South Korean President Lee Jae Myung used the opening day of his state visit to Singapore to set out plans for deeper cooperation in emerging technologies and renewable energy.
He framed the partnership as a chance to build a future-oriented agenda shaped by a shared reliance on human capital rather than natural resources.
The visit precedes a summit with Lawrence Wong, their second meeting in four months following the upgrade of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Both governments want to broaden collaboration across AI, energy, the green transition and defence while maintaining strong trade and investment links.
Lee told Korean residents in Singapore that the strengthened partnership could guide relations for the next fifty years by opening new routes for collaboration across strategic sectors. He added that expanding cooperation would support wider regional stability and long-term technological development.
The programme also includes a meeting with Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attendance at AI Connect. This forum connects business leaders and entrepreneurs from both countries seeking opportunities in AI research and commercial innovation.
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Microsoft and OpenAI have reaffirmed their long-standing collaboration after new funding and partnerships raised speculation about their relationship.
Both firms stressed that recent announcements leave their original agreements intact, preserving a framework built on technical integration, trust and shared ambitions for AI development.
Microsoft’s exclusive licence to OpenAI’s intellectual property remains untouched, as does its position as the sole cloud provider for stateless APIs powering OpenAI models.
These APIs can be accessed through either company. Yet all such calls, including those arising from third-party partnerships such as OpenAI’s work with Amazon, continue to run on Azure rather than on alternative clouds. OpenAI’s own products, including Frontier, also stay hosted on Azure.
Revenue-sharing arrangements are unchanged, alongside the contractual definition and evaluation process for artificial general intelligence.
OpenAI retains the freedom to secure additional compute capacity elsewhere, supported by large-scale initiatives such as the Stargate project.
Even with broader collaborations emerging across the industry, both firms present their alliance as central to advancing responsible AI and expanding access to powerful tools worldwide.
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Queen’s University Belfast and University College Dublin (UCD) have formalised a cross-border partnership focused on artificial intelligence research and talent development.
The collaboration will bring together researchers, faculty and students from both institutions to address shared challenges and opportunities in AI, including applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, data analytics and ethical AI governance.
The initiative aims to deepen academic cooperation, foster joint research projects, and expand interdisciplinary learning programmes that equip students with AI-relevant skills.
Leaders from both universities emphasised the importance of an all-island approach to strengthening AI expertise, enhancing competitiveness, and contributing to economic growth in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The partnership is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, researcher mobility, and shared access to specialised facilities and funding opportunities.
Stakeholders also highlighted the broader societal context: as AI becomes integral to multiple sectors, coordinated academic and research ecosystems can help ensure that innovation aligns with ethical standards and public value.
By pooling resources and expertise across jurisdictions, the initiative positions both universities to play a more influential role in shaping AI policy, industry adoption and workforce development.
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Mizuho Financial Group plans to reduce work equivalent to 5,000 administrative positions over the next decade by introducing AI systems to improve operational efficiency. Around one-third of its 15,000 clerical staff nationwide will see their duties reshaped rather than eliminated.
Administrative employees currently manage processes such as document checks and data entry when opening accounts at subsidiary branches. Management expects many of these routine activities to be handled by AI as automation expands across operations.
Company leaders confirmed no layoffs are planned, with affected employees set to move into roles requiring direct customer interaction. Staff will transition towards investment product sales, corporate services and other positions where human engagement remains essential.
Mizuho intends to invest up to 100 billion yen by fiscal 2028 to develop and deploy AI technologies supporting business reform. An internal department overseeing clerical work will also be renamed the ‘Process Design Group’, signalling a stronger focus on AI-driven transformation.
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Dell is accelerating development of AI PCs, positioning them as the next standard for personal computing rather than a niche category. Industry forecasts suggest AI-enabled devices could account for more than half of global PC sales by 2026.
Dedicated neural processing units allow AI tasks to run directly on devices, freeing central and graphics processors for demanding creative workflows. Dell says such hardware enables faster editing, improved generative tools and smoother multitasking for designers, editors and digital creators.
Louise Quennell, UK Senior Director at Dell Technologies, emphasised that AI should support creativity rather than replace it. Automating repetitive tasks aims to give professionals more time for experimentation, artistic decision-making and higher-value creative work.
