Researchers have uncovered why the human brain remains far more adaptable than AI. A new Princeton study finds that the brain repurposes shared cognitive components to manage varied tasks, enabling quick adaptation to new challenges without relearning from scratch.
Experiments with rhesus macaques showed that the prefrontal cortex uses shared ‘cognitive blocks’ that combine and recombine based on the task, such as judging colour or shape. The monkeys completed related categorisation tasks, allowing scientists to observe how neural patterns were reused across activities.
The findings suggest that humans excel at flexible learning because the brain builds new behaviours from existing mental components. By activating only the necessary blocks and quieting others, the prefrontal cortex avoids overload and keeps learning efficient.
Researchers say the insight could help artificial intelligence move beyond its tendency to forget past skills when learning new ones. It may also support clinical advances for conditions where cognitive flexibility is impaired, including schizophrenia and certain brain injuries.
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SAP introduced the EU AI Cloud as part of a unified plan that aims to support Europe’s digital sovereignty goals.
The offering consolidates SAP’s existing sovereign cloud work under one structure and provides organisations with a way to meet strict regulatory and operational needs, ensuring full EU data residency.
Customers can select deployment options that match their level of required control, ranging from SAP’s European data centres to on-site infrastructure.
SAP is also expanding its partnership with Cohere to integrate advanced multimodal and agentic AI features through Cohere North.
Incorporation into SAP Business Technology Platform enables enterprises with data residency constraints to apply AI within core processes without undermining compliance or performance.
A collaboration that is intended to improve insight generation and decision support across a wide range of industries.
EU AI Cloud is backed by a broad ecosystem that includes Cohere, Mistral AI, OpenAI and other partners whose models and applications can be accessed through SAP BTP.
European enterprises and public bodies gain access to routes for developing and deploying AI tools while maintaining flexibility and sovereignty.
The range of options includes SAP Sovereign Cloud, customer-operated on-site deployments and, where chosen, commercial services on selected hyperscalers with sovereignty controls. The approach also includes Delos Cloud for organisations in Germany that require dedicated public sector safeguards.
SAP positions the initiative as a means to advance AI adoption in Europe, aligning with regional standards on data protection and operational independence.
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OpenAI has rolled out an update to ChatGPT Voice that unifies voice and text in a single interface. Users can now speak, type or mix both without switching screens mid-conversation.
The redesigned chat window displays live transcriptions and responses in real-time. Users can scroll through earlier messages and view images, maps and other visuals while the exchange continues in one place.
You can now use ChatGPT Voice right inside chat—no separate mode needed.
You can talk, watch answers appear, review earlier messages, and see visuals like images or maps in real time.
Previously, voice required a separate mode that hid the main chat history and shared content. OpenAI says the unified layout should make longer, mixed-mode conversations feel more natural and less fragmented.
Voice and text can still be used interchangeably, but ending a voice session requires tapping ‘End’ before returning to text-only use. Those who prefer the old layout can re-enable a separate voice view in settings.
The revamped Voice experience is becoming the default on web and mobile apps as the update rolls out. OpenAI aims to make ChatGPT feel more like a flexible conversational assistant across various devices.
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NVIDIA AI Day Seoul drew more than 1,000 visitors who gathered to explore sovereign AI and the rapid progress shaping South Korea’s digital landscape.
Attendees joined workshops, technical sessions and startup showcases designed to highlight the country’s expanding ecosystem instead of focusing only on theoretical advances.
Five finalists from the Inception Grand Challenge also presented their work, reflecting the growing strength of South Korea’s startup community.
Speakers outlined how AI now supports robotics, industrial production, entertainment and public administration.
Conglomerates from South Korea, such as Samsung, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group and NAVER Cloud, have intensified their investment in AI, while government agencies rely on accelerated computing to process documents and policy information at scale.
South Korea’s ecosystem continues to expand with hundreds of Inception startups, sovereign LLM initiatives and major supercomputing deployments.
