Google is testing an AI-driven feature for YouTube Shorts, allowing creators to alter licensed audio tracks to fit different styles or genres. Part of YouTube’s Dream Track experiment, the feature lets select creators customise songs by simply describing their desired transformation, such as changing the music genre. YouTube’s AI then generates a 30-second soundtrack for the creator’s short video, maintaining the original vocals and lyrics.
The experimental tool has clear attribution rules, ensuring viewers can see that the song has been restyled with AI. Videos featuring these AI-enhanced tracks will display the original song information and note that AI was used to alter the sound. This setup helps protect the rights of original music creators while giving video makers new artistic possibilities.
The Dream Track experiment has been in testing since last year, initially giving creators access to AI-generated artist voices with approved songs. This latest feature now expands to allow broader soundtrack customisation within Shorts, aiming to boost creator flexibility and viewer engagement.
Separately, YouTube is testing a swipe-up feature for its Android app, making it easier to navigate between videos. Available to a limited number of users, the swipe-up gesture now brings a navigation method similar to Instagram Reels, potentially signalling an interface shift across YouTube’s mobile platform.
India’s technology workforce is expected to expand significantly by 2028, creating an estimated 2.73 million new tech jobs, according to a ServiceNow report. As AI transforms industries nationwide, the overall workforce in India is projected to increase by 33.89 million, rising from 423.73 million in 2023 to 457.62 million. This growth is anticipated to bring a wave of new opportunities for professionals, particularly in tech-focused roles.
The retail sector is expected to drive the bulk of new employment, requiring nearly seven million additional workers as it adapts to tech innovations. Job opportunities in retail will increasingly demand skills in software development and data engineering, aligning with a broader shift towards a tech-enabled workforce. Other sectors set for growth include manufacturing, which anticipates 1.5 million new roles, as well as education and healthcare, each expected to see hundreds of thousands of new job openings.
ServiceNow’s research underscores the need for upskilling initiatives to support this tech-driven transition. Companies and policymakers are urged to work together in facilitating training efforts, ensuring a seamless shift for professionals moving into technical roles. Strategic investments in tech skills will also provide pathways for individuals to pursue advanced digital careers across various industries.
Demand for tech roles such as Software Application Developers, Systems Software Developers, and Data Engineers is expected to soar, with tens of thousands of new positions in these fields. Other high-demand roles include Web Developers, Data Analysts, and Software Testers, reflecting a growing need for skilled professionals to support expanding digital economy in India.
In a significant rise, over 5 million Koreans used the ChatGPT app in October, a sevenfold jump from the previous year, according to data from WiseappㆍRetailㆍGoods. This surge marks a milestone, with around 10 percent of smartphone users in Korea, totalling 51.2 million, now engaging with ChatGPT regularly.
Reports reveal that Korean users are also spending more time on the app, averaging 51.6 minutes each month—an increase of 20 minutes compared to last year. Frequency of use has similarly grown, with users logging into ChatGPT around 5.7 days a month, up from 3.2 days last year.
The increase in Korea is part of a larger global trend, with ChatGPT visits worldwide reaching 3.1 billion in September, a dramatic 112 percent increase year-on-year. This global growth underscores the rising appeal and practicality of AI applications like ChatGPT.
Analysts attribute this trend to ChatGPT’s expanding capabilities, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use. As more people discover its potential, ChatGPT’s popularity is expected to continue climbing globally and within Korea.
Japan’s government will not impose any tax increases to finance its ambitious 10 trillion yen ($65 billion) plan aimed at bolstering the country’s semiconductor and AI sectors, Industry Minister Yoji Muto announced on Tuesday. The statement followed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s unveiling of the substantial aid package to strengthen Japan‘s technology industry.
Prime Minister Ishiba clarified that deficit-covering bonds would not be issued to fund the initiative. The government’s approach to supporting high-tech projects is intended to enhance Japan’s global competitiveness without burdening taxpayers or adding to the national debt.
The funding strategy underscores Japan’s commitment to advancing domestic technology sectors while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The measures reflect a broader effort to secure the nation’s position in critical technology fields, vital for economic growth and national security.
Ben Peters, known for his work in autonomous vehicles, is shifting gears with Cogna, a UK-based AI startup that just secured $15M in Series A funding led by Notion Capital. Hoxton Ventures and Chalfen Ventures also joined the round, which follows an earlier $4.75M seed investment. Cogna’s mission is to revolutionise enterprise resource planning (ERP) by using AI to develop custom software tailored to businesses’ specific workflows.
Cogna’s AI-driven platform claims to streamline the traditionally cumbersome and expensive ERP processes used for managing procurement, supply chains, finance, and more. Customers like Cadent Gas and Network Plus have already adopted Cogna’s solutions, which deliver bespoke software experiences through a seamless SaaS interface. Peters emphasises that the platform enables non-technical teams to articulate their needs in natural language, letting the AI handle the rest.
Leveraging tools from providers like OpenAI and Anthropic, UK based Cogna combines generative AI with specialised engineering to write code that meets unique enterprise requirements. This approach positions Cogna to compete with established IT consulting giants while carving a niche in the lucrative enterprise AI market. Peters, drawing on his expertise from FiveAI, is confident in his ability to adapt and innovate as Cogna scales its groundbreaking solutions.
