Human rights principles Archives | Page 137 of 162

ChatGPT gets smarter with Study Mode to support active learning

OpenAI has launched a new Study Mode in ChatGPT to help users engage more deeply with learning. Rather than simply providing answers, the feature guides users through concepts and problem-solving step-by-step. It is designed to support critical thinking and improve long-term understanding.

The company developed the feature with educators, scientists, and pedagogy experts. They aimed to ensure the AI supports active learning and doesn’t just deliver quick fixes. The result is a mode that encourages curiosity, reflection, and metacognitive development.

According to OpenAI, Study Mode allows users to approach subjects more critically and thoroughly. It breaks down complex ideas, asks questions, and helps manage cognitive load during study. Instead of spoon-feeding, the AI acts more like a tutor than a search engine.

The shift reflects a broader trend in educational technology — away from passive learning tools. Many students turn to AI for homework help, but educators have warned of over-reliance. Study Mode attempts to strike a balance by promoting engagement over shortcuts.

For instance, rather than giving the complete solution to a maths problem, Study Mode might ask: ‘What formula might apply here?’ or ‘How could you simplify this expression first?’ This approach nudges students to participate in the process and build fundamental problem-solving skills.

It also adapts to different learning needs. In science, it might walk through hypotheses and reasoning. It may help analyse a passage or structure an essay in the humanities. Prompting users to think aloud mirrors effective tutoring strategies.

OpenAI says feedback from teachers helped shape the feature’s tone and pacing. One key aim was to avoid overwhelming learners with too much information at once. Instead, Study Mode introduces concepts incrementally, supporting better retention and understanding.

The company also consulted cognitive scientists to align with best practices in memory and comprehension. However, this includes encouraging users to reflect on their learning and why specific steps matter. Such strategies are known to improve both academic performance and self-directed learning.

While the feature is part of ChatGPT, it can be toggled on or off. Users can activate Study Mode when tackling a tricky topic or exploring new material. They can then switch to normal responses for broader queries or summarised answers.

Educators have expressed cautious optimism about the update. Some see it as a tool supporting homework, revision, or assessment preparation. However, they also warn that no AI can replace direct teaching or personalised guidance.

Tools like this could be valuable in under-resourced settings or for independent learners.

Study Mode’s interactive style may help level the playing field for students without regular academic support. It also gives parents and tutors a new way to guide learners without doing the work for them.

Earlier efforts included teacher guides and classroom use cases. However, Study Mode marks a more direct push to reshape how students use AI in learning.

It positions ChatGPT not as a cheat sheet, but as a co-pilot for intellectual growth.

Looking ahead, OpenAI says it plans to iterate based on user feedback and teacher insights. Future updates may include subject-specific prompts, progress tracking, or integrations with educational platforms. The goal is to build a tool that adapts to learning styles without compromising depth or rigour.

As AI continues to reshape education, tools like Study Mode may help answer a central question: Can technology support genuine understanding, instead of just faster answers? With Study Mode, OpenAI believes the answer is yes, if used wisely.

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

Aeroflot cyberattack cripples Russian flights in major breach

A major cyberattack on Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot has caused severe disruptions to flights, with hundreds of passengers stranded at airports. Responsibility was claimed by two hacker groups: Ukraine’s Silent Crow and the Belarusian hacktivist collective Belarus Cyber-Partisans.

The attack is among the most damaging cyber incidents Russia has faced since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Past attacks disrupted government portals and large state-run firms such as Russian Railways, but most resumed operations quickly. This time, the effects were longer-lasting.

Social media showed crowds of delayed passengers packed into Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, Aeroflot’s main hub. The outage affected not only Aeroflot but also its subsidiaries, Rossiya and Pobeda.

Most of the grounded flights were domestic. However, international services to Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan were also cancelled or postponed due to the IT failure.

Early on Monday, Aeroflot issued a statement warning of unspecified problems with its IT infrastructure. The company alerted passengers that delays and disruptions were likely as a result.

Later, Russia’s Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the outage was the result of a cyberattack. It announced the opening of a criminal case and launched an investigation into the breach.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the incident as ‘quite alarming’, admitting that cyber threats remain a serious risk for all major service providers operating at scale.

