ai Archives | Page 5 of 347 | Digital Watch Observatory

AI accelerates drug formulation through predictive modelling

Low solubility and poor bioavailability remain major hurdles in small-molecule drug development, often preventing promising candidates from reaching clinical trials. Traditional trial-and-error methods are time-consuming and depend heavily on the limited availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

AI and machine learning now provide predictive models that anticipate solubility, permeability and systemic exposure. These tools let scientists prioritise high-impact experiments while conserving valuable material.

Digital platforms combine predictive algorithms with stability testing to guide excipient and technology selection. AI can simulate molecular interactions and dose scenarios, helping teams identify risks early and refine first-in-human doses safely.

End-to-end AI/ML workflows integrate data, modelling and manufacturing insights. However, this accelerates development timelines, lowers the risk of late-stage reformulations and connects early formulation choices directly to clinical and manufacturing outcomes.

While AI enhances efficiency and precision, it does not replace human expertise. It amplifies formulation scientists’ work, freeing them to focus on innovative design, problem-solving and delivering high-quality therapies to patients more rapidly.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI respond better to clarity than courtesy

Large language models are designed to mimic human conversation, but treating them like people can mislead users. Politeness, flattery, or threats do not consistently improve the accuracy of AI responses.

Experts recommend focusing on how questions are structured rather than on word choice. Asking for multiple options, giving examples, and conducting step-by-step interviews can make AI outputs more relevant and useful.

Role-playing may be effective for creative or exploratory tasks, but it can reduce reliability when precise answers are required. AI models are constantly updated, making old prompting tricks largely ineffective.

Maintaining neutrality in prompts prevents biased responses, and while politeness may not improve AI performance, it can make interactions more comfortable. Developing careful prompt strategies is more effective than relying on manners alone.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Pope Leo XIV calls for responsible AI use in homilies

Pope Leo XIV has called for responsible and discerning use of AI in religious ministry, warning clergy against over-reliance on digital tools. Speaking during a dialogue with priests of the Diocese of Rome, he stressed that technology should not replace personal reflection, prayer, and critical thinking.

Central to his message was a caution against using AI to prepare homilies. He emphasised that preaching is not merely about producing structured text but about sharing lived faith and spiritual experience, which AI cannot replicate.

The Pope underlined that intellectual and spiritual capacities must be exercised rather than delegated to automated systems. He warned that excessive dependence on AI could weaken the depth and authenticity of pastoral work.

He also raised concerns about the illusion created by online platforms such as TikTok, noting that likes and followers do not equate to a life rooted in faith. Broader discussions touched on priestly responsibility, community engagement, isolation, and the importance of serving as role models.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI-animated videos strengthen BBC World Service content strategy

AI is increasingly being tested in media production as organisations adapt to changing digital consumption patterns. Generative AI tools are being used to repurpose archival material, experiment with new formats, and expand distribution across online platforms.

In this context, the BBC World Service has launched its first AI-animated video adaptations. The initiative transforms audio episodes of Witness History into short animated films, marking a new application of generative AI within the World Service’s programming.

Five episodes are scheduled for release, starting with The World’s First Labradoodle on the BBC World Service’s YouTube channel. Further adaptations cover Brazil’s largest bank heist, the restoration of Ramesses II’s mummy, the discovery of Lord Sipán in Peru, and an arrest related to football in Brazil.

The project aims to extend the reach of existing audio content and attract digital audiences who may not engage with radio. Editorial oversight remains in place, with AI positioned as a production support tool rather than a replacement for journalistic processes.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Democratising AI in business without risking security

Across organisations, AI tools are moving beyond IT teams and into everyday business functions. CIOs now face the challenge of widening access while protecting data, security and trust.

Earlier waves of low-code platforms and citizen data science showed that empowerment can boost innovation but also create shadow IT and technical debt. AI agents and generative systems raise the stakes, with risks ranging from data leaks to flawed automated decisions.

Pressure from boards and business leaders means AI cannot be restricted to a small pilot group. Transparent governance, approved toolkits, and updated data policies are essential to prevent misuse while still enabling experimentation.

Long-term success depends on culture as much as technology. Leaders must define a focused AI vision, invest in literacy and adapt change management so employees use AI to improve decisions rather than accelerate flawed processes.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Microsoft expands Sovereign Cloud with secure offline support for large AI models

Digital sovereignty is gaining urgency as organisations seek infrastructure that remains secure and reliable under strict regulatory conditions.

Microsoft is expanding its Sovereign Cloud to help public bodies, regulated industries and enterprises maintain control of data and operations even when environments must operate without external connectivity.

The updated portfolio allows customers to choose how each workload is governed, rather than relying on a single deployment model.

Azure Local now supports disconnected operations, keeping mission-critical systems running with full Azure governance within sovereign boundaries. Management, policies and workloads stay entirely on site, so services continue during periods of isolation.

Microsoft 365 Local extends the resilience to the productivity layer by enabling Exchange Server, SharePoint Server and Skype for Business Server to run locally, giving teams secure collaboration within the same protected boundary as their infrastructure.

Support for large multimodal AI models is delivered through Foundry Local, which enables advanced inference on customer-controlled hardware using technology from partners such as NVIDIA.

Such an approach helps organisations bring modern AI capabilities into highly restricted environments while preserving control over data, identities and operational procedures.

