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Google launches Gemini AI for government

Google has introduced a new version of its Gemini AI platform tailored specifically for US government use, called Gemini for Government. The platform combines features such as image generation, enterprise search, and AI agent development, with compliance to standards like Sec4 and FedRAMP.

Gemini includes pre-built AI agents for research and idea generation, while also offering tools to create custom agents. US government customers will pay $0.50 per year for basic access, undercutting rivals OpenAI and Anthropic, who each launched $1 government-focused AI packages earlier this year.

Google emphasised security, privacy, and automation in its pitch, positioning the product as an all-in-one solution for public sector institutions. The launch follows the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, which seeks to promote AI growth.

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Google enhances AI Mode with personalised dining suggestions

Google has expanded its AI Mode in Search to 180 additional countries and territories, introducing new agentic features to help users make restaurant reservations. The service remains limited to English and is not yet available in the European Union.

The update enables users to specify their dining preferences and constraints, allowing the system to scan multiple platforms and present real-time availability. Once a choice is made, users are directed to the restaurant’s booking page.

Partners supporting the service include OpenTable, Resy, SeatGeek, StubHub, Booksy, Tock, and Ticketmaster. The feature is part of Google’s Search Labs experiment, available to subscribers of Google AI Ultra in the United States.

AI Mode also tailors suggestions based on previous searches and introduces a Share function, letting users share restaurant options or planning results with others, with the option to delete links.

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Ransomware attack at DaVita exposes data of 2.7 million patients in the US

A ransomware attack against dialysis provider DaVita has exposed the personal data of 2.7 million people, according to a notice on the US health department’s website.

The company first disclosed the cyber incident in April, saying it had taken steps to restore operations but could not predict the scale of disruption.

DaVita confirmed that hackers gained unauthorised access to its laboratory database, which contained sensitive information belonging to some current and former patients. The firm said it is now contacting those affected and offering free credit monitoring to help protect against identity theft.

Despite the intrusion, DaVita maintained uninterrupted dialysis services across its network of nearly 3,000 outpatient clinics and home treatment programmes. The company described the cyberattack as a temporary disruption but stressed that patient care was never compromised.

Financial disclosures show the incident led to around $13.5 million in charges during the second quarter of 2025. Most of the costs were linked to system restoration and third-party support, with $1 million attributed to higher patient care expenses.

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Google pushes agentic AI worldwide with AI Mode rollout

Google has expanded its AI Mode service to 180 additional countries, extending advanced agentic capabilities to a global audience.

Previously available only in markets such as the US, UK and India, the service allows users to search for information and carry out tasks on their behalf. The update reflects Google’s ambition to move from simple answers to action-oriented assistance.

A key rollout feature is the restaurant booking tool for AI Ultra subscribers. Using natural language requests such as ”find a romantic Italian spot for two tonight,” the system can check availability, offer personalised suggestions and confirm reservations directly within search.

The feature relies on real-time data from partners like OpenTable and highlights how Google’s AI can execute tasks instead of simply presenting options.

Further tools are expected soon, including ticketing for events and appointment scheduling. These are powered by the Gemini models, which tailor recommendations based on user behaviour and allow group planning through shared responses.

While the services could reduce reliance on third-party apps in sectors such as travel and hospitality, they also raise concerns over data privacy, inclusivity and cultural differences in an English-only rollout.

The global expansion strengthens Google’s position against rivals like Microsoft and OpenAI, who are also pushing forward in agentic AI. The company sees subscription upgrades to AI Ultra as a way to offset slower advertising growth, while early reports suggest increased user engagement.

However, the long-term impact will depend on balancing innovation with ethical safeguards as Google works to deliver more multilingual and accessible features.

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Microsoft limits certain companies’ access to the SharePoint early warning system

Microsoft has limited certain Chinese companies’ access to its early warning system for cybersecurity vulnerabilities following suspicions about their involvement in recent SharePoint hacking attempts.

The decision restricts the sharing of proof-of-concept code, which mimics genuine malicious software. While valuable for cybersecurity professionals strengthening their systems, the code can also be misused by hackers.

The restrictions follow Microsoft’s observation of exploitation attempts targeting SharePoint servers in July. Concerns arose that a member of the Microsoft Active Protections Program may have repurposed early warnings for offensive activity.

Microsoft maintains that it regularly reviews participants and suspends those violating contracts, including prohibitions on participating in cyber attacks.

Beijing has denied involvement in the hacking, while Microsoft has refrained from disclosing which companies were affected or details of the ongoing investigation.