The Vatican has introduced advanced AI-enabled services to offer virtual and enhanced access to St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s most renowned Renaissance landmarks. Launched with Microsoft and heritage digitalisation firm Iconem, the new platform provides a 3D model of the basilica, developed with drones, cameras, and lasers that capture over 400,000 images. The model is now viewable through an interactive website. This innovation comes as the Catholic Church gears up for its 2025 Jubilee celebrations, expected to draw even more visitors to Rome.
With around 40,000-50,000 people visiting St. Peter’s daily, these new digital tools will allow users worldwide to virtually explore its artistic and architectural marvels. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti likened the basilica to a “starry sky,” hoping the tools would bring an “enchanting” experience to global audiences. The digital replica is also intended to aid the basilica’s future preservation and restoration.
Pope Francis expressed support for the project, highlighting the importance of ethical AI use. He noted that while AI can expand access to cultural knowledge, its application should always aim to benefit humanity.
Baidu Inc. has launched several new AI-driven tools, including a text-to-image generator and a no-code app builder, aiming to make advanced technology more accessible. The unveiling took place at the Baidu World Conference, where CEO Robin Li presented innovations that showcase the company’s commitment to commercialising large language model (LLM) applications.
Among the new offerings is I-RAG, a text-to-image generator designed to prevent errors known as hallucinations—images deviating from input text or containing unreal elements. According to Li, the company’s Ernie platform now handles 1.5 billion interactions daily, a remarkable leap from 200 million requests just months ago. This platform supports tasks like text generation, question-answering, and other AI-assisted functions.
In its push for user-friendly AI, Baidu has introduced Miaoda, a no-code tool that leverages LLM capabilities to enable software creation without coding expertise. The company has also integrated these tools into its cloud services, providing AI-powered solutions across its product range for broader commercialisation.
Baidu’s expansion includes new hardware, with the debut of Xiaodu AI glasses, equipped with cameras and voice-interaction capabilities powered by the Ernie platform. Rather than building a single ‘super app’, Baidu is diversifying its approach, distinguishing itself from rivals by focusing on a more versatile AI product lineup.
Cloud monitoring firm Datadog raised its annual revenue and profit forecasts on Thursday, driven by increasing demand for its AI-backed cybersecurity products. The New York-based company now expects full-year revenue of about $2.66 billion, up from its previous projection of $2.62 to $2.63 billion, with analysts having anticipated $2.63 billion. Datadog also raised its adjusted profit forecast to between $1.75 and $1.77 per share, surpassing earlier estimates of $1.62 to $1.66.
The company’s performance has been bolstered by the growing adoption of AI applications by its customers, who are increasingly deploying these tools in live production environments. As AI apps run in the cloud, Datadog stands to benefit from the ongoing migration to cloud services, which drives demand for its monitoring software. For the quarter ending September 30, Datadog reported revenue of $690 million, beating the expected $664.3 million, and posted an adjusted profit of 46 cents per share, exceeding analysts’ predictions of 40 cents.
Despite the strong results and optimistic growth outlook, Datadog’s stock saw some volatility, rising 4.1% before later paring its gains as investors reacted to high expectations for the company’s performance.
French AI startup LightOn launched an initial public offering (IPO) on the Euronext Growth market in Paris, with its debut trading expected later this month. The company, known for its large language model (LLM) software used by businesses and the French government, will be Europe’s first publicly listed generative AI startup, a significant milestone as France aims to position itself as a leader in AI within Europe.
LightOn’s co-CEOs Igor Carron and Laurent Daudet emphasised that the IPO provides a ‘unique opportunity’ for investors to support a growing French tech company with a track record of success both in France and internationally. Shares are priced at 10.35 euros, valuing the company at around 50 million euros, and LightOn aims to raise roughly 10.4 million euros through the capital increase. The subscription period will run until November 20, with shares expected to trade beginning 26 November.
This move aligns with France’s broader push to close the innovation gap with the US and the UK, with ambitions for 100 tech ‘unicorns’ by 2030. LightOn’s listing could signal an opening for more European AI firms to seek public funding, offering investors access to an evolving tech market in the region.
Amazon is reportedly in advanced talks for a second multi-billion dollar investment in the AI startup Anthropic, building on its previous $4 billion commitment made in 2023. This new investment would not only bolster Amazon’s growing ties with Anthropic but also help enhance its strategic position in the highly competitive AI sector. Anthropic, which is using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to power its AI model training, has become a key player in the AI race.
In addition to providing financial backing, Amazon has reportedly asked Anthropic to utilise its servers, which are powered by Amazon’s custom-designed chips. However, sources note that Anthropic has a preference for using Nvidia-designed chips, which are widely recognised as the industry standard for AI processing. This dynamic highlights the ongoing competition between Amazon and Nvidia in the AI hardware space, as both tech giants vie for dominance in the rapidly expanding market.
Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives Dario and Daniela Amodei, has attracted significant interest from other major players in the tech industry. The startup secured a $500 million investment from Google’s parent company, Alphabet, last year, with Alphabet pledging an additional $1.5 billion over time. Despite these investments, both Amazon and Anthropic have declined to comment on the specifics of the latest talks regarding the new investment, underscoring the confidential nature of these high-stakes negotiations.
