Interdisciplinary approaches Archives | Page 85 of 182

Armenia promotes AI partnership during ambassador’s meeting with Apple in Cupertino

Armenia’s ambassador, Narek Mkrtchyan, has met senior Apple representatives in Cupertino to discuss expanding the company’s activities in the country. The visit included talks with Jason Lundgaard, Apple’s senior director for international cooperation at corporate government affairs.

The ambassador outlined the Armenia–US memorandum on AI and semiconductor cooperation signed on 8 August and highlighted Armenia’s technology ecosystem and investment potential. Both sides explored areas for collaboration and the conditions under which Apple could expand its presence.

Apple plans to send a delegation to Armenia in the coming period to assess opportunities for growth and engagement with local institutions. The discussions signalled early steps toward a more structured partnership.

During the meeting, the ambassador thanked Mr Lundgaard for supporting the launch of Apple’s first educational programme at the Armenian College of Creative Technologies. The initiative forms part of a wider effort to strengthen skills development in Armenia’s digital sector.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation and expand the educational partnership as Armenia positions itself as a regional hub for advanced technologies.

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New study shows AI improves mental health diagnoses

A Lund University study shows an AI assistant can assess psychiatric conditions more accurately than standard mental health rating scales. In a study of 303 participants, the AI assistant Alba gave DSM-based diagnoses, outperforming standard tools in eight of nine disorders.

The study included conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, autism, eating disorders, substance use disorder and bipolar disorder.

Alba proved particularly effective at distinguishing overlapping conditions where traditional rating scales often yield similar results. Participants also reported positive experiences with the AI interview, describing it as empathic, supportive and engaging.

Researchers highlighted that AI-assisted interviews could serve as a scalable, person-centred tool to complement clinical assessments while preserving the clinician’s essential role.

The study advances digital mental health tools, with Alba analysing the full DSM-5 manual instead of individual disorders. Talk To Alba offers AI-powered clinical interviews, CBT support, DSM-5-based diagnosis, and consultation transcription.

Experts emphasise that such AI solutions can ease healthcare workloads, provide preliminary assessments, and maintain high diagnostic reliability without replacing mental health professionals.

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AI data centre boom drives global spike in memory chip prices

The rapid expansion of AI data centres is pushing up memory chip prices and straining an already tight supply chain. DRAM costs are rising as manufacturers prioritise high-bandwidth memory for AI systems, leaving fewer components available for consumer devices.

The shift is squeezing supply across sectors that depend on standard DRAM, from PCs and smartphones to cars and medical equipment. Analysts say the imbalance is driving up component prices quickly, with Samsung reportedly raising some memory prices by as much as 60%.

Rising demand for HBM reflects the needs of AI clusters, which rely on vast memory pools alongside GPUs, CPUs and storage. But with only a handful of major suppliers, including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, the surge is pushing prices across the market higher.

Industry researchers warn that rising memory costs will likely be passed on to consumers, especially in lower-priced laptops and embedded systems. Makers may switch to cheaper parts or push suppliers for concessions, but the overall price trend remains upward.

While memory is known for cyclical booms and busts, analysts say the global race to build AI data centres makes it difficult to predict when supply will stabilise. Until then, higher memory prices look set to remain a feature of the market.

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Smart glasses by Meta transform life for disabled users

Meta has presented a new generation of AI glasses designed to increase independence for people with disabilities. The devices support hands-free calls, messages and translations while offering voice-activated photography and video capture.

Users can rely on spoken prompts instead of phones when they want to explore their surroundings or capture important moments.

The glasses help blind and low-vision individuals identify objects, read documents and understand scenes through detailed AI descriptions. Meta partnered with the Blinded Veterans Association to produce a training guide that explains how to activate voice commands and manage daily tasks more easily.

Veterans Affairs rehabilitation centres have adopted the glasses to support people who need greater autonomy in unfamiliar environments.

