A trial in Sutton is using AI sensors to monitor the well-being of vulnerable people in their homes. The system tracks movement, temperature, and appliance usage to identify patterns and detect unusual activity, such as a missed meal or a fall. The initiative aims to allow individuals to live independently for longer while providing reassurance to their loved ones.
Margaret Linehan, 86, who has dementia, is one of over 1,200 residents using the system. She described it as a valuable safety net, helping alert her family if something is amiss. Her daughter-in-law, Marianne, can check an app to monitor activity and receive alerts. On one occasion, when Margaret got up for a cup of tea in the middle of the night, the system notified her son, highlighting its ability to detect unexpected behaviour.
The AI-powered technology, which does not use cameras or microphones, has already detected over 1,800 falls in the past year, enabling rapid responses from care teams. Sutton Council is trialling the system as part of a wider government initiative exploring AI’s role in improving public services. Experts hope the technology will revolutionise social care by providing proactive support while ensuring people’s privacy and independence.
The European Union is preparing to introduce new regulations that would hold e-commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein, and Amazon Marketplace accountable for illegal or unsafe products sold online. Under the proposed customs reforms, online retailers will be required to provide data before goods arrive in the EU, allowing officials to inspect and monitor shipments more effectively.
Currently, consumers purchasing goods online are considered the official importers for customs purposes. The proposed changes would shift this responsibility to online platforms, making them liable for ensuring compliance with EU safety standards, as well as collecting duty and VAT. The reforms also include the creation of a central EU customs authority (EUCA) to oversee inspections and identify risks before shipments enter the bloc.
The draft proposal aims to improve consumer safety and close regulatory gaps in online commerce. E-commerce giants have not yet responded to the proposed changes, which could have significant financial and operational implications for their businesses.
Google’s X has spun out a new startup, Heritable Agriculture, which applies AI to revolutionise plant breeding. Using machine learning, the company analyses plant genomes to identify combinations that enhance yields, reduce water consumption, and increase carbon storage in soil.
The startup was founded by Brad Zamft, a former Google X researcher with a background in physics and biotech. Under his leadership, Heritable has tested thousands of plants using AI-powered models, running experiments in controlled growth chambers and field sites across the United States. Unlike gene-editing firms, Heritable focuses on refining traditional breeding methods rather than modifying DNA directly.
The company has secured investment from FTW Ventures, Mythos Ventures, and Google itself, though financial details remain undisclosed. As it steps into independence, Heritable Agriculture aims to commercialise its AI-driven approach, potentially reshaping the future of sustainable farming.
Chinese internet users have been captivated by the DeepSeek AI app, which has gained immense popularity since its launch during the Lunar New Year holiday. Users have explored its predictive and analytical capabilities, with some posing questions on politics, economics, and even personal matters. For example, law professor Wang Jiangyu asked how China should respond to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, receiving a comprehensive seven-point answer that included potential new tariffs on US industries and other strategic moves. The model’s detailed responses have impressed users, though it censors certain politically sensitive topics, such as questions about Xi Jinping or the Tiananmen Square protests.
DeepSeek’s low-cost yet powerful AI has made waves in the tech sector, surpassing ChatGPT in downloads on the Apple App Store. The Hangzhou-based startup has become a source of national pride, with users sharing personal experiences, such as using the app to predict their fortunes or interpret dreams. This surge in popularity has drawn attention to the company’s rapid growth, and its founder, Liang Wengfeng, has emerged as a pop culture figure.
Despite its success, DeepSeek’s claims about the minimal cost of training its latest AI model—less than $6 million in computing power—have raised scepticism among some experts. Nevertheless, the platform’s effectiveness has prompted comparisons to the billions invested by US tech giants in AI development. The app’s rapid rise has also led to investigations by authorities in several countries, including Japan, South Korea, and several European nations, over concerns about its handling of personal data.
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, is shaking up the ΑΙ landscape by offering technology at a significantly lower cost compared to US competitors like OpenAI. Hemanth Mandapati, CEO of German startup Novo AI, recently switched to DeepSeek’s chatbot services, noting that the transition was quick and easy, and the cost savings were substantial. Mandapati reported that DeepSeek’s pricing was five times lower than what he was paying, with no noticeable difference in user performance. Analysts estimate that DeepSeek’s prices are 20 to 40 times cheaper than OpenAI’s, making it an attractive option for many startups.
The rise of DeepSeek is seen as a potential game-changer, particularly in Europe, where tech startups have struggled to compete with their US counterparts due to limited funding. Some believe DeepSeek’s low-cost offerings could democratise AI and help level the playing field with major tech companies. However, concerns about DeepSeek’s data practices, particularly regarding the potential copying of OpenAI’s data or censorship of Chinese content, have raised regulatory questions across Europe.
Despite scepticism around the actual cost of DeepSeek’s training and data usage, the company has garnered significant attention, especially after its model topped the productivity app rankings on the Apple App Store. Industry leaders argue that this shift in pricing could spark a broader movement in AI, with smaller companies gaining more access to advanced technologies without needing large budgets. This could foster innovation across the sector, although major corporations remain cautious due to security and integration concerns.
