A Cambridge start-up is trialing a groundbreaking device to support independence for people living with dementia. Supersense Technologies’ SenS2 hub monitors movement, temperature, and humidity in the home without using cameras or microphones, providing real-time updates to family members. The company is seeking 100 participants for further testing as part of its push for the £4.4m Longitude Prize on Dementia.
The technology has already made a difference for families in Cambridge. Maggie, a 83-year-old, who is living with dementia, and her daughter Lucy Gardner, say the device provides vital insights into Maggie’s daily routine while preserving her independence. Lucy explained that the alerts allow her to check on her mother without intruding, reducing stress for both.
Supersense co-founders Dr. James Brown and Dr. Matt Ash emphasise that every person’s needs are unique, and data-driven customisation is key. With AI integration, the SenS2 hub can interpret activity and provide tailored updates. The device reflects the growing potential of assistive technology to alleviate the challenges of dementia care, benefiting individuals and families alike.
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing an ‘AI czar’ to oversee federal artificial intelligence initiatives and policy coordination. The position would centralise AI strategies across government departments, potentially reflecting growing recognition of AI’s transformative impact.
According to sources cited by Axios, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, though not a candidate for the role, is expected to contribute to discussions on AI’s future use and implications in the United States.
The move could mark a significant shift in the government’s approach to advancing AI capabilities while addressing regulatory and ethical challenges.
The United StatesCommerce Department has announced nearly $60 million in subsidies for BAE Systems and Rocket Lab to boost semiconductor production crucial for aerospace and space technologies. BAE will receive $35.5 million to quadruple the production of chips used in F-35 fighter jets and satellites, cutting its modernisation timeline significantly.
Rocket Lab’s SolAero Technologies will receive $23.9 million to expand solar cell production by 50% over three years. These space-grade semiconductors power key missions, including NASA’s Artemis programme and the James Webb Space Telescope.
The investments are part of the Biden administration’s $52.7 billion ‘Chips and Science‘ programme aimed at bolstering domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
Audio platform Pocket FM is leveraging AI to expand its vast library of over 200,000 hours of content. CEO Rohan Nayak highlighted the company’s focus on using AI tools for faster and more cost-effective content production while also exploring new genres and markets. Collaborations with AI firms like ElevenLabs have enabled the platform to produce audio content five times faster and at a fraction of the usual cost.
India-based Pocket FM is also experimenting with AI-powered tools to adapt stories for different regions. These tools not only translate but consider cultural nuances, enhancing relevance for diverse audiences. Additionally, an AI-driven writing assistant provides creators with ideas, alternative storylines, and insights based on user preferences, empowering solo writers to produce high-quality episodes consistently.
To grow its audience, Pocket FM is developing a “blockbuster engine” that analyses user engagement data to predict and create hit shows. However, the company acknowledges the challenge of maintaining content quality as AI accelerates production. Striking this balance remains critical to the platform’s success.
Since its founding, Pocket FM has raised $197M in funding and generated $127M in revenue in 2024. Competing with Audible and other audio platforms, the company aims to use AI as a cornerstone of its growth strategy.
Crypto.com is set to host a groundbreaking golf tournament in Las Vegas on 17 December, offering a prize purse paid entirely in cryptocurrency. The Crypto.com Showdown will see PGA Tour stars Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler face off against LIV Golf rivals Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
The prize, denominated in CRO, marks the first time a major sports event has awarded winnings exclusively in cryptocurrency. Crypto.com CEO Kris Marzalek highlighted the tournament as a step towards reshaping the sports and entertainment industries through digital assets.
Organised by BZ Entertainment and EverWonder Studio, the event aims to unify professional golf while showcasing the potential of cryptocurrency. With over 100 million users and partnerships spanning Formula 1, UFC, and FIFA, Crypto.com continues solidifying its influence in global sports.
AI is transforming daily life for visually impaired individuals like Louise Plunkett, who has Stargardt disease, a condition causing progressive vision loss. Apps like “Be My AI” use ChatGPT to generate detailed descriptions of images, helping users identify everyday items, read packaging, and navigate spaces. While Plunkett praises its convenience, she notes that its descriptions can sometimes be overly detailed.
