Researchers in Canada are using AI to address the accelerating mass extinction of insects. Led by the Montreal Insectarium, the Antenna project combines solar-powered camera traps, high-resolution imaging, and AI algorithms to monitor biodiversity in regions spanning from the Arctic to the Panamanian rainforests. The project aims to double the biodiversity data collected over the last century within five years.
Insects, crucial for global ecosystems, face unprecedented decline due to climate change, habitat destruction, and pesticides. However, the scope of these losses remains difficult to quantify. AI‘s ability to process vast amounts of data offers hope, with early tests in Panama uncovering 300 previously unknown species in a single week.
Focusing initially on moths, the project uses open-source AI models to encourage public participation and collaboration. Researchers aim to expand applications to discover deep-sea species and monitor pests threatening agriculture. Education also plays a role, with museum visitors using apps to identify species.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an antitrust investigation into Microsoft, examining its software licensing, cloud computing operations, and AI-related practices. Sources indicate the probe, approved by FTC Chair Lina Khan before her anticipated departure, also investigates claims of restrictive licensing aimed at limiting competition in cloud services.
Microsoft is the latest Big Tech firm under regulatory pressure. Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Amazon face similar lawsuits over alleged monopolistic practices in markets ranging from app stores to advertising. Penalties and court rulings loom as regulators focus on digital fairness.
The FTC’s probe highlights growing concerns about the influence of Big Tech on consumer choice and competition. As scrutiny intensifies, the outcomes could reshape the technology sector’s landscape, impacting businesses and consumers alike.
Luxembourg’s Gcore and the Middle East’s first Edge data centre provider, Qareeb Data Centres, have partnered to deliver AI, cloud, and Edge computing solutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. As Qareeb continues its rapid expansion, it is deploying Edge data centres across GCC countries and beyond, with an initial capacity exceeding 50MW.
Notably, its first data centre in Bahrain, developed in collaboration with Batelco and Beyon Group’s Data Oasis, marks a major milestone in its regional growth. At the same time, Gcore leverages its global reach, encompassing 180 points of presence, $60 million in Series A funding, and significant projects such as a GPU cluster at Telia’s Helsinki data centre.
By combining their strengths, the partnership aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and accelerate digital transformation in the Middle East, empowering businesses to meet the region’s evolving digital needs. Furthermore, this collaboration aligns with Gcore’s broader initiatives, including its joint venture with Ezditek to establish an AI factory in Saudi Arabia.
By integrating Qareeb’s localised expertise in Edge infrastructure with Gcore’s advanced technologies, the alliance is well-positioned to enhance regional technological capacity, support economic development, and address the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in the GCC and neighbouring markets.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping agriculture in the United States, offering solutions to longstanding challenges like labor shortages and rising costs. With US farms dwindling from 6.8 million in the 1930s to just 1.9 million in 2023, AI-powered technologies are stepping in to improve crop yields, resource efficiency, and food production. Experts emphasise AI’s ability to analyse massive amounts of data, guiding decisions on irrigation, fertilisation, and pest control to maximise productivity.
Despite its potential, adoption remains limited, with only 27% of US farmers currently using emerging technologies like AI. However, investment is projected to grow significantly, from $2B in 2024 to over $5B by 2028. Researchers at institutions like the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems are exploring applications from robotics to controlled indoor environments, which enable year-round farming and climate adaptability for crops like grapes.
While high upfront costs and accessibility remain hurdles, proponents believe AI can accelerate agricultural innovation and foster collaboration among farmers. By combining advanced tools and shared data, AI could help build a more sustainable food system and support the delivery of fresh, nutritious produce to underserved areas.
OpenAI and the Korea Development Bank (KDB) have partnered to support the growth of South Korea’s AI ecosystem. The collaboration aims to develop AI models specifically designed for the Korean language and enhance the country’s position in the global AI landscape.
KDB views AI as a critical driver of national competitiveness and will assist OpenAI in navigating the local market by acting as a coordinator for government affairs. The partnership reflects a shared vision to advance South Korea’s technological and economic future through AI innovation. That move also highlights South Korea’s commitment to becoming a leader in the AI industry, with OpenAI playing a key role in advancing these goals.
The growing impact of AI is also evident in South Korea’s search engine market, where AI-driven technologies are changing how users access information. Naver, the leading domestic search engine, has experienced a decline in market share, while global search engines like Google, which integrate AI features such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, have seen growth.
Why does it matter?
