ai

South Korea unveils megagrowth plan with AI expressway and energy reform

President Lee Jae-myung has announced a sweeping national megagrowth plan that positions South Korea at the forefront of AI and energy transformation.

The initiative includes the creation of an ‘AI expressway’, starting with the Ulsan AI data centre, underpinned by bold tax incentives and regulatory reforms to attract private sector investment. Complementing this is a proposed investment of 100 trillion won to accelerate AI innovation, next-generation semiconductors, and the development of AI infrastructure and innovation zones.

On the energy front, the government has launched a dedicated task force to develop an AI-powered next-generation power grid. This ‘electric highway’ aims to integrate AI technology into renewable energy distribution and grid modernisation without needing vast new infrastructure.

Complementing the power grid overhaul, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) plans to invest around 73 trillion won by 2038 to expand transmission lines and upgrade the power infrastructure serving major semiconductor complexes.

Together, these measures form a robust blueprint that aligns digital transformation with energy security, aimed at keeping South Korea globally competitive while responding to rising electricity demands from AI and other tech industries.

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India must ramp up AI and chip production to meet global competition

At the Emkay Confluence in Mumbai, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran emphasised that while trade-related concerns remain significant, they must not obscure the urgent need for India to boost its AI and semiconductor sectors.

He pointed to AI’s transformative economic potential and strategic importance, warning that India must act decisively to remain competitive as the United States and China advance aggressively in these domains.

By focusing on energy transition, energy security, and enhanced collaboration across sectors, Nageswaran argued that India can strengthen its innovation capacity and technological self-reliance.

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New digital headquarters aims to embed AI across Kazakhstan’s public services

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov established a digital transformation group, or digital headquarters, to advance AI integration across Kazakhstan, following President Tokayev’s directives on 11 August 2025.

The group includes senior officials, such as the deputy prime minister, the head of strategic planning, the minister of digital development, innovation, and aerospace industry, and the presidential digitalisation advisor. The group is tasked with implementing nine priority areas outlined by the president.

These span AI deployment in the economy, public administration, and healthcare; digital strategy development; IT architecture modernisation; cybersecurity; support for IT startups; the national QazTech platform; and innovative city initiatives.

A significant plan component involves crafting a roadmap with the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund to embed AI in production and boost labour productivity. AI solutions are expected to improve diagnostics, personalise treatment, enable continuous patient monitoring, and streamline workflows in healthcare. Startups will gain access to the Ministry of Health infrastructure and integration into a unified medical database.

Consolidating government communication via the Aitu national messenger, IT modernisation, and strengthened cybersecurity aims to create a seamless, safe digital environment for citizens. The emphasis is swift collaboration to address AI integration challenges across all sectors.

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Automation boosts accounting’s popularity among potential career-changers

A recent survey by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) finds that two in five people would consider a career in accountancy if AI could handle routine tasks. The research suggests automation may improve the profession’s appeal by shifting the focus from admin to strategic support.

Among current accountants, four in five agree that AI tools have made their roles easier by lightening administrative burdens, while 80% say it enables more problem-solving and advisory work. AI will enhance efficiency and accuracy, and allow finance professionals to concentrate on impactful tasks.

The survey reveals 42% of those who have worked in accounting say AI tools have been genuinely valuable; this rises to 55% for 25- to 34-year-olds. Most also support upskilling, with nearly 80% interested in developing AI and machine learning skills as part of workplace training.

Claire Bennison of AAT stresses that AI is not here to replace accountants but to empower them. She argues that building an AI-savvy workforce is essential in meeting skills shortages and modernising the finance profession.

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YouTube’s AI flags viewers as minors, creators demand safeguards

YouTube’s new AI age check, launched on 13 August 2025, flags suspected minors based on their viewing habits. Over 50,000 creators petitioned against it, calling it ‘AI spying’. The backlash reveals deep tensions between child safety and online anonymity.

Flagged users must verify their age with ID, credit card, or a facial scan. Creators say the policy risks normalising surveillance and shrinking digital freedoms.

SpyCloud’s 2025 report found a 22% jump in stolen identities, raising alarm over data uploads. Critics fear YouTube’s tool could invite hackers. Past scandals over AI-generated content have already hurt creator trust.

Users refer to it on X as a ‘digital ID dragnet’. Many are switching platforms or tweaking content to avoid flags. WebProNews says creators demand opt-outs, transparency, and stronger human oversight of AI systems.

