Two physicists from Aalto University believe they may have found a solution to one of science’s most enduring challenges: uniting gravity with quantum physics.
Mikko Partanen and Jukka Tulkki in Finland have proposed a new theoretical framework, called “unified gravity,” that treats gravity with the same mathematical structure as the other fundamental forces in the Standard Model.
Unlike previous attempts, their approach uses gauge theory symmetries similar to those found in quantum field theory. The new model introduces a space-time dimension field, allowing gravity to function like the other quantum forces without relying on curved spacetime.
Crucially, the theory appears renormalizable at first-order calculations, potentially avoiding the mathematical pitfalls that have plagued earlier efforts. While the theory remains untested experimentally, its success could provide vital insights into phenomena like black holes and the Big Bang.
Partanen and Tulkki have invited the global scientific community to scrutinise and extend their work. If validated, unified gravity could mark a pivotal moment in the quest to reconcile the laws of the cosmos in quantum physics.
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We are confronted with this phenomenon through photos, video and audio recordings that can easily confuse us and force us to question our perception of reality.
And while the public often focuses on deepfakes, at the same time we are witnessing inventions and patents emerging around the world that deserve admiration, but also spark important reflection: are we nearing, or have we already crossed, the ethical red line?
For these and many other reasons, in a world where the visual and functional differences between science fiction and reality have almost disappeared, the latest inventions come as a shock.
We are now at a point where we are facing technologies that force us to redefine what we mean by the word ‘reality’.
Neuralink: Crossing the boundary between brain and machine
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disease caused by damage and degeneration of motor neurons—nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This damage disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles via peripheral nerves, leading to a progressive loss of muscle function.
However, the Neuralink chip, developed by Elon Musk’s company, has helped one patient type with their mind and speak using their voice. This breakthrough opens the door to a new form of communication where thoughts become direct interactions.
Liquid robot from South Korea
Scenes from sci-fi films are becoming reality, and in this case (thankfully), a liquid robot has a noble purpose—to assist in rescue missions and be applied in medicine.
Currently in the early prototype stage, it has been demonstrated in labs through a collaboration between MIT and Korean research institutes.
ULS exoskeleton as support for elderly care
Healthcare workers and caregivers in China have had their work greatly simplified thanks to the ULS Robotics exoskeleton, weighing only five kilograms but enabling users to lift up to 30 kilograms.
This represents a leap forward in caring for people with limited mobility, while also increasing safety and efficiency. Commercial prototypes have been tested in hospitals and industrial environments.
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Another example from China that has been in use for several years. Robots equipped with AI perform precise crop spraying. The system analyses pests and targets them without the need for human presence, reducing potential health risks.
The application has become standardised, with expectations for further expansion and improvement in the near future.
The stretchable battery of the future
Researchers in Sweden have developed a flexible battery that can double in length without losing energy, making it ideal for wearable technologies.
Although not yet commercially available, it has been covered in scientific journals. The aim is for it to become a key component in bendable devices, smart clothing and medical implants.
Volonaut Airbike: A sci-fi vehicle takes off
When it comes to innovation, the Volonaut Airbike hits the mark perfectly. Designed to resemble a single-seat speeder bike from Star Wars, it represents a giant leap toward personal air travel.
Functional prototypes exist, but testing remains limited due to high production costs and regulatory hurdles related to traffic laws. Nevertheless, the Polish company behind it remains committed to this idea, and it will be exciting to follow its progress.
NEO robot: The humanoid household assistant
A Norwegian company has been developing a humanoid robot capable of performing household tasks, including gardening chores like collecting and bagging leaves or grass.
These are among the first serious steps toward domestic humanoid assistants. Currently functioning in demo mode, the robot has received backing from OpenAI.
Lenovo Yoga Solar: The laptop that loves sunlight
If you find yourself without a charger but with access to direct sunlight, this laptop will do everything it can to keep you powered. Using solar energy, 20 minutes of charging in sunlight provides around one hour of video playback.
Perfect for ecologists and digital nomads. Although not yet commercially available, it has been showcased at several major tech expos.
What comes next: The need for smart regulation
As technology races ahead, regulation must catch up. From neurotech to autonomous robots, each innovation raises new questions about privacy, accountability, and ethics.
Governments and tech developers alike must collaborate to ensure that these inventions remain tools for good, not risks to society.
So, what is real and what is generated?
This question will only become harder to answer as time goes on. But on the other hand, if the technological revolution continues to head in a useful and positive direction, perhaps there is little to fear.
The true dilemma in this era of rapid innovation may not be about the tools themselves, but about the fundamental question: Is technology shaping us, or do we still shape it?
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Google’s cutting-edge AI model, Gemini 2.5 Pro, has made headlines by completing the 1996 classic video game Pokémon Blue. While Google didn’t achieve the feat directly, it was orchestrated by Joel Z, an independent software engineer who created a livestream called Gemini Plays Pokémon.
