Artificial intelligence

Expanded AI model support arrives in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft is expanding the AI models powering Microsoft 365 Copilot by adding Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1. Customers can now choose between OpenAI and Anthropic models for research, deep reasoning, and agent building across Microsoft 365 tools.

The Researcher agent can now run on Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1, giving users a choice of models for in-depth analysis. The Researcher draws on web sources, trusted third-party data, and internal work content—encompassing emails, chats, meetings, and files—to deliver tailored, multistep reasoning.

Claude Sonnet 4 and Opus 4.1 are also available in Copilot Studio, enabling the creation of enterprise-grade agents with flexible model selection. Users can mix Anthropic, OpenAI, and Azure Model Catalogue models to power multi-agent workflows, automate tasks, and manage agents efficiently.

Claude in Researcher is rolling out today to Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed customers through the Frontier Program. Customers can also use Claude models in Copilot Studio to build and orchestrate agents.

Microsoft says this launch is part of its strategy to bring the best AI innovation across the industry to Copilot. More Anthropic-powered features will roll out soon, strengthening Copilot’s role as a hub for enterprise AI and workflow transformation.

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New Meta feature floods users with AI slop in TikTok-style feed

Meta has launched a new short-form video feed called Vibes inside its Meta AI app and on meta.ai, offering users endless streams of AI-generated content. The format mimics TikTok and Instagram Reels but consists entirely of algorithmically generated clips.

Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the feature in an Instagram post showcasing surreal creations, from fuzzy creatures leaping across cubes to a cat kneading dough and even an AI-generated Egyptian woman taking a selfie in antiquity.

Users can generate videos from scratch or remix existing clips by adding visuals, music, or stylistic effects before posting to Vibes, sharing via direct message, or cross-posting to Instagram and Facebook Stories.

Meta partnered with Midjourney and Black Forest Labs to support the early rollout, though it plans to transition to its AI models.

The announcement, however, was derided by users, who criticised the platform for adding yet more ‘AI slop’ to already saturated feeds. One top comment under Zuckerberg’s post bluntly read: ‘gang nobody wants this’.

A launch that comes as Meta ramps up its AI investment to catch up with rivals OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind.

Earlier during the year, the company consolidated its AI teams into Meta Superintelligence Labs and reorganised them into four units focused on foundation models, research, product integration, and infrastructure.

Despite the strategic shift, many question whether Vibes adds value or deepens user fatigue with generative content.

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LinkedIn default AI data sharing faces Dutch privacy watchdog scrutiny

The Dutch privacy watchdog, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), is warning LinkedIn users in the Netherlands to review their settings to prevent their data from being used for AI training.

LinkedIn plans to use names, job titles, education history, locations, skills, photos, and public posts from European users to train its systems. Private messages will not be included; however, the sharing option is enabled by default.

AP Deputy Chair Monique Verdier said the move poses significant risks. She warned that once personal data is used to train a model, it cannot be removed, and its future uses are unpredictable.

LinkedIn, headquartered in Dublin, falls under the jurisdiction of the Data Protection Commission in Ireland, which will determine whether the plan can proceed. The AP said it is working with Irish and EU counterparts and has already received complaints.

Users must opt out by 3 November if they do not wish to have their data used. They can disable the setting via the AP’s link or manually in LinkedIn under ‘settings & privacy’ → ‘data privacy’ → ‘data for improving generative AI’.

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UN urges global rules to ensure AI benefits humanity

The UN Security Council debated AI, noting its potential to boost development but warning of risks, particularly in military use. Secretary-General António Guterres called AI a ‘double-edged sword,’ supporting development but posing threats if left unregulated.

He urged legally binding restrictions on lethal autonomous weapons and insisted nuclear decisions remain under human control.

Experts and leaders emphasised the urgent need for global regulation, equitable access, and trustworthy AI systems. Yoshua Bengio of Université de Montréal warned of risks from misaligned AI, cyberattacks, and economic concentration, calling for greater oversight.

Stanford’s Yejin Choi highlighted the concentration of AI expertise in a few countries and companies, stressing that democratising AI and reducing bias is key to ensuring global benefits.

Representatives warned that AI could deepen digital inequality in developing regions, especially Africa, due to limited access to data and infrastructure.

Delegates from Guyana, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Algeria, and Panama called for international rules to ensure transparency, fairness, and prevent dominance by a few countries or companies. Others, including the United States, cautioned that overregulation could stifle innovation and centralise power.

Delegates stressed AI’s risks in security, urging Yemen, Poland, and the Netherlands called for responsible use in conflict with human oversight and ethical accountability.Leaders from Portugal and the Netherlands said AI frameworks must promote innovation, security, and serve humanity and peace.

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Anthropic models join Microsoft Copilot Studio for enhanced AI flexibility

Microsoft has added Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 to Copilot Studio, giving users more control over model selection for orchestration, workflow automation, and reasoning tasks.

The integration allows customers to design and optimise AI agents with either Anthropic or OpenAI models, or even coordinate across both. Administrators can manage access through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, with automatic fallback to OpenAI GPT-4o if Anthropic models are disabled.

Anthropic’s models are available in early release environments now, with preview access across all environments expected within two weeks and full production readiness by the end of the year.

Microsoft said the move empowers businesses to tailor AI agents more precisely to industry-specific needs, from HR onboarding to compliance management.

By enabling multi-model orchestration, Copilot Studio extends its versatility for enterprises seeking to match the right AI model to each task, underlining Microsoft’s push to position Copilot as a flexible platform for agentic AI.

