Artificial intelligence

Meta set to unveil $800 smart glasses with display

Meta is set to unveil its first pair of smart glasses with a built-in display at its annual Connect conference in California.

Expected to be called Celeste, the glasses will debut at around $800 and feature a small digital display in the right lens for notifications. Analysts say the higher price point could limit adoption compared with Meta’s Ray-Ban line, which starts at $299.

Alongside the new glasses, Meta is also expected to launch its first wristband for hand-gesture control and an updated Ray-Ban line with better cameras, battery life and AI features. Developers will gain access to a new software kit to build device apps.

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

New Babbel Speak helps beginners practise conversations

Babbel has introduced an AI-powered voice trainer designed to help beginners gain confidence in speaking a new language.

Babbel’s chief executive, Tim Allen, said the aim is not instant fluency but helping learners move from first words to confident conversations.

Called Babbel Speak, the AI feature guides users through 28 real-life scenarios, such as ordering coffee or describing the weather. It provides personalised feedback and uses a calming design with animations to ease anxiety while learning.

The trainer is available in open beta on the App Store and Play Store for English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

Subscribers can try it as part of the standard plans of Babbel, which start at $107.40 per year, with a lifetime option also offered.

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

AI set to guide Japanese political party decisions

A small Japanese political party has announced plans to install an AI system as its leader following its founder’s resignation.

The Path to Rebirth party was created in January by Shinji Ishimaru, a former mayor who rose to prominence after placing second in the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election. He stepped down after the party failed to secure seats in this year’s upper house elections.

The AI would oversee internal decisions such as distributing resources, but would not dictate members’ political activities. Okumura, who won a contest to succeed Ishimaru, will act as the nominal leader while supporting the development of the AI.

Despite attracting media attention, the party has faced heavy electoral defeats, with all 42 of its candidates losing in the June Tokyo assembly election and all 10 of its upper house candidates defeated in July.

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

Study reveals why humans adapt better than AI

A new interdisciplinary study from Bielefeld University and other leading institutions explores why humans excel at adapting to new situations while AI systems often struggle. Researchers found humans generalise through abstraction and concepts, while AI relies on statistical or rule-based methods.

The study proposes a framework to align human and AI reasoning, defining generalisation, how it works, and how it can be assessed. Experts say differences in generalisation limit AI flexibility and stress the need for human-centred design in medicine, transport, and decision-making.

Researchers collaborated across more than 20 institutions, including Bielefeld, Bamberg, Amsterdam, and Oxford, under the SAIL project. The initiative aims to develop AI systems that are sustainable, transparent, and better able to support human values and decision-making.

Interdisciplinary insights may guide the responsible use of AI in human-AI teams, ensuring machines complement rather than disrupt human judgement.

The findings underline the importance of bridging cognitive science and AI research to foster more adaptable, trustworthy, and human-aligned AI systems capable of tackling complex, real-world challenges.

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

UN to train governments in blockchain and AI

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) plans to launch a ‘Government Blockchain Academy’ next year to educate public sector officials on blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies.

The initiative aims to help governments leverage tech for economic growth and sustainable development.

The academy will partner with the Exponential Science Foundation, a non-profit promoting blockchain and AI. Training will cover financial services, digital IDs, public procurement, smart contracts, and climate finance to help governments boost transparency, inclusion, and resilience.

UNDP officials highlighted that developing countries, including India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, are already among the leading adopters of crypto technology.

The academy will provide in-person and online courses, workshops, and forums to guide high-impact blockchain initiatives aligned with national priorities.

The programme follows last year’s UNDP blockchain academy, created in partnership with the Algorand Foundation, which trained over 22,000 staff members to support sustainable growth projects in participating countries.

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

Hong Kong to speed up tech hub plan with China

One of S.A.R. of China, Hong Kong, is preparing to accelerate its cross-border technology hub plans with mainland China as the city seeks new growth drivers to offset its fragile economy.

Chief Executive John Lee is set to deliver his annual policy address on Wednesday, with the Northern Metropolis project expected to take centre stage.

The initiative aims to transform a sparsely populated area into a base for advanced industries and innovation, while reducing reliance on finance and real estate.

According to state-owned media, the government will ease financing rules to attract companies in AI, renewable energy and medical technology.

An urgency that comes despite signs of recovery, as the economy of Hong Kong grew at its fastest pace in over a year last quarter. Yet home prices continue to fall, unemployment has risen, and public finances remain stretched.

The administration is unlikely to offer sweeping property incentives, such as tax cuts or looser rules for mainland buyers, given fiscal constraints. Instead, it may revive the long-dormant Tenants Purchase Scheme, first launched in 1998, which allows public housing tenants to buy their flats at reduced prices.

Analysts say that without bold reforms, the housing market will stay under pressure as oversupply and weak sentiment weigh on values.

