Digital standards

Amelia brings heads-up guidance to Amazon couriers

Amazon unveiled ‘Amelia’ AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers with a built-in display and camera, paired to a vest with a photo button, now piloting with hundreds of drivers across more than a dozen partners.

Designed for last-mile efficiency, Amelia can auto-shut down when a vehicle moves to prevent distraction, includes a hardware kill switch for the camera and mic, and aims to save about 30 minutes per 8–10-hour shift by streamlining repetitive tasks.

Initial availability is planned for the US market and the rest of North America before global expansion, with Amazon emphasizing that Amelia is custom-built for drivers, though consumer versions aren’t ruled out. Pilots involve real routes and live deliveries to customers.

Amazon also showcased a warehouse robotic arm to sort parcels faster and more safely, as well as an AI orchestration system that ingests real-time and historical data to predict bottlenecks, propose fixes, and keep fulfillment operations running smoothly.

The move joins a broader push into wearables from Big Tech. Unlike Meta’s consumer-oriented Ray-Ban smart glasses, Amelia targets enterprise use, promising faster package location, fewer taps, and tighter integration with Amazon’s delivery workflow.

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Alibaba pushes unified AI with Quark Chat and wearables

Quark, Alibaba’s consumer AI app, has launched an AI Chat Assistant powered by Qwen3 models, merging real-time search with conversational reasoning so users can ask by text or voice, get answers, and trigger actions from a single interface.

On iOS and Android, you can tap ‘assistant’ in the AI Super Box or swipe right to open chat, then use prompts to summarise pages, draft replies, or pull sources, with results easily shared to friends, Stories, or outside the app.

Beyond Q&A, the assistant adds deep search, photo-based problem-solving, and AI writing, while supporting multimodal tasks like photo editing, AI camera, and phone calls. Forthcoming MCP integrations will expand agent execution across Alibaba services.

Quark AI Glasses opened pre-sale in China on October 24 via Tmall with a list price of 4,699 RMB before coupons or memberships, deliveries starting in phases from December, and 1 RMB reservations available on JD.com and Douyin.

Powered by Qwen for hands-free assistance, translation, and meeting transcription, the glasses emphasise lightweight ergonomics, long battery life, and quality imaging, with bundles, accessories, and prescription lens options to broaden fit and daily use.

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Autonomous AI may improve diabetic eye screening in safety-net clinics

Researchers are testing if autonomous AI at FQHCs can boost diabetic retinopathy detection, accelerate diagnosis, and improve referral follow-through. The JAMA-published trial targets patients missing DR screening for 11 months, using FDA-cleared AI to analyse fundus photos during routine visits.

Immediate results allow same-day action, potentially reducing missed referrals for patients facing time, travel, and cost barriers.

The randomised, open-label trial at two San Diego County clinics compares point-of-care AI-DRS to usual-care referrals. Nonmydriatic fundus images are captured by trained staff, analysed by the AI algorithm, and results flow into the electronic health record (EHR).

Positive cases trigger immediate retina appointments, while ungradable images prompt urgent ophthalmology referrals. Outcomes at 90 and 180 days include screening completion, DR stage at detection, referral adherence, and patient-reported knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy.

The AI-DRS has demonstrated high accuracy in prior studies, detecting more-than-mild and vision-threatening DR with sensitivities above 96%. Workflow integration aims to cut diagnostic delays, using closed-loop referrals and ICD-10 coding for consistent documentation and population health tracking.

The study also evaluates implementation metrics such as image quality, acquisition success, and patient trust in AI-supported care.

If successful, the model could help clinics meet screening targets and streamline workflows for primary care providers. The protocol focuses on training, quality checks, and real-world use, providing a scalable way to prevent avoidable vision loss in underserved communities.

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OpenAI outlines Japan’s AI Blueprint for inclusive economic growth

A new Japan Economic Blueprint released by OpenAI sets out how AI can power innovation, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity across the country. The plan estimates that AI could add more than ¥100 trillion to Japan’s economy and raise GDP by up to 16%.

Centred on inclusive access, infrastructure, and education, the Blueprint calls for equal AI opportunities for citizens and small businesses, national investment in semiconductors and renewable energy, and expanded lifelong learning to build an adaptive workforce.

AI is already reshaping Japanese industries from manufacturing and healthcare to education and public administration. Factories reduce inspection costs, schools use ChatGPT Edu for personalised teaching, and cities from Saitama to Fukuoka employ AI to enhance local services.

OpenAI suggests that the focus of Japan on ethical and human-centred innovation could make it a model for responsible AI governance. By aligning digital and green priorities, the report envisions technology driving creativity, equality, and shared prosperity across generations.

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UK tightens grip on Apple and Google mobile power

Apple and Google have been designated with strategic market status over UK mobile platforms. The CMA’s decision covers operating systems, app stores, browsers, and browser engines. Tailored conduct rules and special abuse oversight can now be imposed.

Regulators say entrenched power across iOS and Android risks limiting rivals and developers. The move is enabled by the UK’s DMCC framework and mirrors EU ambitions. Implementation will follow consultations on specific remedies for competition and consumer choice.

