Development

Microsoft Exchange Online outage affects users globally

A service disruption has affected users of Microsoft Exchange Online, and Microsoft has confirmed ongoing investigations into mailbox access issues affecting enterprise customers worldwide.

Reports indicate that Microsoft users encountered difficulties connecting via multiple access points, including the Microsoft Outlook desktop and mobile applications and browser-based email services. The issue affects specific connection methods rather than the entire platform.

Organisations relying on cloud-based communication tools experienced interruptions in email workflows, calendar scheduling, and shared mailbox functionality. Such disruptions can significantly disrupt operational continuity, particularly for businesses that depend on real-time communication systems.

Updates through Microsoft’s service health channels suggest that engineering teams are working to identify the root cause, though no definitive explanation has yet been provided.

Such incidents highlight broader concerns around resilience in cloud infrastructure, as enterprises increasingly depend on centralised platforms for critical communication services.

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Green light for massive UK AI tech park

North Lincolnshire Council has granted outline planning permission for the Elsham Tech Park, a proposed AI data centre campus that would rank among the largest of its kind in the UK.

At full build-out, the site would include up to 15 hyperscale data centre buildings across 176 hectares, delivering more than 1.5 million square metres of floorspace and up to 1GW of computing capacity.

The development is expected to cost between £5.5 billion and £7.5 billion to build and could attract up to £10 billion in private investment over its lifetime.

Developer Greystoke plans to begin construction in 2027, with the first phase due to open in 2029, and the full campus to be delivered in phases over approximately a decade.

The project is also required to source at least 30% of build costs from businesses within a 30-mile radius, injecting an estimated £1.65 billion to £2.25 billion into the local economy.

The scheme received over 380 letters of objection from residents and environmental groups. Critics raised concerns, including loss of privacy for neighbouring properties, around-the-clock noise and light, and the scale of carbon emissions, with one campaign group estimating the equivalent of twice the woodland of Wales would be needed to offset the development’s environmental impact.

Permission was nonetheless granted unanimously by councillors.

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NVIDIA expands physical AI ecosystem to accelerate real world robotics

Partnerships across the robotics sector are positioning NVIDIA at the centre of what is increasingly described as ‘physical AI’, a shift towards intelligent machines capable of perceiving, reasoning and acting in real environments.

A new generation of tools, including NVIDIA Cosmos world models and updated NVIDIA Isaac simulation frameworks, aims to support developers in training and validating robots before deployment.

These systems enable companies to simulate complex environments, reducing the risks and costs of real-world testing.

Industrial robotics leaders such as ABB Robotics, KUKA, and FANUC are integrating NVIDIA technologies into digital twin environments, enabling more accurate modelling of production lines and automation systems.

Advances are also extending into humanoid robotics, where companies are using AI models to develop machines capable of more flexible and adaptive behaviour.

New foundation models, including GR00T systems, are designed to give robots general-purpose capabilities instead of limiting them to specific tasks.

Healthcare and logistics represent additional areas of deployment, with robotics platforms being tested in surgical systems, warehouse automation and manufacturing environments. These applications highlight how physical AI could reshape industries requiring precision, safety and scalability.

Growing collaboration across cloud providers, manufacturers and AI developers suggests that robotics is moving toward a more integrated ecosystem, where simulation, data generation and deployment are increasingly interconnected.

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How IBM is making quantum-centric supercomputing accessible to scientists

IBM has published a detailed reference architecture for quantum-centric supercomputing, providing a blueprint for integrating quantum processing units (QPUs) into existing high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure without disruptive changes to current systems.

The release marks a significant step toward realising the vision articulated by physicist Richard Feynman, who argued decades ago that accurately simulating nature would require quantum-mechanical computation.

The architecture describes how quantum and classical systems, including CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs, can work together across multiple layers, from application and middleware tools such as Qiskit and CUDA through to resource management systems that orchestrate workloads in real time.

New algorithms such as Sample-based Krylov Quantum Diagonalisation (SKQD) are already demonstrating cases where quantum-centric workflows outperform leading classical-only methods, including in molecular ground-state energy calculations, where classical techniques failed to converge.

Real-world research applications are already emerging.

Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation used quantum-centric methods to simulate a 300-atom protein, the largest molecular simulation to date. In contrast, a team spanning IBM, Oxford, ETH Zurich, and other institutions used quantum algorithms to study a newly engineered ‘half-Möbius’ molecule whose electronic structure cannot easily be modelled classically.

IBM describes the trajectory as pointing toward a near future in which quantum computing can predict molecular properties that scientists can then bring to life in the laboratory.

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Britain targets quantum leadership with £1bn investment

UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall has announced a £1bn funding package to boost UK quantum computing and retain domestic talent.

The initiative reflects growing concern over the country’s ability to compete globally, particularly after the US established dominance in AI.

Officials emphasised the need to retain British startups, engineers, and researchers who often relocate abroad in search of better funding and scaling opportunities. The UK produces top talent, but Google and OpenAI own many leading firms.

The investment will support the development of large-scale quantum computers for use across science, industry, and the public sector. Another £1bn will fund real-world use in finance, pharmaceuticals, and energy.

