ai

Italy and UAE to strengthen ties with $40 billion deal

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to make a significant $40 billion investment in Italy, covering sectors such as energy, technology, and defence. This follows the first-ever state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Italy. The investment will span various projects, including data centres, AI, renewable energy, and subsea activities.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised that this partnership will strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on mutual economic growth and collaboration. The investment aligns with the Mattei plan, aimed at boosting African development and reducing migrant arrivals to Italy. One notable project involves transporting electricity through an undersea cable between Italy, Albania, and the UAE, further enhancing regional cooperation.

In addition to economic and energy initiatives, both nations agreed to ramp up defence and security collaborations, including joint military production, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and disaster response efforts. The partnership will also support advanced research and development, contributing to sustainable development and digital growth.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Google unveils Gemini Code Assist for Individual developers

Google has launched a new free AI tool aimed at helping developers with code completion and assistance. Gemini Code Assist for Individuals allows users to interact with a Google AI model through a chat window, helping to fix bugs, complete code, or explain parts of a codebase. The tool can be integrated into popular coding environments like VS Code and JetBrains, and supports a range of programming languages. It offers impressive capabilities, with 180,000 code completions per month—90 times more than GitHub’s free Copilot plan—and 240 daily chat requests, well beyond the limits of competing tools.

In addition, Google unveiled Gemini Code Assist for GitHub, a tool that automatically scans code in pull requests to identify bugs and provide helpful suggestions. These tools highlight Google’s increasing efforts to compete with Microsoft and GitHub in the developer space. Both tools leverage Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model, fine-tuned for coding tasks, and offer a context window four times larger than similar models, enabling the AI to process more complex code.

The launch marks a strategic move by Google to attract developers, especially those early in their careers, with the hope that some will eventually transition to premium plans. Gemini Code Assist for Individuals is available through a free public preview, with Google planning to roll out additional enterprise features soon, including integration with third-party tools and more advanced customisation options for businesses.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

DeepSeek is accelerating the launch of R2, the successor to January’s R1 model

DeepSeek, an up-and-coming AI startup from China, is rapidly pushing forward the release of its latest AI model, R2, following the remarkable success of its predecessor, R1. The company’s roots in Hangzhou drew global attention when R1, a budget-friendly AI reasoning tool, sparked a $1 trillion market sell-off last month. Namely, it only demonstrated R1’s ability to excel over more costly Western alternatives, emphasising that true innovation does not necessitate a steep price. With R2’s launch being expedited from its planned release in May, DeepSeek aims to enhance its lead with improved capabilities, including advanced coding skills and multilingual reasoning.

At the heart of DeepSeek’s ascent is its visionary founder, Liang Wenfeng, a billionaire known for creating the High-Flyer hedge fund. Liang has built a research-centric, agile enterprise distinguished by a culture of flexibility and collaboration. Situated near Beijing’s top academic institutions, the company draws a young workforce eager to escape the infamous ‘996’ culture, focusing instead on collaborative and innovative projects. This unique approach, combined with High-Flyer’s prior investment in infrastructure like the Fire-Flyer II cluster packed with Nvidia A100 chips, allowed DeepSeek to create its R1 model using less costly, commercially available tech, setting new efficiency standards for AI development.

Why does it matter?

The launch of R2 is poised to reshape the AI landscape, potentially breaking the dominance of a select few market leaders and sparking a global move towards more affordable AI innovations, as industry figure Vijayasinha Alilughatta suggested. However, this shift alarms some in Washington, wary of China’s increasing AI foothold, possibly leading to tighter US controls on chip exports. Despite this tension, Beijing supports DeepSeek, with significant Chinese tech entities integrating its models, although Liang remains intentionally low-profile to avoid unwanted attention.

While DeepSeek prepares for R2’s launch, challenges arise, including global app stores removing their products due to privacy concerns and navigating chip embargoes. Despite these hurdles, Liang’s unique leadership and strategic approach have ignited competition in the AI sector and exemplified how innovative underdogs can disrupt the industry. As circumstances develop, DeepSeek stands at the forefront of inspiring affordable, potent AI solutions globally, challenging established norms and potentially exacerbating US-China tech tensions.

Digital time travel on social media

Recent weeks have seen a surge in AI-generated videos that transport viewers to historical eras, from the medieval streets during the Black Death to the dramatic eruption of Vesuvius. Creators Dan from the UK and Hogne from Norway, behind the accounts POV Lab and Time Traveller POV, have produced these first-person narratives to bring history to life in a unique and engaging manner.

While the videos have attracted millions of views and sparked widespread fascination, several historians have raised concerns over their historical accuracy. Experts such as Dr Amy Boyington and Dr Hannah Platts point out numerous inaccuracies, including anachronistic details like modern bread rolls and train tracks in medieval scenes, that risk misrepresenting historical facts. They caution that such artistic interpretations, though visually striking, could mislead young viewers and distort their understanding of history.

The creators defend their work as a means to spark curiosity and encourage further research, openly acknowledging that their videos are not intended to be strict documentaries. They label their content as AI-created and urge audiences to verify historical details independently. Despite the debate, these innovative videos are opening up new ways for the public to engage with the past, even as calls for greater accuracy and transparency grow louder.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu. 

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek expands open-source commitment

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has announced plans to release five new code repositories next week, reinforcing its commitment to open-source artificial intelligence.

