Artificial intelligence

Google Pixel 10 could transform smartphones with advanced AI features

Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 smartphones are tipped to place AI at the centre of the user experience, with three new features expected to redefine how people use their devices.

While hardware upgrades are anticipated at the Made by Google event, much of the excitement revolves around the AI tools that may debut.

One feature, called Help Me Edit, is designed for Google Photos. Instead of spending time on manual edits, users could describe the change they want, such as altering the colour of a car, and the AI would adjust instantly.

Expanding on the Pixel 9’s generative tools, it promises far greater control and speed.

Another addition, Camera Coach, could offer real-time guidance on photography. Using Google’s Gemini AI, the phone may provide step-by-step advice on framing, lighting, and composition, acting as a digital photography tutor.

Finally, Pixel Sense is rumoured to be a proactive personal assistant that anticipates user needs. Learning patterns from apps such as Gmail and Calendar, it could deliver predictive suggestions and take actions across third-party services, bringing the smartphone closer to a truly adaptive companion.

These features suggest that Google is betting heavily on AI to give the Pixel 10 a competitive edge.

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Google adds Gemini AI audio to Docs for better accessibility

Google has introduced a new feature in Docs that allows Workspace subscribers to turn written documents into audio using its Gemini AI assistant.

The tool produces natural-sounding voices, offers playback controls such as pausing and rewinding, and even highlights text as it is read. The rollout marks a step toward transforming Docs from a simple text editor into a multimedia platform that serves both accessibility and productivity needs.

Available under the Tools menu, the feature caters to auditory learners, professionals on the move, and users with visual impairments.

Gemini provides several AI voice options and synchronises narration with text, offering an audiobook-like experience that could change how people review drafts, collaborate remotely, or proofread reports.

The audio tool is limited to select Workspace plans, including Business, Enterprise, and Education, reflecting Google’s strategy of tying advanced AI functions to premium tiers.

Analysts believe the integration could encourage organisations to upgrade, especially as Google seeks to keep pace with rivals such as Microsoft, which has similar Copilot features in Office.

Looking ahead, experts suggest Gemini’s audio capabilities could expand to real-time translation and interactive playback.

By weaving audio into Docs, Google strengthens its position in the growing competition over AI-powered productivity while pushing for more inclusive and efficient workflows.

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Google sees growing demand for cloud data sovereignty

Google’s Cloud Experience lead Hayete Gallot says developer interest in sovereign cloud solutions is rising sharply amid AI concerns. More clients are asking to control how and where their data is stored, processed, and encrypted within public cloud environments.

Microsoft said it could not guarantee full cloud data sovereignty in July, increasing pressure on rivals to offer stronger protections.

Gallot noted that sovereignty is more than location. Cybersecurity measures such as encryption, ownership, and administrative access are now top priorities for businesses.

On AI, Gallot dismissed fears that assistants will replace developers, saying skills like prompt writing still require critical thinking.

She believes modern developers must adapt, comparing today’s AI tools to learning older languages like Pascal or Fortran.

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Musk acknowledges value in ChatGPT-5’s modesty after public spat

Elon Musk has taken an unexpected conciliatory turn in his feud with Sam Altman by praising a ChatGPT-5 response, ‘I don’t know’, as more valuable than overconfident answers. Musk described it as ‘a great answer’ from the AI chatbot.

Initially sparked by Musk accusing Apple of favouring ChatGPT in App Store rankings and Altman firing back with claims of manipulation on X, the feud has taken on new dimensions as AI itself seems to weigh in.

At one point, xAI’s Grok chat assistant sided with Altman, while ChatGPT offered a supportive nod to Musk. These chatbot alignments have introduced confusion and irony into a clash already rich with irony.

Musk’s praise of a modest AI response contrasts sharply with the often intense claims of supremacy. It signals a rare acknowledgement of restraint and clarity, even from an avowed critic of OpenAI.

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Meta brings AI translations with lip syncing to Instagram and Facebook

Meta has introduced AI-powered translation tools for creators on Instagram and Facebook, allowing reels to be dubbed into other languages with automatic lip syncing.

The technology uses the creator’s voice instead of a generic substitute, ensuring tone and style remain natural while lip movements match the dubbed track.

The feature currently supports English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English, with more languages expected soon. On Facebook, it is limited to creators with at least 1,000 followers, while all public Instagram accounts can use it.

