Future of work

AI avatar replaces CEO in Klarna’s update

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski recently used an AI-generated avatar to deliver the company’s quarterly earnings report, marking a bold step in the fintech firm’s ongoing integration of AI.

Though the avatar’s performance revealed minor flaws, such as awkward blinking and voice syncing issues, the presentation showcased Klarna’s broader commitment to using AI across both operations and communications.

The Swedish firm has credited AI-driven efficiencies and a 40% workforce reduction for sustaining profitability and increasing revenue per employee to nearly US$1 million.

These advances build on years of investment in machine learning, which began with personalised checkout systems and now underpin core services like fraud detection and customer support.

By using an AI avatar in a leadership role, Klarna signals its belief in AI not only as a business tool but also as a viable medium for engaging investors. As the company prepares for its IPO, this move underscores its technological focus and willingness to redefine fintech communication norms.

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G42 and Mistral team up to build AI platforms

Abu Dhabi-based tech company G42 has partnered with French startup Mistral AI to co-develop advanced AI platforms and infrastructure across Europe, the Middle East, and the Global South.

The collaboration aims to span the full AI value chain, from model training to sector-specific applications, combining Mistral’s open-weight language models with G42’s infrastructure expertise.

The deal builds on prior AI cooperation agreements endorsed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and French President Emmanuel Macron, reinforcing both countries’ shared ambition to lead in AI innovation.

G42 subsidiaries Core42 and Inception will support the initiative by contributing technical development and deployment capabilities.

This partnership is part of a broader UAE strategy to position itself as a global AI hub and diversify its economy beyond oil. With AI expected to add up to $91 billion to the UAE’s economy by 2030, such international alliances reflect a shift in AI power centres toward the Middle East.

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OpenAI and India plan AI infrastructure push

OpenAI is in discussions with the Indian government to collaborate on data centre infrastructure as part of its new global initiative, ‘OpenAI for Countries’.

The programme aims to help partner nations expand AI capabilities through joint investment and strategic coordination with the US. India could become one of the ten initial countries in the effort, although specific terms remain under wraps.

During a visit to Delhi, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer Jason Kwon emphasised India’s potential, citing the government’s clear focus on infrastructure and AI talent.

Similar to the UAE’s recently announced Stargate project in Abu Dhabi, India may host large-scale AI computing infrastructure while also investing in the US under the same framework.

To nurture AI skills, OpenAI and the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s IndiaAI Mission launched the ‘OpenAI Academy’. It marks OpenAI’s first international rollout of its educational platform.

The partnership will provide free access to AI tools, developer training, and events, with content in English, Hindi, and four additional regional languages. It will also support government officials and startups through dedicated learning platforms.

The collaboration includes hackathons, workshops in six cities, and up to $100,000 in API credits for selected IndiaAI fellows and startups. The aim is to accelerate innovation and help Indian developers and researchers scale AI solutions more efficiently, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

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Amazon invests $10 billion in AI data centres

Amazon is investing $10 billion to build data centres in North Carolina, aiming to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure instead of outsourcing compute needs.

The initiative will create at least 500 high-skilled roles and includes support for education, broadband careers, and local development through a $150,000 community fund.

The company is also developing AI-powered humanoid robots for future delivery tasks, reportedly testing them in a newly constructed ‘humanoid park’ at its San Francisco office.

Although using third-party hardware for now, the long-term goal is to embed Amazon’s software into these robots, according to sources.

Experts say the investment underlines a growing concern: that only large firms can afford the infrastructure needed for cutting-edge AI.

‘It’s positive for growth but risks concentrating innovation in Big Tech’s hands,’ said Leo Fan, co-founder of Cysic, a blockchain-based AI firm. He argues that the shift could disincentivise smaller players and dampen broader AI progress.

Amazon is also rolling out Alexa+, a new generative AI-powered assistant, and has secured a licensing deal with The New York Times to integrate journalism, recipes, and sports content into Alexa and other AI products, further extending its ecosystem instead of relying solely on internal data.

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OpenAI hits 3 million business subscribers

OpenAI has added another 1 million paying business subscribers since February, bringing the total to 3 million across ChatGPT Enterprise, Team and Edu.

The milestone was shared during a company livestream and confirmed in interviews with outlets like CNBC.

Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap noted that the business tools are being adopted widely, even in regulated sectors like finance and healthcare.

He said growth among individual users has fuelled enterprise adoption instead of stalling it, highlighting a feedback loop between consumer and business uptake.

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Enterprise in August 2023, followed by Team in January 2024 and Edu in May 2024. Within a year of its first business product, the firm had already reached 1 million paying business users—a number that has now tripled.

Lightcap said AI is reshaping work across sectors—from student learning to patient care and public services—by increasing productivity instead of just automating tasks.

