Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 408 of 689

Gemini Robotics On-Device: Google’s AI model for offline robotic tasks

On Tuesday, 24 June, Google’s DeepMind division announced the release of a new large language model named Gemini Robotics On-Device, designed to operate locally on robotic systems.

In a blog post, the company stated that the AI model has been optimised to function efficiently on-device and demonstrates strong general-purpose dexterity and task generalisation capabilities.

The offline model is an advancement of the earlier Gemini Robotics system introduced in March this year. Unlike cloud-based models, this version can operate offline, making it suitable for limited connectivity or critical latency.

Engineered for robots with dual arms, Gemini Robotics On-Device is designed to require minimal computational resources.

It can execute fine motor tasks such as folding garments and unzipping bags. According to Google, the model responds to natural language prompts, enabling more intuitive human-robot interaction.

The company claims the model outperforms comparable on-device alternatives, especially when completing complex, multi-step instructions or handling unfamiliar tasks. Benchmark results indicate that its performance closely approaches that of Google’s cloud-based AI solutions.

Initially developed for ALOHA robots, the on-device model has since been adapted for other systems, including the bi-arm Franka FR3 robot and the Apollo humanoid.

On the Franka FR3, the model followed diverse instructions and managed unfamiliar objects and environments, including industrial tasks like belt assembly. The system demonstrated general object manipulation in previously unseen contexts on the Apollo humanoid.

Developers interested in trialling Gemini Robotics On-Device can access it via the provided software development kit (SDK).

Google joins other major players exploring AI for robotics. At GTC 2025, NVIDIA introduced Groot N1, an AI system for humanoid robots, while Hugging Face is currently developing its own open-source, AI-powered robotic platform.

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North Korea-linked hackers deploy fake Zoom malware to steal crypto

North Korean hackers have reportedly used deepfake technology to impersonate executives during a fake Zoom call in an attempt to install malware and steal cryptocurrency from a targeted employee.

Cybersecurity firm Huntress identified the scheme, which involved a convincingly staged meeting and a custom-built AppleScript targeting macOS systems—an unusual move that signals the rising sophistication of state-sponsored cyberattacks.

The incident began with a fraudulent Calendly invitation, which redirected the employee to a fake Zoom link controlled by the attackers. Weeks later, the employee joined what appeared to be a routine video call with company leadership. In reality, the participants were AI-generated deepfakes.

When audio issues arose, the hackers convinced the user to install what was supposedly a Zoom extension but was, in fact, malware designed to hijack cryptocurrency wallets and steal clipboard data.

Huntress traced the attack to TA444, a North Korean group also known by names like BlueNoroff and STARDUST CHOLLIMA. Their malware was built to extract sensitive financial data while disguising its presence and erasing traces once the job was done.

Security experts warn that remote workers and companies have to be especially cautious. Unfamiliar calendar links, sudden platform changes, or requests to install new software should be treated as warning signs.

Verifying suspicious meeting invites through alternative contact methods — like a direct phone call — is a vital but straightforward way to prevent damage.

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HPE unveils private cloud AI platform featuring Nvidia Blackwell chips

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nvidia have unveiled new AI factory solutions to accelerate AI adoption across multiple sectors.

Announced at HPE Discover in Las Vegas, the new offerings include modular AI factory infrastructure, AI-ready RTX PRO servers (HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12), and the next iteration of HPE’s turnkey platform, HPE Private Cloud AI.

The portfolio combines Nvidia’s Blackwell accelerated computing, Spectrum-X Ethernet, and BlueField-3 networking with Nvidia AI Enterprise software and HPE’s hardware, software, and services. The result is a modular, pre-integrated infrastructure stack intended to simplify AI deployment at scale.

HPE’s OpsRamp Software, a validated observability solution for Nvidia’s Enterprise AI Factory, and HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software for orchestration are also part of the integrated platform.

A key component is the next-generation HPE Private Cloud AI, jointly developed by HPE and Nvidia. It includes ProLiant DL380a Gen12 servers featuring Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs, supporting various enterprise and industrial AI applications. These systems are now available for order.

The platform also supports Nvidia AI Blueprints, such as the AI-Q Blueprint, for AI agent creation and workflow management.

HPE additionally announced the Compute XD690, a new Nvidia HGX B300 system powered by Nvidia Blackwell Ultra GPUs, expected to ship in October 2025.

International collaborations are part of the strategy. HPE is partnering with Japanese telecom provider KDDI to build AI infrastructure at the KDDI Osaka Sakai Data Centre using Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72 platform, based on the Grace Blackwell architecture.

In financial services, HPE is working with Accenture to test agentic AI workflows via Accenture’s AI Refinery, leveraging HPE Private Cloud AI for procurement, sourcing, and risk analysis.

Security and governance features have also been emphasised, including air-gapped management, multi-tenancy support, and post-quantum cryptography.

As part of its broader ecosystem expansion, HPE has added 26 partners to its ‘Unleash AI’ initiative, offering more than 70 packaged AI workloads covering video analytics, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and sovereign AI.

