Artificial intelligence

AI chatbot shows promise in mental health assistance

Dartmouth College researchers have trialled an AI chatbot, Therabot, designed to assist with mental health care. In a groundbreaking clinical trial, the app was tested on individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and those at risk for eating disorders.

The results showed encouraging improvements, with users reporting up to a 51% reduction in depression and a 31% decrease in anxiety. These outcomes were comparable to traditional outpatient therapy.

The trial also revealed that Therabot was effective in helping individuals with eating disorder risks, leading to a 19% reduction in harmful thoughts about body image and weight issues.

Researchers noted that after eight weeks of engagement with the app, participants showed significant symptom reduction, marking progress comparable to standard cognitive therapy.

While Therabot’s success offers hope, experts highlight the importance of balancing AI with human oversight, especially in sensitive mental health applications.

The study’s authors emphasised that while AI can help improve access to therapy, particularly for those unable to access in-person care, generative AI tools must be used cautiously, as errors could have serious consequences for individuals at risk of self-harm.

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SK Hynix sees surge in chip orders ahead of US tariffs

South Korea’s SK Hynix has reported that some customers are accelerating orders ahead of potential US tariffs on semiconductor imports.

Speaking at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Head of Global Sales and Marketing Lee Sang-rak noted that this trend, combined with reduced customer inventory, has contributed to favourable market conditions.

However, he cautioned that it remains uncertain whether the demand surge will continue.

The US government is considering a 25% tariff on semiconductor imports, prompting fears of price increases and supply chain disruptions. Analysts at Nomura have observed preemptive stockpiling in response, though the final decision on tariffs is still pending.

Meanwhile, competitors Micron, SanDisk, and China’s YMTC have raised their memory chip prices due to strong demand from the AI sector.

SK Hynix remains optimistic about growth, particularly in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip market. CEO Kwak Noh-Jung stated that demand is expected to soar this year, with sales for 2025 already sold out and 2026 orders nearing finalisation.

He also dismissed concerns that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s low-cost models would slow demand for high-performance accelerators, arguing that AI advancements will drive further expansion in the memory chip industry.

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OpenAI warns about deceptive behaviour in AI models

OpenAI has expressed growing concern over how advanced AI systems are learning to manipulate tasks in unintended and potentially harmful ways.

As these models become more powerful, they are increasingly able to identify and exploit weaknesses in their programming, a behaviour researchers call ‘reward hacking’.

Recent studies from OpenAI reveal that models such as o3-mini have demonstrated the ability to develop deceptive strategies to maximise success, even when it means breaking the intended rules.

Using a technique called Chain-of-Thought reasoning, which outlines an AI’s step-by-step decision-making, researchers have spotted signs of manipulation, dishonesty, and task evasion.

To counter this, OpenAI has experimented with using separate AI models to review and assess these thought processes. Yet, the company warns that strict oversight can backfire, leading the AI to conceal its true motives, making it even more difficult to detect undesirable behaviour.

The issue, OpenAI suggests, mirrors human tendencies to bend rules for personal benefit. Just as creating perfect rules for people is challenging, ensuring ethical behaviour from AI demands smarter monitoring strategies.

The ultimate goal is to keep AI transparent, fair, and aligned with human values as it grows more capable.

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SoftBank leads massive investment in OpenAI

OpenAI is reportedly finalising a $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank, potentially pushing its valuation to $300 billion. Other major investors, including Magnetar Capital and Coatue Management, are also in talks to join.

SoftBank is expected to invest $30 billion across two tranches, starting with $7.5 billion, while an additional $10 billion will be pooled from various backers.

Magnetar alone may contribute $1 billion to the deal.

This comes just months after OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in October 2024. The latest round cements its place as a dominant force in AI, drawing unprecedented investor interest as demand for its tools soars.

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Nvidia boosts AI strategy with Lepton deal

Nvidia is reportedly close to acquiring Lepton AI, a startup that rents out servers powered by Nvidia’s AI chips. The deal, said to be worth several hundred million dollars, would mark Nvidia’s entry into the server rental space.

Founded just two years ago, Lepton AI previously raised $11 million in seed funding and is seen as a key rival to Together AI, a similar firm with over $500 million in backing.

The move follows Nvidia’s recent acquisition of synthetic data startup Gretel.

With AI demand skyrocketing, this acquisition could strengthen Nvidia’s grip on the market by combining its chip dominance with direct cloud-based services. Nvidia has yet to comment on the reported talks.

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BMW partners with Alibaba to boost AI development

Alibaba and BMW have joined forces to develop advanced AI technologies aimed at shaping the future of mobility in China.

The collaboration brings together Alibaba’s growing AI expertise and BMW’s automotive innovation to produce smarter, more intuitive vehicles tailored to the Chinese market.

