Artificial intelligence

Educators question boundaries of plagiarism in AI era

As AI tools such as ChatGPT become more common among students, schools and colleges report that some educators see assignments done at home as almost sure to involve AI. Educators say take-home writing tasks and traditional homework risk being devalued.

Teachers and students are confused over what constitutes legitimate versus dishonest AI use. Some students use AI to outline, edit, or translate texts. Others avoid asking for guidance about AI usage because rules vary by classroom, and admitting AI help might lead to accusations.

Schools are adapting by shifting towards in-class writing, verbal assessments and locked-down work environments.

Faculty at institutions, like the University of California, Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon, have started to issue updated syllabus templates that spell out AI expectations, including bans, approvals or partial allowances.

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Google Quantum AI selected for DARPA quantum benchmarking initiative

Google Quantum AI has been selected by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to participate in the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI). QBI is designed to assess quantum computing approaches and judge whether utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers could be developed by 2033.

The selection means Google will work with DARPA’s technical experts, who will be independent validators for its quantum computing roadmap. The evaluation aims to provide rigorous third-party benchmarking, a critical capability for the broader quantum industry.

DARPA’s QBI is not only about validation. It aims to compare different quantum technologies, superconducting qubits, photonic systems, trapped ions and other modalities under shared metrics.

Google’s involvement underscores its ongoing mission to build quantum infrastructure capable of addressing problems such as new medicine design, energy innovation and machine-learning optimisation.

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UK plans AI systems to monitor offenders and prevent crimes before they occur

The UK government is expanding its use of AI across prisons, probation and courts to monitor offenders, assess risk and prevent crime before it occurs under the AI Action Plan.

One key measure involves an AI violence prediction tool that uses factors like an offender’s age, past violent incidents and institutional behaviour to identify those most likely to pose risk.

These predictions will inform decisions to increase supervision or relocate prisoners in custody wings ahead of potential violence.

Another component scans seized mobile phone content to highlight secret or coded messages that may signal plotting of violent acts, intelligence operations or contraband activities.

Officials are also working to merge offender records across courts, prisons and probation to create a single digital identity for each offender.

UK authorities say the goal is to reduce reoffending and prioritise public and staff safety, while shifting resources from reactive investigations to proactive prevention. Civil liberties groups caution about privacy, bias and the risk of overreach if transparency and oversight are not built in.

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Ukraine urges ethical use of AI in education

AI can help build individual learning paths for Ukraine’s 3.5 million students, but its use must remain ethical, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science Yevhen Kudriavets has said.

Speaking to UNN, Kudriavets stressed that AI can analyse large volumes of information and help students acquire the knowledge they need more efficiently. He said AI could construct individual learning trajectories faster than teachers working manually.

He warned, however, that AI should not replace the educational process and that safeguards must be found to prevent misuse.

Kudriavets also said students in Ukraine should understand the reasons behind using AI, adding that it should be used to achieve knowledge rather than to obtain grades.

The deputy minister emphasised that technology itself is neutral, and how people choose to apply it determines whether it benefits education.

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YouTube expands AI dubbing to millions of creators

Real-time translation is becoming a standard feature across consumer tech, with Samsung, Google, and Apple all introducing new tools. Apple’s recently announced Live Translation on AirPods demonstrates the utility of such features, particularly for travellers.

YouTube has joined the trend, expanding its multi-language audio feature to millions of creators worldwide. The tool enables creators to add dubbed audio tracks in multiple languages, powered by Google’s Gemini AI, replicating tone and emotion.

The feature was first tested with creators like MrBeast, Mark Rober, and Jamie Oliver. YouTube reports that Jamie Oliver’s channel saw its views triple, while over 25% of the watch time came from non-primary languages.

Mark Rober’s channel now supports more than 30 languages per video, helping creators reach audiences far beyond their native markets. YouTube states that this expansion should make content more accessible to global viewers and increase overall engagement.

Subtitles will still be vital for people with hearing difficulties, but AI-powered dubbing could reduce reliance on them for language translation. For creators, it marks a significant step towards making content truly global.

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Educators rethink assignments as AI becomes widespread

Educators are confronting a new reality as AI tools like ChatGPT become widespread among students. Traditional take-home assignments and essays are increasingly at risk as students commonly use AI chatbots to complete schoolwork.

Schools are responding by moving more writing tasks into the classroom and monitoring student activity. Teachers are also integrating AI into lessons, teaching students how to use it responsibly for research, summarising readings, or improving drafts, rather than as a shortcut to cheat.

Policies on AI use still vary widely. Some classrooms allow AI tools for grammar checks or study aids, while others enforce strict bans. Teachers are shifting away from take-home essays, adopting in-class tests, lockdown browsers, or flipped classrooms to manage AI’s impact better. 

