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FTC confirms no delay in Amazon trial

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Wednesday that it does not need to delay its September trial against Amazon, contradicting an earlier claim by one of its attorneys about resource shortages.

Jonathan Cohen, an FTC lawyer, retracted his statement that cost-cutting measures had strained the agency’s ability to proceed, assuring the court that the FTC is fully prepared to litigate the case.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson reaffirmed the agency’s commitment, dismissing concerns over budget constraints and stating that the FTC will not back down from taking on Big Tech.

Earlier in the day, Cohen had described a ‘dire resource situation,’ citing employee resignations, a hiring freeze, and restrictions on legal expenses. However, he later clarified that these challenges would not impact the case.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, accuses Amazon of using ‘dark patterns’ to mislead consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions, a program with over 200 million users.

With claims exceeding $1 billion, the trial is expected to be a high-profile battle between regulators and one of the world’s largest tech companies. Amazon has denied any wrongdoing, and three of its senior executives are also named in the case.

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OpenAI launches responses API for AI agent development

OpenAI has unveiled new tools to help developers and businesses build AI agents, which are automated systems that can independently perform tasks. These tools are part of OpenAI’s new Responses API, allowing enterprises to create custom AI agents that can search the web, navigate websites, and scan company files, similar to OpenAI’s existing Operator product. The company plans to phase out its older Assistants API by 2026, replacing it with the new capabilities.

The Responses API provides developers with access to powerful AI models, such as GPT-4o search and GPT-4o mini search, which are designed for high factual accuracy. OpenAI claims these models can offer more reliable answers than previous versions, with GPT-4o search achieving a 90% accuracy rate. Additionally, the platform includes a file search feature to help companies quickly retrieve information from their databases. The CUA model, which automates tasks like data entry, is also available, allowing developers to automate workflows with more precision.

Despite its promise, OpenAI acknowledges that there are still challenges to address, such as AI hallucinations and occasional errors in task automation. However, the company continues to improve its models, and the introduction of the Agents SDK gives developers the tools they need to build, debug, and optimise AI agents. OpenAI’s goal is to move beyond demos and create impactful tools that will shape the future of AI in enterprise applications.

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AI will enhance, not replace, programmers, says IBM CEO

At the SXSW conference, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna addressed two key topics: global trade and the role of artificial intelligence in programming. Krishna expressed his belief that global trade remains vital for economic growth, citing the historical correlation between increased trade and GDP growth.

He also argued that embracing international talent through policies supporting immigration would benefit the US, allowing it to remain competitive in the global market.

Turning to AI, Krishna disagreed with predictions that AI would soon take over coding entirely. Instead, he believes AI will increase programmer productivity by assisting with simpler tasks, allowing developers to focus on more complex problems.

He argued that AI could boost the output of existing teams, helping companies gain market share by enabling faster production and more efficient workflows.

While AI may revolutionise some aspects of work, Krishna maintained that it won’t replace human workers entirely. Drawing a parallel with the initial fears surrounding calculators and Photoshop, he described AI as a tool that enhances rather than replaces human expertise.

His comments come amid growing discussions about the future role of AI in various industries, including programming. Krishna also acknowledged the ongoing challenges in AI, such as intellectual property concerns and the need for energy-efficient models.

Krishna further stated that while AI would become cheaper and more accessible, it would not be the key to groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Instead, he emphasised the potential of quantum computing to accelerate innovation, with IBM’s ongoing investments in the technology.

His remarks highlighted both the promise and the limitations of AI, positioning it as an important tool in advancing industries but not a solution to all challenges.

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Elea introduces AI-powered solution for pathology labs

Elea, a Hamburg-based startup, is harnessing the power of AI to tackle inefficiencies in healthcare, starting with pathology labs.

The company’s AI operating system replaces outdated systems, offering a voice-powered solution that automates tasks such as report transcription and data handling.

Elea’s tool promises to significantly reduce the time it takes for labs to generate reports, with initial results showing a reduction from weeks to just a few days.

The AI system is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing lab processes, acting as an all-in-one solution that coordinates tasks traditionally managed by separate systems.

Elea’s cloud-based platform uses speech-to-text and text-to-structure technologies to automate everything from report writing to handling laboratory equipment, streamlining operations and reducing human error.

Founded in 2024, Elea has already secured a partnership with a major German hospital group, and it plans to expand internationally, particularly into the US The company recently raised €4 million in seed funding to support its growth.

Elea is betting on a gradual scaling strategy, aiming to improve productivity in pathology labs before potentially expanding its AI tools to other areas of healthcare, such as radiology.

Despite potential challenges, including accuracy concerns and data privacy, Elea is confident in its ability to revolutionise lab work.

By focusing on operational workflows, the German company hopes to improve both the speed and reliability of healthcare services, offering a glimpse into the future of AI in the medical field.

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Reliance Jio and SpaceX partner for Starlink in India

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to India, marking a surprising turn after months of rivalry over spectrum allocation.

Under the agreement, Jio will stock Starlink equipment in its retail stores, giving the US company direct access to thousands of outlets across the country.

Move like this one comes after New Delhi sided with Musk’s preferred method of spectrum allocation, despite Ambani’s earlier concerns that Starlink could dominate India’s telecom sector.

