Future of work

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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ChatGPT reaches 40 million daily users for health advice

More than 40 million people worldwide now use ChatGPT daily for health-related advice, according to OpenAI.

Over 5 percent of all messages sent to the chatbot relate to healthcare, with three in five US adults reporting use in the past three months. Many interactions occur outside clinic hours, highlighting the demand for AI guidance in navigating complex medical systems.

Users primarily turn to AI to check symptoms, understand medical terms, and explore treatment options.

OpenAI emphasises that ChatGPT helps patients gain agency over their health, particularly in rural areas where hospitals and specialised services are scarce.

The technology also supports healthcare professionals by reducing administrative burdens and providing timely information.

Despite growing adoption, regulatory oversight remains limited. Some US states have attempted to regulate AI in healthcare, and lawsuits have emerged over cases where AI-generated advice has caused harm.

OpenAI argues that ChatGPT supplements rather than replaces medical services, helping patients interpret information, prepare for care, and navigate gaps in access.

Healthcare workers are also increasingly using AI. Surveys show that two in five US professionals, including nurses and pharmacists, use generative AI weekly to draft notes, summarise research, and streamline workflows.

OpenAI plans to release healthcare policy recommendations to guide the responsible adoption of AI in clinical settings.

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Social Security move to digital payments

The US Social Security Administration has ended the routine issuance of paper benefit cheques in favour of electronic payments after a 30 September federal deadline. Electronic methods such as direct deposit or prepaid cards are now standard for most beneficiaries.

US officials say the shift speeds up payment delivery and strengthens security since electronic payments are less likely to be lost or stolen than mailed cheques. The move also aims to help reduce federal costs and fraud risks.

A small number of recipients can still receive paper cheques if they qualify for an exemption by showing they lack access to banking services or digital payment systems. People must contact Treasury to request a waiver.

SSA urges beneficiaries to set up or confirm direct deposit details through their online account or use a prepaid card to avoid delays. Recipients without bank accounts are encouraged to enrol for secure electronic options.

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AI-designed sensors open new paths for early cancer detection

MIT and Microsoft researchers have developed AI-designed molecular sensors to detect cancer in its earliest stages. By coating nanoparticles with peptides targeted by cancer-linked enzymes, the sensors produce signals detectable through simple urine tests, potentially even at home.

The AI system, named CleaveNet, generates peptide sequences that are efficiently and selectively cleaved by specific proteases, enzymes overactive in cancer cells. The approach enables faster, more precise detection and can help identify a tumour’s type and location.

CleaveNet, trained on 20,000+ peptide-protease interactions, has designed novel peptides for enzymes like MMP13 that cancer cells use to metastasise. The system may cut the number of peptides needed for diagnostics and reveal key biological pathways.

Researchers plan an at-home kit to detect 30 cancers, with peptides also usable for targeted therapies. The work is part of an ARPA-H-funded initiative and highlights the potential of AI to accelerate early cancer detection and treatment.

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Sedgwick breach linked to TridentLocker ransomware attack

Sedgwick has confirmed a data breach at its government-focused subsidiary after the TridentLocker ransomware group claimed responsibility for stealing 3.4 gigabytes of data. The incident underscores growing threats to federal contractors handling sensitive US agency information.

The company said the breach affected only an isolated file transfer system used by Sedgwick Government Solutions, which serves agencies such as DHS, ICE, and CISA. Segmentation reportedly prevented any impact on wider corporate systems or ongoing client operations.

TridentLocker, a ransomware-as-a-service group that appeared in late 2025, listed Sedgwick Government Solutions on its dark web leak site and posted samples of stolen documents. The gang is known for double-extortion tactics, combining data encryption and public exposure threats.

Sedgwick has informed US law enforcement and affected clients while continuing to investigate with external cybersecurity experts. The firm emphasised operational continuity and noted no evidence of intrusion into its claims management servers.

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AI and optical imaging transform thyroid cancer surgery

Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine malignancy, poses challenges for surgeons trying to remove tumours while preserving healthy tissue.

Fine-needle aspiration and pathology are accurate but slow, providing no real-time guidance and sometimes causing unnecessary or incomplete surgeries. Dynamic Optical Contrast Imaging (DOCI) uses cells’ natural light to quickly distinguish healthy tissue from cancer.

The technique captures 23 optical channels from freshly excised tissue, creating detailed spectral maps without dyes or contrast agents. These optical signatures allow for rapid, label-free tissue analysis.

Researchers at Duke University and UCLA combined DOCI with AI to improve accuracy in classification and localisation. A two-stage machine-learning approach first categorised tissue as healthy or cancerous, including common and aggressive thyroid cancer subtypes.

Deep-learning models then produced tumour probability maps, pinpointing cancerous regions with minimal false positives.

Although initial studies focused on post-excision tissue, the technology could soon offer surgeons real-time guidance in the operating room. By combining optical imaging with AI, DOCI may reduce unnecessary surgery, preserve healthy tissue, and improve outcomes for thyroid cancer patients.

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New UK cyber strategy focuses on trust in online public services

The UK government has announced new measures to strengthen the security and resilience of online public services as more interactions with the state move online. Ministers say public confidence is essential as citizens increasingly rely on digital systems for everyday services.

Backed by more than £210 million, the UK Government Cyber Action Plan outlines how cyber defences and digital resilience will be improved across the public sector. A new Government Cyber Unit will coordinate risk identification, incident response, and action on complex threats spanning multiple departments.

The plan underpins wider efforts to digitise public services, including benefits applications, tax payments, and healthcare access. Officials argue that secure systems can reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency, but only if users trust that their data is protected.

The announcement coincides with parliamentary debate on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which sets clearer expectations for companies supplying services to the government. The legislation is intended to strengthen cyber resilience across critical supply chains.

Ministers also highlighted new steps to address software supply chain risks, including a Software Security Ambassador Scheme promoting basic security practices. The government says stronger cyber resilience is essential to protect public services and maintain public trust.

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Universal Music Group partners with NVIDIA on AI music strategy

UMG has entered a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to reshape how billions of fans discover, experience and engage with music by using advanced AI.

An initiative that combines NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure with UMG’s extensive global catalogue, aiming to elevate music interaction instead of relying solely on traditional search and recommendation systems.

The partnership will focus on AI-driven discovery and engagement that interprets music at a deeper cultural and emotional level.

By analysing full-length tracks, the technology is designed to surface music through narrative, mood and context, offering fans richer exploration while helping artists reach audiences more meaningfully.

Artist empowerment sits at the centre of the collaboration, with plans to establish an incubator where musicians and producers help co-design AI tools.

The goal is to enhance originality and creative control instead of producing generic outputs, while ensuring proper attribution and protection of copyrighted works.

Universal Music Group and NVIDIA also emphasise responsible AI development, combining technical safeguards with industry oversight.

By aligning innovation with artist rights and fair compensation, both companies aim to set new standards for how AI supports creativity across the global music ecosystem.

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