Researchers at the University of Chicago are using AI to uncover insights into how the human brain processes surprise. The project, directed by Associate Professor Monica Rosenberg, compares human and AI responses to narrative moments to explore cognitive processes.
The study involved participants listening to stories whilst researchers recorded their responses through brain scans. Researchers then fed identical stories to the language model Llama, prompting it to predict subsequent text after each segment.
When AI predictions diverged from actual story content, that gap served as a measure of surprise, mirroring the discrepancy human readers experience when expectations fail.
Results showed a striking alignment between AI prediction errors and both participants’ reported feelings and brain-scan activity patterns. The correlation emerged when texts were analysed in 10 to 20-word chunks, suggesting humans and AI encode surprise at broader levels where ideas unfold.
Fourth-year data science student Bella Summe, involved in the Cognition, Attention and Brain Lab research, noted the creative challenge of working in an emerging field.
Few studies have explored whether LLM prediction errors could serve as measures of human surprise, requiring constant problem-solving and experimental design adaptation throughout the project.
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AI in breast cancer screening reduced late diagnoses by 12% and increased early detection rates in the largest trial of its kind. The Swedish study involved 100,000 women randomly assigned to AI-supported screening or standard radiologist readings between April 2021 and December 2022.
The AI system analysed mammograms and assigned low-risk cases to single readings and high-risk cases to double readings by radiologists.
Results published in The Lancet showed 1.55 cancers per 1,000 women in the AI group versus 1.76 in the control group, with 81% detected at the screening stage, compared with 74% in the control group.
Dr Kristina Lång from Lund University said AI-supported mammography could reduce radiologist workload pressures and improve early detection, but cautioned that implementation must be done carefully with continuous monitoring.
Researchers stressed that screening still requires at least one human radiologist working alongside AI, rather than AI replacing human radiologists. Cancer Research UK’s Dr Sowmiya Moorthie called the findings promising but noted more research is needed to confirm life-saving potential.
Breast Cancer Now’s Simon Vincent highlighted the significant potential for AI to support radiologists, emphasising that earlier diagnosis improves treatment outcomes for a disease that affects over 2 million people globally each year.
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OpenAI has launched Prism, a cloud-based LaTeX workspace designed to streamline the drafting, collaboration, and publication of academic papers. The tool integrates writing, citation management, real-time collaboration, and AI assistance into a single environment to reduce workflow friction.
Built specifically for scientific use, Prism embeds GPT-5.2 directly inside documents rather than as a separate chatbot. Researchers can rewrite sections, verify equations, test arguments, and clarify explanations without leaving the editing interface, positioning AI as a background collaborator.
Users can start new LaTeX projects or upload existing files through prism.openai.com using a ChatGPT account. Co-authors can join instantly, enabling simultaneous editing while maintaining structured formatting for equations, references, and manuscript layout.
OpenAI says Prism supports academic search, converts handwritten formulas into clean LaTeX, and allows voice-driven edits for faster reviews. Completed papers export as publication-ready PDFs alongside full source files.
Initially available for free to personal ChatGPT users, the workspace will later expand to Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. The company frames the tool as a practical productivity layer rather than a research disruption platform.
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Jason Stockwood, the UK investment minister, has suggested that a universal basic income could help protect workers as AI reshapes the labour market.
He argued that rapid advances in automation will cause disruptive shifts across several sectors, meaning the country must explore safety mechanisms rather than allowing sudden job losses to deepen inequality. He added that workers will need long-term retraining pathways as roles disappear.
Concern about the economic impact of AI continues to intensify.
Research by Morgan Stanley indicates that the UK is losing more jobs than it is creating because of automation and is being affected more severely than other major economies.
Warnings from London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan and senior global business figures, including JP Morgan’s chief executive Jamie Dimon, point to the risk of mass unemployment unless governments and companies step in with support.
Stockwood confirmed that a universal basic income is not part of formal government policy, although he said people inside government are discussing the idea.
He took up his post in September after a long career in the technology sector, including senior roles at Match.com, Lastminute.com and Travelocity, as well as leading a significant sale of Simply Business.
Additionally, Stockwood said he no longer pushes for stronger wealth-tax measures, but he criticised wealthy individuals who seek to minimise their contributions to public finances. He suggested that those who prioritise tax avoidance lack commitment to their communities and the country’s long-term success.
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Google is rolling out an AI-powered browsing agent inside Chrome, allowing users to automate routine online tasks. The feature is being introduced in the US for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.
The Gemini agent can interact directly with websites in the US, including opening pages, clicking buttons and completing complex online forms. Testers reported successful use for tasks such as tax paperwork and licence renewals.
Google said Gemini AI integrates with password management tools while requiring user confirmation for payments and final transactions. Security safeguards and fraud detection systems have been built into Chrome for US users.
