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                        <title>Latest Technology News, Tech News Pakistan | The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Russia sends American and two cosmonauts to space station with rare NASA chief visit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618251/russia-sends-american-and-two-cosmonauts-to-space-station-with-rare-nasa-chief-visit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618251/russia-sends-american-and-two-cosmonauts-to-space-station-with-rare-nasa-chief-visit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 18:54:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[US astronaut Anil Menon, two Russian cosmonauts launch aboard Soyuz MS-29 for eight-month ISS mission]]>
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				<![CDATA[Russia sent two cosmonauts and an American astronaut ​to the International Space Station on Tuesday from Kazakhstan, resuming crewed flights from a recently repaired launchpad with a rare joint &zwnj;attendance by the heads of NASA and Russia&#39;s space agency.

US astronaut Anil Menon and cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard Russia&#39;s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft at 10:47am&nbsp;EDT (1447 GMT), bound for the International Space Station (ISS), where they will spend about eight months as the station&#39;s 75th rotation crew.



LIVE: After launching this morning at 10:47am ET (1447 UTC), @astro_anil is arriving at the @Space_Station. Docking is scheduled for 1:56pm ET (1756 UTC). https://t.co/Mat47oHvYx
&mdash; NASA (@NASA) July 14, 2026


The crew arrived at the football field-sized space laboratory just over ​three hours later as they orbited over the Mediterranean Sea, joining three Americans, two Europeans and two Russians already aboard.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman travelled to ​Baikonur to meet Roscosmos Director Dmitry Bakanov and watch the launch, the first visit to Russia&#39;s launchpad by a NASA ⁠chief since 2018. Tensions over the Russia-Ukraine war had largely prevented Bill Nelson, former president Joe Biden&#39;s NASA chief, from such visits.

The Expedition 75 mission ​was the first spaceflight for Menon, 49. Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut, flew on a SpaceX capsule in 2024 with Menon&#39;s wife, SpaceX engineer Anna Menon, ​and two others in the Polaris Dawn mission, a private spacewalking voyage funded by Isaacman.

Read More: Reusable rocket milestone puts China in elite space league

&quot;Anil has spent his entire life preparing for this moment,&quot; Isaacman wrote on X after the launch. &quot;He is a scholar, military officer, physician, pilot, husband, father and will undoubtedly become one of the great American astronauts.&quot;



Congratulations to @astro_anil and his Soyuz MS-29 crew on a successful launch and on their voyage to the International Space Station. &nbsp;Anil has spent his entire life preparing for this moment. He is a scholar, military officer, physician, pilot, husband, father and will&hellip; pic.twitter.com/KwJFhUHliH
&mdash; NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) July 14, 2026



The mission is the second spaceflight for both Dubrov, 48, and Kikina, ​41, the only woman among Russia&#39;s 23 active cosmonauts. Kikina was the first Russian to fly on SpaceX&#39;s Crew Dragon to the space station in ​October 2022, a mission that renewed joint U.S.-Russian astronaut flights.

ISS cooperation continues 

Cooperation on the 27-year-old ISS between NASA and Russia&#39;s space agency Roscosmos has survived years of tensions between the &zwnj;two countries, ⁠including Russia&#39;s war in Ukraine, primarily out of technical necessity. US solar panels power the entirety of the ISS while Russian thrusters help keep the station in orbit.

Both countries also see the ISS as key to maintaining their prized human spaceflight programmes, despite the growing militarisation of Earth&#39;s orbit that has created another flashpoint between Washington and Moscow.

Air leaks aboard the ageing ISS have tested relations between NASA and Roscosmos, with the two agencies at times disagreeing over how to identify ​and fix the source of leaks.

Last month, ​NASA ordered its astronauts to prepare ⁠for a possible evacuation during a dispute with Russia over how to repair one such air leak. A cosmonaut onboard was planning to use a saw to access a compartment believed to be housing the source of the leak, raising concern ​among NASA officials.

The health of the space station, which is poised for retirement soon after 2030, was likely on ​the agenda in Isaacman&#39;s ⁠talks with Russian space officials. A video posted on Telegram by Roscosmos shows Isaacman talking with Bakanov, flanked by senior Roscosmos officials.

NASA and Roscosmos did not immediately respond to questions about the meeting.

Bakanov visited Florida last summer to watch a joint US-Russian astronaut launch on a SpaceX capsule. He met with then-acting NASA chief Sean Duffy ⁠to discuss ​the ISS and cooperation on the moon, though no agreements or new projects came out ​of the meeting.

The last time Russia launched a crew out of Baikonur Cosmodrome&#39;s Site 31, the rocket badly damaged the historic launchpad, knocking Moscow&#39;s only crew-capable launch site out of service amid months ​of repairs. Russia resumed launches from the pad in March with an uncrewed ISS cargo mission.]]>
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			<title>Meta used AI to target workers with medical conditions for layoffs, lawsuit claims</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618235/meta-used-ai-to-target-workers-with-medical-conditions-for-layoffs-lawsuit-claims</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618235/meta-used-ai-to-target-workers-with-medical-conditions-for-layoffs-lawsuit-claims#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 16:17:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Number of internal AI-assisted systems used to score and rank employees ⁠on a ​termination list according to lawsuit]]>
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				<![CDATA[Twenty-six employees of Meta &zwnj;Platforms have filed a novel lawsuit accusing the tech giant of using AI-powered software that disproportionately targeted people with disabilities or who took medical leave in selecting workers for mass layoffs.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Oakland, California, late on Monday, says that the company relied on factors such as productivity and AI token usage when it slashed thousands of jobs earlier this year, disadvantaging people who missed work because of medical conditions or to care for family members.

