Sustainable development

Gmail enters the Gemini era with AI-powered inbox tools

Google is reshaping Gmail around its Gemini AI models, aiming to turn email into a proactive assistant for more than three billion users worldwide.

With inbox volumes continuing to rise, the focus shifts towards managing information flows instead of simply sending and receiving messages.

New AI Overviews allow Gmail to summarise long email threads and answer natural language questions directly from inbox content.

Users can retrieve details from past conversations without complex searches, while conversation summaries roll out globally at no cost, with advanced query features reserved for paid AI subscriptions.

Writing tools are also expanding, with Help Me Write, upgraded Suggested Replies, and Proofread features designed to speed up drafting while preserving individual tone and style.

Deeper personalisation is planned through connections with other Google services, enabling emails to reflect broader user context.

A redesigned AI Inbox further prioritises urgent messages and key tasks by analysing communication patterns and relationships.

Powered by Gemini 3, these features begin rolling out in the US in English, with additional languages and regions scheduled to follow during 2026.

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EU faces pressure to strengthen Digital Markets Act oversight

Rivals of major technology firms have criticised the European Commission for weak enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, arguing that slow procedures and limited transparency undermine the regulation’s effectiveness.

Feedback gathered during a Commission consultation highlights concerns about delaying tactics, interface designs that restrict user choice, and circumvention strategies used by designated gatekeepers.

The Digital Markets Act entered into force in March 2024, prompting several non-compliance investigations against Apple, Meta and Google. Although Apple and Meta have already faced fines, follow-up proceedings remain ongoing, while Google has yet to receive sanctions.

Smaller technology firms argue that enforcement lacks urgency, particularly in areas such as self-preferencing, data sharing, interoperability and digital advertising markets.

Concerns also extend to AI and cloud services, where respondents say the current framework fails to reflect market realities.

Generative AI tools, such as large language models, raise questions about whether existing platform categories remain adequate or whether new classifications are necessary. Cloud services face similar scrutiny, as major providers often fall below formal thresholds despite acting as critical gateways.

The Commission plans to submit a review report to the European Parliament and the Council by early May, drawing on findings from the consultation.

Proposed changes include binding timelines and interim measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and restoring confidence in the bloc’s flagship competition rules.

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AI could optimise power grids and reduce energy waste

AI could help make power grids cleaner and more efficient while reducing energy waste, even as data centres powering generative models consume increasing amounts of electricity. Researchers are exploring ways to balance these demands with optimisation techniques.

Accurate predictions of renewable energy availability using AI can help grid operators integrate solar and wind power more effectively. AI can solve complex optimisation problems, quickly and accurately managing power generation, battery use, and flexible loads.

Beyond real-time operations, AI can enhance grid planning and predictive maintenance, identifying potential faults before they lead to outages.

Application-specific AI models can support decarbonisation strategies and enable the integration of more renewable energy while keeping energy costs and environmental impacts in check.

Experts caution that not all AI development in the energy sector is equally beneficial. Large, general-purpose models are highly resource-intensive, whereas smaller, targeted models offer measurable advantages in terms of grid efficiency and sustainability.

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Portugal government backs AI with €400 million plan

Portugal has announced a €400 million investment in AI over the period 2026-2030, primarily funded by European programmes. The National Artificial Intelligence Agenda (ANIA) and its Action Plan (PAANIA) aim to strengthen Portugal’s position in AI research, industry, and innovation.

The government predicts AI could boost the country’s GDP by €18-22 billion in the next decade. Officials highlight Portugal’s growing technical talent pool, strong universities and research centres, renewable energy infrastructure, and a dynamic start-up ecosystem as key advantages.

Key projects include establishing AI gigafactories and supercomputing facilities to support research, SMEs, and start-ups, alongside a National Data Centre Plan aimed to simplifying licensing and accelerating the sector.

Early investments of €10 million target AI applications in public administration, with a total of €25 million planned.

Sectoral AI Centres will focus on healthcare and industrial robotics, leveraging AI to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and support productivity, competitiveness, and the creation of skilled jobs.

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Netomi shows how to scale enterprise AI safely

Netomi has developed a blueprint for scaling enterprise AI, utilising GPT-4.1 for rapid tool use and GPT-5.2 for multi-step reasoning. The platform supports complex workflows, policy compliance, and heavy operational loads, serving clients such as United Airlines and DraftKings.

The company emphasises three core lessons. First, systems must handle real-world complexity, orchestrating multiple APIs, databases, and tools to maintain state and situational awareness across multi-step workflows.

Second, parallelised architectures ensure low latency even under extreme demand, keeping response times fast and reliable during spikes in activity.

Third, governance is embedded directly into the runtime, enforcing compliance, protecting sensitive data, and providing deterministic fallbacks when AI confidence is low.

