-Cliffs, the US-based owner of Stelco, a major Canadian steel manufacturer in Ontario, is planning to lay off up to 500 workers, citing US tariffs and market pressures. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly warned that Ottawa will take enforcement action if Cleveland-Cliffs fails to honour employment commitments made when it acquired Stelco in 2024. Joly said it must provide a plan to maintain more than 1,500 jobs and meet its legally binding obligations.

Angola Negotiations — The Canadian government is negotiating an economic co-operation agreement with Angola as part of its push to diversify trade, with mining and critical minerals among the priorities. The proposed agreement would establish a framework for future deals rather than a detailed trade pact.

China Seafood Tariffs — Canadian farm and seafood exporters face uncertainty over whether China will extend tariff suspensions on peas, canola meal, lobster and crab beyond December 31. Without an extension, duties of 100% on peas and canola meal and 25% on lobster and crab would return.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the November 18–19 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, but exporters say they need clarity sooner to avoid shipping goods that could arrive after the suspensions expire.

Employment Report — Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, following a decline of 42,000 in August, raising the unemployment rate to 6.5%. Job losses were concentrated in the public sector, particularly education, with Ontario and British Columbia each losing 20,000 jobs and Quebec losing 49,000. Young workers aged 15 to 24 accounted for 48,000 of the jobs lost.

War – Last week, President Trump attended the groundbreaking of a new Anduril shipyard to manufacture components for Virginia class submarines in Baltimore. The facility came with a $3.7 billion investment from industry and $2.9 billion investment from the Navy. The facility is expected to open in 2030 and is part of broader efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base.

The Army’s Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP) is holding a virtual industry day in November focused on AI, data, autonomous systems, EW, command and control, counter-UAS, robotics, power generation and decision dominance, all ongoing priorities for the service.

DHS – In major remarks last week, TSA Administrator David Cummins shared new updates on upcoming initiatives, including the Horizon 25 strategy, which is set to launch to coincide with the agency’s 25th anniversary in November. TSA currently has 12 “tiger teams” running “sprints” focused on issues from improving PreCheck to cybersecurity and counter-drone technology. One key objective is improving the PreCheck experience to drive increased enrollment in the service. TSA is also working to further build out the Screening Partnership Program in the wake of the earlier Gold+ initiative’s cancellation.

DOJ – The FBI is continuing to react after a hacking incident potentially compromised personal information of thousands of FBI employees, announcing late last week the arrest of a second individual associated with the hacking group that claimed responsibility for the  attack. The FBI also said it had dismissed an Accenture employee working on a contract with the FBI who apparently failed to apply a software patch.

Energy – The White House announced major new investments totaling more than $6 billion to the Genesis Mission, which is seeking to turbocharge scientific research using AI. The investments come from federal agencies, companies, universities, and charities, and include over $2 billion from the tech industry focused on AI computing resources.

HHS – CMS released a new RFI focused on its new operating model for contractor support, which involves a bigger role for the agency in directing and conducting efforts combating waste, fraud and abuse and less reliance on contractors for the full spectrum of functions.

VA – After the Department of Transportation notably transitioned from Microsoft Office to Google Workspace earlier this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs has released an RFI exploring alternatives to Microsoft Office. The Department has not reached any decision as of this writing.

Commerce – After several recent articles warning that the Census Bureau was running out of time to kick start programs related to the 2030 Census, last week the Census Bureau shared new details on the Census Transformation and Application Modernization (CenTAM) program, which will now move forward as two separate programs, pushing forward the Decennial and Geospatial requirements in Part A, and releasing a later Part B focused on Enterprise and Systems & Programs.

USDA – Longtime industry executive John Greene has been named as the new Chief Operating Officer of USDA’s Rural Development. USDA’s broader reorganization plan that involved significant relocations for staff is still in flux amidst an ongoing court case.