Researchers combine human tissue models with explainable AI to analyse patient data and identify treatments that work best for specific patients. First applied to inflammatory bowel disease, the approach could improve clinical trial success rates and accelerate drug discovery.
REPROCELL, IBM, and the STFC Hartree Centre have developed Pharmacology-AI, a platform uniting tissue models with machine learning. Delivered through the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation, it reduces costs, enhances trial design, and enables more targeted therapies.
Unlike tools that seek to replace human expertise, the platform acts as a decision-support system. It helps scientists detect patterns in complex datasets while keeping outputs interpretable for clinical trial use. Developers emphasised usability, ensuring non-technical staff can work with the system.
Human fresh tissue models play a central role, preserving biological complexity and simulating drug effects before trials. However, this generates reliable data that can be paired with AI to identify optimal patient profiles and reduce the risk of costly trial failures.
The project’s success suggests broad applications beyond IBD. With explainable AI and high-quality patient data, Pharmacology-AI could improve outcomes across multiple disease areas, making drug development faster, more efficient, and more precise.
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Stablecoins have become central to the digital economy, with billions in daily transactions and stronger regulatory backing under the GENIUS Act. Yet experts warn that advances in quantum computing could undermine their very foundations.
Elliptic curve and RSA cryptography, widely used in stablecoin systems, are expected to be breakable once ‘Q-Day’ arrives. Quantum-equipped attackers could instantly derive private keys from public addresses, exposing entire networks to theft.
The immutability of blockchains makes upgrading cryptographic schemes especially challenging. Dormant wallets and legacy addresses may prove vulnerable, putting billions of dollars at risk if issuers fail to take action promptly.
Researchers highlight lattice-based and hash-based algorithms as viable ‘quantum-safe’ alternatives. Stablecoins built with crypto-agility, enabling seamless upgrades, will better adapt to new standards and avoid disruptive forks.
Regulators are also moving. NIST is finalising post-quantum cryptographic standards, and new rules will likely be established before 2030. Stablecoins that embed resilience today may set the global benchmark for digital trust in the quantum age.
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Production at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is to remain halted until at least next week after a cyberattack crippled the carmaker’s operations. Disruption is expected to last through September and possibly into October.
The UK’s largest car manufacturer, owned by Tata, has suspended activity at its plants in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton. Thousands of staff have been told to stay home on full pay while ‘banking’ hours are to be recovered later.
Suppliers, including Evtec, WHS Plastics, SurTec, and OPmobility, which employ more than 6,000 people in the UK, have also paused their operations. The Sunday Times reported speculation that the outage could drag on for most of September.
While there is no evidence of a data breach, JLR has notified the Information Commissioner’s Office about potential risks. Dozens of internal systems, including spare parts databases, remain offline, forcing dealerships to revert to manual processes.
Hackers linked to the groups Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters have claimed responsibility for the incident. JLR stated that it was collaborating with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to restore systems in a controlled and safe manner.
Australia has announced plans to curb AI tools that generate nude images and enable online stalking. The government said it would introduce new legislation requiring tech companies to block apps designed to abuse and humiliate people.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said such AI tools are fuelling sextortion scams and putting children at risk. So-called ‘nudify’ apps, which digitally strip clothing from images, have spread quickly online.
A Save the Children survey found one in five young people in Spain had been targeted by deepfake nudes, showing how widespread the abuse has become.
Canberra pledged to use every available measure to restrict access, while ensuring that legitimate AI services are not harmed. Australia has already passed strict laws banning under-16s from social media, with the new measures set to build on its reputation as a leader in online safety.
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Universal Internet connectivity by 2030 could cost up to $2.8 trillion, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology (CST) Commission. The blueprint urges global cooperation to connect the one-third of humanity still offline.
The largest share, up to $1.7 trillion, would be allocated to expanding broadband through fibre, wireless, and satellite networks. Nearly $1 trillion is needed for affordability measures, alongside $152 billion for digital skills programmes.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasised that connectivity is essential for access to education, employment, and vital services. She noted the stark divide between high-income countries, where 93% of people are online, and low-income states, where only 27% use the Internet.
The study shows costs have risen fivefold since ITU’s 2020 Connecting Humanity report, reflecting both higher demand and widening divides. Haytham Al-Ohali from Saudi Arabia said the figures underscore the urgency of investment and knowledge sharing to achieve meaningful connectivity.
The report recommends new business models and stronger cooperation between governments, industry, and civil society. Proposed measures include using schools as Internet gateways, boosting Africa’s energy infrastructure, and improving localised data collection to accelerate digital inclusion.
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Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has ordered factory staff to work from home until at least next Tuesday as it recovers from a major cyberattack. Production remains suspended at key UK sites, including Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton.
The disruption, first reported earlier this week, has ‘severely impacted’ production and sales, according to JLR. Reports suggest that assembly line workers have been instructed not to return before 9 September, while the situation remains under review.
The hack has hit operations beyond manufacturing, with dealerships unable to order parts and some customer handovers delayed. The timing is particularly disruptive, coinciding with the September release of new registration plates, which traditionally boosts demand.