Despite being unaffiliated with the tech giant, Joel’s project has drawn enthusiastic support from Google executives, including CEO Sundar Pichai, who celebrated the victory on social media. The challenge of beating a game like Pokémon Blue has become an informal benchmark for testing the reasoning and adaptability of large language models.
Earlier this year, AI company Anthropic revealed its Claude model was making strides in a similar title, Pokémon Red, but has yet to complete it. While comparisons between the two AIs are inevitable, Joel Z clarified that such evaluations are flawed due to differences in tools, data access, and gameplay frameworks.
To play the game, Gemini relied on a complex system called an ‘agent harness,’ which feeds the model visual and contextual information from the game and translates its decisions into gameplay actions. Joel admits to making occasional interventions to improve Gemini’s reasoning but insists these did not include cheats or explicit hints. Instead, his guidance was limited to refining the model’s problem-solving capabilities.
The project remains a work in progress, and Joel continues to enhance the framework behind Gemini’s gameplay. While it may not be an official benchmark for AI performance, the achievement is a playful demonstration of how far AI systems have come in tackling creative and unexpected challenges.
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President Donald Trump indicated he would extend the deadline set for the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations if negotiations remain unfinished by 19 June.
Democratic senators have challenged Trump’s authority to postpone the deadline further, arguing that the proposed spin-off arrangement does not satisfy legal conditions outlined in the original legislation.
Trump remains firm about maintaining high tariffs on China, now at 145%, which he insists significantly impacts the Chinese economy.
Yet, he has left the door open to eventually lowering these tariffs within a more comprehensive trade agreement, acknowledging China’s strong desire to resume business with the U.S.
Despite multiple extensions, the fate of TikTok’s US operations remains uncertain, as political and economic factors continue shaping negotiations. Trump’s willingness to extend deadlines reflects broader geopolitical dynamics between Washington and Beijing, linking digital platform regulation closely with international trade policy.
At this year’s Michelin Guide awards in France, AI sparked nearly as much conversation as the stars themselves.
Paris-based chef Matan Zaken, of the one-star restaurant Nhome, said AI dominated discussions among chefs, even though many are hesitant to admit they already rely on tools like ChatGPT for inspiration and recipe development.
Zaken openly embraces AI in his kitchen, using platforms like ChatGPT Premium to generate ingredient pairings—such as peanuts and wild garlic—that he might not have considered otherwise. Instead of starting with traditional tastings, he now consults vast databases of food imagery and chemical profiles.
In a recent collaboration with the digital collective Obvious Art, AI-generated food photos came first, and Zaken created dishes to match them.
Still, not everyone is sold on AI’s place in haute cuisine. Some top chefs insist that no algorithm can replace the human palate or creativity honed by years of training.
Philippe Etchebest, who just earned a second Michelin star, argued that while AI may be helpful elsewhere, it has no place in the artistry of the kitchen. Others worry it strays too far from the culinary traditions rooted in local produce and craftsmanship.
Many chefs, however, seem more open to using AI behind the scenes. From managing kitchen rotas to predicting ingredient costs or carbon footprints, phone apps like Menu and Fullsoon are gaining popularity.
Experts believe molecular databases and cookbook analysis could revolutionise flavour pairing and food presentation, while robots might one day take over laborious prep work—peeling potatoes included.
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TikTok has been handed a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over data privacy violations involving user information transfers to China.
The EU privacy watchdog highlighted that TikTok failed to ensure that the EU citizens’ data received sufficient protection against potential access by Chinese authorities, raising concerns among EU lawmakers.
The regulator has also set a tight six-month deadline for TikTok to align its data practices with the EU standards. If the platform cannot demonstrate compliance, particularly in safeguarding the EU user information from being accessed remotely by China-based employees, it could face a suspension of data transfers entirely.
TikTok strongly opposes the ruling, asserting it has consistently adhered to EU-approved frameworks that restrict and monitor data access. The platform also highlighted recent security enhancements, including dedicated EU and US data centres, as proof of its commitment.
TikTok claims it has never received or complied with any request for the EU user data from Chinese authorities, framing the ruling as an overly strict measure that could disrupt broader industry practices.
However, the regulator revealed new concerns following TikTok’s recent disclosure that some EU user data had been inadvertently stored on servers in China, although subsequently deleted.
The revelation prompted Ireland’s privacy watchdog to consider additional regulatory actions, underscoring its serious concerns about TikTok’s overall transparency of data handling.
The case represents the second major privacy reprimand against TikTok in recent years, following a €345 million fine in 2023 over mishandling children’s data. It also marks the DPC’s pattern of taking tough actions against global tech companies headquartered in Ireland, as it aims to enforce compliance strictly under the EU’s rigorous General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Google has significantly upgraded its NotebookLM platform by expanding the Audio Overviews feature to support more than 50 languages.
