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AI Darth Vader in Fortnite sparks union dispute

The use of an AI-generated Darth Vader voice in Fortnite has triggered a legal dispute between SAG-AFTRA and Epic Games.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, the actors’ union filed an unfair labor practice complaint, claiming it was not informed or consulted about the decision to use an artificial voice model in the game.

In Fortnite’s Galactic Battle season, players who defeat Darth Vader in Battle Royale can recruit him, triggering limited voice interactions powered by conversational AI.

The voice used stems from a licensing agreement with the estate of James Earl Jones, who retired in 2022 and granted rights for AI use of his iconic performance.

While Epic Games has confirmed it had legal permission to use Jones’ voice, SAG-AFTRA alleges the company bypassed union protocols by not informing them or offering the role to a human actor.

The outcome of this dispute could have broader implications for how AI voices are integrated into video games and media going forward, particularly regarding labor rights and union oversight.

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Google releases NotebookLM app early

Google has launched its AI-powered research assistant, NotebookLM, on Android and iOS a day earlier than expected and just ahead of its annual I/O developer conference.

Until now, the service was only available on desktop, but users can now access its full features while on the move.

NotebookLM helps users understand complex content by offering intelligent summaries and allowing them to ask questions directly about their documents.

A standout feature, Audio Overviews, creates AI-generated podcast-style summaries from uploaded materials and supports offline listening and background playback.

Mobile users can now create and manage notebooks directly from their devices. Instead of limiting content sources, the app enables users to add websites, PDFs, or YouTube videos by simply tapping the share icon and selecting NotebookLM.

It also offers easy access to previously added sources and adapts its appearance to match the device’s light or dark mode settings.

With the release timed just before Google’s keynote, it’s likely the company will highlight NotebookLM’s capabilities further during the I/O 2025 presentation.

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Taiwan boosts AI power with Nvidia supercomputer

Nvidia and Foxconn have announced plans to build a major AI factory supercomputer in Taiwan, backed by the Taiwanese government.

The facility, powered by 10,000 of Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs, will be delivered through Foxconn’s Big Innovation Company and will support researchers, start-ups, and industry.

Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council will use the platform to provide real-time AI cloud computing resources across its tech ecosystem. TSMC researchers also plan to utilise the infrastructure to drive innovation in semiconductor development.

The announcement highlights Nvidia’s growing ties with Taiwanese companies and reflects the strategic importance of AI to Taiwan’s technological ambitions. Leaders from Nvidia, Foxconn, and TSMC described the project as a step towards creating a smarter, AI-enabled island economy.

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Lords reject UK AI copyright bill again

The UK government has suffered a second defeat in the House of Lords over its Data (Use and Access) Bill, as peers once again backed a copyright-focused amendment aimed at protecting artists from AI content scraping.

Baroness Kidron, a filmmaker and digital rights advocate, led the charge, accusing ministers of listening to the ‘sweet whisperings of Silicon Valley’ and allowing tech firms to ‘redefine theft’ by exploiting copyrighted material without permission.

Her amendment would force AI companies to disclose their training data sources and obtain consent from rights holders.

The government had previously rejected this amendment, arguing it would lead to ‘piecemeal’ legislation and pre-empt ongoing consultations.

But Kidron’s position was strongly supported across party lines, with peers calling the current AI practices ‘burglary’ and warning of catastrophic damage to the UK’s creative sector.

High-profile artists like Sir Elton John, Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, and Kate Bush have condemned the government’s stance, with Sir Elton branding ministers ‘losers’ and accusing them of enabling theft.

Peers from Labour, the Lib Dems, the Conservatives, and the crossbenches united to defend UK copyright law, calling the government’s actions a betrayal of the country’s leadership in intellectual property rights.

Labour’s Lord Brennan warned against a ‘double standard’ for AI firms, while Lord Berkeley insisted immediate action was needed to prevent long-term harm.

Technology Minister Baroness Jones countered that no country has resolved the AI-copyright dilemma and warned that the amendment would only create more regulatory confusion.

Nonetheless, peers voted overwhelmingly in favour of Kidron’s proposal—287 to 118—sending the bill back to the Commons with a strengthened demand for transparency and copyright safeguards.

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AI at 45W: Neuchips showcases energy-saving chips for LLMs

As global energy demand surges alongside AI growth, Neuchips is stepping up with energy-efficient solutions that deliver high performance while reducing power consumption.

The company will showcase its latest innovations at COMPUTEX 2025, including its Viper series AI accelerator cards, capable of running a 14-billion parameter model at just 45 watts — roughly the same power as a standard light bulb.

The announcement follows an International Energy Agency (IEA) report projecting that electricity demand from AI-powered data centers will more than quadruple by 2030. Neuchips CEO Ken Lau emphasised that power-efficient AI is now a necessity, not a luxury.

Neuchips’ hardware supports models like Mistral Small 3, Llama 3.3, and Gemma 3, offering offline LLM inference that enhances data privacy. Its solutions are compatible with both Intel and AMD CPUs, and run on Ubuntu and Windows.

The company is expanding its reach through several key partnerships. With Taiwan’s National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC), Neuchips is delivering energy-efficient AI to the cloud while ensuring data security and cost efficiency.

Collaborating with MAPLE LEAF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY and Vecow, the company offers compact AI systems that operate without requiring additional power infrastructure.

In partnership with GSH’s ShareGuru SQLPilot, Neuchips is showcasing advanced agentic AI applications for business intelligence and customer service. Additionally, through integration with myLLM’s myPDA platform, Neuchips is enabling hybrid cloud-edge AI deployments using its hardware.

With its efficient AI acceleration chips and strategic collaborations, Neuchips is advancing sustainable AI across edge and data center environments.