The plaintiffs, who were notified in May that their jobs would be eliminated starting on July 22, ​are seeking a preliminary ruling from the court blocking Meta from completing the layoffs while they pursue their ​claims in private arbitration. The workers say Meta&#39;s agreements require employees to arbitrate workplace disputes individually, but do not apply to requests for temporary relief.

A Meta spokesperson on Tuesday said the claims lack merit.

&quot;Workforce management and organisational decisions were and are made by ​people, not AI,&quot; the spokesperson said.

The lawsuit appears to be the first against a major US company ​to challenge the alleged use of AI in conducting layoffs.

Meta laid off 10% of its global workforce in May, or nearly 8,000 people, and was planning more job cuts later this year, Reuters reported. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has since said that he does not expect any more company-wide layoffs this year.

The changes are part of a far-reaching overhaul as the company increases its AI investments and centres AI agents in both its product offerings and its ​approach to work internally.

​The 26 plaintiffs, who ⁠filed the lawsuit anonymously, are accusing Meta of violating federal and state laws that ban discrimination or retaliation against workers who have disabilities, take medical leave or are ​pregnant. They also claim that Meta failed to test its AI systems for ​bias in ⁠violation of recently adopted California and New York City laws.

The plaintiffs come from six states, including California and New York, and the District of Columbia.

According to the complaint, Meta used several internal AI-assisted systems to score and rank employees for a ​termination list. Those included &quot;Metamate&quot;, a large language model assistant; an employee-trained &quot;second ​brain&quot; that tracked workers&#39; communications and documents; and a productivity score drawn from scanning keystrokes, screen content, emails and browser history, according ​to the lawsuit.]]>
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			<title>Global AI summit set to open in Shanghai from July 17-20</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618236/global-ai-summit-set-to-open-in-shanghai-from-july-17-20</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618236/global-ai-summit-set-to-open-in-shanghai-from-july-17-20#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 16:20:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[World leaders, tech giants to gather for 2026 conference focused on innovation and AI governance]]>
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				<![CDATA[The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance is set to be held in Shanghai, China, from July 17 to 20, with analysts saying the event will offer a major platform for international cooperation, technological innovation and global rule-making in the fast-evolving AI sector, according to&nbsp;Anadolu Agency. 

Being held under the theme &ldquo;AI Partnership for a Brighter Future&rdquo;, the four-day conference is expected to bring together global technology leaders, policymakers, researchers and industry professionals to discuss cutting-edge developments and governance challenges in artificial intelligence.

China&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech, underscoring the importance Beijing places on AI as both a driver of economic growth and a key area of global governance.



Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of 2026 World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance and deliver a keynote speech, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on July 13. pic.twitter.com/UELQYCPySl
&mdash; CCTV+ (@CCTV_Plus) July 13, 2026


The conference will feature more than 140 forums and attract over 1,400 participants from around the world, while an exhibition spanning over 100,000 square metres will showcase the latest AI innovations, said International Services Shanghai (ISS), the official portal of the Shanghai municipal government. More than 1,100 companies are expected to participate, presenting over 3,000 exhibits, including more than 300 products making their global debut.

Organisers say the event has grown into one of the world&rsquo;s most influential AI gatherings, serving as a platform to display breakthroughs ranging from large language models and AI agents to industrial applications and open-source ecosystems, the&nbsp;Global Times news website reported.

Read More: China unveils living AI &mdash; robots work, drive and interact

Beyond exhibitions and forums, this year&rsquo;s edition will expand into public spaces across Shanghai, integrating AI experiences into urban settings and community life. The programme will also include innovation incubation, talent exchanges and competitions aimed at fostering startups and strengthening industry linkages.

ISS stated that high-profile speakers expected at the conference include leading scientists and award winners such as reinforcement learning pioneer Richard Sutton and deep learning expert Yoshua Bengio, who will discuss global governance frameworks and emerging technological trends.

A key focus of WAIC 2026 will be global AI governance, with representatives from dozens of countries and international organisations set to hold discussions on regulation, safety and equitable access to AI technologies. Chinese officials have emphasised the need for multilateral cooperation, risk management and inclusive development to ensure that AI benefits all countries, particularly those in the Global South.

Beijing has positioned itself as an advocate of international collaboration in AI, promoting initiatives such as the Global AI Governance Initiative and an action plan aimed at building consensus on standards and regulatory approaches. Officials say the conference will help &ldquo;inject new momentum&rdquo; into global AI development by encouraging joint innovation and shared governance.