The deal follows a similar partnership between Starlink and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom provider, both of which depend on government approval for operations to begin. While Airtel’s shares dipped slightly after the Jio announcement, Reliance Industries saw a marginal rise in trading.

Starlink, which has been awaiting licenses since 2022 due to national security concerns, is using the agreement as a low-cost entry into India’s fast-growing satellite internet market, expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030.

For Musk, the stakes in India go beyond Starlink, as he recently secured a deal to open Tesla’s first showroom in the country.

However, high tariffs on imported electric vehicles remain a challenge. Meanwhile, Jio and SpaceX are also exploring other areas of cooperation, while Jio continues its own satellite broadband plans with Luxembourg-based SES.

Despite past disputes, the partnership signals a shift from competition to collaboration in India’s evolving telecom landscape.

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Spain approves bill to regulate AI-generated content

Spain’s government has approved a bill imposing heavy fines on companies that fail to label AI-generated content, aiming to combat the spread of deepfakes.

The legislation, which aligns with the European Union’s AI Act, classifies non-compliance as a serious offence, with penalties reaching up to €35 million or 7% of a company’s global revenue.

Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez stressed that AI can be a force for good but also a tool for misinformation and threats to democracy.

The bill also bans manipulative AI techniques, such as subliminal messaging targeting vulnerable groups, and restricts the use of AI-driven biometric profiling, except in cases of national security.

Spain is one of the first EU nations to implement these strict AI regulations, going beyond the looser US approach, which relies on voluntary compliance.

A newly established AI supervisory agency, AESIA, will oversee enforcement, alongside sector-specific regulators handling privacy, financial markets, and law enforcement concerns.

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Duffy criticises Verizon over FAA contract delays

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticised Verizon on Tuesday for delays in its $2.4 billion, 15-year contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), saying the company is ‘not moving fast enough.’

As the FAA works to upgrade ageing air traffic control systems, Duffy stressed the need for multiple companies to contribute to the effort, adding that the American public ‘can’t wait 10 or 12 years’ for improvements.

Verizon defended its progress, stating it is actively working with FAA technology teams and is open to collaborating with other firms offering complementary services.

Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starlink denied reports that it aims to take over the FAA contract, saying it could be a partial solution but has no plans to replace Verizon’s role.

The FAA has been testing Starlink terminals in Alaska to improve weather data access, while the Government Accountability Office warns that one-third of US air traffic control systems are outdated and unsustainable.

Some Democrats have suggested shifting the FAA contract to Starlink due to Elon Musk’s ties to Donald Trump, but no official decisions have been made.

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OpenAI launches responses API to boost AI agents

OpenAI has unveiled new tools for developers to build advanced AI agents, stepping up its game amid rising competition from Chinese startups.

The latest offering, called the Responses API, allows developers to create AI systems that execute complex tasks independently. This new tool replaces the Assistants API, which will be phased out by mid-2026.

The launch comes as Chinese startups make rapid advances in AI, with some claiming their models rival or surpass those of leading US firms at a lower cost.

One such company, Monica, recently introduced its autonomous AI agent, Manus, which it says outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch agent.

Monica’s rise follows growing recognition of Chinese AI innovations, including DeepSeek, which has impressed Silicon Valley executives.

On Tuesday, Monica announced a partnership with the team behind Alibaba’s Qwen AI models, further intensifying the global AI race.

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Migrants urged to use new app to self-deport under Trump policy

The Trump administration has introduced a new app that allows undocumented migrants in the US to self-deport rather than risk arrest and detention.

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app, called CBP Home, includes an option for individuals to signal their ‘intent to depart.’ Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the app gives migrants a chance to leave voluntarily and potentially return legally in the future.

Noem warned that those who do not leave will face deportation and a lifetime ban from re-entering the country. The administration has stepped up pressure on undocumented migrants, with new regulations set to take effect in April requiring them to register with the government or face fines and jail time.

The launch of CBP Home follows Trump’s decision to shut down CBP One, a Biden-era app that allowed migrants in Mexico to schedule asylum appointments. The move left thousands of migrants stranded at the border with uncertain prospects.

Trump has pledged to carry out record deportations, although his administration’s current removal numbers lag behind those recorded under President Joe Biden.

The CBP Home app marks a shift in immigration policy, aiming to encourage voluntary departures while tightening enforcement measures against those who remain illegally.

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Indian citizens rescued from job scam networks in Southeast Asia

India has repatriated nearly 300 of its citizens who were lured to Southeast Asian countries with fake job offers and forced into cybercrime and other fraudulent activities.

The rescue was coordinated by Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, with an Indian Air Force aircraft bringing the workers back from Mae Sot in Thailand. Many had been trapped in scam centres along the Thailand-Myanmar border, where criminal networks operate large-scale online fraud schemes.

Authorities in Thailand have intensified their crackdown on these illegal operations, arresting 100 people last week. Countries including China and Indonesia have also been working to bring back their nationals who were similarly deceived.

According to the United Nations, criminal syndicates have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to these centres, generating billions of dollars from online scams.

The government of India has warned its citizens against falling prey to fraudulent job offers and urged them to verify employers and recruitment agents before accepting positions abroad.

Officials continue to collaborate with international agencies to combat human trafficking and cyber fraud, aiming to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable workers.

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