Future of work

Palantir and partners promise rapid AI deployment in banking

Palantir Technologies, xAI, and TWG Global have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across the financial services industry. The initiative promises faster deployment and measurable results within just 90 days.

The collaboration seeks to help financial institutions integrate AI into their core operations. As financial institutions strive to modernise, the companies aim to overcome what they call the ‘agentic tech debt bubble’ and deliver real, scalable value.

The offering combines Palantir’s platform, xAI’s advanced language models, and TWG Global’s operational expertise, including a Governance Foundation for data readiness and a suite of AI-driven tools.

TWG Global will lead implementation efforts, focusing on involving senior executives directly to ensure AI integration becomes a central business strategy rather than a sidelined tech project. The partnership builds on an earlier venture between Palantir and TWG Global.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Chennai team wins ₹50 lakh at Agentforce Hackathon for AI hotel solution

AI took centre stage at the Agentforce Hackathon 2025 during TrailblazerDX in Bengaluru, where a Chennai-based team from Bounteous x Accolite Salesforce claimed the grand prize of ₹50 lakhs. Their AI-powered project impressed judges and attendees, standing out among 195 competing teams.

The team, calling themselves ‘Aichemist’, included Mayur Kinhekar, Rajaseeman PS, Yogeshwar Andi Sudhakaran, Sheetalraj Gangadhar, and Vijay Kalidasan. Together, they set out to revolutionise hospitality using Salesforce’s cloud platform.

Their Smart Hotel Agent uses data cloud, loyalty tiers, Slack, and service tablets to deliver seamless, personalised hotel experiences. ‘We are thrilled with this achievement,’ said senior consultant Mayur Kinhekar. ‘We are proud to be AI agents helping shape the future of AI.’

Team lead Rajaseeman PS explained that their goal was to reduce the need for human interaction in routine hotel tasks. By giving guests tablets, they created a solution that manages everything from check-in to check-out with ease.

In one example, Rajaseeman noted how a spill in a hotel room could be instantly reported and resolved through automated notifications sent to the appropriate department, bypassing traditional calls to the front desk.

By using AI to streamline services, the team not only improved guest experiences but also freed up hotel staff to focus on critical tasks. Their innovative approach captured the imagination of the hackathon’s judges and earned them the prestigious top spot and grand prize.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

FutureHouse unveils Finch AI tool for biology research

FutureHouse, a nonprofit backed by Eric Schmidt, has introduced Finch, an AI tool designed to assist biological research. Finch analyses biology data and research papers, generating figures and insights much like a first-year graduate student might.

FutureHouse aims to automate aspects of scientific discovery, though no significant breakthroughs have yet been reported.

Despite optimism from tech leaders, many scientists doubt AI’s current value in guiding complex research.

Finch, while promising, can still make errors, prompting FutureHouse to recruit bioinformaticians and computational biologists to help refine the tool. The platform remains in closed beta as development continues.

The biotech AI market is expanding, yet previous ventures have suffered clinical trial setbacks. Finch represents a cautious step forward, balancing potential with careful human oversight. Interested experts are invited to participate in its ongoing evaluation.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Microsoft adds AI assistant to Windows 11 settings

Microsoft is bringing more AI to Windows 11 with a new AI assistant built into the Settings app. This smart agent can adjust system settings like mouse precision, help users navigate the interface, and even troubleshoot problems—all by request.

With the user’s permission, it can also make changes automatically instead of relying on manual adjustments.

The AI assistant will first roll out to testers in the Windows Insider programme on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, followed by support for x86-based systems.

Although Microsoft has not confirmed a release date for the general public, this feature marks a major step in making Windows settings more intuitive and responsive.

Several other AI-powered updates are on the way, including smarter tools in File Explorer and the Snipping Tool, plus dynamic lighting in the Photos app.

Copilot will also gain a new ‘Vision’ feature, letting it see shared windows for better in-app assistance instead of being limited to text prompts alone.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Amazon’s new robots could replace warehouse workers

Amazon’s latest innovation, the Vulcan robot, is set to revolutionise the company’s warehouse operations. These cutting-edge robots are designed with an advanced ‘sense of touch,’ enabling them to perform tasks such as picking and packing, which were previously exclusive to human workers.

It could significantly reduce the number of jobs required in Amazon’s fulfilment centres worldwide, potentially displacing lower-skilled workers, particularly those in temporary or younger roles.

Vulcan’s technology allows it to navigate complex tasks, including placing items into precise spots and handling a vast array of products with care, a challenge that was previously difficult for robots.

Amazon argues that the robots will improve workplace safety by reducing the physical strain on employees and minimising injuries, while also boosting operational efficiency.

However, the shift towards automation raises concerns about the future of employment within Amazon’s warehouses.

Though Amazon emphasises that robots like Vulcan will complement human workers, the growing use of automation, including drone deliveries and AI-powered machines, could diminish the need for human labour in certain roles.

A move like this, combined with the company’s broader tech investments, prompts significant questions about the future of work and the potential societal impacts of widespread automation.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Google upgrades Gemini AI model with focus on developers

Google has launched a new version of its flagship AI model called Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview (I/O edition), ahead of its annual developer event.

