Digital divide

China plans stricter consent rules for AI chat platforms

China is proposing new rules requiring users to consent before AI companies can use chat logs for training. The draft measures aim to balance innovation with safety and public interest.

Platforms would need to inform users when interacting with AI and provide options to access or delete their chat history. For minors, guardian consent is required before sharing or storing any data.

Analysts say the rules may slow AI chatbot improvements but provide guidance on responsible development. The measures signal that some user conversations are too sensitive for free training data.

The draft rules are open for public consultation with feedback due in late January. China encourages expanding human-like AI applications once safety and reliability are demonstrated.

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AI can mislead on tides and outdoor safety

UK outdoor enthusiasts are warned not to rely solely on AI for tide times or weather. Errors recently stranded visitors on Sully Island, showing the limits of unverified information.

Maritime authorities recommend consulting official sources such as the UK Hydrographic Office and Met Office. AI tools may misread tables or local data, making human oversight essential for safety.

Mountain rescue teams report similar issues when inexperienced walkers used AI to plan trips. Even with good equipment, lack of judgement can turn minor errors into dangerous situations.

Practical experience, professional guidance, and verified data remain critical for safe outdoor activities. Relying on AI alone can create serious risks, especially on tidal beaches and challenging mountain routes.

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AI transforms Indian filmmaking

Filmmakers in India are rapidly adopting AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion to create visuals, clone voices, and streamline production processes for both independent and large-scale films.

Low-budget directors now produce nearly entire films independently, reducing costs and production time. Filmmakers use AI to visualise scenes, experiment creatively, and plan sound and effects efficiently.

AI cannot fully capture cultural nuance, emotional depth, or storytelling intuition, so human oversight remains essential. Intellectual property, labour protections, and ethical issues remain unresolved.

Hollywood has resisted AI, with strikes over rights and labour concerns. Indian filmmakers, however, carefully combine AI tools with human creativity to preserve artistic vision and cultural nuance.

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AI is changing how Europeans work and learn

Generative AI has become an everyday tool across Europe, with millions using platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok for personal, work, and educational purposes. Eurostat data shows that around a third of people aged 16–74 tried AI tools at least once in 2025.

Adoption varies widely across the continent. Norway leads with 56 percent of the population using AI, while Turkey records only 17 percent.

Within the EU, Denmark tops usage at 48 percent, and Romania lags at 18 percent. Northern and digitally advanced countries dominate, while southern, central-eastern, and Balkan nations show lower engagement.

Researchers attribute this to general digital literacy, internet use, and familiarity with technology rather than government policy alone. AI tools are used more for personal purposes than for work.

Across the EU, 25 percent use AI for personal tasks, compared with 15 percent for professional applications.

Usage in education is even lower, with only 9 percent employing AI in formal learning, peaking at 21 percent in Sweden and Switzerland and dropping to just 1 percent in Hungary.

Experts stress that while access is essential, understanding how to apply AI effectively remains a key barrier. Countries with strong digital foundations adopt AI more, while limited awareness and skills restrict use, emphasising the need for AI literacy and infrastructure.

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AI disruption risk seen as lower for India’s white-collar jobs

India faces a lower risk of AI-driven disruption to white-collar jobs than Western economies, IT Secretary S Krishnan said. A smaller share of cognitive roles and strong STEM employment reduce near-term impact.

Rather than replacing workers, artificial intelligence is expected to create jobs through sector-specific applications. Development and deployment of these systems will require many trained professionals.

Human oversight will remain essential as issues such as AI hallucinations limit full automation of cognitive tasks. Productivity gains are expected to support, rather than eliminate, knowledge-based work.

India is positioning itself as a global contributor to applied artificial intelligence solutions. Indigenous AI models under development are expected to support jobs, innovation and long-term economic growth.

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Indian banks turn to AI for revenue growth

Indian banks and financial institutions are deploying AI at scale to increase revenue generation. Post-pandemic digitisation has accelerated adoption beyond pilot projects.

Executives say AI deployment now focuses on customer engagement, credit decisions and risk management. Indian revenue growth is replacing cost reduction as the primary objective.

Industry leaders highlight a shift towards agentic AI, where autonomous systems perform complex business tasks. Banking workflows are increasingly handled with minimal human intervention.

Cloud providers say Indian finance is entering a mature AI phase. Digital infrastructure investments are expected to deepen competitive advantage across the sector.

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Visa ban imposed by US on ex-EU commissioner over digital platform rules

The US State Department has imposed a visa ban on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other individuals, citing opposition to European regulation of social media platforms. The US visa ban reflects growing tensions between Washington and Brussels over digital governance and free expression.

US officials said the visa ban targets figures linked to organisations involved in content moderation and disinformation research. Those named include representatives from HateAid, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, and the Global Disinformation Index, alongside Breton.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the individuals of pressuring US-based platforms to restrict certain viewpoints. A senior State Department official described Breton as a central figure behind the EU’s Digital Services Act, a law that sets obligations for large online platforms operating in Europe.

Breton rejected the US visa ban, calling it a witch hunt and denying allegations of censorship. European organisations affected by the decision criticised the move as unlawful and authoritarian, while the European Commission said it had sought clarification from US authorities.

France and the European Commission condemned the visa ban and warned of a possible response. EU officials said European digital rules are applied uniformly and are intended to support a safe, competitive online environment.

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Deutsche Bank warns on scale of AI spending

Deutsche Bank has warned that surging AI investment is helping to prop up US economic growth. Analysts say that broader spending would have stalled without the heavy outlays on technology.

The bank estimates hyperscalers could spend $4 trillion on AI data centres by 2030. Analysts cautioned returns remain uncertain despite the scale of investment.

Official data showed US GDP grew at a 4.3% annualised rate in the third quarter. Economists linked much of the momentum to AI-driven capital expenditure.

Market experts remain divided on risks, although many reject fears of a bubble. Corporate cash flows, rather than excessive borrowing, are funding the majority of AI infrastructure.

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Creators embrace AI music on YouTube

Increasingly, YouTube creators are utilising AI-generated music to enhance video quality, saving time and costs. Selecting tracks that align with the content tone and audience expectations is crucial for engagement.

Subtle, balanced music supports narration without distraction and guides viewers through sections. Thoughtful use of intros, transitions and outros builds channel identity and reinforces branding.

Customisation tools allow creators to adjust tempo, mood and intensity for better pacing and cohesion with visuals. Testing multiple versions ensures the music feels natural and aligns with storytelling.

Understanding licensing terms protects monetisation and avoids copyright issues. Combining AI music with creative judgement keeps content authentic and original while maximising production impact.

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AI search services face competition probe in Japan

Japan’s competition authority will probe AI search services from major domestic and international tech firms. The investigation aims to identify potential antitrust violations rather than impose immediate sanctions.

The probe is expected to cover LY Corp., Google, Microsoft and AI providers such as OpenAI and Perplexity AI. Concerns centre on how AI systems present and utilise news content within search results.

Legal action by Japanese news organisations alleges unauthorised use of articles by AI services. Regulators are assessing whether such practices constitute abuse of market dominance.

The inquiry builds on a 2023 review of news distribution contracts that warned against the use of unfair terms for publishers. Similar investigations overseas, including within the EU, have guided the commission’s approach.

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