The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs (MDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster their collaboration in cybersecurity and emerging technology. This MOU strengthens the longstanding partnership between the United States and Poland, providing a structured framework for coordinated efforts in addressing global security challenges, including cyber threats and responsible technology development.
By focusing on key areas such as cyber policy, Secure by Design practices, information sharing, incident response, human capital development, and the safe deployment of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), both nations demonstrate a shared commitment to transatlantic security. The timing of this MOU, which coincides with the Fourth Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit, reflects a united stance against the growing ransomware threat, as nearly 70 countries gathered to reinforce global resilience against cybercrime.
Various agencies will spearhead the implementation of the MOU as part of the agreement. In the United States, DHS entities like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, and the Science and Technology Directorate will drive projects that enhance cybersecurity and support critical infrastructure. On the Polish side, the National Research Institute (NASK) will be instrumental in coordinating these efforts, positioning Poland for its upcoming EU Council presidency in 2025, where it aims to strengthen US-EU relations and prioritise European information security.
Why does it matter?
Together, these agencies will focus on collaborative initiatives that ensure safe technology practices, build critical skills, and enable a proactive response to digital threats, securing a stronger digital future for both nations.
Google has rolled out its Gemini-powered AI assistant, Gmail Q&A, to iOS users, allowing select Gmail accounts to ask questions about their emails within the app. First introduced to Android in August, the feature is now available to Google One AI Premium subscribers and Google Workspace accounts with specific add-ons. Users can ask the AI for insights into their inbox, like summarising email threads or finding particular messages.
Adding the Gemini button next to Gmail’s search bar aims to encourage users to rely on AI to navigate their inbox, offering a more intuitive alternative to the traditional search bar. Google plans to expand Gemini’s capabilities to include information from Google Drive.
Gmail Q&A is part of Google’s broader push to integrate AI across its products, adding features like email summaries, package tracking, and reminders. With these updates, Google seeks to stay competitive against Apple’s Mail app, which recently introduced features similar to iOS 18. However, free Gmail users may not have access to these premium AI tools anytime soon, as Google uses them to drive subscription growth.
Google is adding ads to AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, which appear in response to certain search queries. These ads, labelled ‘Sponsored,’ will appear alongside non-sponsored content, offering users quick access to relevant products and services. This marks Google’s latest effort to monetise its AI search feature and boost user engagement, particularly among younger audiences.
Along with ads, Google is also rolling out AI-organised search results. These new pages will display more diverse content, including videos, articles, and forum posts. While these AI-organised results will not include ads, they aim to make search results more relevant and visually appealing, offering users a more tailored experience.
As Google continues to expand its AI-driven search features, there are concerns about the impact on web traffic for publishers. Some studies suggest AI-generated summaries could reduce page views and ad revenues, potentially costing publishers billions. However, Google says it is working to address these concerns while continuing to refine its AI search technology.
Google is introducing several new AI-powered features to its Maps app in India, including AI-generated summaries, enhanced search options for experiences, and real-time weather alerts. Announced during the annual Google for India event, these updates will allow users to search for specific experiences, like ‘unique picnic spots’ or ‘themed birthday cakes,’ with results presented through an image-focused interface highlighting photos uploaded by businesses and users.
Additionally, the AI in Google Maps will analyse reviews to provide concise summaries of places, similar to features launched in the US earlier this year. When navigating, users will also receive weather alerts about low visibility from fog or flooding.
These updates follow Google’s July introduction of India-specific features, such as improved navigation for narrow roads and flyovers, EV charging station locations, and community-powered discovery lists. The new features will be rolled out to Indian users later this month.
Captions, an AI-powered video editing app, has introduced a new tool that manages content publishing schedules for websites and generates videos on relevant topics. This tool analyses a site to collect content, keywords, service offerings, and key selling points, creating a customised content plan. Currently, the emphasis is on producing videos for social media platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok, with plans to explore additional formats in the future.
The tool is designed to support small businesses like cafes and dental clinics by showcasing their offerings and seasonal trends. In June, Captions launched a feature that enables users to automatically create and edit videos using 12 AI characters. This new tool utilises a business’s existing content and relevant trends to generate video prompts, allowing sellers to create a digital twin and incorporate their brand identity, including custom colours, logos, and fonts.
Captions CEO Gaurav Misra highlighted that the tool assists businesses lacking resources to create high-quality content, enabling them to build an online presence without requiring advanced video production skills. He envisions a future where businesses can incorporate more of their web pages into the AI content planning process. Recently, Captions secured $60 million in Series C funding, which will be used to enhance its AI capabilities. The company offers paid plans, including Max at $25 per month and Scale at $70 per month.
