ai

AI tool helps find new treatments for heart disease

A new ΑΙ system developed at Imperial College London could accelerate the discovery of treatments for heart disease by combining detailed heart scans with huge medical databases.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death across the EU, accounting for around 1.7 million deaths every year, so researchers believe smarter tools are urgently needed.

The AI model, known as CardioKG, uses imaging data from thousands of UK Biobank participants, including people with heart failure, heart attacks and atrial fibrillation, alongside healthy volunteers.

By linking information about genes, medicines and disease, the system aims to predict which drugs might work best for particular heart conditions instead of relying only on traditional trial-and-error approaches.

Among the medicines highlighted were methotrexate, normally used for rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes drugs known as gliptins, which the AI suggested could support some heart patients.

The model also pointed to a possible protective effect from caffeine among people with atrial fibrillation, although researchers warned that individuals should not change their caffeine intake based on the findings alone.

Scientists say the same technology could be applied to other health problems, including brain disorders and obesity.

Work is already under way to turn the knowledge graph into a patient-centred system that follows real disease pathways, with the long-term goal of enabling more personalised and better-timed treatment.

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Musk says users are liable for the illegal Grok content

Scrutiny has intensified around X after its Grok chatbot was found generating non-consensual explicit images when prompted by users.

Grok had been positioned as a creative AI assistant, yet regulators reacted swiftly once altered photos were linked to content involving minors. Governments and rights groups renewed pressure on platforms to prevent abusive use of generative AI.

India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a notice to X demanding an Action Taken Report within 72 hours, citing failure to restrict unlawful content.

Authorities in France referred similar cases to prosecutors and urged enforcement under the EU’s Digital Services Act, signalling growing international resolve to control AI misuse.

Elon Musk responded by stating users, instead of Grok, would be legally responsible for illegal material generated through prompts. The company said offenders would face permanent bans and cooperation with law enforcement.

Critics argue that transferring liability to users does not remove the platform’s duty to embed stronger safeguards.

Independent reports suggest Grok has previously been involved in deepfake creation, creating a wider debate about accountability in the AI sector. The outcome could shape expectations worldwide regarding how platforms design and police powerful AI tools.

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Plaud unveils compact AI NotePin S and new meeting app

Hardware maker Plaud has introduced a new AI notetaking pin called the Plaud NotePin S alongside a Mac desktop app for digital meeting notes ahead of CES in Las Vegas.

The wearable device costs 179 dollars and arrives with several accessories so users can attach or wear it in different ways. A physical button allows quick control of recordings and can be tapped to highlight key moments during conversations.

The NotePin S keeps the same core specifications as the earlier model, including 64GB of storage and up to 20 hours of continuous recording.

Two MEMS microphones capture speech clearly within roughly three metres. Owners receive 300 minutes of transcription each month without extra cost. Apple Find My support is also included, so users can locate the device easily instead of worrying about misplacing it.

Compared with the larger Note Pro, the new pin offers a shorter recording range and battery life, but the small size makes it easier to wear while travelling or working on the go.

Plaud says the device suits users who rely on frequent in-person conversations rather than long seated meetings.

Plaud has now sold more than 1.5 million notetaking devices. The company also aims to enter the AI meeting assistant market with a Mac desktop client that detects when a meeting is active and prompts users to capture audio.

The software records system sound and uses AI to organise the transcript into structured notes. Users can also add typed notes and images instead of relying only on audio.

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Reddit overtakes TikTok in the UK social media race

In the UK, Reddit has quietly overtaken TikTok to become Britain’s fourth most-visited social media platform, marking a major shift in how people search for information and share opinions online.

Use of the platform among UK internet users has risen sharply over the past two years, driven strongly by younger audiences who are increasingly drawn to open discussion instead of polished influencer content.

Google’s algorithm changes have helped accelerate Reddit’s rise by prioritising forum-based conversations in search results. Partnership deals with major AI companies have reinforced visibility further, as AI tools increasingly cite Reddit threads.

Younger users in the UK appear to value unfiltered and experience-based conversations, creating strong growth across lifestyle, beauty, parenting and relationship communities, alongside major expansion in football-related discussion.

Women now make up more than half of Reddit’s UK audience, signalling a major demographic shift for a platform once associated mainly with male users. Government departments, including ministers, are also using Reddit for direct engagement through public Q&A sessions.

Tension remains part of the platform’s culture, yet company leaders argue that community moderation and voting systems help manage behaviour.

Reddit is now encouraging users to visit directly instead of arriving via search or AI summaries, positioning the platform as a human alternative to automated answers.

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Xi Jinping hails breakthroughs in China’s AI and semiconductor sectors

Chinese President Xi Jinping said 2025 marked a year of major breakthroughs for the country’s AI and semiconductor industries. In his New Year’s address, he said that Chinese technology firms had made significant progress in AI models and domestic chip development.

China’s AI sector gained global attention with the rise of DeepSeek. The company launched advanced models focused on reasoning and efficiency, drawing comparisons with leading US systems and triggering volatility in global technology markets.

Other Chinese firms also expanded their AI capabilities. Alibaba released new frontier models and pledged large-scale investment in cloud and AI infrastructure, while Huawei announced new computing technologies and AI chips to challenge dominant suppliers.

China’s progress prompted mixed international responses. Some European governments restricted the use of Chinese AI models over data security concerns, while US companies continued engaging with Chinese-linked AI firms through acquisitions and partnerships.

Looking ahead to 2026, China is expected to prioritise AI and semiconductors in its next five-year development plan. Analysts anticipate increased research funding, expanded infrastructure, and stronger support for emerging technology industries.