In a Telegram post, Silent Crow claimed it had maintained access to Aeroflot’s internal systems for over a year. The group stated it had copied sensitive customer data, internal communications, audio recordings, and surveillance footage collected on Aeroflot employees.

The hackers claimed that all of these resources had now either been destroyed or made inaccessible. ‘Restoring them will possibly require tens of millions of dollars. The damage is strategic,’ the group wrote.

Screenshots allegedly showing Aeroflot’s compromised IT dashboards were shared via the same Telegram channel. Silent Crow hinted it may begin publishing the stolen data in the coming days.

It added: ‘The personal data of all Russians who have ever flown with Aeroflot have now also gone on a trip — albeit without luggage and to the same destination.’

The Belarus Cyber-Partisans, who have opposed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian regime for years, said the attack was carefully planned and intended to cause maximum disruption.

‘This is a very large-scale attack and one of the most painful in terms of consequences,’ said group coordinator Yuliana Shametavets. She told The Associated Press that the group spent months preparing the strike and accessed Aeroflot’s systems by exploiting several vulnerabilities.

The Cyber-Partisans have previously claimed responsibility for other high-profile hacks. In April 2024, they said they had breached the internal network of Belarus’s state security agency, the KGB.

Belarus remains a close ally of Russia. Lukashenko, in power for over three decades, has permitted Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for the invasion of Ukraine and to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil.

Russia’s aviation sector has already faced repeated interruptions this summer, often caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on military or dual-use airports. Flights have been grounded multiple times as a precaution, disrupting passenger travel.

The latest cyberattack adds a new layer of difficulty, exposing the vulnerability of even the most protected elements of Russia’s transportation infrastructure. While the full extent of the data breach is yet to be independently verified, the implications could be long-lasting.

For now, it remains unclear how long it will take Aeroflot to fully restore services or what specific data may have been leaked. Both hacker groups appear determined to continue using cyber tools as a weapon of resistance — targeting Russia’s most symbolic assets.

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

Trust in human doctors remains despite AI advancements

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that AI, especially ChatGPT, now surpasses many doctors in diagnosing illnesses. However, he pointed out that individuals still prefer human doctors because of the trust and emotional connection they provide.

Altman also expressed concerns about the potential misuse of AI, such as using voice cloning for fraud and identity theft. He emphasised the need for stronger privacy protections for sensitive conversations with AI tools like ChatGPT, noting that current standards are inadequate and should align with those for therapists.

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

AI bands rise as real musicians struggle to compete

AI is quickly transforming the music industry, with AI-generated bands now drawing millions of plays on platforms like Spotify.

While these acts may sound like traditional musicians, they are entirely digital creations. Streaming services rarely label AI music clearly, and the producers behind these tracks often remain anonymous and unreachable. Human artists, meanwhile, are quietly watching their workload dry up.

Music professionals are beginning to express concern. Composer Leo Sidran believes AI is already taking work away from creators like him, noting that many former clients now rely on AI-generated solutions instead of original compositions.

Unlike previous tech innovations, which empowered musicians, AI risks erasing job opportunities entirely, according to Berklee College of Music professor George Howard, who warns it could become a zero-sum game.

AI music is especially popular for passive listening—background tracks for everyday life. In contrast, real musicians still hold value among fans who engage more actively with music.

However, AI is cheap, fast, and royalty-free, making it attractive to publishers and advertisers. From film soundtracks to playlists filled with faceless artists, synthetic sound is rapidly replacing human creativity in many commercial spaces.

Experts urge musicians to double down on what makes them unique instead of mimicking trends that AI can easily replicate. Live performance remains one of the few areas where AI has yet to gain traction. Until synthetic bands take the stage, artists may still find refuge in concerts and personal connection with fans.

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

Flipkart employee deletes ChatGPT over emotional dependency

ChatGPT has become an everyday tool for many, serving as a homework partner, a research aid, and even a comforting listener. But questions are beginning to emerge about the emotional bonds users form with it. A recent LinkedIn post has reignited the debate around AI overuse.

Simrann M Bhambani, a marketing professional at Flipkart, publicly shared her decision to delete Cha tGPT from her devices. In a post titled ‘ChatGPT is TOXIC! (for me)’, she described how casual interaction escalated into emotional dependence. The platform began to resemble a digital therapist.

