Researchers at the University of Essex are using one of the UK’s most powerful AI supercomputers to investigate how mental fatigue affects the eye.
The EyeWarn project has been granted 10,000 hours on the government-funded Isambard-AI to analyse eye movements in natural settings.
Led by Dr Javier Andreu-Perez, the study aims to combine human and environmental data to understand how cognition influences eye behaviour. Insights from the project could help predict fatigue levels and improve monitoring of human factors in real-world scenarios.
The initiative involves collaboration with academics across the UK and AI firm Solvemed Group. Essex is also set to become a hub for AI innovation with the upcoming £2 billion data centre in Loughton.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Record profits and year-on-year revenue growth above 60 percent have put Nvidia at the centre of debate over whether the surge in AI spending signals a bubble or a long-term boom.
CEO Jensen Huang and CFO Colette Kress dismissed concerns about the bubble, highlighting strong demand and expectations of around $65 billion in revenue for the next quarter.
Executives forecast global AI infrastructure spending could reach $3–4 trillion annually by the end of the decade as both generative AI and traditional cloud computing workloads increasingly run on GPUs.
Widespread adoption by major partners, including Meta, Anthropic and Salesforce, suggests lasting momentum rather than short-term hype.
Analysts generally agree that Nvidia’s performance remains robust, but questions persist over the sustainability of heavy investment in AI. Investors continue to monitor whether Big Tech can maintain this pace and if highly leveraged customers might expose Nvidia to future risks.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
JR Central will trial an AI-operated language service for travellers at JR Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, Japan. The service, running from 15 December to mid-March, allows passengers to access a dedicated site via smartphone by scanning a QR code at the station.
Named ‘JRTok-AI,’ the chatbot provides ticketing information, handles large luggage, and performs service operations. It supports English, Chinese, Korean, French, and Spanish, offering location-based details and English commentary on the history and culture along the Tokaido Shinkansen route.
The trial aims to enhance travel convenience and gather feedback to inform service expansion. JR Central said enhancements and a broader rollout will be considered based on the results of this experiment.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Holiday shoppers can now rely on AI to make Black Friday and Cyber Monday less stressful. AI tools help track prices across multiple retailers and notify users when items fall within their budget, saving hours of online searching.
Finding gifts for difficult-to-shop-for friends and family is also easier with AI. By describing a person’s interests or lifestyle, shoppers receive curated recommendations with product details, reviews, and availability, drawing from billions of listings in Google’s Shopping Graph.
Local shopping is more convenient thanks to AI features that enhance the shopping experience. Shoppers can check stock at nearby stores without having to call around, and virtual try-on technology allows users to see how clothing looks on them before making a purchase.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The UAE has unveiled a US$1 billion AI for Development initiative to finance AI projects across African nations. The programme aims to enhance digital infrastructure, government services, and productivity, supporting long-term economic and social development.
Implementation will be led by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), in cooperation with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency. AI technologies will be applied in key sectors, including education, agriculture, and infrastructure, to create innovative solutions and promote sustainable growth.
Officials highlighted the initiative as part of the UAE’s vision to become a global hub for AI while reinforcing its humanitarian and developmental legacy. The programme aims to boost international partnerships and deliver impactful support to developing countries.
The initiative reinforces the UAE’s long-term commitment to Africa and its role in technological and digital advancement. Leaders emphasised that AI-driven projects can improve living standards and foster inclusive, sustainable development.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A recent survey reveals that 38.7% of Portuguese individuals aged 16 to 74 used AI tools in the three months preceding the interview, primarily for personal purposes. Usage is particularly high among 16 to 24-year-olds (76.5%) and students (81.5%).
Internet access remains widespread, with 89.5% of residents going online recently. Nearly half (49.6%) placed orders online, primarily for clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories, while 74.2% accessed public service websites, often using a Citizen Card or Digital Mobile Key for authentication.
Digital skills are growing, with 59.2% of the population reaching basic or above basic levels. Young adults and tertiary-educated individuals show the highest digital proficiency, at 83.4% and 88.4% respectively.
Household internet penetration stands at 90.9%, predominantly via fixed connections.
Concerns about online safety are on the rise, as 45.2% of internet users reported encountering aggressive or discriminatory content, up from 35.5% in 2023. Reported issues include discrimination based on nationality, politics, and sexual identity.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Google’s new AI model, Gemini 3, was left temporarily confused when it refused to accept that the year was 2025 during early testing by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy.
The model, pre-trained on data only through 2024 and initially disconnected from the internet, accused Karpathy of trickery and gaslighting before finally recognising the correct date.
Once Gemini 3 accessed real-time information, it expressed astonishment and apologised for its previous behaviour, demonstrating the model’s quirky but sophisticated reasoning capabilities. The interaction went viral online, drawing attention to both the humour and unpredictability of advanced AI systems.
Experts note that incidents like this illustrate the limitations of LLMs, which, despite their reasoning power, cannot inherently perceive reality and rely entirely on pre-training data and connected tools.
Observers emphasise that AI remains a powerful human aid rather than a replacement, and understanding its quirks is essential for practical use.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Students at the University of Staffordshire in the UK have criticised a coding course after discovering much of the teaching was delivered through AI-generated slides and voiceovers.
Participants in the government-funded apprenticeship programme said they felt deprived of knowledge and frustrated that the course relied heavily on automated materials.
Concerns arose when learners noticed inconsistencies in language, suspicious file names, and abrupt changes in voiceover accents during lessons.
Students reported raising these issues with university staff, but the institution maintained the use of AI, asserting it supported academic standards while remaining ethical and responsible.
Critics argue that AI teaching diminishes engagement and reduces the opportunity to acquire practical skills needed for career development.
Experts suggest students supplement AI-driven courses with hands-on learning and critical thinking to ensure the experience remains valuable and relevant to their professional goals.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Generative AI is reshaping the job market by reducing the need for entry-level positions, particularly in white-collar industries. Analysts warn that young workers are losing the opportunity to acquire skills through traditional on-the-job experience, which has historically paved the way for promotions.
Employers are drawn to AI for its efficiency, as it can complete tasks in a fraction of the time it once took human teams. This shift poses a threat to the traditional career ladder, resulting in a shortage of trained candidates for senior and managerial roles in the years to come.
Young professionals can counter these trends by acquiring practical AI skills, even outside of technology sectors. Combining human strengths, such as strategic thinking, with AI proficiency may help early-career workers remain competitive and adapt to evolving workplace demands.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The report was unveiled in Dhaka with representatives from government, international organisations, academia, civil society and the private sector. Officials described the assessment as a pivotal step as the country prepares for an increasingly AI-driven era.
The report outlines Bangladesh’s current strengths, including solid progress in e-government and high public trust in digital services, while also identifying areas requiring urgent attention.
Connectivity gaps, digital divides, limited computing capacity and the need for stronger data protection and cybersecurity remain key challenges. Policymakers noted that evidence-based decisions are essential as Bangladesh completes its National AI Policy.
International partners highlighted that the direction of AI development will depend heavily on choices made today. Strengthening digital infrastructure, improving skills, and building rights-driven governance structures were cited as central to ensuring AI benefits all communities.
Stakeholders also stressed the importance of using AI to improve services across health, education, justice and social protection without deepening existing inequalities.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
