Researchers are currently developing AI tools to help predict and manage future pandemics, which some experts believe will likely within the next decade. Teams from UC Irvine and UCLΑ, part of the US National Science Foundation’s Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention grant programme, are working on an AI-based early warning system that analyses social media posts to detect early signs of outbreaks. They aim to track billions of posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to identify public health trends and assess the potential outcomes of public health policies. However, the reliance on specific platforms and US-focused data limits its global application. Researchers are working to expand its reach.
Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford have created a tool called EVEScape, which predicts virus mutations. This tool helps in developing vaccines and treatment strategies. Pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca are also utilising AI to accelerate the discovery of antibodies, which could potentially reduce the response time to new viral threats. These initiatives demonstrate how AI can enhance pandemic response by providing faster and more accurate data for decision-making.
“Despite its potential, experts warn that the effectiveness of AI depends on the quality of the data it receives. Biases or misrepresentations in the data could lead to skewed results, and there are ethical and fairness concerns. Although AI can improve preparedness and response times, human judgement, trust, and collaboration are essential for effectively managing future pandemics.”
WhatsApp is set to enhance its AI features with a two-way voice chat option. Users will soon interact with the Meta AI chatbot using voices of public figures, including well-known celebrities. The update will allow for more personalised and engaging communication experiences.
A recent beta update revealed that the voice feature will offer a range of options, including different accents and pitches. Users can select from various voices, possibly from both UK and US accents, though exact details remain unclear. The feature is designed to add a custom touch to AI interactions.
Meta previously introduced AI personalities on Messenger that mirrored celebrities and influencers. The new voice chat feature on WhatsApp builds on those efforts, bringing further AI-driven experiences to its user base.
Upon launch, the feature will display a simple interface with a prominent ‘Meta AI’ label, providing easy access to the voice options. Lastly, this marks another step forward for WhatsApp in delivering innovative AI solutions for users.
Connectly, a startup specialising in conversational commerce through AI-driven personalised messaging has secured $20 million in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Alibaba and included participation from several notable investors, such as Unusual Ventures and Volpe Capital. This new investment boosts Connectly’s total funding to $37.2 million and brings its valuation close to $100 million.
The funds will be used to advance AI research and support Connectly’s expansion into the US and European markets. Additionally, the company plans to strengthen its engineering presence in Greece, aiming to make it a key hub alongside San Francisco. Connectly, a company that uses AI models to help retailers enhance customer engagement and drive sales, has experienced significant growth in the past year.
The successful funding round follows Connectly’s launch of its advanced AI recommendation tool, ‘Sofia AI,’ and its expansion into the US market. The partnership with Alibaba is expected to accelerate Connectly’s global reach further, integrating its AI solutions into Alibaba’s international e-commerce platforms. With plans to grow its workforce to 80 by year-end and a current client base of 300, Connectly is well-positioned to continue its impactful growth in the retail industry.
Adobe has announced the upcoming release of a generative AI-powered video creation tool named Adobe Firefly Video Model. Scheduled for a limited beta release later this year, this tool will extend Adobe’s Firefly suite, which currently includes applications for generating still images and designs. The new model will allow users to create a five-second video clip from a single text or image prompt, with options to specify camera angles, motion, and zoom.
The introduction of this tool marks Adobe’s entry into the competitive AI video generation market, which already features offerings from companies like OpenAI and Stability AI. Adobe aims to differentiate itself by focusing on quality and user-guided prompt understanding, addressing specific needs of videographers.
Adobe assures that the model is trained exclusively on public domain or licensed content from its Adobe Stock database, which includes 400 million curated images and videos, avoiding any intellectual property issues. Additionally, Adobe is launching Generative Extend, a feature for Premiere Pro that extends video clips by generating content to fill gaps.
Top executives from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are set to meet with senior US officials at the White House to discuss the energy infrastructure needed to support the growing demand for AI. The meeting will bring together key figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google’s Ruth Porat, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, along with government representatives such as Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Discussions are expected to focus on how the US can strengthen its AI leadership while managing the strain on energy resources.
The Biden administration, led by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and other top officials, is pushing for the construction of more data centres in the US while ensuring that AI is developed responsibly. A White House spokesperson emphasised the government’s commitment to balancing technological advancement with national energy demands.
The rise of generative AI, which can produce text, images, and videos, has highlighted its potential benefits and risks. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday tasks, it raises concerns about energy consumption, with technology companies vying for an increasingly limited supply of electricity to fuel their AI and cloud computing operations.