A group of young hackers on Telegram, calling themselves Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has claimed responsibility for the incident. Linked to earlier attacks on Marks & Spencer and Harrods, the group reportedly shared screenshots of JLR’s internal IT systems as proof.
The incident follows a wider spate of UK retail and automotive cyberattacks this year. JLR has stated that it is working quickly to restore systems and emphasised that there is ‘no evidence’ that customer data has been compromised.
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The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published survey results probing the ethical outlook of aviation professionals on AI deployment, released during its AI Days event in Cologne.
The AI Days conference gathered nearly 200 on-site attendees from across the globe, with even more participating online.
The survey measured acceptance, trust and comfort across eight hypothetical AI use cases, yielding an average acceptance score of 4.4 out of 7. Despite growing interest, two-thirds of respondents declined at least one scenario.
Their key concerns included limitations of AI performance, privacy and data protection, accountability, safety risks and the potential for workforce de-skilling. A clear majority called for stronger regulation and oversight by EASA and national authorities.
In a keynote address, Christine Berg from the European Commission highlighted that AI in aviation is already practical, optimising air traffic flow and predictive maintenance, while emphasising the need for explainable, reliable and certifiable systems under the EU AI Act.
Survey findings will feed into EASA’s AI Roadmap and prompt public consultations as the agency advances policy and regulatory frameworks.
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A new study by the European Travel Commission shows that national tourism organisations (NTOs) are experimenting with AI but are facing gaps in strategy and skills.
Marketing teams are leading the way, applying AI in content generation and workflow streamlining, whereas research departments primarily view the tools as exploratory. Despite uneven readiness, most staff show enthusiasm, with little resistance reported.
The survey highlights challenges, including limited budgets, sparse training, and the absence of a clear roadmap. Early adopters report tangible productivity gains, but most NTOs are still running small pilots rather than embedding AI across operations.
Recommendations include ring-fencing time for structured experiments, offering role-specific upskilling, and scaling budgets aligned with results. The report also urges the creation of shared learning spaces and providing practical support to help organisations transition from testing to sustained adoption.
ETC President Miguel Sanz said AI offers clear opportunities for tourism boards, but uneven capacity means shared tools and targeted investment will be essential to ensure innovation benefits all members.
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Following the agreement, the European Commission conducted further investigations to assess whether it offered adequate safeguards. On 10 July 2023, the Commission adopted an adequacy decision concluding that the USA ensures a sufficient level of protection comparable to that of the EU when transferring data from the EU to the USA, and that there is no need for supplementary data protection measures.
However, on 6 September 2023, Philippe Latombe, a member of the French Parliament, brought an action seeking annulment of the EU–US DPF.
He argued that the framework fails to ensure adequate protection of personal data transferred from the EU to the USA. Latombe also claimed that the Data Protection Review Court (DPRC), which is responsible for reviewing safeguards during such data transfers, lacks impartiality and independence and depends on the executive branch.
Finally, Latombe asserted that ‘the practice of the intelligence agencies of that country of collecting bulk personal data in transit from the European Union, without the prior authorisation of a court or an independent administrative authority, is not circumscribed in a sufficiently clear and precise manner and is, therefore, illegal.’As a result, the General Court of the EU dismissed the action for annulment, stating that:
The DPRC has sufficient safeguards to ensure judicial independence,
US intelligence agencies’ bulk data collection practices are compatible with the EU fundamental rights, and
The decision consolidates the European Commission’s ability to suspend or amend the framework if US legal safeguards change.
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Picture having a personal therapist who is always there for you, understands your needs, and gives helpful advice whenever you ask. There are no hourly fees, and you can start or stop sessions whenever you want. Thanks to new developments in AI, this idea is close to becoming a reality.
With advanced AI and large language models (LLMs), what once sounded impossible is closer to reality: AI is rapidly becoming a stand-in for therapists, offering users advice and mental health support. While society increasingly turns to AI for personal and professional assistance, a new debate arises: can AI truly replace human mental health expertise?
Therapy keeps secrets; AI keeps data
Registered therapists must maintain confidentiality except to avert serious harm, fostering a safe, non-judgemental environment for patients to speak openly. AI models, however, depend on large-scale data processing and lack an equivalent duty of confidentiality, creating ethical risks around privacy, secondary use and oversight.
The privacy and data security concerns are not hypothetical. In June 2025, users reported that sensitive Meta AI conversations appeared in the app’s public Discover feed, often because chats were unintentionally shared, prompting scrutiny from security researchers and the press. Separately, a vulnerability disclosed in December 2024 and fixed in January 2025 could have allowed access to other users’ prompts and responses.
Meta described the Discover feed as a means to explore various uses of AI, but it did little to mitigate everyone’s uneasiness over the incident. Subsequently, AMEOS Group, a private European healthcare provider, suffered a large-scale data breach affecting millions of patient records. The writing was on the wall: be careful what you share with your AI counsellor, because it may end up on an intruder’s hard drive.
To keep up with the rising volume of users and prompts, major tech conglomerates such as OpenAI and Google have invested heavily in building new data centres across the globe. At the same time, little has been done to protect sensitive data, and AI remains prone to data breaches, particularly in the healthcare sector.
