Interdisciplinary approaches

AI investment set to boost Gloucestershire’s tech industry

Gloucestershire is poised to benefit significantly from the UK government’s push to expand AI development. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, backed by leading tech firms pledging £14 billion in funding, is expected to create over 13,000 jobs and stimulate economic growth. The county, home to the government intelligence hub GCHQ, is uniquely positioned to leverage this investment, with major developments like Cheltenham’s Golden Valley cyber park and the Minster Exchange project at the forefront of the initiative.

Local experts and educators are optimistic about Gloucestershire’s role in AI advancement. Neil Smith, Managing Director of Reform IT, highlighted the region’s potential to develop talent and establish itself as a centre of excellence for AI development. Institutions such as the University of Gloucestershire and Berkeley Green UTC are already offering specialist courses in AI and cyber security. Gareth Lister, an educator, emphasised the need to integrate AI programming, cloud computing, and cybersecurity more prominently into school curriculums to prepare young people for emerging opportunities.

Dr Will Sayers, head of the University of Gloucestershire’s School for Computing, believes the county’s well-established cyber industry is a significant advantage. He pointed to the potential for local companies to form partnerships and capitalise on the government’s AI investment. With the growing focus on developing skilled talent and fostering innovation, Gloucestershire is on track to become a key player in the UK’s AI and cyber sectors.

AI eye scans could revolutionise early dementia diagnosis

Researchers from Scotland are developing an AI tool that could enable high-street opticians to detect early signs of dementia using retinal photographs. By analysing nearly a million eye scans, the NeurEYE team, led by the University of Edinburgh, has created an algorithm capable of assessing the health of blood vessels in the retina, which can reveal signs of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s long before symptoms arise. This innovation could revolutionise early diagnosis, offering patients and their families valuable time to prepare and adapt.

The retina’s blood vessels are small and fine, making them ideal indicators of health issues, including conditions affecting the brain. Professor Baljean Dhillon of the University of Edinburgh highlighted the retina’s potential as a “biological barometer” for brain health, accessible through simple, inexpensive eye examination equipment. The research team hopes to roll out a prototype later this year, with plans for wider implementation in 2026, allowing opticians nationwide to integrate this tool into routine eye tests.

Early diagnosis of dementia can significantly improve patient care and family preparedness. Retired engineer David Steele, whose mother’s Alzheimer’s was detected too late, believes such technology could have spared his family years of struggle. Specialist optometrist Ian Cameron also emphasised the importance of regular eye tests, noting that advancements in eye care can lead to earlier detection of various conditions, from diabetes to neurological disorders, ultimately improving overall health outcomes.

MTN, China Telecom, and Huawei launch Africa’s largest 5G-enabled smart mine in South Africa

MTN, China Telecom, and Huawei have partnered to launch Africa’s largest 5G-enabled smart mine in Northern Cape, South Africa. That initiative marks a milestone in the continent’s mining sector, leveraging a state-of-the-art 5G private network to revolutionise operations.

The network provides ultra-reliable, high-speed connectivity for applications such as personnel surveillance, vehicle tracking, and unmanned trucks, significantly improving productivity, workplace safety, and operational efficiency. Additionally, the project promotes greener mining practices by optimising energy consumption and resource management, aligning with global sustainability goals.

The collaboration also demonstrates the potential of 5G to drive industrial transformation and positions the mine as a leader in sustainable mining while contributing to Africa’s broader digital transformation. The success of this initiative stems from the expertise of the three industry leaders.

Huawei delivered a tailored 5G private network, MTN provided robust infrastructure and network integration expertise, and China Telecom contributed its global knowledge in system integration and innovative digital solutions. Beyond mining, MTN is rapidly expanding its 5G private network business across sectors such as oil and gas, ports, manufacturing, and education, as well as extending its 5G presence to countries like Nigeria, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon.

Trump’s first day in office leaves crypto waiting for action

On 20 January, Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term as President, delivering a speech focused on unity, economic growth, and border control. However, the crypto community noticed a glaring omission—there was no mention of cryptocurrencies or Bitcoin, despite recent developments involving the Trump family in the crypto space, including the launch of their meme coins. The lack of attention to crypto has left the industry uncertain about Trump’s stance, but optimism remains.

