Interdisciplinary approaches Archives | Page 15 of 191

China approves world-first brain chip to treat paralysis

China has approved a groundbreaking brain implant designed to help people with severe paralysis regain hand movement, marking the first time such a brain–computer interface (BCI) has been authorised for use beyond clinical trials. The device, developed by Shanghai-based Neuracle Medical Technology, targets patients aged 18 to 60 whose paralysis is caused by spinal cord injuries in the neck.

The approval, granted by China’s National Medical Products Administration, is being described as a major milestone in the field of neurotechnology. Experts note that effective treatments for spinal cord injuries remain extremely limited, making advances in BCI technology particularly significant for patients with little hope of recovery.

The device, called NEO, works by detecting brain signals when a person imagines moving their hand. These signals are transmitted to a computer, decoded, and then used to control a soft robotic glove. With this system, patients can perform everyday tasks such as grasping objects, eating, and drinking, activities that were previously impossible for them.

Early results from trials are promising. Researchers report that one patient, after nine months of use, regained the ability to eat and drink independently. Overall, 32 participants who received the implant were able to perform grasping movements with the robotic glove, showing measurable improvements in hand function.

Unlike some competing technologies, NEO is considered minimally invasive. The coin-sized implant is embedded in the skull rather than inserted deep into the brain, which may have contributed to its faster approval. Other companies, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink, are still conducting clinical trials for more invasive devices.

While experts say the technology appears safe and effective, they caution that the number of tested patients remains small. Even so, the approval represents a significant step forward, potentially opening the door to wider use of brain-computer interfaces in restoring lost motor functions.

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Study warns AI chatbots may reinforce delusional thinking

A new scientific review has raised concerns that AI chatbots could reinforce delusional thinking, particularly among people already vulnerable to psychosis. The review, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, summarises emerging evidence suggesting that chatbot interactions may validate or amplify delusional thinking in certain users.

The study examined reports and research discussing what some have described as ‘AI-associated delusions’. Dr Hamilton Morrin, a psychiatrist and researcher at King’s College London, analysed media reports and existing evidence exploring how chatbot responses might interact with psychotic symptoms.

Psychotic delusions generally fall into three categories: grandiose, romantic, and paranoid. Researchers say chatbots may unintentionally reinforce such beliefs because they often respond in ways that are supportive or affirming. In some reported cases, users received responses suggesting spiritual significance or implying that a higher entity was communicating through the chatbot.

Researchers emphasise that there is currently no clear evidence that AI systems can independently cause psychosis in individuals without prior vulnerability. However, interactions with chatbots could strengthen existing beliefs or accelerate the progression of delusional thinking in people already at risk.

Experts say the interactive nature of chatbots may intensify the effect. Unlike static sources of information such as videos or articles, chatbots can engage users directly and repeatedly, potentially reinforcing problematic beliefs more quickly.

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Google Earth AI supports disease forecasting and public health planning

Researchers are increasingly combining geospatial data with predictive modelling to anticipate health risks.

In that context, Google has introduced new capabilities within Google Earth AI designed to help public health experts forecast outbreaks and identify vulnerable communities.

The system integrates environmental information such as weather patterns, flooding and air quality with population mobility data and health records.

These insights allow researchers to analyse how environmental conditions influence the spread of diseases, including Dengue Fever and Cholera.

Several research initiatives are already testing the models. In collaboration with the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa, forecasting tools combining Google’s time-series models with geospatial data improved cholera prediction accuracy by more than 35 percent.

Academic researchers are also applying the technology to other diseases. Scientists at the University of Oxford have used Earth AI datasets to improve six-month dengue forecasts in Brazil, helping local authorities prepare preventative responses.

The technology is also being tested for chronic disease analysis. In Australia, partnerships with health organisations are exploring how geospatial models can identify regional health needs and support preventative care strategies.

Combining environmental intelligence with health data could enable public health systems to shift from reactive crisis management to earlier detection and prevention of disease outbreaks.

