Sustainable development

New ChatGPT feature enables multi-threaded chats

The US AI firm OpenAI has introduced a new ChatGPT feature that allows users to branch conversations into separate threads and explore different tones, styles, or directions without altering the original chat.

The update, rolled out on 5 September, is available to anyone logged into ChatGPT through the web version.

The branching tool lets users copy a conversation from a chosen point and continue in a new thread while preserving the earlier exchange.

Marketing teams, for example, could test formal, informal, or humorous versions of advertising content within parallel chats, avoiding the need to overwrite or restart a conversation.

OpenAI described the update as a response to user requests for greater flexibility. Many users had previously noted that a linear dialogue structure limited efficiency by forcing them to compare and copy content repeatedly.

Early reactions online have compared the new tool to Git, which enables software developers to branch and merge code.

The feature has been welcomed by ChatGPT users who are experimenting with brainstorming, project analysis, or layered problem-solving. Analysts suggest it also reduces cognitive load by allowing users to test multiple scenarios more naturally.

Alongside the update, OpenAI is working on other projects, including a new AI-powered jobs platform to connect workers and companies more effectively.

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Anthropic settles $1.5 billion copyright case with authors

The AI startup, Anthropic, has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a copyright lawsuit accusing the company of using pirated books to train its Claude AI chatbot.

The proposed deal, one of the largest of its kind, comes after a group of authors claimed the startup deliberately downloaded unlicensed copies of around 500,000 works.

According to reports, Anthropic will pay about $3,000 per book and add interest while agreeing to destroy datasets containing the material. A California judge will review the settlement terms on 8 September before finalising them.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs described the outcome as a landmark, warning that using pirated websites for AI training is unlawful.

The case reflects mounting legal pressure on the AI industry, with companies such as OpenAI and Microsoft also facing copyright disputes. The settlement followed a June ruling in which a judge said using the books to train Claude was ‘transformative’ and qualified as fair use.

Anthropic said the deal resolves legacy claims while affirming its commitment to safe AI development.

Despite the legal challenges, Anthropic continues to grow rapidly. Earlier in August, the company secured $13 billion in funding for a valuation of $183 billion, underlining its rise as one of the fastest-growing players in the global technology sector.

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Mistral secures €1.3B ASML investment amid $14B valuation

ASML has reportedly become the top shareholder in French AI company Mistral after investing €1.3 billion. The deal forms part of a wider €2 billion funding round that values Mistral at $14 billion, marking a significant milestone for the Paris-based startup.

The Dutch chip-making equipment giant will also gain a board seat at Mistral, with Bank of America advising on the investment. The move is seen as a step towards reinforcing European technological sovereignty by reducing reliance on American and Chinese AI systems.

The partnership could help Mistral expand its generative AI tools and open-source platforms while enhancing ASML’s ability to integrate data analytics into its operations.

Industry analysts suggest the collaboration will unite two European technology leaders at a critical moment in the global race for AI dominance.

Founded by Timothée Lacroix, Guillaume Lample, and Arthur Mensch, Mistral has quickly become one of Europe’s most valuable AI startups.

The company, backed by investors including Microsoft, Databricks, and General Catalyst, develops open-source generative AI models that directly compete with those produced by OpenAI.

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Google avoids breakup as court ruling fuels AI Mode expansion

A US district judge has declined to order a breakup of Google, softening the blow of a 2024 ruling that found the company had illegally monopolised online search.

The decision means Google can press ahead with its shift from a search engine into an answer engine, powered by generative AI.

Google’s AI Mode replaces traditional blue links with direct responses to queries, echoing the style of ChatGPT. While the feature is optional for now, it could become the default.

That alarms publishers, who depend on search traffic for advertising revenue. Studies suggest chatbots reduce referral clicks by more than 90 percent, leaving many sites at risk of collapse.

Google is also experimenting with inserting ads into AI Mode, though it remains unclear how much revenue will flow to content creators. Websites can block their data from being scraped, but doing so would also remove them from Google search entirely.

Despite these concerns, Google argues that competition from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI tools shows that new rivals are reshaping the search landscape.

The judge even cited the emergence of generative AI as a factor that altered the case against Google, underlining how the rise of AI has become central to the future of the internet.

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3D-printed ion traps could accelerate quantum computer scaling

Quantum computers may soon grow more powerful through 3D printing, with researchers building miniaturised ion traps to improve scalability and performance.

Ion traps, which confine ions and control their quantum states, play a central role in ion-based qubits. Researchers at UC Berkeley created 3D-printed traps just a few hundred microns wide, which captured ions up to ten times more efficiently than conventional versions.

The new traps also reduced waiting times, allowing ions to be usable more quickly once the system is activated. Hartmut Häffner, who led the study, said the approach could enable scaling to far larger numbers of qubits while boosting speed.

3D printing offers flexibility not possible with chip-style manufacturing, allowing for more complex shapes and designs. Team members say they are already working on new iterations, with future versions expected to integrate optical components such as miniaturised lasers.

Experts argue that this method could address the challenges of low yield, high costs, and poor reproducibility in current ion-trap manufacturing, paving the way for scalable quantum computing and applications in other fields, including mass spectrometry.

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ITU warns global Internet access by 2030 could cost nearly USD 2.8 trillion

Universal Internet connectivity by 2030 could cost up to $2.8 trillion, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology (CST) Commission. The blueprint urges global cooperation to connect the one-third of humanity still offline.

