Development

Amazon expands AI film production tools as Hollywood trials new systems

The US tech giant, Amazon, is preparing a new phase for its proprietary production tools as the company opens a closed beta that will give selected studios early access to its AI systems.

Developers created the technology inside Amazon MGM Studios to improve character consistency across scenes and speed up work in pre and post-production instead of relying on fragmented processes.

The programme begins in March and is expected to deliver initial outcomes by May. Amazon is working with recognised industry figures such as Robert Stromberg, Kunal Nayyar and former Pixar animator Colin Brady to refine the methods.

The company is also drawing on Amazon Web Services and several external language model providers to strengthen performance.

Executives insist the aim is to assist creative teams rather than remove them from the process. The second season of the series ‘House of David’ already used more than 300 AI-generated shots, showing how the technology can support large-scale productions instead of replacing artistic decision-making.

Industry debate continues to intensify as studios explore new automation methods. Netflix also used generative tools for major scenes in ‘The Eternaut’.

Amazon has repeatedly cited AI progress when announcing staff reductions, which added further concern over the long-term effects on employment and creative roles.

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Independent UN AI panel formed to guide evidence-based global governance

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has formally submitted, for consideration and appointment by the United Nations General Assembly, the proposed composition of a new Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, marking a step towards evidence-based global AI governance.

The panel brings together 40 experts from across regions and disciplines, selected through an open global call that attracted more than 2,600 applications, and members serve in a personal and independent capacity.

In his submission to the General Assembly, Guterres said the body would act as the first fully independent global scientific authority focused on closing the AI knowledge gap and assessing real-world impacts across economies and societies.

According to the UN chief, a reliable and unbiased understanding of AI has become essential as technologies reshape governance, labour markets, and social systems at an accelerating speed.

The panel will operate for an initial three-year term, aiming to provide a shared scientific foundation for international cooperation amid rising geopolitical tension and technological competition.

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Tinder tests AI Chemistry feature to cut swipe fatigue and revive engagement

The dating platform is expanding its reliance on AI, with Tinder experimenting with a feature designed to ease swipe fatigue among users.

A tool, known as Chemistry, that builds a picture of each person through optional questions and by reviewing their Camera Roll with permission, offering a more personalised route toward potential matches instead of repetitive browsing.

Match is currently testing the feature only in Australia. Executives say the system allows people to receive a small set of tailored profiles rather than navigating large volumes of candidates.

Tinder hopes the approach will strengthen engagement during a period when registrations and monthly activity remain lower than last year, despite minor improvements driven by AI-based recommendations.

Developers are also refocusing the broader discovery experience to reflect concerns raised by Gen Z around authenticity, trust and relevance.

The platform now relies on verification tools such as Face Check, which Match says cut harmful interactions by more than half instead of leaving users exposed to impersonators.

These moves indicate a shift away from the swipe mechanic that once defined the app, offering more direct suggestions that may improve outcomes.

Marketing investment is set to rise as part of the strategy. Match plans to allocate $50 million to new campaigns that will position Tinder as appealing again, using creators on TikTok and Instagram to reframe the brand.

Strong quarterly revenue failed to offset weaker guidance, yet the company argues that AI features will help shape a more reliable and engaging service for users seeking consistent matches.

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EU tests Matrix protocol as sovereign alternative for internal communication

The European Commission is testing a European open source system for its internal communications as worries grow in Brussels over deep dependence on US software.

A spokesperson said the administration is preparing a solution built on the Matrix protocol instead of relying solely on Microsoft Teams.

Matrix is already used by several European institutions, including the French government, German healthcare bodies and armed forces across the continent.

The Commission aims to deploy it as a complement and backup to Teams rather than a full replacement. Officials noted that Signal currently fills that role but lacks the flexibility needed for an organisation of the Commission’s size.

The initiative forms part of a wider push for digital sovereignty within the EU. A Matrix-based tool could eventually link the Commission with other Union bodies that currently lack a unified secure communication platform.

Officials said there is already an operational connection with the European Parliament.

The trial reflects growing sensitivity about Europe’s strategic dependence on non-European digital services.

By developing home-grown communication infrastructure instead of leaning on a single foreign supplier, the Commission hopes to build a more resilient and sovereign technological foundation.

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AI rollout gains momentum through UK’s Tech Town initiative

UK policymakers are advancing a national strategy to expand the use of AI across public services and the wider economy. The goal is to improve productivity, education, and service delivery while building public confidence in the practical benefits of AI.

As part of this approach, Barnsley has been designated as the UK’s first ‘Tech Town’. The South Yorkshire town will act as a pilot site and blueprint for how AI can be deployed locally and scaled nationwide.

AI integration in Barnsley will focus on public services such as schools and NHS facilities. These applications are intended to show how the technology can support learning, enhance efficiency, and improve service outcomes.

