Development

AI Overviews leans heavily on YouTube for health information

Google’s health-related search results increasingly draw on YouTube rather than hospitals, government agencies, or academic institutions, as new research reveals how AI Overviews select citation sources in automated results.

An analysis by SEO platform SE Ranking reviewed more than 50,000 German-language health queries and found AI Overviews appeared on over 82% of searches, making healthcare one of the most AI-influenced information categories on Google.

Across all cited sources, YouTube ranked first by a wide margin, accounting for more than 20,000 references and surpassing medical publishers, hospital websites, and public health authorities.

Academic journals and research institutions accounted for less than 1% of citations, while national and international government health bodies accounted for under 0.5%, highlighting a sharp imbalance in source authority.

Researchers warn that when platform-scale content outweighs evidence-based medical sources, the risk extends beyond misinformation to long-term erosion of trust in AI-powered search systems.

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Google.org backs AI-led science breakthroughs

The organisation Google.org has selected twelve recipients for its $20 million AI for Science fund, which aims to accelerate research in health, agriculture, biodiversity, and climate.

The initiative backs academic, nonprofit, and startup teams using AI to turn scientific insights into real-world solutions. In health and life sciences, projects target genetic decoding, neural mapping, disease prediction, and faster detection of drug resistance.

Research groups are applying advanced AI models to unlock hidden regions of the human genome, simulate disease pathways, and dramatically reduce detection times for life-threatening pathogens, shifting medicine towards earlier intervention and prevention.

Agriculture and food systems are another focus, using AI to breed resistant crops, improve nutrition, and cut livestock methane emissions. Projects seek to strengthen food security, boost sustainability, and support climate resilience.

Biodiversity and clean energy efforts target species mapping, conservation planning, fusion research, and large-scale carbon capture. Open science principles ensure datasets and tools remain accessible, scalable, and capable of driving wider breakthroughs.

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Indeed expands AI tools to reshape hiring

Indeed is expanding its use of AI to improve hiring efficiency, enhance candidate matching, and support recruiters, while keeping humans in control of final decisions.

The platform offers over 100 AI-powered features across job search, recruitment, and internal operations, supported by a long-term partnership with OpenAI.

Recent launches include Career Scout for job seekers and Talent Scout for employers, streamlining career guidance, sourcing, screening, and engagement.

Additional AI-powered tools introduced through Indeed Connect aim to improve candidate discovery and screening, helping companies move faster while broadening access to opportunities through skills-based matching.

AI adoption has accelerated internally, with over 80% of engineers using AI tools and two-thirds of staff saving up to 2 hours per week. Marketing, sales, and research teams are building custom AI agents to support creativity, personalised outreach, and strategic decision-making.

Responsible AI principles remain central to Indeed’s strategy, prioritising fairness, transparency, and human control in hiring. Early results show faster hiring, stronger candidate engagement, and improved outcomes in hard-to-fill roles, reinforcing confidence in AI-driven recruitment.

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Google fixes Gmail bug that sent spam into primary inboxes

Gmail experienced widespread email filtering issues on Saturday, sending spam into primary inboxes and mislabelling legitimate messages as suspicious, according to Google’s Workspace status dashboard.

Problems began around 5 a.m. Pacific time, with users reporting disrupted inbox categories, unexpected spam warnings and delays in email delivery. Many said promotional and social emails appeared in primary folders, while trusted senders were flagged as potential threats.

Google acknowledged the malfunction throughout the day, noting ongoing efforts to restore normal service as complaints spread across social media platforms.

By Saturday evening, the company confirmed the issue had been fully resolved for all users, although some misclassified messages and spam warnings may remain visible for emails received before the fix.

Google said it is conducting an internal investigation and will publish a detailed incident analysis to explain what caused the disruption.

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Stargate UAE marks a bold $30bn leap in AI infrastructure

The Stargate UAE data centre project is expected to cost more than $30 billion, underscoring the scale of the Emirates’ investment in AI infrastructure.

Speaking at the Machines Can Think summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE Minister of State for AI described the project as a centrepiece of the UAE’s efforts to expand global cooperation on AI infrastructure.

Designed as a flagship development, Stargate UAE reflects the country’s ambition to lead in AI infrastructure. Spanning 19.2 square kilometres in Abu Dhabi, the campus will be built in phases, with the first phase due in the third quarter of 2026.

Beyond domestic capacity, the UAE is positioning Stargate UAE as a platform to support the sovereign AI and data sovereignty needs of other countries.

Officials emphasised that the initiative aims to provide non-profit-oriented AI options that nations can adapt, train, and build upon in response to rising global concerns about the control of data and AI systems.

The project is supported by the UAE’s expanding capabilities in large language model development, including Jais and K2 Think.

