Development

Schools embrace AI to improve accessibility

AI is transforming education for students with disabilities, offering tools that level the playing field. From reading assistance to speech and language tools, AI is enabling students to overcome learning barriers. For 14-year-old Makenzie Gilkison, who has dyslexia, AI-powered assistive technology has been life-changing, allowing her to excel academically and keep pace with her peers.

Schools are increasingly adopting AI for personalised learning, balancing its benefits with ethical considerations. Tools like chatbots and text-to-speech programs enhance accessibility while raising concerns about over-reliance and the potential for misuse. Experts emphasise that AI should support, not replace, learning.

Research and development are advancing rapidly, addressing challenges like children’s handwriting and speech impediments. Initiatives such as the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education aim to refine these tools, while educators work to ensure students and teachers are equipped to harness their potential effectively.

CMI and Telecom Egypt to boost global connectivity

China Mobile International (CMI) and Telecom Egypt have forged a strategic commercial partnership to address the growing global demand for data and enhance global connectivity. By leveraging their subsea cable infrastructure, the collaboration aims to meet the surging need for high-bandwidth applications like video streaming, cloud computing, and remote work solutions.

With global internet traffic projected to reach 396 exabytes per month by 2025 and a 23% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sectors like e-commerce, finance, and telemedicine through 2030, the partnership focuses on expanding network routes to improve diversity and resiliency. That will ensure more reliable services and seamless connectivity for businesses and consumers worldwide.

Additionally, CMI’s advanced digital solutions, combined with Telecom Egypt’s extensive infrastructure, will offer enterprises tailored DICT (digital, information, communication, and technology) solutions, empowering them to drive digital transformation and remain competitive in the evolving market. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of the digital economy and create greater economic and societal value.

By enhancing infrastructure and expanding global reach, CMI and Telecom Egypt are positioned to lead the digital services market, providing innovative solutions supporting business growth and international consumers’ evolving needs. The partnership strengthens their ability to serve businesses in Egypt and the surrounding regions and contributes to broader economic growth through enhanced connectivity and digital transformation.

Diriyah Co. partner with SAFCSP to strengthen cybersecurity

The Diriyah Company has partnered with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP) to enhance the city’s digital security and align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. That collaboration aims to protect Diriyah’s digital infrastructure as it transforms into a cultural and heritage hub.

As part of the agreement, Diriyah Co. will join BugBounty, the Middle East’s first cybersecurity research platform, to identify and address software vulnerabilities. Additionally, the partnership includes initiatives such as conferences, workshops, and public awareness campaigns to foster a culture of cybersecurity.

To further strengthen capabilities, SAFCSP will provide Diriyah Co. access to its professional database for recruiting cybersecurity specialists. It will also offer specialised training programs to employees and identify top-performing students for advanced training opportunities.

The partnership supports innovation and collaboration across government and private sectors by integrating advanced cybersecurity measures and prioritising talent development. These efforts aim to create a secure and sustainable digital future for Diriyah, empowering the next generation with advanced technology and driving cultural, economic, and technological growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

NERA recommends key reforms for a successful 5G spectrum auction in Pakistan

The National Economic Research Associates Inc. (NERA) has outlined critical recommendations for ensuring the success of Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction while addressing the challenges in its telecom sector. NERA advocates for reasonable reserve prices, extended payment terms, and a transition to rupee-based pricing to mitigate risks associated with exchange rate volatility.

High spectrum prices, the consultancy warns, reduce competition, stifle innovation, and harm consumers, ultimately weakening the sector’s long-term potential. Pakistan’s telecom industry is severely spectrum-starved, ranking lowest in South Asia due to auction delays, high base prices, and unsold spectrum in litigation.

To address this, NERA recommends releasing more spectrum, including the disputed 140 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, and resolving market structure issues, such as the number of operators post-mergers. Additionally, it emphasises the urgent need for infrastructure development, particularly expanding fibre-optic backhaul networks, which currently account for only 15% of mobile towers, and addressing the limited adoption of 5G-capable smartphones due to their high costs.

Reforms like the Telecom Infrastructure Sharing framework and measures to make smartphones more affordable are critical for fostering competition and sector growth. NERA underscores the trade-off between short-term government revenue from high spectrum prices and the long-term benefits of a competitive and thriving telecom sector.

It highlights that a robust telecom environment requires sustained investments in infrastructure, wider spectrum availability, and affordable tariffs. By implementing its recommendations, including encouraging smartphone upgrades, expanding fibre networks, and creating favourable pricing structures, Pakistan can maximise the potential of 4G and 5G technologies.

These measures are not only vital for the success of the 2025 spectrum auction but also for ensuring a dynamic and sustainable telecom industry capable of driving digital transformation across the country.

Snapdragon powers AI-driven Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra is set to debut with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, bringing advanced AI features directly to the device. A standout capability of the chipset enables on-device AI-powered image editing, enhancing privacy and reducing reliance on internet connectivity.

Code leaks have highlighted a feature called ‘FEATURE_GEN_EDIT_ON_DEVICE,’ which points to AI tools operating locally on the phone. Alongside this, Samsung plans to introduce a revamped AI-powered Bixby assistant with the Galaxy S25 lineup, aiming to outpace competitors like the iPhone 16.

All Galaxy S25 models are expected to exclusively use Snapdragon processors, with no signs of Exynos chipsets in the series. A leaked specifications sheet also suggests the Ultra variant will boast up to 16 GB of RAM, improving overall AI performance.

