Prominent personalities Archives | Page 3 of 57

AI-EFFECT builds EU testing facility for AI in critical energy infrastructure

As Europe moves towards its climate-neutrality goals, integrating AI into energy systems is being presented as a way to improve efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. The EU-funded AI-EFFECT project is developing a European testing and experimentation facility (TEF) to support the development and adoption of AI solutions for the energy industry while ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with EU regulations.

The TEF is described as a virtual network linking existing laboratories and computing resources across several EU countries. It is designed to provide standardised testing environments, risk and certification workflows, and replicable methods for developing, testing, and validating AI applications for critical energy infrastructures under diverse, real-world conditions.

The facility operates through four national nodes in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal, each focused on a different set of energy challenges. In Denmark, the node led by the Technical University of Denmark is testing AI in virtual and physical multi-energy systems, including coordination between electric power grid operations and district heating systems in the Triangle Region in Jutland and on the island of Bornholm.

In the Netherlands, the node at Delft University of Technology is extending the university’s ‘control room of the future’ with AI capabilities to address grid congestion as renewable generation increases.

In Portugal, the node led by INESC TEC is developing a trusted local energy data space intended to address privacy concerns and connectivity gaps through secure, consent-based energy data sharing. The AI-EFFECT project says consumers and prosumers will be able to manage data rights and permissions in line with EU regulations while working with AI-driven service providers on co-creation and testing.

In Germany, the Fraunhofer-led node is focused on AI for power distribution systems and is developing a near-realistic cyber-physical model to benchmark AI performance in congestion management and distributed energy resource integration against traditional engineering approaches.

Alberto Dognini, project coordinator of EPRI Europe, Ireland, wrote in an Enlit news item: ‘Together, these four nodes form the backbone of AI-EFFECT’s mission to make AI a trusted partner in Europe’s energy transition.’ He added: ‘From optimising multi-energy systems to enabling secure data sharing and improving grid resilience, these nodes will accelerate innovation while reducing risk for operators and consumers alike.’

AI-EFFECT is also sharing its work through public-facing initiatives, including the EPRI Current Podcast. In the episode ‘Exploring the AI-EFFECT on Europe’s Energy Future’, participants discuss the architecture and building blocks supporting distributed nodes across multiple countries and examine how the TEF could shape the future of Europe’s energy systems.

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Australian regulator warns AI companions expose children to serious online risks

The eSafety Commissioner has reported that AI companion chatbots are failing to adequately protect children from harmful content, following a transparency review of services including Character.AI, Nomi, Chai, and Chub AI.

According to the report, these services did not implement robust safeguards against exposure to sexually explicit material or the generation of child sexual exploitation and abuse content.

The findings also indicate that most platforms relied on self-declared age verification and did not consistently monitor inputs or outputs across all AI models used.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated that AI companions, often presented as sources of emotional or social support, are increasingly used by children but may expose them to harmful interactions.

She noted that none of the reviewed services had ‘meaningful age checks’ in place and highlighted concerns about the absence of safeguards related to self-harm and suicide content.

The report further identifies that several platforms in Australia did not refer users to crisis or mental health support services when harmful interactions were detected.

It also notes gaps in monitoring for unlawful content and limited investment in trust and safety staffing, with some providers reporting no dedicated moderation personnel.

The findings follow the implementation of Australia’s Age-Restricted Material Codes, which require online services, including AI chatbots, to prevent access to age-inappropriate content and provide appropriate safety measures.

These obligations complement existing Unlawful Material Codes and Standards, with non-compliance potentially leading to civil penalties.

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Pinterest chief calls for stricter youth rules

The chief executive of Pinterest has voiced support for governments banning access to social media for people under 16. He cited rising concerns about mental health, screen addiction and online harms among young users.

He praised the Australian decision to ban social media for under-16s and urged other nations to adopt similar protections. He argued that existing tech safety measures have fallen short of keeping children secure online.

The executive warned that AI enhancements in social platforms may amplify behavioural influence on teens. He compared the inaction by tech companies to past resistance by harmful industries to public health safeguards.

