Future of work

AI startup Cluely offers controversial cheating tool

A controversial new startup called Cluely has secured $5.3 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered tool designed to help users ‘cheat on everything,’ from job interviews to exams.

Founded by 21-year-old Chungin ‘Roy’ Lee and Neel Shanmugam—both former Columbia University students—the tool works via a hidden browser window that remains invisible to interviewers or test supervisors.

The project began as ‘Interview Coder,’ originally intended to help users pass technical coding interviews on platforms like LeetCode.

Both founders faced disciplinary action at Columbia over the tool, eventually dropping out of the university. Despite ethical concerns, Cluely claims its technology has already surpassed $3 million in annual recurring revenue.

The company has drawn comparisons between its tool and past innovations like the calculator and spellcheck, arguing that it challenges outdated norms in the same way. A viral launch video showing Lee using Cluely on a date sparked backlash, with critics likening it to a scene from Black Mirror.

Cluely’s mission has sparked widespread debate over the use of AI in high-stakes settings. While some applaud its bold approach, others worry it promotes dishonesty.

Amazon, where Lee reportedly landed an internship using the tool, declined to comment on the case directly but reiterated that candidates must agree not to use unauthorised tools during the hiring process.

The startup’s rise comes amid growing concern over how AI may be used—or misused—in both professional and personal spheres.

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Royal Unibrew embraces hybrid AI-human teams

Denmark’s Royal Unibrew has introduced five AI-generated ‘colleagues’ into its workforce, in a move the brewer describes as a step towards unlocking the full potential of its staff.

Designed by Danish firm Manifold AI, the digital assistants are integrated into daily operations, assisting with tasks such as market analysis, data management, and food pairing. Each AI has a name, backstory and face, which, according to the company, has significantly increased engagement among employees.

The virtual colleagues – named KondiKai, Athena, Prometheus, Moller and Ella – are used across departments via chat and email. Their arrival has helped streamline routine tasks, allowing human employees to focus on creative and strategic work.

According to staff, their input has improved efficiency, particularly by reducing time spent on searching past reports or handling emails. AI agent Athena, for example, assists with real-time market insights and report navigation for Royal Unibrew’s analysts.

While employees have welcomed the AI tools, managers caution that human judgement remains essential.

Marketing director Michala Svane believes the blend of digital and human capabilities can create more agile teams, but others stress the need for critical thinking when relying on machine-generated input.

Experts also raise questions about the long-term effects of such hybrid teams, including the psychological and social dynamics of working alongside AI ‘colleagues’.

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Temu and Shein to raise US prices due to new tariffs

Fast fashion giants Temu and Shein have warned US shoppers to expect price hikes from next week, as sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports come into effect under Donald Trump’s trade policy.

Both companies will lose access to the ‘de minimis’ exemption, which has allowed packages under $800 to enter the US duty-free. That change, taking effect from 2 May, will significantly raise costs for low-cost retailers who depend on cheap cross-border shipments.

The tariffs, which now reach up to 145%, are part of Trump’s escalating trade war with China. His revised plans impose a tax of $75 per item, rising to $150 by June, for shipments that were previously exempt.

Shein has told customers its operating expenses have risen and prices will be adjusted from 25 April in an effort to maintain product quality while absorbing the new costs.

In response to the tariffs and likely slowdown in US demand, both companies have also scaled back digital advertising.

According to Sensor Tower, Temu’s average US ad spend across major platforms dropped by 31% over two weeks, while Shein’s spending fell 19%.

The tariffs are expected to reshape fast fashion in the US, though some experts believe prices may still remain competitive compared to domestic alternatives.

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Gemini Live screensharing now free for all Android users

Google has announced that Gemini Live’s screen and camera sharing capabilities will now be free for all Android users through the Gemini app.

The AI feature, which enables the app to interpret and respond to real-time visuals from a device’s screen or camera, had initially launched exclusively for Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 users.