The largest share, up to $1.7 trillion, would be allocated to expanding broadband through fibre, wireless, and satellite networks. Nearly $1 trillion is needed for affordability measures, alongside $152 billion for digital skills programmes.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasised that connectivity is essential for access to education, employment, and vital services. She noted the stark divide between high-income countries, where 93% of people are online, and low-income states, where only 27% use the Internet.

The study shows costs have risen fivefold since ITU’s 2020 Connecting Humanity report, reflecting both higher demand and widening divides. Haytham Al-Ohali from Saudi Arabia said the figures underscore the urgency of investment and knowledge sharing to achieve meaningful connectivity.

The report recommends new business models and stronger cooperation between governments, industry, and civil society. Proposed measures include using schools as Internet gateways, boosting Africa’s energy infrastructure, and improving localised data collection to accelerate digital inclusion.

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Google Cloud study shows AI agents driving global business growth

A new Google Cloud study indicates that more than half of global enterprises are already using AI agents, with many reporting consistent revenue growth and faster return on investment.

The research, based on a survey of 3,466 executives across 24 countries, suggests agentic AI is moving from trial projects to large-scale deployment.

The findings by Google Cloud reveal that 52% of executives said their organisations actively use AI agents, while 39% reported launching more than ten. A group of early adopters, representing 13% of respondents, have gone further by dedicating at least half of their future AI budgets to agentic AI.

These companies are embedding agents across operations and are more likely to report returns in customer service, marketing, cybersecurity and software development.

The report also highlights how industries are tailoring adoption. Financial services focus on fraud detection, retail uses agents for quality control, and telecom operators apply them for network automation.

Regional variations are notable: European companies prioritise tech support, Latin American firms lean on marketing, while Asia-Pacific enterprises emphasise customer service.

Although enthusiasm is strong, challenges remain. Executives cited data privacy, security and integration with existing systems as key concerns.

Google Cloud executives said that early adopters are not only automating tasks but also reshaping business processes, with 2025 expected to mark a shift towards embedding AI intelligence directly into operations.

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Perplexity AI teams up with PayPal for fintech expansion

PayPal has partnered with Perplexity AI to provide PayPal and Venmo users in the US and select international markets with a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription and early access to the AI-powered Comet browser.

The $200 subscription allows unlimited queries, file uploads and advanced search features, while Comet offers natural language browsing to simplify complex tasks.

Industry analysts see the initiative as a way for PayPal to strengthen its position in fintech by integrating AI into everyday digital payments.

By linking accounts, users gain access to AI tools and cash back incentives and subscription management features, signalling a push toward what some describe as agentic commerce, where AI assistants guide financial and shopping decisions.

The deal also benefits Perplexity AI, a rising search and browser market challenger. Exposure to millions of PayPal customers could accelerate the adoption of its technology and provide valuable data for refining models.

Analysts suggest the partnership reflects a broader trend of payment platforms evolving into service hubs that combine transactions with AI-driven experiences.

While enthusiasm is high among early users, concerns remain about data privacy and regulatory scrutiny over AI integration in finance.

Market reaction has been positive, with PayPal shares edging upward following the announcement. Observers believe such alliances will shape the next phase of digital commerce, where payments, browsing, and AI capabilities converge.

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Hollywood’s Warner Bros. Discovery challenge an AI firm over copyright claims

Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a lawsuit against AI company Midjourney, accusing it of large-scale infringement of its intellectual property. The move follows similar actions by Disney and Universal, signalling growing pressure from major studios on AI image and video generators.

The filing includes examples of Midjourney-produced images featuring DC Comics, Looney Tunes and Rick and Morty characters. Warner Bros. Discovery argues that such output undermines its business model, which relies heavily on licensed images and merchandise.

The studio also claims Midjourney profits from copyright-protected works through its subscription services and the ‘Midjourney TV’ platform.

A central question in the case is whether AI-generated material reproducing copyrighted characters constitutes infringement under US law. The courts have not decided on this issue, making the outcome uncertain.

Warner Bros. Discovery is also challenging how Midjourney trains its models, pointing to past statements from company executives suggesting vast quantities of material were indiscriminately collected to build its systems.

With three major Hollywood studios now pursuing lawsuits, the outcome of these cases could establish a precedent for how courts treat AI-generated content.

Warner Bros. Discovery seeks damages that could reach $150,000 per infringed work, or Midjourney’s profits linked to the alleged violations.

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DeepSeek prepares new AI agent model to rival US competitors

According to people familiar with the plans, Chinese startup DeepSeek is developing an AI model with enhanced agent features to compete with US firms such as OpenAI.

The Hangzhou-based company intends for the system to perform multi-step tasks with limited input and adapt from its previous actions.

Founder Liang Wenfeng has urged his team to prepare the release before the end of 2025. The project follows DeepSeek’s earlier success with R1, a reasoning-focused model launched in January that attracted attention for its low development costs.

Since then, DeepSeek has delivered only incremental updates while rivals in China and the US have accelerated new product launches.

The shift towards AI agents reflects a broader industry move to develop tools capable of managing complex real-world tasks, from research to coding, with less reliance on users. OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Manus AI have already introduced similar projects.

Most systems still require significant oversight, highlighting the challenges of building fully autonomous agents.

DeepSeek declined to comment on the development.

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