Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 398 of 689

Vietnam adopts AI in elite sports training

Vietnam is integrating AI technology into its national sports training programmes to improve performance in international competitions. A new partnership between the Sports Authority of Việt Nam (SAV) and Dreamax Company will see AI applied from 2025 to 2030.

The Vietnamese technology will analyse performance data, monitor adaptation to training, and predict injury risk using devices that collect environmental and spatial indicators. The first implementations are set to begin next week, marking a shift towards data-driven performance evaluation and coaching.

SAV Director Nguyễn Danh Hoàng Việt said the initiative addresses outdated systems and builds on the country’s recent sporting successes by offering more sophisticated and personalised training. Dreamax stated that the AI system supports national management and provides public insight into sporting progress.

Collected data, managed as national security information, will be analysed to measure the programme’s impact over its first year. If successful, the AI-based approach may expand to other teams as Vietnam targets greater achievements in future Asian Games and Olympic events.

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AI tool could change marine forecasting methods

An AI-driven forecasting tool developed by the Met Office and the University of Exeter is poised to reshape how marine operations are planned. The low-cost model, MaLCOM, has successfully predicted ocean currents in the Gulf of Mexico.

Designed initially to forecast regional wave patterns around the UK, the framework’s adaptability is now helping model ocean currents in new environments.

The tool’s ability to run on a laptop makes it highly accessible, offering real-time insights that could aid offshore energy.

Researchers emphasise the importance of the model’s transparency, which allows users to inspect how it processes data and generates forecasts. This design supports trust in its outputs and offers a strong foundation for ongoing development.

The project began five years ago and has grown through collaboration between academia, government and industry.

Its recent recognition with the ASCE Offshore Technology Conference Best Paper Award underscores the value of partnerships in accelerating progress in AI-based weather and climate tools.

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Council of Europe picks Jylo to power AI platform

The Council of Europe has chosen Jylo, a European enterprise AI provider, to support over 3,000 users across its organisation.

The decision followed a competitive selection process involving multiple AI vendors, with Jylo standing out for its regulatory compliance and platform adaptability.

As Europe’s leading human rights body, the Council aims to use AI responsibly to support its legal and policy work. Jylo’s platform will streamline document-based workflows and reduce administrative burdens, helping staff focus on critical democratic and legal missions.

Leaders from both Jylo and the Council praised the collaboration. Jylo CEO Shawn Curran said the partnership reflects shared values around regulatory compliance and innovation.

The Council’s CIO, John Hunter, described Jylo’s commitment to secure AI as a perfect fit for the institution’s evolving digital strategy.

Jylo’s AI Assistant and automation features are designed specifically for knowledge-driven organisations. The rollout is expected to strengthen the Council’s internal efficiency and reinforce Jylo’s standing as a trusted AI partner across the European public and legal sectors.

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FlySafair introduces AI interface for smarter bookings

South African airline FlySafair has introduced Lindi, an AI-powered interface to assist customers with booking and travel management. Accessible 24/7 via WhatsApp, Lindi can handle single-passenger flight bookings, seat or name changes, and provide travel details.

FlySafair is the first South African carrier to implement a free AI travel assistant capable of managing bookings and setting a new benchmark for customer service. The initiative reflects the airline’s commitment to affordable, efficient, and tech-driven travel experiences.

Chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon said the technology offers a scalable way to provide each passenger with a virtual assistant. The airline aims to expand Lindi’s capabilities to improve service quality and customer satisfaction further.

FlySafair hopes Lindi’s human-like interaction will redefine digital engagement in the aviation industry and demonstrate practical value as AI becomes more embedded in everyday life.

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OpenAI rejects Robinhood’s token offering

OpenAI has publicly disavowed Robinhood’s decision to sell so-called ‘OpenAI tokens’, warning that these blockchain-based contracts do not offer real equity in the company.

In a statement posted on X, OpenAI made clear that it had not approved, endorsed, or participated in the initiative and emphasised that any equity transfer requires its direct consent.

Robinhood recently announced plans to offer tokenised access to private firms like OpenAI and SpaceX for investors in the EU. The tokens do not represent actual shares but mimic price movements using blockchain contracts.

Despite OpenAI’s sharp rejection, Robinhood’s stock surged to record highs following the announcement.

A Robinhood spokesperson later claimed the tokens were linked to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that owns OpenAI shares, though SPVs do not equate to direct ownership either.

The company said the move aims to give everyday investors indirect exposure to high-profile startups through digital contracts.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev defended the strategy on X, saying the token sale was just the beginning of a broader effort to democratise access to private markets.

OpenAI, meanwhile, declined to comment further.

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ChatGPT use among students raises concerns over critical thinking

A university lecturer in the United States says many students are increasingly relying on ChatGPT to write essays—even about the ethics of AI—raising concerns about critical thinking in higher education.

Dr Jocelyn Leitzinger from the University of Illinois noticed that nearly half of her 180 students used the tool inappropriately last semester. Some submissions even repeated generic names like ‘Sally’ in personal anecdotes, hinting at AI-generated content.

A recent preprint study by researchers at MIT appears to back those concerns. In a small experiment involving 54 adult learners, those who used ChatGPT produced essays with weaker content and less brain activity, as recorded by EEG headsets.

Researchers found that 80% of the AI-assisted group could not recall anything from their essay afterwards. In contrast, the ‘brain-only’ group—those who wrote without assistance—performed better in both comprehension and neural engagement.