The Dutch data protection authority has urged the government to act swiftly to protect the country’s digital sovereignty, warning that dependence on overseas technology firms could expose vital public services to significant risk.
Concern has intensified after DigiD, the national digital identity system, appeared set for acquisition by a US company, raising questions about long-term control of key infrastructure.
The watchdog argues that the Netherlands relies heavily on a small group of non-European cloud and IT providers, and stresses that public bodies lack clear exit strategies if foreign ownership suddenly shifts.
Additionally, the watchdog criticises the government for treating digital autonomy as an academic exercise rather than recognising its immediate implications for communication between the state and citizens.
In a letter to the economy minister, the authority calls for a unified national approach rather than fragmented decisions by individual public bodies.
It proposes sovereignty criteria for all government contracts and suggests termination clauses that enable the state to withdraw immediately if a provider is sold abroad. It also notes the importance of designing public services to allow smooth provider changes when required.
The watchdog urges the government to strengthen European capacity by investing in scalable domestic alternatives, including a Dutch-controlled government cloud. The economy ministry has declined to comment.
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Australians are increasingly using generative AI for everyday tasks, with meal preparation and recipe planning emerging as the most common applications. A recent survey found that many households rely on ChatGPT for cooking inspiration, practical advice, and saving time.
The OpenAI-commissioned research shows strong uptake of AI tools for home renovations, DIY projects, and household budgeting. Many users rely on the technology to summarise news, plan meals, and solve routine problems, reinforcing its role as a personal assistant.
Work-related tasks remain another major area of use, particularly for drafting emails, clarifying information, and summarising meetings. Large numbers of respondents reported saving several hours each week, underscoring how generative AI is reshaping productivity and daily routines across Australia.
Generative AI adoption is highest among younger Australians, with usage strongest among those aged between 18 and 34. The trend reflects shifting digital habits and growing comfort with AI-driven tools across daily life and work decision-making.
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NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon are in talks to invest up to $60 billion in OpenAI, valuing the company at around $730 billion. The talks highlight intensifying competition among technology giants to secure strategic positions in the rapidly expanding AI sector.
NVIDIA is said to be considering the largest commitment, potentially investing as much as $30 billion, while Microsoft may add less than $10 billion despite its long-standing partnership with OpenAI.
Amazon could contribute more than $10 billion, strengthening its cloud and infrastructure ties with the company as demand for large-scale AI computing continues to rise.
OpenAI and NVIDIA are advancing plans to deploy large-scale data centre capacity, with a multi-year rollout starting in late 2026. The project aims to deliver large-scale high-performance computing, supporting OpenAI’s push towards artificial general intelligence and global expansion.
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Amazon has announced a new round of corporate job reductions affecting around 16,000 roles worldwide; however, the company insists the move is aimed at streamlining operations rather than replacing workers with AI. Instead, the layoffs are intended to reduce management layers and bureaucracy following years of rapid expansion.
Moreover, experts broadly support Amazon’s explanation, noting that the cuts do not signal widespread AI-driven job displacement. Although Amazon’s chief executive has acknowledged that generative AI could reduce corporate workforce needs in the future, analysts emphasise that current AI systems are not yet capable of replacing complex corporate roles at scale.
Meanwhile, the decision comes as Amazon continues to adjust after significant pandemic-era workforce growth, when online shopping surged, and the company expanded rapidly. As consumer behaviour has shifted back towards physical retail, the company has therefore focused on cost-cutting and workforce resizing.
Finally, specialists caution against overstating AI’s immediate impact on employment. While AI may affect some entry-level or routine tasks, experts argue that its capabilities have levelled off, meaning human expertise remains essential across most corporate functions.
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The government has expanded the UK joint industry programme offering free AI training to every adult, with the ambition of upskilling 10 million workers by 2030.
Newly benchmarked courses are available through the AI Skills Hub, giving people practical workplace skills while supporting Britain’s aim to become the fastest AI adopter in the G7.
The programme includes short online courses that teach workers in the UK how to use basic AI tools for everyday tasks such as drafting text, managing content and reducing administrative workloads.
Participants who complete approved training receive a government-backed virtual AI foundations badge, setting a national standard for AI capability across sectors.
Public sector staff, including NHS and local government employees, are among the groups targeted as the initiative expands.
Ministers also announced £27 million in funding to support local tech jobs, graduate traineeships and professional practice courses, alongside the launch of a new cross-government unit to monitor AI’s impact on jobs and labour markets.
Officials argue that widening access to AI skills will boost productivity, support economic growth and help workers adapt to technological change. The programme builds on existing digital skills initiatives and brings together government, industry and trade unions to shape a fair and resilient future of work.
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