In a move that signals a significant shift in global AI strategy, companies such as OpenAI, Google and Perplexity AI are partnering with Indian telecoms and service providers to offer premium AI tools, for example, advanced chatbot access and large-model features, free for millions of users in India.
The offers are not merely promotional but part of a long-term play to dominate the AI ecosystem.
Market analysts quoted by the BBC note that the objective is to ‘get Indians hooked on to generative AI before asking them to pay for it’. The size of India’s digital ecosystem, with its young, mobile-first population and relatively less restrictive regulation, makes it a key battleground for AI firms aiming for global scale.
However, there are risks: free access may raise concerns around privacy and data protection, algorithmic control and whether users are fully informed about how their data is used and when free offers will convert into paid services.
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Salesforce has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Spindle AI, a company specialising in agentic analytics and machine learning. The deal aims to strengthen Salesforce’s Agentforce platform by integrating Spindle’s advanced data modelling and forecasting technologies.
Spindle AI has developed neuro-symbolic AI agents capable of autonomously generating and optimising scenario models. Its analytics tools enable businesses to simulate and assess complex decisions, from pricing strategies to go-to-market plans, using AI-driven insights.
Salesforce said the acquisition will enhance its focus on Agent Observability and Self-Improvement within Agentforce 360. Executives described Spindle AI’s expertise as critical to building more transparent and reliable agentic systems capable of explaining and refining their own reasoning.
The acquisition, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in Salesforce’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2026. Once finalised, Spindle AI will join Agentforce to expand AI-powered analytics, continuous optimisation, and ROI forecasting for enterprise customers worldwide.
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Oracle Health and Life Sciences has announced a strategic collaboration with the Cancer Center Informatics Society (Ci4CC) to accelerate AI innovation in oncology. The partnership unites Oracle’s healthcare technology with Ci4CC’s national network of cancer research institutions.
The two organisations plan to co-develop an electronic health record system tailored to oncology, integrating clinical and genomic data for more effective personalised medicine. They also aim to explore AI-driven drug development to enhance research and patient outcomes.
Oracle executives said the collaboration represents an opportunity to use advanced AI applications to transform cancer research. The Ci4CC President highlighted the importance of collective innovation, noting that progress in oncology relies on shared data and cross-institution collaboration.
The agreement, announced at Ci4CC’s annual symposium in Miami Beach US, remains non-binding but signals growing momentum in AI-driven precision medicine. Both organisations see the initiative as a step towards turning medical data into actionable insights that could redefine oncology care.
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The Central Bank of Ireland has launched a new campaign to alert consumers to increasingly sophisticated scams targeting financial services users. Officials warned that scammers are adapting, making caution essential with online offers and investments.
Scammers are now using tactics such as fake comparison websites that appear legitimate but collect personal information for fraudulent products or services. Fraud recovery schemes are also common, promising to recover lost funds for an upfront fee, which often leads to further financial loss.
Advanced techniques include AI-generated social media profiles and ads, or ‘deepfakes’, impersonating public figures to promote fake investment platforms.
Deputy Governor Colm Kincaid warned that scams now offer slightly above-market returns, making them harder to spot. Consumers are encouraged to verify information, use regulated service providers, and seek regulated advice before making financial decisions.
The Central Bank advises using trusted comparison sites, checking ads and investment platforms, ignoring unsolicited recovery offers, and following the SAFE test: Stop, Assess, Factcheck, Expose. Reporting suspected scams to the Central Bank or An Garda Síochána remains crucial to protecting personal finances.
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The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has announced a new partnership with Google to enhance university-level education in AI. The collaboration grants all students free 12-month access to Google’s AI Pro programme, a suite of advanced learning and research tools.
Through the initiative, students can use Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s latest AI model, along with Deep Research and NotebookLM for academic exploration and study organisation. The offer also includes 2 TB of cloud storage and access to Veo 3 for video creation and Jules for coding support.
The programme aims to expand digital literacy and increase hands-on engagement with generative and research-driven AI tools. By integrating these technologies into everyday study, the university hopes to cultivate a new generation of AI-experienced graduates.