AI assistants are increasingly capable of managing scheduling, summarising information and reducing routine digital administration. Dell believes reducing these ‘digital chores’ could significantly improve productivity, particularly for freelancers balancing creative production with business responsibilities.
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The US FTC has issued a policy statement signalling greater flexibility in enforcing parts of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act when companies deploy age verification tools. The agency said it will not take enforcement action where personal data is collected solely for age verification purposes.
The FTC framed age assurance as a key safeguard to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content online in the US. Officials said the approach is intended to encourage broader adoption of age verification technologies by online services.
While offering flexibility, the US regulator stressed that organisations must maintain strong safeguards, including data deletion practices and clear notice to parents and children. The FTC also warned that personal data used beyond age verification could still trigger enforcement action under COPPA.
Similar to previous 2023 amendments, legal experts cautioned that companies using age assurance may face additional compliance duties under state youth privacy laws, even as federal requirements evolve.
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Topshop has staged what it describes as a world-first AI-driven shoppable catwalk in Manchester, as part of its UK brand revival. The Manchester event combined physical runway looks with real-time digital purchasing through a bespoke Front Row AI app.
Guests in Manchester were able to buy outfits instantly as models walked, while also trying on virtual versions after the show. The experience was adjudicated by the World Record Certification Agency and positioned as a new model for immersive retail in the UK.
The Manchester showcase formed part of Topshop’s regional strategy beyond London, highlighting the North West’s role in the UK fashion sector. Students from the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University designed and presented the finale in Manchester.
Topshop’s broader comeback in the UK includes pop ups in John Lewis stores, a standalone website relaunch and a partnership with Liberty in London. Executives said Manchester marked a new phase where AI and commerce converge to reshape retail experiences.
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Latos Data Centres is preparing plans for a 28,000 sq ft data centre in Monsall, East Manchester, aimed at serving rising demand for AI computing. The scheme would occupy a three acre brownfield site at Bower Street and Ten Acres Lane in Manchester.
The East Manchester project is designed as a neural edge data centre, bringing AI processing closer to end users than traditional cloud facilities. Latos said the Manchester development would form part of a broader plan to deliver 30 UK sites by 2030.
A live consultation in Manchester will run until 16 March, with Create Architecture leading the design. Advisers on the Manchester scheme include Euan Kellie Property Solutions on planning and SK Transport Planning on transport matters.
Latos said the Manchester facility would regenerate a vacant industrial plot and operate to high environmental and safety standards. The developer is also delivering a separate data centre in Tees Valley as it expands its AI-focused portfolio across the UK.
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Agentic AI is set to transform banking operations in the US and Asia, according to a McKinsey podcast featuring senior partners from New York, Mumbai and London. The technology goes beyond traditional automation by handling less structured tasks and supporting end to end decision making.
Research cited in the discussion suggests many banks are experimenting with AI, yet few report material financial gains. Leaders in the US and Asia are urged to avoid narrow pilot projects and instead redesign workflows, teams and governance around AI at scale.
McKinsey partners said successful banks in the US and Asia are aligning chief executives, technology leaders and risk officers behind a shared strategy. Operations, risk management and frontline services are seen as areas where AI could deliver significant productivity and quality gains.
Banks in India and other Asian markets are also benefiting from regulatory engagement, including guidance from the Reserve Bank of India. Speakers argued that workforce training, cross functional collaboration and clear accountability will determine whether AI delivers lasting impact in the US.
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OpenAI is turning its London office into its largest research hub outside the US, marking a strategic shift towards deeper engagement with the UK’s rapidly developing AI landscape. The move places the company in direct competition with Google DeepMind for scientific talent.
An expansion that strengthens OpenAI’s long-term presence in Europe by building a substantial research base rather than relying on satellite operations. The firm aims to attract researchers seeking strong academic links, regulatory clarity and access to the UK’s growing AI ecosystem.
The enlarged London team is expected to support frontier model development and experimental work that aligns with OpenAI’s international ambitions. Senior leadership framed the decision as a vote of confidence in the UK’s capacity to become one of the most influential centres for advanced AI research.
The announcement intensifies debate over global competition for expertise, as major labs seek locations that balance research freedom with responsible oversight.
OpenAI’s investment signals a belief that the UK can offer such conditions while positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next generation of AI capabilities.
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