ai Archives | Page 20 of 364 | Digital Watch Observatory

Agentic AI network slicing launches in 5G Advanced with Nokia and AWS

Nokia and Amazon Web Services have introduced what they describe as the first agentic AI-powered network slicing solution operating in commercial 5G-Advanced networks. Early pilot projects with du and Orange are already underway, marking the transition from laboratory testing to commercial deployment.

For an extended period, network slicing has been presented as a way to tailor connectivity to the needs of enterprises and end users, yet static configurations have until now limited its commercial impact. A more autonomous approach is now being tested, designed to convert operational intent directly into concrete network actions.

The joint system combines Nokia’s network slicing portfolio with AI services delivered via the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Bedrock platform. Software agents analyse real-time data, including traffic levels, location information, and significant events, and automatically adjust radio access network policies. However, this enables capacity to be prioritised in response to congestion, emergencies, or large gatherings.

Enterprise use is central to the deployment. Campuses, factories, and urban areas can receive connectivity aligned with predefined service level targets (SLAs), while public safety teams can activate dedicated network slices during critical incidents. Premium consumer services, such as gaming and streaming, may also benefit from more stable performance during peak demand periods.

The solution spans the radio, transport, and core networks and will be showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2026. Commercial success will depend on whether intent-based slicing can transform what has long been a promised feature into a sustainable and scalable revenue source for operators.

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EU faces renewed pressure to ease industrial AI rules

European governments are renewing pressure to scale back industrial AI rules rather than expand regulatory demands.

Ten countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland, have urged the EU to clarify how the AI Act overlaps with machinery law and to adopt more realistic implementation deadlines. Their position is even more surprising, given that the legislation already outlines its relationship with existing industrial frameworks.

Parliament’s centre and centre-right groups are pushing for deeper cuts. The European People’s Party wants all industrial sectors to move to a lighter regime, while Renew is advocating broad exemptions for industrial and business-to-business AI.

The European Conservatives and Reformers are also seeking reductions for non-safety-related systems. Together, the three groups edge close to a parliamentary majority, signalling momentum for a broader deregulation push.

No sweeping changes have been added to the AI omnibus so far, yet policymakers expect more adjustments ahead. The package must be finalised by August, so legislators are focused on meeting the deadline instead of reopening primary debates.

Broader revisions to industrial AI rules are likely to reappear in the Commission’s forthcoming Digital Fitness Check, which will reassess how multiple EU tech laws interact.

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ChatGPT Health under fire after study finds major failures in emergency detection

A new evaluation of ChatGPT Health has raised major safety concerns after researchers found it frequently failed to recognise urgent medical emergencies.

The independent study, published in Nature Medicine, reported that the system under-triaged more than half of the clinical scenarios tested, giving advice that could have delayed life-saving treatment.

The research team, led by Ashwin Ramaswamy, created sixty patient simulations ranging from minor illnesses to life-threatening conditions.

Three doctors agreed on the appropriate urgency for each case before comparing their judgement with the model’s responses. The AI performed adequately in straightforward emergencies such as strokes, yet frequently minimised danger in more complex presentations, including severe asthma and diabetic crises.

Experts also warned that ChatGPT Health struggled to detect suicidal ideation reliably. Minor changes to scenario details, such as adding normal lab results, caused safeguards to disappear entirely.

Critics, including health-misinformation researcher Alex Ruani, described the behaviour as dangerously inconsistent and capable of creating a false sense of security.

OpenAI said the study did not reflect typical real-world use but acknowledged the need for continued research and improvement.

Policy specialists argue that the findings underline the need for clear safety standards, external audits and stronger transparency requirements for AI systems operating in sensitive medical contexts.

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Scotland considers new offence for AI intimate images

The Scottish government has launched a consultation proposing a specific criminal offence for creating AI-generated intimate images without consent. Existing Scots law covers the sharing of such photos, but ministers in Scotland say gaps remain around their creation.

The consultation in Scotland also seeks views on criminalising digital tools designed solely to produce intimate images and videos. Ministers aim to address harms linked to emerging AI technologies affecting women and girls across Scotland.

Additional proposals in Scotland include a statutory aggravation where domestic abuse involves a pregnant woman, requiring courts to treat such cases more seriously at sentencing. Measures to strengthen protections against spiking offences are also under review in Scotland.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said responses in Scotland would inform future action to reduce violence against women and girls. The consultation also considers changes to non-harassment orders and examines whether further laws on non-fatal strangulation are needed in Scotland.

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Uni.lu expert urges schools to embrace AI

AI should be integrated into classrooms in Luxembourg rather than avoided, according to Gilbert Busana of the University of Luxembourg. Speaking to RTL Today in Luxembourg, he said ignoring AI would be a disservice to pupils and teachers alike.

Busana argued that AI should be taught both as a standalone subject and across disciplines in Luxembourg schools. Clear guidelines are needed to define when and how pupils may use AI, alongside transparency about its role in assignments.

He stressed that developing AI literacy in Luxembourg is essential to protect critical thinking. Assessment methods may shift away from focusing solely on final outputs towards evaluating the learning process itself.

