Nvidia’s Huang: ‘The new programming language is human’

Speaking at London Tech Week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called AI ‘the great equaliser,’ explaining how AI has transformed who can access and control computing power.

In the past, computing was limited to a select few with technical skills in languages like C++ or Python. ‘We had to learn programming languages. We had to architect it. We had to design these computers that are very complicated,’ Huang said.

That’s no longer necessary, he explained. ‘Now, all of a sudden, there’s a new programming language. This new programming language is called ‘human’,’ Huang said, highlighting how AI now understands natural language commands. ‘Most people don’t know C++, very few people know Python, and everybody, as you know, knows human.’

He illustrated his point with an example: asking an AI to write a poem in the style of Shakespeare. The AI delivers, he said—and if you ask it to improve, it will reflect and try again, just like a human collaborator.

For Huang, this shift is not just technical but transformational. It makes the power of advanced computing accessible to billions, not just a trained few.

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Canva makes AI use mandatory in coding interviews

Australian design giant Canva has revamped its technical interview process to reflect modern software development, requiring job candidates to demonstrate their ability to use AI coding assistants.

The shift aims to assess better how candidates would perform on the job, where tools like Copilot and Claude are already part of engineers’ daily workflows.

Previously, interviews focused on coding fundamentals without assistance. Now, candidates must solve engineering problems using AI tools in ways that reflect real-world scenarios, demanding effective prompting and judgement rather than simply getting correct outputs.

The change follows internal experiments where Canva found that AI could easily handle traditional interview questions. Company leaders argue that the old approach no longer measured actual job readiness, given that many engineers rely on AI to navigate codebases and accelerate prototyping.

By integrating AI into hiring, Canva joins many firms that are adapting to a tech workforce increasingly shaped by intelligent automation. The company says the goal is not to test if candidates know how to use AI but how well they use it to build solutions.

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Meta hires top AI talent from Google and Sesame

Meta is assembling a new elite AI research team aimed at developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), luring top talent from rivals including Google and AI voice startup Sesame.

Among the high-profile recruits is Jack Rae, a principal researcher from Google DeepMind, and Johan Schalkwyk, a machine learning lead from Sesame.

Meta is also close to finalising a multibillion-dollar investment in Scale AI, a data-labelling startup led by CEO Alexandr Wang, who is also expected to join the new initiative.

The new group, referred to internally as the ‘superintelligence’ team, is central to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to close the gap with competitors like Google and OpenAI.

Following disappointment over Meta’s recent AI model, Llama 4, Zuckerberg hopes the newly acquired expertise will help improve future models and expand AI capabilities in areas like voice and personalisation.

Zuckerberg has taken a hands-on approach, personally recruiting engineers and researchers, sometimes meeting with them at his homes in California. Meta is reportedly offering compensation packages worth tens of millions of dollars, including equity, to attract leading AI talent.

The company aims to hire around 50 people for the team and is also seeking a chief scientist to help lead the effort.

The broader strategy involves investing heavily in data, chips, and human expertise — three pillars of advanced AI development. By partnering with Scale AI and recruiting high-profile researchers, Meta is trying to strengthen its position in the AI race.

Meanwhile, rivals like Google are reinforcing their defences, with Koray Kavukcuoglu named as chief AI architect in a new senior leadership role to ensure DeepMind’s technologies are more tightly integrated into Google’s products.

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AI tools are not enough without basic cybersecurity

At London Tech Week, Darktrace and UK officials warned that many firms are over-relying on AI tools while failing to implement basic cybersecurity practices.

Despite the hype around AI, essential measures like user access control and system segmentation remain missing in many organisations.

Cybercriminals are already exploiting AI to automate phishing and accelerate intrusions in the UK, while outdated infrastructure and short-term thinking leave companies vulnerable.

Boards often struggle to assess AI tools properly, buying into trends rather than addressing real threats.

Experts stressed that AI is not a silver bullet and must be used alongside human expertise and solid security foundations.

Domain-specific AI models, built with transparency and interpretability, are needed to avoid the dangers of overconfidence and misapplication in high-risk areas.

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Oxford physicists push qubit precision to new heights

Oxford University physicists have achieved a world-first in quantum computing by setting a new record for single-qubit operation accuracy.

Using a trapped calcium ion as the qubit, the researchers controlled its state using electronic microwave signals instead of lasers.

Their experiment produced an error rate of just 0.000015 percent, or one mistake in 6.7 million operations, nearly ten times better than the previous benchmark set by the same team. The breakthrough brings quantum computers a step closer to becoming viable tools.

