The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City has partnered with Google Public Sector on a pilot program designed to detect track defects before they cause significant disruptions. Using Google Pixel smartphones retrofitted onto subway cars, the system captured millions of sensor readings, GPS locations, and hours of audio to identify potential problems. The project aimed to improve the efficiency of the MTA’s response to track issues, potentially saving time and money while reducing delays for passengers.
The AI-powered program, called TrackInspect, analyses the sounds and vibrations from the subway to pinpoint areas that could signal defects, such as loose rails or worn joints. Data collected during the pilot, which ran from September 2024 to January 2025, showed that the AI system successfully identified 92% of defect locations found by human inspectors. The system was trained using feedback from MTA inspectors, helping refine its ability to predict track issues.
While the pilot was considered a success, the future of the program remains uncertain due to financial concerns at the MTA. Despite this, the success of the project has sparked interest from other transit systems looking to adopt similar AI-driven technologies to improve infrastructure maintenance and reduce delays. The MTA is now exploring other technological partnerships to enhance its track monitoring and maintenance efforts.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested that the organisation may develop its cryptocurrency to engage with football fans worldwide. Speaking at President Trump’s White House Crypto Summit, Infantino shared FIFA’s interest in launching a digital token, emphasising its potential to connect with the sport’s five billion supporters.
While no official plans or timelines were revealed, the idea signals FIFA’s growing interest in blockchain technology as a tool for fan interaction and financial growth. Trump responded enthusiastically, joking that such a coin could one day be worth more than FIFA.
Following the announcement, a cryptocurrency unrelated to FIFA named ‘FIFA’ skyrocketed by 357,000% due to market confusion, briefly reaching a valuation of $8.2 million. Meanwhile, the summit introduced key crypto policies, including a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, indicating a shift in regulatory approach under Trump’s administration.
As FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup in North America, Infantino’s statement highlights the growing intersection of cryptocurrency and football, suggesting that digital assets could play a significant role in the sport’s future.
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Nagasaki University in southwestern Japan, in collaboration with a local systems development company, has unveiled a new AI program aimed at enhancing medical student training.
The innovative program allows students to practice interviews with virtual patients on a screen, addressing the growing difficulty of securing simulated patients for training, especially in regional areas facing population declines.
In a demonstration earlier this month, an AI-powered virtual patient exhibited symptoms such as fever and cough, responding appropriately to questions from a medical student.
Scheduled for introduction by March 2026, the technology will allow students to interact with virtual patients of different ages, genders, and symptoms, enhancing their learning experience.
The university plans to enhance the program with scoring and feedback functions to make the training more efficient and improve the quality of learning.
Shinya Kawashiri, an associate professor at the university’s School of Medicine, expressed hope that the system would lead to more effective study methods.
Toru Kobayashi, a professor at the university’s School of Information and Data Sciences, highlighted the program as a groundbreaking initiative in Japan’s medical education landscape.
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NHS is investigating allegations that a software flaw at private medical services company Medefer left patient data vulnerable to hacking.
The flaw, discovered in November, affected Medefer’s internal patient record system in the UK, which handles 1,500 NHS referrals monthly.
A software engineer who found the issue believes the vulnerability may have existed for six years, but Medefer denies this claim, stating no data has been compromised.
The engineer discovered that unprotected application programming interfaces (APIs) could have allowed outsiders to access sensitive patient information.
While Medefer has insisted that there is no evidence of any breach, they have commissioned an external security agency to review their systems. The agency confirmed that no breach was found, and the company asserts that the flaw was fixed within 48 hours of being discovered.
Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about the potential risks posed by the flaw, emphasising that a proper investigation should have been conducted immediately.
Medefer reported the issue to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), both of which found no further action necessary. However, experts suggest that a more thorough response could have been beneficial given the sensitive nature of the data involved.
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China’s top universities are set to expand undergraduate enrolment to develop talent in key strategic fields, particularly AI.
The move follows the rapid rise of AI startup DeepSeek, which has drawn global attention for producing advanced AI models at a fraction of the usual cost.
The company’s success, largely driven by researchers from elite institutions in China, is seen as a major step in Beijing’s efforts to boost its homegrown STEM workforce.
Peking University announced it would add 150 undergraduate spots in 2025 to focus on national strategic needs, particularly in information science, engineering, and clinical medicine.
Renmin University will expand enrolment by over 100 places, aiming to foster innovation in AI. Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiao Tong University plans to add 150 spots dedicated to emerging technologies such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, and new energy.
This expansion aligns with China’s broader strategy to strengthen its education system and technological capabilities. In January, the government introduced a national action plan to enhance education efficiency and innovation by 2035.