To support enterprise adoption, HPE and Nvidia have launched AI Acceleration Workshops aimed at helping organisations scale AI implementations.

Separately, Nvidia recently collaborated with Deutsche Telekom to launch Europe’s first industrial AI cloud in Germany, designed to support the manufacturing sector with applications in engineering, simulation, digital twins, and robotics.

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Microsoft and OpenAI revisit investment deal

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman revealed that he had a conversation with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday to discuss the future of their partnership.

Speaking on a New York Times podcast, Altman described the dialogue as part of ongoing efforts to align on the evolving nature of their collaboration.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft — OpenAI’s primary backer — and the AI firm are in discussions to revise the terms of their investment. Topics under negotiation reportedly include Microsoft’s future equity stake in OpenAI.

According to the Financial Times, Microsoft is weighing whether to pause the talks if the two parties cannot resolve key issues. Neither Microsoft nor OpenAI responded to media requests for comment outside regular business hours.

‘Obviously, in any deep partnership, there are points of tension, and we certainly have those,’ Altman said. ‘But on the whole, it’s been wonderfully good for both companies.’

Altman also commented on his recent discussions with United States President Donald Trump regarding AI. He noted that Trump appeared to grasp the technology’s broader geopolitical and economic significance.

In January, Trump announced Stargate — a proposed private sector initiative to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure — with potential backing from SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle.

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AI governance efforts centre on human rights

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, a key session spotlighted the launch of the Freedom Online Coalition’s (FOC) updated Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. Backed by 21 countries and counting, the statement outlines a vision for human-centric AI governance rooted in international human rights law.

Representatives from governments, civil society, and the tech industry—most notably the Netherlands, Germany, Ghana, Estonia, and Microsoft—gathered to emphasise the urgent need for a collective, multistakeholder approach to tackle the real and present risks AI poses to rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, and democratic participation.

Ambassador Ernst Noorman of the Netherlands warned that human rights and security must be viewed as interconnected, stressing that unregulated AI use can destabilise societies rather than protect them. His remarks echoed the Netherlands’ own hard lessons from biassed welfare algorithms.

Other panellists, including Germany’s Cyber Ambassador Maria Adebahr, underlined how AI is being weaponised for transnational repression and emphasised Germany’s commitment by doubling funding for the FOC. Ghana’s cybersecurity chief, Divine Salese Agbeti, added that AI misuse is not exclusive to governments—citizens, too, have exploited the technology for manipulation and deception.

From the private sector, Microsoft’s Dr Erika Moret showcased the company’s multi-layered approach to embedding human rights in AI, from ethical design and impact assessments to rejecting high-risk applications like facial recognition in authoritarian contexts. She stressed the company’s alignment with UN guiding principles and the need for transparency, fairness, and inclusivity.

The discussion also highlighted binding global frameworks like the EU AI Act and the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention, calling for their widespread adoption as vital tools in managing AI’s global impact. The session concluded with a shared call to action: governments must use regulatory tools and procurement power to enforce human rights standards in AI, while the private sector and civil society must push for accountability and inclusion.

The FOC’s statement remains open for new endorsements, standing as a foundational text in the ongoing effort to align the future of AI with the fundamental rights of all people.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Global consensus grows on inclusive and cooperative AI governance at IGF 2025

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, the ‘Building an International AI Cooperation Ecosystem’ session spotlighted the urgent need for international collaboration to manage AI’s transformative impact. Hosted by China’s Cyberspace Administration, the session featured a global roster of experts who emphasised that AI is no longer a niche or elite technology, but a powerful and widely accessible force reshaping economies, societies, and governance frameworks.

China’s Cyberspace Administration Director-General Qi Xiaoxia opened the session by stressing her country’s leadership in AI innovation, citing that over 60% of global AI patents originate from China. She proposed a cooperative agenda focused on sustainable development, managing AI risks, and building international consensus through multilateral collaboration.

Echoing her call, speakers highlighted that AI’s rapid evolution requires national regulations and coordinated global governance, ideally under the auspices of the UN.

Speakers, such as Jovan Kurbalija, executive director of Diplo, and Wolfgang Kleinwächter, emeritus professor for Internet Policy and Regulation at the University of Aarhus, warned against the pitfalls of siloed regulation and technological protectionism. Instead, they advocated for open-source standards, inclusive policymaking, and leveraging existing internet governance models to shape AI rules.

Regional case studies from Shanghai and Mexico illustrated diverse governance approaches—ranging from rights-based regulation to industrial ecosystem building—while initiatives like China Mobile’s AI+ Global Solutions showcased the role of major industry actors. A recurring theme throughout the forum was that no single stakeholder can monopolise effective AI governance.

