E-commerce and trade Archives | Page 57 of 200

OpenAI study shows ChatGPT adoption widening

OpenAI has released the largest study to date on how people use ChatGPT, based on 1.5 million anonymised conversations.

The research shows adoption is widening across demographics, with women now making up more than half of identified users. Growth has been particularly strong in low- and middle-income countries, where adoption rates have risen over four times faster than in wealthier nations.

Most ChatGPT conversations focus on practical help, with three-quarters of usage related to tasks such as writing, seeking information, or planning. Around half of interactions are advisory in nature, while a smaller share is devoted to coding or personal expression.

The study found 30% of consumer usage is work-related, with the rest tied to personal activities. Researchers argue the AI tool boosts productivity and supports decision-making, creating value not always captured by economic measures like GDP.

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Swiss banks achieve milestone with deposit token test

PostFinance, Sygnum Bank and UBS, under the Swiss Bankers Association, have successfully tested a deposit token on a public blockchain. For the first time, banks completed a legally binding cross-bank payment with tokenised deposits, a breakthrough for Switzerland’s financial sector.

The proof of concept (PoC) explored how bank deposits can be represented on blockchain to enable faster, programmable and fully automated payments. Smart contracts on the system allow transactions to be triggered only when agreed conditions are met, reducing risk while increasing efficiency.

Use cases tested included payments between customers of different banks and escrow-style settlements for tokenised assets.

Results confirm that deposit tokens are technically and legally feasible across banks when combined with a public blockchain and permissioned applications. Such infrastructure could enable automated insurance settlements, instant securities trading, and machine-to-machine payments.

Industry leaders stressed that while the PoC proves feasibility, scaling will require broader cooperation with other institutions, regulators and infrastructure providers.

Project representatives described the work as a decisive step toward digital money innovation in Switzerland, reinforcing the country’s role as a pioneer in blockchain-based finance.

The Swiss Bankers Association confirmed that the project aligns with its strategic focus on digital currencies, though the results do not yet mean deposit tokens will be formally launched.

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American Express unveils new travel app and digital passport

American Express has introduced a suite of digital tools designed to make travel easier, smarter, and more personalised for Card Members. The new Amex Travel App™ brings planning, booking, and trip management into one platform.

It offers curated destinations, smart planning tools, and easy booking for flights, hotels, and car rentals. The app will be available to iOS users from 18 September, with Android following shortly after.

The company has also launched Amex Passport, enabling US Card Members to collect digital Stamps commemorating international trips. Each Stamp is stored on a public blockchain, allowing users to preserve and share their travel history as unique digital keepsakes.

The feature caters to travellers seeking new ways to celebrate past journeys and share highlights with friends and family.

Enhancements have also been made to Centurion Lounge services, including estimated wait times on the Digital Waitlist, allowing Card Members to plan visits more efficiently.

These updates form part of American Express’ commitment to evolving the premium travel experience, ensuring every stage of the journey, from inspiration to post-trip memories- is smoother, personalised, and more memorable.

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Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund INA targets data centres and AI in healthcare

The Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, is sharpening its focus on digital infrastructure, healthcare and renewable energy as it seeks to attract foreign partners and strengthen national development.

The fund, created in 2021 with $5 billion in state capital, now manages assets worth around $10 billion and is expanding its scope beyond equity into hybrid capital and private credit.

Chief investment officer Christopher Ganis said data centres and supporting infrastructure, such as sub-sea cables, were key priorities as the government emphasises data independence and resilience.

INA has already teamed up with Singapore-based Granite Asia to invest over $1.2 billion in Indonesia’s technology and AI ecosystem, including a new data centre campus in Batam. Ganis added that AI would be applied first in healthcare instead of rushing into broader adoption.

Renewables also remain central to INA’s strategy, with its partnership alongside Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Clean Energy in Pertamina Geothermal Energy cited as a strong performer.

Ganis said Asia’s reliance on bank financing highlights the need for INA’s support in cross-border growth, since domestic banks cannot always facilitate overseas expansion.

Despite growing global ambitions, INA will prioritise projects directly linked to Indonesia. Ganis stressed that it must deliver benefits at home instead of directing capital into ventures without a clear link to the country’s future.

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UN to train governments in blockchain and AI

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) plans to launch a ‘Government Blockchain Academy’ next year to educate public sector officials on blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies.

The initiative aims to help governments leverage tech for economic growth and sustainable development.

The academy will partner with the Exponential Science Foundation, a non-profit promoting blockchain and AI. Training will cover financial services, digital IDs, public procurement, smart contracts, and climate finance to help governments boost transparency, inclusion, and resilience.

UNDP officials highlighted that developing countries, including India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, are already among the leading adopters of crypto technology.

The academy will provide in-person and online courses, workshops, and forums to guide high-impact blockchain initiatives aligned with national priorities.

The programme follows last year’s UNDP blockchain academy, created in partnership with the Algorand Foundation, which trained over 22,000 staff members to support sustainable growth projects in participating countries.

