Sustainable development

AI project seeks major leap in diabetes care

A major research initiative led by the University of Virginia has secured $4.7 million to advance machine learning in Type 1 diabetes care.

The project, backed by Breakthrough T1D and the Helmsley Charitable Trust, aims to develop fully automated insulin systems that adapt continuously to patient needs.

The research will combine adaptive algorithms with ultra-rapid insulin to enable personalised glucose control without manual input. The University of Virginia will lead engineering and algorithm development, with clinical trials conducted across multiple US research centres.

At its core is an AI framework that learns from real-time data, adapting to metabolic changes, stress, and daily rhythms. Researchers aim to overcome the limitations of current automated insulin systems, which still rely on fixed parameters and regular user intervention.

The collaboration reflects a shift towards patient-centred AI, aiming to reduce daily diabetes management burdens while improving safety and quality of life. Developers say the technology could offer families greater freedom and long-term stability in managing chronic conditions.

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Canada’s Cyber Centre flags rising ransomware risks for 2025 to 2027

The national cyber authority of Canada has warned that ransomware will remain one of the country’s most serious cyber threats through 2027, as attacks become faster, cheaper and harder to detect.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, part of Communications Security Establishment Canada, says ransomware now operates as a highly interconnected criminal ecosystem driven by financial motives and opportunistic targeting.

According to the outlook, threat actors are increasingly using AI and cryptocurrency while expanding extortion techniques beyond simple data encryption.

Businesses, public institutions and critical infrastructure in Canada remain at risk, with attackers continuously adapting their tactics, techniques and procedures to maximise financial returns.

The Cyber Centre stresses that basic cyber hygiene still provides strong protection. Regular software updates, multi-factor authentication and vigilance against phishing attempts significantly reduce exposure, even as attack methods evolve.

A report that also highlights the importance of cooperation between government bodies, law enforcement, private organisations and the public.

Officials conclude that while ransomware threats will intensify over the next two years, early warnings, shared intelligence and preventive measures can limit damage.

Canada’s cyber authorities say continued investment in partnerships and guidance remains central to building national digital resilience.

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TikTok struggles to stabilise US infrastructure after data centre outage

TikTok says recovery of its US infrastructure is progressing, although technical issues continue to affect parts of the platform after a data centre power outage.

The disruption followed the launch of a new US-based entity backed by American investors, a move aimed at avoiding a nationwide ban.

Users across the country reported problems with searches, video playback, posting content, loading comments and unexpected behaviour in the For You algorithm. TikTok said the outage also affected other apps and warned that slower load times and timeouts may persist, rather than returning to normal performance.

In a statement posted by the TikTok USDS Joint Venture, the company said collaboration with its US data centre partner has restored much of the infrastructure, but posting new content may still trigger errors.

Creators may also see missing views, likes, or earnings due to server timeouts rather than actual data loss.

TikTok has not named the data centre partner involved, while severe winter storms across the US may have contributed to the outage. Despite growing scepticism around the timing of the disruption, the company insists that user data and engagement remain secure.

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OpenAI prepares ad rollout inside free ChatGPT service

Advertising is set to be introduced within the free ChatGPT service, signalling a shift in how the platform will be monetised as its user base continues to expand rapidly. The move reflects OpenAI’s plans to turn widespread adoption into a sustainable revenue stream.

The company confirmed that ad testing will begin in the coming weeks, with sponsored content shown at the bottom of relevant ChatGPT responses. OpenAI said advertisements will be clearly labelled and separated from organic answers.

ChatGPT now serves more than 800 million users globally, most of whom currently access the service at no cost. Despite the high valuation, the company has continued to operate at a loss while expanding its infrastructure and AI capabilities.

Advertising represents OpenAI’s latest effort to diversify income beyond paid subscriptions and enterprise services. Sponsored recommendations will be shown only when products or services are deemed relevant to the user’s ongoing conversation.

The shift places OpenAI closer to traditional digital platform business models, raising broader questions about how commercial incentives may shape conversational AI systems as they become central gateways to online information.

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China’s AI battle heats up with Moonshot AI’s Kimi 2.5 upgrade

Moonshot AI has released an upgraded version of its Kimi model, intensifying competition among China’s leading AI developers. The launch comes ahead of an anticipated major release from rival DeepSeek.

The new model, K2.5, can process text, images, and video within a single prompt. Moonshot said the system improves performance across benchmarks and strengthens coding capabilities.

Several AI firms in China have rolled out upgrades in recent weeks. Companies including Alibaba, Zhipu, and MiniMax have introduced new models focused on reasoning, images, and robotics.

Investment has surged alongside the technology push. Moonshot recently raised $500 million, while rivals secured more than $1 billion through listings and funding rounds.

Analysts say the rapid pace highlights mounting pressure across the Chinese AI sector. Smaller developers are struggling to keep up with rising costs and the pace of innovation.

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Crypto payments edge closer to everyday retail

Cryptocurrency payments are entering mainstream US commerce as rising customer demand drives more merchants to accept digital assets at checkout.