Netomi demonstrates how agentic AI can be safely scaled, providing enterprises with a model for auditable, predictable, and resilient intelligent systems. These practices serve as a roadmap for organisations seeking to move AI from experimental tools to production-ready infrastructure.

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Telegram bonds frozen amid ongoing international sanctions framework

Around $500 million in bonds issued by Telegram remain frozen within Russia’s financial settlement system following the application of international sanctions.

The situation reflects how global regulatory measures can continue to affect corporate assets even when companies operate across multiple jurisdictions.

According to reports, the frozen bonds were issued in 2021 and are held at Russia’s National Settlement Depository.

Telegram said its more recent $1.7 billion bond issuance in 2025 involved international investors, with no participation from Russian capital, and was purchased mainly by institutional funds based outside Russia.

Telegram stated that bond repayments follow established international procedures through intermediaries, meaning payment obligations are fulfilled regardless of whether individual bondholders face restrictions.

Financial results for 2025 also showed losses, linked in part to a decline in cryptocurrency valuations, which reflected broader market conditions rather than company-specific factors.

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Rokid launches screenless AI smart glasses at CES 2026

The global pioneer firm in AR, Rokid, unveiled its new Style smart glasses at CES 2026, opting for a screenless, voice-first design instead of the visual displays standard across competing devices.

Weighing just 38.5 grams, the glasses are designed for everyday wear, with an emphasis on comfort and prescription readiness.

Despite lacking a screen, Rokid Style integrates AI through an open ecosystem that supports platforms such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek and Qwen. Global services, including Google Maps and Microsoft AI Translation, facilitate navigation and provide real-time language assistance across various regions.

The device adopts a prescription-first approach, supporting lenses from plano to ±15.00 diopters alongside photochromic, tinted and protective options.

Rokid has also launched a global online prescription service, promising delivery within seven to ten days.

Design features include titanium alloy hinges, silicone nose pads and a built-in camera capable of 4K video recording.

Battery life reaches up to 12 hours of daily use, with global pricing starting at $299, ahead of an online launch scheduled for January 19.

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ChatGPT reaches 40 million daily users for health advice

More than 40 million people worldwide now use ChatGPT daily for health-related advice, according to OpenAI.

Over 5 percent of all messages sent to the chatbot relate to healthcare, with three in five US adults reporting use in the past three months. Many interactions occur outside clinic hours, highlighting the demand for AI guidance in navigating complex medical systems.

Users primarily turn to AI to check symptoms, understand medical terms, and explore treatment options.

OpenAI emphasises that ChatGPT helps patients gain agency over their health, particularly in rural areas where hospitals and specialised services are scarce.

The technology also supports healthcare professionals by reducing administrative burdens and providing timely information.

Despite growing adoption, regulatory oversight remains limited. Some US states have attempted to regulate AI in healthcare, and lawsuits have emerged over cases where AI-generated advice has caused harm.

OpenAI argues that ChatGPT supplements rather than replaces medical services, helping patients interpret information, prepare for care, and navigate gaps in access.

Healthcare workers are also increasingly using AI. Surveys show that two in five US professionals, including nurses and pharmacists, use generative AI weekly to draft notes, summarise research, and streamline workflows.

OpenAI plans to release healthcare policy recommendations to guide the responsible adoption of AI in clinical settings.

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Social Security move to digital payments

The US Social Security Administration has ended the routine issuance of paper benefit cheques in favour of electronic payments after a 30 September federal deadline. Electronic methods such as direct deposit or prepaid cards are now standard for most beneficiaries.

US officials say the shift speeds up payment delivery and strengthens security since electronic payments are less likely to be lost or stolen than mailed cheques. The move also aims to help reduce federal costs and fraud risks.

A small number of recipients can still receive paper cheques if they qualify for an exemption by showing they lack access to banking services or digital payment systems. People must contact Treasury to request a waiver.

SSA urges beneficiaries to set up or confirm direct deposit details through their online account or use a prepaid card to avoid delays. Recipients without bank accounts are encouraged to enrol for secure electronic options.

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AI-designed sensors open new paths for early cancer detection

MIT and Microsoft researchers have developed AI-designed molecular sensors to detect cancer in its earliest stages. By coating nanoparticles with peptides targeted by cancer-linked enzymes, the sensors produce signals detectable through simple urine tests, potentially even at home.

The AI system, named CleaveNet, generates peptide sequences that are efficiently and selectively cleaved by specific proteases, enzymes overactive in cancer cells. The approach enables faster, more precise detection and can help identify a tumour’s type and location.

CleaveNet, trained on 20,000+ peptide-protease interactions, has designed novel peptides for enzymes like MMP13 that cancer cells use to metastasise. The system may cut the number of peptides needed for diagnostics and reveal key biological pathways.

Researchers plan an at-home kit to detect 30 cancers, with peptides also usable for targeted therapies. The work is part of an ARPA-H-funded initiative and highlights the potential of AI to accelerate early cancer detection and treatment.

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