Sustainable development

Microsoft AI chief rules out machine consciousness as purely biological phenomenon

Microsoft’s AI head, Mustafa Suleyman, has dismissed the idea that AI could ever become conscious, arguing that consciousness is a property exclusive to biological beings.

Speaking at the AfroTech Conference in Houston, Suleyman said researchers should stop exploring the notion of sentient AI, calling it ‘the wrong question’.

He explained that while AI can simulate experience, it cannot feel pain or possess subjective awareness.

Suleyman compared AI’s output to a narrative illusion rather than genuine consciousness, aligning with the philosophical theory of biological naturalism, which ties awareness to living brain processes.

Suleyman has become one of the industry’s most outspoken critics of conscious AI research. His book ‘The Coming Wave’ and his recent essay ‘We must build AI for people;’ not to be a person warn against anthropomorphising machines.

He also confirmed that Microsoft will not develop erotic chatbots, a direction that has been embraced by competitors such as OpenAI and xAI.

He stressed that Microsoft’s AI systems are designed to serve humans, not mimic them. The company’s Copilot assistant now includes a ‘real talk’ mode that challenges users’ assumptions instead of offering flattery.

Suleyman said responsible development must avoid ‘unbridled accelerationism’, adding that fear and scepticism are essential for navigating AI’s rapid evolution.

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Brain-inspired networks boost AI performance and cut energy use

Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new method to enhance AI by imitating how the human brain connects information. The approach, called Topographical Sparse Mapping, links each artificial neuron only to nearby or related ones, replicating the brain’s efficient organisation.

According to findings published in Neurocomputing, the structure reduces redundant connections and improves performance without compromising accuracy. Senior lecturer Dr Roman Bauer said intelligent systems can now be designed to consume less energy while maintaining power.

Training large models today often requires over a million kilowatt-hours of electricity, a trend he described as unsustainable.

An advanced version, Enhanced Topographical Sparse Mapping, introduces a biologically inspired pruning process that refines neural connections during training, similar to how the brain learns.

Researchers believe that the system could contribute to more realistic neuromorphic computers, which simulate brain functions to process data more efficiently.

The Surrey team said that such a discovery may advance generative AI systems and pave the way for sustainable large-scale model training. Their work highlights how lessons from biology can shape the next generation of energy-efficient computing.

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Unexpected language emerges as best for AI prompting

A new joint study by the University of Maryland and Microsoft has found that Polish is the most effective language for prompting AI, outperforming 25 others, including English, French, and Chinese.

The researchers tested leading AI models, including OpenAI, Google Gemini, Qwen, Llama, and DeepSeek, by providing identical prompts in 26 languages. Polish achieved an average accuracy of 88 percent, securing first place. English, often seen as the natural choice for AI interaction, came only sixth.

According to the study, Polish proved to be the most precise in issuing commands to AI, despite the fact that far less Polish-language data exists for model training. The Polish Patent Office noted that while humans find the language difficult, AI systems appear to handle it with remarkable ease.

Other high-performing languages included French, Italian, and Spanish, with Chinese ranking among the lowest. The finding challenges the widespread assumption that English dominates AI communication and could reshape future research on multilingual model optimisation.

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Perplexity launches AI-powered patent search to make innovation intelligence accessible

The US software company, Perplexity, has unveiled Perplexity Patents, the first AI-powered patent research agent designed to democratise access to intellectual property intelligence. The new tool allows anyone to explore patents using natural language instead of complex keyword syntax.

Traditional patent research has long relied on rigid search systems that demand specialist knowledge and expensive software.

Perplexity Patents instead offers conversational interaction, enabling users to ask questions such as ‘Are there any patents on AI for language learning?’ or ‘Key quantum computing patents since 2024?’.

The system automatically identifies relevant patents, provides inline viewing, and maintains context across multiple questions.

Powered by Perplexity’s large-scale search infrastructure, the platform uses agentic reasoning to break down complex queries, perform multi-step searches, and return comprehensive results supported by extensive patent documentation.

Its semantic understanding also captures related concepts that traditional tools often miss, linking terms such as ‘fitness trackers’, ‘activity bands’, and ‘health monitoring wearables’.

Beyond patent databases, Perplexity Patents can also draw from academic papers, open-source code, and other publicly available data, revealing the entire landscape of technological innovation. The service launches today in beta, free for all users, with extra features for Pro and Max subscribers.

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Nexperia chip exports may resume as China softens stance on ban

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced plans to exempt specific Nexperia orders from its export ban, aiming to stabilise the global semiconductor supply chain after the Netherlands seized control of the Chinese-owned Dutch chipmaker.

The ministry stated that exemptions would be granted when the criteria were met, encouraging affected firms to apply.

A move that follows a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Busan, where both sides reached a framework allowing Nexperia to resume shipments under eased restrictions.

Washington reportedly agreed to pause the 50 percent subsidiary rule, which restricts exports from companies half-owned by entities on its trade blocklist. Wingtech Technology, Nexperia’s Chinese parent, has been under these restrictions since December.

Beijing’s export ban, introduced after the Dutch takeover citing national security concerns, disrupted supplies from Nexperia’s Dongguan factory, which assembles about 70 percent of its products.