With Shanghai emerging as a major AI hub &mdash; home to hundreds of leading AI enterprises and a rapidly expanding industry &mdash; the conference is also expected to highlight China&rsquo;s growing influence in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and its governance worldwide.]]>
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			<title>Australia finds serious gaps in Big Tech response to online child sexual abuse</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618157/australia-finds-serious-gaps-in-big-tech-response-to-online-child-sexual-abuse</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618157/australia-finds-serious-gaps-in-big-tech-response-to-online-child-sexual-abuse#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 06:56:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618157</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Online platforms fail to detect known sexual extortion coercion scripts, eSafety says]]>
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				<![CDATA[Big Tech companies, including Apple, ​Meta and Google, have &quot;significant gaps&quot; in tackling child sexual abuse and the growing threat of online sexual extortion, Australia&#39;s internet &zwnj;regulator said on Tuesday.

Online platforms are failing to use available technologies that can identify well-known coercion scripts used by sexual extortion offenders, eSafety said in a transparency report.

&quot;In several cases, we have provided these platforms with evidence of how their services are being colonised by criminals to devastating impact, with clear guidance on how to stem ​the abuse,&quot; said eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.

&quot;Even when we&#39;ve laid this out, we haven&#39;t seen adequate responses, despite the technology being ​readily available&quot;.

Google, Meta, Snap, Microsoft and Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters&#39; requests for comment.

The latest report ⁠comes after the government introduced&nbsp;legislation&nbsp;in June to give eSafety more power to pursue tech giants in court for failing to comply with its ​ban on social media for under-16s, escalating a regulatory clash over how to protect children and teenagers online.

Australia was the first country in the ​world to impose such a ban, with&nbsp;other countries&nbsp;including Britain and several European nations now taking similar measures.

Read:&nbsp;Why Pakistani traders are choosing XM as their preferred online broker in 2026

Australia has also been&nbsp;raising&nbsp;concerns over the safety of children when they use chat and gaming platforms. In April, eSafety asked some online gaming platforms to detail how they protect children from grooming by sexual predators.

Coercive online sexual extortion

eSafety ​in 2024 directed eight technology platforms to report every six months on their compliance with Australia&#39;s &quot;Basic Online Safety Expectations&quot; rules, focusing on detecting and ​preventing child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The latest report, the third in a planned series of four, mainly focuses on sexual extortion. The first report established &zwnj;a baseline ⁠for comparison, while the second raised concerns about companies&#39; failure to proactively detect abuse content.

Sexual extortion is a form of online blackmail where perpetrators share, or threaten to share, intimate material unless their victims comply with their demands.

The regulator said it had received more than 2,000 complaints about sexual extortion between July and December 2025, with young men aged 18 to 24 most affected. An eSafety study last year found more than one in ​10 teenagers aged 16-18 had been ​victims of sexual extortion, with ⁠more than half of them being targeted before they were 16.

Read more:&nbsp;Google appeals Indian ruling over its ads platform, citing consumer harm

eSafety investigators found the same tactics were used in multiple sexual extortion scams but companies failed to detect them.

&quot;Responses from the companies show there are serious gaps ​in the use of available technologies like language analysis that can identify well-known coercion scripts used by ​sexual extortion offenders,&quot; the ⁠report said.

&quot;Gaps in reporting tools also persist across services like WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord and Google Messages, with some services lacking clear, accessible ways for users to report sexual extortion or child abuse or failing to provide dedicated reporting categories for these harms.&quot;

Technology already exists to better detect livestreamed child sexual abuse ⁠, but it ​is not being consistently deployed, the report said.

Some improvements were noted, including Google and ​Snap taking steps to proactively detect known child sexual abuse material, Discord blocking links to abuse content, Meta using new tools to detect grooming and Microsoft detecting live abuse in ​video calls, the report said.]]>
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			<title>New York becomes the first state to impose a data centre moratorium</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618210/new-york-becomes-the-first-state-to-impose-a-data-center-moratorium</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618210/new-york-becomes-the-first-state-to-impose-a-data-center-moratorium#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 13:28:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618210</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[New York moratorium highlights US debate over AI data centres’ impact on power grids, bills and communities]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[New York became the first US state on Tuesday to &zwnj;halt construction of large new data centres, imposing a one-year moratorium as concerns grow that the facilities driving the artificial-intelligence boom are raising power costs, straining water supplies and burdening local communities.

The moratorium positions New York at the forefront of a growing national debate over how to manage the infrastructure needed to support artificial ​intelligence. While technology companies are racing to build new data centers, lawmakers and regulators in dozens of states are weighing ​measures to limit their effect on electricity grids, utility bills and local communities.

&quot;As data center development threatens to ⁠hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it&#39;s my responsibility to take action and lead,&quot; ​said Hochul, who said she will also pursue legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for large data centres.

The construction ban will apply to ​data centres that use 50 megawatts or more of power, officials in the governor&#39;s office said.

During the moratorium, the state&#39;s Department of Environmental Conservation will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete, the governor&#39;s office said.

Instead, Hochul directed state officials to develop a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) to ensure that ​new data centers coming online are being held to &quot;consistent standards,&quot; as well as examine the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation ​of data centres in the state.