Microsoft positions it as a unified stack that works across connected, hybrid and fully disconnected modes without increasing operational complexity.

These additions create a framework designed for governments and regulated industries that regard sovereignty as a strategic priority.

With global availability for qualified customers, the Sovereign Cloud aims to preserve continuity, reinforce governance and expand AI capability while keeping every layer of the environment within local control.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Crypto market embraces AI and structural growth in 2026

The cryptocurrency market in 2026 is showing a shift from hype-driven cycles to structured growth and strategic maturity. Institutional strategies dominate, retail investors take a smaller role, and geopolitical uncertainty affects market sentiment.

Analysts warn that the era of speculative memecoins and whitepaper millionaires is giving way to projects prioritising revenue, sustainability, and systemic utility.

Market leaders note a widening gap between top cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum and smaller altcoins. Major assets gain from liquidity and institutional adoption, while many tokens face higher risk as traditional exchange listings pull capital from on-chain markets.

Investors are advised to focus on infrastructure, liquidity, and scalable systems rather than short-term trends.

AI is emerging as a defining force. Experts highlight the growing use of AI agents to trade, allocate capital, and manage risk autonomously, with blockchain providing transparency and auditability.

The convergence of AI and crypto is expected to shape next-generation financial products, driving adoption beyond speculation and into practical, revenue-generating applications.

Strategic advice for 2026 emphasises diversification, system-oriented thinking, and long-term fundamentals. Investors should diversify across crypto, traditional, and offshore assets, using automated tools to reduce emotional decisions amid ongoing volatility.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

OURA launches AI model tailored to women’s physiology with privacy-first design

Guidance for women’s health is entering a new phase as ŌURA introduces a proprietary large language model designed specifically for reproductive and hormonal wellbeing.

The model sits within Oura Advisor and is available for testing through Oura Labs, drawing on clinical standards, peer-reviewed evidence and biometric signals collected through the Oura Ring to create personalised and context-aware responses.

The system interprets questions through women’s physiology instead of depending on general-purpose models that miss critical hormonal and life-stage variables.

It supports the full spectrum of reproductive health, from the earliest menstrual patterns to menopause, and is intentionally tuned to be non-dismissive and emotionally supportive.

By combining longitudinal sleep, activity, stress, cycle and pregnancy data with clinician-reviewed research, the model aims to strengthen understanding and preparation ahead of medical appointments.

Privacy forms the centre of the architecture, with all processing hosted on infrastructure controlled entirely by the company. Conversations are neither shared nor sold, reflecting ŌURA’s broader push for private AI.

Oura Labs operates as an opt-in experimental environment where new features are tested in collaboration with members who can leave at any time.

Women who take part influence the model’s evolution by contributing feedback that informs future development.

These interactions help refine personalised insights across fertility, cycle irregularities, pregnancy changes and other hormonal shifts, marking a significant step in how the Finland-founded company advances preventive, data-guided care for its global community.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

NVIDIA healthcare survey shows surge in AI adoption and strong ROI

AI is reshaping healthcare as organisations shift from trial projects to large-scale deployment.

The latest industry survey from NVIDIA shows widespread adoption across digital healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, signalling a sector that is now executing rather than experimenting.

Uptake is expanding rapidly, with generative AI and large language models becoming central tools for clinical and operational tasks.

The report highlights how medical imaging, drug discovery and clinical decision support are among the most prominent applications. Radiologists are using AI to accelerate image analysis, while research teams apply advanced models to speed early-stage drug development.

Organisations benefit from workflow optimisation instead of relying on manual administrative routines, with many citing improvements in patient coordination, documentation and coding.

Open-source models are increasingly important, with most respondents considering them vital for domain-specific development.

Experts argue that open-source innovation will guide exploration, whereas deployment in clinical environments will demand rigorous validation and accountability rather than unrestricted experimentation.

Agentic AI is emerging as a new capability for knowledge retrieval and literature analysis.

Evidence of return on investment is clear, prompting 85% of organisations to expand their AI budgets. Many report higher revenue, reduced costs and significant gains in back-office productivity.

Evaluation is becoming a core operational requirement, ensuring AI continues to improve safety, quality and overall clinical performance over time.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

New Relic advances AI agents for enterprise observability

The expansion into enterprise AI comes with a no-code platform from New Relic that allows companies to build and supervise their own observability agents.

A system that assembles AI-driven monitors designed to detect bugs and performance problems before they affect users, instead of leaving teams to rely on manual tracking.

It also supports the Model Context Protocol so organisations can link external data sources to the agents and integrate them with existing New Relic tools.

The company stresses that the platform is intended to complement other agent systems rather than replace them.

As AI agent software spreads across the market, enterprises are searching for ways to manage risk when giving automated tools access to internal systems.

Industry players such as Salesforce and OpenAI have already introduced their own agent platforms, and assessments from Gartner describe these frameworks as essential infrastructure for wider AI adoption.

New Relic also introduced new tools for the OpenTelemetry framework to remove friction around observability standards.

Its application performance monitoring agents now support OTel data, allowing enterprises to manage these streams in one place instead of operating separate collectors.

The update aims to reduce fragmentation that has slowed OTel deployment across large organisations and to simplify how engineering teams handle diverse observability pipelines.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!