Sustainable development

UK Technology Secretary uses ChatGPT for advice on media and AI

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has been using ChatGPT to seek advice on media appearances and to define technical terms related to his role.

His records, obtained by New Scientist through freedom of information laws, reveal that he asked the AI tool for recommendations on which podcasts to feature and for explanations of terms like ‘digital inclusion’ and ‘anti-matter.’

ChatGPT suggested The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Naked Scientists due to their broad reach and scientific focus.

Kyle also inquired why small and medium-sized businesses in the UK have been slow to adopt AI. The chatbot pointed to factors such as a lack of awareness about government initiatives, funding limitations, and concerns over data protection regulations like GDPR.

While AI adoption remains a challenge, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has praised its potential, arguing that the UK government should embrace AI more to improve efficiency.

Despite Kyle’s enthusiasm for AI, he has faced criticism for allegedly prioritising the interests of Big Tech over Britain’s creative industries. Concerns have been raised over a proposed policy that could allow tech firms to train AI on copyrighted material without permission unless creators opt out.

His department defended his use of AI, stating that while he utilises the tool, it does not replace expert advice from officials.

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EU draft AI code faces industry pushback

The tech industry remains concerned about a newly released draft of the Code of Practice on General-Purpose Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which aims to help AI providers comply with the EU‘s AI Act.

The proposed rules, which cover transparency, copyright, risk assessment, and mitigation, have sparked significant debate, especially among copyright holders and publishers.

Industry representatives argue that the draft still presents serious issues, particularly regarding copyright obligations and external risk assessments, which they believe could hinder innovation.

Tech lobby groups, such as the CCIA and DOT Europe, have expressed dissatisfaction with the latest draft, highlighting that it continues to impose burdensome requirements beyond the scope of the original AI Act.

Notably, the mandatory third-party risk assessments both before and after deployment remain a point of contention. Despite some improvements in the new version, these provisions are seen as unnecessary and potentially damaging to the industry.

Copyright concerns remain central, with organisations like News Media Europe warning that the draft still fails to respect copyright law. They argue that AI companies should not be merely expected to make ‘best efforts’ not to use content without proper authorisation.

Additionally, the draft is criticised for failing to fully address fundamental rights risks, which, according to experts, should be a primary concern for AI model providers.

The draft is open for feedback until 30 March, with the final version expected to be released in May. However, the European Commission’s ability to formalise the Code under the AI Act, which comes into full effect in 2027, remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the issue of copyright and AI is also being closely examined by the European Parliament.

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Intel appoints new CEO to compete in AI chip market

Intel has appointed tech industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as its chief executive, aiming to revitalise the struggling chipmaker as it falls behind in the AI race.

Tan, set to take over next week, told employees that overcoming Intel’s challenges would not be easy but reaffirmed his commitment to an engineering-first approach.

Following the announcement, Intel’s shares surged by more than 10 per cent in after-market trading.

Once a dominant force in the semiconductor industry, Intel has been outpaced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics, which lead in made-to-order chip production.

It also lags behind Nvidia, which has emerged as the top AI chip provider. Tan replaces Pat Gelsinger, who was ousted last year after the board lost confidence in his turnaround efforts, which included cutting 15,000 jobs and delaying chipmaking projects.

Tan, previously head of Cadence Design Systems, pledged to restore Intel’s reputation by taking calculated risks to outmanoeuvre competitors.

He intends to continue the company’s plan to manufacture chips for other firms, directly challenging TSMC. However, analysts remain cautious, questioning whether Intel will split its foundry and chip design businesses or prove its ability to deliver cutting-edge technology.

Intel also faces a growing battle in AI, where Nvidia dominates the data centre chip market. Analysts warn that without a compelling AI strategy, Intel could struggle to regain investor confidence.

Tan, however, remains optimistic, vowing to transform Intel into a world-class chipmaker while ensuring customer satisfaction.

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Google enhances Gemini AI with smarter personalisation

Google has announced an update to its Gemini AI assistant, enhancing personalisation to better anticipate user needs and deliver responses that feel more like those of a personal assistant.

The feature, initially available on desktop before rolling out to mobile, allows Gemini to offer tailored recommendations, such as travel ideas, based on search history and, in the future, data from apps like Photos and YouTube.

Users can opt in to the new personalisation features, sharing details like dietary preferences or past conversations to refine responses further.

Google assures that users must explicitly grant permission for Gemini to access search history and other services, and they can disconnect at any time.

However, this level of contextual awareness could give Google an advantage over competitors like ChatGPT by leveraging its vast ecosystem of user data.

The update signals a shift in how users interact with AI, bringing it closer to traditional search while raising questions for publishers and SEO professionals.

As Gemini increasingly provides direct, personalised answers, it may reduce the need for users to visit external websites. While currently experimental, the potential for Google to push broader adoption of AI-driven personalisation could reshape digital content discovery and search behaviour in the future.

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Major companies back global nuclear energy expansion

Several major companies, including Amazon and Google, have pledged to support the goal of tripling the world’s nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

However, this commitment was made during the CERAWeek conference in Houston, with other signatories such as shale company Occidental and Japanese firm IHI Corp. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) facilitated the pledge and expects more industries, including maritime and aviation, to join in the coming months.