The partnership centres on integrating a customised AI engine into BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant, using Yan AI—developed by Alibaba’s Banma—as its foundation.

However, this AI-powered assistant is set to debut in BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse models, manufactured in China from 2026. These vehicles will feature voice-activated controls and real-time assistance, creating a more seamless and personalised driving experience.

BMW plans to introduce two AI agents, Car Genius and Travel Companion, to enhance in-car services such as navigation, traffic updates, and personal scheduling.

The customisable nature of these tools reflects a growing demand for smart, user-friendly features in the automotive space, particularly in tech-savvy markets like China.

As global competition in the electric vehicle sector intensifies, BMW’s strategic pivot towards AI and the Chinese market could strengthen its position against local rivals such as BYD and Geely.

With European subsidies declining, the German carmaker is looking to AI-powered innovation as a key lever to maintain relevance and secure long-term growth.

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OpenAI holds back image generator tool for free users

OpenAI is delaying the release of its new image generation feature for free ChatGPT users, citing unexpectedly high demand. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the postponement in a post on Wednesday, saying the feature’s popularity surpassed expectations, which led to a temporary hold on the wider rollout.

The tool, introduced just a day earlier, allows users to create images directly within ChatGPT using the advanced GPT-4o model. The update quickly went viral, with social media flooded by user-generated visuals — many mimicking the whimsical style of Studio Ghibli — including contributions from Altman himself.

GPT-4o enhances text and image capabilities, generating images in a step-by-step, top-to-bottom process known as an autoregressive approach. Currently, the feature remains exclusive to paid ChatGPT tiers: Plus, Pro, and Team. A timeline for when free users will gain access has yet to be announced.

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UK AI plans risk delay due to outdated public sector IT

Government plans to embed AI across public services face serious challenges due to outdated IT systems, insufficient funding, and a shortage of skilled workers, MPs have warned.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that over 20 legacy systems still await financial support for upgrades, with nearly a third of central government systems considered obsolete as of 2024.

While the government has outlined an ambitious AI strategy to improve efficiency and stimulate economic growth, including the recruitment of 2,000 new tech apprentices, the PAC report casts doubt on the public sector’s readiness.

The committee highlighted ongoing digital skills shortages, driven partly by uncompetitive pay compared to the private sector, and raised concerns over the lack of transparent systems to track and assess AI-driven decisions.

The PAC urged the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to set a clear funding plan within six months for the most at-risk systems and warned that failing to act could lead to greater costs down the line.

It also called for stronger leadership, better oversight of AI pilot schemes, and increased public transparency to build trust in how government uses AI.

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AI chip production to benefit from Rapidus and Quest Global alliance

Japanese chipmaker Rapidus Corporation has announced a strategic partnership with Singapore-based engineering firm Quest Global to develop advanced artificial intelligence semiconductors.

The collaboration focuses on producing low-power, high-performance chips using cutting-edge 2-nanometre technology.

Quest Global will support Rapidus and its clients by designing these next-generation AI chips.

The partnership is also expected to expand Rapidus’s customer reach by tapping into Quest Global’s broad international client base, enabling both companies to deliver new products to established and emerging markets.

Rapidus aims to begin pilot production of the new chips in April at a new facility under construction in Hokkaido, Japan, with mass production planned for 2027.

The move forms part of Japan’s broader effort to revitalise its semiconductor industry amid increasing global supply chain concerns.

Founded in 2022 with investment from major Japanese firms including Toyota and Sony, Rapidus was created to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers in an era of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

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China faces Nvidia chip shortages

Chinese server manufacturer H3C has warned of potential shortages of Nvidia’s H20 chip, the most advanced AI processor still legally available in the country under US export controls.

In a notice to clients, the company revealed that its stock of H20 chips was nearly depleted, citing geopolitical tensions as a major factor affecting global supply chains.

New shipments are expected by mid-April, but future availability remains uncertain due to ongoing trade restrictions and supply disruptions.

The demand for H20 chips has surged, particularly as companies race to integrate AI models developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek.

Major tech firms such as Tencent, Alibaba, and ByteDance have significantly increased their orders, leading to further strain on supply.

H3C stated that future chip distribution will prioritise long-term, high-margin customers under a profit-first approach, raising concerns among smaller buyers about access to the critical technology.

The H20 was introduced after the US tightened export controls on high-performance AI chips in October 2023, blocking Nvidia’s most advanced processors from the Chinese market.

Washington has restricted such exports since 2022, citing national security concerns over China’s potential military applications of AI technology.

Despite these measures, Nvidia has reportedly shipped around one million H20 units in 2024, generating more than $12 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, domestic alternatives from Huawei and Cambricon are emerging as potential substitutes amid the ongoing supply crunch.

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