Viewers automatically see reels in their preferred language, although translations can be switched off in settings.

Through Meta Business Suite, creators can also upload up to 20 custom audio tracks per reel, offering manual control instead of relying only on automated translations. Audience insights segmented by language allow performance tracking across regions, helping creators expand their reach.

Meta has advised creators to prioritise face-to-camera reels with clear speech instead of noisy or overlapping dialogue.

The rollout follows a significant update to Meta’s Edits app, which added new editing tools such as real-time previews, silence-cutting and over 150 fresh fonts to improve the Reels production process.

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Arm to build its own chips with AI focus

Arm Holdings has hired Amazon’s AI chip lead, Rami Sinno, to design its own complete chips. Known for Amazon’s Trainium and Inferentia processors, Sinno brings key expertise to Arm’s new direction in chip manufacturing.

Arm has traditionally licensed chip designs to companies like Apple and Nvidia, but now aims to build chips and complete systems. The firm is expanding teams with experience from HPE, Intel and Qualcomm, signalling a significant shift in its business model.

Backed by SoftBank, Arm plans to invest profits in chip development to rival Nvidia and reduce reliance on traditional licensing.

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Microsoft and AMD develop new gaming chips

Microsoft plans to equip its next-generation Xbox console with AI-focused hardware, including a dedicated neural processing unit.

Vice President Jason Ronald confirmed that the company is working with AMD to develop chips for gaming consoles, PCs and cloud platforms.

New AI capabilities are expected to transform gameplay and provide developers with tools to create immersive, previously unattainable experiences.

Microsoft’s experimental Xbox Ally X device, developed with ASUS, is already used to test AI integration in real-world scenarios.

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Meta urged to ban child-like chatbots amid Brazil’s safety concerns

Brazil’s Attorney General (AGU) has formally requested Meta to remove AI-powered chatbots that simulate childlike profiles and engage in sexually explicit dialogue, citing concerns that they ‘promote the eroticisation of children.’

The demand was made via an ‘extrajudicial notice,’ recalling that platforms must remove illicit content without a court order, especially when it involves potential harm to minors.

Meta’s AI Studio, used to create and customise these bots across services like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, is under scrutiny for facilitating interactions that may mislead or exploit users.

While no direct sanctions were announced, the AGU emphasised that tech platforms must proactively manage harmful or inappropriate AI-generated content.

The move follows Brazil’s Supreme Court decision in June, which increased companies’ obligations to remove user-generated illicit content.

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Sam Altman urges rethink of US–China AI strategy

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned that the United States may be underestimating China’s rapid advances in AI. He argued that export controls on semiconductors are unlikely to be a reliable long-term solution to the global AI race.

At a press briefing in San Francisco, Altman said the competition cannot be reduced to a simple scoreboard. China can expand inference capacity more quickly, even as Washington tightens restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports.

He expressed doubts about the effectiveness of purely policy-driven approaches. ‘You can export-control one thing, but maybe not the right thing… workarounds exist,’ Altman said. He stressed that chip controls may not keep pace with technological realities.

His comments come as US policy becomes increasingly complex. President Trump halted advanced chip supplies in April, while the Biden administration recently allowed ‘China-safe’ chips, requiring Nvidia and AMD to share revenue. Critics call the rules contradictory and difficult to enforce.

Meanwhile, Chinese firms are accelerating efforts to replace US suppliers, with Huawei and others building domestic alternatives. Altman suggested this push for self-sufficiency could undermine Washington’s goals, raising questions about America’s strategy in the AI race.

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Zimbabwe to launch national AI policy by October to boost digital sovereignty

Zimbabwe’s Information and Communication Technology Minister, Tendai Mavetera, revealed the second draft of the National AI Policy during the AI Summit for Africa 2025 in Victoria Falls, hosted by Alpha Media Holdings and AIIA.

Though the policy was not formalised during the summit, Mavetera stated it is expected to be launched by 1 October 2025 at the new Parliament building, with presidential presence anticipated.

The strategy is designed to foster an Africa where AI serves humanity, ensuring connectivity in every village, education access for every child, and opportunity for every young person.

Core features include data sovereignty and secure data storage, with institutions like TelOne expected to host localised solutions, moving away from past practices of storing data abroad.

Speakers at the summit underscored AI’s role in economic and social transformation rather than job displacement; Africa’s investment in AI surpassed US$200 billion in 2024.

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