An AI-driven forecasting tool developed by the Met Office and the University of Exeter is poised to reshape how marine operations are planned. The low-cost model, MaLCOM, has successfully predicted ocean currents in the Gulf of Mexico.
Designed initially to forecast regional wave patterns around the UK, the framework’s adaptability is now helping model ocean currents in new environments.
The tool’s ability to run on a laptop makes it highly accessible, offering real-time insights that could aid offshore energy.
Researchers emphasise the importance of the model’s transparency, which allows users to inspect how it processes data and generates forecasts. This design supports trust in its outputs and offers a strong foundation for ongoing development.
The project began five years ago and has grown through collaboration between academia, government and industry.
Its recent recognition with the ASCE Offshore Technology Conference Best Paper Award underscores the value of partnerships in accelerating progress in AI-based weather and climate tools.
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The Council of Europe has chosen Jylo, a European enterprise AI provider, to support over 3,000 users across its organisation.
The decision followed a competitive selection process involving multiple AI vendors, with Jylo standing out for its regulatory compliance and platform adaptability.
As Europe’s leading human rights body, the Council aims to use AI responsibly to support its legal and policy work. Jylo’s platform will streamline document-based workflows and reduce administrative burdens, helping staff focus on critical democratic and legal missions.
Leaders from both Jylo and the Council praised the collaboration. Jylo CEO Shawn Curran said the partnership reflects shared values around regulatory compliance and innovation.
The Council’s CIO, John Hunter, described Jylo’s commitment to secure AI as a perfect fit for the institution’s evolving digital strategy.
Jylo’s AI Assistant and automation features are designed specifically for knowledge-driven organisations. The rollout is expected to strengthen the Council’s internal efficiency and reinforce Jylo’s standing as a trusted AI partner across the European public and legal sectors.
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South African airline FlySafair has introduced Lindi, an AI-powered interface to assist customers with booking and travel management. Accessible 24/7 via WhatsApp, Lindi can handle single-passenger flight bookings, seat or name changes, and provide travel details.
FlySafair is the first South African carrier to implement a free AI travel assistant capable of managing bookings and setting a new benchmark for customer service. The initiative reflects the airline’s commitment to affordable, efficient, and tech-driven travel experiences.
Chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon said the technology offers a scalable way to provide each passenger with a virtual assistant. The airline aims to expand Lindi’s capabilities to improve service quality and customer satisfaction further.
FlySafair hopes Lindi’s human-like interaction will redefine digital engagement in the aviation industry and demonstrate practical value as AI becomes more embedded in everyday life.
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OpenAI has publicly disavowed Robinhood’s decision to sell so-called ‘OpenAI tokens’, warning that these blockchain-based contracts do not offer real equity in the company.
In a statement posted on X, OpenAI made clear that it had not approved, endorsed, or participated in the initiative and emphasised that any equity transfer requires its direct consent.
Robinhood recently announced plans to offer tokenised access to private firms like OpenAI and SpaceX for investors in the EU. The tokens do not represent actual shares but mimic price movements using blockchain contracts.
Despite OpenAI’s sharp rejection, Robinhood’s stock surged to record highs following the announcement.
A Robinhood spokesperson later claimed the tokens were linked to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that owns OpenAI shares, though SPVs do not equate to direct ownership either.
The company said the move aims to give everyday investors indirect exposure to high-profile startups through digital contracts.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev defended the strategy on X, saying the token sale was just the beginning of a broader effort to democratise access to private markets.
Microsoft has confirmed plans to cut up to 9,000 jobs—roughly 4% of its global workforce—in its latest round of redundancies this year. The company cited the need to adapt to a rapidly evolving market, while pressing ahead with major investments in artificial intelligence.
Although Microsoft did not specify which divisions will be affected, reports suggest its Xbox gaming unit will face significant cuts. According to internal emails, the reboot of Perfect Dark and the game Everwild have been cancelled, and The Initiative, the studio behind Perfect Dark, will shut down.
Additional layoffs are impacting other gaming studios, including Turn 10 and ZeniMax Online Studios. ZeniMax’s long-time director Matt Firor has announced his departure. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Romero Games has also been affected after funding for its project was pulled by a publisher.
The upcoming job cuts will mark Microsoft’s fourth round of layoffs in 2025. Over 800 affected roles are based in Washington state, including in Redmond and Bellevue, key Microsoft hubs. The company is currently investing $80bn in AI infrastructure, including data centres and chips.
Microsoft’s AI push has seen it hire AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman to lead its Microsoft AI division and deepen ties with OpenAI. However, tensions have reportedly grown in that relationship. Bloomberg noted difficulty in selling Microsoft’s Copilot tool, as many users prefer ChatGPT.
