South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust will continue using AI technology after a successful trial demonstrated its effectiveness in identifying bowel lesions. The trial involved 2,032 patients across 10 centres in the UK and used the GI Genius AI device during colonoscopies. After a while, this technology detected an additional 0.36 adenomas per procedure, helping to prevent potential cancer development.
Professor Colin Rees, a consultant gastroenterologist at the trust, highlighted the significance of the AI device in saving lives by increasing the detection of bowel abnormalities. The AI was particularly effective in identifying small or flat polyps often missed by the human eye, which can be crucial in early cancer prevention.
Bowel cancer remains a significant health concern in the UK, with 43,000 new cases and 16,000 deaths annually. The AI’s ability to detect adenomas in an extra eight out of 100 people without increasing complications is a promising advancement for medical professionals.
The trial, led by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, has encouraged the trust to integrate AI technology into routine practice. As the AI continues to learn from images, its performance is expected to improve further, offering hope for wider adoption in the future.
Visitors to the Great Wall of China can now enjoy the convenience of having food and drinks delivered by drones. Chinese delivery company Meituan has launched the first drone service in Beijing, designed to serve tourists exploring a remote section of the Great Wall. The drones, which can carry up to 2.3 kilograms, cover the distance from a nearby hotel rooftop to a watchtower in just five minutes, significantly faster than the 50 minutes it would take on foot.
The service operates between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a nominal delivery fee of just 4 yuan. After completing deliveries, drones also assist in carrying waste to recycling stations. While the drones are autonomous, they still require human assistance to load packages at the hotel and receive them at the watchtower, where app users collect their orders.
Meituan’s expansion into drone delivery is part of a broader trend across China, where drones are increasingly used for logistics in both urban and rural areas. The company first tested drone deliveries in Shenzhen in 2021 and now operates over 30 routes across multiple cities, including Shanghai. These drones navigate urban spaces by following set paths and delivering packages to designated kiosks.
The rise in drone delivery services aligns with the Chinese government’s push to develop the ‘low-altitude economy,’ a new growth sector focusing on businesses that utilise civil aerial vehicles. This initiative is seen as a key driver for the country’s economic future, reflecting the growing importance of innovative technology in everyday life.
Microsoft has revamped its financial reporting structure to better highlight the impact of its AI initiatives. The changes move search and news advertising revenue to the Azure cloud-computing division, while revenue from AI and speech technology services under the Nuance unit now falls within the productivity segment, which houses the Office suite.
The adjustment aligns with how this giant manages its business operations and offers investors clearer insights into AI’s contributions. Following the restructure, Microsoft revised its revenue growth figures for the past fiscal year and adjusted its forecast for the July-September quarter.
Investors are increasingly demanding transparency regarding returns on AI investments, particularly from major tech firms like Microsoft and Google. Microsoft has been one of the few companies to consistently break out AI-related contributions in its earnings reports, noting that AI provided a significant boost to Azure in the June quarter despite a broader slowdown.
The reorganisation has led to changes in company’s revenue expectations. The company now anticipates lower quarterly revenue for its personal computing segment and adjusted forecasts for its productivity and business processes division, reflecting the shift in business unit alignment.
Mercado Pago, the financial technology arm of Latin American e-commerce giant MercadoLibre, has introduced a stablecoin called Meli Dolar in Brazil. The new digital currency is pegged to the US dollar at a one-to-one value and is available to all Mercado Pago clients through the company’s app.
The launch expands Mercado Pago’s crypto offerings, including assets like bitcoin and ether. Also, the introduction of Meli Dolar marks Mercado Pago’s latest move into the cryptocurrency market in Brazil, the company’s largest market.
In 2022, MercadoLibre also launched MercadoCoin, a cryptocurrency tied to its loyalty program. Mercado Pago has announced that clients will not be charged fees for trading Meli Dolar, and the crypto asset platform Ripio will facilitate these transactions as an exchange and market maker.
Energix Renewable has entered into a long-term partnership with Alphabet’s Google to supply electricity and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated from its solar project to the tech giant. Energix will initially supply 1.5 gigawatt-peak of solar project development till 2030, with a possibility of further extension.
Google will be offering Energix tax equity. As a part of the US government’s Inflation Reduction Act, corporate entities are allowed to acquire credits for supporting the development of clean energy projects like solar and wind facilities. The move also ties into Google’s long-term vision of being carbon neutral by 2030.
Why is it important?
AI’s accelerated development pushes power demand to sustain highly energy-intensive data centres. This increase in electricity needs is poised to drive up energy demand on an exceptional scale, and given the huge strides in AI development, it’s likely that computing speed will ramp up faster than improvements in electricity efficiency. Against such a backdrop, this move by Google reveals how big tech players are ramping up their efforts to ensure a seamless electricity supply by entering agreements with energy providers.
