Meta is redirecting part of its metaverse spending towards AI-powered glasses and wearables, aiming to capitalise on the growing interest in these devices. The shift comes after years of substantial investment in virtual reality, which has yet to convince investors of its long-term potential fully.
Reports indicate that Meta plans to reduce its metaverse budget by up to 30 percent, a move that lifted its share price by more than 3.4 percent. The company stated it has no broader changes planned, while offering no clarification on whether the adjustment will lead to job cuts.
The latest AI glasses, launched in September, received strong early feedback for features such as an in-lens display that can describe scenes and translate text. Their debut has intensified competition, with several industry players, including firms in China, racing to develop smart glasses and wearable technology.
Meta continues to face scepticism surrounding the metaverse, despite investing heavily in VR headsets and its Horizon Worlds platform. Interest in AI has surged, prompting the company to place a greater focus on large AI models, including those integrated into WhatsApp, and on producing more advanced smart devices.
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Authorities in Taiwan will block the Chinese social media and shopping app RedNote for a year following a surge in online scams linked to the platform. Officials report that more than 1,700 fraud cases have been linked to the app since last year, resulting in losses exceeding NT$247 million.
Regulators report that the company failed to meet required data-security standards and did not respond to requests for a plan to strengthen cybersecurity.
Internet providers have been instructed to restrict access, affecting several million users who now see a security warning message when opening the app.
Concerns over Beijing’s online influence and the spread of disinformation have added pressure on Taiwanese authorities to tighten oversight of Chinese platforms.
RedNote’s operators are also facing scrutiny in mainland China, where regulators have criticised the company over what they labelled ‘negative’ content.
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England’s preparations for next summer’s World Cup increasingly rely on AI systems designed to sharpen decision-making both on and off the pitch. Analysts now utilise advanced tools to analyse vast datasets in hours rather than days, providing coaches with clearer insights before matches.
Penalty planning has become one of England’s most significant gains, with AI mapping opposition tendencies and each player’s striking style to ease pressure during high-stakes moments.
Players say the guidance helps them commit with confidence, while goalkeepers benefit from more detailed and precise information.
Player well-being is also guided by daily AI-powered checks that flag signs of fatigue and inform training loads, meal plans, and medical support.
Specialists insist that human judgement remains central, yet acknowledge that wealthier nations may gain an edge as smaller federations struggle to afford similar technologies.
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Google has begun rolling out the Gemini 3 Deep Think mode to AI Ultra subscribers, offering enhanced reasoning for complex maths, science and logic tasks. The rollout follows last month’s preview during the Gemini 3 family release, allowing users to activate the mode directly within the Gemini app.
Deep Think builds on earlier Gemini 2.5 variants by utilising what Google refers to as parallel reasoning to test multiple hypotheses simultaneously. Early benchmark results show gains on structured problem-solving tasks, with improvements recorded on assessments such as Humanity’s Last Exam and ARC-AGI-2.
Subscribers can try the mode by selecting Deep Think in the prompt bar and choosing Gemini 3 Pro. Google states that the broader Gemini 3 upgrade enhances reliability when following lengthy instructions and reduces the need for repeated prompts during multi-step tasks.
Gemini 3 features stronger multimodal handling, enabling analysis of text, images, screenshots, PDFs and video. Capabilities include summarising lengthy material, interpreting detailed visuals and explaining graphs or charts with greater accuracy.
Larger context windows and improved planning support extended workflows such as research assistance and structured information management. Google describes Gemini 3 as its most secure model to date, with reinforced protections around sensitive or misleading queries.
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SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son told South Korean President Lee Jae Myung that advanced AI could surpass humans by an extreme margin. He suggested future systems may be 10,000 times more capable than people. The remarks came during a meeting in Seoul focused on national AI ambitions.
Son compared the potential intelligence gap to the difference between humans and goldfish. He said AI might relate to humans as humans relate to pets. Lee acknowledged the vision but admitted feeling uneasy about the scale of the described change.
Son argued that superintelligent systems would not threaten humans physically, noting they lack biological needs. He framed coexistence as the likely outcome. His comments followed renewed political interest in positioning South Korea as an AI leader.
The debate turned to cultural capability when Lee asked whether AI might win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Son said such an achievement was plausible. He pointed to fast-moving advances that continue to challenge expectations about machine creativity.
