The United States Commerce Department has announced a new rule that could streamline the process for sending AI chips to data centres in the Middle East. The rule will allow data centres to apply for Validated End User (VEU) status, enabling them to receive AI chips through a general authorisation, eliminating the need for individual licences for each shipment.
The move follows concerns in Washington that Middle Eastern countries could act as intermediaries for China to acquire US chips that are restricted from direct export to China. G42, an AI company based in the United Arab Emirates with historical connections to China, has been at the centre of these concerns, despite its efforts to distance itself from China and comply with US regulations.
The VEU program will involve rigorous screening to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent the misuse or diversion of US technology. The Commerce Department emphasised the importance of this review process to protect national security.
The Bureau of Industry and Security reiterated its commitment to facilitating international AI growth while mitigating risks to US and global security, aiming to balance technological development with safety concerns.
A political consultant has been fined $7.7 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for using AI to generate robocalls mimicking President Biden’s voice. The calls, aimed at New Hampshire voters, urged them not to vote in the Democratic primary, sparking significant controversy.
Steven Kramer, the consultant behind the scheme, worked for a challenger to Biden in the primaries. He admitted to paying $500 for the calls to highlight the dangers of AI in political campaigns. Kramer’s actions violated FCC regulations prohibiting misleading caller ID information.
The FCC has given Kramer 30 days to pay the fine, warning that further legal action will follow if he fails to comply. The commission continues to raise concerns over AI’s potential misuse in elections, pushing for stricter regulations to prevent fraud.
AstraZeneca has struck an $18 million deal with biotechnology firm Immunai Inc. to use its AI model of the immune system, which is intended to improve the efficiency of specific cancer drug trials. This collaboration aligns with AstraZeneca’s broader strategy to harness artificial AI for drug discovery and development, building on a previous $247 million agreement with US-based Absci to create cancer-fighting antibodies.
Founded in 2018, Immunai utilises single-cell genomics and machine learning to decode the immune system and enhance the development of new therapeutics. This collaboration will concentrate on optimising clinical decision-making processes, including dose selection and biomarker identification, by leveraging Immunai’s advanced platform.
AstraZeneca will initially gain access to Immunai’s AI tools to support its cancer research efforts, with the option to extend the collaboration down the line. This flexibility allows AstraZeneca to evaluate the effectiveness of Immunai’s technology in enhancing drug trial efficiency and potentially integrate additional capabilities as the partnership progresses. According to Iker Huerga, AstraZeneca’s chief data scientist for oncology R&D, this collaboration is expected to provide valuable insights into the immune system and improve clinical decision-making processes, such as dose selection and biomarker identification. The partnership underscores AstraZeneca’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to advance cancer treatment and drug development.
Google has introduced a major update to its AI-powered note-taking platform, NotebookLM. Users will soon be able to upload YouTube URLs and audio files, such as mp3 and wav formats, for analysis by the Gemini AI.
Previously, NotebookLM allowed users to interact with documents like Google Docs, PDFs, and web pages. Now, a new sharing feature enables public URL generation for Audio Overviews, enhancing collaboration.
NotebookLM’s latest features position it as a strong rival to Microsoft OneNote’s Copilot and Notion AI. Gemini is also integrated into Google Workspace, offering business customers enterprise-grade data protection.
Microsoft has committed $2.7 billion to enhance cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Brazil. The investment, to be rolled out over three years, aims to strengthen datacentres and train 5 million people in AI skills. Brazil’s economy is expected to benefit from this, with projections that AI could add 4.2 percentage points to the nation’s growth by 2030.
This initiative is part of Microsoft’s ongoing ‘Mais Brasil’ program, which was introduced in 2020. The program reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the South American region, with a particular focus on technology innovation and workforce development.
CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the importance of ensuring AI benefits all sectors of Brazilian society, while Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin praised the move, noting the country’s potential as a global leader in AI. Alckmin also pointed to Brazil’s renewable energy supply, which will help power the new datacentres.
Microsoft’s decision underscores the growing importance of Latin America and Brazil in global technology expansion. The focus on cloud computing and AI infrastructure aligns with the global trend of integrating advanced tech solutions to drive economic growth.
The integration of AI into banking is gaining momentum, with 72% of finance leaders already using it in their operations. Applications range from fraud detection to automating customer onboarding processes. Banking executives are recognising the strategic importance of approving initiatives across the sector to boost efficiency and improve customer experiences.
