Digital business models Archives | Page 347 of 581

Google launches Veo 3 video for Gemini users globally

Google has begun rolling out its Veo 3 video-generation model to Gemini users across more than 159 countries. The advanced AI tool allows subscribers to create short video clips simply by entering text prompts.

Access to Veo 3 is limited to those on Google’s AI Pro plan, and usage is currently restricted to three videos per day. The tool can generate clips lasting up to eight seconds, enabling rapid video creation for a variety of purposes.

Google is already developing additional features for Gemini, including the ability to turn images into videos, according to product director Josh Woodward.

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United brings facial recognition to Seattle airport

United Airlines has rolled out facial recognition at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, allowing TSA PreCheck passengers to pass through security without ID or boarding passes. This service uses facial recognition to match real-time images with government-provided ID photos during the check-in process.

Seattle is the tenth US airport to adopt the system, following its launch at Chicago O’Hare in 2023. Alaska Airlines and Delta have also introduced similar services at Sea-Tac, signalling a broader shift toward biometric travel solutions.

The TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology was introduced at the airport in October and supports this touchless approach. Experts say facial recognition could soon be used throughout the airport journey, from bag drop to retail purchases.

TSA PreCheck access remains limited to US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents, with a five-year membership costing $78. As more airports adopt facial recognition, concerns about privacy and consent are likely to increase.

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Europe must break free from US tech giants

For years, a few US tech giants have dominated Europe’s digital infrastructure, threatening both its economy and democracy. Despite talk of ‘tech sovereignty,’ leaked reports suggest EU enforcement may be weakened in trade talks, risking public backing.

Surveys show strong support across the EU for tougher regulation of Big Tech, even at the cost of US tensions. The Digital Markets Act provides tools to challenge monopolies like Google, but enforcement remains slow and under-resourced.

Europe must take coordinated action: break up monopolies harming local media and jobs, strengthen enforcement, and invest in homegrown digital platforms. Redirecting funds from tech giants could empower startups and businesses dependent on these platforms.

Decisive political will is essential to turn tech sovereignty from rhetoric into reality. Effective regulation and strategic investment can restore Europe’s control over its digital future.

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New digital stylist reshapes Mango’s e-commerce experience

Mango has launched a new AI-powered personal stylist designed to elevate the online shopping experience. Called Mango Stylist, the tool offers fashion advice and outfit suggestions based on each user’s preferences, creating a more interactive and intuitive way to browse.

Available through the Mango app and Instagram chat, the assistant uses natural language to provide styling tips and product recommendations tailored to the individual. It builds on Mango’s previous investment in generative AI and complements its existing customer service assistant, Iris.

The rollout is part of Mango’s broader 4E Strategic Plan, which prioritises technological innovation and customer engagement. By integrating Mango Stylist into its e-commerce platforms, the brand aims to streamline shopping and drive value across key markets, including the UK, Spain, Germany and the US.

Behind the scenes, Mango’s digital, data, and fashion teams collaborated on the project, drawing from over 15 machine learning platforms to fine-tune everything from pricing to product suggestions. The fashion chain sees this development as a major step towards delivering a seamless hybrid shopping experience.

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EU PREVAIL project opens Edge AI platform to users in June

The European Union’s PREVAIL project is preparing to open its Edge AI services to external users in June 2025.

Coordinated by Europe’s top research and technology organisations—CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, imec, and VTT—the initiative offers a shared, multi-hub infrastructure designed to speed up the development and commercialisation of next-generation Edge AI technologies.

Through its platform, European designers will gain access to advanced chip prototyping capabilities and full design support using standard commercial tools.

PREVAIL combines commercial foundry processes with advanced technology modules developed in partner clean rooms. These include embedded non-volatile memories (eNVM), silicon photonics, and 3D integration technologies such as silicon interposers and packaging innovations.

Initial demonstrators, already in development with industry partners, will serve as test cases to ensure compatibility with a broad range of applications and future scalability.

From July 2025, a €20 million EU-funded call under the ‘Low Power Edge AI’ initiative will help selected customers co-finance their access to the platform. Whether supported by EU funds or independently financed, users will be able to design chips using one of four shared platforms.

The consortium has also set up a user interface team to manage technical support and provide access to Process Design Kits and Design Rule Manuals.

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AI bots are taking your meetings for you

AI-powered note takers are increasingly filling virtual meeting rooms, sometimes even outnumbering the humans present. Workers are now sending bots to listen, record, and summarise meetings they no longer feel the need to attend themselves.

Major platforms such as Zoom, Teams and Meet offer built-in AI transcription, while startups like Otter and Fathom provide bots that quietly join meetings or listen in through users’ devices. The tools raise new concerns about privacy, consent, and the erosion of human engagement.