As the cost of AI continues to fall, competition is intensifying. For example, Microsoft recently made OpenAI’s reasoning model available for free to users of its Copilot platform. While price is becoming a dominant factor in AI adoption, industry experts suggest that trust and security certifications will still play a critical role for larger businesses when choosing their AI partners.
India is re-evaluating its cryptocurrency stance as global attitudes towards digital assets shift. Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth stated that the government is reviewing its discussion paper on cryptocurrency, originally set for release in September 2024, to reflect changing international regulations. The move follows recent policy adjustments in multiple jurisdictions, prompting India to reassess its approach.
Despite strict regulations, including a 30% capital gains tax and a 1% transaction levy, crypto adoption in India continues to grow. Authorities maintain strong regulatory control, with the Financial Intelligence Unit taking action against non-compliant exchanges. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India remains cautious, while market regulators propose a multi-agency approach to oversight, signalling a possible shift in policy.
India’s complex relationship with cryptocurrency dates back to 2013, when the RBI first issued warnings. In 2018, a banking ban crippled the industry, only to be overturned by the Supreme Court in 2020. While the government supports blockchain and central bank digital currencies, the fate of private cryptocurrencies remains uncertain. As global regulations evolve, India’s next steps could have far-reaching consequences for the crypto sector.
Google has quietly launched its latest AI model, Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental, through a changelog update for its Gemini chatbot app. The new model, now available to Gemini Advanced subscribers, promises improved accuracy and performance, particularly in coding and mathematics-related tasks.
The release comes as competition in the AI space intensifies, with Chinese startup DeepSeek gaining attention for its high-performing models. Unlike previous Gemini versions, Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental does not support real-time data access and may exhibit unexpected behaviours as it remains in an early preview phase.
Alongside this update, Google has also rolled out its Gemini 2.0 Flash model to all users of the Gemini app. The company continues to iterate rapidly on its AI technology, positioning Gemini as a key player in the evolving AI market.
Intel has received $2.2 billion in federal grants as part of the US CHIPS and Science Act, supporting its efforts to boost domestic semiconductor production. The funding, awarded by the Department of Commerce, is part of a total $7.86 billion grant announced last November, aimed at expanding Intel’s manufacturing and advanced packaging operations across several states.
While an additional $5.66 billion is still to be disbursed, concerns have emerged over the future of the US CHIPS Act under the Trump administration. A proposed federal funding freeze, currently blocked by a judge, could impact the Commerce Department’s work on semiconductor subsidies. Despite this uncertainty, Intel’s leadership remains optimistic, citing ongoing discussions with the new administration.
Intel executives have expressed confidence in continued government support, highlighting shared goals of strengthening US semiconductor production. The company plans to use the funds to enhance its facilities in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon, reinforcing America’s position in the global chip industry.
General Motors is pivoting towards its advanced driver assistance system, Super Cruise, after shutting down its loss-making robotaxi business. The technology, similar to Tesla’s Autopilot, enables hands-free driving and is now available on around 20 high-end models, including Cadillacs and large SUVs. GM expects the system to generate $2 billion in annual revenue within five years.
Unlike traditional car sales, Super Cruise provides an ongoing revenue stream through subscriptions. Customers receive three years of free access before being charged $25 per month or $250 per year. The technology relies on a sophisticated combination of cameras, radar, and driver-monitoring sensors to ensure safety, offering a more robust system than Tesla’s.
Despite this push into software-driven revenue, GM’s stock has yet to see the kind of growth Tesla enjoys. Investors remain cautious, especially amid concerns over potential tariffs on Canada and Mexico. However, CEO Mary Barra remains optimistic, aiming to double the number of Super Cruise-enabled vehicles in 2025 and significantly increase subscription renewals.
The US Commerce Department is investigating whether DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company that recently launched a high-performing assistant, has been using US chips in violation of export restrictions. These chips are prohibited from being shipped to China, raising concerns about DeepSeek’s rapid rise in the AI sector. Within days of launching, its app became the most downloaded on Apple’s App Store, contributing to a significant drop in US tech stocks, which lost around $1 trillion in value.
The US has imposed strict limits on the export of advanced AI chips to China, particularly those made by Nvidia. These restrictions aim to prevent China from accessing the most sophisticated AI processors. However, reports suggest that AI chip smuggling from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and the UAE may be circumventing these measures. DeepSeek has admitted to using Nvidia’s H800 chips, which were legally purchased in 2023, but it is unclear whether it has used other restricted components.
The controversy deepened when Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei commented that DeepSeek’s AI chip fleet likely includes both legal and smuggled chips, some of which were shipped before restrictions were fully enforced. While DeepSeek has claimed to use only the less powerful H20 chips, which are still permitted to be sold to China, the investigation continues whether these practices undermine US efforts to limit China’s access to cutting-edge AI technologies.
