Artificial intelligence

OpenAI pulls searchable chats from ChatGPT

OpenAI has removed a feature that allowed users to make their ChatGPT conversations publicly searchable, following backlash over accidental exposure of sensitive content.

Dane Stuckey, OpenAI’s CISO, confirmed the rollback on Thursday, describing it as a short-lived experiment meant to help users find helpful conversations. However, he acknowledged that the feature posed privacy risks.

‘Ultimately, we think this feature introduced too many opportunities for folks to accidentally share things they didn’t intend to,’ Stuckey wrote in a post on X. He added that OpenAI is working to remove any indexed content from search engines.

The move came swiftly after Fast Company and privacy advocate Luiza Jarovsky reported that some shared conversations were appearing in Google search results.

Jarovsky posted examples on X, noting that even though the chats were anonymised, users were unknowingly revealing personal experiences, including harassment and mental health struggles.

To activate the feature, users had to tick a box allowing their chat to be discoverable. While the process required active steps, critics warned that some users might opt in without fully understanding the consequences. Stuckey said the rollback will be complete by Friday morning.

The incident adds to growing concerns around AI and user privacy, particularly as conversational platforms like ChatGPT become more embedded in everyday life.

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UK universities urged to act fast on AI teaching

UK universities risk losing their competitive edge unless they adopt a clear, forward-looking approach to ΑΙ in teaching. Falling enrolments, limited funding, and outdated digital systems have exposed a lack of AI literacy across many institutions.

As AI skills become essential for today’s workforce, employers increasingly expect graduates to be confident users rather than passive observers.

Many universities continue relying on legacy technology rather than exploring the full potential of modern learning platforms. AI tools can enhance teaching by adapting to individual student needs and helping educators identify learning gaps.

However, few staff have received adequate training, and many universities lack the resources or structure to embed AI into day-to-day teaching effectively.

To close the growing gap between education and the workplace, universities must explore flexible short courses and microcredentials that develop workplace-ready skills.

Introducing ethical standards and data transparency from the start will ensure AI is used responsibly without weakening academic integrity.

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As Meta AI grows smarter on its own, critics warn of regulatory gaps

While OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini dominate headlines, Meta’s AI is making quieter, but arguably more unsettling, progress. According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s AI is advancing rapidly and, crucially, learning to improve without external input.

In a blog post titled ‘Personal Superintelligence’, Zuckerberg claimed that Meta AI is becoming increasingly powerful through self-directed development. While he described current gains as modest, he emphasised that the trend is both real and significant.

Zuckerberg framed this as part of a broader mission to build AI that acts as a ‘personal superintelligence’, a tool that empowers individuals and becomes widely accessible. However, critics argue this narrative masks a deeper concern: AI systems that can evolve autonomously, outside human guidance or scrutiny.

The concept of self-improving AI is not new. Researchers have previously built systems capable of learning from other models or user interactions. What’s different now is the speed, scale and opacity of these developments, particularly within big tech companies operating with minimal public oversight.

The progress comes amid weak regulation. While governments like the Biden administration have issued AI action plans, experts say they lack the strength to keep up. Meanwhile, AI is rapidly spreading across everyday services, from healthcare and education to biometric verification.

Recent examples include Google’s behavioural age-estimation tools for teens, illustrating how AI is already making high-stakes decisions. As AI systems become more capable, questions arise: How much data will they access? Who controls them? And can the public meaningfully influence their design?

Zuckerberg struck an optimistic tone, framing Meta’s AI as democratic and empowering. However, that may obscure the risks of AI outpacing oversight, as some tech leaders warn of existential threats while others focus on commercial gains.

The lack of transparency worsens the problem. If Meta’s AI is already showing signs of self-improvement, are similar developments happening in other frontier models, such as GPT or Gemini? Without independent oversight, the public has no clear way to know—and even less ability to intervene.

Until enforceable global regulations are in place, society is left to trust that private firms will self-regulate, even as they compete in a high-stakes race for dominance. That’s a risky gamble when the technology itself is changing faster than we can respond.

As Meta AI evolves with little fanfare, the silence may be more ominous than reassuring. AI’s future may arrive before we are prepared to manage its consequences, and by then, it might be too late to shape it on our terms.

