AI is no longer confined to chatbots and content tools. In the food and beverage sector, companies are utilising advanced AI systems to forecast consumer trends, expedite product development, and explore new ingredients for future products.
Mars, the multinational behind brands such as Dolmio, Pedigree, and Mars bars, is using AI to support its health and sustainability goals. Darren Logan, vice president of research at the Mars Advanced Research Institute, said the company is exploring plant compounds and alternative proteins.
Fermentation is also expanding Mars’ ingredient research by generating new chemical compounds through interactions between plants and microbes. Logan said combining plants with microbes increases chemical diversity, producing substances that would not otherwise exist.
The chocolate manufacturer partnered with UC Davis spin-out PIPA and its AI research platform LEAP to support this work. The system constructs knowledge graphs utilising scientific literature, databases, and the company’s proprietary data to establish connections between ingredients, microbes, and human health.
Logan said the platform helps reduce the time and cost of experimentation by guiding researchers towards more promising test options. Human oversight remains central to every AI-assisted decision.
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Gadget makers face rising costs as AI drives intense demand for memory chips. Supplies of DRAM and storage components have tightened across global markets.
Manufacturers have shifted production towards AI data centres, squeezing availability for consumer devices. Analysts warn the memory shortage could extend well into next year.
Higher prices are already affecting laptops, smartphones and connected devices. Some companies are redesigning products or limiting features to manage the costs of chip components.
Industry experts say engineers are writing leaner software to reduce memory use. The AI surge is marking the end of an era of cheap and abundant memory.
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Scientists have developed a radar-based sensor that detects irregular heart rhythms without physical contact. The system uses radio waves and AI to identify atrial fibrillation and allow earlier detection.
The technology was tested on more than 6,200 patients during routine heart checks. Results showed accuracy comparable to standard electrocardiogram tests, demonstrating its potential for clinical use.
Trials during sleep revealed that the system could detect hidden heart rhythm issues even when patients were at rest. Many episodes of atrial fibrillation go unnoticed at night, so this could improve early intervention.
Further studies will examine how the system performs in everyday life. Researchers hope these tests will show whether the technology can be used reliably outside clinics to monitor heart health.
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Rising concern surrounds the growing number of people seeking help after becoming victims of AI-generated intimate deepfakes in Guernsey, part of the UK. Support services report a steady increase in cases.
Existing law criminalises sharing intimate images without consent, but AI-generated creations remain legal. Proposed reforms aim to close this gap and strengthen victim protection.
Police and support charities warn that deepfakes cause severe emotional harm and are challenging to prosecute. Cross-border platforms and anonymous perpetrators complicate enforcement and reporting.
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The robotics company Agibot has launched a series of Asia-Pacific strategic initiatives for 2026 with a high-profile event in Malaysia, signalling its push to expand embodied AI and robotics across the region.
The launch, held at i-City in Selangor, was attended by executives, Malaysian government officials, partners, and customers. It also marked the opening of the first AI and Robotics Experience Centre in Malaysia.
The centre was developed in partnership with I-Bhd and officiated by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. Agibot said the facility will showcase real-world applications of humanoid robotics.
Founder and CEO of Agibot, Deng Taihua, said the company produced its 5,000th humanoid robot in 2025, strengthening its position as it begins regional expansion in 2026.
The firm plans to deploy its systems across property, hospitality, tourism, and urban services, while its partnership with I-Bhd will focus on wellness, longevity, and residential robotics.
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Rising use of AI is transforming cyberattacks in the UAE, enabling deepfakes, automated phishing and rapid data theft. Expanding digital services increase exposure for businesses and residents.
Criminals deploy autonomous AI tools to scan networks, exploit weaknesses and steal information faster than humans. Shorter detection windows raise risks of breaches, disruption and financial loss.
High-value sectors such as government, finance and healthcare face sustained targeting amid skills shortages. Protection relies on cautious users, stronger governance and secure-by-design systems across smart infrastructure.
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UK lawmaker Jess Asato said an AI-altered image depicting her in a bikini circulated online. The incident follows wider reports of sexualised deepfake abuse targeting women on social media.
Platforms hosted thousands of comments, including further manipulated images, heightening distress. Victims describe the content as realistic, dehumanising and violating personal consent.
Government ministers of the UK pledged to ban nudification tools and criminalise non-consensual intimate images. Technology firms face pressure to remove content, suspend accounts, and follow Ofcom guidance to maintain a safe online environment.
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A Grok-powered AI support tool has been added to Starlink’s website, expanding automated help for broadband users. The chatbot builds on a similar service already available through the company’s mobile app.
Users can access the chatbot via the checkout support page, receiving a link by email. Responses are limited to Starlink services and usually appear within several seconds.
The system is designed to streamline support for millions of users worldwide, including rural UK customers. Public opinion remains divided over the growing reliance on AI instead of human support staff.
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The US Department of Defence plans to integrate Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok into Pentagon networks later in January, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The system is expected to operate across both classified and unclassified military environments as part of a broader push to expand AI capabilities.
Hegseth also outlined an AI acceleration strategy designed to increase experimentation, reduce administrative barriers and prioritise investment across defence technology.
An approach that aims to enhance access to data across federated IT systems, aligning with official views that military AI performance relies on data availability and interoperability.
The move follows earlier decisions by the Pentagon to adopt Google’s Gemini for an internal AI platform and to award large contracts to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and xAI for agentic AI development.
Officials describe these efforts as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen US military competitiveness in AI.
Grok’s integration comes amid ongoing controversy, including criticism over generated imagery and previous incidents involving extremist and offensive content. Several governments and regulators have already taken action against the tool, adding scrutiny to its expanded role within defence systems.
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The US AI company, OpenAI, has acquired healthcare technology startup Torch only days after unveiling ChatGPT Health, signalling an accelerated push into medical and clinical applications.
Financial terms were not officially disclosed, although media reports estimate the transaction at between $60 million and $100 million.
Torch was developed as a unified medical memory platform, designed to consolidate patient data from hospitals, laboratories, wearable devices and consumer testing services.
The company positioned its technology as a means to support AI systems in navigating fragmented healthcare information, rather than relying on isolated data sources.
Torch’s four-person team will join OpenAI following the acquisition, reinforcing the company’s internal healthcare expertise. OpenAI has emphasised privacy, safety and collaboration with medical professionals as core principles guiding its expansion into sensitive data environments.
The move follows a broader strategy by OpenAI to strengthen enterprise offerings, particularly for large healthcare organisations. Recent hires and partnerships suggest healthcare remains a priority area as AI adoption increases across regulated sectors.
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