As manufacturers increasingly focus on AI, these features are only the beginning of a broader transformation. The Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a significant step in showcasing how powerful AI can reshape mobile experiences.

AGI linked to profits in Microsoft and OpenAI agreement

OpenAI and Microsoft have reportedly agreed on a financial benchmark to define AGI. According to ‘The Information’, AGI will be achieved only when OpenAI’s AI systems generate profits exceeding $100 billion. This definition departs from traditional technical interpretations of AGI and suggests the milestone is many years away.

Despite growing speculation about the progress of models like OpenAI’s o3, the company is currently unprofitable. It expects significant losses this year and predicts profitability only by 2029. The high computational costs associated with advanced AI models pose additional challenges to meeting the ambitious profit target.

Microsoft’s access to OpenAI’s technology hinges on this definition. Under their agreement, Microsoft retains access to OpenAI’s models until AGI is achieved. This provision has sparked discussions, as some believe OpenAI could prematurely declare AGI to gain strategic advantage, though the profit-centric definition may delay such claims.

Experts remain divided on whether the o3 model represents meaningful progress toward AGI. Its performance gains are tempered by substantial expenses, underscoring the tension between innovation and commercial viability in AI development.

DeepSeek unveils a powerful new AI model

Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has unveiled DeepSeek V3, a groundbreaking open-source model designed for a range of text-based tasks. Released under a permissive licence, the model supports coding, translations, essay writing, and email drafting, offering developers the freedom to modify and deploy it commercially.

In internal benchmarks, DeepSeek V3 outperformed major competitors, including Meta’s Llama 3.1 and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, especially in coding contests and integration tests. The model boasts an impressive 671 billion parameters, significantly exceeding the size of many rivals, which often correlates with higher performance.

DeepSeek V3 was trained on a dataset of 14.8 trillion tokens and built using a data centre powered by Nvidia H800 GPUs. Remarkably, the model was developed in just two months for a reported $5.5 million—far less than comparable systems. However, its size and resource demands make it less practical without high-end hardware.

Regulatory limitations influence the model’s responses, particularly on politically sensitive topics. DeepSeek, backed by High-Flyer Capital Management, continues to push for advancements in AI, striving to compete with leading global firms despite restrictions on access to cutting-edge GPUs.

ChatGPT search found vulnerable to manipulation

New research by The Guardian reveals that ChatGPT Search, OpenAI’s recently launched AI-powered search tool, can be misled into generating false or overly positive summaries. By embedding hidden text in web pages, researchers demonstrated that the AI could ignore negative reviews or even produce malicious code.

The feature, designed to streamline browsing by summarising content such as product reviews, is susceptible to hidden text attacks—a well-known vulnerability in large language models. While this issue has been studied before, this marks the first time such manipulation has been proven on a live AI search tool.

OpenAI did not comment on this specific case but stated it employs measures to block malicious websites and is working to improve its defences. Experts note that competitors like Google, with more experience in search technology, have developed stronger safeguards against similar threats.

Trump ally’s firm aims to launch Bitcoin bond ETF

Strive, the asset management firm founded by Vivek Ramaswamy has filed a request with US regulators to list an ETF focusing on Bitcoin bonds. The proposed fund, called the Strive Bitcoin Bond ETF, will invest in convertible bonds from companies like MicroStrategy and others that allocate significant resources to Bitcoin purchases.

MicroStrategy, a pioneer in corporate Bitcoin investment, has used convertible bonds to fund its $27 billion Bitcoin holdings since 2020. These bonds, paying little to no interest, can convert into company shares under specific conditions. Strive’s ETF aims to offer exposure to similar instruments and will actively manage investments, potentially using financial derivatives like swaps and options.

The filing comes amid a surge in interest in crypto-focused ETFs, with corporate treasuries holding over $56 billion worth of Bitcoin. Analysts predict that Trump’s recent presidential win and his pro-crypto regulatory plans could pave the way for wider adoption of crypto ETFs in the financial market.

AI sales tools spark rapid growth but face long-term questions

AI startups specialising in sales development representatives (SDRs) are experiencing rapid growth as businesses embrace new technologies to streamline outreach. These startups, leveraging large language models (LLMs) and voice technology, automate tasks like crafting personalised emails and placing calls to potential customers. This sector has seen an unprecedented surge, with multiple companies achieving notable success in a short span, according to Shardul Shah of Index Ventures. However, investors remain cautious about whether this trend will yield lasting results or fade once the novelty wears off.

The appeal of AI SDRs is particularly strong among small and medium-sized businesses, which find it easier to experiment with these tools. Arjun Pillai, founder of Docket, attributes the popularity to declining reply rates for traditional cold emails, prompting businesses to explore AI-driven solutions. Startups like Regie.ai, AiSDR, and 11x.ai, as well as incumbents like ZoomInfo, are vying for market share, boasting impressive revenue growth. Yet, as Tomasz Tunguz of Theory Ventures noted, some businesses report that while AI SDRs generate substantial leads, they don’t necessarily translate into higher sales, highlighting a gap in effectively integrating AI into sales strategies.

Despite the enthusiasm, the rise of AI SDRs faces significant challenges. Industry leaders such as Salesforce and HubSpot, which control vast customer data, could introduce similar AI features, potentially outpacing smaller startups. Investors also point to cautionary tales like Jasper, a copywriting AI startup that stumbled after the launch of ChatGPT, emphasising the uncertainty surrounding the longevity of AI adoption in sales. For now, the potential of AI SDRs to revolutionise sales processes is undeniable, but their ability to sustain growth and deliver tangible results remains to be seen.