Teachers in Luxembourg are increasingly becoming coaches rather than simple transmitters of knowledge. Busana said continuous professional training and collaboration within schools in Luxembourg will be vital as AI reshapes education.

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Kyoto researchers introduce AI monk to support Buddhist rituals

Researchers at Kyoto University have presented an AI robot monk designed to assist with religious ceremonies and spiritual guidance. The prototype, revealed at Shoren-in temple, demonstrates how robotics and faith traditions may coexist.

Equipped with an AI system based on Buddhist scriptures, the robot answers questions about personal struggles and wider social concerns. During a demonstration, it offered reflective advice while performing gestures such as bowing and placing its palms together.

Developers combined a chatbot powered by modern language technology with movements from an existing humanoid robot built by a Chinese manufacturer. Careful programming aimed to reproduce calm behaviour associated with traditional monks.

Japan faces a gradual decline in the number of active temples and clergy, encouraging the exploration of technological support within religious life. Project leaders believe the AI monk could represent a significant shift in preserving spiritual services for future communities.

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Heineken appoints new technology chief to lead AI transformation

Brewer Heineken has appointed Romain Apert as chief digital and technology officer, placing AI at the forefront of efforts to simplify operations and drive transformation. He will join the company’s executive team on 15 May.

Apert joins from Mars, where he served as chief information officer for the petcare division, bringing extensive experience in global technology leadership. He succeeds Ronald den Elzen, who leaves the company after a 31-year career.

The appointment forms part of Heineken’s strategy to use technology and data to streamline processes and strengthen efficiency across the business. AI is expected to play a central role in supporting these ambitions.

Company leadership views digital innovation as essential to future growth as the brewer continues modernising its operations worldwide. The transition marks a new phase in embedding technology deeper into Heineken’s organisational strategy.

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Vertical power delivery cuts energy loss in AI processor designs

A EEWorld report explains how vertical power delivery (VPD) architectures are emerging as a response to the escalating power demands of modern AI processors (GPUs, ASICs and accelerators).

Traditional power-delivery networks (PDNs) route current laterally across circuit boards from external voltage regulators, which introduces resistance and inductance losses and generates excess heat, problems that worsen at the very high current levels typical of AI workloads.

In contrast, vertical power delivery relocates DC-DC converters and regulators beneath the processor, reducing the electrical path between the supply and load.

However, this reduces resistance and parasitic inductance, cutting I²R losses and improving transient response, critical for AI chips that experience rapid current shifts during computation. The cleaner power paths also help isolate high-speed signal traces from noise, enhancing signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility.

Additional benefits include freed top-side board space for memory, optics and other components, which supports higher integration density without expanding board area. However, VPD introduces challenges such as thermal management and height constraints under the processor, requiring advanced packaging and heat-spreading solutions.

Emerging voltage-regulator technologies aim to match the speed of embedded regulators while avoiding their limitations in efficiency and die area consumption.

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Vietnamese AI firm Namitech provides live translation support at Nikkei Digital Forum in Asia 2026

At the Nikkei Digital Forum in Asia 2026, held in Vietnam, local technology company Namitech showcased its AI-powered translation platform to deliver real-time language support for delegates, speakers and international attendees.

The system aimed to automatically translate speeches and discussions across languages such as Vietnamese, English and Japanese, enhancing accessibility and communication in a multilingual business context.

Namitech’s AI solution combines speech-to-text, natural language processing and translation models to provide near-instant interpretation, reducing reliance on traditional human interpreters and lowering language barriers at high-profile forums.

Organisers and participants highlighted the convenience and effectiveness of the tool, noting smoother engagement for non-native speakers and more inclusive participation.

The deployment reflects broader regional interest in AI-driven language technologies to support business, diplomacy and cross-border collaboration in Asia.

It also highlights Vietnam’s growing role in domestic AI development and its integration into international platforms, aligning with efforts to adopt digital tools that facilitate global dialogue and economic integration.

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AI transforming the factory floor with smart automation and real-time oversight

According to industrial technology reporting, AI is being integrated across factory floor operations to improve efficiency, safety and productivity. Key applications include predictive maintenance, quality inspection, workflow optimisation and human-AI collaboration tools.

Machine learning models analyse sensor data from equipment (motors, conveyors, robots) to forecast failures before they occur, reducing unplanned downtime and lowering maintenance costs. Computer vision AI inspects products at high speed, detecting defects with greater accuracy than human inspection and enabling real-time corrective action.

AI systems analyse production workflows to identify bottlenecks, recommend adjustments to schedules and resource allocation, and help balance workload across stations. Augmented reality and AI assistants support factory workers with contextual guidance, safety alerts and hands-free documentation during complex tasks.

Manufacturers adopting these systems report gains in production reliability, reduced scrap rates and more flexible responsiveness to demand variability. However, the report notes challenges around data quality, legacy equipment integration and workforce upskilling.

Ensuring that AI tools are transparent and explainable for operators, rather than opaque ‘black box’ systems, is also highlighted as necessary for trust and operational safety.

These trends reflect a broader shift toward ‘smart factories’ within the framework of Industry 4.0, where digital tools across hardware, networks, data analytics and AI collaborate to support lean, adaptive and resilient manufacturing systems.

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