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China prioritises AI and tech self-reliance in new five-year plan

A new five-year development plan approved by lawmakers in Beijing places innovation and advanced technology at the centre of future economic growth. The strategy is designed to strengthen technological capabilities and position China as a leading global tech power.

The plan outlines ambitions to upgrade China’s industrial sector, expand domestic research capacity, and reduce reliance on foreign technologies. Priority sectors include AI, robotics, aerospace, biotechnology, and quantum computing. Officials see these industries as key drivers of economic growth over the coming decades.

AI features prominently in the strategy, with the term appearing dozens of times in the policy document. Beijing plans to expand AI-related industries, invest in large computing clusters, and support the development of advanced systems capable of performing complex tasks beyond traditional chatbots.

China also aims to increase spending on science and technology, with government research budgets rising by around 10 percent annually. The plan sets a target of expanding research and development investment by at least 7 percent per year, reflecting Beijing’s intention to strengthen domestic innovation capacity.

Efforts to achieve greater technological self-sufficiency come amid continued tensions with the United States over trade and technology restrictions. Export controls on advanced semiconductor technologies have highlighted China’s dependence on foreign chips, prompting the government to pursue breakthroughs across the semiconductor supply chain and emerging technologies.

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EU reviews X compliance proposal under Digital Services Act

X has submitted a compliance proposal to the European Commission outlining how it intends to modify its blue check verification system following regulatory concerns under the Digital Services Act.

The EU regulators concluded that the platform’s system allowed users to obtain verification simply by paying for a subscription without meaningful identity checks, potentially misleading users about the authenticity of accounts.

The Commission imposed a €120 million fine in December and gave the company 60 working days to propose corrective measures. Officials confirmed that X met the deadline for submitting a plan, which regulators will now assess.

The platform, owned by Elon Musk, must also pay the penalty while the Commission evaluates the proposed changes. The company has challenged the enforcement decision before the EU’s General Court.

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France pushes EU AI gigafactories to support European technology

In the EU, France is calling for planned European AI ‘gigafactories’ to focus on testing and scaling European technologies rather than primarily increasing demand for hardware from companies such as Nvidia.

The large computing facilities are intended to provide the infrastructure needed to train advanced AI systems. However, officials in France argue that the projects should strengthen Europe’s technological capabilities rather than reinforce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Several EU countries, including Poland, Austria and Lithuania, support using the infrastructure to improve Europe’s digital resilience.

The initiative forms part of the European Commission’s wider plans to expand computing capacity and support the development of a stronger European AI ecosystem.

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AI tools encourage exploration in creative tasks

AI is often associated with automation and job replacement, yet new research from Swansea University suggests a different role. Findings indicate that AI can serve as a creative collaborator, encouraging exploration and deeper engagement during design tasks.

Researchers from the university’s Computer Science Department ran an experiment with over 800 participants using an AI-supported system to design virtual cars.

Rather than optimising results, the system generated galleries with varied design ideas, including effective, unusual, and intentionally flawed concepts.

According to lead researcher Sean Walton, exposure to AI-generated suggestions increased participants’ involvement. Many users spent longer working on the task and produced stronger designs after interacting with the system’s diverse proposals.

The study in ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems argues that traditional methods for evaluating AI tools are too narrow. Researchers believe broader assessments are needed to measure how AI affects human thinking, emotions, and creative exploration.

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AI technology set to reshape farming and rural life in South Korea

South Korea has launched a national agenda to expand AI across agriculture, aiming to boost productivity and improve living standards in rural communities. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Science and ICT presented the strategy as part of a wider digital transformation effort.

Plans include expanding smart farm models that reduce labour-intensive tasks and allow more farmers to benefit from automated technologies. Shared machinery centres and autonomous farming tools such as drones will be developed with support from the Rural Development Administration.

Authorities also intend to apply AI to agricultural distribution through smart logistics facilities that manage receiving, sorting and shipping processes. Around 300 smart Agricultural Products Processing Centres are expected to operate nationwide by 2030.