Bhambani admitted to confiding every minor frustration and emotional spiral to the chatbot. Its constant availability and non-judgemental replies gave her a false sense of security. Even with supportive friends, she felt drawn to the machine’s quiet reliability.

What began as curiosity turned into compulsion. She found herself spending hours feeding the bot intrusive thoughts and endless questions. ‘I gave my energy to something that wasn’t even real,’ she wrote. The experience led to more confusion instead of clarity.

Rather than offering mental relief, the chatbot fuelled her overthinking. The emotional noise grew louder, eventually becoming overwhelming. She realised that the problem wasn’t the technology itself, but how it quietly replaced self-reflection.

Deleting the app marked a turning point. Bhambani described the decision as a way to reclaim mental space and reduce digital clutter. She warned others that AI tools, while useful, can easily replace human habits and emotional processing if left unchecked.

Many users may not notice such patterns until they are deeply entrenched. AI chatbots are designed to be helpful and responsive, but they lack the nuance and care of human conversation. Their steady presence can foster a deceptive sense of intimacy.

People increasingly rely on digital tools to navigate their daily emotions, often without understanding the consequences. Some may find themselves withdrawing from human relationships or journalling less often. Emotional outsourcing to machines can significantly change how people process personal experiences.

Industry experts have warned about the risks of emotional reliance on generative AI. Chatbots are known to produce inaccurate or hallucinated responses, especially when asked to provide personal advice. Sole dependence on such tools can lead to misinformation or emotional confusion.

Companies like OpenAI have stressed that ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional mental health support. While the bot is trained to provide helpful and empathetic responses, it cannot replace human judgement or real-world relationships. Boundaries are essential.

Mental health professionals also caution against using AI as an emotional crutch. Reflection and self-awareness take time and require discomfort, which AI often smooths over. The convenience can dull long-term growth and self-understanding.

Bhambani’s story has resonated with many who have quietly developed similar habits. Her openness has sparked important discussions on emotional hygiene in the age of AI. More users are starting to reflect on their relationship with digital tools.

Social media platforms are also witnessing an increased number of posts about AI fatigue and cognitive overload. People are beginning to question how constant access to information and feedback affects emotional well-being. There is growing awareness around the need for balance.

AI is expected to become even more integrated into daily life, from virtual assistants to therapy bots. Recognising the line between convenience and dependency will be key. Tools are meant to serve, not dominate, personal reflection.

Developers and users alike must remain mindful of how often and why they turn to AI. Chatbots can complement human support systems, but they are not replacements. Bhambani’s experience serves as a cautionary tale in the age of machine intimacy.

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

Tech giants back Trump’s AI deregulation plan amid public concern over societal impacts

Donald Trump recently hosted an AI summit in Washington, titled ‘Winning the AI Race,’ geared towards a deregulated atmosphere for AI innovation. Key figures from the tech industry, including Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang and Palantir’s CTO Shyam Sankar, attended the event.

Co-hosted by the Hill and Valley Forum and the Silicon Valley All-in Podcast, the summit was a platform for Trump to introduce his ‘AI Action Plan‘, comprised of three executive orders focusing on deregulation. Trump’s objective is to dismantle regulatory restrictions he perceives as obstacles to innovation, aiming to re-establish the US as a leader in AI exportation globally.

The executive orders announced target the elimination of ‘ideological dogmas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)’ in AI models developed by federally funded companies. Additionally, one order promotes exporting US-developed AI technologies internationally, while another seeks to lessen environmental restrictions and speed up approvals for energy-intensive data centres.

These measures are seen as reversing the Biden administration’s policies, which stressed the importance of safety and security in AI development. Technology giants Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet have shown significant support for Trump’s initiatives, contributing to his inauguration fund and engaging with him at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang have also pledged substantial investments in US AI infrastructure.

Despite this backing, over 100 groups, including labour, environmental, civil rights, and academic organisations, have voiced their opposition through a ‘People’s AI action plan’. These groups warn of the potential risks of unregulated AI, which they fear could undermine civil liberties, equality, and environmental safeguards.

They argue that public welfare should not be compromised for corporate gains, highlighting the dangers of allowing tech giants to dominate policy-making. That discourse illustrates the divide between industry aspirations and societal consequences.

