LG Group affiliates are expanding into physical AI by combining robotics hardware, industrial data, and advanced AI models. The strategy aims to deliver integrated autonomous systems across industries. The group is positioning itself along the complete robotics value chain.
LG Electronics is strengthening its role in robotic actuators that enable precise humanoid movement. Leveraging decades of motor engineering, it recently launched the AXIUM actuator brand. The company has also expanded its investments across robotics manufacturers.
The company’s AI Research division is working on programs that help machines understand the real world. Its special lab puts seeing and language skills into robots and factory systems. The aim is for machines to predict and act autonomously in real time.
The CNS division is teaching robots the skills they need for different jobs. LG Display is making robot screens using bendable panels that perform well in harsh environments. Both groups are using their cars’ and factories’ know-how to build robots.
Power and sensing tools complete the group’s robot plans. LG Energy Solution makes powerful batteries for moving robots, while LG Innotek creates cameras and sensors. Group leaders see building intelligent machines as key to future growth.
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The Dutch data protection authority has urged the government to act swiftly to protect the country’s digital sovereignty, warning that dependence on overseas technology firms could expose vital public services to significant risk.
Concern has intensified after DigiD, the national digital identity system, appeared set for acquisition by a US company, raising questions about long-term control of key infrastructure.
The watchdog argues that the Netherlands relies heavily on a small group of non-European cloud and IT providers, and stresses that public bodies lack clear exit strategies if foreign ownership suddenly shifts.
Additionally, the watchdog criticises the government for treating digital autonomy as an academic exercise rather than recognising its immediate implications for communication between the state and citizens.
In a letter to the economy minister, the authority calls for a unified national approach rather than fragmented decisions by individual public bodies.
It proposes sovereignty criteria for all government contracts and suggests termination clauses that enable the state to withdraw immediately if a provider is sold abroad. It also notes the importance of designing public services to allow smooth provider changes when required.
The watchdog urges the government to strengthen European capacity by investing in scalable domestic alternatives, including a Dutch-controlled government cloud. The economy ministry has declined to comment.
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Australians are increasingly using generative AI for everyday tasks, with meal preparation and recipe planning emerging as the most common applications. A recent survey found that many households rely on ChatGPT for cooking inspiration, practical advice, and saving time.
The OpenAI-commissioned research shows strong uptake of AI tools for home renovations, DIY projects, and household budgeting. Many users rely on the technology to summarise news, plan meals, and solve routine problems, reinforcing its role as a personal assistant.
Work-related tasks remain another major area of use, particularly for drafting emails, clarifying information, and summarising meetings. Large numbers of respondents reported saving several hours each week, underscoring how generative AI is reshaping productivity and daily routines across Australia.
Generative AI adoption is highest among younger Australians, with usage strongest among those aged between 18 and 34. The trend reflects shifting digital habits and growing comfort with AI-driven tools across daily life and work decision-making.
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A Chrome browser extension posing as an AI assistant has stolen OpenAI credentials from more than 10,000 users. Cybersecurity platform Obsidian identified the malicious software, known as H-Chat Assistant, which secretly harvested API keys and transmitted user data to hacker-controlled servers.
The extension, initially called ChatGPT Extension, appeared to function normally after users provided their OpenAI API keys. Analysts discovered that the theft occurred when users deleted chats or logged out, triggering the transmission of credentials via hardcoded Telegram bot credentials.
At least 459 unique API keys were exfiltrated to a Telegram channel months before they were discovered in January 2025.
Researchers believe the malicious activity began in July 2024 and continued undetected for months. Following disclosure to OpenAI on 13 January, the company revoked compromised API keys, though the extension reportedly remained available in the Chrome Web Store.
Security analysts identified 16 related extensions sharing the identical developer fingerprints, suggesting a coordinated campaign by a single threat actor.
LayerX Security consultant Natalie Zargarov warned that whilst current download numbers remain relatively low, AI-focused browser extensions could rapidly surge in popularity.
The malicious extensions exploit vulnerabilities in web-based authentication processes, creating, as researchers describe, a ‘materially expanded browser attack surface’ through deep integration with authenticated web applications.
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NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon are in talks to invest up to $60 billion in OpenAI, valuing the company at around $730 billion. The talks highlight intensifying competition among technology giants to secure strategic positions in the rapidly expanding AI sector.
NVIDIA is said to be considering the largest commitment, potentially investing as much as $30 billion, while Microsoft may add less than $10 billion despite its long-standing partnership with OpenAI.