A separate PYMNTS Intelligence report found that 82% of workers using generative AI weekly believe it improves their output. OpenAI’s overall user base has reportedly reached 800 million people, with CEO Sam Altman claiming 10% of the global population now uses the company’s tools.

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Tebra introduces AI Note Assist to speed up clinical documentation

Tebra, a platform for independent healthcare providers, has launched AI Note Assist, an ambient documentation tool designed to streamline clinical note-taking significantly.

Integrated directly into Tebra’s electronic health record (EHR) system, the HIPAA-compliant solution promises to reduce the time spent on documentation by up to 50%.

The AI tool listens during patient consultations and automatically generates structured, editable clinical notes. It supports various formats, including SOAP notes, therapy progress notes, and psychiatric documentation, and even suggests ICD-10 codes based on conversation content.

All notes remain under the provider’s control, with the ability to review, edit and approve each entry to ensure clinical accuracy.

Tebra’s chief product and technology officer, Kyle Ryan, described the launch as a ‘significant milestone’ in supporting independent practices.

‘Our research shows that 82% of independent providers see more patient time as their key competitive advantage,’ said Ryan. ‘AI Note Assist helps them reclaim that advantage by reducing administrative workload, improving efficiency and minimising burnout.’

Clinically validated by practising healthcare professionals, the solution has been tested in real-world settings to ensure reliability and effectiveness. Tebra customers can use AI Note Assist immediately without requiring additional hardware or software installations.

By helping healthcare professionals cut down on documentation time while maintaining quality and compliance, Tebra aims to support providers in delivering more focused and personalised patient care.

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Dubai emerges as a top tech hub in the Middle East

Dubai is emerging as a global hub for technology and innovation, driven by government-backed initiatives and a thriving ecosystem of Free Zones.

Their economic agenda aims to make it the fastest and most connected city worldwide, with emphasis on AI, fintech, blockchain, and other industries.

Free Zones such as Internet City and Silicon Oasis offer foreign firms 100% ownership, minimal bureaucracy, and world-class infrastructure.

Recent regulatory changes now allow these businesses to operate beyond Free Zones under certain conditions, giving firms greater flexibility and market access.

Initiatives like the Dubai Future Foundation, the Centre for AI, and Sandbox Dubai reinforce the city’s commitment to technological advancement.

With its collaborative tech clusters and growing venture capital support, Dubai is positioning itself as the Middle East’s leading destination for innovation.

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AI and farmers go head-to-head in China’s rice fields

China’s second AI rice farming competition is underway in Sichuan Province, where human farmers and AI-assisted teams are competing across 66.7 hectares of land. AI teams rely on a network of sensors and satellite data to guide real-time decision-making on planting and pest control

The initiative, running through September, tests whether machine learning can outperform traditional farming practices in yield, efficiency, and quality. Organisers emphasise that the competition is not a battle between humans and machines, but a step toward integrating AI into agriculture.

Last year’s challenge saw mixed results for AI, which outperformed two human teams but lagged behind experienced farmers. While its early-stage data analysis showed promise, gaps in adaptability and environmental perception limited its effectiveness.

Developers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have since improved the system’s algorithms, aiming to achieve over 80 percent alignment with farmers’ actions in this year’s edition.

As China seeks sustainable solutions for ageing farming populations and fragmented urban land, smart farming systems are emerging as vital tools to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance productivity.

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Swiss startup Aeon raises €8.2M to expand AI health platform

Swiss startup Aeon has raised €8.2 million in seed funding to advance its AI-powered preventive health platform aimed at tackling avoidable deaths.

The round was led by Concentric, with backing from several European venture firms and renowned investor Daniel Gutenberg.

Swiss Aeon combines full-body MRI scans, blood biomarker analysis, and genetic testing to detect over 500 conditions at early stages.

The platform boasts a 0 per cent false positive rate in clinical follow-ups, addressing a common issue in preventive medicine while winning the confidence of major insurers.

Its AI platform performs automated imaging analysis, cross-validation, and predictive modelling, offering patients personalised risk profiles and health plans.

With growing insurer partnerships nearly full reimbursement for its check-ups, Aeon is redefining access to care and personalised early detection.

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Kagame hails Algeria ties and AI education support

President Paul Kagame has praised Algeria’s support in educating Rwandan students in artificial intelligence and data science during his official visit to Algiers.

He highlighted the strength of bilateral ties and commended Algeria’s National School of AI, where five Rwandan students are currently enrolled.

The visit featured one-on-one discussions with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, focusing on intra-African trade, knowledge exchange, and lessons from national recovery.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of unity in uncertain times and expressed a shared vision for deepened cooperation.

Rwanda and Algeria signed 11 new agreements covering sectors such as AI, air transport, education, agriculture, and investment. Kagame confirmed plans to establish a Rwandan diplomatic mission in Algeria to boost economic engagement and foster stronger private sector collaboration.

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