Despite some media headlines suggesting that ChatGPT makes users lazy or less intelligent, the researchers stress the need for caution. They argue more rigorous studies are required to understand how AI affects learning and thinking.

Educators say the tool’s polished writing often lacks originality and depth. One student admitted using ChatGPT for ideas and lecture summaries but drew the line at letting it write his assignments.

Dr Leitzinger worries that relying too heavily on AI skips essential steps in learning. ‘Writing is thinking, thinking is writing,’ she said. ‘When we eliminate that process, what does that mean for thinking?’

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Xbox projects cancelled amid Microsoft layoffs

Microsoft has confirmed plans to cut up to 9,000 jobs—roughly 4% of its global workforce—in its latest round of redundancies this year. The company cited the need to adapt to a rapidly evolving market, while pressing ahead with major investments in artificial intelligence.

Although Microsoft did not specify which divisions will be affected, reports suggest its Xbox gaming unit will face significant cuts. According to internal emails, the reboot of Perfect Dark and the game Everwild have been cancelled, and The Initiative, the studio behind Perfect Dark, will shut down.

Additional layoffs are impacting other gaming studios, including Turn 10 and ZeniMax Online Studios. ZeniMax’s long-time director Matt Firor has announced his departure. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Romero Games has also been affected after funding for its project was pulled by a publisher.

The upcoming job cuts will mark Microsoft’s fourth round of layoffs in 2025. Over 800 affected roles are based in Washington state, including in Redmond and Bellevue, key Microsoft hubs. The company is currently investing $80bn in AI infrastructure, including data centres and chips.

Microsoft’s AI push has seen it hire AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman to lead its Microsoft AI division and deepen ties with OpenAI. However, tensions have reportedly grown in that relationship. Bloomberg noted difficulty in selling Microsoft’s Copilot tool, as many users prefer ChatGPT.

At the same time, AI talent wars are heating up. Meta has reportedly offered huge bonuses to poach researchers, while Amazon’s Andy Jassy said last month that AI would eventually replace certain roles at his company.

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Spotify hit by AI band hoax controversy

A band called The Velvet Sundown has gone viral on Spotify, gaining over 850,000 monthly listeners, yet almost nothing is known about the people behind it.

With no live performances, interviews, or social media presence for its supposed members, the group has fuelled growing speculation that both it and its music may be AI-generated.

The mystery deepened after Rolling Stone first reported that a spokesperson had admitted the tracks were made using an AI tool called Suno, only to later reveal the spokesperson himself was fake.

The band denies any connection to the individual, stating on Spotify that the account impersonating them on X is also false.

AI detection tools have added to the confusion. Rival platform Deezer flagged the music as ‘100% AI-generated’, although Spotify has remained silent.

While CEO Daniel Ek has said AI music isn’t banned from the platform, he expressed concerns about mimicking real artists.

The case has reignited industry fears over AI’s impact on musicians. Experts warn that public trust in online content is weakening.

Musicians and advocacy groups argue that AI is undercutting creativity by training on human-made songs without permission. As copyright battles continue, pressure is mounting for stronger government regulation.

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LFR tech helps catch dangerous offenders, but Liberty urges legal safeguards

Live facial recognition (LFR) technology used by the Metropolitan Police has led to more than 1,000 arrests, including dangerous offenders wanted for serious crimes, such as rape, robbery and child protection breaches.

Among those arrested was David Cheneler, 73, a registered sex offender spotted by LFR cameras in Camberwell, south London. He was found with a young girl and later jailed for two years for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Another arrest included Adenola Akindutire, linked to a machete robbery in Hayes that left a man with life-changing injuries. Stopped during an LFR operation in Stratford, he was carrying a false passport and admitted to several violent offences.

LFR also helped identify Darren Dubarry, 50, who was wanted for theft. He was stopped with stolen designer goods after passing an LFR-equipped van in east London.

The Met says the technology has helped arrest over 100 people linked to serious violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, stalking, and strangulation.

Lindsey Chiswick, who leads the Met’s LFR work, said the system is helping deliver justice more efficiently, calling it a ‘powerful tool’ that is removing dangerous offenders from the streets of London.

While police say biometric data is not retained for those not flagged, rights groups remain concerned. Liberty says nearly 1.9 million faces were scanned between January 2022 and March 2024, and is calling for new laws to govern police use of facial recognition.

Charlie Whelton of Liberty said the tech risks infringing rights and must be regulated. ‘We shouldn’t leave police forces to come up with frameworks on their own,’ he warned, urging Parliament to legislate before further deployment.

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AI errors are creating new jobs for human experts

A growing number of writers and developers are finding steady work correcting the flawed outputs of AI systems that businesses use.

From bland marketing copy to broken website code, over-reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT is causing costly setbacks that require human intervention.

In Arizona, writer Sarah Skidd was paid $100 an hour to rewrite poor-quality website text initially produced by AI entirely.

Her experience is echoed by other professionals who now spend most of their time reworking AI content rather than writing from scratch.

UK digital agency owner Sophie Warner reports that clients increasingly use AI-generated code, which has sometimes crashed websites and left businesses vulnerable to security risks. The resulting fixes often take longer and cost more than hiring an expert.

Experts warn that businesses adopt AI too hastily, without proper infrastructure or understanding its limitations.

While AI offers benefits, poor implementation can lead to reputational damage, increased costs, and a growing dependence on professionals to clean up the mess.

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