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South Korea accelerates AI adoption as NVIDIA strengthens national ecosystem

NVIDIA AI Day Seoul drew more than 1,000 visitors who gathered to explore sovereign AI and the rapid progress shaping South Korea’s digital landscape.

Attendees joined workshops, technical sessions and startup showcases designed to highlight the country’s expanding ecosystem instead of focusing only on theoretical advances.

Five finalists from the Inception Grand Challenge also presented their work, reflecting the growing strength of South Korea’s startup community.

Speakers outlined how AI now supports robotics, industrial production, entertainment and public administration.

Conglomerates from South Korea, such as Samsung, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group and NAVER Cloud, have intensified their investment in AI, while government agencies rely on accelerated computing to process documents and policy information at scale.

South Korea’s ecosystem continues to expand with hundreds of Inception startups, sovereign LLM initiatives and major supercomputing deployments.

Developers engaged directly with NVIDIA engineers through workshops and a Q&A area covering AI infrastructure, LLMs, robotics and automotive technologies. Plenary sessions examined agentic AI, reasoning models and the evolution of AI factories.

Partners presented advances in training efficiency, agentic systems and large-scale AI infrastructure built with NVIDIA’s platforms instead of legacy hardware.

South Korea’s next phase of development will be supported by access to 260,000 GPUs announced during the APEC Summit. Officials expect the infrastructure to accelerate startup growth, stimulate national AI priorities and attract new collaboration across research and industry.

The Seoul event marks another step in the country’s effort to reinforce its digital foundation while expanding its role in global AI innovation.

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As AI agents proliferate, human purpose is being reconsidered

As AI agents rapidly evolve from tools to autonomous actors, experts are raising existential questions about human value and purpose.

These agents, equipped with advanced reasoning and decision-making capabilities, can now complete entire workflows with minimal human intervention.

The report notes that in corporate settings, AI agents are already being positioned to handle tasks such as client negotiations, quote generation, project coordination, or even strategic decision support. Some proponents foresee these agents climbing organisational charts, potentially serving as virtual CFOs or CEOs.

At the same time, sceptics warn that such a shift could hollow out traditional human roles. Research from McKinsey Global Institute suggests that while many human skills remain relevant, the nature and context of work will change significantly, with humans increasingly collaborating with AI rather than directly doing classical tasks.

The questions this raises extend beyond economics and efficiency: they touch on identity, dignity, and social purpose. If AI can handle optimisation and execution, what remains uniquely human, and how will societies value those capacities?

Some analysts suggest we shift from valuing output to valuing emotional leadership, creativity, ethical judgement and human connection.

The rise of AI agents thus invites a critical rethink of labour, value, and our roles in an AI-augmented world. As debates continue, it may become ever more crucial to define what we expect from people, beyond productivity.

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New AI and 5G technology transforms stadium experience

Fans attending live football matches in the UK can now enjoy uninterrupted connectivity with a new technology combining AI and 5G.

Trials at a stadium in Milton Keynes demonstrated that thousands of spectators can stream high-quality live video feeds directly to their mobile devices.

Developed collaboratively by the University of Bristol, AI specialists Madevo, and network experts Weaver Labs, the system also delivers live player statistics, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and real-time queue navigation. Traditional mobile networks often struggle to cope with peak demand at large venues, leaving fans frustrated.

The innovation offers clubs an opportunity to transform their stadiums into fully smart-enabled venues. University researchers said the successful trial represents a major step forward for Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab as it celebrates a decade of pioneering connectivity solutions.

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Underground AI tools marketed for hacking raise alarms among cybersecurity experts

Cybersecurity researchers say cybercriminals are turning to a growing underground market of customised large language models designed to support low-level hacking tasks.

A new report from Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 describes how dark web forums promote jailbroken, open-source and bespoke AI models as hacking assistants or dual-use penetration testing tools, often sold via monthly or annual subscriptions.

Some appear to be repurposed commercial models trained on malware datasets and maintained by active online communities.

