Interdisciplinary approaches

AI’s growing role in environmental sustainability

AI is expanding rapidly, driving rising electricity and water consumption, which has fuelled concerns about environmental damage. Growth in data centres and intensive computing workloads is increasing pressure on global energy systems.

At the same time, AI is being deployed to reduce resource use and emissions across multiple industries. In agriculture, data-driven irrigation systems help farmers apply water more precisely, cutting waste while lowering the energy needed for pumping and distribution.

Efficiency gains are also visible in data centres, where intelligent systems manage workloads and cooling more effectively. Despite a sharp rise in global internet traffic, improvements in energy management have helped slow the growth of electricity consumption.

Energy companies, building operators and airlines are adopting AI to cut emissions and improve efficiency. From detecting methane leaks to optimising heating systems and flight routes, wider use of these technologies could help balance AI’s environmental costs with measurable climate benefits.

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Job cuts signal Pinterest’s deeper shift toward AI-powered products

Pinterest is cutting under 15% of its workforce as part of a broader restructuring aimed at shifting more investment toward AI-driven products and roles.

In a regulatory filing, the company said the changes are designed to support transformation initiatives, including reallocating resources to AI-focused teams and reshaping its sales and go-to-market strategy.

The restructuring will also include reductions in office space, with completion targeted for the end of September and expected pre-tax charges ranging from $35 million to $45 million.

Pinterest had around 5,200 employees at the end of last year, meaning the layoffs will affect several hundred staff as the platform accelerates its AI integration.

Recent launches such as AI-powered board updates and the Pinterest Assistant shopping tool reflect a wider trend across the tech sector, where companies are trimming headcount while expanding AI investment.

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TikTok struggles to stabilise US infrastructure after data centre outage

TikTok says recovery of its US infrastructure is progressing, although technical issues continue to affect parts of the platform after a data centre power outage.

The disruption followed the launch of a new US-based entity backed by American investors, a move aimed at avoiding a nationwide ban.

Users across the country reported problems with searches, video playback, posting content, loading comments and unexpected behaviour in the For You algorithm. TikTok said the outage also affected other apps and warned that slower load times and timeouts may persist, rather than returning to normal performance.

In a statement posted by the TikTok USDS Joint Venture, the company said collaboration with its US data centre partner has restored much of the infrastructure, but posting new content may still trigger errors.

Creators may also see missing views, likes, or earnings due to server timeouts rather than actual data loss.

TikTok has not named the data centre partner involved, while severe winter storms across the US may have contributed to the outage. Despite growing scepticism around the timing of the disruption, the company insists that user data and engagement remain secure.

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OpenAI prepares ad rollout inside free ChatGPT service

Advertising is set to be introduced within the free ChatGPT service, signalling a shift in how the platform will be monetised as its user base continues to expand rapidly. The move reflects OpenAI’s plans to turn widespread adoption into a sustainable revenue stream.

The company confirmed that ad testing will begin in the coming weeks, with sponsored content shown at the bottom of relevant ChatGPT responses. OpenAI said advertisements will be clearly labelled and separated from organic answers.

ChatGPT now serves more than 800 million users globally, most of whom currently access the service at no cost. Despite the high valuation, the company has continued to operate at a loss while expanding its infrastructure and AI capabilities.

Advertising represents OpenAI’s latest effort to diversify income beyond paid subscriptions and enterprise services. Sponsored recommendations will be shown only when products or services are deemed relevant to the user’s ongoing conversation.

The shift places OpenAI closer to traditional digital platform business models, raising broader questions about how commercial incentives may shape conversational AI systems as they become central gateways to online information.

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Gemini 3 powers new conversational AI features across Google Search

Google has unveiled two major Search upgrades, making Gemini 3 the default model for AI Overviews and enabling smoother conversational AI interactions. The updates improve exploration of complex topics, enabling longer questions and more natural follow-up interactions.

Gemini 3 now powers AI Overviews directly within search results, delivering faster, more precise responses where AI assistance adds value. Users can move seamlessly from summaries into deeper, contextual conversations in AI Mode.