The tech industry’s influence on AI legislation through lobbying is noteworthy, with a report from Issue One indicating that eight of the largest tech companies spent a collective $36 million on lobbying in 2025 alone. Meta led with $13.8 million, employing 86 lobbyists, while Nvidia and OpenAI saw significant increases in their expenditure compared to previous years. The substantial financial outlay reflects the industry’s vested interest in shaping regulatory frameworks to favour business interests, igniting a debate over the ethical responsibilities of unchecked AI progress.

As tech companies and pro-business entities laud Trump’s deregulation efforts, concerns persist over the societal impacts of such policies.

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

China issues action plan for global AI governance and proposes global AI cooperation organisation

At the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged the international community to prioritise joint efforts in governing AI, making reference to a need to establish a global framework and set of rules widely accepted by the global community. He unveiled a proposal by the Chinese government to create a global AI cooperation organisation to foster international collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity in AI across nations.

‘China attaches great importance to global AI governance, and has been actively promoting multilateral and bilateral cooperation with a willingness to offer more Chinese solutions‘.

An Action Plan for AI Global Governance was also presented at the conference. The plan outlines, in its introduction, a call for ‘all stakeholders to take concrete and effective actions based on the principles of serving the public good, respecting sovereignty, development orientation, safety and controllability, equity and inclusiveness, and openness and cooperation, to jointly advance the global development and governance of AI’.

The document includes 13 points related to key areas of international AI cooperation, including promoting inclusive infrastructure development, fostering open innovation ecosystems, ensuring high-quality data supply, and advancing sustainability through green AI practices. It also calls for consensus-building around technical standards, advancing international cooperation on AI safety governance, and supporting countries – especially those in the Global South – in ‘developing AI technologies and services suited to their national conditions’.

Notably, the plan indicates China’s support for multilateralism when it comes to the governance of AI, calling for an active implementation of commitments made by UN member states in the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, and expressing support for the establishment of the International AI Scientific Panel and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance (whose terms of reference are currently negotiated by UN member states in New York).

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

AI startup Daydream revolutionises online fashion search

Online shopping for specific items like bridesmaid dresses can be challenging due to overwhelming choices. A new tech startup, Daydream, aims to simplify this. It uses AI to let users search for products by describing them in natural language, making the process easier and more intuitive.

For instance, a user could ask for a ‘revenge dress to wear to a party in Sicily in July,’ or ‘a summer bag to carry to work and cocktails after.’

Daydream, with staff based in New York and San Francisco, represents the latest venture in a growing trend of tech companies utilising AI to streamline and personalise online retail.

Consumer demand for such tools is evident: an Adobe Analytics survey of 5,000 US consumers revealed that 39% had used a generative AI tool for online shopping last year, with 53% planning to do so this year. Daydream faces competition from tech giants already active in this space.

Meta employs AI to facilitate seller listings and to target users with more relevant product advertisements. OpenAI has launched an AI agent capable of shopping across the web for users, and Amazon is trialling a similar feature.

Google has also introduced various AI shopping tools, including automated price tracking, a ‘circle to search’ function for identifying products in photos, and virtual try-on options for clothing.

Despite the formidable competition, Daydream’s CEO, Julie Bornstein, believes her company possesses a deeper understanding of the fashion and retail industries.

Bornstein’s extensive background includes helping build Nordstrom’s website as its vice president of e-commerce in the early 2000s and holding C-suite positions at Sephora and Stitch Fix. In 2018, she co-founded her first AI-powered shopping startup, The Yes, which was sold to Pinterest in 2022.

Bornstein asserts, ‘They don’t have the people, the mindset, the passion to do what needs to be done to make a category like fashion work for AI recommendations.’ She added, ‘Because I’ve been in this space my whole career, I know that having the catalogue with everything and being able to show the right person the right stuff makes shopping easier.’

Daydream has already secured $50 million in its initial funding round, attracting investors such as Google Ventures and model Karlie Kloss, founder of Kode With Klossy. The platform operates as a free, digital personal stylist.

Users can input their desired products using natural language, eliminating the need for complex Boolean search terms, thanks to its AI text recognition technology, or upload an inspiration photo.

