The cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor has raided the French office of X as part of an expanding investigation into alleged algorithm manipulation and illicit data extraction.
Authorities said the probe began in 2025 after a lawmaker warned that biassed algorithms on the platform might have interfered with automated data systems. Europol supported the operation together with national cybercrime officers.
Prosecutors confirmed that the investigation now includes allegations of complicity in circulating child sex abuse material, sexually explicit deepfakes and denial of crimes against humanity.
Elon Musk and former chief executive Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for questioning in April in their roles as senior figures of the company at the time.
The prosecutor’s office also announced its departure from X in favour of LinkedIn and Instagram, rather than continuing to use the platform under scrutiny.
X strongly rejected the accusations and described the raid as politically motivated. Musk claimed authorities should focus on pursuing sex offenders instead of targeting the company.
The platform’s government affairs team said the investigation amounted to law enforcement theatre rather than a legitimate examination of serious offences.
Regulatory pressure increased further as the UK data watchdog opened inquiries into both X and xAI over concerns about Grok producing sexualised deepfakes. Ofcom is already conducting a separate investigation that is expected to take months.
The widening scrutiny reflects growing unease around alleged harmful content, political interference and the broader risks linked to large-scale AI systems.
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AI tools are already widely used in higher education, with more than half of surveyed students required to use them in coursework and nearly two-thirds using them for assignments. However, the survey suggests that students are largely learning to use AI on their own, relying mainly on informal experimentation rather than structured university-led training.
At the same time, awareness and participation in formal AI education remain limited. Only 31% of students said they were aware of AI-related courses offered by their college or university, and fewer than 20% had taken one, highlighting a gap between widespread use and institutional teaching.
Despite this, many students recognise AI’s growing importance for their careers. Around half believe proficiency with AI tools will be important in the future, reflecting expectations that AI skills will be increasingly valued in the workplace.
Overall, the findings point to an opportunity for universities to strengthen AI education by integrating practical, advanced, and ethical AI training into curricula, helping students move beyond basic use toward workplace-ready skills.
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Oracle is expanding AI data centres across the United States while pairing infrastructure growth with workforce development through its philanthropic education programme, Oracle Academy.
The initiative provides schools and educators with curriculum, cloud tools, software, and hands-on training designed to prepare students for enterprise-scale technology roles increasingly linked to AI operations.
As demand for specialised skills rises, Oracle Academy is introducing Data Centre Technician courses to fast-track learners into permanent roles supporting AI infrastructure development and maintenance.
The programme already works with hundreds of institutions across multiple US states, including Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Mexico, spanning disciplines from computer science and engineering to construction management and supply chain studies.
Alongside new courses in machine learning, generative AI, and analytics, Oracle says the approach is intended to close skills gaps and ensure local communities benefit from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.
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The UK and Bulgaria are expanding cooperation on semiconductor technology to strengthen supply chains and support Europe’s growing need for advanced materials.
A partnership that links British expertise with the ambitions of Bulgaria under the EU Chips Act 2023, creating opportunities for investment, innovation and skills development.
The Science and Technology Network has acted as a bridge between both countries by bringing together government, industry and academia. A high-level roundtable in Sofia, a study visit to Scotland and a trade mission to Bulgaria encouraged firms and institutions to explore new partnerships.
These exchanges helped shape joint projects and paved the way for shared training programmes.
Several concrete outcomes have followed. A €350 million Green Silicon Carbide wafer factory is moving ahead, supported by significant UK export wins.
Universities in Glasgow and Sofia have signed a research memorandum, while TechWorks UK and Bulgaria’s BASEL have agreed on an industry partnership. The next phase is expected to focus on launching the new factory, deepening research cooperation and expanding skills initiatives.
Bulgaria’s fast-growing electronics and automotive sectors have strengthened its position as a key European manufacturing hub. The country produces most sensors used in European cars and hosts modern research centres and smart factories.
The combined effect of the EU funding, national investment and international collaboration is helping Bulgaria secure a prominent role in Europe’s semiconductor supply chain.
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UN experts are intensifying efforts to shape a people-first approach to AI, warning that unchecked adoption could deepen inequality and disrupt labour markets. AI offers productivity gains, but benefits must outweigh social and economic risks, the organisation says.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly stressed that human oversight must remain central to AI decision-making. UN efforts now focus on ethical governance, drawing on the Global Digital Compact to align AI with human rights.
Education sits at the heart of the strategy. UNESCO has warned against prioritising technology investment over teachers, arguing that AI literacy should support, not replace, human development.
Labour impacts also feature prominently, with the International Labour Organization predicting widespread job transformation rather than inevitable net losses.
Access and rights remain key concerns. The UN has cautioned that AI dominance by a small group of technology firms could widen global divides, while calling for international cooperation to regulate harmful uses, protect dignity, and ensure the technology serves society as a whole.
