In Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling tech hub, a new attraction draws crowds: the Robot Cafe, where robots deliver meals to diners. This innovative eatery, the first of its kind in East Africa, features three robots—Claire, R24, and Nadia—gliding between tables with food trays, captivating customers who come to witness this futuristic service. The cafe’s owner, Mohammed Abbas, was inspired to bring robot waiters to Kenya after experiencing them in Asia and Europe despite the high cost of importing the technology.
While the robots add a unique, entertaining element to the dining experience, they don’t replace human staff. Waiters still play a crucial role in taking orders and serving drinks, with the robots primarily handling food delivery. The technology highlights the potential for automation in the hospitality industry, but cafe manager John Kariuki notes that robots aren’t a cost-saving replacement for human workers. Instead, they complement the service, showing how human and robotic labour coexist.
Industry experts believe robotic and human service can thrive together, catering to different customer preferences. While some diners may enjoy the novelty of robot service, others still value the warmth and personal touch that only human waitstaff can provide. As Nairobi continues to grow as a tech hub, the Robot Cafe symbolizes the city’s embrace of innovation while recognizing the enduring importance of human interaction in hospitality.
Thailand has given the green light to Western Digital’s $693 million project to expand hard disk production within the country. The investment, announced by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), is set to enhance the nation’s economy, adding 200 billion baht in annual exports and creating 10,000 new jobs. Western Digital employs 28,000 people in Thailand, a key hub where 80% of the world’s hard disks are produced.
The approval is part of a broader trend in Thailand’s hard disk industry, which has seen 82.6 billion baht in investments over the past decade. Last year, Seagate, a rival in the industry, also expanded its operations with a 16 billion baht investment, highlighting the growing demand driven by cloud technology and data centres.
As Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, Thailand aims to attract 800 billion baht in overall investment applications by 2024, reflecting its strategic push to remain one of the bigger leaders in hard disk manufacturing.
The UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI) has made notable progress since its launch, reflecting a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and fostering economic growth through collaboration in emerging technologies. Recently, the National Security Advisors from both countries convened to establish a framework for the initiative, focusing on regulatory and licensing protocols. That meeting resulted in the formation of a bilateral task force designed to streamline communication between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the UK government, ensuring a cohesive approach to the initiative’s objectives.
Regarding sector-specific collaborations, discussions have commenced in key areas such as telecommunications, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health and biotechnology, advanced materials and semiconductors. The two nations are exploring the implementation of Open RAN systems to enhance telecom security and innovation.
Investment partnerships are also a significant focus of the TSI. Investment forums are being organized to attract Indian enterprises, particularly in green technology, offshore wind, and green hydrogen sectors. The initiative includes dedicated programs to empower women in technology, with funding opportunities designed to support their participation and leadership in these fields. This emphasis on inclusivity highlights the initiative’s broader goal of fostering sustainable economic development.
Moreover, the TSI is addressing global tech governance by collaborating on the establishment of digital technical standards and frameworks for internet governance and cybersecurity. This proactive approach aims to tackle emerging challenges in the digital landscape, ensuring that both countries are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of technology in a global context.
Why does this matter?
Looking ahead, plans are in place to launch initiatives focused on technology research centres, incubators, and academic partnerships. As the TSI progresses, further updates will highlight specific projects and collaborations, aligning with the goals of the India-UK Roadmap 2030.
In the world of video game development, the rise of AI has sparked concern among performers who fear it could threaten their jobs. Motion capture actors like Noshir Dalal, who perform the physical movements that bring game characters to life, worry that AI could be used to replicate their performances without their consent, potentially reducing job opportunities and diminishing the value of their work.
Dalal, who has played characters in the most popular video games like ‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,’ highlights the physical toll and skill required in motion capture work. He argues that AI could allow studios to bypass hiring actors for new projects by reusing data from past performances. The concern is central to the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which represents video game performers and other media professionals. The union is demanding stronger protections against unregulated AI use in the industry.
Why does this matter?
AI’s ability to generate new animations and voices based on existing data is at the heart of the issue. While studios argue that they have offered meaningful AI protections, performers remain sceptical. They worry that the use of AI could lead to ethical dilemmas, such as their likenesses being used in ways they do not endorse, as seen in the controversy surrounding game modifications that use AI to create inappropriate content.
Video game companies have offered wage increases and other benefits as negotiations continue, but the debate over AI protections remains unresolved. Performers like Dalal and others argue that AI could strip away the artistry and individuality that actors bring to their roles without strict controls, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how AI is regulated in the entertainment industry, impacting the future of video game development and beyond.
Researchers at the University of Auckland’s Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand have used machine learning to delve into athletic recovery. They tracked 43 endurance athletes, gathering extensive data on sleep, diet, heart-rate variability, and workout routines. The study revealed that while certain factors like sleep quality and muscle soreness broadly influence recovery, the most effective predictors vary from person to person.
For instance, sleep data might be a strong indicator for one athlete, while for another, protein intake and muscle soreness could be more relevant. A simpler model using just a few variables performed nearly as well as more complex ones, emphasising that not all factors are equally important for every athlete. However, the effectiveness of predictions significantly improved when tailored to individual data.