He also highlighted surveys showing parental worries about explicit content and excessive screen time. Pinterest’s view supports calls for clear age limits, better tools for parents and stronger platform accountability.

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Deepfakes scandal puts Elon Musk and X under scrutiny in France

French prosecutors have escalated concerns about deepfakes linked to Elon Musk’s platform X, alerting US authorities to suspicions that manipulated content may have been used to influence the company’s valuation.

According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the controversy surrounding sexually explicit deepfakes generated by Grok, X’s AI tool, may have been deliberately amplified to artificially boost the value of X and its associated AI entity ahead of a planned stock market listing in June 2026.

Authorities in France confirmed they had contacted the US Department of Justice and legal representatives at the Securities and Exchange Commission to share findings related to the deepfakes investigation and potential financial implications.

The case builds on an ongoing French probe into X, which initially focused on alleged algorithmic interference in domestic politics. Investigations have since expanded to include the spread of Holocaust denial content and the dissemination of sexualised deepfakes through Grok.

French regulators have taken additional steps, including summoning Musk for a voluntary interview and conducting searches at X’s local offices, actions he has described as politically motivated. Parallel investigations have also been launched in the UK and across the European Union into the use of AI tools to generate harmful deepfakes involving women and minors.

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Social media ban in Ecuador targets youth crime recruitment

A proposal to restrict minors’ online activity is gaining momentum in Ecuador, where lawmakers are considering a social media ban for children under 15 as part of a broader response to rising organised crime.

Under discussion in the National Assembly, the initiative introduced by Assembly member Katherine Pacheco Machuca would amend the Code of Childhood and Adolescence to block access to platforms enabling public interaction, content sharing, and messaging. The proposal defines social networks broadly, covering services that allow users to create accounts, connect with others, and exchange content.

Unlike similar debates elsewhere, the justification for the social media ban is rooted less in mental health or privacy concerns and more in security. Ecuador has experienced a sharp deterioration in public safety, with rising homicide rates, expanding criminal networks, and increasing pressure on state institutions.

Recent findings from Ecuador’s Organised Crime Observatory indicate that around 27% of minors approached by criminal groups report initial contact through social media platforms. Surveys conducted by ChildFund Ecuador further suggest that vulnerable adolescents are increasingly exposed to recruitment tactics that combine economic incentives with normalised portrayals of violence.

In that context, the proposed social media ban is framed as a preventative measure against criminal recruitment rather than solely a child protection tool. The initiative forms part of a wider regulatory shift, including new cybersecurity legislation and draft laws targeting recruitment practices conducted through digital channels.

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Europe boosts AI, talent and investment to compete with US and China

Efforts to strengthen technological competitiveness in Europe focus on advancing AI capabilities, developing new forms of talent and improving access to investment.

Discussions at the CTx Tech Experience in Seville highlighted a growing consensus that innovation must scale more effectively if the region is to compete globally.

Participants emphasised that Europe continues to face structural challenges, including fragmented markets, regulatory complexity and limited capital for high-growth companies.

These constraints have made it more difficult for startups to expand, prompting calls for stronger coordination between public institutions and private investors.

AI is increasingly viewed as the foundation of the transformation. Industry leaders pointed to the emergence of new business opportunities driven by AI, alongside the need to translate innovation into scalable commercial outcomes.

At the same time, labour market dynamics are shifting towards hybrid skillsets that combine technical expertise with business understanding and critical thinking.

In such a context, strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity is seen as essential to competing with global powers such as the US and China.

As technological competition intensifies, the ability to align talent, capital and policy frameworks will play a decisive role in shaping the region’s position within the global digital economy.

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Terafab initiative from Elon Musk targets AI and space computing

Elon Musk unveiled his ambitious Terafab project in Austin, describing it as the ‘most epic chip-building exercise in history.’ The initiative, led by Tesla, xAI, and SpaceX, aims to produce 1 trillion watts of compute power annually, much of it intended for space applications.

The project will start with a state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facility in Austin, supporting AI development, humanoid robotics, and space data centres. Musk highlighted current supply chain limitations, stating that building Terafab is essential to secure the chips his companies need.

