Future of work

BBC launches media literacy series for teenagers

BBC Children’s and Education has launched Solve The Story, a new series tackling online misinformation among teenagers. The six-part programme is designed for classroom use across UK schools.

The British series follows research showing teachers lack resources to teach critical thinking effectively. Surveys found teenagers struggle with online content volume, while one in three teachers find media literacy difficult to deliver.

Solve The Story uses mystery-style storytelling to help pupils question sources, spot deepfakes and challenge viral claims. Each episode includes practical classroom guides supporting teachers and lesson planning.

BBC figures say two thirds of teenagers worry about fake news causing confusion and stress. Educators argue AI-driven misinformation makes structured media literacy support increasingly urgent.

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Smartphone reliance grows amid uneven broadband access

Most Americans now use the internet daily and own smartphones, according to new Pew Research Center data. Around four in ten adults describe their internet use as almost constant.

Broadband access remains widespread, yet sharp income gaps persist across the US. Just over half of households earning under $30,000 subscribe, compared with almost all higher earners.

Smartphone ownership is nearly universal, even among older age groups. Many lower-income and younger adults increasingly rely on phones as their primary internet connection.

Researchers say digital inequality remains a defining challenge despite technological progress. Policymakers face pressure to address affordability, access, and long-term digital inclusion nationwide.

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Robotics industry sets out key trends for 2026

The global market for industrial robot installations has reached a record value of $16.7bn in 2025. The International Federation of Robotics expects further growth through technological change and labour pressures.

AI-driven autonomy is becoming central to robotics development, enabling machines to learn tasks and operate independently. Agentic AI combines analytical and generative models to improve decision-making in complex environments.

Robots are also becoming more versatile as IT and operational systems converge across factories and logistics. Humanoid robots are moving beyond prototypes, with reliability and efficiency now critical for industrial adoption.

Safety, cybersecurity and workforce acceptance remain key challenges for the sector. Industry leaders see robots as allies addressing labour shortages while governments expand skills and retraining programmes.

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UMMC conducts one of first multi-country live surgeries using 5G and AI

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre has carried out what it described as one of the world’s first real-time, multi-country live surgeries using a 5G-enabled AI and extended reality platform.

The ear, nose, and throat procedure took place in Petaling Jaya using apoQlar’s HoloMedicine Robotics extended reality system. Surgeons were connected with international students and specialists through CelcomDigi’s 5G network.

Participants joined from the United States, South Korea, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and several states in Malaysia. Institutions included Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.

The platform delivered three-dimensional views, live annotations, and two-way communication between the surgical team and international experts. CelcomDigi said its ultra-low-latency 5G connectivity enabled high-definition video and synchronised audio throughout the procedure.

UMMC said the live surgeries initiative demonstrated how extended reality and AI tools can support remote training and specialist collaboration without disrupting clinical workflows. The hospital plans to conduct further live urology, colorectal, and ENT sessions using the same system.

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Global AI adoption reaches record levels in 2025

Global adoption of generative AI continued to rise in the second half of 2025, reaching 16.3 percent of the world’s population. Around one in six people now use AI tools for work, learning, and problem-solving, marking rapid progress for a technology still in its early years.

Adoption remains uneven, with the Global North growing nearly twice as fast as the Global South. Countries with early investments in digital infrastructure and AI policies, including the UAE, Singapore, and South Korea, lead the way.

South Korea saw the most significant gain, rising seven spots globally due to government initiatives, improved Korean-language models, and viral consumer trends.

The UAE maintains its lead, benefiting from years of foresight, including early AI strategy, dedicated ministries, and regulatory frameworks that foster trust and widespread usage.

Meanwhile, open-source platforms such as DeepSeek are expanding access in underserved markets, including Africa, China, and Iran, lowering financial and technical barriers for millions of new users.

While AI adoption grows globally, disparities persist. Policymakers and developers face the challenge of ensuring that the next wave of AI users benefits broader communities, narrowing divides rather than deepening them.

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EU faces pressure to strengthen Digital Markets Act oversight

Rivals of major technology firms have criticised the European Commission for weak enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, arguing that slow procedures and limited transparency undermine the regulation’s effectiveness.

Feedback gathered during a Commission consultation highlights concerns about delaying tactics, interface designs that restrict user choice, and circumvention strategies used by designated gatekeepers.