Read More: China unveils living AI &mdash; robots work, drive and interact

The ban will be lifted once the state finalizes those standards, according to Hochul&#39;s office.

Data centres spark backlash

New York&#39;s legislature &zwnj;last month ⁠passed a bill meant to impose guardrails on data centres, but it has not yet been sent to Hochul&#39;s desk for signing. Officials in her office described the bill as complicated, adding that &quot;it&#39;s going to take some time to work through&quot; with the state legislature.

The expansion of data centres in the US is driving up power demand &mdash; and electricity bills &mdash; in large swaths of the country, drawing local and ​political backlash.

Only one-in-three Americans approve of the ​fast pace of data-center construction ⁠and most would oppose building one in their own community, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Dozens of state legislatures have introduced bills to rein in the effects of data centers on power bills and ​the environment. New York is the first to enact a full moratorium.

In April, Maine Governor Janet ​Mills vetoed a bill that ⁠would have imposed a similar freeze on those facilities.

As of May, there were more than 12 gigawatts of very large energy-using loads, including data centres, in line to connect to the state&#39;s grid, according to a recent report by the New York independent grid operator. The state has ⁠the eighth-most ​expensive retail price for residential electricity in the country, according to US Energy ​Department data.

While the state&#39;s expensive land and tight power supplies have largely limited data centre interest compared to states like Texas and Ohio, New York has attracted some interest ​from server warehouses.]]>
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			<title>China unveils living AI — robots work, drive and interact</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618204/china-unveils-living-ai-robots-work-drive-and-interact</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618204/china-unveils-living-ai-robots-work-drive-and-interact#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 12:38:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618204</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[China's push for embodied intelligence is driving robots from labs into homes, hospitals, factories and hotels]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[China is rapidly transforming the future of technology through a powerful combination of robotics innovation and autonomous driving systems, with both sectors moving from experimental stages to real-world deployment at a bewildering speed.

This transformation is driven by a growing emphasis on what experts call &ldquo;embodied intelligence&rdquo; &mdash; machines that can perceive, decide and act in physical environments. This shift is increasingly visible across China, where robots are no longer confined to laboratories but are entering homes, hotels, hospitals, factories, and public spaces.

A very good example of this transition is the emergence of dedicated robotics platforms such as the Robot Mall &mdash; described as the world&rsquo;s first &ldquo;Robot 4S Store.&rdquo; Designed as a full lifecycle ecosystem, it integrates product display, real-world applications and commercial matchmaking, reflecting China&rsquo;s broader push to industrialise robotics technology.





Inside, visitors can find a wide array of robots performing everyday tasks. From companion humanoids and animaloids designed for education and emotional interaction to household robots capable of automating chores, the focus is clearly on integrating these intelligent machines into daily life. Demonstrations include coffee-vending robots producing intricate latte art to service robots handling delivery and cleaning tasks.

&ldquo;Wow &mdash; it even recreated my sketch on the froth of a latte like a true artist,&rdquo; said TV journalist Sediq Ahmad Ahmadi as he visited the store along with a delegation of Asian media person. &ldquo;Look &mdash; this one is folding pressed clothes with near-human precision,&rdquo; added Rajib Kanti Roy, a TV anchor from Indonesia.

The visitors watched in awe as a local official introduced a diverse array of robots. At the entrance stood a humanoid modeled after Einstein, complete with lifelike facial expressions, engaging delegates by answering their questions.

Nearby, another humanoid inspired by the Chinese poet Li Bai composed verses on demand, turning prompts into poetry. Elsewhere, robots played football and volleyball, danced with professional finesse, while robotic dogs mimicked the behavior and charm of real pets, delighting visitors.



A Chinese tech-firm has unveiled a new AI-driven robot which it says is the first of its kind designed to tackle loneliness.

The human-like &ldquo;companion robots&rdquo; are said to provide owners with &ldquo;unconditional love&rdquo;.

Al Jazeera&rsquo;s Katrina Yu reports. pic.twitter.com/QmsEXcyKuK
&mdash; Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 14, 2026



&nbsp;

In industrial settings, robots are increasingly used for sorting, assembly and coordinated multi-machine operations, showing advances in precision, mobility and system integration. In healthcare, surgical robots, including those used for dental implants, cardiac, orthopedics and interventional procedures, are improving precision, reducing risks and enhancing efficiency in clinical environments.



Why rely only on human officers for traffic&hellip;
when China has robots directing cars on the streets?
via @sz_mediagroup pic.twitter.com/2bniznJQOZ
&mdash; Andres Vilari&ntilde;o 🇪🇦 (@andresvilarino) July 9, 2026



Most of these industrial and surgical robots have already been deployed across factories and hospitals throughout China, the official added.

China&rsquo;s robotics sector is also pushing boundaries in research and entertainment. Humanoids capable of dancing, playing sports and interacting with humans are demonstrating increasingly sophisticated coordination between perception, decision-making and execution. Technologies such as brain-controlled systems, dexterous robotic hands and AI-driven interaction platforms are further expanding the possibilities.