New research from the National Cryptocurrency Association and PayPal shows that 39% of merchants already accept crypto, while 84% expect it to become a standard payment method within five years.

Customer demand is driving adoption, with 88% of merchants receiving crypto payment enquiries and 69% reporting monthly interest from customers.

Many businesses view crypto as a tool for expansion, with 79% believing it can help attract new customers, while those already accepting crypto report rising transaction volumes and stronger engagement.

Large enterprises lead adoption, with half of firms earning over $500 million accepting crypto, compared with about one-third of smaller businesses. Among adopters, crypto accounts for 26% of sales, while 72% report annual growth, underscoring its shift toward a practical payment method.

Younger consumers are driving much of the momentum, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, while sectors such as hospitality, travel, digital goods, gaming, and e-commerce are seeing the fastest uptake.

Despite strong interest, simplicity remains a key barrier, as 90% of merchants say they would adopt crypto if setup and usage matched the ease of traditional card payments.

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Facial recognition and AI power Android’s new theft protection upgrades

Android is rolling out expanded theft protection features aimed at reducing financial fraud and safeguarding personal data when smartphones are stolen, with new security controls now available across recent device versions.

The latest updates introduce stronger protections against unauthorised access, including tighter lockout rules after failed authentication attempts and broader biometric safeguards covering third-party apps such as banking services and password managers.

Recovery tools are also being enhanced, with remote locking now offering optional security challenges to ensure only verified owners can secure lost or stolen devices through web access.

For new Android devices activated in Brazil, AI-powered theft detection and remote locking are enabled by default, using on-device intelligence to identify snatch-and-run incidents and immediately lock the screen.

The expanded protections reflect a broader shift towards multi-layered mobile security, as device makers respond to rising phone theft linked to identity fraud, financial crime, and data exploitation.

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UNESCO ethics framework guides national AI roadmap in Lao PDR

Lao PDR has unveiled plans for a national AI strategy guided by UNESCO’s ethics framework to support responsible and inclusive digital development. The framework will inform policy design across governance, education, infrastructure, and economic transformation.

The assessment outlines Laos’ readiness to govern AI, noting progress in digital policy alongside gaps in access, skills, and research capacity. Officials stressed the need for homegrown AI solutions that respect culture, reduce inequality, and deliver broad social benefit.

UNESCO and the UN Country Team said the strategy aligns with Laos’ broader digital transformation goals under its 10th development plan. The initiative aims to improve coordination, increase R&D investment, and modernise education to support ethical AI deployment.

Lao PDR joins 77 countries worldwide using UNESCO’s tools to shape national AI policies, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable innovation, ethical governance, and inclusive growth as artificial intelligence becomes central to future development.

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India considers social media bans for children under 16

India is emerging as a potential test case for age-based social media restrictions as several states examine Australia-style bans on children’s access to platforms.

Goa and Andhra Pradesh are studying whether to prohibit social media use for those under 16, citing growing concerns over online safety and youth well-being. The debate has also reached the judiciary, with the Madras High Court urging the federal government to consider similar measures.

The proposals carry major implications for global technology companies, given that India’s internet population exceeds one billion users and continues to skew young.

Platforms such as Meta, Google and X rely heavily on India for long-term growth, advertising revenue and user expansion. Industry voices argue parental oversight is more effective than government bans, warning that restrictions could push minors towards unregulated digital spaces.

Australia’s under-16 ban, which entered force in late 2025, has already exposed enforcement difficulties, particularly around age verification and privacy risks. Determining users’ ages accurately remains challenging, while digital identity systems raise concerns about data security and surveillance.

Legal experts note that internet governance falls under India’s federal authority, limiting what individual states can enforce without central approval.

Although the data protection law of India includes safeguards for children, full implementation will extend through 2027, leaving policymakers to balance child protection, platform accountability and unintended consequences.

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Anthropic CEO warns of civilisation-level AI risk

Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei has issued a stark warning that superhuman AI could inflict civilisation-level damage unless governments and industry act far more quickly and seriously.

In a forthcoming essay, Amodei argues humanity is approaching a critical transition that will test whether political, social and technological systems are mature enough to handle unprecedented power.

Amodei believes AI systems will soon outperform humans across nearly every field, describing a future ‘country of geniuses in a data centre’ capable of autonomous and continuous creation.

He warns that such systems could rival nation-states in influence, accelerating economic disruption while placing extraordinary power in the hands of a small number of actors.

Among the gravest dangers, Amodei highlights mass displacement of white-collar jobs, rising biological security risks and the empowerment of authoritarian governments through advanced surveillance and control.

He also cautions that AI companies themselves pose systemic risks due to their control over frontier models, infrastructure and user attention at a global scale.

Despite the severity of his concerns, Amodei maintains cautious optimism, arguing that meaningful governance, transparency and public engagement could still steer AI development towards beneficial outcomes.

Without urgent action, however, he warns that financial incentives and political complacency may override restraint during the most consequential technological shift humanity has faced.

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