The Digital Markets Act entered into force in March 2024, prompting several non-compliance investigations against Apple, Meta and Google. Although Apple and Meta have already faced fines, follow-up proceedings remain ongoing, while Google has yet to receive sanctions.

Smaller technology firms argue that enforcement lacks urgency, particularly in areas such as self-preferencing, data sharing, interoperability and digital advertising markets.

Concerns also extend to AI and cloud services, where respondents say the current framework fails to reflect market realities.

Generative AI tools, such as large language models, raise questions about whether existing platform categories remain adequate or whether new classifications are necessary. Cloud services face similar scrutiny, as major providers often fall below formal thresholds despite acting as critical gateways.

The Commission plans to submit a review report to the European Parliament and the Council by early May, drawing on findings from the consultation.

Proposed changes include binding timelines and interim measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and restoring confidence in the bloc’s flagship competition rules.

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AI could optimise power grids and reduce energy waste

AI could help make power grids cleaner and more efficient while reducing energy waste, even as data centres powering generative models consume increasing amounts of electricity. Researchers are exploring ways to balance these demands with optimisation techniques.

Accurate predictions of renewable energy availability using AI can help grid operators integrate solar and wind power more effectively. AI can solve complex optimisation problems, quickly and accurately managing power generation, battery use, and flexible loads.

Beyond real-time operations, AI can enhance grid planning and predictive maintenance, identifying potential faults before they lead to outages.

Application-specific AI models can support decarbonisation strategies and enable the integration of more renewable energy while keeping energy costs and environmental impacts in check.

Experts caution that not all AI development in the energy sector is equally beneficial. Large, general-purpose models are highly resource-intensive, whereas smaller, targeted models offer measurable advantages in terms of grid efficiency and sustainability.

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Portugal government backs AI with €400 million plan

Portugal has announced a €400 million investment in AI over the period 2026-2030, primarily funded by European programmes. The National Artificial Intelligence Agenda (ANIA) and its Action Plan (PAANIA) aim to strengthen Portugal’s position in AI research, industry, and innovation.

The government predicts AI could boost the country’s GDP by €18-22 billion in the next decade. Officials highlight Portugal’s growing technical talent pool, strong universities and research centres, renewable energy infrastructure, and a dynamic start-up ecosystem as key advantages.

Key projects include establishing AI gigafactories and supercomputing facilities to support research, SMEs, and start-ups, alongside a National Data Centre Plan aimed to simplifying licensing and accelerating the sector.

Early investments of €10 million target AI applications in public administration, with a total of €25 million planned.

Sectoral AI Centres will focus on healthcare and industrial robotics, leveraging AI to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and support productivity, competitiveness, and the creation of skilled jobs.

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Netomi shows how to scale enterprise AI safely

Netomi has developed a blueprint for scaling enterprise AI, utilising GPT-4.1 for rapid tool use and GPT-5.2 for multi-step reasoning. The platform supports complex workflows, policy compliance, and heavy operational loads, serving clients such as United Airlines and DraftKings.

The company emphasises three core lessons. First, systems must handle real-world complexity, orchestrating multiple APIs, databases, and tools to maintain state and situational awareness across multi-step workflows.

Second, parallelised architectures ensure low latency even under extreme demand, keeping response times fast and reliable during spikes in activity.

Third, governance is embedded directly into the runtime, enforcing compliance, protecting sensitive data, and providing deterministic fallbacks when AI confidence is low.

Netomi demonstrates how agentic AI can be safely scaled, providing enterprises with a model for auditable, predictable, and resilient intelligent systems. These practices serve as a roadmap for organisations seeking to move AI from experimental tools to production-ready infrastructure.

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Telegram bonds frozen amid ongoing international sanctions framework

Around $500 million in bonds issued by Telegram remain frozen within Russia’s financial settlement system following the application of international sanctions.

The situation reflects how global regulatory measures can continue to affect corporate assets even when companies operate across multiple jurisdictions.

According to reports, the frozen bonds were issued in 2021 and are held at Russia’s National Settlement Depository.

Telegram said its more recent $1.7 billion bond issuance in 2025 involved international investors, with no participation from Russian capital, and was purchased mainly by institutional funds based outside Russia.

Telegram stated that bond repayments follow established international procedures through intermediaries, meaning payment obligations are fulfilled regardless of whether individual bondholders face restrictions.

Financial results for 2025 also showed losses, linked in part to a decline in cryptocurrency valuations, which reflected broader market conditions rather than company-specific factors.

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