China condemned the Netherlands for intervening in corporate affairs, warning that such actions deepen global supply chain instability.

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Xi Jinping calls for stronger AI and green cooperation across Asia Pacific

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Asia Pacific economies to boost cooperation in digital innovation, green development, and inclusive growth at the 32nd APEC meeting in Gyeongju.

He said the region faces slowing economic growth and widening inequality, but also holds new opportunities through emerging technologies such as AI.

Xi proposed three areas of action. First, he urged countries to embrace digital and innovative technologies to boost innovation-driven growth. He called for responsible AI development and proposed the establishment of a World AI Cooperation Organisation to set standards and ensure regional access.

Second, Xi emphasised the importance of green and low-carbon development, highlighting China’s rapid progress in renewable energy and its significant contribution to global climate goals. He urged developed economies to aid developing ones with technology, funding, and capacity development for sustainable progress.

Finally, he stressed the importance of inclusive development and poverty reduction. Xi said APEC economies should advance digital literacy, enhance cooperation in sectors such as health and education, and promote equality for women and older people.

He reaffirmed China’s readiness to work with all nations to create a sustainable and shared future for the region.

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Stargate Michigan expands OpenAI’s US buildout

OpenAI will build a new campus in Saline Township, Michigan, as part of a 4.5 GW partnership with Oracle. Planned US capacity now exceeds 8 gigawatts. Investment over the next three years is expected to surpass $450 billion.

Leaders frame Stargate as a path to reindustrialise the United States while expanding access to AI benefits. Projects generate jobs during buildout and strengthen supply chains. Communities are intended to share gains.

Related Digital will develop the Michigan site, with construction expected in early 2026. More than 2,500 union construction roles are planned. A closed-loop cooling system will significantly reduce on-site water consumption.

DTE Energy will utilise existing excess transmission capacity to serve the campus. The project, not local ratepayers, will fund any required upgrades. Local energy supplies are expected to remain unaffected.

Expansion builds on previously announced sites in Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Programmes aim to bolster modern energy and manufacturing systems. Michigan’s engineering heritage makes it a focal point for future AI infrastructure.

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CXMT launches LPDDR5X chips as China advances in semiconductor race

ChangXin Memory Technologies has begun mass production of LPDDR5X chips, marking a major milestone in China’s effort to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor market.

The Hefei-based manufacturer, preparing for a Shanghai stock listing, said its new DRAM generation will support faster data transfer and lower power use across mobile devices and AI systems.

The LPDDR5X range includes chips with speeds of up to 10,667 Mbps, positioning CXMT as a growing competitor to industry leaders such as Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron.

Earlier LPDDR5 versions launched in 2023 had already helped the firm progress towards advanced 16-nanometre manufacturing, narrowing the technological gap with global rivals.

Industry data indicate a rising global demand for memory chips, driven by AI applications and high-bandwidth computing. Additionally, DRAM revenue increased 17.1 percent in the second quarter, reaching US$31.6 billion.

CXMT’s expansion comes as it targets a Shanghai IPO valued at around 300 billion yuan, highlighting both investor interest and the ambition of China to achieve greater chip self-sufficiency.

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NVIDIA AI powers mobile clinics for breast cancer screening in rural India

A mobile clinic powered by NVIDIA AI is bringing life-saving breast cancer screenings to women in rural India.

The Health Within Reach Foundation, in partnership with Dallas-based startup MedCognetics, operates the Women Cancer Screening Van, which has already conducted over 3,500 mammograms, with 90% of patients screened for the first time.

MedCognetics, a member of NVIDIA’s Inception programme, provides an AI system that analyses mammogram data in real time to identify potential abnormalities.

The foundation reports that around 8% of screenings revealed irregularities, with 24 confirmed cancer diagnoses detected early enough for timely treatment. The collaboration demonstrates how AI can expand access to preventive healthcare in remote areas.

MedCognetics’ technology uses NVIDIA IGX Orin and Holoscan platforms for rapid image processing, supporting real-time detection and risk analysis. Its algorithms can improve image quality, assist radiologists in identifying small or early-stage tumours, and predict breast cancer risk within a year.

These tools are part of a wider effort to make advanced medical diagnostics affordable and accessible in developing regions.

By combining edge AI with local cloud infrastructure, the system enables faster diagnosis and better connectivity between healthcare workers in the field and radiologists in urban hospitals.

For millions of women in rural India, the initiative brings high-quality care directly to their communities and offers a powerful example of how AI can reduce health inequalities.

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Reliance and Google expand Gemini AI access across India

Google has partnered with Reliance Intelligence to expand access to its Gemini AI across India.

Under the new collaboration, Jio Unlimited 5G users aged between 18 and 25 will receive the Google AI Pro plan free for 18 months, with nationwide eligibility to follow soon.

The partnership grants access to the Gemini 2.5 Pro model and includes increased limits for generating images and videos with the Nano Banana and Veo 3.1 tools.

Users in India will also benefit from expanded NotebookLM access for study and research, plus 2 TB of cloud storage shared across Google Photos, Gmail and Drive for data and WhatsApp backups.

According to Google, the offer represents a value of about ₹35,100 and can be activated via the MyJio app. The company said the initiative aims to make its most advanced AI tools available to a wider audience and support everyday productivity across India’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.

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