The updated version promises major improvements in coding, app development, and video understanding, and replaces the existing Gemini 2.5 Pro model without changing the price.

Developers can access it through the Gemini API, Vertex AI, AI Studio, and the Gemini chatbot app for web and mobile.

Rather than sticking with older features, the I/O edition aims to reduce coding errors and improve how the model handles complex tasks like function calling and code transformation.

Google says the update directly responds to developer feedback by making the model more reliable and better at triggering functions accurately.

Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview (I/O edition) currently leads the WebDev Arena Leaderboard, a benchmark for creating functional and visually appealing web apps. It also scores highly in video analysis tasks, with a benchmark result of 84.8% on VideoMME, one of the best performances in the field so far.

Instead of letting competitors like OpenAI and xAI take the spotlight, Google is pushing to strengthen its position in the AI race. The timing of this release, just before the I/O conference, hints at more AI-related announcements to come as the tech giant seeks to keep pace in a rapidly evolving market.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Lost items now easier to recover with AI

AI is supporting lost-and-found services across Japan, helping reunite thousands with misplaced possessions. Tokyo-based Find Inc has developed a platform now used by around 30 organisations at 2,300 sites, including train stations, airports and police departments.

The system analyses photos and descriptions of lost items and compares them with user-submitted information through apps like Line. Keio Corp and Yurikamome Inc report significant improvements in return rates since adopting the AI-powered tool.

Users can search for items in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, with the AI suggesting possible matches even from vague descriptions. The platform has handled over 1.5 million lost items, returning nearly half a million to their owners.

Previously reliant on spreadsheets and manual searches, many operators now benefit from faster identification and fewer inquiries. Tokyo and Oita police departments, along with commercial hubs like Hakata Station, have embraced the technology.

As adoption spreads, Find Inc aims to simplify the process of recovering lost items for even more people.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI chatbots fall short in health advice study

As healthcare costs rise and waiting lists grow, many people are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for medical advice. However, a new Oxford-led study suggests chatbots may not improve, and could even hinder, health decision-making.

Participants using AI models such as GPT-4o, Cohere’s Command R+ and Meta’s Llama 3 often missed key health conditions or underestimated their severity.

Researchers found users struggled to provide complete information to chatbots and sometimes received confusing, mixed-quality responses.

Participants performed no better than those using traditional methods like online searches or personal judgment. Experts caution that current chatbot evaluations fail to reflect the real-world complexity of human-AI interaction.

While tech giants like Apple, Amazon and Microsoft push AI-driven health tools, professionals remain wary of applying such technology to serious medical decisions. The American Medical Association advises against using chatbots for clinical decision-making.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI reshapes UK social care but raises concerns

AI tools such as pain-detecting apps, night-time sensors, and even training robots are increasingly shaping social care in the UK.

Care homes now use the Painchek app to scan residents’ faces for pain indicators, while sensors like AllyCares monitor unusual activity, reducing preventable hospital visits.

Meanwhile, Oxford researchers have created a robot that helps train carers by mimicking patients’ reactions to pain. Families often adjust to the technology after seeing improvements in their loved ones’ care, but transparency and human oversight remain essential.

Despite the promise of these innovations, experts urge caution. Dr Caroline Green from the University of Oxford warns that AI must remain a support, not a replacement, and raises concerns about bias, data privacy, and potential overdependence on technology.

With the UK ageing population and staffing shortages straining social care, technology offers valuable assistance.

Specialists stress that investment in skilled human carers is crucial and the government has endorsed the role of AI in care but has yet to establish clear national policies guiding its ethical use

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI adoption soars in the UK but skills gap looms

AI adoption in the UK has grown rapidly, rising by 33% over the past year. According to a new report from AWS, 52% of UK businesses are now using AI technologies, up from 39% in the previous year.

Adoption has become so widespread that a business implements new AI tools or strategies every 60 seconds. The benefits are becoming more obvious too, with 92% of AI adopters reporting revenue increases, compared with 64% in 2024.

However, the report highlights a growing divide in AI readiness. While large enterprises and startups share similar adoption rates of 55% and 59% respectively, startups appear better prepared for technological shifts.

Twice as many startups (31%) have developed comprehensive AI strategies compared with larger companies (15%), suggesting agility and forward planning remain crucial.

Despite the progress, serious challenges remain. Skills shortages are slowing businesses down, with nearly 38% citing a lack of expertise as a major barrier, up from 29% last year.

Almost half report delays in hiring qualified talent, with recruitment taking an average of five and a half months. As AI becomes more integrated, it is expected that 47% of new jobs will require AI literacy in the next three years.

In response, AWS has launched a UK initiative to train 100,000 people in AI skills by 2030. The programme includes partnerships with universities such as Exeter and Manchester.

According to the UK Government’s own projections, improved AI adoption could unlock £45 billion per year in public sector savings and productivity. Still, AWS warns that unless skill gaps are addressed, the country risks developing a two-tier AI economy.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!