Vietnam’s leading tech firm, FPT Corporation, has embarked on a $174 million AI project in Binh Dinh province, marking its latest advancement in the AI sector. The initiative, launched in collaboration with FPT City Danang, FPT Investment, and FPT Software, spans 93.24 hectares and will feature a state-of-the-art AI centre, an educational facility, and a supporting urban zone.
The AI centre will focus on several key areas: research, software development, digital transformation, and cybersecurity solutions. This new development would mark FPT’s commitment to expanding its role in the AI industry.
As Vietnam‘s most valuable tech company with a market capitalisation of $7.7 billion, FPT offers a broad range of AI, cloud computing, and big data services. Last year, the company reported revenues surpassing $2 billion.
In addition to this latest venture, FPT announced plans in April to invest $200 million in an AI factory utilising Nvidia’s advanced graphics chips and software, further highlighting its ongoing investment in cutting-edge technology.
North America’s data centre construction has soared by 70% compared to last year, with a record 3.9 gigawatts now under development, according to a recent CBRE Group report. This surge reflects the increasing demand for power-intensive data centres, driven by major technology companies expanding their artificial intelligence and cloud computing operations.
In the first half of 2024, over 500 megawatts of new data centres were introduced across the eight largest markets in the United States and Canada, equivalent to the entire capacity of Silicon Valley. New data centre inventory expanded by 10% during this period, representing a 23% increase from the previous year.
As new inventory rose, vacancy rates dropped to a historic low of 2.8%, with prices for newer data centres typically higher due to their advanced infrastructure. Older centres are unable to meet the growing power demands, further driving the pricing gap.
Smaller markets such as Northern Indiana, Idaho, Arkansas, and Kansas are expected to become more attractive as demand for modern facilities continues to rise.
Google has released new updates for Gmail building on its existing ‘Help me write’ feature. These updates will enable users to polish drafts written by users on both web and mobile devices. Additionally, there will also be ‘help me write’ and ‘refine my drafts’ shortcuts on both Android and iOS devices.
Users paying for Google One AI Premium or those who have paid for ‘Google’s Gemini add-on for Workspace’ will have access to the tools. Just by opening an empty draft, one can access the ‘Help me write’ shortcut that enables Gemini to draft texts. As long as there are 12 or more (regardless of whether it’s written by AI or Humans) words in a draft, the ‘refine my draft’ shortcut appears.
The latest addition expands Google’s array of AI offerings as it competes with Microsoft’s Copilot and ChatGPT in the race to capture market share in the AI chatbot space.
An AI-based system has successfully prevented nearly 6,000 deer from crossing busy rail lines in England, enhancing safety for both wildlife and train operations. Network Rail and train operator LNER first installed the system at Stoke Junction in May 2023, later expanding it to Little Bytham in December 2023. The technology uses AI to detect approaching deer and activates alarms to deter them, with cameras monitoring the animals until they are safely away from the tracks.
The trial showed promising results, with 2,765 deer deterred at Little Bytham and 3,147 at Stoke Junction. Network Rail officials expressed optimism about the system’s effectiveness and plan to expand its use. Deer are a significant concern on Britain’s railways, with 349 incidents reported in the past year, the highest among animal-related incidents. Deer population in the UK has risen dramatically to two million, the highest in a millennium, due to factors like milder winters and increased woodland.
The European Union is deepening its involvement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a particular focus on digital transformation. Ursula von der Leyen, recently re-elected as European Commission president, has outlined plans to establish a portfolio dedicated to the Mediterranean, which will address investment, partnerships, and economic stability. This initiative follows significant financial support for countries like Egypt and Lebanon, aiming to stabilise these nations and bolster EU-MENA relations through the Southern Neighbourhood partnership.
A key element of the EU’s strategy is advancing digital infrastructure across the region. Projects like the MEDUSA Submarine Cable, which aims to connect several MENA countries with high-speed internet, exemplify Europe’s commitment to digital development. With over 4.5 million students expected to benefit from increased connectivity, the EU is prioritising educational and economic growth in the region. However, significant digital divides still exist, particularly between urban and rural areas and along gender lines, underscoring the need for expanded efforts.
Europe’s digital investments are expected to yield considerable benefits, including access to a skilled ICT workforce and strengthened political influence in the region. By supporting digital transformation, the EU aims to stabilise the MENA region economically, reduce irregular migration, and counter external influences such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, digital advancements are seen as crucial in enhancing climate resilience, particularly through technologies like smart grids.
To fully realise these goals, the EU must expand its digital programmes and improve coordination with Southern Neighbourhood countries. Initiatives focusing on digital skills, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure need broader implementation to ensure inclusive growth. Enhanced data analysis and reporting on digital development are also essential for effectively targeting resources and measuring progress. The EU’s commitment to integrating digital elements into its broader strategy for the Mediterranean could serve as a blueprint for future cooperation in the region.