The government aims to build a fully operational domestic quantum system by the early 2030s.

Quantum computing uses qubits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling far greater computational power than classical systems. Fully fault-tolerant machines are still in development, but the technology could drive advances in drug discovery, materials science, and complex modelling.

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AI tool could help detect domestic violence risk years earlier

Researchers in the United States have developed an AI system designed to help doctors identify patients who may be at risk of intimate partner violence. The tool analyses hospital data to detect patterns associated with abuse, potentially enabling healthcare professionals to intervene earlier.

Intimate partner violence refers to abuse from current or former partners and can lead to serious injuries, chronic pain, and long-term mental health problems. According to the European Commission, 18 percent of women who have had a partner reported experiencing physical or sexual violence from a partner in 2021.

The study, published in the journal Nature, examined hospital records from nearly 850 women who had experienced intimate partner violence and more than 5,200 similar patients in a control group. Researchers used the data to train three different machine learning systems to detect patterns associated with abuse.

One model analysed structured hospital data, such as age and medical history. A second model examined written clinical notes, including doctors’ observations and radiology reports. A third system combined both data types and achieved the strongest results, correctly identifying risk in 88 percent of cases.

Researchers found that the system could flag potential abuse more than three years before some patients later entered hospital-based intervention programmes. By analysing large datasets, the tool can detect patterns of physical trauma linked to abuse and alert clinicians so they can approach the issue carefully and offer support.

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Human made labels emerge as industries react to AI expansion

Organisations around the world are developing certification labels designed to show that products or creative work were made by humans rather than AI. New badges such as ‘Human made’, ‘AI free’ and ‘Proudly Human’ are appearing across books, films, marketing and websites as industries respond to the rapid spread of AI tools.

At least eight initiatives are now attempting to create a label that could achieve global recognition similar to the Fair Trade mark. Experts warn that competing definitions and inconsistent certification systems could confuse consumers unless a universal standard is agreed upon.

Some schemes allow creators to download AI-free badges with little or no verification, while others use paid auditing processes that rely on analysts and AI detection tools. Researchers note that defining ‘human-made’ is increasingly difficult because AI technologies are embedded in many everyday software tools.

Creative industries are at the centre of the debate as generative AI rapidly produces books, films and music at lower cost and higher speed. Advocates of certification argue that verified human-created content may gain greater value if consumers can clearly distinguish it from AI-generated work.

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Tinder tests AI matchmaking features for modern dating

Popular dating platform Tinder is testing a new AI-powered feature called ‘Chemistry’ designed to improve matchmaking. The tool analyses user profiles to identify more relevant connections while the app’s familiar swipe system remains central to the experience.

Developed by parent company Match Group, the feature uses AI to understand personality traits, interests and preferences through profile data. Future updates may allow users to answer questionnaires or share photo archives to refine recommendations.

Additional modes are also being introduced to further personalise matches. Music preferences and astrology signs can now influence suggested profiles, reflecting evolving trends among younger online daters.

The platform is also testing in-person events and virtual video speed dating to encourage real-world interaction. AI moderation tools are also being deployed, helping detect inappropriate messages and verify that profiles belong to real people.

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Seoul deepens ties with global AI developers

South Korea is pursuing a partnership with AI company Anthropic as part of a national strategy to strengthen technological capabilities. Officials are working toward a memorandum of understanding with the developer of the Claude AI system.

The initiative follows discussions between South Korea’s science minister and Anthropic’s chief executive, Dario Amodei, during an AI summit in New Delhi. Authorities are also preparing for the company’s planned office opening in the city in 2026.

Government leaders in South Korea have already expanded cooperation with OpenAI. Policymakers say the strategy aims to build ties with leading global AI developers while supporting domestic innovation.

Officials are also developing a homegrown AI foundation model with local companies. The programme forms part of a national plan to position the country among the world’s leading AI powers.

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AI network management systems deployed for BTS concert in Seoul

South Korea’s three major telecommunications operators plan to deploy advanced network technologies during the BTS comeback concert scheduled for 21 March at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The initiative aims to bolster network management, prevent congestion, and ensure stable connectivity as large crowds gather in a confined space.

SK Telecom said it will introduce its proprietary AI-powered network management system, A-One, at the event. The technology can recommend optimal equipment placement, predict traffic demand, and monitor real-time network performance to maintain service stability.

To manage heavy data usage during the concert, the company will operate multiple network systems across the venue’s different zones. The setup is designed to allow attendees inside the square to upload photos and videos quickly while enabling viewers outside the venue to stream the concert without interruptions. Additional equipment will also be installed in areas expected to attract international visitors.

KT will deploy its AI-based autonomous traffic management system, W-SDN, which monitors network usage in real time and automatically adjusts traffic flows if congestion is detected. The company will activate an emergency network control mode during the event and deploy about 80 engineers and portable base stations on site.

LG Uplus will also apply its autonomous network management technology, which predicts traffic changes and distributes network loads across nearby base stations. The South Korea-based operator said the system will help ensure uninterrupted connectivity for concertgoers throughout the event.

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