Some workers worry that constant recording suppresses honest conversation and makes meetings feel performative. Others, including lawyers and business leaders, point out the legal grey zones created by using these bots without full consent.

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AliExpress agrees to binding EU rules on data and transparency

AliExpress has agreed to legally binding commitments with the European Commission to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA). These cover six key areas, including recommender systems, advertising transparency, and researcher data access.

The announcement on 18 June marks only the second case where a major platform, following TikTok, has formally committed to specific changes under the DSA.

The platform promised greater transparency in its recommendation algorithms, user opt-out from personalisation, and clearer information on product rankings. It also committed to allowing researchers access to publicly available platform data through APIs and customised requests.

However, the lack of clear definitions around terms such as ‘systemic risk’ and ‘public data’ may limit practical oversight.

AliExpress has also established an internal monitoring team to ensure implementation of these commitments. Yet experts argue that without measurable benchmarks and external verification, internal monitoring may not be enough to guarantee meaningful compliance or accountability.

The Commission, meanwhile, is continuing its investigation into the platform’s role in the distribution of illegal products.

These commitments reflect the EU’s broader enforcement strategy under the DSA, aiming to establish transparency and accountability across digital platforms. The agreement is a positive start but highlights the need for stronger oversight and clearer definitions for lasting impact.

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BT launches cyber training as small businesses struggle with threats

Cyber attacks aren’t just a problem for big-name brands. Small and medium businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs, according to new research from BT and Be the Business.

Two in five SMEs have never provided cyber security training to their staff, despite a sharp increase in attacks. In the past year alone, 42% of small firms and 67% of medium-sized companies reported breaches.

Phishing remains the most common threat, affecting 85% of businesses. But more advanced tactics are spreading fast, including ransomware and ‘quishing’ scams — where fake QR codes are used to steal data.

Recovering from a breach is costly. Micro and small businesses spend nearly £8,000 on average to recover from their most serious incident. The figure excludes reputational damage and long-term disruption.

To help tackle the issue, BT has launched a new training programme with Be the Business. The course offers practical, low-cost cyber advice designed for companies without dedicated IT support.

The programme focuses on real-world threats, including AI-driven scams, and offers guidance on steps like password hygiene, two-factor authentication, and safe software practices.

Although 69% of SME leaders are now exploring AI tools to help defend their systems, 18% also list AI as one of their top cyber threats — a sign of both potential and risk.

Experts warn that basic precautions still matter most. With free and affordable training options now widely available, small firms have more tools than ever to improve their cyber defences.

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AI model predicts sudden cardiac death more accurately

A new AI tool developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University has shown promise in predicting sudden cardiac death among people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), outperforming existing clinical tools.

The model, known as MAARS (Multimodal AI for ventricular Arrhythmia Risk Stratification), uses a combination of medical records, cardiac MRI scans, and imaging reports to assess individual patient risk more accurately.

In early trials, MAARS achieved an AUC (area under the curve) score of 0.89 internally and 0.81 in external validation — both significantly higher than traditional risk calculators recommended by American and European guidelines.

The improvement is attributed to its ability to interpret raw cardiac MRI data, particularly scans enhanced with gadolinium, which are often overlooked in standard assessments.

While the tool has the potential to personalise care and reduce unnecessary defibrillator implants, researchers caution that the study was limited to small cohorts from Johns Hopkins and North Carolina’s Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.

They also acknowledged that MAARS’s reliance on large and complex datasets may pose challenges for widespread clinical use.

Nevertheless, the research team believes MAARS could mark a shift in managing HCM, the most common inherited heart condition.

By identifying hidden patterns in imaging and medical histories, the AI model may protect patients more effectively, especially younger individuals who remain at risk yet receive no benefit from current interventions.

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Crypto spending in Europe is rising with stablecoins leading

Crypto is gaining traction as a go-to payment method across Europe, with stablecoins playing a leading role. According to a June report from Oobit, more than 75% of crypto purchases made by European users over the past month were settled using stablecoins.

Retail and travel dominate the spending landscape. In countries like Germany, Spain, and Poland, crypto is most commonly used for food, drink, and other retail items. Meanwhile, travel expenses top the list in France, Italy, Greece, and Ireland.

Notably, over half of all crypto transactions were related to everyday shopping, with Poland alone making up a third of those purchases.

Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia are at the forefront of stablecoin adoption. Poland led the region, with over 30% of Oobit’s retail crypto transactions occurring there—most settled in USDC.

Lithuania also showed strong growth, particularly in euro-backed EURR transactions, which have doubled recently. Supportive regulation across these nations, including MiCA-compliant laws, is encouraging the trend.

The findings reflect a wider transition in how crypto is used. Instead of serving purely as an investment, digital currencies are increasingly woven into daily financial activities, showing their value in practical, real-world scenarios.

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