Researchers say artificial superintelligence remains theoretical, but early steps toward AGI may emerge within a decade. Many expect systems to outperform humans across a wide set of tasks. Policy discussions in South Korea reflect growing urgency around AI governance.
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Researchers in Australia are examining how sweat could support new forms of health monitoring. A recent study highlights its diagnostic potential when combined with machine learning, noting the appeal of simple, non-invasive collection for people already using wearables.
Early hydration patches show how sweat data is entering the sports and fitness space. Advances in microfluidics and flexible electronics have enabled thin, real-time sweat-sampling patches. UTS researchers say AI can extract useful biomarkers and deliver personalised insights for everyday tracking.
Experts say sweat remains underused despite carrying biological signals relevant to preventive care. UTS scientists point to gains from reading multiple biomarkers and sending data wirelessly for assessment. Improvements in pattern recognition now support more accurate interpretation.
Development work in Sydney, Australia, includes microfluidic devices that detect trace levels of glucose and cortisol. Most systems remain prototypes, yet commercial interest is increasing as companies explore non-invasive alternatives to blood-based testing.
The research team expects broader adoption as sensor accuracy improves. They anticipate wearables that monitor stress markers and help identify chronic conditions earlier, framing skin-based sensing combined with AI as a route to wider access to continuous health insights.
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The UAE unveiled a scholarship programme to nurture future leaders in AI at MBZUAI. The initiative, guided by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, targets outstanding undergraduates beginning in the 2025 academic year.
Approximately 350 students will be supported over six years following a rigorous selection process. Applicants will be assessed for mathematical strength, leadership potential and entrepreneurial drive in line with national technological ambitions.
Scholars will gain financial backing alongside opportunities to represent the UAE internationally and develop innovative ventures. Senior officials said the programme strengthens the nation’s aim to build a world-class cohort of AI specialists.
MBZUAI highlighted its interdisciplinary approach that blends technical study with ethics, leadership and business education. Students will have access to advanced facilities, industry placements, and mentorships designed to prepare them for global technology roles.
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Pope Leo XIV urged global institutions to guide younger generations as they navigate the expanding influence of AI. He warned that rapid access to information cannot replace the deeper search for meaning and purpose.
Previously, the Pope had warned students not to rely solely on AI for educational support. He encouraged educators and leaders to help young people develop discernment and confidence when encountering digital systems.
Additionally, he called for coordinated action across politics, business, academia and faith communities to steer technological progress toward the common good. He argued that AI development should not be treated as an inevitable pathway shaped by narrow interests.
He noted that AI reshapes human relationships and cognition, raising concerns about its effects on freedom, creativity and contemplation. He insisted that safeguarding human dignity is essential to managing AI’s wide-ranging consequences.
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AI adoption in manufacturing is accelerating as generative tools are reshaping frontline roles. Many firms see connected worker platforms as a response to labour shortages and a draw for younger recruits. GenAI is emerging as a support layer that boosts productivity without displacing staff.
Operators face mixed training needs, language gaps and stricter safety demands. GenAI supports tailored instructions and smoother knowledge transfer, cutting documentation effort.
Retrieval is becoming more critical as factories digitise. Frontline teams need fast access to clear guidance across text, image and video formats. AI-enabled search interprets intent, reducing delays caused by navigating large content libraries.
Video-based guidance is rising in prominence as short-form media becomes a preferred way for younger workers to learn. AI can convert lengthy procedures into concise visual steps, while multilingual transcription expands accessibility for diverse teams across global operations.
The growing use of AI tools marks a shift toward more adaptive factory operations. Manufacturers view connected worker platforms as vital to competitiveness, with AI integration offering gains in engagement, safety and performance.
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Ireland’s online safety regulator has agreed a new partnership with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to strengthen global approaches to digital harm. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reinforces shared ambitions to improve online protection for children and adults.
The Irish and Australian plan to exchange data, expertise and methodological insights to advance safer digital platforms. Officials describe the arrangement as a way to enhance oversight of systems used to minimise harmful content and promote responsible design.
Leaders from both organisations emphasised the need for accountability across the tech sector. Their comments highlighted efforts to ensure that platforms embed user protection into their product architecture, rather than relying solely on reactive enforcement.
The MoU also opens avenues for collaborative policy development and joint work on education programs. Officials expect a deeper alignment around age assurance technologies and emerging regulatory challenges as online risks continue to evolve.
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