Access

Son warns of vast AI leap as SoftBank outlines future risks

SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son told South Korean President Lee Jae Myung that advanced AI could surpass humans by an extreme margin. He suggested future systems may be 10,000 times more capable than people. The remarks came during a meeting in Seoul focused on national AI ambitions.

Son compared the potential intelligence gap to the difference between humans and goldfish. He said AI might relate to humans as humans relate to pets. Lee acknowledged the vision but admitted feeling uneasy about the scale of the described change.

Son argued that superintelligent systems would not threaten humans physically, noting they lack biological needs. He framed coexistence as the likely outcome. His comments followed renewed political interest in positioning South Korea as an AI leader.

The debate turned to cultural capability when Lee asked whether AI might win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Son said such an achievement was plausible. He pointed to fast-moving advances that continue to challenge expectations about machine creativity.

Researchers say artificial superintelligence remains theoretical, but early steps toward AGI may emerge within a decade. Many expect systems to outperform humans across a wide set of tasks. Policy discussions in South Korea reflect growing urgency around AI governance.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI advances turn sweat into a new health signal

Researchers in Australia are examining how sweat could support new forms of health monitoring. A recent study highlights its diagnostic potential when combined with machine learning, noting the appeal of simple, non-invasive collection for people already using wearables.

Early hydration patches show how sweat data is entering the sports and fitness space. Advances in microfluidics and flexible electronics have enabled thin, real-time sweat-sampling patches. UTS researchers say AI can extract useful biomarkers and deliver personalised insights for everyday tracking.

Experts say sweat remains underused despite carrying biological signals relevant to preventive care. UTS scientists point to gains from reading multiple biomarkers and sending data wirelessly for assessment. Improvements in pattern recognition now support more accurate interpretation.

Development work in Sydney, Australia, includes microfluidic devices that detect trace levels of glucose and cortisol. Most systems remain prototypes, yet commercial interest is increasing as companies explore non-invasive alternatives to blood-based testing.

The research team expects broader adoption as sensor accuracy improves. They anticipate wearables that monitor stress markers and help identify chronic conditions earlier, framing skin-based sensing combined with AI as a route to wider access to continuous health insights.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

GenAI gains ground as manufacturers overhaul shop-floor workflows

AI adoption in manufacturing is accelerating as generative tools are reshaping frontline roles. Many firms see connected worker platforms as a response to labour shortages and a draw for younger recruits. GenAI is emerging as a support layer that boosts productivity without displacing staff.

Operators face mixed training needs, language gaps and stricter safety demands. GenAI supports tailored instructions and smoother knowledge transfer, cutting documentation effort.

Retrieval is becoming more critical as factories digitise. Frontline teams need fast access to clear guidance across text, image and video formats. AI-enabled search interprets intent, reducing delays caused by navigating large content libraries.

Video-based guidance is rising in prominence as short-form media becomes a preferred way for younger workers to learn. AI can convert lengthy procedures into concise visual steps, while multilingual transcription expands accessibility for diverse teams across global operations.

The growing use of AI tools marks a shift toward more adaptive factory operations. Manufacturers view connected worker platforms as vital to competitiveness, with AI integration offering gains in engagement, safety and performance.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UK government confirms crypto as protected personal property

A significant shift in property law has occurred in the United Kingdom, as digital assets are gaining formal recognition as personal property.

The Property Digital Assets Act has received Royal Assent, giving owners of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens clearer legal rights and stronger protection. Greater certainty over ownership aims to reduce disputes and strengthen trust in the sector.

The government aims to boost the country’s position as a global centre for legal innovation, rather than merely reacting to technological change. The new framework reassures fintech companies that England, Wales and Northern Ireland can support modern commercial activity.

As part of a wider growth plan, the change is expected to stimulate further investment in a legal services industry worth more than £ 40 billion annually.

Traditional law recognised only tangible items and legal rights, yet digital assets required distinct treatment.

The Act creates a new category, allowing certain digital assets to be treated like other property, including being inherited or recovered during bankruptcy. With cryptocurrency fraud on the rise, owners now have a more straightforward path to remedy when digital assets are stolen.

Legal certainty also simplifies commercial activity for firms handling crypto transactions. The move aligns digital assets with established forms of property rather than leaving them in an undefined space, which encourages adoption and reduces the likelihood of costly disagreements.

The government expects the new clarity to attract more businesses to the UK and reinforce the country’s role in shaping future digital regulation.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

LLM shortcomings highlighted by Gary Marcus during industry debate

Gary Marcus argued at Axios’ AI+ Summit that large language models (LLMs) offer utility but fall short of the transformative claims made by their developers. He framed their fundamental role as groundwork for future artificial general intelligence. He suggested that meaningful capability shifts lie beyond today’s systems.

Marcus said alignment challenges stem from LLMs lacking robust world models and reliable constraints. He noted that models still hallucinate despite explicit instructions to avoid errors. He described current systems as an early rehearsal rather than a route to AGI.

Concerns raised included bias, misinformation, environmental impact and implications for education. Marcus also warned about the decline of online information quality as automated content spreads. He believes structural flaws make these issues persistent.

Industry momentum remains strong despite unresolved risks. Developers continue to push forward without clear explanations for model behaviour. Investment flows remain focused on the promise of AGI, despite timelines consistently shifting.

Strategic competition adds pressure, with the United States seeking to maintain an edge over China in advanced AI. Political signals reinforce the drive toward rapid development. Marcus argued that stronger frameworks are needed before systems scale further.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Google drives health innovation through new EU AI initiative

At the European Health Summit in Brussels, Google presented new research suggesting that AI could help Europe overcome rising healthcare pressures.