Livestock grading systems using AI will be introduced to improve accuracy and consumer trust across pork and beef processing facilities. Officials aim to raise the share of AI-graded meat from 19.4 percent in 2025 to 70 percent by 2030.

Beyond production, the programme seeks to expand ‘smart rural communities’ offering AI-based services such as transport, daily living support and farming assistance. Policymakers believe that a stronger digital infrastructure will help rural regions respond to climate pressures and an ageing population.

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Deepfake attacks push organisations to rethink cybersecurity strategies

Organisations are strengthening their cybersecurity strategies as deepfake attacks become more convincing and easier to produce using generative AI.

Security experts alert that enterprises must move beyond basic detection tools and adopt layered security strategies to defend against the growing threat of deepfake attacks targeting communications and digital identity.

Many existing tools for identifying manipulated media are still imperfect. Digital forensics expert Hany Farid estimates that some systems used to detect deepfake attacks are only about 80 percent effective and often fail to explain how they determine whether an image, video, or audio recording is authentic. The lack of explainability also raises challenges for legal investigations and public verification of suspicious media.

Cybersecurity companies are creating new technologies to improve the detection of deepfake attacks by analysing slight signals that are difficult for humans to notice. Firms such as GetReal Security, Reality Defender, Deep Media, and Sensity AI examine lighting consistency, shadow angles, voice patterns, and facial movements. Environmental indicators such as device location, metadata, and IP information can also help security teams spot potential deepfake attacks.

However, experts say detection alone cannot fully protect organisations from deepfake attacks. Companies are increasingly conducting internal red-team exercises that simulate impersonation scenarios to expose weaknesses in verification procedures. Multi-factor authentication techniques can reduce the risk of employees responding to fraudulent communications.

Another emerging defence involves digital provenance systems designed to track the origin and modification history of digital content. Initiatives such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) embed cryptographically signed metadata into media files, allowing organisations to verify whether content linked to suspected deepfake attacks has been altered.

Recent experiments highlight how testing these threats can be. In February, cybersecurity company Reality Defender conducted an exercise with NATO by introducing deepfake media into a simulated military scenario. The findings showed how easily even experienced officials can struggle to identify manipulated communications, reinforcing calls for automated systems capable to detecting deepfake attacks across critical infrastructure.

As generative AI tools continue to advance, organisations are expected to combine detection technologies, stronger verification procedures, and provenance tracking to reduce the risks posed by deepfake attacks.

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Hackers target WhatsApp and Signal in global encrypted messaging attacks

Foreign state-backed hackers are targeting accounts on WhatsApp and Signal used by government officials, diplomats, military personnel, and other high-value individuals, according to a security alert issued by the Portuguese Security Intelligence Service (SIS).

Portuguese authorities described the activity as part of a global cyber-espionage campaign aimed at gaining access to sensitive communications and extracting privileged information from Portugal and allied countries. The advisory did not identify the origin of the suspected attackers.

The warning follows similar alerts from other European intelligence agencies. Earlier this week, Dutch authorities reported that hackers linked to Russia were conducting a global campaign targeting the messaging accounts of officials, military personnel, and journalists.

Security agencies say the attackers are not exploiting vulnerabilities in the messaging platforms themselves. Both WhatsApp and Signal rely on end-to-end encryption designed to protect the content of messages from interception.

Instead, the campaign focuses on social engineering tactics that trick users into granting access to their accounts. According to the SIS report, attackers use phishing messages, malicious links, fake technical support requests, QR-code lures, and impersonation of trusted contacts.

The agency also warned that AI tools are increasingly being used to make such attacks more convincing. AI can help impersonate support staff, mimic familiar voices or identities, and conduct more realistic conversations through messages, phone calls, or video.

Once attackers gain access to an account, they may be able to read private messages, group chats, and shared files via WhatsApp and Signal. They can also impersonate the compromised user to launch additional phishing attacks targeting the victim’s contacts.

The alert echoes a previous warning issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which reported that encrypted messaging apps are increasingly being used as entry points for spyware and phishing campaigns targeting high-value individuals.

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