Development

AI deepfake abuse drives rise in victim support cases

Rising concern surrounds the growing number of people seeking help after becoming victims of AI-generated intimate deepfakes in Guernsey, part of the UK. Support services report a steady increase in cases.

Existing law criminalises sharing intimate images without consent, but AI-generated creations remain legal. Proposed reforms aim to close this gap and strengthen victim protection.

Police and support charities warn that deepfakes cause severe emotional harm and are challenging to prosecute. Cross-border platforms and anonymous perpetrators complicate enforcement and reporting.

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Agibot begins Asia-Pacific expansion with Malaysia event

The robotics company Agibot has launched a series of Asia-Pacific strategic initiatives for 2026 with a high-profile event in Malaysia, signalling its push to expand embodied AI and robotics across the region.

The launch, held at i-City in Selangor, was attended by executives, Malaysian government officials, partners, and customers. It also marked the opening of the first AI and Robotics Experience Centre in Malaysia.

The centre was developed in partnership with I-Bhd and officiated by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. Agibot said the facility will showcase real-world applications of humanoid robotics.

Founder and CEO of Agibot, Deng Taihua, said the company produced its 5,000th humanoid robot in 2025, strengthening its position as it begins regional expansion in 2026.

The firm plans to deploy its systems across property, hospitality, tourism, and urban services, while its partnership with I-Bhd will focus on wellness, longevity, and residential robotics.

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UAE faces faster cyber threats powered by AI

Rising use of AI is transforming cyberattacks in the UAE, enabling deepfakes, automated phishing and rapid data theft. Expanding digital services increase exposure for businesses and residents.

Criminals deploy autonomous AI tools to scan networks, exploit weaknesses and steal information faster than humans. Shorter detection windows raise risks of breaches, disruption and financial loss.

High-value sectors such as government, finance and healthcare face sustained targeting amid skills shortages. Protection relies on cautious users, stronger governance and secure-by-design systems across smart infrastructure.

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AI-generated images raise consent concerns in the UK

UK lawmaker Jess Asato said an AI-altered image depicting her in a bikini circulated online. The incident follows wider reports of sexualised deepfake abuse targeting women on social media.

Platforms hosted thousands of comments, including further manipulated images, heightening distress. Victims describe the content as realistic, dehumanising and violating personal consent.

Government ministers of the UK pledged to ban nudification tools and criminalise non-consensual intimate images. Technology firms face pressure to remove content, suspend accounts, and follow Ofcom guidance to maintain a safe online environment.

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Starlink adds Grok AI chatbot to improve customer support

A Grok-powered AI support tool has been added to Starlink’s website, expanding automated help for broadband users. The chatbot builds on a similar service already available through the company’s mobile app.

Users can access the chatbot via the checkout support page, receiving a link by email. Responses are limited to Starlink services and usually appear within several seconds.

The system is designed to streamline support for millions of users worldwide, including rural UK customers. Public opinion remains divided over the growing reliance on AI instead of human support staff.

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EU reaffirms commitment to Digital Markets Act enforcement

European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera has stated that the EU has a constitutional obligation under its treaties to uphold its digital rulebook, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Speaking at a competition law conference, Ribera framed enforcement as a duty to protect fair competition and market balance across the bloc.

Her comments arrive amid growing criticism from US technology companies and political pressure from Washington, where enforcement of EU digital rules has been portrayed as discriminatory towards American firms.

Several designated gatekeepers have argued that the DMA restricts innovation and challenges existing business models.

Ribera acknowledged the right of companies to challenge enforcement through the courts, while emphasising that designation decisions are based on lengthy and open consultation processes. The Commission, she said, remains committed to applying the law effectively rather than retreating under external pressure.

Apple and Meta have already announced plans to appeal fines imposed in 2025 for alleged breaches of DMA obligations, reinforcing expectations that legal disputes around EU digital regulation will continue in parallel with enforcement efforts.