The study also examined heart-rate variability (HRV) but found that predicting HRV changes based on controllable factors, like training load and diet, proved challenging. Although HRV is often used as a gauge for readiness to train, the researchers concluded that its predictive value might be limited.
Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of personalised recovery strategies. While broad patterns exist, the best approach to recovery seems to hinge on understanding the unique factors that impact each athlete individually.
A recent survey by Teikoku Databank Ltd reveals that less than 20% of Japanese companies are utilising generative AI in their operations, primarily due to concerns about inadequate internal expertise. Despite the growing recognition of AI as a tool for enhancing business efficiency, many firms still need to be bold in adopting the technology.
Of the 4,705 primarily small and medium-sized enterprises surveyed, only 17.3% reported using generative AI. While 26.8% are considering its adoption, nearly half have yet to make plans to integrate the technology. A lack of skilled staff and operational know-how was cited by 54.1% of respondents as a bigger barrier, alongside concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated content and uncertainty about which tasks would benefit from AI.
Additionally, companies expressed worries about the need for internal rules to address potential issues such as legal responsibilities, copyright concerns, and the risk of information leaks. Among those already using AI, only 19.5% have established clear guidelines for its application, indicating a general lack of preparedness.
The survey found that information gathering is the most common use of generative AI, with nearly 60% of companies employing it. Other frequent uses include text summarisation and brainstorming during project planning.
Despite the challenges, 86.7% of businesses that have adopted AI reported positive outcomes. Yohei Sadaka of Teikoku Databank expects more companies to embrace AI as they become better equipped to manage the associated risks and establish more precise internal guidelines. The survey was conducted between 14 June and 5 July.
Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director behind the original Gladiator, is raising the stakes with Gladiator II, promising some of the biggest action sequences of his career. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Scott revealed that the film begins with an enormous action scene, surpassing even his work on Napoleon. Paul Mescal stars in the sequel, alongside Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, taking audiences on a thrilling new adventure two decades after the Oscar-winning original.
Scott embraces advanced technology, including AI, to bring his vision to life. One of the standout sequences features Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius, facing off against a massive rhino. Scott shared that he used a combination of computerisation and AI to create a lifelike model of the rhino, which was mounted on a robotic platform capable of impressive movements, adding a new layer of realism to the film’s action.
The director’s shift in attitude towards AI is notable, given his earlier concerns about the technology. Last year, Scott expressed fears about AI’s potential to disrupt society, but now he acknowledges its role in filmmaking. Despite his previous reservations, Scott seems to have found a balance between caution and innovation, using AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible on screen.
Humanoid robots are poised to revolutionise industries, with tech giants leading the charge. Companies such as Nvidia and Tesla are at the forefront of developing these human-like machines, equipped with advanced AI. These robots are designed to perform complex tasks, from manufacturing to customer service.
The potential applications for humanoid robots are vast. Tesla aims to deploy them in its factories, while other companies are exploring their use in logistics and healthcare. As AI technology continues to evolve, these machines are becoming increasingly sophisticated, capable of learning and adapting to new tasks.
Why does this matter?
The development of humanoid robots represents a significant investment in the future. Companies like Nvidia are building entire ecosystems to support robotics innovation. While challenges remain, the potential benefits are enormous. As these machines become more prevalent, they could reshape the workforce and drive economic growth.
The race to develop the most advanced humanoid robot is heating up. With major players investing heavily in this technology, the future of work is changing rapidly.
Cisco is set to lay off thousands of employees in a second round of job cuts this year, focusing on restructuring towards higher-growth areas like cybersecurity and AI. The affected employees could match or exceed the 4,000 workers let go in February. The layoffs, expected to be announced with Cisco’s fourth-quarter results, are part of the company’s strategy to adapt to declining demand in its traditional networking equipment business.
As Cisco diversifies, it has completed a $28 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Splunk, aiming to shift more towards subscription services and reduce reliance on one-time equipment sales. The company is also heavily investing in AI, with a $1 billion fund launched in June to support AI startups and a goal of $1 billion in AI product orders by 2025.
These layoffs reflect broader cost-cutting measures in the tech industry, where over 126,000 jobs have been lost across 393 companies this year. Cisco’s stock has declined over 9% this year, partly due to challenges in its core business and the ongoing restructuring efforts.
A new report from the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and the International Labour Organization examines the impact of AI on the global workforce. Titled ‘Mind the AI Divide: Shaping a Global Perspective on the Future of Work,’ the report delves into how AI is reshaping labour markets, altering the AI value chain, and changing the demand for skills.
The report highlights the uneven adoption of AI across different regions, which could exacerbate global inequalities if not addressed. To promote inclusive growth, the report emphasises the need for strategies that support AI development in areas that need to catch up in technology adoption.
Strengthening international cooperation and building national capacities are identified as key steps toward creating a more equitable and resilient AI ecosystem. The report advocates for global collaboration to ensure that AI benefits are widely shared, fostering global opportunities for prosperity and human advancement.
