Development

Conversational advertising takes the stage as ChatGPT tests in-chat promotions

Advertising inside ChatGPT marks a shift in where commercial messages appear, not a break from how advertising works. AI systems have shaped search, social media, and recommendations for years, but conversational interfaces make those decisions more visible during moments of exploration.

Unlike search or social formats, conversational advertising operates inside dialogue. Ads appear because users are already asking questions or seeking clarity. Relevance is built through context rather than keywords, changing when information is encountered rather than how decisions are made.

In healthcare and clinical research, this distinction matters. Conversational ads cannot enroll patients directly, but they may raise awareness earlier in patient journeys and shape later discussions with clinicians and care providers.

Early rollout will be limited to free or low-cost ChatGPT tiers, likely skewing exposure towards patients and caregivers. As with earlier platforms, sensitive categories may remain restricted until governance and safeguards mature.

The main risks are organisational rather than technical. New channels will not fix unclear value propositions or operational bottlenecks. Conversational advertising changes visibility, not fundamentals, and success will depend on responsible integration.

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Europe’s 2025 app market shows a downloads-revenue gap

The mobile app market of Europe in 2025 revealed a distinct divergence between popularity and revenue. AI-driven productivity apps, such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, dominated downloads, alongside shopping platforms including Temu, SHEIN, and Vinted.

While installs highlight user preferences, active use and monetisation patterns tell a very different story instead of merely reflecting popularity.

Downloads for the top apps show ChatGPT leading with over 64 million, followed by Temu with nearly 44 million. Other widely downloaded apps included Threads, TikTok, CapCut, WhatsApp, Revolut and Lidl Plus.

The prevalence of AI and shopping apps underscores the shift of tools from professional use to everyday tasks, as Europeans increasingly rely on digital services for work, study and leisure.

Revenue patterns diverge sharply from download rankings. TikTok generated €740 million, followed by ChatGPT at €448 million and Tinder at €429 million. Subscription-based and premium-feature apps, including Disney+, Amazon Prime, Google One and YouTube, also rank highly.

In-app spending, rather than download numbers, drives earnings, revealing the importance of monetisation strategies beyond pure popularity.

Regional trends emphasise local priorities. The UK favours domestic finance and public service apps such as Monzo, Tesco, GOV.UK ID Check and HMRC, while Turkey shows strong use of national government, telecom and e-commerce apps, including e-Devlet Kapısı, Turkcell and Trendyol.

These variations highlight how app consumption reflects cultural preferences and the role of domestic services in digital life.

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AI model promises faster monoclonal antibody production

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed a machine-learning model that could significantly speed up the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies, a fast-growing class of therapies used to treat cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases.

The study, published in Communications Engineering, targets delays in selecting high-performing cell lines during antibody production. Output varies widely between Chinese hamster ovary cell clones, forcing manufacturers to spend weeks screening for high yields.

By analysing early growth data, the researchers trained a model to predict antibody productivity far earlier in the process. Using only the first 9 days of data, it forecast production trends through day 16 and identified higher-performing clones in more than 76% of tests.

The model was developed with Oklahoma-based contract manufacturer Wheeler Bio, combining production data with established growth equations. Although further validation is needed, early results suggest shorter timelines and lower manufacturing costs.

The work forms part of a wider US-funded programme to strengthen biotechnology manufacturing capacity, highlighting how AI is being applied to practical industrial bottlenecks rather than solely to laboratory experimentation.

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Research warns of AI driven burnout risks

Generative AI is not reducing workloads as widely expected but intensifying them, according to new workplace research. Findings suggest productivity gains are being offset by expanding responsibilities and longer working hours.

An eight-month study at a US tech firm found employees worked faster, took on broader tasks, and extended working hours. AI tools enabled staff to take on duties beyond their roles, including coding, research, and technical problem-solving.

Researchers identified three pressure points driving intensification: task expansion, blurred work-life boundaries, and increased multitasking. Workers used AI during breaks and off-hours while juggling parallel tasks, increasing cognitive load.

Experts warn that the early productivity surge may mask burnout, fatigue, and declining work quality. Organisations are now being urged to establish structured ‘AI practices’ to regulate usage, protect focus, and maintain sustainable productivity.

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Enterprise AI security evolves as Cisco expands AI Defense capabilities

Cisco has announced a major update to its AI Defense platform as enterprise AI evolves from chat tools into autonomous agents. The company says AI security priorities are shifting from controlling outputs to protecting complex agent-driven systems.

The update strengthens end-to-end AI supply chain security by scanning third-party models, datasets, and tools used in development workflows. New inventory features help organisations track provenance and governance across AI resources.

Cisco has also expanded algorithmic red teaming through an upgraded AI Validation interface. The system enables adaptive multi-turn testing and aligns security assessments with NIST, MITRE, and OWASP frameworks.

Runtime protections now reflect the growing autonomy of AI agents. Cisco AI Defense inspects agent-to-tool interactions in real time, adding guardrails to prevent data leakage and malicious task execution.