How fast can a car factory run?
China&rsquo;s hyper-automated plants roll out one car every 30 seconds.
via @Eng_china5 pic.twitter.com/fbcNitACUF
&mdash; Andres Vilari&ntilde;o 🇪🇦 (@andresvilarino) July 11, 2026



This rapid development is supported by a broader AI ecosystem. By 2024, Beijing alone hosted more than 2,400 AI enterprises, with a core industrial scale nearing 350 billion yuan ($48.7 billion), accounting for over half of the national total. Officials have stressed continued investment in frontier fields such as embodied intelligence and AI-powered healthcare, positioning robotics as a cornerstone of future economic growth.

Parallel to advances in robotics, China is making leapfrog progress in autonomous driving. It has set up a comprehensive &ldquo;vehicle-road-cloud&rdquo; integration model, combining smart vehicles, intelligent infrastructure and cloud-based systems to create a cohesive autonomous driving ecosystem.



Humanoid robots perform at the World Robot Conference 2023 in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 16, 2023.&nbsp; PHOTO: XINHUA

Beijing has emerged as a leading hub for this innovation. Since launching the world&rsquo;s first high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone in 2020, the city has expanded testing areas to cover hundreds of square kilometres, incorporating diverse real-world scenarios. The zone has attracted dozens of companies and logged tens of millions of kilometres in safe driving mileage.

The delegation of Asian journalists was also taken on a ride in driverless vans at the High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone Innovation Centre, located in Beijing&rsquo;s industrial suburbs. The amazed delegates filmed and photographed the vans as they navigated the roads with remarkable precision, recognising traffic signals, yielding to pedestrians, and responding to sudden changes without human intervention.



What if a bus could run all day and night with no driver?
China&rsquo;s autonomous bus is already doing it.
via @jacksonhinkle #ArtificialIntelligence pic.twitter.com/4qP0zoauVG
&mdash; Andres Vilari&ntilde;o 🇪🇦 (@andresvilarino) July 13, 2026



&nbsp;

Driverless vehicles are already operating in controlled environments, especially at Beijing&rsquo;s Economic-Technological Development Area, where they also interact seamlessly with other unmanned systems, including delivery and patrol vehicles, illustrating a fully integrated smart mobility network. Public transport is also witnessing a radical change. Autonomous shuttle services have been introduced at major transportation hubs such as airports and railway stations.

On a national level, China has built a full industrial chain for intelligent connected vehicles, covering everything from smart cockpits and automated driving systems to cloud-based connectivity. Millions of vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance technologies are already on the road, reflecting rapid commercialisation.



Driverless delivery vehicles are used in north China&#39;s Shanxi during the annual &quot;Double 11&quot; shopping festival. #DoubleEleven #e-commerce #China #driverless #delivery pic.twitter.com/Ltc5QJmcrd
&mdash; China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 12, 2023



Regulatory frameworks are evolving in parallel. Authorities have introduced safety guidelines for driverless vehicles, outlining requirements for testing, operation and supervision. While fully autonomous systems are still subject to controlled deployment, these policies are paving the way for broader adoption.

China&rsquo;s autonomous driving industry is also expanding globally. Companies are deploying autonomous buses, robotaxis and logistics vehicles worldwide, including operations in airports and urban centres in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Partnerships with foreign firms are further accelerating this expansion, integrating Chinese-developed technologies into global mobility platforms.





Industry experts attribute this momentum to a combination of technological maturity, strong policy support and a robust testing environment. Extensive road networks, large-scale pilot zones and continuous real-world data collection have enabled rapid iteration and refinement of autonomous systems.

However, challenges remain. Autonomous driving is still in the early stages of commercialisation, with hurdles including regulatory differences across countries, data compliance issues and the need for sustainable business models. Similarly, robotics development must overcome technical barriers related to adaptability, cost and large-scale deployment.

Despite these challenges, the trajectory is clear. The convergence of robotics and autonomous driving reflects a broader ambition: to integrate artificial intelligence into the physical world. As researchers note, the next stage of AI evolution lies not just in digital capabilities but in machines that can interact seamlessly with real environments.

This vision is already taking shape in China. From humanoid robots performing complex tasks to driverless vehicles navigating busy streets, the country is building an interconnected ecosystem where intelligent machines play an increasingly central role.]]>
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			<title>Pollution from Musk’s unpermitted xAI power project hits hardest in Black communities</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618212/pollution-from-musks-unpermitted-xai-power-project-hits-hardest-in-black-communities</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618212/pollution-from-musks-unpermitted-xai-power-project-hits-hardest-in-black-communities#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 13:59:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618212</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[xAI installed 59 gas turbines for Tennessee data centre without federal air permits, Reuters analysis finds]]>
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				<![CDATA[Elon Musk&rsquo;s artificial intelligence company xAI has installed 59 natural gas turbines for its Colossus 2 data center project in Tennessee without securing federal clean air permits, according to communications between regulators and xAI representatives.

Potential emissions from the turbines are far beyond the threshold that would require a federal permit, and would be released near predominantly Black communities already estimated to be suffering disproportionately high rates of lung disease, according to a Reuters analysis based on government data and information in the correspondence with regulators.