As global regulation tightens, YouTube could shape new norms. Experts urge a balance between safety and privacy. Creators push for deletion rules to avoid identity risks in an increasingly surveilled online world.

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Meta leads booming AI smart glasses market in first half of 2025

According to Counterpoint Research, global shipments of smart glasses more than doubled in the first half of 2025, fuelled by soaring demand for AI-powered models.

The segment accounted for 78% of shipments, outpacing basic audio-enabled smart frames.

Meta led the market with over 73% share, primarily driven by the success of its Ray-Ban AI glasses. Rising competition came from Chinese firms, including Huawei, RayNeo, and Xiaomi, emerging as a surprise contender with its new AI glasses.

Analysts attribute the surge to growing consumer interest in AI-integrated wearable tech, with Meta and Xiaomi’s latest releases generating strong sales momentum.

Competition is expected to intensify as companies such as Alibaba and ByteDance enter the space in the second half of the year.

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Staff welcome AI but call for clear boundaries

New research shows that most workers are open to using AI tools at work, but resist the idea of being managed by them. Workers are far more positive about AI recommending skills or collaborating alongside them.

The Workday study found that while 82% of organisations are expanding AI agent use, only 30% of employees feel comfortable being overseen by such systems.

Nine in ten respondents believe AI can boost productivity, yet nearly half fear it could erode critical thinking and add to workloads. Trust in the technology grows with experience, with 95% of regular users expressing confidence compared with 36% of those new to AI.

Sensitive functions such as hiring, finance, and legal work remain areas where human oversight is preferred. Many see AI as a partner that complements judgement and empathy rather than replacing them entirely.

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Santander expands AI-first strategy with OpenAI

Santander is accelerating its AI-first transformation through a new partnership with OpenAI, aiming to embed intelligent technology into every part of the bank.

Over the past two months, ChatGPT Enterprise has been rolled out to nearly 15,000 employees across Europe and the Americas, with plans to double that number by year-end. The move forms part of a broader ambition to become an AI-native institution where all decisions and processes are data-driven.

The bank will plan a mandatory AI training programme for all staff from 2026, with a focus on responsible use, and expects to scale agentic AI to enable fully conversational banking.

Santander says its AI initiatives saved over €200 million last year. In Spain alone, speech analytics now handles 10 million calls annually, automatically updating CRM records and freeing more than 100,000 work hours. Developer productivity has risen by up to 30% on some tasks.

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AI browsers accused of harvesting sensitive data, according to new study

A new study from researchers in the UK and Italy found that popular AI-powered browsers collect and share sensitive personal data, often in ways that may breach privacy laws.

The team tested ten well-known AI assistants, including ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, Merlin AI, Sider, and TinaMind, using public websites and private portals like health and banking services.

All but Perplexity AI showed evidence of gathering private details, from medical records to social security numbers, and transmitting them to external servers.

The investigation revealed that some tools continued tracking user activity even during private browsing, sending full web page content, including confidential information, to their systems.

Sometimes, prompts and identifying details, like IP addresses, were shared with analytics platforms, enabling potential cross-site tracking and targeted advertising.

Researchers also found that some assistants profiled users by age, gender, income, and interests, tailoring their responses across multiple sessions.

According to the report, such practices likely violate American health privacy laws and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.

Privacy policies for some AI browsers admit to collecting names, contact information, payment data, and more, and sometimes storing information outside the EU.

The study warns that users cannot be sure how their browsing data is handled once gathered, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in AI-enhanced browsing.

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West Midlands to train 2.3 million adults in AI skills

All adults in the West Midlands will be offered free training on using AI in daily life, work and community activities. Mayor Richard Parker confirmed the £10m initiative, designed to reach 2.3 million residents, as part of a wider £30m skills package.

A newly created AI Academy will lead the programme, working with tech companies, education providers and community groups. The aim is to equip people with everyday AI know-how and the advanced skills needed for digital and data-driven jobs.

Parker said AI should become as fundamental as English or maths and warned that failure to prioritise training would risk deepening a skills divide. The programme will sit alongside other £10m projects focused on bespoke business training and a more inclusive skills system.

The WMCA, established in 2017, covers Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and 14 other local authority areas in the UK. Officials say the AI drive is central to the region’s Growth Plan and ambition to become the UK’s leading hub for AI skills.

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