Stargate UAE is being developed by Khazna Data Centres, part of Abu Dhabi-based AI group G42, in partnership with global technology companies including OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and South Korea, reinforcing its role as a globally collaborative AI infrastructure initiative.

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Georgia moves to curb AI data centre expansion amid energy concerns

The state of Georgia is emerging as the focal point of a growing backlash against the rapid expansion of data centres powering the US’ AI boom.

Lawmakers in several states are now considering statewide bans, as concerns over energy consumption, water use and local disruption move to the centre of economic and environmental debate.

A bill introduced in Georgia would impose a moratorium on new data centre construction until March next year, giving state and municipal authorities time to establish more explicit regulatory rules.

The proposal arrives after Georgia’s utility regulator approved plans for an additional 10 gigawatts of electricity generation, primarily driven by data centre demand and expected to rely heavily on fossil fuels.

Local resistance has intensified as the Atlanta metropolitan area led the country in data centre construction last year, prompting multiple municipalities to impose their own temporary bans.

Critics argue that rapid development has pushed up electricity bills, strained water supplies and delivered fewer tax benefits than promised. At the same time, utility companies retain incentives to expand generation rather than improve grid efficiency.

The issue has taken on broader political significance as Georgia prepares for key elections that will affect utility oversight.

Supporters of the moratorium frame the pause as a chance for public scrutiny and democratic accountability, while backers of the industry warn that blanket restrictions risk undermining investment, jobs and long-term technological competitiveness.

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Europe rethinks dependence on US Big Tech

Rising transatlantic tensions have reignited concerns over Europe’s heavy reliance on US Big Tech, exposing vulnerabilities across cloud services, AI, and digital infrastructure.

European lawmakers are increasingly pushing for homegrown alternatives, warning that excessive dependence on a small group of foreign providers threatens economic resilience, public services, and technological sovereignty.

European Parliament data shows over 80 percent of the EU’s digital products and infrastructure come from outside the bloc, with US firms dominating cloud and AI.

Officials warn the concentration increases geopolitical, cyber and supply risks, driving renewed efforts to boost Europe’s digital autonomy and competitiveness.

Initiatives such as Eurostack and rising open-source investment aim to build digital independence, though analysts say real sovereignty could take a decade and vast funding.

While policymakers accept that full decoupling from US technology remains unrealistic, pressure is mounting for governments and public institutions to prioritise European solutions and treat digital infrastructure as a strategic asset.

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AI powers firefighting tools

Firefighting is entering a new era with HEN Technologies. Founder Sunny Sethi has developed nozzles that extinguish fires up to three times faster while conserving two-thirds of water.

HEN’s products include nozzles, valves, monitors, and sprinklers equipped with sensors and smart circuits. A cloud platform tracks water flow, pressure, GPS, and weather conditions, allowing fire departments to respond efficiently and manage resources effectively.

Predictive analytics built on this data provide real-time insights for incident commanders. Firefighters can anticipate wind shifts, monitor water usage, and optimise operations, attracting interest from the Department of Homeland Security and military agencies worldwide.

Commercial adoption has been rapid, with revenue rising from $200,000 in 2023 to a projected $20 million this year. Serving 1,500 clients globally and filing 20 patents, HEN is also collecting real-world fire data that could support AI models simulating extreme environments.

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Artists and writers say no to generative AI

Creative communities are pushing back against generative AI in literature and art. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association now bars works created wholly or partly with large language models after criticism of earlier, more permissive rules.

San Diego Comic-Con faced controversy when it initially allowed AI-generated art in its exhibition, but not for sale. Artists argued that the rules threatened originality, prompting organisers to ban all AI-created material.

Authors warn that generative AI undermines the creative process. Some point out that large language model tools are already embedded in research and writing software, raising concerns about accidental disqualification from awards.

Fans and members welcomed SFWA’s decision, but questions remain about how broadly AI usage will be defined. Many creators insist that machines cannot replicate storytelling and artistic skill.

Industry observers expect other cultural organisations to follow similar policies this year. The debate continues over ethics, fairness, and technology’s role in arts and literature.

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AI surveillance cameras deployed to combat fly-tipping

New measures are being introduced in west Northamptonshire with the deployment of an AI-powered CCTV tower to combat fly-tipping in known hotspots. The mobile system will be rotated between locations until January 2027 to improve detection and deterrence.

Fly-tipping remains a significant issue across the area, with more than 21,000 incidents cleared between April 2024 and March 2025. Local authorities say illegal dumping damages neighbourhoods, harms wildlife and places a heavy financial burden on taxpayers.

The tower uses 360-degree cameras and AI to monitor activity and identify offences as they occur. Automatic number plate recognition allows enforcement officers to link incidents to suspected vehicles more quickly.

Council leaders say a similar scheme in Dartford have reduced fly-tipping and believe the technology sends a strong message to offenders. Residents are encouraged to report incidents through the council website or smartphone app to support enforcement efforts.

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