Artificial intelligence

Zoom launches AI Virtual Agent to replace human receptionists

Zoom has unveiled its Virtual Agent for Zoom Phone, a 24/7 AI concierge designed to replace or support human receptionists. The tool can greet callers naturally, process requests, and initiate next steps without human intervention, aiming to reduce missed calls and waiting times.

The AI agent is initially available in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Japanese, with more languages planned.

Companies can set up the system without coding expertise by training it with existing documents or company websites, allowing for a faster, personalised, and scalable customer experience.

Zoom highlighted use cases across sectors, including booking appointments in healthcare, checking stock and answering retail product queries, and providing financial service updates. The Virtual Agent promises to handle these tasks autonomously, giving businesses greater efficiency and flexibility.

In addition, Zoom has enhanced its AI Companion tool to manage meeting scheduling. The agent can coordinate invites, track responses, and suggest alternatives, freeing teams to focus on discussions rather than logistics.

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Applied Digital unveils $3 billion AI factory in North Dakota

Applied Digital is expanding in North Dakota with Polaris Forge 2, a $3 billion AI factory breaking ground in September 2025. The Harwood site will add 280 megawatts of capacity by 2027, cementing the state’s role in US AI infrastructure.

The project reflects demand and Applied Digital’s push to deliver high-performance compute power at scale. CEO Wes Cummins confirmed strong partner interest, including discussions with a US hyperscaler, and stated that the development will enhance growth and community value.

North Dakota has become a key destination for data centres, with abundant power, land, and a business-friendly climate. Polaris Forge 2 builds on the success of the Ellendale campus, with over 900 acres contracted and energy secured from Cass County Electric Cooperative.

The campus will employ more than 200 staff and contractors upon completion of operations. Governor Kelly Armstrong welcomed the investment, praising Applied Digital’s housing and workforce initiatives in Ellendale as a model for rural innovation and economic resilience.

Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken said the Harwood site extends that success, reinforcing North Dakota as a hub for sustainable AI infrastructure. Applied Digital sees Polaris Forge 2 as advancing its mission to deliver innovation while driving local development and long-term growth.

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Study finds AI-generated responses flooding research platforms

Online questionnaires are being increasingly swamped by AI-generated responses, raising concerns that a vital data source for researchers is becoming polluted. Platforms like Prolific, which pay participants to answer questions, are widely used in behavioural studies.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute noticed suspicious patterns in their work and began investigating. They found that nearly half of the respondents copied and pasted answers, strongly suggesting that many were outsourcing tasks to AI chatbots.

Analysis showed clear giveaways, including overly verbose and distinctly non-human language. The researchers concluded that a substantial proportion of behavioural studies may already be compromised by chatbot-generated content.

In follow-up tests, they set traps to detect AI use, including invisible text instructions and restrictions on copy-paste. The measures caught a further share of participants, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing online research platforms.

Experts say the responsibility lies with both researchers and platforms. Stronger verification methods and tighter controls are needed for online behavioural research to remain credible.

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Nexon investigates AI-generated TikTok ads for The First Descendant

Nexon launched an investigation after players spotted several suspicious adverts for The First Descendant on TikTok that appeared to have been generated by AI.

One advertisement allegedly used a content creator’s likeness without permission, sparking concerns about the misuse of digital identities.

The company issued a statement acknowledging ‘irregularities’ in its TikTok Creative Challenge, a campaign that lets creators voluntarily submit content for advertising.

While Nexon confirmed that all videos had been verified through TikTok’s system, it admitted that some submissions may have been produced in inappropriate circumstances.

Nexon apologised for the delay in informing players, saying the review took longer than expected. It confirmed that a joint investigation with TikTok is underway to determine what happened, and it was promised that updates would be provided once the process is complete.

The developer has not yet addressed the allegation from creator DanieltheDemon, who claims his likeness was used without consent.

The controversy has added to ongoing debates about AI’s role in advertising and protecting creators’ rights.

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Pakistan launches national AI innovation competition

Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives has launched a national innovation competition to drive the development of AI solutions in priority sectors. The initiative aims to attract top talent to develop impactful health, education, agriculture, industry, and governance projects.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal said AI is no longer a distant prospect but a present reality that is already transforming economies. He described the competition as a milestone in Pakistan’s digital history and urged the nation to embrace AI’s global momentum.

Iqbal stressed that algorithms now shape decisions more than traditional markets, warning that technological dependence must be avoided. Pakistan, he argued, must actively participate in the AI revolution or risk being left behind by more advanced economies.

He highlighted AI’s potential to predict crop diseases, aid doctors in diagnosis, and deliver quality education to every child nationwide. He said Pakistan will not be a bystander but an emerging leader in shaping the digital future.

The government has begun integrating AI into curricula and expanding capacity-building initiatives. Officials expect the competition to unlock new opportunities for innovation, empowering youth and driving sustainable development across the country.

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Gamescom showcases EU support for cultural and digital innovation

The European Commission will convene video game professionals in Cologne for the third consecutive year on August 20 and 21. The visit aims to follow developments in the industry, present the future EU budget, and outline opportunities under the upcoming AgoraEU programme.

