In a move that signals a significant shift in global AI strategy, companies such as OpenAI, Google and Perplexity AI are partnering with Indian telecoms and service providers to offer premium AI tools, for example, advanced chatbot access and large-model features, free for millions of users in India.
The offers are not merely promotional but part of a long-term play to dominate the AI ecosystem.
Market analysts quoted by the BBC note that the objective is to ‘get Indians hooked on to generative AI before asking them to pay for it’. The size of India’s digital ecosystem, with its young, mobile-first population and relatively less restrictive regulation, makes it a key battleground for AI firms aiming for global scale.
However, there are risks: free access may raise concerns around privacy and data protection, algorithmic control and whether users are fully informed about how their data is used and when free offers will convert into paid services.
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Salesforce has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Spindle AI, a company specialising in agentic analytics and machine learning. The deal aims to strengthen Salesforce’s Agentforce platform by integrating Spindle’s advanced data modelling and forecasting technologies.
Spindle AI has developed neuro-symbolic AI agents capable of autonomously generating and optimising scenario models. Its analytics tools enable businesses to simulate and assess complex decisions, from pricing strategies to go-to-market plans, using AI-driven insights.
Salesforce said the acquisition will enhance its focus on Agent Observability and Self-Improvement within Agentforce 360. Executives described Spindle AI’s expertise as critical to building more transparent and reliable agentic systems capable of explaining and refining their own reasoning.
The acquisition, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in Salesforce’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2026. Once finalised, Spindle AI will join Agentforce to expand AI-powered analytics, continuous optimisation, and ROI forecasting for enterprise customers worldwide.
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Sweden’s data protection authority, IMY, has opened an investigation into a massive ransomware-related data breach that exposed personal information belonging to 1.5 million people. The breach originated from a cyberattack on IT provider Miljödata in August, which affected roughly 200 municipalities.
Hackers reportedly stole highly sensitive data, including names, medical certificates, and rehabilitation records, much of which has since been leaked on the dark web. Swedish officials have condemned the incident, calling it one of the country’s most serious cyberattacks in recent years.
The IMY said the investigation will examine Miljödata’s data protection measures and the response of several affected public bodies, such as Gothenburg, Älmhult, and Västmanland. The regulator’s goal is to identify security shortcomings for future cyber threats.
Authorities have yet to confirm how the attackers gained access to Miljödata’s systems, and no completion date for the investigation has been announced. The breach has reignited calls for tighter cybersecurity standards across Sweden’s public sector.
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Hackers are experimenting with malware that taps large language models to morph in real time, according to Google’s Threat Intelligence Group. An experimental family dubbed PROMPTFLUX can rewrite and obfuscate its own code as it executes, aiming to sidestep static, signature-based detection.
PROMPTFLUX interacts with Gemini’s API to request on-demand functions and ‘just-in-time’ evasion techniques, rather than hard-coding behaviours. GTIG describes the approach as a step toward more adaptive, partially autonomous malware that dynamically generates scripts and changes its footprint.
Investigators say the current samples appear to be in development or testing, with incomplete features and limited Gemini API access. Google says it has disabled associated assets and has not observed a successful compromise, yet warns that financially motivated actors are exploring such tooling.
Researchers point to a maturing underground market for illicit AI utilities that lowers barriers for less-skilled offenders. State-linked operators in North Korea, Iran, and China are reportedly experimenting with AI to enhance reconnaissance, influence, and intrusion workflows.
Defenders are turning to AI, using security frameworks and agents like ‘Big Sleep’ to find flaws. Teams should expect AI-assisted obfuscation, emphasise behaviour-based detection, watch model-API abuse, and lock down developer and automation credentials.
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Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to grade, hire, and moderate text. UZH research shows that evaluations shift when participants are told who wrote identical text, revealing source bias. Agreement stayed high only when authorship was hidden.
When told a human or another AI wrote it, agreement fell, and biases surfaced. The strongest was anti-Chinese across all models, including a model from China, with sharp drops even for well-reasoned arguments.
AI models also preferred ‘human-written’ over ‘AI-written’, showing scepticism toward machine-authored text. Such identity-triggered bias risks unfair outcomes in moderation, reviewing, hiring, and newsroom workflows.
Researchers recommend identity-blind prompts, A/B checks with and without source cues, structured rubrics focused on evidence and logic, and human oversight for consequential decisions.
They call for governance standards: disclose evaluation settings, test for bias across demographics and nationalities, and set guardrails before sensitive deployments. Transparency on prompts, model versions, and calibration is essential.
