Capacity development

AI advances turn sweat into a new health signal

Researchers in Australia are examining how sweat could support new forms of health monitoring. A recent study highlights its diagnostic potential when combined with machine learning, noting the appeal of simple, non-invasive collection for people already using wearables.

Early hydration patches show how sweat data is entering the sports and fitness space. Advances in microfluidics and flexible electronics have enabled thin, real-time sweat-sampling patches. UTS researchers say AI can extract useful biomarkers and deliver personalised insights for everyday tracking.

Experts say sweat remains underused despite carrying biological signals relevant to preventive care. UTS scientists point to gains from reading multiple biomarkers and sending data wirelessly for assessment. Improvements in pattern recognition now support more accurate interpretation.

Development work in Sydney, Australia, includes microfluidic devices that detect trace levels of glucose and cortisol. Most systems remain prototypes, yet commercial interest is increasing as companies explore non-invasive alternatives to blood-based testing.

The research team expects broader adoption as sensor accuracy improves. They anticipate wearables that monitor stress markers and help identify chronic conditions earlier, framing skin-based sensing combined with AI as a route to wider access to continuous health insights.

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UAE launches scholarship to develop future AI leaders

The UAE unveiled a scholarship programme to nurture future leaders in AI at MBZUAI. The initiative, guided by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, targets outstanding undergraduates beginning in the 2025 academic year.

Approximately 350 students will be supported over six years following a rigorous selection process. Applicants will be assessed for mathematical strength, leadership potential and entrepreneurial drive in line with national technological ambitions.

Scholars will gain financial backing alongside opportunities to represent the UAE internationally and develop innovative ventures. Senior officials said the programme strengthens the nation’s aim to build a world-class cohort of AI specialists.

MBZUAI highlighted its interdisciplinary approach that blends technical study with ethics, leadership and business education. Students will have access to advanced facilities, industry placements, and mentorships designed to prepare them for global technology roles.

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GenAI gains ground as manufacturers overhaul shop-floor workflows

AI adoption in manufacturing is accelerating as generative tools are reshaping frontline roles. Many firms see connected worker platforms as a response to labour shortages and a draw for younger recruits. GenAI is emerging as a support layer that boosts productivity without displacing staff.

Operators face mixed training needs, language gaps and stricter safety demands. GenAI supports tailored instructions and smoother knowledge transfer, cutting documentation effort.

Retrieval is becoming more critical as factories digitise. Frontline teams need fast access to clear guidance across text, image and video formats. AI-enabled search interprets intent, reducing delays caused by navigating large content libraries.

Video-based guidance is rising in prominence as short-form media becomes a preferred way for younger workers to learn. AI can convert lengthy procedures into concise visual steps, while multilingual transcription expands accessibility for diverse teams across global operations.

The growing use of AI tools marks a shift toward more adaptive factory operations. Manufacturers view connected worker platforms as vital to competitiveness, with AI integration offering gains in engagement, safety and performance.

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NSA warns AI poses new risks for operational technology

The US National Security Agency (NSA), together with international partners including Australia’s ACSC, has issued guidance on the secure integration of AI into operational technology (OT).

The Principles for the Secure Integration of AI in OT warn that while AI can optimise critical infrastructure, it also introduces new risks for safety-critical environments. Although aimed at OT administrators, the guidance also highlights issues relevant to IT networks.

AI is increasingly deployed in sectors such as energy, water treatment, healthcare, and manufacturing to automate processes and enhance efficiency.

The NSA’s guidance, however, flags several potential threats, including adversarial prompt injection, data poisoning, AI drift, and reduced explainability, all of which can compromise safety and compliance.

Over-reliance on AI may also lead to human de-skilling, cognitive overload, and distraction, while AI hallucinations raise concerns about reliability in safety-critical settings.

Experts emphasise that AI cannot currently be trusted to make independent safety decisions in OT networks, where the margin for error is far smaller than in standard IT systems.

Sam Maesschalck, an OT engineer, noted that introducing AI without first addressing pre-existing infrastructure issues, such as insufficient data feeds or incomplete asset inventories, could undermine both security and operational efficiency.

The guidance aims to help organisations evaluate AI risks, clarify accountability, and prepare for potential misbehaviour, underlining the importance of careful planning before deploying AI in operationally critical environments.

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LLM shortcomings highlighted by Gary Marcus during industry debate

Gary Marcus argued at Axios’ AI+ Summit that large language models (LLMs) offer utility but fall short of the transformative claims made by their developers. He framed their fundamental role as groundwork for future artificial general intelligence. He suggested that meaningful capability shifts lie beyond today’s systems.

Marcus said alignment challenges stem from LLMs lacking robust world models and reliable constraints. He noted that models still hallucinate despite explicit instructions to avoid errors. He described current systems as an early rehearsal rather than a route to AGI.

Concerns raised included bias, misinformation, environmental impact and implications for education. Marcus also warned about the decline of online information quality as automated content spreads. He believes structural flaws make these issues persistent.

Industry momentum remains strong despite unresolved risks. Developers continue to push forward without clear explanations for model behaviour. Investment flows remain focused on the promise of AGI, despite timelines consistently shifting.

Strategic competition adds pressure, with the United States seeking to maintain an edge over China in advanced AI. Political signals reinforce the drive toward rapid development. Marcus argued that stronger frameworks are needed before systems scale further.

