Digital business models Archives | Page 393 of 569

New AI tool predicts post-surgery infection risk

Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) has developed a pioneering AI model, PERISCOPE, designed to predict infection risk in patients following surgery. PERISCOPE will become a standard tool at LUMC, with full implementation expected by mid-2026.

Based on data from over 250,000 surgical procedures, the tool provides a personalised risk assessment within seven to thirty days post-operation, helping healthcare providers intervene earlier and reduce complications.

The AI model, developed by PhD researcher Siri van der Meijden, uses pseudonymised patient data including medical history, vital signs and existing conditions to identify those most at risk.

During testing, PERISCOPE performed as well as experienced doctors and outperformed less experienced ones, making it a valuable decision-support tool. Once fully adopted, the tool is expected to save time, improve patient outcomes, and potentially predict other complications.

Rather than replace clinicians, it complements their judgement by offering a clear, visual dashboard of infection risk levels. Integration into hospital systems remains a challenge, but preparations are underway.

Van der Meijden continues to develop the model to expand its predictive capabilities and ensure long-term impact not only in the Netherlands, but globally.

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Lendlord introduces AI tools for property investors

Lendlord has launched LendlordAI, a suite of AI tools designed to support landlords and property investors with faster, smarter decision-making.

Available now to all users of the platform, the AI assistant offers instant insights into property listings, real-time deal analysis, and automated portfolio reviews.

The system helps estimate refurbishment costs and projected value for BRR and flip projects, while also generating summaries and even drafting emails for communication with agents or tenants.

These features aim to cut through information overload and support efficient portfolio management.

Co-founder and CEO Aviram Shahar described LendlordAI as a tailored smart assistant for professionals, reducing manual work and offering clarity in a complex investment market.

The platform also includes account-specific responses and educational resources to help users improve their knowledge.

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New AI tool boosts delivery of children’s support plans

In the US, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has introduced AI to speed up the production of special educational needs reports amid growing demand. The new system is already showing results, with 83% of plans issued within the 20-week target in April, up from just 43% the previous year.

Traditionally compiled by individual case workers, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are now being partially automated using AI trained to extract information from psychological and medical documents.

Despite the use of AI, a human case worker still reviews each report to check for accuracy and ensure the needs of the child are properly represented.

The aim is to improve both efficiency and the quality of reports by allowing staff to focus on substance rather than repetitive formatting tasks.

Councillors welcomed the move, highlighting the potential of technology to reduce backlogs and improve outcomes for families.

Alongside the AI rollout, the US council has hired more educational psychologists, reformed the application process, and increased early intervention efforts to manage rising demand.

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OpenAI backs away from for-profit transition amid scrutiny

OpenAI has announced it will no longer pursue a full transition to a for-profit company. Instead, it will restructure its commercial arm as a public benefit corporation (PBC), retaining oversight by its nonprofit board.

The move comes after discussions with the attorneys general of California and Delaware, and growing concerns about governance and mission drift. The nonprofit board—best known for briefly removing CEO Sam Altman—will continue to oversee the company and appoint the PBC board.

Investors will now hold regular, uncapped equity in the PBC, replacing the previous 100x return cap, a change designed to attract future funding. The nonprofit will also gain a growing equity stake in the business arm.

In a message to staff, Altman said OpenAI remains committed to building AI that benefits humanity and sees this structure as the best path forward. Critics, including former staff, say questions remain about technology ownership and long-term priorities.

At the same time, Meta is positioning itself as a major rival. It recently launched a standalone AI assistant app, powered by its Llama 4 model and available across platforms including Ray-Ban smart glasses. The app includes a social Discover feed, encouraging interaction with shared AI outputs.

OpenAI’s new structure attempts to balance commercial growth with ethical governance—a model that may influence how other AI firms approach funding, control, and public accountability.

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Alphabet stock dips as AI tools begin to dent Google search volumes

Alphabet shares fell sharply on Wednesday following courtroom testimony that Google searches on Apple’s Safari browser declined in April—reportedly for the first time ever.

Apple’s senior executive Eddy Cue said the drop came as users increasingly turned to AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity instead of traditional search engines.

The market reaction was swift, with Alphabet losing ground before partially recovering after Google clarified that overall search volumes remain on the rise.

Several analysts argued the sell-off may have been exaggerated, noting Apple’s incentive to downplay Google’s dominance as the companies face antitrust scrutiny. In 2022, Google reportedly paid Apple $20 billion to remain Safari’s default search provider.

Still, some analysts warn of a longer-term shift. Tech veteran Gene Munster called it the ‘beginning of the decline’, arguing that the way people find information is undergoing a fundamental change. Unlike search results pages, AI assistants provide direct answers—undermining Google’s ad-driven revenue model.

While Alphabet still owns a broad portfolio including YouTube, Android, Google Cloud and autonomous driving company Waymo, its core business is facing structural headwinds.

Investors are already adjusting expectations. Alphabet’s price-to-earnings ratio has dropped to 18, down from a 10-year average of 28, reflecting growing concerns around disruption.

Some see an opportunity; others, a reckoning. Whether this moment marks a short-term dip or a longer-term revaluation will depend on how Google adapts to the AI-driven shift in how people search for—and monetise—information.

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Trump’s crypto ventures delay stablecoin and crypto policy progress

Discussions about the conflict of interest surrounding US President Donald Trump’s crypto ventures are delaying crypto legislation. Democrats are blocking the stablecoin bill, the GENIUS Act, to prevent Trump from profiting off crypto.

