ai

CraftGPT: Language model built in Minecraft

A Minecraft creator known as Sammyuri has unveiled CraftGPT, an in-game language model powered entirely by redstone circuits. Built from nearly 439 million blocks, the project turns Minecraft into a working simulation of AI.

CraftGPT was trained on a tiny dataset called TinyChat, containing only 64 tokens—a minuscule amount compared to the billions used by modern large language models. Despite its simplicity, it demonstrates how AI can turn input into structured responses.

The model works by translating player inputs into redstone signals that flow through logic gates and memory circuits. It’s a creative and educational blend of engineering and imagination, showing how fundamental AI concepts can be explored inside a virtual game world.

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NVIDIA AI Day Sydney showcases Australia’s growing role in global AI innovation

Australia took centre stage in the global AI landscape last week as NVIDIA AI Day Sydney gathered over a thousand participants to explore the nation’s path toward sovereign AI.

The event, held at ICC Sydney Theatre, featured discussions on agentic and physical AI, robotics and AI factories, highlighting how the next generation of computing is driving transformation across sectors.

Industry leaders, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Canva and emerging startups, joined NVIDIA executives to discuss how advanced computing and AI are shaping innovation.

Brendan Hopper of the Commonwealth Bank praised NVIDIA’s role in expanding Australia’s AI ecosystem through infrastructure, partnerships and education.

Speakers such as Giuseppe Barca of QDX Technologies emphasised how AI, high-performance computing and quantum research are redefining scientific progress.

With over 600 NVIDIA Inception startups and more than 20 universities using NVIDIA technologies, Australia’s AI ecosystem is expanding rapidly. Partners like Firmus Technologies, ResetData and SHARON AI underscored how AI Day Sydney demonstrated the nation’s readiness to become a regional AI hub.

The event also hosted Australia’s first ‘Startup, VC and Partner Connect’, linking entrepreneurs, investors and government officials to accelerate collaboration.

Presentations from quantum and healthcare innovators, alongside hands-on NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute sessions, showcased real-world AI applications from generative design to medical transcription.

NVIDIA’s Sudarshan Ramachandran said Australia’s combination of high-performance computing heritage, visual effects expertise and emerging robotics sector positions it to lead in the AI era.

Through collaboration and infrastructure investment, he said, the country is building a thriving ecosystem that supports discovery, sustainability and economic growth.

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South Korea moves to lead the AI era with OpenAI’s economic blueprint

Poised to become a global AI powerhouse, South Korea has the right foundations in place: advanced semiconductor production, robust digital infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce.

OpenAI’s new Economic Blueprint for Korea sets out how the nation can turn those strengths into broad, inclusive growth through scaled and trusted AI adoption.

The blueprint builds on South Korea’s growing momentum in frontier technology.

Following OpenAI’s first Asia–Pacific country partnership, initiatives such as Stargate with Samsung and SK aim to expand advanced memory supply and explore next-generation AI data centres alongside the Ministry of Science and ICT.

A new OpenAI office in Seoul, along with collaboration with Seoul National University, further signals the country’s commitment to becoming an AI hub.

A strategy that rests on two complementary paths: building sovereign AI capabilities in infrastructure, data governance, and GPU supply, while also deepening cooperation with frontier developers like OpenAI.

The aim is to enhance operational maturity and cost efficiency across key industries, including semiconductors, shipbuilding, healthcare, and education.

By combining domestic expertise with global partnerships, South Korea could boost productivity, improve welfare services, and foster regional growth beyond Seoul. With decisive action, the nation stands ready to transform from a fast adopter into a global standard-setter for safe, scalable AI systems.

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Amelia brings heads-up guidance to Amazon couriers

Amazon unveiled ‘Amelia’ AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers with a built-in display and camera, paired to a vest with a photo button, now piloting with hundreds of drivers across more than a dozen partners.

Designed for last-mile efficiency, Amelia can auto-shut down when a vehicle moves to prevent distraction, includes a hardware kill switch for the camera and mic, and aims to save about 30 minutes per 8–10-hour shift by streamlining repetitive tasks.

Initial availability is planned for the US market and the rest of North America before global expansion, with Amazon emphasizing that Amelia is custom-built for drivers, though consumer versions aren’t ruled out. Pilots involve real routes and live deliveries to customers.

Amazon also showcased a warehouse robotic arm to sort parcels faster and more safely, as well as an AI orchestration system that ingests real-time and historical data to predict bottlenecks, propose fixes, and keep fulfillment operations running smoothly.

The move joins a broader push into wearables from Big Tech. Unlike Meta’s consumer-oriented Ray-Ban smart glasses, Amelia targets enterprise use, promising faster package location, fewer taps, and tighter integration with Amazon’s delivery workflow.

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OpenAI outlines Japan’s AI Blueprint for inclusive economic growth

A new Japan Economic Blueprint released by OpenAI sets out how AI can power innovation, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity across the country. The plan estimates that AI could add more than ¥100 trillion to Japan’s economy and raise GDP by up to 16%.