Instead, a multistakeholder approach involving governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector is essential. Participants agreed that the goal is not just to manage risks, but to ensure AI is developed and deployed in a way that is ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to all humanity.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

EuroDIG outcomes shared at IGF 2025 session in Norway

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 in Norway, a high-level networking session was held to share key outcomes from the 18th edition of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG), which took place earlier this year from 12–14 May in Strasbourg, France. Hosted by the Council of Europe and supported by the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the Strasbourg conference centred on balancing innovation and regulation, strongly focusing on safeguarding human rights in digital policy.

Sandra Hoferichter, who moderated the session in Norway, opened by noting the symbolic significance of EuroDIG’s return to Strasbourg—the city where the forum began in 2008. She emphasised EuroDIG’s unique tradition of issuing “messages” as policy input, which IGF and other regional dialogues later adopted.

Swiss Ambassador Thomas Schneider, President of the EuroDIG Support Association, presented the community’s consolidated contributions to the WSIS+20 review process. “The multistakeholder model isn’t optional—it’s essential,” he said, adding that Europe strongly supports making the Internet Governance Forum a permanent institution rather than one renewed every decade. He called for a transparent and inclusive WSIS+20 process, warning against decisions being shaped behind closed diplomatic doors.

YouthDIG representative Frances Douglas Thomson shared insights from the youth-led sessions at EuroDIG. She described strong debates on digital literacy, particularly around the role of generative AI in schools. ‘Some see AI as a helpful assistant; others fear it diminishes critical thinking,’ she said. Content moderation also sparked division, with some young participants calling for vigorous enforcement against harmful content and others raising concerns about censorship. Common ground emerged around the need for greater algorithmic transparency so users understand how content is curated.

Hans Seeuws, business operations manager at EURid, emphasised the need for infrastructure providers to be heard in policy spaces. He supported calls for concrete action on AI governance and digital rights, stressing the importance of translating dialogue into implementation.

Chetan Sharma from the Data Mission Foundation Trust India questioned the practical impact of governance forums in humanitarian crises. Frances highlighted several EuroDIG sessions that tackled using autonomous weapons, internet shutdowns, and misinformation during conflicts. ‘Dialogue across stakeholders can shift how we understand digital conflict. That’s meaningful change,’ she noted.

A representative from Geneva Macro Labs challenged the panel to explain how internet policy can be effective when many governments lack technical literacy. Schneider replied that civil society, business, and academia must step in when public institutions fall short. ‘Democracy is not self-sustaining—it requires daily effort. The price of neglect is high,’ he cautioned.

Janice Richardson, an expert at the Council of Europe, asked how to widen youth participation. Frances praised YouthDIG’s accessible, bottom-up format and called for increased funding to help young people from underrepresented regions join discussions. ‘The more youth feel heard, the more they stay engaged,’ she said.

As the session closed, Hoferichter reminded attendees of the over 400 applications received for YouthDIG this year. She urged donors to help cover the high travel costs, mainly from Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. ‘Supporting youth in internet governance isn’t charity—it’s a long-term investment in inclusive, global policy,’ she concluded.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

AI data risks prompt new global cybersecurity guidance

A coalition of cybersecurity agencies, including the NSA, FBI, and CISA, has issued joint guidance to help organisations protect AI systems from emerging data security threats. The guidance explains how AI systems can be compromised by data supply chain flaws, poisoning, and drift.

Organisations are urged to adopt security measures throughout all four phases of the AI life cycle: planning, data collection, model building, and operational monitoring.

The recommendations include verifying third-party datasets, using secure ingestion protocols, and regularly auditing AI system behaviour. Particular emphasis is placed on preventing model poisoning and tracking data lineage to ensure integrity.

The guidance encourages firms to update their incident response plans to address AI-specific risks, conduct audits of ongoing projects, and establish cross-functional teams involving legal, cybersecurity, and data science experts.

With AI models increasingly central to critical infrastructure, treating data security as a core governance issue is essential.

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AI tools at work pose hidden dangers

AI tools are increasingly used in workplaces to enhance productivity but come with significant security risks. Workers may unknowingly breach privacy laws like GDPR or HIPAA by sharing sensitive data with AI platforms, risking legal penalties and job loss.

Experts warn of AI hallucinations where chatbots generate false information, highlighting the need for thorough human review. Bias in AI outputs, stemming from flawed training data or system prompts, can lead to discriminatory decisions and potential lawsuits.

Cyber threats like prompt injection and data poisoning can manipulate AI behaviour, while user error and IP infringement pose further challenges. As AI technology evolves, unknown risks remain a concern, making caution essential when integrating AI into business processes.

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Perplexity tests AI browser for Windows

Perplexity has begun testing its AI-powered Comet browser for Windows, expanding beyond its earlier launch on Macs with Apple Silicon.

The browser integrates AI at its core, offering features such as natural language interactions, email reminders, and a tool for trying on AI-generated outfits.

The Comet browser aims to stand out in a market where major players like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI dominate the AI space. Perplexity’s plans for the browser’s wider release and final features remain unclear, as testing is limited to a small group.

Perplexity’s push into the browser market comes amid controversy over its plans to collect extensive user data for personalised advertising. The company also faces legal threats from the BBC over alleged content scraping practices.

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