Fukushima is repositioning itself as a technology and innovation hub, more than a decade after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. The Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework aims to revitalise the coastal Hamadori region of Fukushima Prefecture.
At the centre of the push in Fukushima is the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation, which plans a major research complex in Namie. The site in Fukushima will focus on robotics, energy, agriculture and radiation science, drawing researchers from across Japan and overseas.
Fukushima already hosts the Fukushima Robot Test Field and the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field. Projects in Fukushima include hydrogen production from solar power and large-scale robotics and drone testing.
Officials in Fukushima say the strategy combines clean energy, sustainable materials and advanced research to create jobs and attract families back to Japan’s northeast. Fukushima is positioning itself as a global case study in post-disaster recovery through technology.
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Generative AI tools saw significant uptake among young Europeans in 2025, with usage rates far outpacing the broader population. Data shows that 63.8% of individuals aged 16–24 across the EU engaged with generative AI, nearly double the 32.7% recorded among citizens aged 16–74.
Adoption patterns indicate that younger users are embedding AI into everyday routines at a faster pace. Private use led the trend, with 44.2% of young people applying generative AI in personal contexts, compared with 25.1% of the general population.
Educational deployment also stood out, reaching 39.3% among youth, while only 9.4% of the wider population reported similar academic use.
The professional application presented the narrowest gap between age groups. Around 15.8% of young users reported workplace use of generative AI tools, closely aligned with 15.1% among the overall population- a reflection of many young people still transitioning into the labour market.
Country-level data highlights notable regional differences. Greece (83.5%), Estonia (82.8%), and Czechia (78.5%) recorded the highest youth adoption rates, while Romania (44.1%), Italy (47.2%), and Poland (49.3%) ranked lowest.
The findings coincide with Safer Internet Day, observed on 10 February, underscoring the growing importance of digital literacy and online safety as AI usage accelerates.
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Research from the UK Safer Internet Centre reveals nearly all young people aged eight to 17 now use artificial intelligence tools, highlighting how deeply the technology has entered daily life. Growing adoption has also increased reliance, with many teenagers using AI regularly for schoolwork, social interactions and online searches.
Education remains one of the main uses, with students turning to AI for homework support and study assistance. However, concerns about fairness and creativity have emerged, as some pupils worry about false accusations of misuse and reduced independent thinking.
Safety fears remain significant, especially around harmful content and privacy risks linked to AI-generated images. Many teenagers and parents worry the technology could be used to create inappropriate or misleading visuals, raising questions about online protection.
Emotional and social impacts are also becoming clear, with some young people using AI for personal advice or practising communication. Limited parental guidance and growing dependence suggest governments and schools may soon consider stronger oversight and clearer rules.
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Elon Musk’s move to integrate SpaceX with his AI company xAI is strengthening plans to develop data centres in orbit. Experts warn that such infrastructure could give one company or country significant control over global AI and cloud computing.
Fully competitive orbital data centres remain at least 20 years away due to launch costs, cooling limits, and radiation damage to hardware. Their viability depends heavily on Starship achieving fully reusable, low-cost launches, which remain unproven.
Interest in space computing is growing because constant solar energy could dramatically reduce AI operating costs and improve efficiency. China has already deployed satellites capable of supporting computing tasks, highlighting rising global competition.
European specialists warn that the region risks becoming dependent on US cloud providers that operate under laws such as the US Cloud Act. Without coordinated investment, control over future digital infrastructure and cybersecurity may be decided by early leaders.
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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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Nigeria has been advised to develop its coal reserves to benefit from the rapidly expanding global AI economy. A policy organisation said the country could capture part of the projected $650 billion AI investment by strengthening its energy supply capacity.
AI infrastructure requires vast and reliable electricity to power data centres and advanced computing systems. Technology companies worldwide are increasing energy investments as competition intensifies and demand for computing power continues to grow rapidly.
Nigeria holds nearly five billion metric tonnes of coal, offering a significant opportunity to support global energy needs. Experts warned that failure to develop these resources could result in major economic losses and missed industrial growth.
The organisation also proposed creating a national corporation to convert coal into high-value energy and industrial products. Analysts stressed that urgent government action is needed to secure Nigeria’s position in the emerging AI-driven economy.
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Tech companies competing in AI are increasingly expecting employees to work longer weeks to keep pace with rapid innovation. Some start-ups openly promote 70-hour schedules, presenting intense effort as necessary to launch products faster and stay ahead of rivals.
Investors and founders often believe that extended working hours improve development speed and increase the chances of securing funding. Fast growth and fierce global competition have made urgency a defining feature of many AI workplaces.
However, research shows productivity rises only up to a limit before fatigue reduces efficiency and focus. Experts warn that excessive workloads can lead to burnout and make it harder for companies to retain experienced professionals.
Health specialists link extended working weeks to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. Many experts argue that smarter management and efficient use of technology offer safer and more effective paths to lasting productivity.
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AI is now being used to create ‘deathbots’, chatbots designed to mimic people after they die using their messages and voice recordings. The technology is part of a growing digital afterlife industry, with some people using it to maintain a sense of connection with loved ones who have passed away.
Researchers at Cardiff University studied how these systems recreate personalities using digital data such as texts, emails, and audio recordings. The findings described the experience as both fascinating and unsettling, raising questions about memory, identity, and emotional impact.
Tests showed current deathbots often fail to accurately reproduce voices or personalities due to technical limitations. Researchers warned that these systems rely on simplified versions of people, which may distort memories rather than preserve them authentically.
Experts believe the technology could improve, but remain uncertain whether it will become widely accepted. Concerns remain about emotional consequences and whether digital versions could alter how people remember those who have died.
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Educators in the US are increasingly using AI to address resource shortages, despite growing frustration with fragmented digital platforms. A new survey highlights rising dependence on AI tools across schools and universities in the US.
The study found many educators in the US juggle numerous digital systems that fail to integrate smoothly. Respondents said constant switching between platforms adds to workload pressures and burnout in the US education sector.
AI use in the US is focused on boosting productivity, with educators applying tools to research, writing and administrative tasks. Many also use AI to support student learning as budgets tighten in the US.
Concerns remain in the US around data security, ethics and system overload. Educators said better integration between AI and learning tools could ease strain and improve outcomes in the US classroom.
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Lawmakers in New York have introduced a bill proposing a three year pause on permits for new data centres. Supporters say rapid expansion linked to AI infrastructure risks straining energy systems in New York.
Concerns in New York focus on rising electricity demand and higher household bills as tech companies scale AI operations. Critics across the US argue local communities bear the cost of supporting large scale computing facilities.
The New York proposal has drawn backing from environmental groups and politicians in the US who want time to set stricter rules. US senator Bernie Sanders has also called for a nationwide halt on new data centres.
Officials in New York say the pause would allow stronger policies on grid access and fair cost sharing. The debate reflects wider US tension between economic growth driven by AI and environmental limits.
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