Despite the clear benefits, banks face significant challenges in adopting AI. Consumer scepticism poses a key hurdle, with 20% of US consumers viewing AI as a security risk. Additionally, 37% of banks are concerned about potential cyber vulnerabilities, while data management and regulatory compliance add complexity to the integration process.
To successfully implement AI, banks must build consumer trust through hyper-personalised services and AI-enhanced authentication methods. Addressing security concerns with predictive risk management can strengthen customer confidence. Moreover, forming partnerships with FinTech firms is crucial for addressing underinvestment in AI infrastructure and ensuring smooth implementation.
While the road to AI integration is complex, its potential to revolutionise the financial sector is immense. With careful planning, collaboration, and innovation, banks have the opportunity to transform customer experiences and remain competitive in a rapidly digitising world.
Dell has launched the Dell AI for Telecom Program, a strategic initiative to streamline the integration of AI solutions for communications service providers (CSPs). The program addresses the rising demand for advanced technologies in the telecommunications sector, empowering CSPs to optimise operations and meet evolving customer needs.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the expanded partnership with NVIDIA, which focuses on co-developing customised AI solutions through the Dell AI Factory. The program aims to enhance network performance and customer service, offering solutions such as advanced customer care platforms, operational automation, and robust network troubleshooting capabilities.
Dell is forging strategic partnerships with key industry players to drive innovation and expedite AI adoption. For example, its collaboration with Lintasarta, an Indonesian ICT solutions provider, aims to offer GPU-as-a-Service to national businesses, granting them access to high-performance AI infrastructure.
Furthermore, Dell is working with SK Telecom to develop an AI chat agent and the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) AI Platform, seamlessly integrating AI into existing business support systems to streamline telecom operations. To bolster these initiatives, Dell Professional Services will assist CSPs in strategising, implementing, and managing AI solutions tailored explicitly for the telecommunications sector. Overall, these concerted efforts position Dell’s initiatives as pivotal in driving network cloud transformation, reducing operational costs, and unlocking new revenue streams through innovative AI applications.
HP has introduced its newest innovation, the HP Print AI experience, designed to change the way we print. Now in exclusive beta, this feature includes Perfect Output, which improves webpage printouts by automatically eliminating unwanted elements such as ads and unusual formatting. As a result, users will get only the essential text and images they need.
Beyond enhancing web page printing, HP Print AI optimises spreadsheet outputs to keep charts and tables intact on a single page. Users can also create personalised greeting cards through conversational prompts, allowing them to incorporate custom styles and fonts. Additionally, the technology can upscale images and remove unwanted objects from photos, further enriching the printing experience.
HP plans to roll out additional features for Print AI through 2025, although details on compatible printers are still pending. While users anticipate these upgrades, the inclusion of a chat interface may offer a more interactive way to address common printing frustrations, enhancing the overall experience with HP printers.
Meta Platforms has announced it will not immediately join the European Union‘s voluntary AI Pact, which is a temporary initiative ahead of the AI Act coming into force. The company is currently focusing on compliance with the forthcoming regulations set out in the act, but may sign the pact at a later stage.
The EU’s AI Act, agreed in May and adopted by the European Council, will introduce strict rules governing the development and use of artificial intelligence. Under these regulations, companies must provide detailed summaries of the data used to train their AI models. The majority of the law’s provisions will take effect from August 2026.
In the interim, the AI Pact encourages companies to voluntarily adopt some of the key requirements of the forthcoming act. Meta has expressed its support for harmonised EU regulations but is prioritising work on meeting the obligations of the AI Act.
Spotify is expanding its AI Playlist tool, which helps premium users create personalised playlists using generative AI, to four new markets, including the United States and Canada. Currently in beta, the feature allows subscribers to tailor their playlists with additional text prompts, enhancing the listening experience.
Launched earlier in the United Kingdom and Australia, AI Playlist is now being extended to Ireland and New Zealand as part of Spotify’s strategy to attract new subscribers. The company aims to differentiate itself from growing competition with Apple and Amazon by integrating more AI-driven features into its platform.
While the tool offers users customisable music choices, it is currently limited to music-related prompts and will not respond to queries about current events or brands. Spotify also provides other AI-powered tools like ‘daylist’, a playlist that updates daily, and ‘AI DJ’, which recommends music based on individual listening habits.
Spotify‘s paying subscribers rose 12% year-on-year, reaching 246 million in the second quarter. The company’s continued focus on AI innovations reflects its commitment to offering unique features to its global user base.