Analysts note that balancing collaboration with international security partners and preventing information misuse remains a key challenge for global cybersecurity programmes.

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Europol warns that the $50,000 Qilin reward is fake

Europol has warned that a reported $50,000 reward for information on two members of the Qilin ransomware group is fake. The message, circulating on Telegram, claimed the suspects, known as Haise and XORacle, coordinate affiliates and manage extortion operations.

Europol clarified that it does not operate a Telegram channel and that the message does not originate from its official accounts, which are active on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Facebook.

Qilin, also known as Agenda, has been active since 2022 and, in 2025, listed over 400 victims on its leak website, including media and pharmaceutical companies.

Recent attacks, such as the one targeting Inotiv, demonstrate the group’s ongoing threat. Analysts note that cybercriminals often circulate false claims to undermine competitors, mislead affiliates, or sow distrust within rival gangs.

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Japan pledges billions and AI training to Africa

Japan has pledged $5.5 billion in loans and announced an ambitious AI training programme to deepen economic ties with Africa.

At TICAD 9, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba proposed creating an Indian Ocean–Africa economic zone to link African nations with Asia and the Middle East.

Japan will also support training 30,000 AI experts over three years to drive digital transformation and job growth across the continent.

The initiative comes amid growing calls from leaders like António Guterres and João Lourenço to overhaul global finance systems and empower African representation.

Japan’s move signals renewed interest in African engagement, as the US scales back and China’s influence expands across the region.

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Indian firms accelerate growth through AI, Microsoft finds

Indian firms are accelerating the adoption of AI, with many using AI agents to enhance workforce capabilities rather than relying solely on traditional methods.

According to Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index, 93% of leaders in India plan to extend AI integration across their organisations within the next 12 to 18 months.

Frontier firms in India are leading the charge, redesigning operations around collaboration between humans and AI agents instead of following conventional hierarchies.

Over half of leaders already deploy AI to automate workflows and business processes across entire teams, enabling faster and more agile decision-making.

Microsoft notes that AI is becoming a true thought partner, fuelling creativity, accelerating decisions, and redefining teamwork instead of merely supporting routine tasks. Leaders report that embedding AI into daily operations drives measurable improvements in productivity, innovation, and business outcomes.

The findings are part of a global survey of 31,000 participants across 31 countries, highlighting India’s role at the forefront of AI-driven organisational transformation rather than merely following international trends.

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MIT highlights divide in business AI project success

A new MIT study has found that 95% of corporate AI projects fail to deliver returns, mainly due to difficulties integrating them with existing workflows.

The report, ‘The GenAI Divide: State of AI in Business 2025’, examined 300 deployments and interviewed 350 employees. Only 5% of projects generated value, typically when focused on solving a single, clearly defined problem.

Executives often blamed model performance, but researchers pointed to a workforce ‘learning gap’ as the bigger barrier. Many projects faltered because staff were unprepared to adapt processes effectively.

More than half of GenAI budgets were allocated to sales and marketing, yet the most substantial returns came from automating back-office tasks, such as reducing agency costs and streamlining roles.

The study also found that tools purchased from specialised vendors were nearly twice as successful as in-house systems, with success rates of 67% compared to 33%.

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Google Cloud boosts AI security with agentic defence tools

Google Cloud has unveiled a suite of security enhancements at its Security Summit 2025, focusing on protecting AI innovations and empowering cybersecurity teams with AI-driven defence tools.

VP and GM Jon Ramsey highlighted the growing need for specialised safeguards as enterprises deploy AI agents across complex environments.

Central to the announcements is the concept of an ‘agentic security operations centre,’ where AI agents coordinate actions to achieve shared security objectives. It represents a shift from reactive security approaches to proactive, agent-supported strategies.

Google’s platform integrates automated discovery, threat detection, and response mechanisms to streamline security operations and cover gaps in existing infrastructures.

Key innovations include extended protections for AI agents through Model Armour, covering Agentspace prompts and responses to mitigate prompt injection attacks, jailbreaking, and data leakage.

The Alert Investigation agent, available in preview, automates enrichment and analysis of security events while offering actionable recommendations, reducing manual effort and accelerating response times.

Integrating Mandiant threat intelligence feeds and Gemini AI strengthens detection and incident response across agent environments.

Additional tools, such as SecOps Labs and native SOAR dashboards, provide organisations with early access to AI-powered threat detection experiments and comprehensive security visualisation capabilities.

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