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UMMC conducts one of first multi-country live surgeries using 5G and AI

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre has carried out what it described as one of the world’s first real-time, multi-country live surgeries using a 5G-enabled AI and extended reality platform.

The ear, nose, and throat procedure took place in Petaling Jaya using apoQlar’s HoloMedicine Robotics extended reality system. Surgeons were connected with international students and specialists through CelcomDigi’s 5G network.

Participants joined from the United States, South Korea, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and several states in Malaysia. Institutions included Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.

The platform delivered three-dimensional views, live annotations, and two-way communication between the surgical team and international experts. CelcomDigi said its ultra-low-latency 5G connectivity enabled high-definition video and synchronised audio throughout the procedure.

UMMC said the live surgeries initiative demonstrated how extended reality and AI tools can support remote training and specialist collaboration without disrupting clinical workflows. The hospital plans to conduct further live urology, colorectal, and ENT sessions using the same system.

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AI sovereignty test in South Korea reaches a critical phase

South Korea’s flagship AI foundation model project has entered a decisive phase after accusations that leading participants relied on foreign open source components instead of building systems entirely independently.

The controversy has reignited debate over how ‘from scratch’ development should be defined within government-backed AI initiatives aimed at strengthening national sovereignty.

Scrutiny has focused on Naver Cloud after developers identified near-identical similarities between its vision encoder and models released by Alibaba, alongside disclosures that audio components drew on OpenAI technology.

The dispute now sits with the Ministry of Science and ICT, which must determine whether independence applies only to a model’s core or extends to all major components.

An outcome that is expected to shape South Korea’s AI strategy by balancing deeper self-reliance against the realities of global open-source ecosystems.

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X restricts Grok image editing after deepfake backlash

Elon Musk’s platform X has restricted image editing with its AI chatbot Grok to paying users, following widespread criticism over the creation of non-consensual sexualised deepfakes.

The move comes after Grok allowed users to digitally alter images of people, including removing clothing without consent. While free users can still access image tools through Grok’s separate app and website, image editing within X now requires a paid subscription linked to verified user details.

Legal experts and child protection groups said the change does not address the underlying harm. Professor Clare McGlynn said limiting access fails to prevent abuse, while the Internet Watch Foundation warned that unsafe tools should never have been released without proper safeguards.

UK government officials urged regulator Ofcom to use its full powers under the Online Safety Act, including possible financial restrictions on X. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the creation of sexualised AI images involving adults and children as unlawful and unacceptable.

The controversy has renewed pressure on X to introduce stronger ethical guardrails for Grok. Critics argue that restricting features to subscribers does not prevent misuse, and that meaningful protections are needed to stop AI tools from enabling image-based abuse.

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Gmail enters the Gemini era with AI-powered inbox tools

Google is reshaping Gmail around its Gemini AI models, aiming to turn email into a proactive assistant for more than three billion users worldwide.

With inbox volumes continuing to rise, the focus shifts towards managing information flows instead of simply sending and receiving messages.

New AI Overviews allow Gmail to summarise long email threads and answer natural language questions directly from inbox content.

Users can retrieve details from past conversations without complex searches, while conversation summaries roll out globally at no cost, with advanced query features reserved for paid AI subscriptions.

Writing tools are also expanding, with Help Me Write, upgraded Suggested Replies, and Proofread features designed to speed up drafting while preserving individual tone and style.

Deeper personalisation is planned through connections with other Google services, enabling emails to reflect broader user context.

A redesigned AI Inbox further prioritises urgent messages and key tasks by analysing communication patterns and relationships.

Powered by Gemini 3, these features begin rolling out in the US in English, with additional languages and regions scheduled to follow during 2026.

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EU faces pressure to strengthen Digital Markets Act oversight

Rivals of major technology firms have criticised the European Commission for weak enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, arguing that slow procedures and limited transparency undermine the regulation’s effectiveness.

Feedback gathered during a Commission consultation highlights concerns about delaying tactics, interface designs that restrict user choice, and circumvention strategies used by designated gatekeepers.

The Digital Markets Act entered into force in March 2024, prompting several non-compliance investigations against Apple, Meta and Google. Although Apple and Meta have already faced fines, follow-up proceedings remain ongoing, while Google has yet to receive sanctions.

Smaller technology firms argue that enforcement lacks urgency, particularly in areas such as self-preferencing, data sharing, interoperability and digital advertising markets.

Concerns also extend to AI and cloud services, where respondents say the current framework fails to reflect market realities.

Generative AI tools, such as large language models, raise questions about whether existing platform categories remain adequate or whether new classifications are necessary. Cloud services face similar scrutiny, as major providers often fall below formal thresholds despite acting as critical gateways.