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The East Asian country is preparing to enforce a nationwide ban on mobile phone use in classrooms, yet schools remain divided over how strictly the new rules should be applied.
A ban that takes effect in March under the revised education law, and officials have already released guidance enabling principals to warn students and restrict smart devices during lessons.
These reforms will allow devices only for limited educational purposes, emergencies or support for pupils with disabilities.
Schools may also collect and store phones under their own rules, giving administrators the authority to prohibit possession rather than merely restricting use. The ministry has ordered every principal to establish formal regulations by late August, leaving interim decisions to each school leader.
Educators in South Korea warn that inconsistent approaches are creating uncertainty. Some schools intend to collect phones in bulk, others will require students to keep devices switched off, while several remain unsure how far to go in tightening their policies.
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations argues that such differences will trigger complaints from parents and pupils unless the ministry provides a unified national standard.
Surveys show wide variation in current practice, with some schools banning possession during lessons while others allow use during breaks.
Many teachers say their institutions are ready for stricter rules, yet a substantial minority report inadequate preparation. The debate highlights the difficulty of imposing uniform digital discipline across a diverse education system.
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Millions of South Africans are set to gain access to AI and digital skills through a partnership between Microsoft South Africa and the national broadcaster SABC Plus. The initiative will deliver online courses, assessments, and recognised credentials directly to learners’ devices.
Building on Microsoft Elevate and the AI Skills Initiative, the programme follows the training of 1.4 million people and the credentialing of nearly half a million citizens since 2025. SABC Plus, with over 1.9 million registered users, provides an ideal platform to reach diverse communities nationwide.
AI and data skills are increasingly critical for employability, with global demand for AI roles growing rapidly. Microsoft and SABC aim to equip citizens with practical, future-ready capabilities, ensuring learning opportunities are not limited by geography or background.
The collaboration also complements Microsoft’s broader initiatives in South Africa, including Ikamva Digital, ElevateHer, Civic AI, and youth certification programmes, all designed to foster inclusion and prepare the next generation for a digital economy.
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OpenAI has launched Prism, a cloud-based LaTeX workspace designed to streamline the drafting, collaboration, and publication of academic papers. The tool integrates writing, citation management, real-time collaboration, and AI assistance into a single environment to reduce workflow friction.
Built specifically for scientific use, Prism embeds GPT-5.2 directly inside documents rather than as a separate chatbot. Researchers can rewrite sections, verify equations, test arguments, and clarify explanations without leaving the editing interface, positioning AI as a background collaborator.
Users can start new LaTeX projects or upload existing files through prism.openai.com using a ChatGPT account. Co-authors can join instantly, enabling simultaneous editing while maintaining structured formatting for equations, references, and manuscript layout.
OpenAI says Prism supports academic search, converts handwritten formulas into clean LaTeX, and allows voice-driven edits for faster reviews. Completed papers export as publication-ready PDFs alongside full source files.
Initially available for free to personal ChatGPT users, the workspace will later expand to Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. The company frames the tool as a practical productivity layer rather than a research disruption platform.
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The government has expanded the UK joint industry programme offering free AI training to every adult, with the ambition of upskilling 10 million workers by 2030.
Newly benchmarked courses are available through the AI Skills Hub, giving people practical workplace skills while supporting Britain’s aim to become the fastest AI adopter in the G7.
The programme includes short online courses that teach workers in the UK how to use basic AI tools for everyday tasks such as drafting text, managing content and reducing administrative workloads.
Participants who complete approved training receive a government-backed virtual AI foundations badge, setting a national standard for AI capability across sectors.
Public sector staff, including NHS and local government employees, are among the groups targeted as the initiative expands.
Ministers also announced £27 million in funding to support local tech jobs, graduate traineeships and professional practice courses, alongside the launch of a new cross-government unit to monitor AI’s impact on jobs and labour markets.
Officials argue that widening access to AI skills will boost productivity, support economic growth and help workers adapt to technological change. The programme builds on existing digital skills initiatives and brings together government, industry and trade unions to shape a fair and resilient future of work.
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Google is expanding AI learning tools in India by adding full-length Joint Entrance Exam practice tests to Gemini, targeting millions of engineering applicants.
Students can complete full mock JEE exams directly in Gemini. The questions are developed using vetted material from education platforms in India, including Physics Wallah and Careers360, and will be expanded further.
Gemini provides instant feedback after each test. It explains correct answers and generates personalised study plans based on performance, supporting structured exam preparation.
In addition to these exam-focused features, preparation tools will also roll out to AI Mode in Search, specifically including Canvas. These tools will allow students to build interactive quizzes and study guides from their own notes.
Alongside providing enhanced tools for students, Google is also partnering with universities, government agencies, and nonprofits to integrate AI across education systems, aiming to scale access to tens of millions of learners by 2027.
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