Ryan Gilbert, founder of Launchpad Capital, said, ‘It’s unfortunate that personal business is getting in the way of good policy.’

The GENIUS Act, which aims to regulate US payment stablecoins, was expected to pass easily. However, it failed in the Senate on 6 May, with a 48-49 vote. Trump’s crypto activities have stalled discussions on the broader market structure bill.

The issue began when Trump launched the $TRUMP memecoin before his inauguration. The coin’s price surged, benefiting Trump-linked companies, but later collapsed, leaving small investors with significant losses.

In March, Trump’s family reportedly discussed buying a stake in the US arm of Binance, which faced anti-money laundering legal issues.

Further concerns arose when Trump-linked World Liberty Financial (WLF) planned to launch the USD1 stablecoin, backed by investment giant MGX. The move has sparked debates about Trump’s use of crypto ventures to enrich himself.

Some Democratic Senators have introduced the End Crypto Corruption Act. It would stop Congress members and their families from endorsing crypto. Despite the concerns, negotiations around the GENIUS Act continue, but its timeline remains uncertain.

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Metaplanet’s Bitcoin stash exceeds $700 million

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet now holds 6,796 BTC, worth approximately $707 million, surpassing El Salvador in Bitcoin holdings. On 12 May, the firm added 1,241 BTC, investing $129 million at current prices.

Metaplanet, which began its Bitcoin strategy in April 2024, has aggressively increased its holdings, with purchases of over 37,000 BTC in recent months. It is now the largest Bitcoin holder in Asia and the tenth largest globally.

Despite the massive acquisitions, the firm’s Bitcoin yield has surged, with a 95.6% yield in Q1 2025. El Salvador, holding 6,714 BTC, remains a significant player but is now outpaced by the Japanese firm.

Meanwhile, Michael Saylor hinted at another Bitcoin purchase for Strategy, which holds 555,450 BTC, valued at $57.8 billion.

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Scale AI expands into Saudi Arabia and UAE

Scale AI, a San Francisco-based startup backed by Amazon, plans to open a new office in Riyadh by the end of the year as part of its broader Middle East expansion.

The company also intends to establish a presence in the United Arab Emirates, although it has yet to confirm the timeline for that move.

Trevor Thompson, the company’s global managing director, said the Gulf is among the fastest-growing regions for AI adoption outside of the US and China.

Gulf states like Saudi Arabia have been investing heavily in tech startups, data centres and computing infrastructure, urging companies to set up local operations and create regional jobs. Salesforce, for instance, has already begun hiring for a $500 million investment in the kingdom.

Founded in 2016, Scale AI provides data-labelling services essential for training AI products, relying on a vast network of contract workers. Its clients include OpenAI and Microsoft.

The company hit a $13.8 billion valuation last year after a $1 billion funding round backed by Amazon, Meta and others.

In 2024, it generated about $870 million in revenue and is reportedly in talks for a deal that could nearly double its value.

Scale AI is also strengthening its regional ties. In February, it signed a five-year agreement with Qatar to enhance public services, followed by a partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Inception in March.

The news coincides with former President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, where his team is considering lifting export controls on advanced AI chips, potentially boosting the Gulf’s access to cutting-edge technology.

Notably, Scale AI’s former managing director, Michael Kratsios, now advises Trump on tech matters.

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Vitalik Buterin proposes simplifying Ethereum to boost developer adoption

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, plans to simplify the blockchain to boost developer adoption and enhance scalability. Buterin aims to simplify Ethereum infrastructure, making it more accessible and reducing the cost.

In his proposal, Buterin draws comparisons to Bitcoin. He argues that simplifying Ethereum could promote growth and make the platform more user-friendly, similar to Bitcoin’s model.

Buterin’s proposal includes setting a maximum code line target to streamline Ethereum’s development. He believes that by simplifying the codebase, Ethereum can attract more developers and enhance overall performance.

His long-term goal is for Ethereum to rival Bitcoin within five years, despite the current low ETH/BTC ratio. Despite criticism of Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake shift for centralisation, Buterin sees simplification as a move towards greater decentralisation.

The price of Ethereum has been steadily rising, supported by strong technical indicators. Despite institutional caution towards altcoins, Ethereum continues to lead in the tokenisation of real-world assets.

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Microsoft and OpenAI rework billion dollar deal

OpenAI and Microsoft are renegotiating the terms of their multibillion-dollar partnership in a move designed to allow the ChatGPT maker to pursue a future public listing, while ensuring Microsoft retains access to its most advanced AI technology.

According to the Financial Times, the talks are centred around adjusting Microsoft’s equity stake in OpenAI’s for-profit arm.

The software giant has invested over US$13 billion in OpenAI and is reportedly prepared to reduce its stake in exchange for extended access to AI developments beyond the current 2030 agreement.

The revisions also include changes to a broader agreement first established in 2019 when Microsoft committed US$1 billion to the partnership.

The restructuring reflects OpenAI’s shift in strategy as it prepares for potential independence from its largest investor. Recent reports suggest the company plans to share a smaller portion of its future revenue with Microsoft, instead of maintaining current terms.

Microsoft has declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations, and OpenAI has yet to respond.

The talks follow Microsoft’s separate US$500 billion joint venture with Oracle and SoftBank to build AI data centres in the US, further signalling the strategic value of securing long-term access to cutting-edge models.

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