According to the 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report by IBM, healthcare providers often bear the brunt of data breaches, taking an average of 279 days to recover and incurring an average cost of nearly USD $7.5 million in the process. Not only does patients’ private information end up in the wrong place, but it also takes a while to be retrieved.
Falling for your AI ‘therapist’
Patients falling in love with their therapists is not only a common trope in films and TV shows, but it is also a real-life regular occurrence for most mental health workforce. Therapists are trained to handle these attachments appropriately and without compromising the patient’s progress and well-being.
The clinical term is transference: patients may project past relationships or unmet needs onto the therapist. Far from being a nuisance, it can be clinically useful. Skilled clinicians set clear boundaries, reflect feelings, and use supervision to keep the work safe and goal-directed.
With AI ‘therapists’, the cues are different, but the pull can feel similar. Chatbots and LLMs simulate warmth, reply instantly, and never tire. 24/7 availability, combined with carefully tuned language, can foster a bond that the system cannot comprehend or sustain. There is no duty of care, no supervision, and no capacity to manage attachment or risk beyond scripted safeguards.
As a result, a significant number of users report becoming enamoured with AI, with some going as far as dismissing their human partners, professing their love to the chatbot, and even proposing. The bond between man and machine props the user onto a dangerous seesaw, teetering between curiosity and borderline delusional paranoia.
Experts warn that leaning on AI as a makeshift therapist or partner can delay help-seeking and entrench unhelpful patterns. While ‘AI psychosis‘ is not a recognised diagnosis, clinicians and digital-ethics researchers note that intense attachment to AI companions can heighten distress, especially when models change, go offline, or mishandle risk. Clear signposting to human support, transparent data practices, and firm usage boundaries are essential to prevent unhealthy attachments to virtual companions.
Who loses work when therapy goes digital?
Caring for one’s mental health is not just about discipline; it is also about money. In the United States, in-person sessions typically cost between USD $100–$250, with limited insurance coverage. In such dire circumstances, it is easy to see why many turn to AI chatbots in search of emotional support, advice, and companionship.
Licensed professionals are understandably concerned about displacement. Yet there is little evidence that AI is reducing the demand for human therapists; services remain oversubscribed, and wait times are long in both the USA and UK.
Regulators are, however, drawing lines around AI-only practice. On 4 August 2025, Illinois enacted the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (HB 1806), which prohibits the use of AI to provide therapy or make therapeutic decisions (while allowing administrative or supplementary use), with enforcement by the state regulator and fines up to $10,000 per violation.
Current legal and regulatory safeguards have limited power to use AI in mental health or protect therapists’ jobs. Even so, they signal a clear resolve to define AI’s role and address unintended harms.
Can AI ‘therapists’ handle crisis conversations
Adolescence is a particularly sensitive stage of development. It is a time of rapid change, shifting identities, and intense social pressure. Young people are more likely to question beliefs and boundaries, and they need steady, non-judgemental support to navigate setbacks and safeguard their well-being.
In such a challenging period, teens have a hard time coping with their troubles, and an even harder time sharing their struggles with parents and seeking help from trained professionals. Nowadays, it is not uncommon for them to turn to AI chatbots for comfort and support, particularly without their guardians’ knowledge.
One such case demonstrated that unsupervised use of AI among teens can lead to devastating consequences. Adam Raine, a 16-year-old from California, confided his feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and anhedonia to ChatGPT. Rather than suggesting that the teen seek professional help, ChatGPT urged him to further elaborate on his emotions. Instead of challenging them, the AI model kept encouraging and validating his beliefs to keep Adam engaged and build rapport.
Throughout the following months, ChatGPT kept reaffirming Adam’s thoughts, urging him to distance himself from friends and relatives, and even suggesting the most effective methods of suicide. In the end, the teen followed through with ChatGPT’s suggestions, taking his own life according to the AI’s detailed instructions. Adam’s parents filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, blaming its LLM chatbot for leading the teen to an untimely death.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, OpenAI promised to make changes to its LLM and incorporate safeguards that should discourage thoughts of self-harm and encourage users to seek professional help. The case of Adam Raine serves as a harrowing warning that AI, in its current capacity, is not equipped to handle mental health struggles, and that users should heed AI’s advice not with a grain of salt, but with a whole bucket.
Chatbots are companions, not health professionals
AI can mimic human traits and convince users they are forming a real connection, evoking genuine feelings of companionship and even a sense of therapeutic alliance. When it comes to providing mental health advice, the aforementioned qualities present a dangerously deceptive mirage of a makeshift professional therapist, one who will fully comply with one’s every need, cater to one’s biases, and shape one’s worldview from the ground up – whatever it takes to keep the user engaged and typing away.
While AI has proven useful in multiple fields of work, such as marketing and IT, psychotherapy remains an insurmountable hurdle for even the most advanced LLM models of today. It is difficult to predict what the future of AI in (mental) health care will look like. As things stand, in such a delicate field of healthcare, AI lacks a key component that makes a therapist effective in their job: empathy.
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