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AI search tools challenge Google’s dominance

AI tools are increasingly reshaping how people search online, with large language models like ChatGPT drawing millions away from traditional engines.

Montreal-based lawyer and consultant Anja-Sara Lahady says she now turns to ChatGPT instead of Google for everyday tasks such as meal ideas, interior decoration tips and drafting low-risk emails. She describes it as a second assistant rather than a replacement for legal reasoning.

ChatGPT’s weekly user base has surged to around 800 million, double the figure reported in 2025. Data shows that nearly 6% of desktop searches are already directed to language models, compared with barely half that rate a year ago.

Academics such as Professor Feng Li argue that users favour AI tools because they reduce cognitive effort by providing clear summaries instead of multiple links. However, he warns that verification remains essential due to factual errors.

Google insists its search activity continues to expand, supported by AI Overviews and AI Mode, which offer more conversational and tailored answers.

Yet, testimony in a US antitrust case revealed that Google searches on Apple devices via Safari declined for the first time in two decades, underlining the competitive pressure from AI.

The rise of language models is also forcing a shift in digital marketing. Agencies report that LLMs highlight trusted websites, press releases and established media rather than social media content.

This change may influence consumer habits, with evidence suggesting that referrals from AI systems often lead to higher-quality sales conversions. For many users, AI now represents a faster and more personal route to decisions on products, travel or professional tasks.

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PayPal launches one-time links for easy payments

PayPal has introduced PayPal links, a new way for users to send and receive money via personalised, one-time links. Users can share links through text, chat, or email, add notes or emojis, and cancel or remind recipients before links expire after 10 days.

The service will initially be available in the US, with the UK, Italy, and other markets set to follow later this month.

The company confirmed gifts, reimbursements, and split payments remain exempt from tax reporting to keep personal transfers private. PayPal said the links are designed to simplify payments, attract new users, and enhance interoperability with Venmo and other wallets.

Crypto support also allows peer-to-peer transfers between digital assets and stablecoins.

PayPal also introduced Pay with Crypto, enabling merchants to accept over 100 cryptocurrencies and wallets, including Coinbase and MetaMask, with instant conversion to stablecoins or fiat. The platform charges just 0.99% per transaction, cutting costs compared with international credit card payments.

Looking ahead, Venmo users can shop online and in-store at millions of merchants starting in 2026. PayPal said these initiatives aim to expand global reach, provide more payment options, and drive growth for merchants while enhancing the user experience.

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UK to benefit from Google’s £5 billion AI plan

Google has unveiled plans to invest £5 billion (around $6.8 billion) in the UK’s AI economy over the next two years.

An announcement comes just hours before US President Donald Trump’s official visit to the country, during which economic agreements worth more than $10 billion are expected.

The investment will include establishing a new AI data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, designed to meet growing demand for services like Google Cloud.

Alongside the facility, funds will be channelled into research and development, capital expenditure, engineering, and DeepMind’s work applying AI to science and healthcare. The project is expected to generate 8,250 annual jobs for British companies.

Google also revealed a partnership with Shell to support grid stability and contribute to the UK’s energy transition. The move highlights the economic and environmental stakes tied to AI expansion, as the UK positions itself as a hub for advanced digital technologies.

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Alphabet hits US$3 trillion valuation on AI optimism

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has become the fourth company to reach a market value above US$3 trillion, fuelled by investor confidence in AI and relief over a favourable antitrust ruling.

Its shares jumped 4.3 percent to close at US$251.76 on 15 September, lifting the firm’s valuation to US$3.05 trillion.

The rally has added about US$1.2 trillion in value since April, with Alphabet joining Apple and Microsoft in the elite group while Nvidia remains the most valuable at US$4.25 trillion.

Investor optimism has been strengthened by expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut and surging demand for AI-related products.

Alphabet’s communications services unit has risen more than 26 percent in 2025, outpacing all other major sectors. Strong growth in its cloud division, new AI investments, and the Gemini model have reinforced the company’s momentum.

Analysts note that, while search continues to dominate revenues, Alphabet is increasingly viewed as a diversified technology powerhouse with YouTube, Waymo, and AI research at its core.

By avoiding a forced breakup of Chrome and Android, the antitrust ruling also removed a significant threat to its business model.

Market strategists suggest Alphabet now combines the strength of its legacy platforms with the credibility of emerging technologies, securing its place at the centre of Wall Street’s AI-driven rally.

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Lumex chips bring advanced AI to mobile devices

Arm Holdings has unveiled Lumex, its next-generation chip designs built to bring advanced AI performance directly to mobile devices.

The new designs range from highly energy-efficient chips for wearables to high-performance versions capable of running large AI models on smartphones without cloud support.

Lumex forms part of Arm’s Compute Subsystems business, offering handset makers pre-integrated designs, while also strengthening Arm’s broader strategy to expand smartphone and data centre revenues.

The chips are tailored for 3-nanometre manufacturing processes provided by suppliers such as TSMC, whose technology is also used in Apple’s latest iPhone chips. Arm has indicated further investment in its own chip development to capitalise on demand.

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