The Commission plans to submit a review report to the European Parliament and the Council by early May, drawing on findings from the consultation.

Proposed changes include binding timelines and interim measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and restoring confidence in the bloc’s flagship competition rules.

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Telegram bonds frozen amid ongoing international sanctions framework

Around $500 million in bonds issued by Telegram remain frozen within Russia’s financial settlement system following the application of international sanctions.

The situation reflects how global regulatory measures can continue to affect corporate assets even when companies operate across multiple jurisdictions.

According to reports, the frozen bonds were issued in 2021 and are held at Russia’s National Settlement Depository.

Telegram said its more recent $1.7 billion bond issuance in 2025 involved international investors, with no participation from Russian capital, and was purchased mainly by institutional funds based outside Russia.

Telegram stated that bond repayments follow established international procedures through intermediaries, meaning payment obligations are fulfilled regardless of whether individual bondholders face restrictions.

Financial results for 2025 also showed losses, linked in part to a decline in cryptocurrency valuations, which reflected broader market conditions rather than company-specific factors.

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Rokid launches screenless AI smart glasses at CES 2026

The global pioneer firm in AR, Rokid, unveiled its new Style smart glasses at CES 2026, opting for a screenless, voice-first design instead of the visual displays standard across competing devices.

Weighing just 38.5 grams, the glasses are designed for everyday wear, with an emphasis on comfort and prescription readiness.

Despite lacking a screen, Rokid Style integrates AI through an open ecosystem that supports platforms such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek and Qwen. Global services, including Google Maps and Microsoft AI Translation, facilitate navigation and provide real-time language assistance across various regions.

The device adopts a prescription-first approach, supporting lenses from plano to ±15.00 diopters alongside photochromic, tinted and protective options.

Rokid has also launched a global online prescription service, promising delivery within seven to ten days.

Design features include titanium alloy hinges, silicone nose pads and a built-in camera capable of 4K video recording.

Battery life reaches up to 12 hours of daily use, with global pricing starting at $299, ahead of an online launch scheduled for January 19.

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Lynx ransomware group claims Regis subsidiary on dark web leak site

Regis Resources, one of Australia’s largest unhedged gold producers, has confirmed it is investigating a cyber incident after its subsidiary was named on a dark web leak site operated by a ransomware group.

The Lynx ransomware group listed McPhillamys Gold on Monday, claiming a cyberattack and publishing the names and roles of senior company executives. The group did not provide technical details or evidence of data theft.

The Australia-based company stated that the intrusion was detected in mid-November 2025 through its routine monitoring systems, prompting temporary restrictions on access to protect internal networks. The company said its cybersecurity controls were designed to isolate threats and maintain business continuity.

A forensic investigation found no evidence of data exfiltration and confirmed that no ransom demand had been received. Authorities were notified, and Regis said the incident had no operational or commercial impact.

Lynx, which first emerged in July 2024, has claimed hundreds of victims worldwide. The group says it avoids targeting critical public services, though it continues to pressure private companies through data leak threats.

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AI earbuds go beyond music

Startups are transforming everyday earbuds into AI assistants that can record meetings, translate languages, or offer cross-platform support, expanding the devices’ role beyond music. Major tech firms, such as Apple and Samsung, laid the groundwork with noise-cancelling and voice features.

At CES, companies such as OSO, Viaim and Timekettle demonstrated professional and educational use cases. Schools utilise translation earbuds to assist non-English-speaking students in following lessons, while professionals can retrieve meeting highlights on demand.

Experts note that earbuds are more accessible than smart glasses, but remain limited by voice-only interaction and reliance on smartphones. Neural earbuds with sensitive sensors could enable hands-free control or internet access for individuals with disabilities.

Although most headphones today still focus on listening, AI earbuds hint at a shift in personal technology, blending convenience, intelligence and accessibility into devices people already wear every day.

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Grok incident renews scrutiny of generative AI safety

Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot has triggered international backlash after generating sexualised images of women and girls in response to user prompts on X, raising renewed concerns over AI safeguards and platform accountability.

The images, some depicting minors in minimal clothing, circulated publicly before being removed. Grok later acknowledged failures in its own safeguards, stating that child sexual abuse material is illegal and prohibited, while xAI initially offered no public explanation.

European officials reacted swiftly. French ministers referred the matter to prosecutors, calling the output illegal, while campaigners in the UK argued the incident exposed delays in enforcing laws against AI-generated intimate images.

In contrast, US lawmakers largely stayed silent despite xAI holding a major defence contract. Musk did not directly address the controversy; instead, posting unrelated content as criticism mounted on the platform.

The episode has intensified debate over whether current AI governance frameworks are sufficient to prevent harm, particularly when generative systems operate at scale with limited real-time oversight.

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