The company originally planned to restrict wider access to those subscribed to Gemini Advanced, but has now reversed that decision following strong user feedback. Google confirmed the broader rollout is beginning today and will continue over the coming weeks.

A promotional video released by the company demonstrates the feature in action, with a user pointing their phone camera at an aquarium while Gemini provides information about the marine life.

In a similar move, Microsoft has launched its own AI tool, Copilot Vision, for free via the Edge browser.

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Europe struggles to explain quantum to its citizens

Most Europeans remain unclear about quantum technology, despite increasing attention from EU leaders. A new survey, released on World Quantum Day, reveals that while 78 per cent of adults in France and Germany are aware of quantum, only a third truly understand what it is.

Nearly half admitted they had heard of the term but didn’t know what it means.

Quantum science studies the smallest building blocks of the universe, particles like electrons and atoms, that behave in ways classical physics can’t explain. Though invisible even to standard microscopes, they already power technologies such as GPS, MRI scanners and semiconductors.

Quantum tools could lead to breakthroughs in healthcare, cybersecurity, and climate change, by enabling ultra-precise imaging, improved encryption, and advanced environmental monitoring.

The survey showed that 47 per cent of respondents expect quantum to positively impact their country within five years, with many hopeful about its role in areas like energy, medicine and fraud prevention.

For example, quantum computers might help simulate complex molecules for drug development, while quantum encryption could secure communications better than current systems.

The EU has committed to developing a European quantum chip and is exploring a potential Quantum Act, backed by €65 million in funding under the EU Chips Act. The UK has pledged £121 million for quantum initiatives.

However, Europe still trails behind China and the US, mainly due to limited private investment and slower deployment. Former ECB president Mario Draghi warned that Europe must build a globally competitive quantum ecosystem instead of falling behind further.

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EU plans major staff boost for digital rules

The European Commission is ramping up enforcement of its Digital Services Act (DSA) by hiring 60 more staff to support ongoing investigations into major tech platforms. Despite beginning probes into companies such as X, Meta, TikTok, AliExpress and Temu since December 2023, none have concluded.

The Commission currently has 127 employees working on the DSA and aims to reach 200 by year’s end. Applications for the new roles, including legal experts, policy officers, and data scientists, remain open until 10 May.

The DSA, which came into full effect in February last year, applies to all online platforms in the EU. However, the 25 largest platforms, those with over 45 million monthly users like Google, Amazon, and Shein, fall under the direct supervision of the Commission instead of national regulators.

The most advanced case is against X, with early findings pointing to a lack of transparency and accountability.

The law has drawn criticism from the current Republican-led US government, which views it as discriminatory. Brendan Carr of the US Federal Communications Commission called the DSA ‘an attack on free speech,’ accusing the EU of unfairly targeting American companies.

In response, EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen insisted the rules are fair, applying equally to platforms from Europe, the US, and China.

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AI chip production begins at TSMC’s Arizona facility

Nvidia has announced a major initiative to produce AI supercomputers in the US in collaboration with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and several other partners.

The effort aims to create up to US$500 billion worth of AI infrastructure products domestically over the next four years, marking a significant shift in Nvidia’s manufacturing strategy.

Alongside TSMC, other key contributors include Taiwanese firms Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. and Wistron Corp., both known for producing AI servers. US-based Amkor Technology and Taiwan’s Siliconware Precision Industries will also provide advanced packaging and testing services.

Nvidia’s Blackwell AI chips have already begun production at TSMC’s Arizona facility, with large-scale operations planned in Texas through partnerships with Hon Hai in Houston and Wistron in Dallas.

The move could impact Taiwan’s economy, as many Nvidia components are currently produced there. Taiwan’s Economic Affairs Minister declined to comment specifically on the project but assured that the government will monitor overseas investments by Taiwanese firms.

Nvidia said the initiative would help meet surging AI demand while strengthening semiconductor supply chains and increasing resilience amid shifting global trade policies, including new US tariffs on Taiwanese exports.