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Grok to be integrated into Pentagon networks as the US expands military AI strategy

The US Department of Defence plans to integrate Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok into Pentagon networks later in January, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The system is expected to operate across both classified and unclassified military environments as part of a broader push to expand AI capabilities.

Hegseth also outlined an AI acceleration strategy designed to increase experimentation, reduce administrative barriers and prioritise investment across defence technology.

An approach that aims to enhance access to data across federated IT systems, aligning with official views that military AI performance relies on data availability and interoperability.

The move follows earlier decisions by the Pentagon to adopt Google’s Gemini for an internal AI platform and to award large contracts to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and xAI for agentic AI development.

Officials describe these efforts as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen US military competitiveness in AI.

Grok’s integration comes amid ongoing controversy, including criticism over generated imagery and previous incidents involving extremist and offensive content. Several governments and regulators have already taken action against the tool, adding scrutiny to its expanded role within defence systems.

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OpenAI expands healthcare strategy with Torch acquisition

The US AI company, OpenAI, has acquired healthcare technology startup Torch only days after unveiling ChatGPT Health, signalling an accelerated push into medical and clinical applications.

Financial terms were not officially disclosed, although media reports estimate the transaction at between $60 million and $100 million.

Torch was developed as a unified medical memory platform, designed to consolidate patient data from hospitals, laboratories, wearable devices and consumer testing services.

The company positioned its technology as a means to support AI systems in navigating fragmented healthcare information, rather than relying on isolated data sources.

Torch’s four-person team will join OpenAI following the acquisition, reinforcing the company’s internal healthcare expertise. OpenAI has emphasised privacy, safety and collaboration with medical professionals as core principles guiding its expansion into sensitive data environments.

The move follows a broader strategy by OpenAI to strengthen enterprise offerings, particularly for large healthcare organisations. Recent hires and partnerships suggest healthcare remains a priority area as AI adoption increases across regulated sectors.

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Google and Ant expand agentic commerce standards

Ant International has announced a partnership with Google to support the launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol, a new open standard designed to enable agent-driven commerce across discovery, purchasing and post-purchase support.

A collaboration that aims to simplify how AI agents, merchants and payment providers interact across platforms.

The protocol establishes a shared language that enables agents to collaborate seamlessly without requiring bespoke integrations, while remaining compatible with existing industry frameworks. Google says alignment on common standards is essential for agentic commerce to scale across sectors and markets.

AI interfaces such as the Gemini app and AI Mode in Google Search are expected to support native purchasing within conversations. Users expressing shopping intent will receive curated product options and complete payments through integrated wallet services without leaving the chat environment.

Ant International is contributing payment expertise, alternative payment methods and AI-based risk management to ensure traceable transactions and consumer trust.

The company states that secure intent verification and fraud protection are crucial as users entrust purchasing decisions to intelligent agents.

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AI tools influence modern personal finance practices

Personal finance assistants powered by AI tools are increasingly helping users manage budgets, analyse spending, and organise financial documents. Popular platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Claude now offer features designed to support everyday financial tasks.

Rather than focusing on conversational style, users should consider how financial data is accessed and how each assistant integrates with existing systems. Connections to spreadsheets, cloud storage, and secure platforms often determine how effective AI tools are for managing financial workflows.

ChatGPT is commonly used for drafting financial summaries, analysing expenses, and creating custom tools through plugins. Google Gemini is closely integrated with Google Docs and Sheets, making it suitable for users who rely on Google’s productivity ecosystem.

Microsoft Copilot provides strong automation for Excel and Microsoft 365 users, with administrative controls that appeal to organisations. Claude focuses on safety and large context windows, allowing it to process lengthy financial documents with more conservative output.

Choosing the most suitable AI tools for personal finance depends on workflow needs, data governance preferences, and privacy considerations. No single platform dominates every use case; each offers strengths across different financial management tasks.

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