Nuclear energy currently accounts for 9% of the world’s electricity, produced by 439 power reactors. As large tech companies like Amazon and Google pursue nuclear projects, including small modular reactors, the demand for uranium, essential for nuclear technology, has surged.

However, uranium supply remains constrained, mainly coming from Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.

With high demand, uranium prices reached a 16-year peak last year, driven by supply disruptions during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Despite this, global nuclear power generation continues to be concentrated in just a few countries, with 411 reactors in operation as of early 2025, providing a combined 371 gigawatts of capacity.

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Indian police arrest Garantex administrator wanted by US

Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, an administrator of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, at the request of the US.

Besciokov, a Russian resident and Lithuanian national, was taken into custody in Kerala on charges of money laundering and violating sanctions. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said he was planning to flee India, and Washington is expected to seek his extradition.

The arrest follows a joint operation by the US, Germany, and Finland to dismantle Garantex’s online infrastructure.

The exchange, under US sanctions since 2022, has processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2019. The US Justice Department recently charged two administrators, including Besciokov, with operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

Experts warn that sanctioned exchanges often attempt to bypass restrictions by setting up new entities. Blockchain research firm TRM Labs called the Garantex takedown a significant step in combating illicit finance but emphasised the need for continued vigilance against evasion tactics.

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Singapore fraud case involves $390 million in transactions

Singapore prosecutors revealed on Thursday that a fraud case involving local firms accused of illegally supplying US servers to Malaysia involves transactions worth $390 million.

Three men—Singaporeans Aaron Woon and Alan Wei, along with Chinese national Li Ming—have been charged with deceiving tech giants Dell and Super Micro by misrepresenting the servers’ final destination.

The case has been linked to Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, which is under US scrutiny over the potential use of banned Nvidia chips.

While Singapore authorities confirmed the servers may have contained Nvidia components, they did not specify whether these were the restricted high-end semiconductors subject to US export controls.

Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam declined to comment on the alleged connection.

Prosecutors claim Wei paid himself tens of millions in dividends, while Woon received a multimillion-dollar bonus. Singaporean authorities are investigating a wider network of 22 individuals and companies suspected of similar fraudulent practices, with six additional arrests made.

The accused are set to reappear in court on May 2, while Malaysian authorities are also probing potential legal violations.

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India plans five-year limit on satellite spectrum

India’s telecom regulator plans to recommend allocating satellite broadband spectrum for around five years to assess market adoption, a move that goes against Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has been pushing for a 20-year permit.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is finalising key recommendations on the licensing timeframe and pricing, opting for a shorter period to monitor industry growth before making long-term commitments.

A government official confirmed TRAI is inclined towards a five-year limit, allowing regulators to review the market and revise spectrum pricing as needed.

However, this decision could impact Starlink’s long-term plans in India, as its deals with Reliance and Airtel are still pending regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, industry forecasts suggest India’s satellite communication sector could expand over tenfold, reaching $25 billion by 2028.

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Zhipu AI raises 500 million yuan amid rising competition

Chinese startup Zhipu AI has secured 500 million yuan (£54.8 million) in funding from the state-owned Huafa Group, following a separate 1 billion yuan capital raise earlier this month.

Huafa Group, a government-backed conglomerate based in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, announced its investment as Chinese cities compete to support AI firms, a sector seen as critical in Beijing’s technological rivalry with the US.

The funding comes amid increasing competition in China’s AI industry, particularly with Hangzhou-backed DeepSeek, whose large language models have gained attention for their cost-effectiveness and performance against Western alternatives.

Zhipu AI, established in 2019 and recognised as one of China’s ‘AI tigers,’ has received investments from major tech firms including Tencent, Meituan, and Xiaomi. The startup was valued at 20 billion yuan (£2.2 billion) in a funding round last July, according to business registration platform Qichacha.

With the new funding, Zhipu AI aims to enhance technological innovation and further develop its GLM foundation model.

However, the company faces challenges on the international stage, having been added to the US Commerce Department’s export control list in January, restricting its access to American components.

Despite these hurdles, China continues to bolster its AI sector as it seeks to establish a leading position in global artificial intelligence development.

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FTC confirms no delay in Amazon trial

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Wednesday that it does not need to delay its September trial against Amazon, contradicting an earlier claim by one of its attorneys about resource shortages.

Jonathan Cohen, an FTC lawyer, retracted his statement that cost-cutting measures had strained the agency’s ability to proceed, assuring the court that the FTC is fully prepared to litigate the case.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson reaffirmed the agency’s commitment, dismissing concerns over budget constraints and stating that the FTC will not back down from taking on Big Tech.

Earlier in the day, Cohen had described a ‘dire resource situation,’ citing employee resignations, a hiring freeze, and restrictions on legal expenses. However, he later clarified that these challenges would not impact the case.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, accuses Amazon of using ‘dark patterns’ to mislead consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions, a program with over 200 million users.

With claims exceeding $1 billion, the trial is expected to be a high-profile battle between regulators and one of the world’s largest tech companies. Amazon has denied any wrongdoing, and three of its senior executives are also named in the case.

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