A recent pilot program using AI software has significantly reduced the time social workers spend on administrative tasks by more than 60%, according to Swindon Borough Council. The AI tool, Magic Notes, developed by UK-based Beam, was tested by 19 social workers and received ‘overwhelmingly positive’ feedback. By automating the recording of conversations and generating assessments, the software allowed social workers to focus more on meaningful interactions with the people they support.
The trial, held from April to June, revealed a significant reduction in assessment times, decreasing from an average of 90 minutes to just 35 minutes. Additionally, the time needed to write reports was slashed from four hours to 90 minutes. Social workers facing challenges such as visual impairments or dyslexia reported that the tool fostered a more inclusive work environment, enhancing their confidence in their roles.
Councillor Ray Ballman, the cabinet member for adult social care, described Magic Notes as a ‘game changer.’ He mentioned that the council is now looking into additional ways to integrate the technology to enhance care quality and provide better staff support.
Sir Paul McCartney has announced his return to the stage with the ‘Got Back’ tour, featuring a highly anticipated performance of the last Beatles song, Now and Then. The song, which includes vocals from the late John Lennon, was completed with the help of AI technology and marks a poignant moment in Beatles history.
Now and Then was created using Lennon’s vocals from an old cassette tape, recovered and refined using AI. McCartney and fellow Beatle Ringo Starr worked together on the project, adding guitar parts from the late George Harrison. The song, originally left unfinished in 1977, has now been brought to life, with McCartney singing alongside Lennon’s voice.
The tour will kick off in Montevideo, Uruguay, before moving through South America and Europe, with two dates at Manchester’s Co-op Live and two final shows at London’s O2 Arena in December. McCartney, who last played in the UK at Glastonbury four years ago, has expressed excitement about returning to his home country to end the tour.
Despite some complaints from Liverpool fans over the absence of a hometown gig, McCartney remains enthusiastic about his UK shows. He described the upcoming performances as a ‘special feeling’ and looks forward to closing out the year with a celebration on home soil.
Recent research reveals that OpenAI’s ChatGPT remains the most sought-after AI tool, with nearly 25 million searches from US users each month. Despite its immense popularity, Google’s Gemini follows far behind in second place, receiving just 1.5 million searches.
Although Gemini struggled earlier in the year, public interest has been growing. This uptick might be tied to its association with Google’s AI-powered Pixel 9 phones, which launched after the data was collected. Gemini’s appearance on Android devices could further boost its profile.
Other popular AI tools trail significantly behind, with Microsoft’s Copilot in third place, generating 368,000 searches monthly. Perplexity and Brave Search round out the top five. Interestingly, AI models like Character.ai and Claude failed to make the top 15 in searches.
Superside’s study demonstrates the clear user preference for established AI models. While the interest in AI continues to rise, a few dominant players seem to capture the majority of attention.
OpenAI has launched several new tools aimed at making it easier for developers to create applications powered by its AI technology. Among the key innovations is a real-time tool that allows developers to build AI voice applications using a single set of instructions, streamlining what was previously a multi-step process.
The startup, supported by Microsoft, also introduced a fine-tuning tool that enables developers to improve AI model responses using both text and images. This enhancement boosts capabilities like visual search and object detection, potentially benefiting sectors such as autonomous vehicles.
OpenAI has forecast a rapid rise in revenue, expecting to generate $11.6 billion next year, driven by businesses building their own AI apps using its technology. With competition from tech giants like Google heating up, OpenAI is focused on rolling out advanced tools to retain its edge in the generative AI race.
Other newly unveiled features include a method for smaller AI models to learn from larger ones, and a ‘Prompt Caching’ system that can reduce development costs by reusing previously processed text, cutting expenses by up to half.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a social media moderation programme ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The initiative is designed to protect players and fans from toxic online content. More than 60 players have already joined, with further onboarding expected.
To safeguard mental health and promote inclusivity, the ICC has partnered with GoBubble. Together, they will use a combination of AI and human oversight to monitor harmful comments on social media platforms. The service will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with the option for players to use it on their own accounts.
The technology is designed to automatically detect and hide negative comments, including hate speech, harassment, and misogyny. By doing so, it creates a healthier environment for teams, players, and fans to engage with the tournament which will be held in Bangladesh.
Finn Bradshaw, ICC’s Head of Digital, expressed his satisfaction with the programme’s early success. Players and teams have welcomed the initiative, recognising the importance of maintaining a positive digital atmosphere during the tournament.
