New AI method boosts reasoning without extra training

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have introduced a technique that improves AI reasoning without requiring additional training data. Called Test-Time Matching, the approach enhances AI performance by enabling dynamic model adaptation.

The method addresses a persistent weakness in multimodal AI systems, which often struggle to interpret unfamiliar combinations of images and text. Traditional evaluation metrics rely on isolated comparisons that can obscure deeper reasoning capabilities.

By replacing these with a group-based matching approach, the researchers uncovered hidden model potential and achieved markedly stronger results.

Test-Time Matching lets AI systems refine predictions through repeated self-correction. Tests on SigLIP-B16 showed substantial gains, with performance surpassing larger models, including GPT-4.1, on key reasoning benchmarks.

The findings suggest that smarter evaluation and adaptation strategies may unlock powerful reasoning abilities even in smaller models. Researchers say the approach could speed AI deployment across robotics, healthcare, and autonomous systems.

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

Higher education urged to lead on AI skills and ethics

AI is reshaping how people work, learn and participate in society, prompting calls for universities to take a more active leadership role. A new book by Juan M. Lavista Ferres of Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute argues that higher education institutions must move faster to prepare students for an AI-driven world.

Balancing technical training with long-standing academic values remains a central challenge. Institutions are encouraged to teach practical AI skills while continuing to emphasise critical thinking, communication and ethical reasoning.

AI literacy is increasingly seen as essential for both employment and daily life. Early labour market data suggests that AI proficiency is already linked to higher wages, reinforcing calls for higher education institutions to embed AI education across disciplines rather than treating it as a specialist subject.

Developers, educators and policymakers are also urged to improve their understanding of each other’s roles. Technical knowledge must be matched with awareness of AI’s social impact, while non-technical stakeholders need clearer insight into how AI systems function.

Closer cooperation between universities, industry and governments is expected to shape the next phase of AI adoption. Higher education institutions are being asked to set recognised standards for AI credentials, expand access to training, and ensure inclusive pathways for diverse learners.

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

Adobe upgrades Premiere and After Effects with new AI features

New AI-powered upgrades have been unveiled for video creators, expanding tools in Premiere, After Effects, and Firefly Boards ahead of the Sundance Film Festival. The updates, introduced by Adobe, aim to streamline post-production, improve collaboration, and enhance creative control.

Premiere now offers AI-assisted object selection, redesigned shape masks, and tighter integration with Firefly Boards. Editors can brainstorm ideas, explore visuals, and move assets into workflows using AI models from Adobe, Google, OpenAI, and others.

After Effects is also receiving major updates, including native 3D parametric meshes, access to more than 1,300 Substance 3D materials, improved vector workflows, and expanded variable-font animation tools. The additions are designed to support more advanced motion design and visual storytelling.

Alongside the product upgrades, Adobe announced an extra $10 million in funding through its Film & TV Fund to support emerging filmmakers from underserved communities. New partners include Rideback RISE and Dimz Inc., with existing collaborations continuing.

According to the Sundance Institute, 85% of films submitted to the 2026 festival were created using Creative Cloud tools. Adobe said it will continue investing in AI-driven workflows, professional training, and industry partnerships to support the next generation of storytellers.

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

Generative AI fuels surge in online fraud risks in 2026

Online scams are expected to surge in 2026, overtaking ransomware as the top cyber-risk, the World Economic Forum warned, driven by the growing use of generative AI.

Executives are increasingly concerned about AI-driven scams that are easier to launch and harder to detect than traditional cybercrime. WEF managing director Jeremy Jurgens said leaders now face the challenge of acting collectively to protect trust and stability in an AI-driven digital environment.

Consumers are also feeling the impact. An Experian report found 68% of people now see identity theft as their main concern, while US Federal Trade Commission data shows consumer fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, up 25% year on year.

Generative AI is enabling more convincing phishing, voice cloning, and impersonation attempts. The WEF reported that 62% of executives experienced phishing attacks, 37% encountered invoice fraud, and 32% reported identity theft, with vulnerable groups increasingly targeted through synthetic content abuse.

Experts warn that many organisations still lack the skills and resources to defend against evolving threats. Consumer groups advise slowing down, questioning urgent messages, avoiding unsolicited requests for information, and verifying contacts independently to reduce the risk of generative AI-powered scams.

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

Siri to receive major AI upgrade with powerful enhancements

Apple is reportedly preparing a major overhaul of Siri by replacing the current system with an AI chatbot powered by Google’s Gemini technology. The change could mark the most significant upgrade to the assistant since its original launch.