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Amazon reports $18.2B profit boost as AI strategy takes off

Amazon has reported a 35% increase in quarterly profit, driven by rapid growth in its AI-powered services and cloud computing arm, Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The tech and e-commerce giant posted net income of $18.2 billion for Q2 2025, up from $13.5 billion a year earlier, while net sales rose 13% to $167.7 billion and exceeded analyst expectations.

CEO Andy Jassy attributed the strong performance to the company’s growing reliance on AI. ‘Our conviction that AI will change every customer experience is starting to play out,’ Jassy said, referencing Amazon’s AI-powered Alexa+ upgrades and new generative AI shopping tools.

AWS remained the company’s growth engine, with revenue climbing 17.5% to $30.9 billion and operating profit rising to $10.2 billion. The surge reflects the increasing demand for cloud infrastructure to support AI deployment across industries.

Despite the solid earnings, Amazon’s share price dipped more than 3% in after-hours trading. Analysts pointed to concerns over the company’s heavy capital spending, particularly its aggressive $100 billion AI investment strategy.

Free cash flow over the past year fell to $18.2 billion, down from $53 billion a year earlier. In Q2 alone, Amazon spent $32.2 billion on infrastructure, nearly double the previous year’s figure, much of it aimed at expanding its data centre and logistics capabilities to support AI workloads.

For the current quarter, Amazon projected revenue of $174.0 to $179.5 billion and operating income between $15.5 and $20.5 billion, slightly below investor hopes but still reflecting double-digit year-on-year growth.

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Delta’s personalised flight costs under scrutiny

Delta Air Lines’ recent revelation about using AI to price some airfares is drawing significant criticism. The airline aims to increase AI-influenced pricing to 20 per cent of its domestic flights by late 2025.

While Delta’s president, Glen Hauenstein, noted positive results from their Fetcherr-supplied AI tool, industry observers and senators are voicing concerns. Critics worry that AI-driven pricing, similar to rideshare surge models, could lead to increased fares for travellers and raise serious data privacy issues.

Senators like Ruben Gallego, Mark Warner, and Richard Blumenthal, highlighted fears that ‘surveillance pricing’ could utilise extensive personal data to estimate a passenger’s willingness to pay.

Despite Delta’s spokesperson denying individualised pricing based on personal information, AI experts suggest factors like device type and Browse behaviour are likely influencing prices, making them ‘deeply personalised’.

Different travellers could be affected unevenly. Bargain hunters with flexible dates might benefit, but business travellers and last-minute bookers may face higher costs. Other airlines like Virgin Atlantic also use Fetcherr’s technology, indicating a wider industry trend.

Pricing experts like Philip Carls warn that passengers won’t know if they’re getting a fair deal, and proving discrimination, even if unintended by AI, could be almost impossible.

American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, has publicly criticised Delta’s move, stating American won’t copy the practice, though past incidents show airlines can adjust fares based on booking data even without AI.

With dynamic pricing technology already permitted, experts anticipate lawmakers will soon scrutinise AI’s role more closely, potentially leading to new transparency mandates.

For now, travellers can try strategies like using incognito mode, clearing cookies, or employing a VPN to obscure their digital footprint and potentially avoid higher AI-driven fares.

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Gulf states reframe AI as the ‘new oil’ in post‑petroleum push

Gulf states are actively redefining national strategy by embracing AI as a cornerstone of post-oil modernization. Saudi Arabia, through its AI platform Humain, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has committed state resources to build core infrastructure and develop Arabic multimodal models. Concurrently, the UAE is funding its $100 billion MGX initiative and supporting projects like G42 and the Falcon open-source model from Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute.

Economic rationale underpins this ambition. Observers suggest that broad AI adoption across GCC sectors, including energy, healthcare, aviation, and government services, could add as much as $150 billion to regional GDP. Yet, concerns persist around workforce limitations, regulatory maturation, and geopolitical complications tied to supply chain dependencies.

Interest in AI has also reached geopolitical levels. Gulf leaders have struck partnerships with US firms to secure advanced AI chips and infrastructure, as seen during high-profile agreements with Nvidia, AMD, and Amazon. Critics caution that hosting major data centres in geopolitically volatile zones introduces physical and strategic risks, especially in contexts of rising regional tension.