Daydream then presents recommendations from over 8,000 brand partners, ranging from budget-friendly Uniqlo to luxury brand Gucci. Users can further refine their search through a chat interface, for example, by requesting more casual or less expensive alternatives.

As users interact more with the platform, it progressively tailors recommendations based on their search history, clicks, and saved items.

When customers are ready to purchase, they are redirected to the respective brand’s website to complete the transaction, with Daydream receiving a 20% commission on the sale.

Unlike many other major e-commerce players, Bornstein is deliberately avoiding ad-based rankings. She aims for products to appear on recommendation pages purely because they are a suitable match for the customer, not due to paid placements.

Bornstein stated, ‘As soon as Amazon started doing paid sponsorships, I’m like, ‘How can I find the real good product?’ She emphasised, ‘We want this to be a thing where we get paid when we show the customer the right thing.’

A recent CNN test of Daydream yielded mixed results. A search for a ‘white, fitted button-up shirt for the office with no pockets’ successfully returned a $145 cotton long-sleeve shirt from Theory that perfectly matched the description.

However, recommendations are not always flawless. A query for a ‘mother of the bride dress for a summer wedding in California’ presented several slinky slip dresses, some in white, alongside more formal styles, appearing more suitable for a bachelorette party.

Bornstein confirmed that the company continuously refined its AI models and gathered user feedback. She noted, ‘We want data on what people are doing so we can focus and learn where we do well and where we don’t.’

Part of this ongoing development involves training the AI to understand nuanced contextual cues, such as the implications of a ‘dress for a trip to Greece in August’ (suggesting hot weather) or an outfit for a ‘black-tie wedding’ (implying formality).

Daydream’s web version launched publicly last month, and it is currently in beta testing, with plans for an app release in the autumn. Bornstein envisions a future where AI extends beyond shopping, assisting with broader fashion needs like pairing new purchases with existing wardrobe items.

She concluded, ‘This was one of my earliest ideas, but I didn’t know the term (generative AI) and I didn’t know a large language model would be the unlock.’

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

Delta Air Lines rolls out AI for personalised airfare

Delta Air Lines is shifting the landscape of airfare by leveraging AI to personalise ticket prices. Moving beyond fixed fares, Delta aims to tailor prices closely to each traveller.

Instead of static prices, the system now analyses customer habits, booking history, and even the time of day to predict an individual’s potential willingness to pay. By the end of the current year, Delta aims to set 20% of its ticket prices using AI dynamically.

The goal represents a significant, sevenfold increase from just twelve months prior. Such a high-tech approach could result in more advantageous deals or elevated costs, depending on a passenger’s unique circumstances and shopping behaviour.

It is crucial to understand how this system operates, Delta’s motivations, and its implications for consumer finances. Traditional ticket pricing has long relied on ‘fare buckets,’ where customers are categorised based on their booking method and timing.

Delta’s new AI ticket pricing system fundamentally shifts away from these static rates. It analyses real-time information to calculate precisely what a specific customer will likely spend on a seat for any given flight.

Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s President, describes this as a complete re-engineering of pricing. He characterises AI as a ‘super analyst’ working continuously, 24/7, to identify the optimal price for every traveller, every time.

The airline has collaborated with Fetcherr, which provides the underlying technological infrastructure and supports other global airlines. Airlines do not adopt advanced, high-tech pricing systems to reduce revenue.

Delta reports that initial results from its AI-driven pricing indicate ‘amazingly favourable’ revenues. The airline believes AI will maximise profits by more accurately aligning fares with each passenger’s willingness to pay.

However, this is determined by a vast array of data inputs, ranging from individual booking history to prevailing market trends. Delta’s core strategy is straightforward: to offer a price available for a specific flight, at a particular time, to you, the individual consumer.

Consumers who have previously observed frequent fluctuations in airfare should now anticipate even greater volatility. Delta’s new system could present a different price to one person compared to another for the same seat, with the calculation performed in real-time by the AI.

Passengers might receive special offers or early discounts if the AI identifies a need to fill seats quickly. However, discerning whether one is securing a ‘fair’ deal becomes significantly more challenging. The displayed price is now a function of what the AI believes an individual will pay, rather than a universal rate applicable to all.

The shift has prompted concerns among some privacy advocates. They worry that such personalised pricing could disadvantage customers who lack the resources or time to search extensively for the most favourable deals.