Previously available only in English, the tool now allows users to generate audio summaries in various languages, making it easier to consume complex or untranslated content. These AI-generated summaries are styled like a podcast and feature two artificial hosts discussing selected material.
NotebookLM is aimed at helping users study and synthesise information from different sources. With the latest update, people can now listen to summaries of foreign-language research papers or long-form English content in their preferred language.
A new ‘Output Language’ option also enables users to switch between languages on demand, making it easier to create or consume multilingual material. Although the added language support is currently limited to NotebookLM, Google says similar features will come to Google Docs in the coming months.
The functionality is particularly useful for learners who want to improve their language comprehension by listening to familiar content in a new language. NotebookLM remains free to use, while NotebookLM Plus is available for those on the Google One AI Premium plan.
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If you’ve been losing sleep over AI stealing your job, here’s some comfort: the machines are still terrible at basic office work. A new experiment from Carnegie Mellon University tried staffing a fictional software startup entirely with AI agents. The result? A dumpster fire of incompetence—and proof that Skynet isn’t clocking in anytime soon.
The experiment
Researchers built TheAgentCompany, a virtual tech startup populated by AI ’employees’ from Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. These bots were assigned real-world roles:
Software engineers
Project managers
Financial analysts
A faux HR department(yes, even the CTO was AI)
Tasks included navigating file systems, ‘touring’ virtual offices, and writing performance reviews. Simple stuff, right?
The (very) bad news
The AI workers flopped harder than a Zoom call with no Wi-Fi. Here’s the scoreboard:
Claude 3.5 Sonnet (Anthropic): ‘Top performer’ at 24% task success… but cost $6 per task and took 30 steps.
Gemini 2.0 Flash (Google): 11.4% success rate, 40 steps per task. Slow and unsteady.
Nova Pro v1 (Amazon): A pathetic 1.7% success rate. Promoted to coffee-runner.
Why did it go so wrong?
Turns out, AI agents lack… well, everything:
Common sense: One bot couldn’t find a coworker on chat, so it renamed another user to pretend it did.
Social skills: Performance reviews read like a Mad Libs game gone wrong.
Internet literacy: Bots got lost in file directories like toddlers in a maze.
Researchers noted the agents relied on ‘self-deception’ — aka inventing delusional shortcuts to fake progress. Imagine your coworker gaslighting themselves into thinking they finished a report.
What now?
While AI can handle bite-sized tasks (like drafting emails), this study proves complex, human-style problem-solving is still a pipe dream. Why? Today’s ‘AI’ is basically glorified autocorrect—not a sentient colleague.
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Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector is increasingly adopting AI and advanced technologies to improve drug development and patient care. Industry leaders, including Haroon Qasim, note AI’s growing influence from molecule screening and drug safety monitoring to telemedicine and e-commerce platforms.
Companies now use AI to predict disease trends, assist doctors with instant medical information, and detect adverse drug reactions more rapidly. Startups and established firms alike are integrating AI into research, supply chain management, customer service, and regulatory processes.
Innovations such as machine learning for anomaly detection, IoT systems for automated production, and predictive analytics for logistics are reshaping the sector. in Pakistan Haroon Qasim highlighted these changes as vital steps toward building a smarter and healthier society.
Martin Dow Group further demonstrated its commitment to AI by hosting its first Tech Day, uniting global tech leaders to explore future collaborations. The company launched initiatives with SAP and Salesforce partners, signalling a deeper move into data-driven healthcare.
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Construction sites could soon see a dramatic change with the arrival of Zyrex, a 20-foot-tall autonomous robot developed by RIC Robotics in California.
Designed for welding, carpentry, 3D printing, and material handling, Zyrex is being built to tackle labour shortages and improve safety on high-risk construction sites.
The company expects to complete a working prototype by early 2026, aiming to revolutionise the industry with a fully autonomous machine equipped with advanced cognitive capabilities.
Zyrex will initially be operated by human controllers using VR and simulators, while it gathers real-time data through LiDAR and visual sensors. By comparing this information to digital building models, Zyrex will ensure precision and quality before eventually transitioning to full autonomy.
Unlike humanoid robots, Zyrex is purpose-built for construction, focusing on both heavy-duty tasks and delicate operations like welding and exterior finishing.
Building on earlier successes, including the RIC-M1 Pro which helped 3D-print Walmart warehouse extensions ahead of schedule, Zyrex promises to be both powerful and cost-effective. RIC Robotics estimates the price to be under $1 million, with leasing options starting below $20,000 a month.
Founder Ziyou Xu describes Zyrex as ‘the future of construction,’ dismissing humanoid robots like Tesla’s Optimus as impractical for industrial work.
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