The report, prepared by Implement Consulting Group for Google, argues that scientific productivity is improving again, rather than continuing a long period of stagnation. Early results already show shorter waiting times in emergency departments, offering practitioners more space to focus on patient needs.

Momentum at the Summit increased as Google announced new support for AI adoption in frontline care.

Five million dollars from Google.org will fund Bayes Impact to launch an EU-wide initiative known as ‘Impulse Healthcare’. The programme will allow nurses, doctors and administrators to design and test their own AI tools through an open-source platform.

By placing development in the hands of practitioners, the project aims to expand ideas that help staff reclaim valuable time during periods of growing demand.

Successful tools developed at a local level will be scaled across the EU, providing a path to more efficient workflows and enhanced patient care.

Google views these efforts as part of a broader push to rebuild capacity in Europe’s health systems.

AI-assisted solutions may reduce administrative burdens, support strained workforces and guide decisions through faster, data-driven insights, strengthening everyday clinical practice.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Russia blocks Snapchat and FaceTime access

Russia’s state communications watchdog has intensified its campaign against major foreign platforms by blocking Snapchat and restricting FaceTime calls.

The move follows earlier reports of disrupted Apple services inside the country, while users could still connect through VPNs instead of relying on direct access. Roskomnadzor accused Snapchat of enabling criminal activity and repeated earlier claims targeting Apple’s service.

A decision that marks the authorities’ first formal confirmation of limits on both platforms. It arrives as pressure increases on WhatsApp, which remains Russia’s most popular messenger, with officials warning that a whole block is possible.

Meta is accused of failing to meet data-localisation rules and of what the authorities describe as repeated violations linked to terrorism and fraud.

Digital rights groups argue that technical restrictions are designed to push citizens toward Max, a government-backed messenger that activists say grants officials sweeping access to private conversations, rather than protecting user privacy.

These measures coincide with wider crackdowns, including the recent blocking of the Roblox gaming platform over allegations of extremist content and harmful influence on children.

The tightening of controls reflects a broader effort to regulate online communication as Russia seeks stronger oversight of digital platforms. The latest blocks add further uncertainty for millions of users who depend on familiar services instead of switching to state-supported alternatives.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Porn site fined £1m for ignoring UK child safety age checks

A UK pornographic website has been fined £1m by Ofcom for failing to comply with mandatory age verification under the Online Safety Act. The company, AVS Group Ltd, did not respond to repeated contact from the regulator, prompting an additional £50,000 penalty.

The Act requires websites hosting adult content to implement ‘highly effective age assurance’ to prevent children from accessing explicit material. Ofcom has ordered the company to comply within 72 hours or face further daily fines.

Other tech platforms are also under scrutiny, with one unnamed major social media company undergoing compliance checks. Regulators warn that non-compliance will result in formal action, highlighting the growing enforcement of child safety online.

Critics argue the law must be tougher to ensure real protection, particularly for minors and women online. While age checks have reduced UK traffic to some sites, loopholes like VPNs remain a concern, and regulators are pushing for stricter adherence.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Google boosts Nigeria’s AI development

The US tech giant, Google, has announced a $2.1 million Google.org commitment to support Nigeria’s AI-powered future, aiming to strengthen local talent and improve digital safety nationwide.

An initiative that supports Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and its ambition to create one million digital jobs, recognising the economic potential of AI, which could add $15 billion to the country’s economy by 2030.

The investment focuses on developing advanced AI skills among students and developers instead of limiting progress to short-term training schemes.

Google will fund programmes led by expert partners such as FATE Foundation, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, and the African Technology Forum.

Their work will introduce advanced AI curricula into universities and provide developers with structured, practical routes from training to building real-world products.

The commitment also expands digital safety initiatives so communities can participate securely in the digital economy.

Junior Achievement Africa will scale Google’s ‘Be Internet Awesome’ curriculum to help families understand safe online behaviour, while the CyberSafe Foundation will deliver cybersecurity training and technical assistance to public institutions, strengthening national digital resilience.

Google aims to create more opportunities similar to those of Nigerian learners who used digital skills to secure full-time careers instead of remaining excluded from the digital economy.

By combining advanced AI training with improved digital safety, the company intends to support inclusive growth and build long-term capacity across Nigeria.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

SAP elevates customer support with proactive AI systems

AI has pushed customer support into a new era, where anticipation replaces reaction. SAP has built a proactive model that predicts issues, prevents failures and keeps critical systems running smoothly instead of relying on queues and manual intervention.

Major sales events, such as Cyber Week and Singles Day, demonstrated the impact of this shift, with uninterrupted service and significant growth in transaction volumes and order numbers.

Self-service now resolves most issues before they reach an engineer, as structured knowledge supports AI agents that respond instantly with a confidence level that matches human performance.

Tools such as the Auto Response Agent and Incident Solution Matching enable customers to retrieve solutions without having to search through lengthy documentation.

SAP has also prepared organisations scaling AI by offering support systems tailored for early deployment.

Engineers have benefited from AI as much as customers. Routine tasks are handled automatically, allowing experts to focus on problems that demand insight instead of administration.

Language optimisation, routing suggestions, and automatic error categorisation support faster and more accurate resolutions. SAP validates every AI tool internally before release, which it views as a safeguard for responsible adoption.

The company maintains that AI will augment staff rather than replace them. Creative and analytical work becomes increasingly important as automation handles repetitive tasks, and new roles emerge in areas such as AI training and data stewardship.

SAP argues that progress relies on a balanced relationship between human judgement and machine intelligence, strengthened by partnerships that turn enterprise data into measurable outcomes.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!