At the same time, AI talent wars are heating up. Meta has reportedly offered huge bonuses to poach researchers, while Amazon’s Andy Jassy said last month that AI would eventually replace certain roles at his company.
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A band called The Velvet Sundown has gone viral on Spotify, gaining over 850,000 monthly listeners, yet almost nothing is known about the people behind it.
With no live performances, interviews, or social media presence for its supposed members, the group has fuelled growing speculation that both it and its music may be AI-generated.
The mystery deepened after Rolling Stone first reported that a spokesperson had admitted the tracks were made using an AI tool called Suno, only to later reveal the spokesperson himself was fake.
The band denies any connection to the individual, stating on Spotify that the account impersonating them on X is also false.
AI detection tools have added to the confusion. Rival platform Deezer flagged the music as ‘100% AI-generated’, although Spotify has remained silent.
While CEO Daniel Ek has said AI music isn’t banned from the platform, he expressed concerns about mimicking real artists.
The case has reignited industry fears over AI’s impact on musicians. Experts warn that public trust in online content is weakening.
Musicians and advocacy groups argue that AI is undercutting creativity by training on human-made songs without permission. As copyright battles continue, pressure is mounting for stronger government regulation.
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xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, has secured permits to operate 15 natural gas turbines at its Memphis data centre, despite facing legal threats over alleged Clean Air Act violations.
The Shelby County Health Department approved the generators, which can produce up to 247 megawatts, provided specific emissions controls are in place.
Environmental lawyers say xAI had already been running as many as 35 generators without permits. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), acting on behalf of the NAACP, has accused the company of serious pollution and is preparing to sue.
Even under the new permit, xAI is allowed to emit substantial pollutants annually, including nearly 10 tons of formaldehyde — a known carcinogen.
Community concerns about the health impact remain strong. A local group pledged $250,000 for an independent air quality study, and although the City of Memphis carried out its own tests, the SELC questioned their validity.
The tests missed ozone levels and were reportedly conducted in favourable wind conditions, with equipment placed too close to buildings.
Officials previously argued that the turbines were exempt from regulation due to their ‘mobile’ status, a claim the SELC refuted as legally flawed. Meanwhile, xAI has recently raised $10 billion, split between debt and equity, highlighting its rapid expansion, even as regulatory scrutiny grows.
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The AI monitors sewer flow patterns and distinguishes between regular use, rainfall and developing blockages. On 16 June, digital sensors flagged an anomaly—leading teams to clear the fatberg before wastewater could flood gardens or homes.
‘We’re spotting hundreds of potential blockages before it’s too late,’ said Daniel McElhinney, proactive operations control manager at Southern Water. AI has reduced internal flooding by 40% and external flooding by 15%, the utility said.
Around 32,000 sewer level monitors are in place, checking for unusual flow activity that could signal a blockage or leak. Blocked sewers remain the main cause of pollution incidents, according to the company.
‘Most customers don’t realise the average sewer is only the size of an orange,’ McElhinney added. Even a small amount of cooking fat, combined with unflushable items, can lead to fatbergs and serious disruption.
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Google has begun rolling out its Veo 3 video-generation model to Gemini users across more than 159 countries. The advanced AI tool allows subscribers to create short video clips simply by entering text prompts.
Access to Veo 3 is limited to those on Google’s AI Pro plan, and usage is currently restricted to three videos per day. The tool can generate clips lasting up to eight seconds, enabling rapid video creation for a variety of purposes.
Google is already developing additional features for Gemini, including the ability to turn images into videos, according to product director Josh Woodward.
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Coordinated by Europe’s top research and technology organisations—CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, imec, and VTT—the initiative offers a shared, multi-hub infrastructure designed to speed up the development and commercialisation of next-generation Edge AI technologies.
Through its platform, European designers will gain access to advanced chip prototyping capabilities and full design support using standard commercial tools.
PREVAIL combines commercial foundry processes with advanced technology modules developed in partner clean rooms. These include embedded non-volatile memories (eNVM), silicon photonics, and 3D integration technologies such as silicon interposers and packaging innovations.
Initial demonstrators, already in development with industry partners, will serve as test cases to ensure compatibility with a broad range of applications and future scalability.
From July 2025, a €20 million EU-funded call under the ‘Low Power Edge AI’ initiative will help selected customers co-finance their access to the platform. Whether supported by EU funds or independently financed, users will be able to design chips using one of four shared platforms.
The consortium has also set up a user interface team to manage technical support and provide access to Process Design Kits and Design Rule Manuals.
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