These models help users scan for vulnerabilities, write scripts, encrypt or exfiltrate data and generate exploit or phishing code, tasks that can support both attackers and defenders.

Unit 42’s Andy Piazza compared them to earlier dual-use tools, such as Metasploit and Cobalt Strike, which were developed for security testing but are now widely abused by criminal groups. He warned that AI now plays a similar role, lowering the expertise needed to launch attacks.

One example is a new version of WormGPT, a jailbroken LLM that resurfaced on underground forums in September after first appearing in 2023.

The updated ‘WormGPT 4’ is marketed as an unrestricted hacking assistant, with lifetime access reportedly starting at around $220 and an option to buy the complete source code. Researchers say it signals a shift from simple jailbreaks to commercialised, specialised tools that train AI for cybercrime.

Another model, KawaiiGPT, is available for free on GitHub and brands itself as a playful ‘cyber pentesting’ companion while generating malicious content.

Unit 42 calls it an entry-level but effective malicious LLM, with a casual, friendly style that masks its purpose. Around 500 contributors support and update the project, making it easier for non-experts to use.

Piazza noted that internal tests suggest much of the malware generated by these tools remains detectable and less advanced than code seen in some recent AI-assisted campaigns. The wider concern, he said, is that such models make hacking more accessible by translating technical knowledge into simple prompts.

Users no longer need to know jargon like ‘lateral movement’ and can instead ask everyday questions, such as how to find other systems on a network, and receive ready-made scripts.

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Virginia sets new limits on AI chatbots for minors

Lawmakers in Virginia are preparing fresh efforts to regulate AI as concerns grow over its influence on minors and vulnerable users.

Legislators will return in January with a set of proposals focused on limiting the capabilities of chatbots, curbing deepfakes and restricting automated ticket-buying systems. The push follows a series of failed attempts last year to define high-risk AI systems and expand protections for consumers.

Delegate Michelle Maldonado aims to introduce measures that restrict what conversational agents can say in therapeutic interactions instead of allowing them to mimic emotional support.

Her plans follow the well-publicised case of a sixteen-year-old who discussed suicidal thoughts with a chatbot before taking his own life. She argues that young people rely heavily on these tools and need stronger safeguards that recognise dangerous language and redirect users towards human help.

Maldonado will also revive a previous bill on high-risk AI, refining it to address particular sectors rather than broad categories.

Delegate Cliff Hayes is preparing legislation to require labels for synthetic media and to block AI systems from buying event tickets in bulk instead of letting automated tools distort prices.

Hayes already secured a law preventing predictions from AI tools from being the sole basis for criminal justice decisions. He warns that the technology has advanced too quickly for policy to remain passive and urges a balance between innovation and protection.

Proposals that come as the state continues to evaluate its regulatory environment under an executive order issued by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

The order directs AI systems to scan the state code for unnecessary or conflicting rules, encouraging streamlined governance instead of strict statutory frameworks. Observers argue that human oversight remains essential as legislators search for common ground on how far to extend regulatory control.

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Character AI blocks teen chat and introduces new interactive Stories feature

A new feature called ‘Stories’ from Character.AI allows users under 18 to create interactive fiction with their favourite characters. The move replaces open-ended chatbot access, which has been entirely restricted for minors amid concerns over mental health risks.

Open-ended AI chatbots can initiate conversations at any time, raising worries about overuse and addiction among younger users.

Several lawsuits against AI companies have highlighted the dangers, prompting Character.AI to phase out access for minors and introduce a guided, safety-focused alternative.

Industry observers say the Stories feature offers a safer environment for teens to engage with AI characters while continuing to explore creative content.

The decision aligns with recent AI regulations in California and ongoing US federal proposals to limit minors’ exposure to interactive AI companions.

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AI is accelerating the transition to clean energy

AI is playing an increasingly vital role in supporting the transition to clean energy. AI helps optimise power grid operations, plan infrastructure investments, and accelerate the discovery of novel materials for energy generation, storage, and conversion.

While energy-hungry data centres can increase electricity demand, AI applications are helping reduce energy consumption across buildings, transport, and industry.