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The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has announced a new partnership with Google to enhance university-level education in AI. The collaboration grants all students free 12-month access to Google’s AI Pro programme, a suite of advanced learning and research tools.
Through the initiative, students can use Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s latest AI model, along with Deep Research and NotebookLM for academic exploration and study organisation. The offer also includes 2 TB of cloud storage and access to Veo 3 for video creation and Jules for coding support.
The programme aims to expand digital literacy and increase hands-on engagement with generative and research-driven AI tools. By integrating these technologies into everyday study, the university hopes to cultivate a new generation of AI-experienced graduates.
University officials view the collaboration as a milestone in Greek AI-driven education, following recent national initiatives to introduce AI programmes in schools and healthcare. The partnership marks a significant step in aligning higher education with the global digital economy.
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Denmark has proposed an updated version of the EU’s controversial ‘chat control’ regulation, shifting from mandatory to voluntary scanning of private messages. Former MEP Patrick Breyer has warned, however, that the revision still threatens Europeans’ right to private communication.
Under the new plan, messaging providers could choose to scan chats for illegal material, but without a clear requirement for court orders. Breyer argued that this sidesteps the European Parliament’s position, which insists on judicial authorisation before any access to communications.
He also criticised the proposal for banning under-16s from using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming such restrictions would prove ineffective and easily bypassed. In addition, the plan would effectively outlaw anonymous communication, requiring users to verify their identities through IDs.
Privacy advocates say the Danish proposal could set a dangerous precedent by eroding fundamental digital rights. Civil society groups have urged EU lawmakers to reject measures that compromise secure, anonymous communication essential for journalists and whistleblowers.
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OpenAI has identified prompt injection as one of the most pressing new challenges in AI security. As AI systems gain the ability to browse the web, handle personal data and act on users’ behalf, they become targets for malicious instructions hidden within online content.
These attacks, known as prompt injections, can trick AI models into taking unintended actions or revealing sensitive information.
To counter the issue, OpenAI has adopted a multi-layered defence strategy that combines safety training, automated monitoring and system-level security protections. The company’s research into ‘Instruction Hierarchy’ aims to help models distinguish between trusted and untrusted commands.
Continuous red-teaming and automated detection systems further strengthen resilience against evolving threats.
OpenAI also provides users with greater control, featuring built-in safeguards such as approval prompts before sensitive actions, sandboxing for code execution, and ‘Watch Mode’ when operating on financial or confidential sites.
These measures ensure that users remain aware of what actions AI agents perform on their behalf.
While prompt injection remains a developing risk, OpenAI expects adversaries to devote significant resources to exploiting it. The company continues to invest in research and transparency, aiming to make AI systems as secure and trustworthy as a cautious, well-informed human colleague.
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The US tech company, Cars.com, has unveiled Carson, a multilingual AI search engine designed to revolutionise the online car shopping experience.
Instead of relying on complex filters, Carson interprets natural language queries such as ‘a reliable car for a family of five’ or ‘a used truck under $30,000’, instantly producing targeted results tailored to each shopper’s needs.
A new AI feature that already powers around 15% of all web and mobile searches on Cars.com, with early data showing that users engaging with Carson return to the site twice as often and save three times more vehicles.
They also generate twice as many leads and convert 30% more frequently from search to vehicle detail pages.
Cars.com aims to simplify decision-making for its 25 million monthly shoppers, 70% of whom begin their search without knowing which brand or model to choose.
Carson helps these undecided users explore lifestyle, emotional and practical preferences while guiding them through Cars.com’s award-winning listings.
Further updates will introduce AI-generated summaries, personalised comparisons and search refinement suggestions.
Cars.com’s parent company, Cars Commerce, plans to expand its use of AI-driven tools to strengthen its role at the forefront of automotive retail innovation, offering a more efficient and intelligent marketplace for both consumers and dealerships.
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Meta has launched its new AI app across Europe, featuring Vibes, an interactive feed dedicated to creating and sharing short AI-generated videos. The platform brings together media generation, remixing and collaboration tools designed to encourage creativity and social expression.
Vibes first debuted in the US, where Meta reported a tenfold rise in AI media creation since launch. European users can now use text prompts to generate, edit and animate videos, or remix existing clips by adding music, visuals and personalised styles.
The app also serves as a central hub for users’ Meta AI assistants and connected AI glasses. People can chat with the assistant, receive creative ideas, or enhance their photos and animations using advanced AI-powered editing tools integrated within the same experience.
Meta said the rollout marks a new stage in its effort to make AI-driven creativity more accessible. The company plans to expand the app’s capabilities further, promising additional features that combine entertainment, collaboration and real-time content generation.
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