Developers engaged directly with NVIDIA engineers through workshops and a Q&A area covering AI infrastructure, LLMs, robotics and automotive technologies. Plenary sessions examined agentic AI, reasoning models and the evolution of AI factories.
Partners presented advances in training efficiency, agentic systems and large-scale AI infrastructure built with NVIDIA’s platforms instead of legacy hardware.
South Korea’s next phase of development will be supported by access to 260,000 GPUs announced during the APEC Summit. Officials expect the infrastructure to accelerate startup growth, stimulate national AI priorities and attract new collaboration across research and industry.
The Seoul event marks another step in the country’s effort to reinforce its digital foundation while expanding its role in global AI innovation.
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OpenAI says a security incident at Mixpanel exposed limited metadata linked to the API interface. Mixpanel’s systems, not OpenAI’s, were compromised during the intrusion. No chat content, passwords, API keys, or payment information was affected.
Mixpanel told OpenAI that an attacker exported a dataset containing basic user profile fields. The information includes names, email addresses, coarse location data, and browser details. OpenAI has removed Mixpanel from production and is notifying impacted users.
OpenAI maintains that its internal infrastructure remains secure with no evidence of unauthorised access. Wider reviews across the vendor ecosystem are underway to assess potential risks. The company has raised security requirements for partners and continues to monitor for misuse.
Security teams warn that the leaked data could fuel phishing or social-engineering attempts. Users are urged to treat unsolicited messages with caution and verify communications sent under the OpenAI name. Multi-factor authentication remains strongly recommended for all accounts as an added safeguard.
OpenAI reiterates that trust and privacy remain core to its products and operations. The organisation has ended its use of Mixpanel and is reviewing supporting services to prevent similar issues. Impacted organisations will receive direct notifications as the investigation continues.
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Coinbase Ventures has shared the ideas its team is most excited about for 2026, highlighting areas with high potential for innovation in crypto and blockchain. Key sectors include asset tokenisation, specialised exchanges, next-generation DeFi, and AI-driven robotics.
The firm is actively seeking teams to invest in these emerging opportunities.
Perpetual contracts on real-world assets are set to expand, enabling synthetic exposure to private companies, commodities, and macroeconomic data. Specialised exchanges and trading terminals aim to consolidate liquidity, protect market makers, and improve the prediction market user experience.
Next-gen DeFi will expand with composable perpetual markets, unsecured lending, and privacy-focused applications. These developments could redefine capital efficiency, financial infrastructure, and user confidentiality across the ecosystem.
AI and robotics are also a focus, with projects targeting advanced robotic data collection, proof-of-humanity solutions, and AI-driven innovative contract development. Coinbase Ventures emphasises the potential for these technologies to accelerate on-chain adoption and innovation.
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EU regulators are preparing for a significant shift in crypto oversight as new rules take effect on 1 January 2026. Crypto providers must report all customer transactions and holdings in a uniform digital format, giving tax authorities broader visibility across the bloc.
The DAC8 framework brings mandatory cross-border data sharing, a centralised operator register and unique ID numbers for each reporting entity. These measures aim to streamline supervision and enhance transparency, even though data on delisted firms must be preserved for up to twelve months.
Privacy concerns are rising as the new rules expand the travel rule for transfers above €1,000 and introduce possible ownership checks on private wallets. Combined with MiCA and upcoming AML rules, regulators gain deeper insight into user behaviour, wallet flows and platform operations.
Plans for ESMA to oversee major exchanges are facing pushback from smaller financial hubs, which are concerned about higher compliance costs and reduced competitiveness. Supporters argue that unified supervision is necessary to prevent regulatory gaps and reinforce market integrity across the EU.
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Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform, positioning it as a premium upgrade that elevates performance, AI capability, and gaming. The company says the new chipset responds to growing demand for more advanced features in flagship smartphones.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 includes an enhanced sensing hub that wakes an AI assistant when a user picks up their device. Qualcomm says the platform supports agentic AI functions through the updated AI Engine, enabling more context-aware interactions and personalised assistance directly on the device.