In Europe, gatekeeper rules already bite as Apple was fined €500 million over anti-steering. Alphabet faces preliminary findings over Play Store and search preferencing under the DMA. Further penalties could follow if non-compliance persists.

Both companies criticised the UK move, warning of harmed innovation and user experience. Google called the decision disappointing and disproportionate, while Apple attacked EU-style rules. The CMA also recently gave Google’s search and ads businesses SMS status.

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Large language models mimic human object perception

Recent research shows that large multimodal language models (LLMs) can develop object representations strikingly similar to human cognition. By analysing how these AI models understand and organise concepts, scientists found patterns in the models that mirror neural activity in the human brain.

The study examined embeddings for 1,854 natural objects, derived from millions of text-image pairings. These embeddings capture relationships between objects and were compared with brain scan data from regions like EBA, PPA, RSC and FFA.

Researchers also discovered that multimodal training, which combines text and image data, enhances model’s ability to form these human-like concepts. Findings suggest that large language models can achieve more natural understanding of the world, offering potential improvements in human-AI interaction and future model design.

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UC Santa Cruz uses NVIDIA AI to map global coastal flood risks

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, are using NVIDIA’s accelerated computing to model coastal flooding and support climate adaptation planning.

Led by Professor Michael Beck, the team develops high-resolution, GPU-powered visualisations to assess how coral reefs, mangroves, and dunes can reduce flood damage.

The centre employs NVIDIA CUDA-X software and RTX GPUs to speed up flood simulations from six hours to just 40 minutes. Using tools such as SFINCS and Unreal Engine 5, the team can now generate interactive visual models of storm impact scenarios, providing vital insights for governments and insurers.

The researchers’ current goal is to map flooding risks across small island states worldwide ahead of COP30. Their previous visualisations have already helped secure reef insurance policies in Mexico’s Mesoamerican Barrier Reef region, ensuring funding for coral restoration after severe storms.

A project, part of CoSMoS ADAPT, that aims to expand the US Geological Survey’s coastal modelling system and integrate nature-based solutions like dunes and reefs into large-scale flood resilience strategies.

Through NVIDIA’s technology and academic grants, the initiative demonstrates how accelerated computing can drive real-world environmental protection.

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Federal Reserve embraces crypto innovation in payments system

The Federal Reserve has signalled a shift towards decentralised finance, with Governor Waller saying the central bank now welcomes crypto innovators into mainstream payments.

Speaking at the Payments Innovation Conference on 21 October, Waller said the Fed intends to play an active role in the ongoing technology-driven transformation of the financial system.

Waller highlighted how stablecoins, tokenised assets, and AI are reshaping the payments landscape. He said private firms drive innovation but added that public institutions like the Fed must adapt to support evolving financial systems.

The governor said the central bank is exploring how tokenisation, smart contracts, and AI could enhance its own systems and foster closer dialogue with industry innovators.

In a significant policy proposal, Waller revealed that the Fed is studying a new type of ‘payment account’ for legally eligible institutions. The concept would provide streamlined access to Federal Reserve payment rails for fintech and crypto firms without requiring a full master account.

Such accounts would operate under tighter controls, including balance caps, no interest payments, and no overdraft privileges, allowing faster review times while maintaining system safety.

Waller said the payments revolution is underway and urged collaboration between traditional finance and emerging digital sectors. He called the event a turning point for Fed–innovator relations, noting that crypto and distributed ledgers are now part of modern payments.

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EU pushes harder on basic digital skills for growth

Nearly half of EU adults lack basic digital skills, yet most jobs demand them. Eurostat reports only 56% have at least basic proficiency. EU Code Week spotlights the urgency for digital literacy and inclusion.

The Digital Education Action Plan aims to modernise curricula, improve infrastructure, and train teachers. EU policymakers target 80% of adults with basic skills by 2030. Midway progress suggests stronger national action is still required.

Progress remains uneven across regions, with rural connectivity still lagging in places. Belgium began a school smartphone ban across Flanders from 1 September to curb distractions. Educators now balance classroom technology with attention and safety.

Brussels proposed a Union of Skills strategy to align education and competitiveness. The EU also earmarked fresh funding for AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Families and schools are urged to develop unplugged problem-solving alongside classroom learning.

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GDPR does not bar courts from processing disputed evidence

The Advocate General of the EU’s top court advised that judges may process personal data as evidence even if obtained unlawfully. The opinion in NTH Haustechnik clarifies that courts can rely on public interest under Article 6(1)(e) GDPR when assessing such data.

The case arose from a German labour dispute where an employer accessed a former worker’s eBay account to prove alleged misconduct. The national court asked the CJEU whether evidence gathered unlawfully could still be lawfully processed in judicial proceedings.

The Advocate General stated that GDPR principles, including storage limitation and lawfulness, apply equally to courts. Yet no absolute ban prevents judges from handling unlawfully obtained data if national law provides safeguards consistent with the EU rights.

EU law leaves rules on evidence admissibility to member states, provided fairness, proportionality, and necessity are respected. The opinion emphasises that courts must balance privacy rights with their duty to determine the truth.

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