The first day of Trump’s second term saw a flurry of executive orders, but none addressed cryptocurrency. Despite hopes for swift action on issues like Bitcoin reserves or crypto advisory councils, the day passed without immediate policy clarity. However, insiders suggest that significant moves are still in the pipeline, including potential executive orders banning central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and easing restrictions on banks holding digital assets.

Behind the scenes, the Trump family has continued to bet on crypto, with Donald Trump Jr. announcing $120 million in investments across various crypto assets, including Ethereum, Wrapped Bitcoin, and Chainlink. Additionally, key regulatory changes have already begun, with pro-crypto figures taking leadership roles in the SEC and CFTC, which may signal a more favourable regulatory environment for the industry.

Although Trump’s administration has yet to take definitive action on crypto, the market remains hopeful, with Bitcoin maintaining strong performance and hints of regulatory shifts sparking optimism. While the immediate future is unclear, the crypto industry remains eager for what might come next under Trump’s leadership.

ITU launches global AI Skills Coalition to bridge expertise gap in developing nations

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched the AI Skills Coalition, a global initiative backed by 27 organisations, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Cognizant, to bridge the AI skills gap in developing countries. The coalition will provide accessible education and capacity-building in areas like generative AI, machine learning, and AI for sustainable development through a new online platform set to launch in March 2025.

The platform will offer free resources such as self-paced courses, webinars, in-person workshops, hybrid programs, and a comprehensive digital library of AI materials. In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the coalition will leverage UNDP’s global presence to ensure an inclusive, global approach to AI training, extending beyond the efforts of companies like Google, AWS, and Microsoft.

The initiative will also focus on underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, aiming to foster diversity in AI development. Specialised training programs for government officials will address AI governance, ethics, and policymaking, tailored to the needs of developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).

The AI Skills Coalition’s efforts to deliver AI education and capacity-building aim to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared more equitably, addressing global inequalities in AI knowledge. By equipping the future workforce with critical skills and empowering policymakers to harness AI responsibly, the coalition seeks to support sustainable development and help countries navigate the unique challenges they face in the AI era.

UK Government unveils AI assistant named Humphrey

The UK government has introduced a new AI assistant named ‘Humphrey,’ inspired by the scheming character Sir Humphrey Appleby from the sitcom Yes, Minister. This innovative suite of digital tools aims to modernise civil service workflows, reduce costs, and simplify tasks such as summarising public feedback and searching parliamentary records.

The initiative forms part of a broader overhaul of government digital services, announced by Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Central to this plan are two new apps for secure document storage, including digital driving licences. The Humphrey AI tools, particularly Consult and Parlex, are designed to replace costly external consultants and assist policymakers in navigating parliamentary debates.

Despite the programme’s ambitions, the choice of name has sparked debate. Critics like Tim Flagg from UKAI argue that the association with Sir Humphrey’s ‘devious and controlling’ persona might undermine trust in the technology. However, Flagg also expressed optimism about the government’s technical capabilities, calling the project a positive step towards embracing AI.

The UK government insists that these tools will foster efficiency and collaboration, with improved data sharing between departments being another key feature of the initiative. By cutting consultancy costs and increasing transparency, officials hope Humphrey will become a symbol of progress, rather than parody.

Spanish Minister Yolanda Díaz leaves X

Spanish Labour Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz announced her decision to leave Elon Musk’s social media platform X, citing concerns over its promotion of xenophobia and far-right ideologies. In a TV interview, Díaz criticised Musk’s behaviour during events linked to Donald Trump’s inauguration, as well as his recent speeches and gestures, which some interpreted as controversial.

Díaz’s departure follows backlash against Musk for raising his arm in a gesture at an inauguration-related event. While critics compared it to a Nazi salute, the Anti-Defamation League dismissed the claim, calling it an awkward moment of enthusiasm. Musk himself rejected the criticism as baseless.

The Spanish minister said her decision extends to personal and political posts and noted that members of her left-wing Sumar party would also leave the platform. This move aligns with other recent departures, including Germany’s Defence and Foreign Ministries, which cited dissatisfaction with X’s direction, joining universities in Germany and the UK in distancing themselves from the platform.

Donald Trump rebrings TikTok online

TikTok began restoring its services in the US on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive the app upon taking office on Monday. Speaking at a rally ahead of his inauguration, Trump assured his supporters that TikTok, a platform used by 170 million Americans, would be brought back online through a joint venture that protects national security. Hours earlier, TikTok users had received a message crediting Trump for the app’s restoration efforts.