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Gatik and Loblaw to deploy 50 self-driving trucks in Canada

Autonomous logistics firm Gatik is set to expand its partnership with Loblaw, deploying 50 new self-driving trucks across North America over the next year. The move marks the largest autonomous truck deployment in the region to date.

The slow rollout of self-driving technology has frustrated supply chain watchers, with most firms still testing limited fleets. Gatik’s large-scale deployment signals a shift toward commercial adoption, with 20 trucks to be added by the end of 2025 and an additional 30 by 2026.

The partnership was enabled by Ontario’s Autonomous Commercial Motor Vehicle Pilot Program, a ten-year initiative allowing approved operators to test automated commercial trucks on public roads. Officials hope it will boost road safety and support the trucking sector.

Industry analysts note that North America’s truck driver shortage is one of the most pressing logistics challenges facing the region. Nearly 70% of logistics firms report that driver shortages hinder their ability to meet freight demand, making automation a viable solution to address this issue.

Gatik, operating in the US and Canada, says the deployment could ease labour pressure and improve efficiency, but safety remains a key concern. Experts caution that striking a balance between rapid rollout and robust oversight will be crucial for establishing trust in autonomous freight operations.

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New Stargate sites create jobs and boost AI capacity across the US

OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank are expanding their Stargate AI infrastructure with five new US data centre sites. The addition brings nearly 7 gigawatts of capacity and $400 billion in investment, putting the partners on track to meet the $500 billion, 10-gigawatt commitment by 2025.

Three of the new sites- located in Shackelford County, Texas; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; and a forthcoming Midwest location, are expected to deliver over 5.5 gigawatts of capacity. These developments are expected to create over 25,000 onsite jobs and tens of thousands more nationwide.

A potential 600-megawatt expansion near the flagship site in Abilene, Texas, is also under consideration.

The remaining two sites, in Lordstown, Ohio, and Milam County, Texas, will scale to 1.5 gigawatts over 18 months. SoftBank and SB Energy are providing advanced design and infrastructure to enable faster, more scalable, and cost-efficient AI compute.

The new sites follow a rigorous nationwide selection process involving over 300 proposals from more than 30 states. Early workloads at the Abilene flagship site are already advancing next-generation AI research, supported by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and NVIDIA GB200 racks.

The expansion underscores the partners’ commitment to building the physical infrastructure necessary for AI breakthroughs and long-term US leadership in AI.

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The UK’s invisible AI workforce is reshaping industries

According to a new analysis from Multiverse, the UK’s AI workforce is expanding far beyond traditional tech roles. Nurses, lecturers, librarians, surveyors, and other non-tech professionals increasingly apply AI, forming what experts call an ‘invisible AI workforce.’

Over two-thirds of AI apprentices are in roles without tech-related job titles, highlighting the widespread adoption of AI across industries.

An analysis of more than 2,500 Multiverse apprentices shows that AI is being applied in healthcare, education, government administration, financial services, and construction sectors. AI hotspots are emerging beyond London, with clusters in Trafford, Cheshire West and Chester, Leeds, and Birmingham.

Croydon leads among London boroughs for AI apprentices, followed by Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, and Wandsworth.

The UK’s AI workforce is also demographically diverse. Apprentices range in age from 19 to 71, with near-equal gender representation- 45% female and 54% male- compared with just 22% of women in AI roles nationwide.

Workers at all career stages are reskilling with AI, using the technology to address real-world problems, such as improving patient care or streamlining charity services.

Multiverse has trained over 20,000 apprentices in AI, data, and digital skills since 2016 and aims to train another 15,000 in the next two years. With 1,500 companies involved, the platform is helping non-tech workers use AI to boost productivity and innovation across the UK.

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AI-driven remote fetal monitoring launched by Lee Health

Lee Health has launched Florida’s first AI-powered birth care centre, introducing a remote fetal monitoring command hub to improve maternal and newborn outcomes across the Gulf Coast.

The system tracks temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse for mothers and babies, with AI alerting staff when vital signs deviate from normal ranges. Nurses remain in control but gain what Lee Health calls a ‘second set of eyes’.

‘Maybe mum’s blood pressure is high, maybe the baby’s heart rate is not looking great. We will be able to identify those things,’ said Jen Campbell, director of obstetrical services at Lee Health.

Once a mother checks in, the system immediately monitors across Lee Health’s network and sends data to the AI hub. AI cues trigger early alerts under certified clinician oversight and are aligned with Lee Health’s ethical AI policies, allowing staff to intervene before complications worsen.

Dr Cherrie Morris, vice president and chief physician executive for women’s services, said the hub strengthens patient safety by centralising monitoring and providing expert review from certified nurses across the network.

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DeepSeek reveals secrets of low-cost AI model

Chinese start-up DeepSeek has published the first peer-reviewed study of its R1 model, revealing how it built the powerful AI system for under US$300,000.

The model stunned markets on its release in January and has since become Hugging Face’s most downloaded open-weight system. Unlike rivals, R1 was not trained on other models’ output but instead developed reasoning abilities through reinforcement learning.

DeepSeek’s engineers rewarded the model for correct answers, enabling it to form problem-solving strategies. Efficiency gains came from allowing R1 to score its own outputs rather than relying on a separate algorithm.

The Nature paper marks the first time a major large language model has undergone peer review. Reviewers said the process increased transparency and should be adopted by other firms as scrutiny of AI risks intensifies.

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