Artificial intelligence

EU aviation regulator opens debate on AI oversight and safety

EASA has issued its first regulatory proposal on AI in aviation, opening a three-month consultation for industry feedback. The draft focuses on trustworthy, data-driven AI systems and anticipates applications ranging from basic assistance to human–AI teaming.

The move comes amid wider criticism of EU AI rules from major tech firms and political leaders. Aviation stakeholders are now assessing whether compliance costs and operational demands could slow development or disrupt competitive positioning across the sector.

Experts warn that adapting to the framework may require significant investment, particularly for companies with limited resources. Others may accelerate AI adoption to preserve market advantage, especially where safety gains or efficiency improvements justify rapid deployment.

EASA stresses that consultation is essential to balance strict assurance requirements with the flexibility needed for innovation. Privacy and personal data issues remain contentious, shaping expectations for acceptable AI use in safety-critical environments.

Meanwhile, Airbus is pushing to reach 75 A320-family deliveries per month by 2027, driven by the A321neo’s strong order book. In parallel, Mitsui OSK Lines continues to lead the global LNG carrier market, reflecting broader momentum across adjacent transport sectors.

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Report calls for new regulations as AI deepfakes threaten legal evidence

US courtrooms increasingly depend on video evidence, yet researchers warn that the legal system is unprepared for an era in which AI can fabricate convincing scenes.

A new report led by the University of Colorado Boulder argues that national standards are urgently needed to guide how courts assess footage generated or enhanced by emerging technologies.

The authors note that judges and jurors receive little training on evaluating altered clips, despite more than 80 percent of cases involving some form of video.

Concerns have grown as deepfakes become easier to produce. A civil case in California collapsed in September after a judge ruled that a witness video was fabricated, and researchers believe such incidents will rise as tools like Sora 2 allow users to create persuasive simulations in moments.

Experts also warn about the spread of the so-called deepfake defence, where lawyers attempt to cast doubt on genuine recordings instead of accepting what is shown.

AI is also increasingly used to clean up real footage and to match surveillance clips with suspects. Such techniques can improve clarity, yet they also risk deepening inequalities when only some parties can afford to use them.

High-profile errors linked to facial recognition have already led to wrongful arrests, reinforcing the need for more explicit courtroom rules.

The report calls for specialised judicial training, new systems for storing and retrieving video evidence and stronger safeguards that help viewers identify manipulated content without compromising whistleblowers.

Researchers hope the findings prompt legal reforms that place scientific rigour at the centre of how courts treat digital evidence as it shifts further into an AI-driven era.

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SAP unveils new models and tools shaping enterprise AI

The German multinational software company, SAP, used its TechEd event in Berlin to reveal a significant expansion of its Business AI portfolio, signalling a decisive shift toward an AI-native future across its suite.

The company expects to deliver 400 AI use cases by the end of 2025, building on more than 300 already in place.

It also argues that its early use cases already generate substantial returns, offering meaningful value for firms seeking operational gains instead of incremental upgrades.

A firm that places AI-native architecture at the centre of its strategy. SAP HANA Cloud now supports richer model grounding through multi-model engines, long-term agentic memory, and automated knowledge graph creation.

SAP aims to integrate these tools with SAP Business Data Cloud and Snowflake through zero-copy data sharing next year.

The introduction of SAP-RPT-1, a new relational foundation model designed for structured enterprise data rather than general language tasks, is presented as a significant step toward improving prediction accuracy across finance, supply chains, and customer analytics.

SAP also seeks to empower developers through a mix of low-code and pro-code tools, allowing companies to design and orchestrate their own Joule Agents.

Agent governance is strengthened through the LeanIX agent hub. At the same time, new interoperability efforts based on the agent-to-agent protocol are expected to enable SAP systems to work more smoothly with models and agents from major partners, including AWS, Google, Microsoft, and ServiceNow.

Improvements in ABAP development, including the introduction of SAP-ABAP-1 and a new Visual Studio Code extension, aim to support developers who prefer modern, AI-enabled workflows over older, siloed environments.

Physical AI also takes a prominent role. SAP demonstrated how Joule Agents already operate inside autonomous robots for tasks linked to logistics, field services, and asset performance.

Plans extend from embodied AI to quantum-ready business algorithms designed to enhance complex decision-making without forcing companies to re-platform.

SAP frames the overall strategy as a means to support Europe’s digital sovereignty, which is strengthened through expanded infrastructure in Germany and cooperation with Deutsche Telekom under the Industrial AI Cloud project.

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Deepfakes surge as scammers exploit AI video tools

Experts warn online video is entering a perilous new phase as AI deepfakes spread. Analysts say totals climbed from roughly 500,000 in 2023 to eight million in 2025.

Security researchers say deepfake scams have risen by more than 3,000 percent recently. Studies also indicate humans correctly spot high-quality fakes only around one in four times. People are urged to question surprising clips, verify stories elsewhere and trust their instincts.

Video apps such as Sora 2 create lifelike clips that fraudsters reuse for scams. Sora passed one million downloads and later tightened rules after racist deepfakes of Martin Luther King Jr.

Specialists at Outplayed suggest checking eye blinks, mouth movements and hands for subtle distortions. Inconsistent lighting, unnaturally smooth skin or glitching backgrounds can reveal manipulated or AI-generated video.

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Nokia to build Surge’s 5G fixed-wireless network in Indonesia

Indonesian telecom provider Surge (Solusi Sinergi Digital) and Nokia have entered a multi-year agreement to roll out a 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network across Java, Papua, and Maluku.

Nokia will leverage its existing FTTx, IP and optical infrastructure for backhaul, and deploy a new RAN and customer premises equipment (CPE) tailored for FWA. The deployment will utilise Nokia’s AirScale RAN portfolio, comprising baseband, remote radio heads, and zero-footprint sites, all enabled by its energy-efficient ReefShark chip technology.