TikTok ceased operations late Saturday after a law banning the platform on national security grounds came into effect. The shutdown sparked a frenzy among users and businesses dependent on the app, with web searches for VPNs surging and concerns mounting over disruptions to TikTok Shop transactions. The app’s temporary return relieves millions, but important questions remain about its long-term future in the US.

Trump’s pledge to extend the ban’s enforcement period to facilitate a deal marks a shift from his stance in 2020 when he sought to ban TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was sharing user data with Beijing. Trump now calls for a joint venture, proposing a 50% US ownership stake while guaranteeing that service providers would not face penalties for restoring TikTok.

Despite Trump’s assurances, the law mandating TikTok’s divestiture remains contentious. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, have criticised any attempt to circumvent the law, insisting that ByteDance sever all ties with China to meet the divestiture requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok’s ongoing connection to China continues to fuel tensions in US-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting Chinese companies.

TikTok’s temporary return has reignited debates over its valuation, reportedly as high as $50 billion, and potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and billionaire Elon Musk. While Beijing has reportedly discussed a possible sale, ByteDance denies such plans. Separately, US startup Perplexity AI has proposed merging with TikTok’s US operations to create a new entity.

The platform’s restoration signals its cultural and economic significance, but it also highlights the geopolitical complexities of its existence. Whether TikTok ultimately secures a deal or faces renewed legal battles, its journey reflects the growing and complicated intersection of technology, digital policies, cyber diplomacy, politics, and global commerce.

TikTok’s abrupt shutdown shakes the USA

TikTok’s future in the US took a dramatic turn late Saturday as the app went offline ahead of a Sunday deadline mandated by US law. The US government’s move, affecting 170 million US users, marks an unprecedented shutdown of one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.

The persistence of the US officials to ban TikTok stems from concerns over the platform’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and potential risks to national security. As users grapple with the platform’s disappearance, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a possible 90-day extension to allow time for a resolution.

The shutdown comes after the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or cease US operations. ByteDance’s other apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, were also removed from US app stores.

TikTok issued a message to users acknowledging the shutdown and expressing hope for a political resolution under the Trump administration, which takes office Monday 20 January 2025. Trump has indicated that he will announce an extension early next week.

The app’s disappearance has sparked many reactions among users, businesses, and competitors. Social media platforms like RedNote, Meta, and Snap have seen an influx of users and investor interest, while many TikTok creators expressed sadness and uncertainty online. Virtual private network (VPN) searches surged as users sought workarounds to access the platform, highlighting the app’s deep integration into American culture and commerce.

Despite the shutdown, speculation continues about TikTok’s future. ByteDance has reportedly been discussing with potential buyers, including billionaire Elon Musk and other US-based entities. Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration, signalling possible negotiations to keep the platform operational. Proposals from new suitors, such as US search engine startup Perplexity AI, further illustrate the high stakes and value of TikTok’s US operations, which are estimated to be worth up to $50 billion.

The uncertainty has created a ripple effect, with businesses that rely on TikTok for marketing and e-commerce scrambling to adapt. Many worry about the broader implications of this shutdown, which has deepened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The prospect of a political compromise looms as Trump prepares to take office, but whether TikTok can return to US screens remains uncertain. The platform’s sudden disappearance underscores the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and commerce, leaving millions of users and businesses in limbo.

AFP partnership strengthens Mistral’s global reach

Mistral, a Paris-based AI company, has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP) to enhance the accuracy of its chatbot, Le Chat. The deal signals Mistral’s determination to broaden its scope beyond foundational model development.

Through the agreement, Le Chat will gain access to AFP’s extensive archive, which includes over 2,300 daily stories in six languages and records dating back to 1983. While the focus remains on text content, photos and videos are not part of the multi-year arrangement. By incorporating AFP’s multilingual and multicultural resources, Mistral aims to deliver more accurate and reliable responses tailored to business needs.

The partnership bolsters Mistral’s standing against AI leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic, who have also secured similar content agreements. Le Chat’s enhanced features align with Mistral’s broader strategy to develop user-friendly applications that rival popular tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.

Mistral’s co-founder and CEO, Arthur Mensch, emphasised the importance of the partnership, describing it as a step toward offering clients a unique and culturally diverse AI solution. The agreement reinforces Mistral’s commitment to innovation and its global relevance in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.