Internal reports suggest the project aims to make Siri more conversational, capable of handling complex requests and sustained dialogue, rather than simple commands.

Future versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS are expected to introduce the new system. Users would still activate Siri with familiar voice commands or device buttons, regardless of the underlying technology.

Improved understanding of personal data could allow the assistant to manage calendars, photos, files, and settings more intuitively. Content creation features such as email drafting and note summarisation are also expected.

Growing competition from AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini has increased pressure on Apple to modernise its digital assistant. Reports suggest a formal reveal could take place at a future developer event, followed by a broader rollout with upcoming iPhone releases.

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

AI expands healthcare access in Africa

Health care in Africa is set to benefit from AI through a new initiative by the Gates Foundation and OpenAI. Horizon1000 aims to expand AI-powered support across 1,000 primary care clinics in Rwanda by 2028.

Severe shortages of health workers in Sub-Saharan Africa have limited access to quality care, with the region facing a shortfall of nearly six million professionals. AI tools will assist doctors and nurses by handling administrative tasks and providing clinical guidance.

Rwanda has launched an AI Health Intelligence Centre to utilise limited resources better and improve patient outcomes. The initiative will deploy AI in communities and homes, ensuring support reaches beyond clinic walls.

Experts believe AI represents a major medical breakthrough, comparable to vaccines and antibiotics. By helping health workers focus on patient care, the technology could reduce preventable deaths and transform health systems across low- and middle-income countries.

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

UK launches software security ambassadors scheme

The UK government has launched the Software Security Ambassadors Scheme to promote stronger software security practices nationwide. The initiative is led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the National Cyber Security Centre.

In the UK, participating organisations commit to championing the new Software Security Code of Practice within their industries. Signatories agree to lead by example through secure development, procurement and advisory practices, while sharing lessons learned to strengthen national cyber resilience.

The scheme aims to improve transparency and risk management across UK digital supply chains. Software developers are encouraged to embed security throughout the whole lifecycle, while buyers are expected to incorporate security standards into procurement processes.

Officials say the approach supports the UK’s broader economic and security goals by reducing cyber risks and increasing trust in digital technologies. The government believes that better security practices will help UK businesses innovate safely and withstand cyber incidents.

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

Amazon One Medical launches health AI assistant

One Medical has launched a Health AI assistant in its mobile app, offering personalised health guidance at any time. The tool uses verified medical records to support everyday healthcare decisions.

Patients can use the assistant to explain lab results, manage prescriptions, and book virtual or in-person appointments. Clinical safeguards ensure users are referred to human clinicians when medical judgement is required.

Powered by Amazon Bedrock, the assistant operates under HIPAA-compliant privacy standards and avoids selling personal health data. Amazon says clinician and member feedback will shape future updates.

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

Microsoft restores Exchange and Teams after Microsoft 365 disruption

The US tech giant, Microsoft, investigated a service disruption affecting Exchange Online, Teams and other Microsoft 365 services after users reported access and performance problems.

An incident that began late on Wednesday affected core communication tools used by enterprises for daily operations.

Engineers initially focused on diagnosing the fault, with Microsoft indicating that a potential third-party networking issue may have interfered with access to Outlook and Teams.

During the disruption, users experienced intermittent connectivity failures, latency and difficulties signing in across parts of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Microsoft later confirmed that service access had been restored, although no detailed breakdown of the outage scope was provided.

The incident underlined the operational risks associated with cloud productivity platforms and the importance of transparency and resilience in enterprise digital infrastructure.

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

Anthropic releases new constitution shaping Claude’s AI behaviour

Anthropic has published a new constitution for its AI model Claude, outlining the values, priorities, and behavioural principles designed to guide its development. Released under a Creative Commons licence, the document aims to boost transparency while shaping Claude’s learning and reasoning.

The constitution plays a central role in training, guiding how Claude balances safety, ethics, compliance, and helpfulness. Rather than rigid rules, the framework explains core principles, enabling AI systems to generalise and apply nuanced judgment.

Anthropic says this approach supports more responsible decision-making while improving adaptability.

The updated framework also enables Claude to refine its own training through synthetic data generation and self-evaluation. Using the constitution in training helps future Claude models align behaviour with human values while maintaining safety and oversight.

Anthropic described the constitution as a living document that will evolve alongside AI capabilities. External feedback and ongoing evaluation will guide updates to strengthen alignment, transparency, and responsible AI development.

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