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Siri AI overhaul delayed until 2026

Apple has revealed plans to use real user data, in a privacy-preserving way, to improve its AI models. The company has acknowledged that synthetic data alone is not producing reliable results, particularly in training large language models that power tools like Writing Tools and notification summaries.

To address this, Apple will compare AI-generated content with real emails from users who have opted in to share Device Analytics. The sampled emails remain on the user’s device, with only a signal sent to Apple about which AI-generated message most closely matches real-world usage.

The move reflects broader efforts to boost the performance of Apple Intelligence, a suite of features that includes message recaps and content summaries.

Apple has faced internal criticism over slow progress, particularly with Siri, which is now seen as falling behind competitors like Google Gemini and Samsung’s Galaxy AI. The tech giant recently confirmed that meaningful AI updates for Siri won’t arrive until 2026, despite earlier promises of a rollout later this year.

In a rare leadership shakeup, Apple CEO Tim Cook removed AI chief John Giannandrea from overseeing Siri after delays were labelled ‘ugly and embarrassing’ by senior executives.

The responsibility for Siri’s future has been handed to Mike Rockwell, the creator of Vision Pro, who now reports directly to software chief Craig Federighi. Giannandrea will continue to lead Apple’s other AI initiatives.

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Nvidia brings AI supercomputer production to the US

Nvidia is shifting its AI supercomputer manufacturing operations to the United States for the first time, instead of relying on a globally dispersed supply chain.

In partnership with industry giants such as TSMC, Foxconn, and Wistron, the company is establishing large-scale facilities to produce its advanced Blackwell chips in Arizona and complete supercomputers in Texas. Production is expected to reach full scale within 12 to 15 months.

Over a million square feet of manufacturing space has been commissioned, with key roles also played by packaging and testing firms Amkor and SPIL.

The move reflects Nvidia’s ambition to create up to half a trillion dollars in AI infrastructure within the next four years, while boosting supply chain resilience and growing its US-based operations instead of expanding solely abroad.

These AI supercomputers are designed to power new, highly specialised data centres known as ‘AI factories,’ capable of handling vast AI workloads.

Nvidia’s investment is expected to support the construction of dozens of such facilities, generating hundreds of thousands of jobs and securing long-term economic value.

To enhance efficiency, Nvidia will apply its own AI, robotics, and simulation tools across these projects, using Omniverse to model factory operations virtually and Isaac GR00T to develop robots that automate production.

According to CEO Jensen Huang, bringing manufacturing home strengthens supply chains and better positions the company to meet the surging global demand for AI computing power.

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TheStage AI makes neural network optimisation easy

In a move set to ease one of the most stubborn hurdles in AI development, Delaware-based startup TheStage AI has secured $4.5 million to launch its Automatic NNs Analyzer (ANNA).

Instead of requiring months of manual fine-tuning, ANNA allows developers to optimise AI models in hours, cutting deployment costs by up to five times. The technology is designed to simplify a process that has remained inaccessible to all but the largest tech firms, often limited by expensive GPU infrastructure.

TheStage AI’s system automatically compresses and refines models using techniques like quantisation and pruning, adapting them to various hardware environments without locking users into proprietary platforms.

Instead of focusing on cloud-based deployment, their models, called ‘Elastic models’, can run anywhere from smartphones to on-premise GPUs. This gives startups and enterprises a cost-effective way to adjust quality and speed with a simple interface, akin to choosing video resolution on streaming platforms.

Backed by notable investors including Mehreen Malik and Atlantic Labs, and already used by companies like Recraft.ai, the startup addresses a growing need as demand shifts from AI training to real-time inference.

Unlike competitors acquired by larger corporations and tied to specific ecosystems, TheStage AI takes a dual-market approach, helping both app developers and AI researchers. Their strategy supports scale without complexity, effectively making AI optimisation available to teams of any size.

Founded by a group of PhD holders with experience at Huawei, the team combines deep academic roots with practical industry application.

By offering a tool that streamlines deployment instead of complicating it, TheStage AI hopes to enable broader use of generative AI technologies in sectors where performance and cost have long been limiting factors.

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