Russia publishes rare footage of largest drone factory
Moscow, Russia -- Russia has showcased what it calls the biggest drone factory in the world, broadcasting rare footage from...
Geostrategy
Microsoft laying off several thousand employees
San Francisco, United States -- Microsoft on Wednesday said it was slashing a little less than four percent of its...
Business
Geostrategy
Global anti-malware crackdown leads to 20 arrest warrants, Europol says
Authorities took down more than 300 servers worldwide, neutralized 650 domains and seized 3.5 million euros ($3.9 million) in cryptocurrency,...
- The software taken down, known as "initial access malware", is used "for initial infection, helping cybercriminals to enter victims' systems unnoticed.
- In total, "3.5 million euros in cryptocurrency" were seized, the agencies added, bringing the total amount of cryptocurrency seized during Endgame to 21.2 million euros.
Business
Ads pressured to evolve as AI changes Google search
San Francisco, United States -- As Google races to lead in artificial intelligence, it faces the challenge of making sure...
- The internet giant is dabbling with ads in its new AI Mode for online search, a strategic move to fend off competition from ChatGPT.
- A new AI Mode enables conversational interaction with Google during search queries, providing answers in diverse formats, such as video, audio or graphs.
Science
OpenAI offers to help countries build AI system
OpenAI on Wednesday announced an initiative to help countries build their own artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructures, with the US government...
- The OpenAI for Countries initiative was launched under the auspices of a Stargate drive announced by US President Donald Trump
- OpenAI, in "coordination" with the US government, will help countries build datacenters and provide customized versions of its ChatGPT AI
Science
Experts seek to legitimize AI mental health care
Researchers at Dartmouth College believe artificial intelligence can deliver reliable psychotherapy, distinguishing their work from the unproven and sometimes dubious...
- Their application, Therabot, addresses the critical shortage of mental health professionals.
- The Dartmouth team recently published a clinical study demonstrating Therabot's effectiveness in helping people with anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
Geostrategy
AI companions present risks for young users, US watchdog warns
New York, United States -- AI companions powered by generative artificial intelligence present real risks and should be banned for...
- The watchdog, Common Sense, tested several of these platforms, namely Nomi, Character AI, and Replika, to assess their responses.
- While some specific cases "show promise," they are not safe for kids, concluded the organization, which makes recommendations on children's use of technological content.
Business
Meta releases standalone AI app, competing with ChatGPT
San Francisco, United States -- Social media behemoth Meta unveiled its first standalone AI assistant app on Tuesday as it...
- Zuckerberg said the app "is designed to be your personal AI" and would be primarily accessed through voice conversations with the interactions personalized to the individual user.
- The release comes as OpenAI stands as a leader of straight-to-user AI through its ChatGPT assistant that is regularly updated with new capabilities.
Business
Screens, drones, massages: Shanghai flaunts the future of cars
Shanghai, China -- At the huge Auto Shanghai industry show this week, the chatter was less about powerful engines and...
- Chinese consumers place more value on interior comfort compared to other markets, according to European carmakers.
- Visitors at Auto Shanghai queued to sit in luxurious minivans with chrome radiator grilles and reclining rear seats.
Business
Chinese firms extend EV range with petrol generators
The generator, known as a range extender, is connected to the cars' batteries and feeds them only when needed. Since...
- This technology grew faster in China last year than any other type of powertrain, the system that propels a vehicle forward.
- More than one million EREVs were sold, representing a total market share of six percent, according to the McKinsey consultancy.
Business
Global tax plans targeting super rich and tech giants stall under Trump
Paris, France -- Global tax plans targeting billionaires and multinational companies are running aground, with the United States torpedoing reforms...
- Countries have accused Amazon, Microsoft, Google owner Alphabet and Facebook's parent company Meta of sidestepping local taxes.
- Trump issued a warning on February 21 to countries that would hit big tech and other US companies with fines or taxes that are "discriminatory, disproportionate".
Business
Meta to start using Europeans’ data for AI training May 27
Paris, France -- Meta will start using public posts and comments by its European users to train generative artificial intelligence...
- Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Threads, said earlier it would develop its AI models with European users' public content and conversations with the Meta AI chatbot.
- That means anything from Instagram photo captions to Facebook comments could soon be fair game for Meta AI, though private conversations via WhatsApp will be excluded.
Russia publishes rare footage of largest drone factory
Moscow, Russia -- Russia has showcased what it calls the biggest drone factory in the world, broadcasting rare footage from...
Geostrategy
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The most eye-catching products at Vivatech fair
For humans, spotting the difference between a Lacoste polo shirt and a fake sporting the brand's crocodile logo can be...
Geostrategy
Nvidia marks Paris tech fair with Europe AI push
Paris, France -- Drawing high-powered tech CEOs and a presidential visit, the Vivatech trade fair opened in Paris on Wednesday...
Business
IBM claims ‘real world’ edge in quantum computing race
San Francisco, United States -- Technology veteran IBM on Tuesday laid out a plan to have a "practical" quantum computer...
Science
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Geostrategy
New WEF report reveals how tech convergence will reshape industries
Geneva, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum today released a new report examining how emerging technology combinations are reshaping industries...
- AI is a key enabler, making many emerging tech synergies commercially viable across industries.
- Digital twins, enhanced by AI and sensors, are expanding efficiency in sectors from aerospace to healthcare.
Business
Meta secures nuclear energy in 20-year Illinois plant deal
Washington, United States -- Facebook owner Meta announced Tuesday a 20-year nuclear energy agreement with US-based Constellation Energy to secure...
- The investment marks big tech's latest move to meet surging electricity demand from AI, with Microsoft, Google and Amazon also turning to nuclear power as an energy source.
- Under the deal, Meta's unspecified investment will replace state government subsidies to keep the Clinton Clean Energy Center operating beginning in 2027.
Geostrategy
Hey chatbot, is this true? AI ‘factchecks’ sow misinformation
Washington, United States -- As misinformation exploded during India's four-day conflict with Pakistan, social media users turned to an AI chatbot...
- NewsGuard's research found that 10 leading chatbots were prone to repeating falsehoods, including Russian disinformation narratives.
- The quality and accuracy of AI chatbots can vary, depending on how they are trained and programmed, prompting concerns that their output may be subject to political influence.