Development

New ChatGPT layout blends audio, text and maps in one view

OpenAI has unveiled an updated ChatGPT interface that combines voice and text features in a single view. Users can speak naturally at any point in a chat and receive responses in text, audio, or images. The new layout also introduces real-time map displays.

The redesign adds a scrolling transcript within the chat window. It allows users to revisit earlier exchanges and move easily between reading and listening. OpenAI states that the goal is to support voice-led tasks without compromising clarity.

With the unified experience, conversations no longer require switching modes. ChatGPT can deliver audio, written, and visual replies simultaneously. Maps and images appear directly alongside the voice response.

Every spoken message is automatically transcribed. However, this helps users follow more extended discussions and keep a record for later reference. OpenAI says the feature supports both accessibility and everyday convenience.

The update is rolling out gradually across web and mobile platforms. Users who prefer the earlier voice-only layout can revert to it in settings. OpenAI says the unified mode will remain the default as development continues.

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Copilot will be removed from WhatsApp on 15 January 2026

Microsoft will withdraw Copilot from WhatsApp as of 15 January 2026, following the implementation of new platform rules that ban all LLM chatbots.

The service helped millions of users interact with their AI companion inside an everyday messaging environment, yet the updated policy leaves no option for continued support.

Copilot access will continue on the mobile app, the web portal and Windows, offering fuller functionality instead of the limited experience available on WhatsApp.

Users are encouraged to rely on these platforms for ongoing features such as Copilot Voice, Vision and Mico, which expand everyday use across a broader set of tasks.

Chat history cannot be transferred because WhatsApp operated the service without authentication; therefore, users must manually export their conversations before the deadline. Copilot remains free across supported platforms, although some advanced features require a subscription.

Microsoft is working to ensure a smooth transition and stresses that users can expect a more capable experience after leaving WhatsApp, as development resources now focus on its dedicated environments.

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Agentic AI transforms enterprise workflows in 2026

Enterprise AI entered a new phase as organisations transitioned from simple, prompt-driven tools to autonomous agents capable to acting within complex workflows.

Leaders now face a reality where agentic systems can accelerate development, improve decision-making, and support employees, yet concerns over unreliable data and inconsistent behaviour still weaken trust.

AI adoption has risen sharply, although many remain cautious about committing fully without stronger safeguards in place.

The next stage will rely on multi-agent models where an orchestrator coordinates specialised agents across departments. Single agents will lose effectiveness if they fail to offer scalable value, as enterprises require communication protocols, unified context, and robust governance.

Agents will increasingly pursue outcomes rather than follow instructions. At the same time, event-driven automation will allow them to detect problems, initiate analysis, and collaborate with other agents without waiting for human prompts. Simulation environments will further accelerate learning and strengthen reliability.

Trusted AI will become a defining competitive factor. Brands will be judged by the quality, personalisation, and relational intelligence of their agents rather than traditional identity markers.

Effective interfaces, transparent governance, and clear metrics for agent adherence will shape customer loyalty and shareholder confidence.

Cybersecurity will shift toward autonomous, self-healing digital immune systems, while advances in spatially aware AI will accelerate robotics and immersive simulations across various industries.

Broader impacts will reshape workplace culture. AI-native engineers will shorten development cycles, while non-technical employees will create personal applications, rather than relying solely on central teams.

Ambient intelligence may push new hardware into the mainstream, and sustainability debates will increasingly focus on water usage in data-intensive AI systems. Governments are preparing to upskill public workforces, and consumer agents will pressure companies to offer better value.

Long-term success will depend on raising AI literacy and selecting platforms designed for scalable, integrated, and agentic operations.

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Canada deepens 5G leadership with major Nokia expansion

Yesterday, Canada announced that it has moved forward with a significant partnership that places Nokia at the centre of national ambitions for advanced 5G research.

A groundbreaking event in Ottawa marked the beginning of an expanded programme of work focused on AI, machine learning and next-generation network development. Government ministers emphasised that the investment enhances digital infrastructure, rather than relying on outdated foundations that limit growth.

Nokia plans to revitalise and enlarge its Ottawa facility by adding new lab space and new streams of research activity. The project is expected to create more than 300 jobs and widen opportunities for post-secondary students, strengthening the region’s technology base.

Canada has contributed $40 million through the Strategic Response Fund to support these developments and reinforce the country’s role in the global telecommunications sector.

Government officials argued that the collaboration will fuel economic prosperity and broaden Canada’s capacity to innovate. Advanced 5G networks are expected to bring benefits extending from defence and telecommunications to clean energy, precision agriculture and modern telemedicine.

Ministers presented the partnership as a means to a highly skilled workforce, rather than one that relies on imported expertise.

Nokia’s leadership described the project as a long-term commitment to Canada’s innovation ecosystem. The company highlighted the importance of local talent, secure digital infrastructure and future-oriented research in AI, quantum technology and advanced connectivity.

The expansion strengthens Canada’s position as a leader in next-generation networks and supports an innovation-driven economy.

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AI may reshape weather and climate modelling

The UK’s Met Office has laid out a strategic plan for integrating AI, specifically machine learning (ML), with traditional physics-based climate and weather models. The aim is to deliver what it calls an ‘optimal blend’ of AI-driven and physics-based forecasting.

To clarify what that blend might look like, the Met Office has defined five distinct approaches. One is the familiar independent physics-based model, which uses physical laws to simulate atmospheric dynamics, trusted but computationally intensive.

At the other end is an independent ML-based model that learns patterns entirely from data, offering far greater speed and scalability.