Additionally, authorities plan to introduce AI education in primary and secondary schools to nurture digital skills and scientific curiosity from an early age.
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Investors are moving away from semiconductor stocks and turning their focus to software companies as the AI investment landscape evolves.
A surge in AI chip demand drove record growth for semiconductor firms in 2024, but new competition and trade restrictions have dampened enthusiasm. The emergence of China‘s DeepSeek, offering lower-cost AI models, has further pressured chip stocks, leading investors to seek new opportunities in software.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has fallen 5.6% this year, with Nvidia dropping nearly 13%, while software firms such as Atlassian, CrowdStrike, and Palantir have gained between 7% and 19%.
Investment flows reflect the shift, with software-focused exchange-traded funds seeing significant inflows, while semiconductor ETFs have recorded large outflows. Analysts see the trend as a natural progression, with AI technology increasingly monetised through software applications rather than hardware.
Morgan Stanley and other investment firms now favour software firms such as Palantir, Microsoft, and Oracle. While some software companies have yet to see AI-related revenue growth reflected in their financials, analysts predict gains by 2026.
High valuations remain a concern, but investors are betting on the long-term need for AI applications rather than additional hardware.
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Taco Bell is ramping up its use of AI as part of a broader $1 billion investment by parent company Yum Brands in digital and technology.
At a recent investor event in New York, executives showcased the company’s ‘Byte by Yum’ AI tools, which aim to improve labour management and inventory tracking. Taco Bell’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Dane Mathews, said AI is already being used to streamline operations without reducing labour costs.
Around 500 Taco Bell locations in the United States now use AI-driven voice technology to handle drive-through orders, a significant increase from 100 locations in mid-2024.
During the investor event, executives presented a video skit demonstrating how AI could assist managers by suggesting staffing adjustments and optimising inventory. Analysts found the presentation both innovative and slightly unsettling, with Yum suggesting AI would help free up employees for other tasks rather than replace them.
Fast food chains are increasingly adopting AI to modernise operations, with companies like McDonald’s and Chipotle also investing in automation and digital tools. While Yum’s AI technology is currently used in nearly 25,000 of its 61,000 global restaurants, executives acknowledged there is still a long road ahead.
Analysts believe Yum may eventually commercialise its AI software beyond its own restaurant network. Taco Bell’s AI-driven strategy comes as the chain projects an 8% rise in same-store sales for the current quarter.
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China is stepping up the use of AI and big data in elderly and social care as it seeks to address economic challenges posed by a shrinking workforce and an ageing population.
Civil affairs minister Lu Zhiyuan announced the initiative at the ‘Two Sessions’ political gathering, highlighting efforts to make services more accessible and efficient.
The country’s population has declined for a third consecutive year, with over 310 million people now aged 60 and above.
Officials are increasingly turning to technology to drive future growth. Local governments have moved swiftly to integrate AI into public services, with DeepSeek‘s chatbot gaining traction since its latest version was released in January.
Despite restrictions on AI chip sales imposed by the United States, DeepSeek’s cost-effective model has outperformed several Western competitors, reinforcing China’s position in AI development.
President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed the government’s support for AI, recently meeting with leaders from top technology firms, including DeepSeek, Tencent, Huawei and Xiaomi.
The push for AI adoption in social welfare services reflects a broader strategy to maintain economic stability and innovation in the face of demographic challenges.
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Indonesia has granted local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the iPhone 16 after the company met requirements for locally-made components.
Apple still needs further approvals from the communications and trade ministries before it can officially sell the devices in the country.
The certification follows Apple’s recent pledge to invest over $300 million in Indonesia, including funding component manufacturing plants and a research and development centre.
Industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief confirmed that Apple received certificates for 11 phone models and nine tablets.
However, negotiations had been ‘tricky’, according to Indonesia’s industry minister. Apple remains outside the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia, according to research firm Canalyst.
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Reddit has introduced new tools to help users follow community rules and track content performance, aiming to boost engagement on the platform. The update comes after a slowdown in user growth due to Google’s algorithm changes, though traffic from the search engine has since recovered.
Among the new features is a ‘rules check’ tool, currently being tested on smartphones, which helps users comply with subreddit guidelines. Additionally, a post-recovery option allows users to repost content in alternative subreddits if their original submission is removed. Reddit will also suggest subreddits based on post content and clarify posting requirements for specific communities.
The company has enhanced its post insights feature, offering detailed engagement metrics to help users refine their content. This follows Reddit’s December launch of Reddit Answers, an AI-powered search tool designed to provide curated summaries of community discussions, which is still in beta testing.
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