The enhanced experience combines quick snapshots with in-depth exploration, offering prominent links for further discovery. Testing shows that users favour fluid interactions that allow natural back-and-forth exchanges, improving clarity and efficiency across search journeys.

The rollout extends globally on mobile, enabling direct entry into AI Mode from AI Overviews. Google says the updates reflect its broader goal of making Search more intuitive, flexible, and capable of handling increasingly complex information needs.

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AI Plus subscription by Google expands to 35 new countries and territories

Google has expanded its AI subscription offering to 35 additional countries and territories, bringing Google AI Plus to all regions where its AI plans are currently available, including the United States.

The paid tier bundles access to advanced tools such as Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro in the Gemini app, alongside creative features in Flow and research assistance through NotebookLM.

Users also receive 200GB of cloud storage, with the option to share benefits across up to five family members, positioning the plan as both a productivity and household service.

Existing Google One Premium 2TB subscribers in newly supported markets will automatically gain access to Google AI Plus features in the coming days, according to the company.

In the US, pricing starts at $7.99 per month, with a limited-time offer providing a 50 percent discount for new subscribers during the first two months.

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China’s AI battle heats up with Moonshot AI’s Kimi 2.5 upgrade

Moonshot AI has released an upgraded version of its Kimi model, intensifying competition among China’s leading AI developers. The launch comes ahead of an anticipated major release from rival DeepSeek.

The new model, K2.5, can process text, images, and video within a single prompt. Moonshot said the system improves performance across benchmarks and strengthens coding capabilities.

Several AI firms in China have rolled out upgrades in recent weeks. Companies including Alibaba, Zhipu, and MiniMax have introduced new models focused on reasoning, images, and robotics.

Investment has surged alongside the technology push. Moonshot recently raised $500 million, while rivals secured more than $1 billion through listings and funding rounds.

Analysts say the rapid pace highlights mounting pressure across the Chinese AI sector. Smaller developers are struggling to keep up with rising costs and the pace of innovation.

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Facial recognition and AI power Android’s new theft protection upgrades

Android is rolling out expanded theft protection features aimed at reducing financial fraud and safeguarding personal data when smartphones are stolen, with new security controls now available across recent device versions.

The latest updates introduce stronger protections against unauthorised access, including tighter lockout rules after failed authentication attempts and broader biometric safeguards covering third-party apps such as banking services and password managers.

Recovery tools are also being enhanced, with remote locking now offering optional security challenges to ensure only verified owners can secure lost or stolen devices through web access.

For new Android devices activated in Brazil, AI-powered theft detection and remote locking are enabled by default, using on-device intelligence to identify snatch-and-run incidents and immediately lock the screen.

The expanded protections reflect a broader shift towards multi-layered mobile security, as device makers respond to rising phone theft linked to identity fraud, financial crime, and data exploitation.

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India considers social media bans for children under 16

India is emerging as a potential test case for age-based social media restrictions as several states examine Australia-style bans on children’s access to platforms.

Goa and Andhra Pradesh are studying whether to prohibit social media use for those under 16, citing growing concerns over online safety and youth well-being. The debate has also reached the judiciary, with the Madras High Court urging the federal government to consider similar measures.

The proposals carry major implications for global technology companies, given that India’s internet population exceeds one billion users and continues to skew young.

Platforms such as Meta, Google and X rely heavily on India for long-term growth, advertising revenue and user expansion. Industry voices argue parental oversight is more effective than government bans, warning that restrictions could push minors towards unregulated digital spaces.

Australia’s under-16 ban, which entered force in late 2025, has already exposed enforcement difficulties, particularly around age verification and privacy risks. Determining users’ ages accurately remains challenging, while digital identity systems raise concerns about data security and surveillance.

Legal experts note that internet governance falls under India’s federal authority, limiting what individual states can enforce without central approval.

Although the data protection law of India includes safeguards for children, full implementation will extend through 2027, leaving policymakers to balance child protection, platform accountability and unintended consequences.

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