Amazon is rolling out an AI upgrade to its Alexa assistant, aiming to make interactions more conversational and responsive. The new version is designed to follow the context and respond more naturally.
The update comes as Amazon seeks to compete with advanced AI chatbots that have gained popularity in recent years. Critics have argued that smart speakers have fallen behind newer AI tools.
Users in the UK are expected to notice more personalised and proactive responses from the upgraded assistant. This will be based on user and customer personal data. The service will be included with Prime subscriptions or offered as a standalone monthly option.
Analysts say the update could help Amazon gather even more user data and improve engagement by picking up on customers’ habits through conversations. However, questions remain about whether the changes will drive revenue or revive interest in smart speakers.
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Two researchers have been awarded the Turing Award for pioneering work in quantum cryptography. Their research laid the foundations for a new form of secure communication based on quantum physics.
The method, developed in the 1980s, enables encryption keys that cannot be copied without detection. Any attempt to intercept the data alters its physical properties, revealing interference.
Experts say the approach could become vital as quantum computing advances. Traditional encryption methods may become vulnerable as computing power increases.
The award highlights the growing importance of secure data transmission in a digital world. Researchers believe quantum cryptography could play a central role in encrypting and protecting future communications.
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A Berlin court has ruled that Meta unlawfully processed personal data through its Facebook platform, including information belonging to non-users. Judges found the ‘Find Friends’ feature lacked a valid legal basis for handling third-party data.
The court determined that Meta acted as a data controller and could not rely on consent, contract or legitimate interests to justify the processing. Non-users had no reasonable expectation that their data would be collected or stored.
The German judges also ruled that personalised advertising based on platform data breached GDPR rules. The processing was not considered necessary for providing a social media service and lacked a lawful basis.
However, the court accepted that sensitive personal data entered by users could be processed with explicit consent under the GDPR. The ruling is under appeal and may shape future enforcement of the EU data protection law.
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Generative AI is becoming increasingly common in Europe, with around a third of people using the tools in 2025. Fewer than half of these users apply AI professionally, leaving workplace adoption at just 15%.
Usage varies greatly across the continent. Norway recorded the highest rate at 35.4%, followed closely by Switzerland at 34.4%. Northern and Western European nations generally lead, while Eastern and Southeastern countries report much lower rates, with Hungary at only 1.3%.
Among the EU’s largest economies, France and Spain have the highest workplace AI use, at 18.4% and 17.9%, respectively, while Germany is slightly above average at 15.8%, and Italy lags at 8%. Experts note that adoption depends on skills, trust, governance, and the structure of national economies.
The gap between personal and professional AI use highlights growth potential. As AI agents continue spreading across workplaces, adoption rates are expected to rise, particularly in industries suited to generative AI, such as ICT, research, media, and knowledge-based sectors.
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Meta will shut down Horizon Worlds on its Quest headsets, ending its flagship virtual reality (VR) platform and marking a clear retreat from its metaverse ambitions. The app will be removed from the Quest store on 31 March and discontinued in VR by 15 June, continuing only as a mobile service.
Horizon Worlds, launched in 2021, was central to Meta’s rebranding from Facebook and its vision of a fully immersive virtual environment. Despite billions in investment and high-profile partnerships, the platform failed to attract a large user base and struggled with design limitations and weak engagement.
Reality Labs, the division behind the metaverse push, has accumulated nearly $80 billion in losses since 2020, including more than $6 billion in a single quarter. Recent layoffs affecting around 10 percent of the VR workforce, along with the shutdown of related projects, underscore a broader pullback.
Competition and shifting priorities have accelerated the decline. Rival platforms such as VRChat maintained stronger communities, while Meta increasingly redirected resources toward AI and hardware, including its Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Although Meta says it remains committed to VR, the closure of Horizon Worlds signals a strategic reset. The company is repositioning its future around AI-driven products, marking a decisive shift away from its earlier metaverse vision.
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South Korea is seeking international support for a proposed global AI hub to advance cooperation on technology and governance. The initiative was discussed during talks with Switzerland’s leadership.
Officials in Switzerland met with South Korea’s prime minister to strengthen bilateral ties and support the project. The programme is intended to promote collaboration on AI rules, education and innovation.
The government of South Korea has also engaged several UN agencies to support the initiative. Agreements outline cooperation to help establish the hub and expand global dialogue on AI development.
Leaders in South Korea say the country aims to contribute its strong information technology capabilities to the project. The initiative reflects broader efforts to position the nation as a key player in global AI policy and innovation.
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A new 110MW data centre microgrid has been launched in Dublin to support rising AI-driven energy demand. The system is designed to provide reliable power during early development stages before full grid connection.
The project combines energy generation, battery storage and heat recovery to improve efficiency and resilience. Developers say the system can help address power constraints affecting large-scale cloud and AI facilities.
Industry leaders in Dublin say the microgrid offers a model for integrating renewable energy with traditional infrastructure. The approach could be replicated in other European markets facing similar grid limitations.
Experts say the system also enables future innovations such as hydrogen integration and district heating. The project reflects a broader shift towards treating energy as a strategic asset in the expansion of AI infrastructure.
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Business leaders in Cyprus are increasingly concerned about whether their organisations are adapting quickly enough to AI-driven change. A recent PwC survey shows many executives feel the pace of transformation is too slow.
Despite growing interest, most companies have yet to see significant financial returns from AI. Only a minority reported increased revenue or reduced costs, while many said the impact remains limited. These returns are not limited to Cyprus, but are also seen around the world.
Companies in Cyprus are still building the foundations for wider AI adoption. The challenges include limited investment, difficulty attracting skilled talent and uncertainty about organisational readiness.
Executives expect AI to affect junior roles more than senior positions over the coming years. Leaders emphasise the need for clear strategy, workforce development and stronger alignment between technology and business goals.
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Cybercrime incidents have surged as AI tools enable more convincing scams, leading to sharply rising losses in Estonia. Authorities reported thousands of phishing and fraud cases affecting individuals and businesses.
Criminals are using AI to generate fluent messages in Estonian, removing a key warning sign that once helped people detect scams. Experts say language accuracy has made fraudulent calls and messages harder to identify.
Growing awareness of scams is also fuelling public anxiety, with some users considering abandoning digital services. Officials warn that loss of trust could undermine confidence in digital systems.
Authorities are urging stronger safeguards and public education to counter the cybersecurity threats. Banks, telecom firms and digital identity providers are introducing new protections while campaigns aim to improve digital awareness.
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Tokyo authorities are accelerating the adoption of generative AI across public administration, aiming to improve efficiency and address labour shortages. Municipal governments across the capital are increasingly integrating AI into daily operations.
A new AI platform with GovTech Tokyo enables public employees to build customised applications without advanced technical skills. Built on open-source software, the system lowers costs and removes barriers linked to development and infrastructure.
Practical applications include document drafting tools, regulatory search systems, and internal chatbots. Early deployments, such as in Sumida Ward, show reduced operational costs and faster workflows compared to outsourcing solutions.
GovTech Tokyo, established in 2023 to lead digital transformation, continues to expand support frameworks and expertise. Plans are underway to enable the sharing of AI applications across municipalities, strengthening collaboration and standardising innovation across the capital.
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