University officials view the collaboration as a milestone in Greek AI-driven education, following recent national initiatives to introduce AI programmes in schools and healthcare. The partnership marks a significant step in aligning higher education with the global digital economy.
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As interest in AI grows, many companies that previously cut staff are now rehiring some of the same employees. Visier data shows about 5.3 percent of laid-off workers have returned, marking a steady but rising trend.
The findings suggest AI adoption has not yet replaced human labour at the scale some executives anticipated.
Visier’s analysis of 2.4 million employees across 142 global companies indicates that AI tools often automate parts of tasks rather than entire jobs. Experts say organisations are realising that AI implementation costs, including infrastructure, data systems, and security, often exceed initial projections.
Many companies now rely on experienced staff to manage or complement AI tools effectively.
Industry observers highlight a gap between expectations and outcomes. MIT research shows around 95 percent of firms have yet to see measurable financial returns from AI investments.
Cost-cutting measures such as layoffs also carry hidden expenses, with estimates suggesting companies spend $1.27 for every $1 saved when reducing staff.
Executives are urged to carefully assess AI’s true impact before assuming workforce reductions will deliver long-term savings. Rehiring former employees has become a practical response to bridge skill gaps and ensure technology integration succeeds without disrupting operations.
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Denmark has proposed an updated version of the EU’s controversial ‘chat control’ regulation, shifting from mandatory to voluntary scanning of private messages. Former MEP Patrick Breyer has warned, however, that the revision still threatens Europeans’ right to private communication.
Under the new plan, messaging providers could choose to scan chats for illegal material, but without a clear requirement for court orders. Breyer argued that this sidesteps the European Parliament’s position, which insists on judicial authorisation before any access to communications.
He also criticised the proposal for banning under-16s from using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming such restrictions would prove ineffective and easily bypassed. In addition, the plan would effectively outlaw anonymous communication, requiring users to verify their identities through IDs.
Privacy advocates say the Danish proposal could set a dangerous precedent by eroding fundamental digital rights. Civil society groups have urged EU lawmakers to reject measures that compromise secure, anonymous communication essential for journalists and whistleblowers.
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The conference aimed to advance research and innovation in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to support sustainable development.
Experts and academics discussed how AI can enhance environmental protection through smarter data analysis, improved monitoring systems, and reduced carbon emissions. The sessions explored AI’s role in promoting sustainability and highlighted new applications designed to manage resources more efficiently.
Students from MUST’s Faculty of Information Technology presented projects that showcased practical AI solutions for building a greener future. Their work reflected the conference’s goal of encouraging collaboration and applied research to address urgent environmental issues.
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially expanded its Blockchain Academy to reach 24,000 personnel worldwide, including staff from UNDP, UN Volunteers, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
The initiative, launched in partnership with the Algorand Foundation, aims to strengthen understanding and practical use of blockchain technology to support sustainable development goals.
The academy’s expanded curriculum builds on a successful beta phase that certified over 30 UN personnel and introduced 18 hours of specialised training. It now offers advanced modules to help UN staff design transparent and efficient blockchain solutions for real-world challenges.
The training also fosters a collaborative network where participants share best practices and develop blockchain-driven projects across global programmes.
UNDP has used blockchain since 2015 to boost transparency and inclusion, from tracking supply chains to supporting energy trading and digital investments. Through its Algorand partnership, UNDP aims to speed up blockchain adoption by offering technical support and project incubation for scalable sustainable impact.
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The announcement was made by CEO Li Jian during the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit. It highlighted the company’s ambition to merge AI with advanced hardware design.
The upcoming device will combine AI capabilities, embodied intelligence, and high-definition imaging within a foldable, liftable mechanical structure. Its rear camera module will act as a rotating gimbal, offering 360° movement, auto-tracking, and 4K ultra-HD recording for professional-grade content creation.
Powered by an on-device large model, the upgraded YOYO assistant will feature emotional interaction, environmental awareness, and seamless coordination across devices.
The launch forms part of Honor’s $10 billion Alpha Strategy, announced earlier this year, which aims to establish a complete ecosystem for AI-driven technologies over the next five years.
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