Developed by the Danish firm Be My Eyes, the app initially relied on human volunteers to describe visual elements over video calls. Now, its AI-driven features are expanding, with users increasingly turning to it for tasks such as analysing WhatsApp images. The company envisions future applications like live-streamed AI assistance to describe surroundings in real time.
Other innovations include the AI-powered WeWalk cane, which offers navigation, obstacle detection, and public transit updates through voice commands. Advocates like Robin Spinks of the Royal National Institute of Blind People emphasise AI’s potential to revolutionise accessibility, offering tools that make life easier for those with vision impairments. Despite some skepticism, many find the technology invaluable.
Biotech startup Cradle has raised $73 million to expand its labs and team, aiming to make AI-powered protein design more accessible. Founded in 2022, the company uses language models to analyse proteins, often described as “an alien programming language,” to suggest modifications that improve functionality, such as heat resistance or manufacturability.
Cradle’s software has gained traction among biotech and pharmaceutical companies by reducing the time and cost of experimental rounds, which can be both expensive and unpredictable. Its simple SaaS model eliminates concerns about royalties or intellectual property, offering a streamlined approach compared to competitors that co-develop drugs or processes.
Despite being a software provider, Cradle maintains a laboratory in Amsterdam to validate protein designs and build datasets to refine its models. The latest funding, led by IVP with participation from Index Ventures and Kindred Capital, will support lab expansion and further hiring. CEO Stef van Grieken aims to scale Cradle’s tools to reach a million scientists worldwide.
The French government has initiated negotiations to acquire the advanced computing unit of IT firm Atos for €500M. This move seeks to safeguard critical technologies supporting the military and intelligence sectors. The agreement, which includes an initial payment of €150M, could rise to €625Mwith additional performance-based payouts. Atos’ advanced computing and cybersecurity operations generate €900M annually and employ 4,000 people.
Once a European tech leader, Atos has faced financial difficulties, with its survival hinging on an accelerated restructuring plan. The French state, emphasising national sovereignty, aims to maintain control over strategic assets. Finance Minister Antoine Armand stated that protecting key industrial activities is essential for ensuring the country’s security and independence.
The proposed deal reflects growing government interest in Atos’ assets, with nationalisation also being considered. Despite years of financial struggles, Atos shares surged 160% following the announcement, reflecting renewed investor optimism about its recovery and restructuring efforts.
IMAX is adopting AI technology to bring its original content to more global audiences. The company has partnered with Dubai-based Camb.ai to use advanced speech and translation models for content localisation. With non-English content growing in popularity, including in English-speaking markets, the initiative aims to increase accessibility and reduce costs.
Camb.ai’s AI platform, DubStudio, supports over 140 languages, including lesser-known ones. Its specialised models, Boli and Mars, ensure accurate text-to-speech translations while preserving nuances like background audio and tone. The startup’s technology has been previously deployed for live events like the Australian Open and Eurovision Sport, showcasing its ability to handle high-pressure scenarios.
IMAX plans a phased rollout of the AI localisation, starting with widely spoken languages. Early tests of Camb.ai’s technology on IMAX’s original documentaries proved promising. The company expects the collaboration to reduce translation expenses while boosting the global appeal of its immersive experiences.
Camb.ai, founded by former Apple engineer Akshat Prakash and his father, recently raised $4 million and is securing additional funding to expand its team and operations. The startup avoids controversial data scraping methods, relying instead on ethically licensed datasets and input from early partners, positioning itself as a reliable choice for AI-driven content solutions.
Samsung R&D Institute, Noida (SRI-Noida), and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive innovation in critical areas such as AI, digital health, and other emerging technologies. That collaboration highlights Samsung’s commitment to strengthening industry-academia ties for technological advancements.
The MoU establishes a framework for joint research projects, where IIT Bombay students and faculty will collaborate with Samsung engineers. This initiative enhances students’ industry readiness and facilitates the publication of joint research papers, promoting knowledge sharing that will accelerate technological progress and industry-aligned innovation.
In addition to research collaboration, the partnership offers specialised training and certification programs for Samsung engineers in cutting-edge fields like AI and digital health. This expertise exchange ensures that academia and industry professionals benefit from the partnership.
Through this partnership, Samsung and IIT Bombay aim to foster innovation and push the boundaries of next-generation technologies. By combining industry expertise and academic knowledge, the collaboration seeks to inspire future breakthroughs and set the foundation for sustained technological progress.
