Capacity development

Google avoids breakup as AI reshapes search and threatens e-commerce traffic

The US tech giant Google will not be forced to divest Chrome or Android following the long-running US monopoly case.

Judge Mehta ruled that while Google holds a monopoly in traditional search, the rise of AI companies is creating new competitive pressures.

The judgement prevents Google from striking exclusive distribution deals but still allows it to pay partners for preloading and placement of its products. The court also ordered Google to loosen its control over search data, a move that could enable rivals to build their own AI-driven search tools.

Yet, concerns remain for e-commerce businesses.

Google Zero, the company’s AI-powered search summary, is cutting website traffic by keeping users within Google’s results.

Research shows sharp declines in mobile click-through rates, leaving online retailers uncertain of their future visibility.

Experts warn that zero-click searches are becoming the norm. Businesses are being urged to optimise for Google’s AI overviews, enhance the value of product and review pages, track traffic impacts, and diversify their marketing channels.

While Google has avoided structural remedies, its dominance in search and AI appears far from over.

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Microsoft brings Anthropic AI into Office 365 as OpenAI tensions rise

The US tech giant Microsoft is expanding its AI strategy by integrating Anthropic’s Claude models into Office 365, adding them to apps like Word, Excel and Outlook instead of relying solely on OpenAI.

Internal tests reportedly showed Anthropic’s systems outperforming OpenAI in specific reasoning and data-processing tasks, prompting Microsoft to adopt a hybrid approach while maintaining OpenAI as a frontier partner.

The shift reflects growing strain between Microsoft and OpenAI, with disputes over intellectual property and cloud infrastructure as well as OpenAI’s plans for greater independence.

By diversifying suppliers, Microsoft reduces risks, lowers costs and positions itself to stay competitive while OpenAI prepares for a potential public offering and develops its own data centres.

Anthropic, backed by Amazon and Google, has built its reputation on safety-focused AI, appealing to Microsoft’s enterprise customers wary of regulatory pressures.

Analysts believe the move could accelerate innovation, spark a ‘multi-model era’ of AI integration, and pressure OpenAI to enhance its technology faster.

The decision comes amid Microsoft’s push to broaden its AI ecosystem, including its in-house MAI-1 model and partnerships with firms like DeepSeek.

Regulators are closely monitoring these developments, given Microsoft’s dominant role in AI investment and the potential antitrust implications of its expanding influence.

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Arm unveils Lumex mobile chips built for AI

UK-based chip designer Arm introduced Lumex, a next-generation chip design explicitly designed to power AI on smartphones, smartwatches, and next-generation PCs.

Arm, whose processor architecture underpins devices from Apple and Nvidia, described Lumex as its most advanced platform yet for real-time AI assistance, communication and on-device personalisation.

Arm’s senior vice-president Chris Bergey said consumers now expect instant, private, seamless AI features instead of gradual improvements.

The Lumex platform combines performance, privacy, and efficiency, allowing partners to use the design as delivered or configure it to their own requirements.

A brand that is part of a broader naming structure includes Neoverse for infrastructure, Niva for PCs, Zena for automotive, and Orbis for the internet of things.

Meanwhile, Arm is reportedly preparing to manufacture its chips, having recruited Amazon’s Rami Sinno, who helped build Trainium and Inferentia, to strengthen its in-house ambitions.

These moves mark a significant moment for Arm, as the company seeks to expand its influence in the AI hardware space and reduce reliance on licensing alone.

With the rise of generative AI, the push for high-performance chips designed around on-device intelligence is becoming central to the future of mobile technology.

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AI in weather forecasting takes centre stage in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi hosted a Weather Summit that explored how AI could transform forecasting and support operations, such as cloud seeding. Experts emphasised that AI enhances analysis but must complement, rather than replace, human judgement.

Discussions focused on Earth-system forecasting using satellite datasets, IoT devices, and geospatial systems. Quality, interoperability, and equitable access to weather services were highlighted as pressing priorities.

Speakers raised questions about public and private sector incentives’ reliability, transparency, and influence on AI. Collaboration across sectors was crucial to strengthening trust and global cooperation in meteorology.

WMO President Dr Abdulla Al Mandous said forecasting has evolved from traditional observation to supercomputing and AI. He argued that integrating models with AI could deliver more precise local forecasts for agriculture, aviation, and disaster management.

The summit brought together leaders from UN bodies, research institutions, and tech firms, including Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. Attendees highlighted the need to bridge data gaps, particularly in developing regions, to confront rising climate challenges.

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Kazakhstan to create state digital asset fund

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to establish a State Digital Asset Fund to consolidate the country’s position in digital finance. The fund will accumulate a strategic crypto reserve through the National Bank’s Investment Corporation.

Crypto adoption in Kazakhstan has surged, doubling ownership from 4% in 2022 to 8% in 2024. Mining generated over $10 million in taxes, while licensed providers contributed $367,000 in the first eight months 2024.