This more stable and cost-effective approach was conducted at room temperature and without magnetic shielding, simplifying future hardware requirements.

The precision reduces the number of qubits needed for error correction, making future quantum machines potentially smaller and faster.

Despite the milestone, the researchers emphasised the need to improve two-qubit gate fidelity, where error rates remain significantly higher.

The project is part of the UK Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub, with wider support from the National Quantum Technologies Programme.

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Teachers get AI support for marking and admin

According to new government guidance, teachers in England are now officially encouraged to use AI to reduce administrative tasks. The Department for Education has released training materials that support the use of AI for low-stakes marking and routine parent communication.

The guidance allows AI-generated letters, such as those informing parents about minor issues like head lice outbreaks, and suggests using the technology for quizzes or homework marking.

While the move aims to cut workloads and improve classroom focus, schools are also advised to implement clear policies on appropriate use and ensure manual checks remain in place.

Experts have welcomed the guidance as a step forward but noted concerns about data privacy, budget constraints, and potential misuse.

The guidance comes as UK nations explore AI in education, with Northern Ireland commissioning a study on its impact and Scotland and Wales also advocating its responsible use.

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New London HQ marks TikTok’s UK growth

TikTok has announced plans to expand its UK operations significantly, adding over 500 new jobs and investing in a significant new office in London.

Despite ongoing scrutiny from Western governments over data security and alleged ties to the Chinese state, TikTok insists it invests heavily in trust and safety.

The company already employs 2,500 people in the country and will bring its UK workforce to 3,000 by the end of 2025.

The announcement coincides with London Tech Week, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed major global tech firms to showcase innovation and economic commitment.

TikTok’s UK director, Adam Presser, described the country as the platform’s largest user community in Europe, with over 30 million monthly users.

He emphasised that the company’s growth strategy includes commitments to digital safety and economic support for local creators and entrepreneurs.

Company leaders have reiterated that they aim to create a secure space while supporting the broader economy through innovation and job creation.

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XRobotics makes 25,000 pizzas a month with AI

XRobotics, a San Francisco-based startup, is gaining traction in the food tech sector with its compact pizza-making robot, the xPizza Cube. Roughly the size of a washing machine, the machine uses AI to apply sauce, cheese and toppings, producing up to 100 pizzas per hour.

At $1,300 monthly on a three-year lease, it’s designed to fit seamlessly into existing kitchens and support, not replace, staff. Unlike failed predecessors such as Zume, XRobotics has found success by offering assistive rather than disruptive technology.

Their initial, larger model proved impractical, but the current compact version, launched in 2023, now produces 25,000 pizzas each month across an undisclosed number of customer locations. Both small pizzerias and large chains use the robot to cut labour time and improve consistency.

With over 73,000 pizza outlets in the US, XRobotics plans to stay focused on pizza for now. Its founders, self-professed pizza lovers, say customer response has confirmed that a well-targeted tool can significantly impact even the most traditional kitchens.

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UAE AI megaproject faces US chip export concerns

Plans for a vast AI data hub in the UAE have raised security concerns in Washington due to the country’s close ties with China.

The $100 billion Stargate UAE campus, aims to deploy advanced US chips, but US officials are scrutinising potential technology leakage risks.

Although the Trump administration supports the project, bipartisan fears remain about whether the UAE can safeguard US-developed AI and chips from foreign adversaries.

A final agreement has not been reached as both sides negotiate export conditions, with possible restrictions on Nvidia’s hardware.

The initial phase of the Stargate project will activate 200 megawatts of capacity by 2026, but the deal’s future may depend on the UAE’s willingness to accept strict US oversight.

Talks over potential amendments continue, delaying approval of what could become a $500 billion venture.

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Hong Kong builds AI tool for breast cancer diagnosis

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have unveiled a pioneering AI model called MOME for non-invasive breast cancer diagnosis.

Using China’s largest multiparametric MRI breast cancer dataset, MOME performs at a level comparable to seasoned radiologists and is currently undergoing clinical trials in more than ten hospitals.

Among the institutions participating in the validation phase are Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Guangzhou First Municipal People’s Hospital, and Yunnan Cancer Center. Early results show that MOME excels in predicting response to pre-surgical chemotherapy.

The development highlights the region’s growing capabilities in medtech innovation and could reshape diagnostic strategies for breast cancer across Asia. MOME’s clinical success may also pave the way for similar AI-led models in oncology.

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