The findings, which have not been previously reported, reflect how exploding electricity demand from AI data centers is driving companies to build off-grid power plants at a pace outstripping environmental oversight, with potentially big risks to public health.

The number of unpermitted turbines identified by Reuters is about double what xAI has publicly acknowledged. The company previously said it was running 27 unpermitted turbines for Colossus 2 as of January and has argued the permits are not required. At least 57 of the 59 turbines are located in Mississippi, just over the state line from Tennessee where the data center is located.

The xAI turbines are among scores of off-grid power plants for data centers proposed or under construction around the country. Local authorities often fast-track approvals in just weeks or months, without the years of environmental studies and public hearings typically required for such power generation projects that connect to the grid,&nbsp;Reuters has reported.

Mississippi regulators in March issued a permit for permanent turbines for Colossus 2, allowing construction of 41 gas-fired turbines. The approval came three weeks after the state&#39;s only public hearing on the project.

The xAI cluster of temporary turbines in Mississippi is already among the biggest off-grid data center power projects, according to Ben King, an analyst with think tank Rhodium Group, who reviewed the Reuters analysis.

Read More: Nobel laureates among more than 200 experts urging action on AI&#39;s economic impact

&ldquo;This looks to be an unprecedented level of behind-the-meter gas being installed in one place,&rdquo; he said, referring to off-grid natural gas plants serving just one customer.

The communications reviewed by Reuters show xAI, now owned by trillionaire Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX, has installed 57 off-grid turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, just across the state line from its Colossus 2 data center in Memphis, a facility supporting the Grok chatbot and other AI systems. The records show the company has also installed two other unpermitted turbines for the project on a different site. Reuters could not determine the location.

The communications, obtained through a Reuters public records request, included emails between Trinity Consultants, representing xAI and subsidiary MZX Tech, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

xAI did not respond to Reuters&rsquo; request for comment.

xAI&#39;s turbines are part of a widening environmental justice battle over whether the AI boom is adding disproportionate pollution burdens to communities of color.

Civil rights groups including the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center sued xAI in April to halt their operations, arguing the turbines produce emissions subject to the federal Clean Air Act and shouldn&rsquo;t be operated without permits. They contend the turbines are polluting homes, schools and churches in historically Black communities.

&ldquo;The scale of it is astonishing,&rdquo; said Patrick Anderson, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. &ldquo;This is an absolutely huge Clean Air Act violation that threatens public health.&rdquo;

Securing a Clean Air Act permit would have exposed xAI&rsquo;s project to extensive review and public comment, potentially taking years. Mississippi environmental regulators and xAI have argued in court filings that the turbines are exempt because they are &ldquo;mobile&rdquo; and intended to operate onsite for less than a year.

&ldquo;MDEQ has determined that portable/temporary turbines do not require an air permit,&rdquo; the agency said in a statement to Reuters.

The US Environmental Protection Agency said in January 2026 that even temporary turbines exceeding emissions thresholds must obtain permits. The agency, however, told Reuters it&rsquo;s considering changes allowing &ldquo;regulatory flexibilities&rdquo; for portable units while continuing to protect public health.

xAI, the MDEQ and the EPA did not answer questions from Reuters about pollution impacts on communities of color from power generation to serve data centres.

The US Justice Department&nbsp;weighed in&nbsp;on the lawsuit in a June 15 filing, saying that restricting the turbines could threaten national security interests because xAI&#39;s systems support US military operations, including operations involving Iran.

The outcome of the lawsuit filed by civil rights groups could help define how environmental laws apply to the fast-growing AI sector, where companies are scrambling to bring power supplies online to support energy-intensive computing.

&ldquo;This sets up scenarios where the government can create sacrifice zones and tell communities they have to breathe illegal air pollution,&quot; said Mary Rock, a senior attorney for Earthjustice which is representing the NAACP and SELC.

The dispute echoes the findings of a&nbsp;2022 study&nbsp;by researchers from UCLA and Columbia University and published in the Nature Energy journal that found that previously redlined communities &ndash; where banks historically discriminated against Black mortgage applicants &ndash; now face disproportionately high exposure to pollutants from fossil fuel facilities.

&quot;Air pollution from these and other sources contributes to systemic racial disparities in chronic disease and ultimately shorter lives,&quot; Lara Cushing, a UCLA public health professor who co-authored the study, told Reuters.

Big emissions

The emails reviewed by Reuters included the manufacturer emissions profiles for 32 of the 59 turbines, including 30 at the Southaven site.

Read More: AI firms&#39; mass purchase, destruction of books for model training fuels copyright debate

A Reuters analysis based on that information found that those 30 turbines alone could emit nearly 2,500 short tons of nitrogen oxide, 4,000 short tons of carbon monoxide and 22 short tons of formaldehyde annually, assuming they operate continuously at 80% of capacity. According to the EPA, gas turbines are typically operated at loads of 80% or more to achieve efficiency.

Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog and respiratory inflammation, according to the American Lung Association. Carbon monoxide deprives the body of oxygen, and formaldehyde is a carcinogen.

The xAI site&rsquo;s potential emissions far exceed a Clean Air Act threshold that requires permitting for facilities capable of more than 100 short tons annually of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide.