Tokayev warned of rising online fraud, highlighting the need for anti-fraud centres, biometric ID systems, and enhanced legislation to protect citizens and state finances. He connected digital finance to urban development, unveiling Alatau City, a $7.2 billion fully digitalised smart city with crypto payments.

The initiative positions Kazakhstan as a regional leader in crypto strategy, combining economic growth, technological innovation, and digital infrastructure development.

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Russian lawmaker pushes for creation of national crypto bank

A senior Russian policymaker has proposed the creation of a national crypto bank, arguing it would raise state revenues and help curb financial crime.

Yevgeny Masharov, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, said a national crypto bank would bring vast sums of crypto into the legal economy. He added that lawmakers also aim to ban quasi-legal exchanges while exploring the launch of state-run trading platforms.

Masharov suggested that a crypto bank could be a tool against online fraud, particularly schemes involving ‘droppers’ who launder cash and crypto for criminals. He argued that by keeping transactions within an official system, authorities would have more control over illicit flows.

The initiative follows similar moves in Belarus, where President Alexander Lukashenko has instructed officials to accelerate work on a national crypto bank. Moscow also views such a project as a way to support miners, enable safer cross-border payments, and reduce reliance on Western-controlled financial networks.

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Older patients report high satisfaction with AI blood pressure support

AI voice agents helped older adults with high blood pressure provide accurate readings from home, according to new research presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025.

The study involved 2,000 patients, most aged 65 or older, who received automated phone calls in multiple languages prompting them to submit readings. Calls outside safe thresholds or involving symptoms such as chest pain were immediately escalated to clinicians.

Researchers reported improved compliance and accuracy, with 68% of patients meeting blood pressure control standards. The programme also cut costs by nearly 89% compared to nurse-led interventions while boosting Medicare performance ratings.

Patient satisfaction was high, with average scores above nine out of ten. Experts said such AI tools could help close care gaps, particularly for patients with limited access to medical professionals.

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AI job losses could leave many workers behind, experts warn

Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton warned AI could increase unemployment and profits as companies replace workers with machines. Hinton told the Financial Times the effects stem from capitalism, with few becoming richer while many are left behind.

Evidence is already emerging that AI is reducing opportunities at the entry level, particularly for recent college graduates. A New York Fed survey shows companies using AI tend to retrain staff rather than lay them off, though layoffs may rise soon.

Hinton highlighted that jobs performing mundane tasks are most at risk, while skilled professions like healthcare are likely to be safer.

Hinton also dismissed universal basic income proposals, arguing they fail to address human dignity or the value derived from work. He warned AI could be misused, including for bioweapons, and noted some governments take the risks more seriously than others.

Despite the potential threats, Hinton acknowledged the enormous possibilities of AI. He uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT for research and humorously recalls personal anecdotes demonstrating its versatility.

Hinton retired from Google in 2023, citing age and personal priorities rather than concerns over speaking freely about AI’s dangers.

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Momenta set for first European robotaxi rollout with Uber in Germany

Uber and Chinese startup Momenta will begin robotaxi testing in Munich in 2026, marking their first public deployment in continental Europe. The trials will start with human safety operators, with plans to expand across additional European cities.

Founded in 2016, Momenta is one of China’s leading autonomous vehicle companies, having tested self-driving cars since 2018. The company is already collaborating with automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW to integrate advanced driver assistance systems.

Uber is broadening its global AV network, which already spans 20 partners across mobility, delivery, and freight. In the US, Waymo robotaxis operate via Uber’s app, while international partnerships include WeRide in the Gulf and Wayve in London.

Competition in Europe is intensifying. Baidu from China and Lyft plan to roll out robotaxis in Germany and the UK next year, while Uber has chosen Munich, Germany, as its engineering base and a strong automotive ecosystem.

German regulators must still certify Momenta’s technology and approve geo-fenced operating areas. If successful, Munich will become Momenta’s first European launchpad, building on its Shanghai robotaxi service and global ADAS deployment.

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Social media authenticity questioned as Altman points to bot-like behaviour

Sam Altman, X enthusiast and Reddit shareholder, has expressed doubts over whether social media content can still be distinguished from bot activity. His remarks followed an influx of praise for OpenAI Codex on Reddit, where users questioned whether such posts were genuine.

Altman noted that humans are increasingly adopting quirks of AI-generated language, blurring the line between authentic and synthetic speech. He also pointed to factors such as social media optimisation for engagement and astroturfing campaigns, which amplify suspicions of fakery.

The comments follow OpenAI’s backlash over the rollout of GPT-5, which saw Reddit communities shift from celebratory to critical. Altman acknowledged flaws in a Reddit AMA, but the fallout left lasting scepticism and lower enthusiasm among AI users.

Underlying this debate is the wider reality that bots dominate much of the online environment. Imperva estimates that more than half of 2024’s internet traffic was non-human, while X’s own Grok chatbot admitted to hundreds of millions of bots on the platform.

Some observers suggest Altman’s comments may foreshadow an OpenAI-backed social media venture. Whether such a project could avoid the same bot-related challenges remains uncertain, with research suggesting that even bot-only networks eventually create echo chambers of their own.

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