Alongside deployment, skills development and job creation are central to the initiative. Training schemes and AI-focused roles are expected to build local talent and support the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Delivery of the programme will rely on collaboration between central government, local authorities, public sector workers, and industry partners. Major technology firms, including Microsoft and Cisco, have indicated support, highlighting the role of public–private cooperation in scaling AI adoption.

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Gemini growth narrows gap in chatbot race

Google’s AI chatbot Gemini has surpassed 750 million monthly users, signalling rapid consumer adoption, according to fourth-quarter 2025 earnings. The figure jumped from 650 million in the previous quarter, reinforcing Gemini’s rapid expansion in the generative AI market.

Competitive positioning remains solid. Meta AI has nearly 500 million users, while ChatGPT leads globally with about 810 million. Ongoing product upgrades and ecosystem integration across Google services have sustained Gemini’s growth momentum.

Gemini 3 has driven adoption, with Google calling it its most advanced model, offering deeper reasoning and more nuanced responses. Leadership called the release a key growth driver, with further investment and updates expected to sustain expansion.

Broader AI demand is also lifting Alphabet’s financial performance. Annual revenue has topped $400 billion for the first time, driven by enterprise API demand and infrastructure growth, including the Ironwood TPU rollout.

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Malaysia enforces a total ban on e-waste imports after corruption probe

Authorities have imposed a full and immediate ban on the import of electronic waste in Malaysia to end the long-standing practice of foreign dumping.

The Anti-Corruption Commission reclassified all e-waste as an absolute prohibition, removing the earlier discretion that allowed limited exemptions. Officials argue that the country should protect its environment rather than accept hazardous materials from other nations.

Authorities have spent years intercepting containers loaded with discarded electronics suspected to contain toxic metals that contaminate soil and water when mishandled.

Environmental groups have repeatedly urged stronger controls, noting that waste from computers, mobile phones and household appliances poses severe risks to human health. The government now insists that firm enforcement must accompany the new restrictions to prevent continued smuggling.

The decision comes amid a widening corruption inquiry into oversight of e-waste. The director-general of the environment department and his deputy have been detained on suspicion of abuse of power. At the same time, investigators have frozen bank accounts and seized cash linked to the case.

The Home Ministry has pledged increased surveillance and warned that Malaysia will safeguard its national security by stopping illegal e-waste at its borders.

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Harvard researchers highlight contextual risks in medical AI systems

Medical AI promises faster analysis, more accurate pattern detection, and continuous availability, yet most systems still struggle to perform reliably in real clinical environments beyond laboratory testing.

Researchers led by Marinka Zitnik at Harvard Medical School identify contextual errors as a key reason why medical AI often fails when deployed in hospitals and clinics.

Models frequently generate technically sound responses that overlook crucial factors, such as medical speciality, geographic conditions, and patients’ socioeconomic circumstances, thereby limiting their real-world usefulness.

The study argues that training datasets, model architecture, and performance benchmarks must integrate contextual information to prevent misleading or impractical recommendations.

Improving transparency, trust, and human-AI collaboration could allow context-aware systems to support clinicians more effectively while reducing harm and inequality in care delivery.

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AI traffic cameras change driver behaviour

Cape Town is preparing to introduce AI-assisted cameras to monitor motorists for cellphone use and seatbelt violations. Approval is awaited from the National Director of Public Prosecutions before the technology can be fully deployed.

Similar systems have been in operation in Australia for several years, where drivers face fines and demerit points for offences. Authorities report a noticeable decline in illegal phone use, showing that AI can effectively influence driver behaviour.

The cameras allow law enforcement to focus on other priorities instead of constantly monitoring mobile phone offences. Each AI-detected violation is reviewed by a human before fines are issued, adding a layer of accuracy and transparency.

Motorists retain the right to request camera images if they believe fines were unfairly applied. The Australian model demonstrates that combining technology with human oversight can improve road safety while maintaining accountability for drivers.

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US agencies linked to expanded biometric data sharing with Australia

Reports suggest Australia may expand biometric and identity data sharing with US authorities through border security and visa negotiations, granting enforcement agencies broader access to sensitive personal information.

Information reportedly covered includes passport numbers, dates of birth, facial images, fingerprints, and criminal or immigration records. Such access could allow US authorities to query Australian-held databases directly, bypassing traditional legal cooperation procedures.

No official treaty text or confirmation has been released by either government, and responses have remained general, avoiding details about the Enhanced Border Security Partnership negotiations. The absence of transparency has raised concerns among privacy advocates and legal commentators.

Australia and the United States already cooperate through established frameworks such as the Visa Waiver Program, Migration 5 agreements, and the CLOUD Act. Existing mechanisms involve structured, case-by-case data sharing with legal oversight rather than unrestricted database access.

Analysts note that confirmed arrangements differ significantly from claims of open biometric access, though expanding security vetting requirements continue to increase cross-border data flows. Debate is growing over privacy, sovereignty, and the long-term implications of deeper information sharing.

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