Between these extremes lie two ‘hybrid’ approaches: hybrid-integrated ML, where ML replaces or enhances parts of the physics model, and hybrid-composite ML, where ML and physics models run separately and feed into each other.

A fifth option is augmented ML, where ML is applied after the model has run to improve its output (for example, downscaling or refining ensemble forecasts).

However, this framework is more than a technical taxonomy; it provides a shared language for scientists, policymakers, and clients to understand how AI and traditional modelling can coexist.

It also helps guide future decisions, for example, allowing gradual adoption of ML in places where it makes sense, while preserving the robustness of well-understood physics methods in critical areas.

The move comes as ML-based weather and climate tools have shown increasing promise. For instance, in 2025, the Met Office published research showing a purely ML-based model achieved seasonal forecasting skill comparable to conventional physics-based methods, but with far lower computing demands.

For digital-policy watchers and climate analysts alike, this signals a shift: forecasting may become more dynamic, scalable and accessible, especially valuable in a changing climate where speed, resolution and adaptability matter as much as theoretical accuracy.

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Oakley Meta glasses launch in India with AI features

Meta is preparing to introduce its Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses to the Indian market as part of a new effort to bring AI-powered eyewear to a broader audience.

A launch that begins on 1 December and places the glasses within a growing category of performance-focused devices aimed at athletes and everyday users who want AI built directly into their gear.

The frame includes an integrated camera for hands-free capture and open-ear speakers that provide audio cues without blocking outside sound.

These glasses are designed to suit outdoor environments, offering IPX4 water resistance and robust battery performance. Also, they can record high-quality 3K video, while Meta AI supplies information, guidance and real-time support.

Users can expect up to eight hours of active use and a rapid recharge, with a dedicated case providing an additional forty-eight hours of battery life.

Meta has focused on accessibility by enabling full Hindi language support through the Meta AI app, allowing users to interact in their preferred language instead of relying on English.

The company is also testing UPI Lite payments through a simple voice command that connects directly to WhatsApp-linked bank accounts.

A ‘Hey Meta’ prompt enables hands-free assistance for questions, recording, or information retrieval, allowing users to remain focused on their activity.

The new lineup arrives in six frame and lens combinations, all of which are compatible with prescription lenses. Meta is also introducing its Celebrity AI Voice feature in India, with Deepika Padukone’s English AI voice among the first options.

Pre-orders are open on Sunglass Hut, with broader availability planned across major eyewear retailers at a starting price of ₹ 41,800.

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UN summit showcases AI and sustainable development transforming the Global South

Riyadh hosted the UN’s Global Industry Summit this week, showcasing sustainable solutions to challenges faced by businesses in the Global South. Experts highlighted how sustainable agriculture and cutting-edge technology can provide new opportunities for farmers and industry leaders alike.

Indian social enterprise Nature Bio Foods received a ONE World Innovation Award for its ‘farm to table’ approach, helping nearly 100,000 smallholder farmers produce high-quality organic food while supporting community initiatives. Partnerships with government and UNIDO have allowed the company to scale sustainably, introducing solar energy and reducing methane emissions from rice production.

AI technology was also a major focus, with UNIDO demonstrating tools that solve real-world problems, such as AI chips capable of detecting food waste. Leaders emphasised that ethical deployment of AI can connect governments, private sector players, and academia to promote efficient and responsible development across industries in developing nations.

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Google teams with Accel to boost India’s AI ecosystem

Google has partnered with VC firm Accel to support early-stage AI start-ups in India, marking the first time its AI Futures Fund has collaborated directly on regional venture investment.

Through the newly created Atoms AI Cohort 2026, selected start-ups will receive up to US$2 million in funding, with Google and Accel each contributing up to US$1 million. Founders will also gain up to US$350,000 in compute credits, early access to models from Gemini and DeepMind, technical mentorship, and support for scaling globally.

The collaboration is designed to stimulate India’s AI ecosystem across a broad set of domains, including creativity, productivity, entertainment, coding, and enterprise automation. According to Accel, the focus will lie on building products tailored for local needs, with potential global reach.

This push reflects Google’s growing bet on India as a global hub for AI. For digital-policy watchers and global technology observers, this partnership raises essential questions.

Will increased investment accelerate India’s role as an AI-innovation centre? Could this shift influence tech geopolitics and data-governance norms in Asia? The move follows the company’s recently announced US$15 billion investment to build an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.

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Real-time guidance for visually impaired users

Researchers at Penn State have developed a smartphone application, NaviSense, that helps visually impaired users locate objects in real time using AI-powered audio and vibration cues.

The tool relies on vision-language and large-language models to identify objects without preloading 3D models.

Tests showed it reduced search time and increased detection accuracy, with users praising the directional feedback.

The development team continues to optimise the application’s battery use and AI efficiency in preparation for commercial release. Supported by the US National Science Foundation, NaviSense represents a significant step towards practical, user-centred accessibility technology.

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AI supercomputer to study eye behaviour

Researchers at the University of Essex are using one of the UK’s most powerful AI supercomputers to investigate how mental fatigue affects the eye.

The EyeWarn project has been granted 10,000 hours on the government-funded Isambard-AI to analyse eye movements in natural settings.

Led by Dr Javier Andreu-Perez, the study aims to combine human and environmental data to understand how cognition influences eye behaviour. Insights from the project could help predict fatigue levels and improve monitoring of human factors in real-world scenarios.

The initiative involves collaboration with academics across the UK and AI firm Solvemed Group. Essex is also set to become a hub for AI innovation with the upcoming £2 billion data centre in Loughton.

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