&ldquo;This is a massive amount of turbines and an unfathomable amount of air pollution,&rdquo; Southaven resident Shannon Samsa said in an interview.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not a hypothetical,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;that air pollution is bad for you.&rdquo;

The nitrogen oxide emissions calculated by Reuters for about half the plant&rsquo;s turbines would put the facility &ldquo;up there with some of the heaviest polluting natural gas power plants across the entire country,&rdquo; said Nicholas Mailloux, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies air quality and health benefits of the clean-energy transition.

He said the facility would be on par with the top 25 U.S. gas plants for nitrogen oxide emissions, citing&nbsp;EPA data&nbsp;for actual emissions.

The people affected

In the Colonial Hills neighborhood of Southaven, the turbines serving Colossus 2 can be heard around the clock, often firing off noisy bursts that residents compare to jet engines.

Ervin Laws, a Colonial Hills resident in his 20s, said the noise wakes him up at night. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t do anything about it, because he&rsquo;s got more money than me,&rdquo; he said, referring to Musk.

The turbines were installed in communities already estimated to be facing relatively high respiratory disease burdens, according to a Reuters analysis of CDC data.

In 27 of 28 census tracts within five miles of the site &ndash; spanning both Mississippi and Tennessee &ndash; the estimated asthma rates were higher than their respective countywide figures. In 24 tracts, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rates were also higher.

Five miles is a distance commonly used in environmental health research to capture populations likely to be exposed to air pollution from a stationary source.

A separate Reuters analysis of Census Bureau data found that the residents living near the facility are disproportionately Black. Because the five-mile radius crosses state lines, Reuters compared each side against its own county baseline.

Within five miles of the facility in DeSoto county, Mississippi &ndash; where the turbines are located &ndash; about 46% of residents are Black, compared with 33% countywide, according to census data.

Across the state line in Tennessee, where residents have no say in Mississippi&rsquo;s permitting process, about 94% of residents within five miles of the facility are Black, compared to 52% in surrounding Shelby County.

Jayajit Chakraborty, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said the Reuters analysis was consistent with research that shows communities of color face higher exposure to fossil fuel pollution.

Shelby County and portions of DeSoto County have also previously failed to meet federal ozone standards and remain subject to EPA-approved plans to ensure they do not slip back into violation, according to regulatory documents. Nitrogen oxide is a key precursor to ozone formation, which the EPA says can harm respiratory health.

&quot;Given this community struggles with high asthma rates, additional NOx exposure at such high rates could exacerbate public health issues in a community that is already seeing more than its fair share of exposure to toxic air pollution,&quot; said Victoria Nelson, an independent environmental engineer, formerly at EPA.

Sarah Gladney, 72, has watched the rapid expansion of xAI&#39;s Memphis-area presence from her home in the historically Black neighborhood of Boxtown, a few miles from where the company built its Colossus 1 data center in 2024.

&quot;Once they got their foot in the door in Memphis, I feel like it&#39;s going to be a continuous movement of xAI into these other communities,&quot; she said. &quot;It&#39;s all about the money, and it&#39;s not about the health or wellness of the people that live in or near these communities.&quot;]]>
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			<title>In Sicily, drones at work to predict volcanic eruptions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617823/in-sicily-drones-at-work-to-predict-volcanic-eruptions</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617823/in-sicily-drones-at-work-to-predict-volcanic-eruptions#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 26 11:45:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Scientists seek safer, more accurate drone-based tools to measure volcanic gases after 15 years of use]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hovering over the volcano, a buzzing drone pauses in front of a laser beam on the crater&rsquo;s edge, as researchers test whether the devices can measure gases to predict eruptions.

On the Aeolian island of Vulcano, off the coast of Sicily, German researcher Marius Schaab, from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), stands next to a gas sensor mounted on a tripod, waiting for the drone his colleague has just launched to draw closer.

In this remote lunar landscape, where hot volcanic gases and steam smelling of sulfur rise eerily from the earth, the small propeller-driven device catches the eye.

The last eruption of the island&rsquo;s Grand Crater occurred in the late 19th century but the volcano continues to show intense degassing activity &mdash; to the awe of the visitors who are allowed to walk around the rim.

Soon, the drone positions itself along the axis of the sensor, which transmits an invisible laser beam that passes through the volcanic gas emissions before being reflected by the drone, and traveling back.

The sensor works by &ldquo;sending a laser beam through some gas and then onto some reflector that measures the intensity of the driving light,&rdquo; Schaab said,

The drone can move around and switch angles to take full measurements. Using a laser allows the sensor to avoid the gas plume, the researcher told AFP.

&ldquo;Our drone flies behind the plume and also our ground unit is not in the plume,&rdquo; said Schaab, noting that the corrosive nature of the plume would require any sensor inside it to be constantly recalibrated.
Based on the signals sent back to the sensor, an algorithm calculates a map of gas concentration in the 10 or 15 minutes it takes for the drone to follow a predefined path at a distance of up to 60 meters (nearly 200 feet).

