A new AI-driven app called Aura, launched by entrepreneur Hari Ravichandran, offers parents insights into their children’s online activities. Designed to detect subtle changes in behavior linked to mental health issues, the app aims to support families navigating the digital world by promoting awareness, communication, and early intervention.

German defense company Helsing has proposed a radical shift in NATO’s defense strategy with an AI-powered “drone wall” along its eastern flank. Co-CEO Gundbert Scherf calls for smart combat and surveillance drones to replace outdated Cold War-era thinking. The plan highlights rapid deployment, satellite integration, and expanded applications across air and sea defense systems.

In its latest report, the Brennan Center for Justice highlights how generative AI shaped the 2024 elections and offers a bold roadmap to protect democracy in the AI era. With federal AI policy in flux, the report urges states to lead efforts in ensuring transparency, accountability, and electoral integrity.

As the 25th anniversary of the dot-com bubble passes, the U.S. labour market shows familiar signs of strength—tight conditions, tech optimism, and rising wages. But with AI-driven disruption, policy shifts, and global tensions, experts warn the economy may be walking a fine line between stability and shock.

Heating and cooling buildings accounts for 18% of global energy use—but AI could help reduce that. From New York to Stockholm, smart HVAC systems are slashing energy costs and carbon emissions. Yet, concerns about AI's own power consumption and environmental toll highlight the need for balanced solutions.

Amazon’s recent Alexa Plus demo featuring Suno, an AI-driven song generator, has unexpectedly triggered a major copyright clash with the music industry. With lawsuits from top labels and concerns over fair use, the integration raises questions about the legality of AI-generated music and Amazon’s alliances with rights holders.

Meta has finally introduced its AI chatbot to European users, offering text-only features on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. The limited launch follows a year of discussions with regulators over data privacy concerns. While missing advanced functionalities, Meta plans to expand as it aligns with EU requirements.

Europol’s latest SOCTA 2025 report exposes a major shift in organized crime, fueled by AI tools like generative models, deepfakes, and autonomous systems. From multilingual fraud to AI-generated child abuse material and smuggling optimization, the report warns of rising threats and urges stronger cooperation across the EU and beyond.

Cerebras Systems has launched the WSE-3, its latest AI-focused processor featuring 900,000 cores and built for training massive models. With 125 petaflops of performance and cutting-edge architecture, it powers the CS-3 supercomputer and targets industries from drug discovery to climate modeling.

Kai Tak Sports Park’s debut was marred by a mid-match spectator ejection, triggering public backlash. A government official’s “raising a child” analogy drew sharp criticism. AI weighs in: is it sound governance—or just a way to deflect blame for mismanagement?

A U.S. federal appeals court has ruled that AI-generated artworks without human input cannot be copyrighted, upholding the longstanding legal principle that only human creators qualify for copyright protection. The decision follows Stephen Thaler’s challenge to register an AI-created image and underscores the ongoing global debate about AI’s role in intellectual property.

A new AI model, ECgMLP, developed by researchers from Bangladesh, Australia, and Canada, achieves 99.26% accuracy in detecting endometrial cancer using microscopic tissue images. It also demonstrates high accuracy in diagnosing colorectal, breast, and oral cancers, offering a potential breakthrough in early cancer detection and clinical decision-making.

One year after the FAA’s Remote ID rule took effect, the drone industry reflects on compliance, enforcement, and AI’s role in airspace safety. While manufacturers adapted with firmware updates, debates over privacy, security, and outdated drone models continue. This report examines the regulation’s impact and the future of drone operations.

A UN report highlights Iran’s use of AI and surveillance to enforce hijab laws, citing human rights violations. Meanwhile, Hong Kong incentivizes citizen reporting of public housing misuse with cash rewards. Both systems shift enforcement from state authorities to the public, sparking debates on efficiency versus social cohesion.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the workforce, enhancing efficiency while challenging job stability. Research from global organizations highlights AI’s potential to automate tasks, boost productivity, and reshape industries. However, concerns over job displacement persist. This report examines AI’s economic impact, expert strategies for stability, and how individuals can adapt to thrive in the evolving job market.

Scientists at Monash University have introduced an AI-driven tool to tackle microplastic pollution in oceans. This groundbreaking technology swiftly identifies plastic chemical signatures and contamination levels, addressing data gaps in marine pollution research. With potential applications in freshwater and land-based studies, the innovation could reshape global efforts to monitor and reduce plastic waste.

Baidu has introduced two new AI models, ERNIE X1 and ERNIE 4.5, aiming to rival DeepSeek and GPT-4o with lower costs and advanced capabilities. ERNIE X1 focuses on cost-efficient reasoning, while ERNIE 4.5 offers multimodal features at competitive pricing. Baidu plans to open-source ERNIE 4.5, but questions remain about its performance claims and potential privacy risks tied to data storage in China.

Donny Osmond’s Las Vegas residency at Harrah’s Showroom incorporates AI and CGI to create a 3-D performance with his younger self. Featuring his signature “Auto-rap-ography” and a Broadway-style rendition of I’ll Make a Man Out of You, the show bridges past and present through digital innovation. Extended through 2025, it continues to captivate audiences while setting new standards in concert production.

Chatbots excel in conversation but falter at counting characters, as Our test of models like ChatGPT 4o, Grok 3, and Gemini 2.0 Flash shows. With results ranging from 114 to 153 for a 135-character sentence, the report uncovers design flaws, from tokenization traps to hallucination, highlighting the complex trade-offs in AI development.

AI-powered student monitoring is growing in U.S. schools, aiming to prevent bullying and self-harm. However, data breaches and unintended privacy violations raise concerns about security and trust. While some argue these tools save lives, critics question their effectiveness and impact on student well-being. Is AI surveillance the future of school safety or a risk to privacy?