Amazon could contribute more than $10 billion, strengthening its cloud and infrastructure ties with the company as demand for large-scale AI computing continues to rise.
OpenAI and NVIDIA are advancing plans to deploy large-scale data centre capacity, with a multi-year rollout starting in late 2026. The project aims to deliver large-scale high-performance computing, supporting OpenAI’s push towards artificial general intelligence and global expansion.
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Worldcoin jumped 40% after reports that OpenAI is developing a biometric social platform to verify users and eliminate bots. The proposed network would reportedly integrate AI tools while relying on biometric identification to ensure proof of personhood.
Sources cited by Forbes claim the project aims to create a humans-only platform, differentiating itself from existing social networks, including X. Development is said to be led by a small internal team, with work reportedly underway since early 2025.
Biometric verification could involve Apple’s Face ID or the World Orb scanner, a device linked to the World project co-founded by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.
The report sparked a sharp rally in Worldcoin, though part of the gains later reversed amid wider market weakness. Despite the brief surge, Worldcoin has remained sharply lower over the past year amid weak market sentiment and ongoing privacy concerns.
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The government has expanded the UK joint industry programme offering free AI training to every adult, with the ambition of upskilling 10 million workers by 2030.
Newly benchmarked courses are available through the AI Skills Hub, giving people practical workplace skills while supporting Britain’s aim to become the fastest AI adopter in the G7.
The programme includes short online courses that teach workers in the UK how to use basic AI tools for everyday tasks such as drafting text, managing content and reducing administrative workloads.
Participants who complete approved training receive a government-backed virtual AI foundations badge, setting a national standard for AI capability across sectors.
Public sector staff, including NHS and local government employees, are among the groups targeted as the initiative expands.
Ministers also announced £27 million in funding to support local tech jobs, graduate traineeships and professional practice courses, alongside the launch of a new cross-government unit to monitor AI’s impact on jobs and labour markets.
Officials argue that widening access to AI skills will boost productivity, support economic growth and help workers adapt to technological change. The programme builds on existing digital skills initiatives and brings together government, industry and trade unions to shape a fair and resilient future of work.
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Google is expanding AI learning tools in India by adding full-length Joint Entrance Exam practice tests to Gemini, targeting millions of engineering applicants.
Students can complete full mock JEE exams directly in Gemini. The questions are developed using vetted material from education platforms in India, including Physics Wallah and Careers360, and will be expanded further.
Gemini provides instant feedback after each test. It explains correct answers and generates personalised study plans based on performance, supporting structured exam preparation.
In addition to these exam-focused features, preparation tools will also roll out to AI Mode in Search, specifically including Canvas. These tools will allow students to build interactive quizzes and study guides from their own notes.
Alongside providing enhanced tools for students, Google is also partnering with universities, government agencies, and nonprofits to integrate AI across education systems, aiming to scale access to tens of millions of learners by 2027.
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Amazon is implementing a major round of job cuts while investing more heavily in AI and cloud infrastructure. The latest announcement brings planned reductions to roughly 30,000 roles across corporate teams worldwide.
Senior vice president Beth Galetti said the layoffs aim to reduce management layers, speed up decision-making, and remove organisational bureaucracy. Media reports suggest the cuts represent close to 10 percent of Amazon’s global office workforce, while warehouse and logistics roles remain unaffected.
No specific divisions were named, with the company stating that each team will continue reviewing capacity and operational efficiency. Amazon previously reported spending $1.8 billion on severance linked to restructuring efforts, with full-year financial results due in early February.
The reductions mirror a broader trend across big tech, with Microsoft, Meta, ASML, HP, and Oracle also trimming white-collar management roles. Executives across the sector have framed the changes as cultural and structural rather than budget-driven.
At the same time, Amazon is boosting AI, cloud, and chip investments through AWS, including over $35 billion in data centre expansion in India amid rising competition.
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SoundCloud disclosed a major data breach in December 2025, confirming that around 29.8 million global user accounts were affected. The incident represents one of the largest security failures involving a global music streaming platform.
The privacy breach exposed email addresses alongside public profile information, including usernames, display names and follower data. SoundCloud said passwords and payment details were not accessed, but the combined data increases the risk of phishing.
SoundCloud detected unauthorised activity in December 2025 and launched an internal investigation. Attackers reportedly exploited a flaw that linked public profile data with private email addresses at scale.
After SoundCloud refused an extortion demand, the stolen dataset was released publicly. SoundCloud has urged users worldwide to monitor accounts closely and enable stronger security protections.
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