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Semiconductor surge lifts South Korean exports

South Korea recorded its highest-ever export figures in 2025, driven largely by surging global demand for semiconductors used in AI technologies. Official data shows total exports exceeded $700 billion, marking a year-on-year increase despite ongoing trade pressures and economic uncertainty.

The semiconductor sector led the growth, with exports reaching a record $173.4 billion, up more than 20 per cent from the previous year. Strong demand for high-value memory chips used in AI data centres pushed shipments higher throughout the year, including a sharp rise in December that capped ten consecutive months of growth.

South Korea’s dominance in the chip market is underpinned by global leaders such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both key suppliers to the AI industry. The government is also doubling down on the sector, with President Lee Jae Myung pledging to triple national spending on AI in a bid to position the country among the world’s top AI powers.

Other export sectors also posted strong results. Car exports climbed to a record $72 billion, while agriculture and cosmetics benefited from sustained global interest in South Korean food, beauty products, and pop culture. These gains helped offset weaker shipments to the United States and China.

Exports to those two major partners declined amid tariffs on steel, automobiles, and machinery, although Seoul secured a reduced US tariff rate late in the year. While officials hailed the export record as a sign of economic resilience, they cautioned that global trade uncertainty and the durability of semiconductor demand could pose challenges ahead.

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AI platforms reshape everyday online behaviour

AI is rapidly becoming the starting point for many everyday activities, from planning and learning to shopping and decision-making. A new report by PYMNTS Intelligence suggests that AI is no longer just an added digital tool, but is increasingly replacing traditional entry points such as search engines and mobile apps.

The study shows that AI use in the United States has moved firmly into the mainstream, with more than 60 per cent of consumers using dedicated AI platforms over the past year. Younger users and frequent AI users are leading the shift, increasingly turning to AI first rather than using it to support existing online habits.

Researchers found that how people use AI matters as much as how often they use it. Heavy users rely on AI across many aspects of daily life, treating it as a general-purpose system, while lighter users remain cautious and limit AI to lower-risk tasks. Trust plays a decisive role, especially when it comes to sensitive areas such as finances and banking.

The report also points to changing patterns in online discovery. Consumers who use standalone AI platforms are more likely to abandon older methods entirely, while those encountering AI through search engines tend to blend it with familiar tools. That difference suggests that the design and context of AI services strongly influence user behaviour.

Looking ahead, the findings hint at how AI could reshape digital commerce. Many consumers say they would prefer to connect digital wallets directly to AI platforms for payments, signalling a potential shift in how intent turns into transactions. As AI becomes a common entry point to the digital world, businesses and financial institutions face growing pressure to adapt their systems to this new starting line.

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Google showcases AI tool for visualising 2026 goals

An innovative approach has gained attention as Google shared a way to help users visualize their goals for 2026 using its Gemini AI platform.

In a post from the official Gemini account, users were invited to experiment with a prompt linked to Nano Banana Pro, turning future planning into a visual and shareable exercise.

The approach centres on a detailed image prompt that encourages users to create an illustrated vision board rather than a written list of resolutions.

By combining a knolling-style layout with hand-drawn aesthetics, notebook textures and playful annotations, the prompt aims to make goal-setting feel more personal and engaging.

Users are encouraged to customise the prompt by inserting their own aspirations, habits or milestones, allowing the AI to generate a tailored illustration. Cross-hatching, highlighter effects and handwritten notes give the images a deliberately imperfect, journal-like quality, despite being AI-generated.

The experiment reflects a broader trend of using generative AI for creative self-reflection rather than productivity alone. By framing goals as visual stories, Google is positioning Gemini as a tool that blends artistic expression with everyday planning.

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India outlines plan to widen AI access

India’s government has set out plans to democratise AI infrastructure nationwide. The strategy focuses on expanding access beyond major technology hubs.

Officials aim to increase availability of computing power, datasets and AI models. Startups, researchers and public institutions are key intended beneficiaries.

New initiatives under IndiaAI and national supercomputing programmes will boost domestic capacity. Authorities say local compute access reduces reliance on foreign providers.

Digital public platforms will support data sharing and model development. The approach seeks inclusive innovation across education, healthcare and governance across India.

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Technology and resilience define China’s economic outlook

China is closing 2025 with renewed confidence in its economic resilience and growing influence across technology, manufacturing and global markets. Breakthroughs in AI, electric vehicles, green energy and biopharmaceuticals have reshaped perceptions of the country, moving it beyond its long-standing image as the world’s factory towards a centre of innovation.

Despite trade tensions with the United States and ongoing challenges in property and consumer spending, China is expected to meet its 5% growth target for the year. Exports remained robust as firms diversified away from reliance on the US market, while a temporary trade truce eased pressure on global supply chains. Competition with Washington is increasingly shifting from tariffs to technology leadership in areas such as AI, advanced chips and biotechnology.

AI emerged as a defining theme, with Chinese companies pushing large language models into widespread industrial and consumer use. Government-backed initiatives are accelerating integration across manufacturing, transport and healthcare, while tighter rules aim to address risks such as deepfakes and data security.

At the same time, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers expanded rapidly overseas, and domestic sales of new energy vehicles surpassed those of traditional cars for the first time.

Capital markets and global outreach also strengthened China’s position. Hong Kong reclaimed its status as the world’s largest IPO market, while Shanghai advanced its role as a financial and fintech hub. Looking to 2026, analysts expect China’s growth story to depend less on volume expansion and more on technological competitiveness, global integration and the ability to navigate a more fragmented geopolitical landscape.

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