The company, which gained global attention with its R1 reasoning model rivaling Western AI systems, described the release as ‘small but sincere progress’ towards full transparency. These repositories, tested in real-world applications, will provide essential infrastructure to support the AI models DeepSeek has already made public.

DeepSeek has set itself apart in China‘s AI sector by embracing open-source practices, a rare move in a market that typically favours closed-source models.

Founder Liang Wenfeng has emphasised the cultural significance of open-source over commercial gains, highlighting the satisfaction that comes from driving innovation and earning industry respect.

His approach has sparked global interest, particularly after the release of the R1 model, known for its strong performance and cost efficiency.

The company has also recently introduced a new algorithm, Native Sparse Attention (NSA), designed to improve efficiency in long-context training and inference.

DeepSeek’s popularity has surged, becoming China’s leading chatbot service with 22.2 million daily active users, surpassing long-established platforms like Douban. The growing user base and commitment to open-source are positioning DeepSeek as a major player in the global AI landscape.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Genspark expands AI search efforts with fresh $100 million investment

AI search startup Genspark has secured $100 million in a Series A funding round, raising its valuation to $530 million as it aims to disrupt Google’s dominance in the search engine market.

Backed by United States and Singapore-based investors, the Palo Alto-based firm now boasts over two million monthly active users. The funding follows a $60 million seed round last June, continuing Genspark’s rapid growth.

Led by CEO Eric Jing, formerly head of Baidu’s AI-powered Xiaodu unit, Genspark is positioning itself as a major contender in the AI-driven search space. Its platform uses multiple AI models working together to conduct detailed online research, aiming to provide users with streamlined, citation-backed answers—an approach that contrasts Google’s traditional list of links.

The competition in AI search has intensified, with rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT integrating real-time search capabilities and Perplexity reaching a $9 billion valuation.

Google is also testing AI-enhanced search results, highlighting the growing pressure to innovate in the industry. Genspark’s latest funding positions it to expand its technology and user base as the battle for AI-powered search heats up.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI safety cuts loom

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is set to cut up to 500 staff members, a move that could devastate the US AI Safety Institute and its related programme, Chips for America. Recent reports indicate that these cuts are primarily aimed at probationary employees, with some already receiving verbal notice of termination.

Established under a previous US presidential directive, the AI Safety Institute has faced an uncertain future ever since its inception. The current government’s plans to reduce its workforce are raising concerns among experts, who warn that such reductions will hinder the nation’s capacity to develop critical safety standards in AI development.

Critics from various AI safety and policy organisations have voiced their alarm, emphasising that these cuts occur at a time when specialised expertise is essential. The potential loss of institutional knowledge could leave the government ill-equipped to manage emerging risks in artificial intelligence.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu. 

Digital assistant bridges the counsellor gap

A new digital wellbeing companion, known as Sonny, is now being introduced in several schools across nine districts. Developed by Sonar Mental Health, this tool combines artificial intelligence with human oversight to provide initial mental health support to students.

Students can send their queries via text, with the AI suggesting responses that are ultimately reviewed by a dedicated team of professionals experienced in psychology, social work, and crisis intervention. This approach comes at a time when many schools are facing a severe shortage of qualified counsellours, with recent data revealing that 17 per cent of high schools lack a dedicated counsellour.

CEO Drew Bavir has emphasised that Sonny is not meant to replace professional therapy. Instead, it acts as a first point of contact, with Sonar staff ready to work alongside schools and parents to secure access to further specialist support when needed. This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health challenges within schools.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu. 

AI transforms fashion

London-based model Alexsandrah Gondora is now utilising an AI replica of herself for photo shoots, allowing designers and retailers to book her digital double without the need for her physical presence. This innovative approach not only saves time but also cuts down the costs traditionally associated with high-budget campaigns.

While this technology opens up endless creative possibilities, it has also sparked concerns among industry professionals. Critics fear that the widespread use of AI-generated images could eventually displace traditional models, not just in the UK, but globally. Replacing make-up artists, photographers, and even promote a homogenised standard of beauty.

Gondora, however, remains optimistic about the change, emphasising that she retains control over her digital likeness and benefits from the new model. The rise of such digital innovations is prompting calls for new regulations to ensure that models are fairly compensated and their rights protected in this evolving field.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu. 

AI helps decode emotions in seven animal species

A groundbreaking study from the University of Copenhagen has demonstrated that AI can decode emotions in animals. By training a machine-learning model to analyse the vocal patterns of seven ungulate species, including cows, pigs, and wild boars, the research achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 89.49%. This study, the first of its kind to cross species, marks a significant step forward in understanding animal emotions.

The AI model identified key acoustic indicators of emotional states, such as duration, frequency, and amplitude of vocalisations, revealing that emotional expressions are evolutionarily conserved across species. This discovery could revolutionise animal welfare, enabling real-time monitoring of animals’ emotional well-being, particularly in livestock management, veterinary care, and conservation efforts.

The implications for animal welfare are profound. Early detection of stress or discomfort could lead to timely interventions, improving animals’ lives. Additionally, promoting positive emotions could enhance overall welfare. The researchers have made their emotional call database publicly available to support further studies and encourage more AI-driven research in animal welfare and conservation.

This study not only sheds new light on animal emotions but also offers insights into the evolutionary roots of human language, opening up exciting possibilities for future scientific exploration and better understanding of animal behaviour.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.