ai

NVIDIA and Siemens build new industrial AI operating system

Siemens and NVIDIA have expanded their strategic partnership to build what they describe as an Industrial AI operating system.

The collaboration aims to embed AI-driven intelligence throughout the entire industrial lifecycle, from product design and engineering to manufacturing, operations and supply chains.

Siemens will contribute industrial AI expertise alongside hardware and software, while NVIDIA will provide AI infrastructure, simulation technologies and accelerated computing platforms.

The companies plan to develop fully AI-driven adaptive manufacturing sites, beginning in 2026 with Siemens’ electronics factory in Erlangen, Germany.

Digital twins will be used as active intelligence tools instead of static simulations, allowing factories to analyse performance in real time, test improvements virtually and convert successful adjustments directly into operational changes.

Both firms will also accelerate semiconductor design by combining Siemens’ EDA tools with NVIDIA’s GPU-accelerated computing and AI models. The goal is to shorten design cycles, improve manufacturing yields and support the development of advanced AI-enabled products.

The partnership also aims to create next-generation AI factories that optimise power, cooling, automation and infrastructure efficiency.

Siemens and NVIDIA intend to use the same technologies internally to improve their own operations before scaling them to customers. They argue the partnership will help industries adopt AI more rapidly and reliably, while supporting more resilient and sustainable manufacturing worldwide.

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Samsung puts AI trust and security at the centre of CES 2026

The South Korean tech giant, Samsung, used CES 2026 to foreground a cross-industry debate about trust, privacy and security in the age of AI.

During its Tech Forum session in Las Vegas, senior figures from AI research and industry argued that people will only fully accept AI when systems behave predictably, and users retain clear control instead of feeling locked inside opaque technologies.

Samsung outlined a trust-by-design philosophy centred on transparency, clarity and accountability. On-device AI was presented as a way to keep personal data local wherever possible, while cloud processing can be used selectively when scale is required.

Speakers said users increasingly want to know when AI is in operation, where their data is processed and how securely it is protected.

Security remained the core theme. Samsung highlighted its Knox platform and Knox Matrix to show how devices can authenticate one another and operate as a shared layer of protection.

Partnerships with companies such as Google and Microsoft were framed as essential for ecosystem-wide resilience. Although misinformation and misuse were recognised as real risks, the panel suggested that technological counter-measures will continue to develop alongside AI systems.

Consumer behaviour formed a final point of discussion. Amy Webb noted that people usually buy products for convenience rather than trust alone, meaning that AI will gain acceptance when it genuinely improves daily life.

The panel concluded that AI systems which embed transparency, robust security and meaningful user choice from the outset are most likely to earn long-term public confidence.

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Cloud and AI growth fuels EU push for greener data centres

Europe’s growing demand for cloud and AI services is driving a rapid expansion of data centres across the EU.

Policymakers now face the difficulty of supporting digital growth instead of undermining climate targets, yet reliable sustainability data remains scarce.

Operators are required to report on energy consumption, water usage, renewable sourcing and heat reuse, but only around one-third have submitted complete data so far.

Brussels plans to introduce a rating scheme from 2026 that grades data centres on environmental performance, potentially rewarding the most sustainable new facilities with faster approvals under the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act.

Industry groups want the rules adjusted so operators using excess server heat to warm nearby homes are not penalised. Experts also argue that stronger auditing and stricter application of standards are essential so reported data becomes more transparent and credible.

Smaller data centres remain largely untracked even though they are often less efficient, while colocation facilities complicate oversight because customers manage their own servers. Idle machines also waste vast amounts of energy yet remain largely unmeasured.

Meanwhile, replacing old hardware may improve efficiency but comes with its own environmental cost.

Even if future centres run on cleaner power and reuse heat, the manufacturing footprint of the equipment inside them remains a major unanswered sustainability challenge.

Policymakers say better reporting is essential if the EU is to balance digital expansion with climate responsibility rather than allowing environmental blind spots to grow.

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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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