On electric grids, AI algorithms enhance efficiency, integrate renewable energy sources, and predict maintenance needs to prevent power outages. Grid operators can utilise AI to forecast supply and demand, optimise energy storage, and manage resources in real-time.

Technologies such as smart thermostats, electric vehicle batteries, and AI-managed data centres provide additional flexibility to balance peak demand and supply.

AI also aids long-term planning by helping utilities forecast future infrastructure needs amid growing renewable deployment and climate-related risks. Additionally, AI accelerates the discovery of materials for energy technologies.

At MIT, researchers use AI-guided experiments and robotics to design and test new materials, significantly shortening development times from decades to years.

Through research, modelling, and collaboration, AI is being applied to fusion reactor management, solar cell optimisation, and energy-efficient data centre design. MIT Energy Initiative programmes unite academics, industry, and policymakers to harness AI for a resilient and sustainable energy future.

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AI development by Chinese companies shifts abroad

Leading Chinese technology companies are increasingly training their latest AI models outside the country to maintain access to Nvidia’s high-performance chips, according to a report by the Financial Times. Firms such as Alibaba and ByteDance are shifting parts of their AI development to data centres in Southeast Asia, a move that comes as the United States tightens restrictions on advanced chip exports to China.

The trend reportedly accelerated after Washington imposed new limits in April on the sale of Nvidia’s H20 chips, a key component for developing sophisticated large language models. By relying on leased server space operated by non-Chinese companies abroad, tech firms are able to bypass some of the effects of US export controls while continuing to train next-generation AI systems.

One notable exception is DeepSeek, which had already stockpiled a significant number of Nvidia chips before the export restrictions took effect. The company continues to train its models domestically and is now collaborating with Chinese chipmakers led by Huawei to develop and optimise homegrown alternatives to US hardware.

Neither Alibaba, ByteDance, Nvidia, DeepSeek, nor Huawei has commented publicly on the report, and Reuters stated that it could not independently verify the claims. However, the developments underscore the increasing complexity of global AI competition and the lengths to which companies may go to maintain technological momentum amid geopolitical pressure.

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New alliance between Samsung and SK Telecom accelerates 6G innovation

Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom have taken a significant step toward shaping next-generation connectivity after signing an agreement to develop essential 6G technologies.

Their partnership centres on AI-based radio access networks, with both companies aiming to secure an early lead as global competition intensifies.

Research teams from Samsung and SK Telecom will build and test key components, including AI-based channel estimation, distributed MIMO and AI-driven schedulers.

AI models will refine signals in real-time to improve accuracy, rather than relying on conventional estimation methods. Meanwhile, distributed MIMO will enable multiple antennas to cooperate for reliable, high-speed communication across diverse environments.

The companies believe that AI-enabled schedulers and core networks will manage data flows more efficiently as the number of devices continues to rise.

Their collaboration also extends into the AI-RAN Alliance, where a jointly proposed channel estimation technology has already been accepted as a formal work item, strengthening their shared role in shaping industry standards.

Samsung continues to promote 6G research through its Advanced Communications Research Centre, and recent demonstrations at major industry events highlight the growing momentum behind AI-RAN technology.

Both organisations expect their work to accelerate the transition toward a hyperconnected 6G future, rather than allowing competing ecosystems to dominate early development.

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AI and anonymity intensifies online violence against women

Digital violence against women is rising sharply, fuelled by AI, online anonymity, and weak legal protections, leaving millions exposed.

UN Women warns that abuse on digital platforms often spills into real life, threatening women’s safety, livelihoods, and ability to participate freely in public life.

Public figures, journalists, and activists are increasingly targeted with deepfakes, coordinated harassment campaigns, and gendered disinformation designed to silence and intimidate.

One in four women journalists report receiving online death threats, highlighting the urgent scale and severity of the problem.

Experts call for stronger laws, safer digital platforms, and more women in technology to address AI-driven abuse effectively. Investments in education, digital literacy, and culture-change programmes are also vital to challenge toxic online communities and ensure digital spaces promote equality rather than harm.

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