Centred on inclusive access, infrastructure, and education, the Blueprint calls for equal AI opportunities for citizens and small businesses, national investment in semiconductors and renewable energy, and expanded lifelong learning to build an adaptive workforce.

AI is already reshaping Japanese industries from manufacturing and healthcare to education and public administration. Factories reduce inspection costs, schools use ChatGPT Edu for personalised teaching, and cities from Saitama to Fukuoka employ AI to enhance local services.

OpenAI suggests that the focus of Japan on ethical and human-centred innovation could make it a model for responsible AI governance. By aligning digital and green priorities, the report envisions technology driving creativity, equality, and shared prosperity across generations.

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Large language models mimic human object perception

Recent research shows that large multimodal language models (LLMs) can develop object representations strikingly similar to human cognition. By analysing how these AI models understand and organise concepts, scientists found patterns in the models that mirror neural activity in the human brain.

The study examined embeddings for 1,854 natural objects, derived from millions of text-image pairings. These embeddings capture relationships between objects and were compared with brain scan data from regions like EBA, PPA, RSC and FFA.

Researchers also discovered that multimodal training, which combines text and image data, enhances model’s ability to form these human-like concepts. Findings suggest that large language models can achieve more natural understanding of the world, offering potential improvements in human-AI interaction and future model design.

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EU pushes harder on basic digital skills for growth

Nearly half of EU adults lack basic digital skills, yet most jobs demand them. Eurostat reports only 56% have at least basic proficiency. EU Code Week spotlights the urgency for digital literacy and inclusion.

The Digital Education Action Plan aims to modernise curricula, improve infrastructure, and train teachers. EU policymakers target 80% of adults with basic skills by 2030. Midway progress suggests stronger national action is still required.

Progress remains uneven across regions, with rural connectivity still lagging in places. Belgium began a school smartphone ban across Flanders from 1 September to curb distractions. Educators now balance classroom technology with attention and safety.

Brussels proposed a Union of Skills strategy to align education and competitiveness. The EU also earmarked fresh funding for AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Families and schools are urged to develop unplugged problem-solving alongside classroom learning.

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Deepfake targeting Irish presidential candidate sparks election integrity warning

Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly condemned a deepfake AI video that falsely announced her withdrawal from the race. The clip, designed to resemble an RTÉ News broadcast, spread online before being reported and removed from major social media platforms.

Connolly said the video was a disgraceful effort to mislead voters and damage democracy. Her campaign team filed a complaint with the Irish Electoral Commission and requested that all copies be clearly labelled as fake.

Experts at Dublin City University identified slight distortions in speech and lighting as signs of AI manipulation. They warned that the rapid spread of synthetic videos underscores weak content moderation by online platforms.

Connolly urged the public not to share the clip and to respond through civic participation. Authorities are monitoring digital interference as Ireland prepares for its presidential vote on Friday.

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Amazon launches Blue Jay and Project Eluna to support employees

Amazon has unveiled two new innovations, Blue Jay and Project Eluna, designed to improve efficiency and safety in its operations. Blue Jay coordinates multiple arms to handle items in one workspace, reducing repetitive tasks and supporting employees.

Project Eluna is an agentic AI model that helps operators make data-driven decisions, anticipating bottlenecks and optimising workflows.

Blue Jay uses robotics experience, AI, and digital twin simulations to go from concept to production in just over a year. It is being tested in South Carolina, managing 75% of items and could support Amazon’s Same-Day delivery network.

Project Eluna will pilot in Tennessee, offering operators clear recommendations and reducing the cognitive load of monitoring multiple dashboards.

These systems aim to enhance the employee experience by improving ergonomics, reducing repetitive tasks, and opening new career pathways. Amazon is expanding robotics, mechatronics, and AI training so employees can work confidently with these technologies.

Blue Jay and Project Eluna join other recent innovations, including Vulcan, a robot with a sense of touch, and DeepFleet, an AI model coordinating fleets of mobile robots.

Tye Brady, Amazon Robotics chief technologist, emphasised that the focus remains on people. AI and robotics integration aims to enhance workplace safety, efficiency, and fulfillment, reflecting Amazon’s focus on workforce development and technological progress.

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AI leaders call for a global pause in superintelligence development

More than 850 public figures, including leading computer scientists Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, have signed a joint statement urging a global slowdown in the development of artificial superintelligence.

The open letter warns that unchecked progress could lead to human economic displacement, loss of freedom, and even extinction.

An appeal that follows growing anxiety that the rush toward machines surpassing human cognition could spiral beyond human control. Alan Turing predicted as early as the 1950s that machines might eventually dominate by default, a view that continues to resonate among AI researchers today.

Despite such fears, global powers still view the AI race as essential for national security and technological advancement.

Tech firms like Meta are also exploiting the superintelligence label to promote their most ambitious models, while leaders such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Microsoft’s Mustafa Suleyman have previously acknowledged the existential risks of developing systems beyond human understanding.

The statement calls for an international prohibition on superintelligence research until there is a broad scientific consensus on safety and public approval.

Its signatories include technologists, academics, religious figures, and cultural personalities, reflecting a rare cross-sector demand for restraint in an era defined by rapid automation.

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