Cisco says the update responds to the rapid operationalisation of AI across enterprises. The company argues that effective AI security now requires continuous visibility, automated testing, and real-time controls that scale with autonomy.

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EMFA guidance sets expectations for Big Tech media protections

The European Commission has issued implementation guidelines for Article 18 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), setting out how large platforms must protect recognised media content through self-declaration mechanisms.

Article 18 has been in effect for 6 months, and the guidance is intended to translate legal duties into operational steps. The European Broadcasting Union welcomed the clarification but warned that major platforms continue to delay compliance, limiting media organisations’ ability to exercise their rights.

The Commission says self-declaration mechanisms should be easy to find and use, with prominent interface features linked to media accounts. Platforms are also encouraged to actively promote the process, make it available in all EU languages, and use standardised questionnaires to reduce friction.

The guidance also recommends allowing multiple accounts in one submission, automated acknowledgements with clear contact points, and the ability to update or withdraw declarations. The aim is to improve transparency and limit unilateral moderation decisions.

The guidelines reinforce the EMFA’s goal of rebalancing power between platforms and media organisations by curbing opaque moderation practices. The impact of EMFA will depend on enforcement and ongoing oversight to ensure platforms implement the measures in good faith.

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Dutch MPs renew push to move data off US clouds

Dutch MPs have renewed calls for companies and public services in the Netherlands to reduce reliance on US-based cloud servers. The move reflects growing concern over data security and foreign access in the Netherlands.

Research by NOS found that two-thirds of essential service providers in the Netherlands rely on at least one US cloud server. Local councils, health insurers and hospitals in the Netherlands remain heavily exposed.

Concerns intensified following a proposed sale of Solvinity, which manages the DigiD system used across the Netherlands. A sale to a US firm could place Dutch data under the US Cloud Act.

Parties including D66, VVD and CDA say critical infrastructure data in the Netherlands should be prioritised for protection. Dutch cloud providers say Europe could handle most services if procurement rules changed.

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US lawsuits target social media platforms for deliberate child engagement designs

A landmark trial has begun in Los Angeles, accusing Meta and Google’s YouTube of deliberately addicting children to their platforms.

The case is part of a wider series of lawsuits across the US seeking to hold social media companies accountable for harms to young users. TikTok and Snap settled before trial, leaving Meta and YouTube to face the allegations in court.

The first bellwether case involves a 19-year-old identified as ‘KGM’, whose claims could shape thousands of similar lawsuits. Plaintiffs allege that design features were intentionally created to maximise engagement among children, borrowing techniques from slot machines and the tobacco industry.

A trial that may see testimony from executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and could last six to eight weeks.

Social media companies deny the allegations, emphasising existing safeguards and arguing that teen mental health is influenced by numerous factors, such as academic pressure, socioeconomic challenges and substance use, instead of social media alone.

Meta and YouTube maintain that they prioritise user safety and privacy while providing tools for parental oversight.

Similar trials are unfolding across the country. New Mexico is investigating allegations of sexual exploitation facilitated by Meta platforms, while Oakland will hear cases representing school districts.

More than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, with TikTok facing claims in over a dozen states. Outcomes could profoundly impact platform design, regulation and legal accountability for youth-focused digital services.

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AI governance takes focus at UN security dialogue

The UN will mark the fourth International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism on 12 February 2026 with a high-level dialogue focused on AI. The event will examine how emerging technologies are reshaping both prevention strategies and extremist threats.

Organised by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in partnership with the Republic of Korea’s UN mission, the dialogue will take place at UN Headquarters in New York. Discussions will bring together policymakers, technology experts, civil society representatives, and youth stakeholders.

A central milestone will be the launch of the first UN Practice Guide on Artificial Intelligence and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The guide offers human rights-based advice on responsible AI use, addressing ethical, governance, and operational risks.

Officials warn that AI-generated content, deepfakes, and algorithmic amplification are accelerating extremist narratives online. Responsibly governed AI tools could enhance early detection, research, and community prevention efforts.

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EU telecom simplification at risk as Digital Networks Act adds extra admin

The ambitions of the EU to streamline telecom rules are facing fresh uncertainty after a Commission document indicated that the Digital Networks Act may create more administrative demands for national regulators instead of easing their workload.

The plan to simplify long-standing procedures risks becoming more complex as officials examine the impact on oversight bodies.

Concerns are growing among telecom authorities and BEREC, which may need to adjust to new reporting duties and heightened scrutiny. The additional requirements could limit regulators’ ability to respond quickly to national needs.

Policymakers hoped the new framework would reduce bureaucracy and modernise the sector. The emerging assessment now suggests that greater coordination at the EU level may introduce extra layers of compliance at a time when regulators seek clarity and flexibility.

The debate has intensified as governments push for faster network deployment and more predictable governance. The prospect of heavier administrative tasks could slow progress rather than deliver the streamlined system originally promised.

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