Creators and athletes describe how the technology influences their work and daily activities. A filmmaker uses first-person recording and AI-assisted scene guidance to streamline production. A Paralympic sprinter relies on real-time updates to track workouts without pausing to check a phone.

Other users highlight how hands-free photography and environmental awareness allow them to stay engaged instead of becoming distracted by screens.

Meta emphasises its collaboration with disabled communities to shape features that reflect diverse needs. The company views AI glasses as a route to improved participation, stronger confidence and wider digital access.

An approach that signals a long-term commitment to wearable technology that supports inclusion in everyday life.

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Chen Deli warns that AGI progress could bring dangerous societal consequences

DeepSeek made a rare public appearance at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, where senior researcher Chen Deli restated the firm’s ambition to develop AGI. He joined other companies known as China’s ‘six little dragons’ of AI and acknowledged the potential risks of advanced systems.

Chen represented founder Liang Wenfeng, who has remained out of the public eye since meeting President Xi Jinping earlier this year. He said AI’s current limits create a short ‘honeymoon phase’ before automation reshapes employment and social stability.

The start-up, founded in 2023 as a High-Flyer spin-out, continues to focus on long-term AGI research rather than short-lived commercial trends. Chen said it was reasonable to consider the dangers of highly capable systems while still pursuing them.

His comments echoed an open letter calling for a pause on superintelligence work until strong public support and scientific consensus on safety emerge. Hundreds of experts and public figures backed the appeal for tighter oversight.

Chen argued that market incentives make slowing progress unrealistic and said widespread job replacement may ultimately define the AI revolution. Other firms from China, including Zhipu AI and Alibaba, outlined plans for more powerful infrastructure to meet rising compute demand.

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NVIDIA AI transforms smart cities

Cities worldwide face increasing operational challenges as populations grow and infrastructure becomes strained. Traffic congestion, emergency response coordination, and fragmented data pipelines make it difficult for local authorities to obtain real-time insights for effective decision-making.

NVIDIA’s Blueprint for smart city AI, combined with OpenUSD digital twins, allows cities to simulate complex scenarios and generate accurate sensor data.

These digital twins enable authorities to test urban systems, train vision AI models, and deploy real-time AI agents for tasks such as video analytics, emergency response, and traffic monitoring.

Severa l cities and organisations have adopted these technologies with measurable results. Kaohsiung City reduced incident response times by 80%, Raleigh achieved 95% vehicle detection accuracy, and French rail networks cut energy use by 20%.

Applications range from optimising rail operations to automating street inspections and video review.

By integrating AI-driven insights into city management, authorities can shift from reactive measures to proactive operations. Simulation, monitoring, and analysis tools improve infrastructure planning, enhance efficiency, and allow urban systems to respond dynamically to emerging situations.

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Gemini boosts Google Maps with tips, EV forecasts and revamped Explore

Google Maps is rolling out new Gemini-powered features to streamline travel planning and reduce everyday friction. The update includes Insider Tips for venues, a refreshed Explore tab, predictions of EV-charger availability, and the option to review businesses under a nickname.

Insider Tips uses Gemini to analyse reviews and local data, offering practical guidance on parking details, dress codes, and lesser-known menu items. The feature is launching first in the United States on Android and iOS before expanding further.

The Explore tab has been redesigned with curated lists of trending restaurants, attractions, and activities. Google says the update will be available globally this month, helping users discover new places without having to sort through lengthy reviews.

EV drivers will gain predictive insights into charger availability, with Maps estimating how many ports are likely to be free when they arrive. The feature will begin rolling out next week on Android Auto and Google-built-in vehicles.

Users can also choose to leave business reviews under a nickname and profile picture instead of their real name, offering greater privacy without losing review protections. Google says the option will roll out across Android, iOS, and desktop.

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Rolex’s unexpected diplomatic moment

Switzerland’s luxury-watch industry, usually associated with glamour rather than geopolitics, found itself under pressure when the United States imposed a steep 39% import tariff on Swiss timepieces, far higher than the EU’s 15%. For a sector that relies heavily on the American market, the threat was severe enough to prompt even the most discreet brands to take action.