The inconsistency often leaves students unsure about acceptable use and challenges educators to uphold academic integrity.

Institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon have implemented policies promoting ‘AI literacy,’ explaining when and how AI can be used, and adjusting assessments to prevent misuse.

As AI continues improving, educators seek a balance between embracing technology’s potential and safeguarding academic standards. Teachers emphasise guidance, structured use, and supervision to ensure AI supports learning rather than undermining it.

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NATO and Seoul expand cybersecurity dialogue and defence ties

South Korea and NATO have pledged closer cooperation on cybersecurity following high-level talks in Seoul this week, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The discussions, led by Ambassador for International Cyber Affairs Lee Tae Woo and NATO Assistant Secretary General Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, focused on countering cyber threats and assessing risks in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.

Launched in 2023, the high-level cyber dialogue aims to deepen collaboration between South Korea and NATO in the cybersecurity domain.

The meeting followed talks between Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back and NATO Military Committee chair Giuseppe Cavo Dragone during the Seoul Defence Dialogue earlier this week.

Dragone said cooperation would expand across defence exchanges, information sharing, cyberspace, space, and AI as ties between Seoul and NATO strengthen.

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New AI and digital ministry in Kazakhstan to drive national transformation

Kazakhstan is stepping up its digital ambitions with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announcing the creation of a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Speaking during his annual state-of-the-nation address, Tokayev said the move is part of the country’s goal to become a fully digital nation within three years.

The new ministry will lead efforts to modernise the economy through AI, big data, and platform technologies, guided by a forthcoming national strategy called Digital Kazakhstan. Tokayev stressed that digital transformation is not optional but essential for Kazakhstan, which he described as being at the crossroads of global technological shifts.

He warned that while opportunities are vast, challenges such as geopolitical tensions, economic inequality, and even AI-based weapons are on the rise. For Kazakhstan, he said, the priority is to ensure stability, prosperity, and a secure future for the younger generation by embracing decisive reforms and adapting to the new technological order.

A major part of this vision is the development of Alatau City, a planned innovation hub near Almaty. Designed as the country’s first fully digital city, it will feature Smart City technologies, digital payments, and cryptocurrency use. Tokayev revealed that land and infrastructure are already prepared, and international partnerships, including with a Chinese company behind Shenzhen’s rise, are set to drive the project forward.

To secure Alatau City’s success, the government plans to grant it special status under direct state supervision within days, followed by a new law defining its governance and financial structure. Tokayev emphasised that the project is not merely a showcase but a practical step toward positioning Kazakhstan as a leader in digital innovation, blending cutting-edge technology with modern urban living.

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OpenAI moves to for-profit with Microsoft deal

Microsoft and OpenAI have agreed to new non-binding terms that will allow OpenAI to restructure into a for-profit company, marking a significant shift in their long-standing partnership.

The agreement sets the stage for OpenAI to raise capital, pursue additional cloud partnerships, and eventually go public, while Microsoft retains access to its technology.

The previous deal gave Microsoft exclusive rights to sell OpenAI tools via Azure and made it the primary provider of compute power. OpenAI has since expanded its options, including a $300 billion cloud deal with Oracle and an agreement with Google, allowing it to develop its own data centre project, Stargate.

OpenAI aims to maintain its nonprofit arm, which will receive more than $100 billion from the projected $500 billion private market valuation.

Regulatory approval from the attorneys general of California and Delaware is required for the new structure, with OpenAI targeting completion by the end of the year to secure key funding.

Both companies continue to compete across AI products, from consumer chatbots to business tools, while Microsoft works on building its own AI models to reduce reliance on OpenAI technology.

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Albania names first AI-generated minister to fight corruption

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has unveiled the world’s first AI-generated minister, a virtual figure named Diella, who will oversee public tenders in an effort to eradicate corruption. The announcement was made as Rama presented his new cabinet following a decisive election victory in May.

Diella, meaning ‘Sun’ in Albanian, has already been active on the government’s e-Albania portal, where it has issued more than 36,000 digital documents and helped citizens access around 1,000 services.

Now, it will formally take on a cabinet role, marking what Rama described as a radical shift in governance where technology acts as a participant instead of a tool.

The AI will gradually take over responsibility for awarding government tenders, removing decisions from ministries and ensuring assessments are objective. Rama said the system would help Albania become ‘100 per cent corruption-free’ in procurement, a key area of concern in the country’s bid to join the EU by 2030.

Public tenders have long been linked to corruption scandals in Albania, a nation often cited as a hub for money laundering and organised crime. Supporters view Diella’s appointment as a bold step towards transparency, with local media calling it a major transformation in how state power is exercised.

Rama emphasised that the AI minister would have a special mandate to break down bureaucratic barriers and strengthen public trust in administration.

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