The system is powered by the custom Oryon CPU, reaching speeds up to 3.8 GHz and delivering notable improvements in responsiveness and web performance. Qualcomm reports a 36% increase in overall processing power and an 11% boost to graphics output through its updated Adreno GPU architecture.
Qualcomm executives say the refreshed platform will bring high-end performance to more markets. Chris Patrick, senior vice-president for mobile handsets, says Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built to meet rising demands for speed, efficiency, and intelligent features.
Qualcomm confirmed that the chipset will appear in upcoming flagship devices from manufacturers including iQOO, Honor, Meizu, Motorola, OnePlus, and vivo. The company expects the platform to anchor next-generation models entering global markets in the months ahead.
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World leaders gathered in Johannesburg have endorsed a landmark declaration under the 2025 G20 presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa, the first time the summit was held on African soil. The agreement, adopted at the very start of the meeting rather than at its usual conclusion, reflects a sharp pivot toward issues facing the developing world, which include climate resilience, debt relief, global inequality, inclusive development, and sustainable energy.
The 122-point statement, built around the summit’s motto ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,’ calls for increased international cooperation to ensure that ‘no one is left behind.’ It places strong emphasis on supporting low-income and middle-income countries battered by climate disasters, championing debt restructuring, reforming global financial systems, and scaling up investment in clean energy and critical mineral value chains, a priority especially for resource-rich regions in Africa and the Global South.
Support was also voiced for a more inclusive global governance architecture. The declaration calls for reforms to international financial institutions, enhanced representation for emerging economies, and more equitable global supply chains. It underlines that sustainable growth and prosperity cannot come without greater economic equality, technology transfer, and fairer development partnerships.
Addressing geopolitically sensitive issues, the summit called for just, lasting peace in several conflict zones, including Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Palestinian territory, highlighting a collective interest in global stability.
The decision to adopt the declaration immediately was a bold diplomatic move. The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking in his opening address, said the G20 ‘has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and credibility of the G20 to be undermined,’ stressing that ‘multilateralism can and does deliver concrete results.’
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced the agreement had been reached by consensus among attending nations, framing the document as a ‘revolutionary’ step for Africa and the Global South.
The adoption of the declaration occurred despite a boycott by the United States, which declined to participate in the summit due to diplomatic tensions with the host country.
Observers note that the show of unity among nearly all other G20 members signals rising frustration with unilateralism and a willingness to reassert multilateral cooperation, especially on issues where developing countries have long been sidelined.
Whether the commitments enshrined in the Johannesburg Declaration will translate into concrete action remains uncertain. Still, by elevating the concerns of poorer and climate-vulnerable nations onto the global agenda, this summit may mark a turning point for the G20’s role in shaping a fairer, more sustainable world order.
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UNESCO is strengthening capacities in AI ethics and regulation across Ecuador and Latin America through two newly launched courses. The initiatives aim to enhance digital governance and ensure the ethical use of AI in the region.
The first course, ‘Regulation of Artificial Intelligence: A View from and towards Latin America,’ is taking place virtually from 19 to 28 November 2025.
Organised by UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector in coordination with UNESCO-Chile and CTS Lab at FLACSO Ecuador, the programme involves 30 senior officials from key institutions, including the Ombudsman’s Office and the Superintendency for Personal Data Protection.
Participants are trained on AI ethical principles, risks, and opportunities, guided by UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
The ‘Ethical Use of AI’ course starts next week for telecom and electoral officials. The 20-hour hybrid programme teaches officials to use UNESCO’s RAM to assess readiness and plan ethical AI strategies.
UNESCO aims to train 60 officials and strengthen AI ethics and regulatory frameworks in Ecuador and Chile. The programmes reflect a broader commitment to building inclusive, human-rights-oriented digital governance in Latin America.
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