Musk also shared his vision for a future shaped by ‘amazing abundance.’ Plans include launching satellites from the lunar surface and enabling civilian space travel to destinations such as Saturn, blending cutting-edge technology with long-term space ambitions.

Terafab represents a bold attempt to merge AI, robotics, and space exploration, positioning Musk’s companies at the forefront of next-generation technology and extraterrestrial innovation.

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EU faces pressure to strengthen digital safeguards ahead of elections

Emmanuel Macron has called for stronger enforcement of the EU digital rules, urging Ursula von der Leyen to act against risks linked to foreign interference in elections. The request comes amid growing concern over attempts to influence democratic processes across Europe.

In a letter addressed to the Commission, Macron stressed the importance of safeguarding electoral integrity in a challenging geopolitical environment.

He wrote:

‘In a geopolitical context marked by a multiplication of hostile stances against the European model and its democratic values, it is crucial that the Union… ensure the integrity of civic discourse and electoral processes’.

The proposal focuses on stricter enforcement instead of new legislation, particularly regarding the Digital Services Act. European authorities are encouraged to ensure that online platforms properly assess and mitigate systemic risks, including the spread of manipulated content and coordinated disinformation.

Attention is also directed toward algorithmic amplification, AI-generated content labelling and the removal of fake accounts.

As multiple elections approach across the EU, policymakers are considering how to apply existing regulatory tools more effectively to protect democratic systems.

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OpenAI plans AI superapp to unify ChatGPT and Codex

A shift toward consolidation is underway, with OpenAI planning to merge its ChatGPT app, Codex platform and browser into a single desktop ‘superapp’ designed to simplify the user experience.

OpenAI said the move aims to streamline its product ecosystem after a period of rapid expansion that resulted in multiple standalone tools. The company is now prioritising a more unified approach, particularly as it intensifies competition with rivals such as Anthropic in enterprise and developer markets.

The planned superapp will focus heavily on ‘agentic’ AI capabilities, enabling systems to operate autonomously across tasks such as writing software, analysing data and managing workflows. The goal is to create a central platform where AI can act as a collaborative assistant across the full productivity stack.

Internal leadership changes are also supporting the transition. Chief of Applications Fidji Simo will oversee the initiative, working alongside President Greg Brockman, as the company restructures teams to align around a single core product. Executives have emphasised the need to reduce fragmentation and improve product quality.

The shift comes as OpenAI faces increasing pressure from competitors that have gained traction with enterprise customers. Anthropic, in particular, has seen success with its developer-focused offerings, prompting OpenAI to refocus on business users and revenue growth.

Over the coming months, the company plans to expand Codex with broader productivity features before integrating ChatGPT and its browser into the unified platform. While the mobile ChatGPT app will remain separate, the broader strategy signals a move toward a more cohesive and scalable AI ecosystem.

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UK drops AI copyright opt-out plan amid growing industry divide

The UK Government has abandoned its previous preference for an AI copyright opt-out model, signalling a shift in policy following strong opposition from creative industries.

Ministers now acknowledge that there is no clear consensus on how AI developers should access copyrighted material.

Concerns from writers, artists and rights holders focused on the use of their work in training AI systems without permission.

Liz Kendall confirmed that extensive consultation exposed significant disagreement, prompting the government to step back from its earlier position that would have allowed the use of copyrighted content unless creators opted out.

A joint report from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport states that further evidence is required before any legislative change.

Policymakers in the UK will assess how copyright frameworks influence AI development, while also examining international regulation, licensing models and ongoing legal disputes.

Government strategy now centres on balancing innovation with fair compensation.

Officials emphasise that creators must retain control over how their work is used, while AI developers require access to high-quality data to remain competitive. Potential measures include labelling AI-generated content to reduce risks linked to disinformation and deepfakes.

No timeline has been set for reform, reflecting the complexity of aligning economic growth with intellectual property protection.

The debate unfolds alongside broader ambitions outlined by Rachel Reeves, who has identified AI as a central driver of future economic expansion, with the UK aiming to lead adoption across the G7.

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