Capacity development

Study shows AI-enabled digital stethoscope boosts cardiac screening accuracy

Researchers have found that an AI-enabled digital stethoscope significantly improves the detection of moderate-to-severe valvular heart disease in primary care compared with traditional auscultation. The prospective study was published in the European Heart Journal Digital Health.

In the trial, the AI-assisted device achieved a sensitivity of 92.3 percent for audible valvular disease, more than double the 46.2 percent recorded using standard stethoscopes. The system identified twice as many previously undiagnosed moderate-to-severe cases.

The study involved 357 patients aged 50 and over with cardiovascular risk factors and no known valvular disease. Participants underwent routine clinician examination, along with AI-supported phonocardiogram analysis, with echocardiography used for confirmation.

While specificity was lower for the AI tool, researchers said the technology is intended to support screening rather than replace clinical judgement. Earlier identification could enable faster referral for echocardiography and treatment.

Authors cautioned that increased false positives may raise referral volumes and healthcare costs, highlighting the need for further evaluation. Despite limitations, the findings suggest AI augmentation could strengthen early cardiac screening in primary care settings.

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Global leaders turn to AI adoption as Davos priorities evolve

AI dominated this year’s World Economic Forum, with debate shifting from experimentation to execution. Leaders focused on scaling AI adoption, delivering economic impact, and ensuring benefits extend beyond a small group of advanced economies and firms.

Concerns centred on the risk that AI could deepen global inequality if access to computing, data, power, and financing remains uneven. Without affordable deployment in health, education, and public services, support for AI’s rising energy and infrastructure demands could erode quickly.

Geopolitics has become inseparable from AI adoption. Trade restrictions, export controls, and diverging regulatory models are reshaping access to semiconductors, data centres, and critical minerals, making sovereignty and partnerships as important as innovation.

For developing economies, widespread AI adoption is now a development priority rather than a technological luxury. Blended finance and targeted investment are increasingly seen as essential to fund infrastructure and direct AI toward productivity, resilience, and inclusion.

Discussions under the ‘Blue Davos‘ theme highlighted how AI is embedded in physical and environmental systems, from energy grids to oceans. Choices on governance, financing, and deployment will shape whether AI supports sustainable development or widens existing divides.

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Fake DeepSeek and ChatGPT services draw penalties in China

China’s market regulator has fined several companies for impersonating AI services such as DeepSeek and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, citing unfair competition and consumer fraud. The cases form part of a broader crackdown on deceptive practices in the country’s rapidly expanding AI sector.

The State Administration for Market Regulation penalised Shanghai Shangyun Internet Technology for running a fraudulent ChatGPT service on Tencent’s WeChat platform. Regulators said the service falsely presented itself as an official Chinese version of ChatGPT and charged users for AI conversations.

In a separate case, Hangzhou Boheng Culture Media was fined for operating an unauthorised website offering so-called ‘DeepSeek local deployment’. The site closely replicated DeepSeek’s branding and interface, misleading users into paying for imitation services.

Authorities said knock-off DeepSeek mini-programmes and websites surged in early 2025, involving trademark infringement, brand confusion, and false advertising. Regulators described the enforcement actions as a deterrent aimed at restoring order in the AI marketplace.

The regulator also disclosed penalties in other AI-related cases, including unauthorised access to proprietary algorithms and the use of AI calling software for scams. China is simultaneously updating antitrust rules to address emerging risks linked to algorithm-driven market manipulation.

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EU strengthens cyber defence after attack on Commission mobile systems

A cyber-attack targeting the European Commission’s central mobile infrastructure was identified on 30 January, raising concerns that staff names and mobile numbers may have been accessed.

The Commission isolated the affected system within nine hours instead of allowing the breach to escalate, and no mobile device compromise was detected.

Also, the Commission plans a full review of the incident to reinforce the resilience of internal systems.

Officials argue that Europe faces daily cyber and hybrid threats targeting essential services and democratic institutions, underscoring the need for stronger defensive capabilities across all levels of the EU administration.

CERT-EU continues to provide constant threat monitoring, automated alerts and rapid responses to vulnerabilities, guided by the Interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board.

These efforts support the broader legislative push to strengthen cybersecurity, including the Cybersecurity Act 2.0, which introduces a Trusted ICT Supply Chain to reduce reliance on high-risk providers.

Recent measures are complemented by the NIS2 Directive, which sets a unified legal framework for cybersecurity across 18 critical sectors, and the Cyber Solidarity Act, which enhances operational cooperation through the European Cyber Shield and the Cyber Emergency Mechanism.

Together, they aim to ensure collective readiness against large-scale cyber threats.

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New York moves toward data centre moratorium as energy fears grow

Lawmakers in New York have proposed a three-year moratorium on permits for new data centres amid pressure to address the strain prominent AI facilities place on local communities.

The proposal mirrors similar moves in several other states and reflects rising concern that rapidly expanding infrastructure may raise electricity costs and worsen environmental conditions rather than supporting balanced development.

Politicians from both major parties have voiced unease about the growing power demand created by data-intensive services. Figures such as Bernie Sanders and Ron DeSantis have warned that unchecked development could drive household bills higher and burden communities.

More than 230 environmental organisations recently urged Congress to consider a national pause to prevent further disruption.