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EU AI Act oversight and fines begin this August

A new phase of the EU AI Act takes effect on 2 August, requiring member states to appoint oversight authorities and enforce penalties. While the legislation has been in force for a year, this marks the beginning of real scrutiny for AI providers across Europe.

Under the new provisions, countries must notify the European Commission of which market surveillance authorities will monitor compliance. But many are expected to miss the deadline. Experts warn that without well-resourced and competent regulators, the risks to rights and safety could grow.

The complexity is significant. Member states must align enforcement with other regulations, such as the GDPR and Digital Services Act, raising concerns regarding legal fragmentation and inconsistent application. Some fear a repeat of the patchy enforcement seen under data protection laws.

Companies that violate the EU AI Act could face fines of up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover. Smaller firms may face reduced penalties, but enforcement will vary by country.

Rules regarding general-purpose AI models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok also take effect. A voluntary Code of Practice introduced in July aims to guide compliance, but only some firms, such as Google and OpenAI, have agreed to sign. Meta has refused, arguing the rules stifle innovation.

Existing AI tools have until 2027 to comply fully, but any launched after 2 August must meet the new requirements immediately. With implementation now underway, the AI Act is shifting from legislation to enforcement.

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Concerns grow over children’s use of AI chatbots

The growing use of AI chatbots and companions among children has raised safety concerns, with experts warning of inadequate protections and potential emotional risks.

Often not designed for young users, these apps lack sufficient age verification and moderation features, making them vulnerable spaces for children. The eSafety Commissioner noted that many children are spending hours daily with AI companions, sometimes discussing topics like mental health and sex.

Studies in Australia and the UK show high engagement, with many young users viewing the chatbots as real friends and sources of emotional advice.

Experts, including Professor Tama Leaver, warn that these systems are manipulative by design, built to keep users engaged without guaranteeing appropriate or truthful responses.

Despite the concerns, initiatives like Day of AI Australia promote digital literacy to help young people understand and navigate such technologies critically.

Organisations like UNICEF say AI could offer significant educational benefits if applied safely. However, they stress that Australia must take childhood digital safety more seriously as AI rapidly reshapes how young people interact, learn and socialise.

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Zuckerberg says future AI glasses will give wearers a cognitive edge

Mark Zuckerberg framed smart glasses as the future of human–AI interaction during Meta’s Q2 2025 earnings call, saying anyone without such a device may be at a cognitive disadvantage compared to those using them.

He described the eyewear as the ideal way for AI to observe users visually and aurally, and to communicate information seamlessly during daily life.

Company leaders view smart eyewear such as Ray‑Ban Meta and Oakley Meta as early steps toward this vision, noting sales have more than tripled year-over-year.

Reality Labs, Meta’s AR/AI hardware unit, has accumulated nearly $70 billion in losses but continues investing in the form factor. Zuckerberg likened AI glasses to contact lenses for cognition, which is essential rather than optional.

While Meta remains committed to wearable AI, critics flag privacy and social risks around persistent camera-equipped glasses.

The strategy reflects a bet that wearable tech will reshape daily computing and usher in what Zuckerberg calls ‘personal superintelligence’.

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OpenAI and Nscale to build an AI super hub in Norway

OpenAI has revealed its first European data centre project in partnership with British startup Nscale, selecting Norway as the location for what is being called ‘Stargate Norway’.

The initiative mirrors the company’s ambitious $500 billion US ‘Stargate’ infrastructure plan and reflects Europe’s growing demand for large-scale AI computing capacity.

Nscale will lead the development of a $1 billion AI gigafactory in Norway, with engineering firm Aker matching the investment. These advanced data centres are designed to meet the heavy processing requirements of cutting-edge AI models.

OpenAI expects the facility to deliver 230MW of computing power by the end of 2026, making it a significant strategic foothold for the company on the continent.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that Europe needs significantly more computing to unlock AI’s full potential for researchers, startups, and developers. He said Stargate Norway will serve as a cornerstone for driving innovation and economic growth in the region.

Nscale confirmed that Norway’s AI ecosystem will receive priority access to the facility, while remaining capacity will be offered to users across the UK, Nordics and Northern Europe.

The data centre will support 100,000 of NVIDIA’s most advanced GPUs, with long-term plans to scale as demand grows.

The move follows broader European efforts to strengthen AI infrastructure, with the UK and France pushing for major regulatory and funding reforms.

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