That shift signifies a broader transformation in the digital landscape, as AI-enhanced search engines provide more personalised and summarised answers, moving away from traditional lists of information. The increasing adoption of AI in search engines underscores the growing influence of AI on various industries in South Korea.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against former intern Tian Keyu, alleging deliberate sabotage of its AI model training infrastructure. The rare legal action, filed in a Beijing court, has attracted significant attention in China amid an intense race in AI development.
According to ByteDance, Tian manipulated code and made unauthorised modifications, disrupting its large language model (LLM) training tasks. While the company dismissed rumors of damages involving millions of dollars and thousands of graphics processing units, it confirmed that the intern was terminated in August.
The case underscores the growing stakes in generative AI, where technologies capable of creating text and images are advancing rapidly. ByteDance declined to comment further, while Tian, reportedly a postgraduate at Peking University, has yet to respond publicly. This lawsuit highlights the high-pressure environment of AI innovation and the risks companies face from internal threats.
Advancements in AI voice cloning have revealed vulnerabilities in banking security, as a BBC reporter demonstrated how cloned voices can bypass voice recognition systems. Using an AI-generated version of her voice, she successfully accessed accounts at two major banks, Santander and Halifax, simply by playing back the phrase “my voice is my password.”
The experiment highlighted potential security gaps, as the cloned voice worked on basic speakers and required no high-tech setup. While the banks noted that voice ID is part of a multi-layered security system, they maintained that it is more secure than traditional authentication methods. Experts, however, view this as a wake-up call about the risks posed by generative AI.
Cybersecurity specialists warn that rapid advancements in voice cloning technology could increase opportunities for fraud. They emphasise the importance of evolving defenses to address these challenges, especially as AI continues to blur the lines between real and fake identities.
Orange has entered a groundbreaking multi-year partnership with OpenAI, becoming the first European telecom company with direct access to pre-release versions of the company’s AI models. This collaboration will allow Orange to influence OpenAI’s development roadmap while ensuring secure hosting of AI infrastructure in Europe, according to the group’s AI chief, Steve Jarrett.
The partnership highlights the strategic importance of OpenAI’s widely used models, with over 50,000 Orange employees already integrating them into their work. Jarrett emphasised the financial and technological advantages of a direct relationship with OpenAI, boosting Orange’s position in the AI race.
In addition to the partnership, Orange is working with Meta and OpenAI to translate African languages like Wolof and Pular for customer support and broader non-commercial uses. The initiative aims to support governments, universities, and startups, expanding accessibility to underserved linguistic communities.
Microsoft has refuted allegations that it uses data from its Microsoft 365 applications, including Word and Excel, to train AI models. These claims surfaced online, with users pointing to the need to opt out of the ‘connected experiences’ feature as a possible loophole for data usage.
A Microsoft spokesperson stated categorically that customer data from both consumer and commercial Microsoft 365 applications is not utilised to train large language models. The spokesperson clarified in an email to Reuters that such suggestions were ‘untrue.’
The company explained that the ‘connected experiences’ feature is designed to support functionalities like co-authoring and cloud storage, rather than contributing to AI training. These assurances aim to address user concerns over potential misuse of their data.
Ongoing discussions on social media underscore persistent public worries about privacy and data security in AI development. Questions about data usage policies continue to highlight the need for transparency from technology companies.
Google Labs has unveiled GenChess, a new AI-powered web project that adds a creative twist to the traditional game of chess. The experiment allows players to design their own chess pieces using Google’s Gemini Imagen 3 image-generation model. By typing text prompts, users can customise their chess sets with themes like sushi or pizza, giving each game a personalised touch. GenChess offers two styles: a classic mode that mimics traditional pieces and a creative mode for abstract designs. Players can further refine individual pieces for a truly bespoke gaming experience.
Once the custom set is complete, players can face an AI opponent with chess pieces generated on complementary themes. For instance, a sushi-themed set might compete against a taco-inspired set. Users can select from three difficulty levels—easy, medium, or hard—and two timer options to match their playstyle. The project showcases AI’s potential in creative design and user interaction, merging art and gameplay into one cohesive experience.
The launch of GenChess coincides with Google’s broader initiatives around chess during the World Chess Championship. These include a coding challenge in partnership with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Google-owned Kaggle, encouraging participants to create innovative AI chess engines. Additionally, Google plans to launch Chess Gem, an interactive feature in the Gemini app next month. This tool will allow Gemini Advanced subscribers to play chess against a conversational AI, blending gameplay with witty banter. The range of initiatives highlights Google’s commitment to integrating AI into diverse aspects of life, from gaming to advanced problem-solving.