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Why ITU’s legacy still shapes our digital world

On 17 May 1865, 20 European countries came together to create the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a response to the tedious and inefficient telegraph system that required messages to be rewritten at every border. This practical move—born not from idealism but necessity—paved the way for a global communications framework that continues to underpin today’s digital world.

From the first bilateral agreements to modern platforms like Instagram and AI tools like ChatGPT, the same core principle remains: international cooperation is essential to seamless communication. Despite revolutionary advances in technology, diplomacy has changed slowly.

Yet ITU’s mission—to balance national interests with shared global connectivity—has remained constant. For instance, debates over digital privacy and cybersecurity today echo those from the 19th century over telegraph regulation.

Even as US policies toward multilateralism shift, its consistent support for the ITU showcases how diplomacy can maintain continuity across centuries of change. As Jovan Kurbalija notes in his recent blog post, understanding this long arc of diplomatic history is essential for making sense of today’s tech governance debates.

Crises often trigger breakthroughs in multilateral governance. The Titanic disaster, for example, catalysed swift international regulation of radio communication after years of stagnation. In our interconnected AI-driven era, similar ‘Titanic moments’ could once again force urgent global agreements.

That is especially pressing as technology continues to reshape power structures, favouring innovators and standard-setters, and reviving the age-old race between digital ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’

Why does it matter?

ITU’s 160-year legacy is a testament to the endurance of diplomacy amid technological disruption. While tools evolve—from telegraphs to AI—the diplomatic mission to resolve conflicts and foster cooperation remains unchanged. The story of ITU, as Kurbalija reflects, is not just about commemorating the past, but recognising the urgent need for global cooperation in shaping our digital future.

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China launches first AI satellites in orbital supercomputer network

China has launched the first 12 satellites in a planned network of 2,800 that will function as an orbiting supercomputer, according to Space News.

Developed by ADA Space in partnership with Zhijiang Laboratory and Neijang High-Tech Zone, the satellites can process their own data instead of relying on Earth-based stations, thanks to onboard AI models.

Each satellite runs an 8-billion parameter AI model capable of 744 tera operations per second, with the group already achieving 5 peta operations per second in total. The long-term goal is a constellation that can reach 1,000 POPS.

The network uses high-speed laser links to communicate and shares 30 terabytes of data between satellites. The current batch also carries scientific tools, such as an X-ray detector for studying gamma-ray bursts, and can generate 3D digital twin data for uses like disaster response or virtual tourism.

The space-based computing approach is designed to overcome Earth-based limitations like bandwidth and ground station availability, which means less than 10% of satellite data typically reaches the surface.

Experts say space supercomputers could reduce energy use by relying on solar power and dissipating heat into space. The EU and the US may follow China’s lead, as interest in orbital data centres grows.

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Elton John threatens legal fight over AI use

Sir Elton John has lashed out at the UK government over plans that could allow AI companies to use copyrighted content without paying artists, calling ministers ‘absolute losers’ and accusing them of ‘thievery on a high scale.’

He warned that younger musicians, without the means to challenge tech giants, would be most at risk if the proposed changes go ahead.

The row centres on a rejected House of Lords amendment to the Data Bill, which would have required AI firms to disclose what material they use.

Despite a strong majority in favour in the Lords, the Commons blocked the move, meaning the bill will keep bouncing between the two chambers until a compromise is reached.

Sir Elton, joined by playwright James Graham, said the government was failing to defend creators and seemed more interested in appeasing powerful tech firms.

More than 400 artists, including Sir Paul McCartney, have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to strengthen copyright protections instead of allowing AI to mine their work unchecked.

While the government insists no changes will be made unless they benefit creators, critics say the current approach risks sacrificing the UK’s music industry for Silicon Valley’s gain.

Sir Elton has threatened legal action if the plans go ahead, saying, ‘We’ll fight it all the way.’

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JMA to test AI-enhanced weather forecasting

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is exploring the use of AI to improve the accuracy of weather for e casts, with a particular focus on deep learning technologies, according to a source familiar with the plans.

A dedicated team was launched in April to begin developing the infrastructure and tools needed to integrate AI with JMA’s existing numerical weather prediction models. The goal is to combine traditional simulations with AI-generated forecasts based on historical weather data.

If implemented, AI systems could identify weather patterns more efficiently and enhance forecasts for variables such as rainfall and temperature. The technology may also offer improved accuracy in predicting extreme weather events like typhoons.

Currently, the JMA relies on supercomputers to simulate future atmospheric conditions based on observational data. Human forecasters then review the outputs, applying expert judgment before issuing final forecasts and alerts. Even with AI integration, human oversight will remain a core part of the process.

In addition to forecasting, the agency is also considering AI for processing data from the Himawari-10 satellite, which is expected to launch in fiscal 2029.

An official announcement outlining further AI integration measures is anticipated in June.

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UK workers struggle to keep up with AI

AI is reshaping the UK workplace, but many employees feel unprepared to keep pace, according to a major new study by Henley Business School.

While 56% of full-time professionals expressed optimism about AI’s potential, 61% admitted they were overwhelmed by how quickly the technology is evolving.

The research surveyed over 4,500 people across nearly 30 sectors, offering what experts call a clear snapshot of AI’s uneven integration into British industries.

Professor Keiichi Nakata, director of AI at The World of Work Institute, said workers are willing to embrace AI, but often lack the training and guidance to do so effectively.

Instead of empowering staff through hands-on learning and clear internal policies, many companies are leaving their workforce under-supported.

Nearly a quarter of respondents said their employers were failing to provide sufficient help, while three in five said they would use AI more if proper training were available.

Professor Nakata argued that AI has the power to simplify tasks, remove repetitive duties, and free up time for more meaningful work.

But he warned that without better support, businesses risk missing out on what could be a transformative force for both productivity and employee satisfaction.

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