To help manage the network, Surge will utilise Nokia’s MantaRay NM network management system, which provides a unified view of operations. The agreement also includes deployment, maintenance and support services, with AI-based performance, efficiency and safety enhancements.

This project supports broader aims of digital inclusion in Indonesia: Surge plans to offer flat-rate 5G FWA services at around IDR 100,000 (~US$6) per month, with speeds of up to 100 Mb/s and no data cap.

From a policy and infrastructure standpoint, the deal is noteworthy. It shows how 5G FWA can be used to address connectivity gaps in regions where fibre rollout is challenging, and how advanced RAN technologies, combined with AI-led operations, can make large-scale broadband deployment more feasible.

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AI expected to reshape 89% of jobs across the workforce in 2026

AI is set to transform the UK workforce in 2026, with nearly 9 out of 10 senior HR leaders expecting AI to reshape jobs, according to a CNBC survey. The survey highlights a shift towards skill-based, AI-enabled recruitment rather than traditional degree-focused hiring.

Despite the widespread adoption of AI, workforce reductions are expected to stem mainly from general cost-cutting rather than efficiency gains. Many HR leaders also noted that while AI has improved efficiency and innovation, it has not yet been fully integrated into every job, resulting in uneven impact across organisations.

The research highlights the potential of AI to boost productivity and innovation, with studies indicating that employees can save an average of 7.5 hours per week by utilising AI tools. HR experts emphasised that learning to use AI to augment human interactions, rather than replace them, will be crucial for the workforce’s future.

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New report warns retailers are unprepared for AI-powered attacks

Retailers are entering the peak shopping season amid warnings that AI-driven cyber threats will accelerate. LevelBlue’s latest Spotlight Report says nearly half of retail executives are already seeing significantly higher attack volumes, while one-third have suffered a breach in the past year.

The sector is under pressure to roll out AI-driven personalisation and new digital channels, yet only a quarter feel ready to defend against AI attacks. Readiness gaps also cover deepfakes and synthetic identity fraud, even though most expect these threats to arrive soon.

Supply chain visibility remains weak, with almost half of executives reporting limited insight into software suppliers. Few list supplier security as a near-term priority, fuelling concern that vulnerabilities could cascade across retail ecosystems.

High-profile breaches have pushed cybersecurity into the boardroom, and most retailers now integrate security teams with business operations. Leadership performance metrics and risk appetite frameworks are increasingly aligned with cyber resilience goals.

Planned investment is focused on application security, business-wide resilience processes, and AI-enabled defensive tools. LevelBlue argues that sustained spending and cultural change are required if retailers hope to secure consumer trust amid rapidly evolving threats.

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Vatican gathers global experts on AI and medicine

Medical professionals, ethicists and theologians gathered in the Vatican this week to discuss the ethical use of AI in healthcare. The conference, organised by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, highlighted the growing role of AI in diagnostics and treatment.

Speakers warned against reducing patient care to data alone, stressing that human interaction and personalised treatment remain central to medicine. Experts highlighted the need for transparency, non-discrimination and ethical oversight when implementing AI, noting that technology should enhance rather than replace human judgement.

The event also explored global experiences from regions including India, Latin America and Europe, with participants emphasising the role of citizens in shaping AI’s direction in medicine. Organisers called for ongoing dialogue between healthcare professionals, faith communities and technology leaders to ensure AI benefits patients while safeguarding human dignity.

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Hyundai launches record investment to boost South Korea’s tech future

Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled a record 85.8 billion dollar investment plan that will reshape South Korea’s industrial landscape over the next five years.

The company intends to channel a large share of the funds into fields such as AI, robotics, electrification, software-defined vehicles, and hydrogen technologies.

Hyundai presents the roadmap as evidence of an agile response to a global environment in which export strength and technological leadership matter more than ever.

A major part of the strategy centres on turning innovation into export gains. The group expects the investment to raise overseas shipments of South Korea-made vehicles by more than thirteen percent by 2030.

A plan that emerges shortly after Seoul concluded a new trade agreement with Washington that lowers tariffs on South Korean vehicles to fifteen percent instead of the previous twenty-five percent. The rate remains much higher than the earlier 2.5 percent applied before the renegotiation.

Hyundai’s announcement mirrors a wider industrial push across the country. Samsung Group recently committed 310 billion dollars for a similar period, largely focused on AI development.

Both companies aim to reinforce the nation’s position in advanced technologies and secure long-term competitiveness at a time when global supply chains and industrial alliances are rapidly shifting.

Hyundai, together with Kia, sold more than 7.2 million vehicles globally last year.

The company views its new investment programme as a foundation for future export growth and a signal that South Korea plans to anchor its economic future in next-generation technologies instead of relying on past models of industrial expansion.

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Google commits 40 billion dollars to expand Texas AI infrastructure

Google will pour 40 billion dollars into Texas by 2027, expanding digital infrastructure. Funding focuses on new cloud and AI facilities alongside existing campuses in Midlothian and Dallas.

Three new US data centres are planned, one in Armstrong County and two in Haskell County. One Haskell site will sit beside a solar plant and battery storage facility. Investment is accompanied by agreements for more than 6,200 megawatts of additional power generation.

Google will create a 30 million dollar Energy Impact Fund supporting Texan energy efficiency and affordability projects. The company backs training for existing electricians and over 1,700 apprentices through electrical training programmes.

Spending strengthens Texas as a major hub for data centres and AI development. Google says expanded infrastructure and workforce will help maintain US leadership in advanced computing technologies. Company highlights its 15 year presence in Texas and pledges ongoing community support.

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