TechUK calls on the government to address the critical issue of digital adoption among SMEs, which has been identified as a major barrier to economic growth and competitiveness. The organisation’s recent report underscores that over a quarter of UK SMEs still lack basic digital tools, impeding their productivity and ability to integrate advanced technologies like AI. By prioritising SME digitisation, the government can help close this gap, potentially adding up to £232 billion to the UK economy and enhancing the country’s position as a leading global economy.
To achieve this, TechUK recommends implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes creating a cross-departmental Forum to coordinate digital initiatives, appointing a Minister specifically responsible for digitisation, and developing a detailed digital adoption plan with clear targets for 2030. Expanding the Made Smarter Adoption programme to cover a broader range of sectors is crucial for ensuring that SMEs receive the necessary support to embrace digital technologies and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
TechUK urges the government to prioritise digital adoption to keep UK businesses competitive. Without basic tools, SMEs struggle with advanced technologies like AI. A strong support framework is needed to help SMEs overcome these challenges and embrace future tech.
DISG and AI Singapore are spearheading an expanded phase of the ‘Upskill with Meta’ programme, which now emphasises AI to support better small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and students. The initiative, aligned with the Digital Enterprise Blueprint launched by Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), aims to empower 500 businesses and 4,500 students with advanced digital skills.
The programme is designed to address SMBs’ challenges in effectively leveraging AI and machine learning technologies, offering targeted training to help them integrate these tools into their operations.
The initiative by DISG and AI Singapore is part of a broader effort to demystify AI for SMBs. The goal is to make AI more accessible and less intimidating for non-technical users, thereby fostering confidence in using these technologies. The expanded programme includes masterclasses on AI-driven strategies for marketing, customer support, and business messaging tools, providing practical skills that SMBs can directly apply to enhance their capabilities and innovate within their industries.
This expansion complements other government-led efforts, such as the generative AI (GenAI) Sandbox programme, which allows SMEs to gain hands-on experience with AI technologies. By supporting these initiatives, DISG and AI Singapore aim to build a digitally resilient workforce and ensure that every sector is included in the digital transformation process.
SoftBank Corp. and Nokia have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership to advance communication technologies, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 10 September 2024. This collaboration focuses on developing AI-driven Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN) and exploring 6G technologies. Leveraging Nokia’s virtualised Cloud RAN platform and conducting field tests with centimetre waves, which are crucial for 6G, the partnership aims to push the boundaries of current communication systems.
The joint effort by SoftBank and Nokia is set to transform connectivity by delivering faster, more flexible, and wider-range solutions. This innovation could revolutionise various sectors, such as smart cities, industrial automation, and new business models. The goal is to address the growing demand for high-speed and adaptable communication networks, significantly impacting societal and economic landscapes.
In this collaboration, SoftBank will apply its extensive experience as a network operator, while Nokia will contribute its global leadership in network technologies. Together, they aim to achieve high-speed, reliable, and elastic communication networks, addressing the challenges of the digital society and advancing the telecommunications industry.
European Commission recommendations from Mario Draghi’s report focus on transforming the telecom sector through regulatory and financial reforms. The report advocates for easing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to enable market consolidation, expected to drive economies of scale and enhance investment capacity.
It also proposes redefining telecom markets at the EU level and standardising spectrum licensing rules to improve efficiency and competition across Europe. These changes aim to create a more robust and innovative telecom environment that can better meet the demands of the digital age.
In addition to telecom sector reforms, the European Commission report highlights the need for ‘commercial investment sharing’ to address the financial impact of high data traffic from major tech firms. It suggests that large online platforms, such as Amazon and Google, should contribute to the costs of telecom infrastructure investments. That proposal seeks to balance the burden on telecom operators with the benefits derived from these tech giants’ extensive use of their networks. By implementing this approach, the report aims to ensure that the costs of maintaining and expanding network capacity are more equitably shared.
Furthermore, the European Commission outlines strategies for advancing digital infrastructure and technology. The report calls for creating an EU-level body to develop uniform technical standards for network APIs and edge computing. It also recommends expanding high-performance computing (HPC) resources and investing in AI through public-private partnerships. These measures are designed to enhance Europe’s technological capabilities and foster innovation. Additionally, the report emphasises the need for sovereign cloud solutions and reducing dependencies on non-EU tech providers by boosting domestic production in critical areas such as semiconductors. These initiatives aim to strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure and ensure a more resilient and competitive tech ecosystem.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), the leading privacy watchdog for many US tech firms in the EU, is investigating Google’s handling of user data. The inquiry will examine whether Google sufficiently protected the personal information of the EU citizens before using it to develop its advanced AI model, Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2). The investigation is part of a broader effort by the DPC, working alongside other EU regulators to ensure compliance with data protection laws, especially in developing AI technologies.