Consequently, those less able to shop around may be charged the highest prices. Delta has been approached for comment, and a spokesperson stated: ‘There is no fare product Delta has ever used, is testing, or plans to use that targets customers with individualised offers based on personal information or otherwise.

Various market forces have driven the dynamic pricing model used in the global industry for decades, with new tech streamlining this process. Delta always complies with regulations around pricing and disclosures.’

Delta’s openness regarding this significant policy change has attracted considerable national attention. Other airlines are already trialling their AI fare systems, and industry experts widely anticipate that the rest of the sector will soon follow suit.

Nevertheless, privacy advocates and several lawmakers are vocalising strong objections. Critics contend that allowing AI to determine pricing behind the scenes is akin to airlines ‘hacking our brains’ to ascertain the maximum price a customer will accept, as described by Consumer Watchdog.

The legal ramifications of this approach are still unfolding. While price variation based on demand or timing is not novel, the use of AI for ultra-personalised pricing raises uncomfortable questions about potential discrimination and fairness, particularly given prior research suggesting that economically disadvantaged customers frequently receive less favourable deals.

Delta’s AI pricing system personalises every airfare, making each search and price specific to the user. Universal ticket prices are fading as AI analyses booking habits and market conditions. This technology can quickly offer special deals to fill seats or raise prices if demand is detected.

Conversely, the price can increase if the system senses a greater willingness to pay. Shopping around is now an absolute necessity. Utilising a VPN can help outsmart the system by masking location and IP address, which prevents airlines from tracking searches and adjusting prices based on geographic region.

Making quick decisions might result in savings, but procrastination could lead to a price increase. Privacy is paramount; the airline gains insights into a user’s habits with every search. A digital footprint directly influences fares. In essence, consumers now possess both increased power and greater responsibility.

Being astute, flexible, and constantly comparing before purchasing is vital. Delta’s transition to AI-driven ticket pricing significantly shifts how consumers purchase flight tickets.

While offering potential for enhanced flexibility and efficiency, it simultaneously raises substantial questions concerning fairness, privacy, and transparency.

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

Robot artist Ai-Da explores human self-perception

The world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, Ai-Da, has been prompting profound questions about human-robot interactions, according to her creator.

Designed in Oxford by Aidan Meller, a modern and contemporary art specialist, and built in the UK by Engineered Arts, Ai-Da is a humanoid robot specifically engineered for artistic creation. She recently unveiled a portrait of King Charles III, adding to her notable portfolio.

Aidan Meller, Ai-Da’s creator, stated that working with the robot has evoked ‘lots of questions about our relationship with ourselves.’ He highlighted how Ai-Da’s artwork ‘drills into some of our time’s biggest concerns and thoughts.’

Ai-Da uses cameras in her eyes to capture images, which are then processed by AI algorithms and converted into real-time coordinates for her robotic arm, enabling her to paint and draw.

Mr Meller explained, ‘You can meet her, talk to her using her language model, and she can then paint and draw you from sight.’

He also observed that people’s preconceptions about robots are often outdated: ‘It’s not until you look a robot in the eye and they say your name that the reality of this new sci-fi world that we are now in takes hold.’

Ai-Da’s contributions to the art world continue to grow. She had produced and showcased her work at the AI for Good Global Summit 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, an event under the auspices of the UN. That same year, her triptych of Enigma code-breaker Alan Turing sold for over £1 million at auction.

Her focus this year shifted to King Charles III, chosen because, as Mr Meller noted, ‘With extraordinary strides that are taking place in technology and again, always questioning our relationship to the environment, we felt that King Charles was an excellent subject.’

Buckingham Palace authorised the display of Ai-Da’s portrait of the King, despite the robot not meeting him. Ai-Da, connected to the internet, uses extensive data to inform her choice of subjects, with Mr Meller revealing, ‘Uncannily, and rather nerve-rackingly, we just ask her.’

The conversations generated inform the artwork. Ai-Da also painted a portrait of King Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2023. Mr Meller shared that the most significant realisation from six years of working with Ai-Da was ‘not so much about how human she is but actually how robotic we are.’

He concluded, ‘We hope Ai-Da’s artwork can be a provocation for that discussion.’

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