The New York bill, sponsored by Liz Krueger and Anna Kelles, aims to give regulators time to build strict rules before major construction continues. Krueger described the state as unprepared for the scale of facilities seeking entry, arguing that residents should not be left covering future costs.

Supporters say a temporary halt would provide time to design policies that protect consumers rather than encourage unrestrained corporate expansion.

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the Energize NY Development initiative, intended to modernise the grid connection process and ensure large energy users contribute fairly.

The scheme would require data centre operators to improve their financial responsibility as New York reassesses its approach to extensive AI-driven infrastructure.

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Lithuania selects Procivis for EU digital ID wallet sandbox

Procivis has been selected to build Lithuania’s European Digital Identity Wallet sandbox, advancing preparations for the EU digital identity rollout. The 12-month initiative will be delivered in partnership with the state Agency for Digital Solutions.

The project will establish a national test environment designed to simulate real-world digital identity scenarios. Built on Procivis One, the platform meets eIDAS 2.0 requirements and will validate the wallet infrastructure before EU deployment.

Testing will cover use cases for citizens, public institutions, and private-sector relying parties. Cross-border scenarios, including access to public and travel-related services, will also be explored to ensure interoperability across EU member states.

The sandbox will contribute to Lithuania’s readiness for the 2026 eIDAS 2.0 deadline while supporting broader participation in the EU Large Scale Pilot programmes focused on digital identity innovation.

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Crypto.com CEO launches ai.com AI agent platform

Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, has launched ai.com, a platform enabling users to create personal AI agents for everyday digital tasks. The rollout marks Marszalek’s expansion beyond crypto infrastructure into autonomous AI systems.

The beta debut was promoted through a high-profile television commercial aired during Super Bowl 60 on NBC, leveraging one of the world’s largest broadcast audiences. Early access lets users reserve usernames while waiting for their customised AI agents to be deployed.

Marszalek said the long-term goal is a decentralised network of self-improving AI agents that handle email, scheduling, shopping, and travel planning. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of artificial general intelligence through distributed AI agent networks.

The launch arrives amid intensifying competition in the AI agent sector. Major tech firms are launching agent platforms and large ad campaigns, signalling rising commercial momentum behind autonomous digital assistants.

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Bitcoin cryptography safe as quantum threat remains distant

Quantum computing concerns around Bitcoin have resurfaced, yet analysis from CoinShares indicates the threat remains long-term. The report argues that quantum risk is an engineering challenge that gives Bitcoin ample time to adapt.

Bitcoin’s security relies on elliptic-curve cryptography. A sufficiently advanced quantum machine could, in theory, derive private keys using Shor’s algorithm, which requires millions of stable, error-corrected qubits, and remains far beyond current capability.

Network exposure is also limited. Roughly 1.6 million BTC is held in legacy addresses with visible public keys, yet only about 10,200 BTC is realistically targetable. Modern address formats further reduce the feasibility of attacks.

Debate continues over post-quantum upgrades, with researchers warning that premature changes could introduce new vulnerabilities. Market impact, for now, is viewed as minimal.

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Yuan-pegged stablecoins face new restrictions under China policy

Chinese regulators have tightened controls on digital assets by banning the unauthorised issuance of yuan-pegged stablecoins overseas. The move extends existing restrictions to tokenised financial products linked to China’s currency and reinforces state control over monetary instruments.

In a joint notice, the People’s Bank of China and seven other agencies said no domestic or foreign entity may issue renminbi-linked stablecoins without approval. Authorities warned that such tokens replicate core monetary functions and could undermine currency sovereignty.

The rules also cover blockchain-based representations of real-world assets, including tokenised bonds and equities. Overseas providers are prohibited from offering these services to users in China without regulatory permission.

Beijing reaffirmed that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether have no legal tender status. Facilitating payments or related services using such assets remains illegal under China’s financial laws.

The measures align with China’s broader strategy of restricting private digital currencies while advancing the state-backed digital yuan. Officials have recently expanded the e-CNY’s role by allowing interest payments to encourage wider adoption.

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AI assistants drive a powerful shift in modern work

AI assistants have become a standard feature of modern working life, increasingly used across business, education, and government for writing, analysis, research, and learning tasks. Their widespread adoption reflects a broader shift in how digital tools support productivity and knowledge work.

As their use expands, AI literacy is emerging as a key professional competence. Understanding how to work effectively with AI assistants is becoming essential for workforce readiness, skills development, and long-term employability.

The growing reliance on AI assistants also raises important questions around responsibility and oversight. While these tools can significantly improve efficiency, they generate content rather than verified facts, making human judgment, accountability, and fact-checking indispensable.

Understanding how AI assistants function is therefore critical. Built on large language models, they predict language patterns rather than think or reason like humans. This technical reality underpins discussions on transparency, reliability, and appropriate use in professional contexts.

In parallel, AI assistants are moving from standalone chatbots into embedded features within workplace software, including documents, spreadsheets, and collaboration platforms. This shift strengthens their role as in-context work tools, while also increasing the need for clear organisational guidelines on their use.

The AI assistant ecosystem is also expanding globally, with platforms offering different approaches to privacy, integration, and governance. This diversity gives users more choice but complicates alignment across regulatory and organisational environments.

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