EU Officials will also discuss AI adoption, new investment opportunities, and ways to protect minors in gaming. Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General of DG CONNECT, will deliver a keynote speech and join a panel titled ‘Investment in games – is it finally happening?’.

The European Commission highlights the role of gaming in Europe’s cultural diversity and innovation. Creative Europe MEDIA has already supported nearly 180 projects since 2021. At Gamescom, its booth will feature 79 companies from 24 countries, offering fresh networking opportunities to video game professionals.

The engagement comes just before the release of the second edition of the ‘European Media Industry Outlook’ report. The updated study will provide deeper insights into consumer behaviour and market trends, with a dedicated focus on the video games sector.

Gamescom remains the world’s largest gaming event, with 1,500 exhibitors from 72 nations in 2025. The event celebrates creative and technological achievements, highlighting the industry’s growing importance for Europe’s competitiveness and digital economy.

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Anthropic introduces a safety feature allowing Claude AI to terminate harmful conversations

Anthropic has announced that its Claude Opus 4 and 4.1 models can now end conversations in extreme cases of harmful or abusive user interactions.

The company said the change was introduced after the AI models showed signs of ‘apparent distress’ during pre-deployment testing when repeatedly pushed to continue rejected requests.

According to Anthropic, the feature will be used only in rare situations, such as attempts to solicit information that could enable large-scale violence or requests for sexual content involving minors.

Once activated, Claude AI will be closed, preventing the user from sending new messages in that thread, though they can still access past conversations and begin new ones.

The company emphasised that the models will not use the ability when users are at imminent risk of self-harm or harming others, ensuring support channels remain open in sensitive situations.

Anthropic added that the feature is experimental and may be adjusted based on user feedback.

The move highlights the firm’s growing focus on safeguarding both AI models and human users, balancing safety with accessibility as generative AI continues to expand.

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OpenAI launches ChatGPT Go in India

OpenAI has unveiled a new subscription tier in India, called ChatGPT Go, priced at Rs 399 per month (around $4.60). The plan significantly upgrades the free version, offering users higher message limits, more image generations, increased file uploads, and extended memory.

Nick Turley, OpenAI’s vice president and head of ChatGPT, confirmed the launch on X, noting that Indian users can now pay in rupees via UPI. The move is intended to improve accessibility and make the service more affordable for a wider audience.

ChatGPT Go is far cheaper than existing plans, with ChatGPT Plus at Rs 1,999/month (around $23) and the top-tier ChatGPT Pro at Rs 19,900/month (around $230).

Turley said the launch responds to user demand for more budget-friendly options and that India will serve as the first market before expansion elsewhere.

India has become one of OpenAI’s largest markets, with CEO Sam Altman highlighting rapid AI adoption. The launch coincides with other AI companies targeting India, including Perplexity’s partnership with Airtel and Google’s free AI Pro plan for students.

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AI robot concepts may arrive from Apple by 2027

Apple is again exploring AI-powered robotics, reportedly working on prototypes including a tabletop assistant and lifelike upgrades to Siri. A home display may launch in 2026, with a robot device expected in 2027, though neither is confirmed for release.

One concept, codenamed J595 and the ‘Pixar Lamp,’ features a swivelling screen on a robotic arm that tracks user movement. The robot is a personal assistant that responds to conversations using facial recognition and motorised movement.

Other prototypes under evaluation include mobile bots and humanoid robots for industrial use.

The devices would run Apple’s new internal software platform, ‘Charismatic,’ designed for voice commands, personalised content, and smart home automation. Apple has not confirmed robotics, but CEO Tim Cook highlighted the company’s AI focus, hinting at upcoming innovations.

Experts note that domestic humanoid robots are still far from mainstream adoption. Gary Marcus, an AI expert and NYU professor, said Apple’s focus on privacy, security, and design suggests that future humanoid robots could benefit from its integrated hardware and software.

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WhatsApp trials AI-powered Writing Help for personalised messaging

WhatsApp is testing a new AI feature for iOS users that provides real-time writing assistance.

Known as ‘Writing Help’, the tool suggests alternative phrasings, adjusts tone, and enhances clarity, with all processing handled on-device to safeguard privacy.

The feature allows users to select professional, friendly, or concise tones before the AI generates suitable rewordings while keeping the original meaning. According to reports, the tool is available only to a small group of beta testers through TestFlight, with no confirmed release date.

WhatsApp says it uses Meta’s Private Processing technology to ensure sensitive data never leaves the device, mirroring privacy-first approaches like Apple’s Writing Tools.

Industry watchers suggest the new tool could give WhatsApp an edge over rivals such as Telegram and Signal, which have not yet introduced generative AI writing aids.

Analysts also see potential for integration with other Meta platforms, although challenges remain in ensuring accurate, unbiased results across different languages.

Writing Help could streamline business communication by improving grammar, structure, and tone accuracy if successful. While some users have praised its seamless integration, others warn that heavy reliance on AI could undermine authenticity in digital conversations.

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