In this unusual moment, Rolex, often seen as the quiet custodian of Swiss craftsmanship, stepped onto the diplomatic stage in a way rarely seen from a private company.

At the centre of this shift was Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Rolex’s reserved CEO, whose advocacy blurred the line between lobbying and statecraft. His meetings with President Donald Trump, first at the US Open and later in the Oval Office, bore a resemblance to high-level bilateral engagements more than corporate outreach.

Reports of a gold Rolex desk clock offered as a symbolic gift underscored how the brand relied on soft power rather than aggressive lobbying, using prestige to shape conversations and open political doors. As Jovan Kurbalija notes in his blog, this fusion of corporate, gift, business, and even sports diplomacy marks a striking new tactic in global influence.

The rise of ‘Rolex diplomacy’ signals a broader trend in which multinational brands act as geopolitical players in their own right. As supply chains become increasingly politicised and tariffs are used as a strategic tool, companies with global cultural influence can subtly reshape access and influence through symbols rather than policy arguments.

A luxury watch cannot negotiate a trade deal, but it can create the informal moments of trust and recognition that diplomacy often relies on. Rolex, once simply a maker of coveted timepieces, now stands as an unexpected diplomatic actor, its role ticking forward as global trade enters a new era where branding and statecraft increasingly overlap.

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EU unveils vision for a modern justice system

The European Commission has introduced a new Digital Justice Package designed to guide the EU justice systems into a fully digital era.

A plan that sets out a long-term strategy to support citizens, businesses and legal professionals with modern tools instead of outdated administrative processes. Central objectives include improved access to information, stronger cross-border cooperation and a faster shift toward AI-supported services.

The DigitalJustice@2030 Strategy contains fourteen steps that encourage member states to adopt advanced digital tools and share successful practices.

A key part of the roadmap focuses on expanding the European Legal Data Space, enabling legislation and case law to be accessed more efficiently.

The Commission intends to deepen cooperation by developing a shared toolbox for AI and IT systems and by seeking a unified European solution to cross-border videoconferencing challenges.

Additionally, the Commission has presented a Judicial Training Strategy designed to equip judges, prosecutors and legal staff with the digital and AI skills required to apply the EU digital law effectively.

Training will include digital case management, secure communication methods and awareness of AI’s influence on legal practice. The goal is to align national and EU programmes to increase long-term impact, rather than fragmenting efforts.

European officials argue that digital justice strengthens competitiveness by reducing delays, encouraging transparency and improving access for citizens and businesses.

The package supports the EU’s Digital Decade ambition to make all key public services available online by 2030. It stands as a further step toward resilient and modern judicial systems across the Union.

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Tech groups welcome EU reforms as privacy advocates warn of retreat

The EU has unveiled plans to scale back certain aspects of its AI and data privacy rules to revive innovation and alleviate regulatory pressure on businesses. The Digital Omnibus package delays stricter oversight for high-risk AI until 2027 and permits the use of anonymised personal data for model training.

The reforms amend the AI Act and several digital laws, cutting cookie pop-ups and simplifying documentation requirements for smaller firms. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen says the aim is to boost competitiveness by removing layers of rigid regulation that have hindered start-ups and SMEs.

US tech lobby groups welcomed the overall direction. Still, they criticised the package for not going far enough, particularly on compute thresholds for systemic-risk AI and copyright provisions with cross-border effects. They argue the reforms only partially address industry concerns.

Privacy and digital rights advocates sharply opposed the changes, warning they represent a significant retreat from Europe’s rights-centric regulatory model. Groups including NOYB accused Brussels of undermining hard-won protections in favour of Big Tech interests.

Legal scholars say the proposals could shift Europe closer to a more permissive, industry-driven approach to AI and data use. They warn that the reforms may dilute the EU’s global reputation as a standard-setter for digital rights, just as the world seeks alternatives to US-style regulation.

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