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Google drives health innovation through new EU AI initiative

At the European Health Summit in Brussels, Google presented new research suggesting that AI could help Europe overcome rising healthcare pressures.

The report, prepared by Implement Consulting Group for Google, argues that scientific productivity is improving again, rather than continuing a long period of stagnation. Early results already show shorter waiting times in emergency departments, offering practitioners more space to focus on patient needs.

Momentum at the Summit increased as Google announced new support for AI adoption in frontline care.

Five million dollars from Google.org will fund Bayes Impact to launch an EU-wide initiative known as ‘Impulse Healthcare’. The programme will allow nurses, doctors and administrators to design and test their own AI tools through an open-source platform.

By placing development in the hands of practitioners, the project aims to expand ideas that help staff reclaim valuable time during periods of growing demand.

Successful tools developed at a local level will be scaled across the EU, providing a path to more efficient workflows and enhanced patient care.

Google views these efforts as part of a broader push to rebuild capacity in Europe’s health systems.

AI-assisted solutions may reduce administrative burdens, support strained workforces and guide decisions through faster, data-driven insights, strengthening everyday clinical practice.

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ESMA could gain direct supervision over crypto firms

The European Commission has proposed giving the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) expanded powers to oversee crypto and broader financial markets, aiming to close the regulatory gap with the United States.

The plan would give ESMA direct supervision of crypto service providers, trading venues, and central counterparties, while boosting its role in asset management coordination. Approval from the European Parliament and the Council is still required.

Calls for stronger oversight have grown following concerns over lenient national regimes, including Malta’s crypto licensing system. France, Austria, and Italy have called for ESMA to directly oversee major crypto firms, with France threatening to block cross-border licence passporting.

Revisions to the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) are also under discussion, with proposals for stricter rules on offshore crypto activities, improved cybersecurity oversight, and tighter regulations for token offerings.

Experts warn that centralising ESMA supervision may slow innovation, especially for smaller crypto and fintech startups reliant on national regulators. ESMA would need significant resources for the expanded mandate, which could slow decision-making across the EU.

The proposal aims to boost EU capital market competitiveness and increase wealth for citizens. EU stock exchanges currently account for just 73% of the bloc’s GDP, compared with 270% in the US, highlighting the need for a more integrated regulatory framework.

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OpenAI launches nationwide AI initiative in Australia

OpenAI has launched OpenAI for Australia, a nationwide initiative to unlock the economic and societal benefits of AI. The program aims to support sovereign AI infrastructure, upskill Australians, and accelerate the country’s local AI ecosystem.

CEO Sam Altman highlighted Australia’s deep technical talent and strong institutions as key factors in becoming a global leader in AI.

A significant partnership with NEXTDC will see the development of a next-generation hyperscale AI campus and large GPU supercluster at Sydney’s Eastern Creek S7 site.

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs, boost local supplier opportunities, strengthen STEM and AI skills, and provide sovereign compute capacity for critical workloads.

OpenAI will also upskill more than 1.2 million Australians in collaboration with CommBank, Coles and Wesfarmers. OpenAI Academy will provide tailored modules to give workers and small business owners practical AI skills for confident daily use.

The nationwide rollout of courses is scheduled to begin in 2026.

OpenAI is launching its first Australian start-up program with local venture capital firms Blackbird, Square Peg, and AirTree to support home-grown innovation. Start-ups will receive API credits, mentorship, workshops, and access to Founder Day to accelerate product development and scale AI solutions locally.

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EU partners with EIB to support AI gigafactories

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group (EIB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the development of AI Gigafactories across the EU. The partnership aims to position Europe as a leading AI hub by accelerating financing and the construction of large-scale AI facilities.

The agreement establishes a framework to guide consortia responding to the Commission’s informal Call for Expression of Interest. EIB advisory support will help turn proposals into bankable projects for the 2026 AI Gigafactory call, with possible co-financing.

The initiative builds on InvestAI, announced in February 2025, mobilising €20 billion to support up to five AI Gigafactories. These facilities will boost Europe’s computing infrastructure, reinforce technological sovereignty, and drive innovation across the continent.

By translating Europe’s AI ambitions into concrete, large-scale projects, the Commission and the EIB aim to position the EU as a global leader in next-generation AI, while fostering investment and industrial growth.

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€700 million crypto fraud network spanning Europe broken up

Authorities have broken an extensive cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering network that moved over EUR 700 million after years of international investigation.

The operation began with an investigation into a single fraudulent cryptocurrency platform and eventually uncovered an extensive network of fake investment schemes targeting thousands of victims.

Victims were drawn in by fake ads promising high returns and pressured via criminal call centres to pay more. Transferred funds were stolen and laundered across blockchains and exchanges, exposing a highly organised operation across Europe and beyond.

Police raids across Cyprus, Germany, and Spain in late October 2025 resulted in nine arrests and the seizure of millions in assets, including bank deposits, cryptocurrencies, cash, digital devices, and luxury watches.

Europol and Eurojust coordinated the cross-border operation with national authorities from France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, and other nations.

The second phase, executed in November, targeted the affiliate marketing infrastructure behind fraudulent online advertising, including deepfake campaigns impersonating celebrities and media outlets.

Law enforcement teams in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, and Israel conducted searches, dismantling key elements of the scam ecosystem. Investigations continue to track down remaining assets and dismantle the broader network.

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