Hong Kong’s $7.2 trillion stock market could benefit if new listings and inflows are encouraged, especially as developers look to stimulus and lower mortgage rates to support sales.

However, with the economy of China also slowing down, doubts remain over whether deeper integration and technology investments can provide a lasting boost.

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

Japan-backed AI avatar to highlight climate risks at Osaka Expo

An AI avatar named Una will be presented at the UN pavilion during the 2025 World Expo in Osaka later in the month as part of efforts to promote climate action.

The anime-inspired character, developed with support from the Japanese government, will use 3D hologram technology to engage visitors from 29 September to 4 October.

Una was launched online in May and can respond automatically in multiple languages, including English and Japanese. She was created under the Pacific Green Transformation Project, which supports renewable energy initiatives such as electric vehicles in Samoa and hydropower in Vanuatu.

Her role is to share stories of Pacific island nations facing the impacts of rising sea levels and raise awareness about climate change.

Kanni Wignaraja, UN assistant secretary-general and regional director for Asia and the Pacific, described Una as a strong voice for threatened communities. Influenced by Japanese manga and anime, she is designed to act like a cultural ambassador who connects Pacific struggles with Japanese audiences.

Pacific sea levels have risen by more than 15 centimetres in some regions over the past three decades, leading to flooding, crop damage and migration fears. The risks are existential for nations like Tuvalu, with an average elevation of just two metres.

The UN hopes Una will encourage the public to support renewable energy adoption and climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

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

AI search tools challenge Google’s dominance

AI tools are increasingly reshaping how people search online, with large language models like ChatGPT drawing millions away from traditional engines.

Montreal-based lawyer and consultant Anja-Sara Lahady says she now turns to ChatGPT instead of Google for everyday tasks such as meal ideas, interior decoration tips and drafting low-risk emails. She describes it as a second assistant rather than a replacement for legal reasoning.

ChatGPT’s weekly user base has surged to around 800 million, double the figure reported in 2025. Data shows that nearly 6% of desktop searches are already directed to language models, compared with barely half that rate a year ago.

Academics such as Professor Feng Li argue that users favour AI tools because they reduce cognitive effort by providing clear summaries instead of multiple links. However, he warns that verification remains essential due to factual errors.

Google insists its search activity continues to expand, supported by AI Overviews and AI Mode, which offer more conversational and tailored answers.

Yet, testimony in a US antitrust case revealed that Google searches on Apple devices via Safari declined for the first time in two decades, underlining the competitive pressure from AI.

The rise of language models is also forcing a shift in digital marketing. Agencies report that LLMs highlight trusted websites, press releases and established media rather than social media content.

This change may influence consumer habits, with evidence suggesting that referrals from AI systems often lead to higher-quality sales conversions. For many users, AI now represents a faster and more personal route to decisions on products, travel or professional tasks.

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

Codex gets smarter with GPT-5, targets GitHub Copilot and rivals

OpenAI has optimised its new GPT-5 model for Codex, its agentic software development tool, boosting performance on both quick coding sessions and long, complex projects. CEO Sam Altman said Codex already accounts for 40% of platform traffic.

GPT-5 Codex can now build full projects, add features, run tests, refactor large codebases, and conduct detailed code reviews. It dynamically adjusts the time spent ‘thinking’ based on task complexity, allowing both interactive pair programming and extended autonomous work.

OpenAI stated that the model can run independently for over seven hours, completing refactorings, fixing test failures, and delivering finished code. Early tests indicate that it catches critical bugs more reliably, allowing developers to focus on the most important issues.

The upgraded Codex is available via terminal, IDE integrations, the web, and GitHub, and comes bundled with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise subscriptions. OpenAI launched Codex CLI in April and a research preview in May.

With GPT-5 Codex, OpenAI aims to capture market share from GitHub Copilot, Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and startups such as Anysphere and Windsurf. The company claims the new version delivers faster, higher-quality results for developers at every stage of the software lifecycle.

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

UK to benefit from Google’s £5 billion AI plan

Google has unveiled plans to invest £5 billion (around $6.8 billion) in the UK’s AI economy over the next two years.

An announcement comes just hours before US President Donald Trump’s official visit to the country, during which economic agreements worth more than $10 billion are expected.

The investment will include establishing a new AI data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, designed to meet growing demand for services like Google Cloud.

Alongside the facility, funds will be channelled into research and development, capital expenditure, engineering, and DeepMind’s work applying AI to science and healthcare. The project is expected to generate 8,250 annual jobs for British companies.

Google also revealed a partnership with Shell to support grid stability and contribute to the UK’s energy transition. The move highlights the economic and environmental stakes tied to AI expansion, as the UK positions itself as a hub for advanced digital technologies.

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