First tries

Although drones have been used in monitoring volcanoes for about 15 years, scientists are now looking to develop gas measurement tools that are increasingly accurate and risk-free.

Further around the crater, another team of German scientists from the University of Mainz is using sensors carried on a drone to measure concentrations of chemical substances in the air.

&ldquo;One reason for measuring gases and particles is to better understand the impact of volcanic eruptions and volcanic emissions on the atmosphere,&rdquo; said Tjarda Roberts, a researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris, who is collaborating with the Mainz team.

&ldquo;Another reason is to anticipate volcanic eruptions, because the gas composition can change before an eruption occurs,&rdquo; she said.

Read More: Indonesia volcanic eruption kills three hikers: officials

The greater the pressure exerted by lava rising from inside the Earth toward the surface, the larger the amount of gas released.

It is the first time the team from TUM has tested its drone system &mdash; which can work at altitudes up to 3,000 meters &mdash; on a volcano.

Great flexibility

A checklist in hand, Jonas Krajewski, a student at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, checks that &ldquo;Tina&rdquo; &mdash; the name given to the drone &mdash; is ready to fly safely.

Soon, the drone weighing 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) lifts into the air and heads toward the rising gases.
This time, following a predefined flight path lasting up to 40 minutes, the drone flies into the heart of the fumaroles, or vents where the gases and vapor escape and where temperatures range between 100 and 140C.

&ldquo;Tina&rdquo; is equipped with a series of sensors measuring gases, particles and halogens, elements like chlorine, bromine and others.

&ldquo;We have a very constant output of gas... so we can have very reliable sensor data,&rdquo; said Krajewski.
For Roberts, one of the biggest advantages of the drone is its great flexibility and ability to move around more diluted parts of the plume and quickly switch direction if the plume suddenly changes angles.

With the drone, researchers no longer need to carefully enter the area of the gas emissions, a dangerous activity which requires the use of masks and other protection.

&ldquo;Here we don&rsquo;t have a major risk of an imminent eruption but there are volcanoes where you can&rsquo;t reach the summit on foot,&rdquo; Roberts said.

But with a drone, &ldquo;you can take measurements... without putting yourself in danger.&rdquo;
Skimming over rocks speckled with yellow sulfur crystals deposited by the fumaroles, &ldquo;Tina&rdquo; soon reappears on the horizon.

In the coming days, a new challenge awaits the drone &mdash; Mount Etna, the 3,000 meter-high active volcano in eastern Sicily, where a new eruption has just occurred.]]>
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			<title>Apple sues OpenAI, two former employees for trade secrets theft</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617722/apple-sues-openai-two-former-employees-for-trade-secrets-theft</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617722/apple-sues-openai-two-former-employees-for-trade-secrets-theft#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 26 18:04:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Apple accuses OpenAI of exploiting confidential information to speed its consumer hardware push]]>
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				<![CDATA[Apple on Friday sued OpenAI and two former employees, alleging misappropriation of its trade secrets to ​benefit the ChatGPT-owner&#39;s foray into consumer hardware, a dramatic escalation of already simmering tension between the two companies.

The complaint accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a broad effort to systematically acquire and exploit Apple&#39;s &zwnj;confidential information through former employees, recruiting practices and supplier relationships to accelerate its push into the consumer hardware business.

&quot;We have no interest in other companies&rsquo; trade secrets,&quot; OpenAI said in a statement. &quot;We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.&rdquo;

The lawsuit sets up a battle over who will control future AI devices that may not use traditional apps or operating systems &mdash; devices which, if successful, would direct consumer attention away from Apple&#39;s best-selling iPhone. Analysts believe OpenAI is working on a phone or other device of its own.

Tensions between ​the two tech companies have strained their relationship, as the race to develop AI products has intensified competition for talent and proprietary technology.

&quot;Apple sees OpenAI moving from partner to potential rival, while OpenAI is trying ​to reduce its dependence on the iPhone and build a direct relationship with consumers,&quot; said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. &quot;Even if the allegations are not proven, the lawsuit could ⁠delay OpenAI&rsquo;s hardware ambitions and further weaken what is already becoming an increasingly fragile partnership.&quot;

Apple&#39;s lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, comes just after OpenAI successfully fended off a legal ​challenge from Elon Musk&#39;s xAI.

Read More: OpenAI set to launch most capable GPT model after delayed rollout

he two former Apple employees named in the suit are Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer, and former vice president of product design for iPhone and Apple Watch, Tang Yew Tan. Neither immediately ​responded to a request for comment.

Apple alleged that Liu failed to return a company-issued work laptop and later used an authentication bug to access Apple&#39;s internal network, downloading &quot;dozens of Apple&#39;s confidential hardware-related files.&quot;

The iPhone maker also claimed that OpenAI&rsquo;s hardware chief Tan had been &quot;methodically using Apple&rsquo;s confidential information to benefit OpenAI&quot; before his departure by emailing himself information about Apple suppliers and internal industry summaries. Tan worked on the iPhone for most of his 24-year tenure at Apple, according to his LinkedIn page.

Apple alleged that Tan encouraged Apple employees ​to bring parts from Apple to job interviews at OpenAI for &ldquo;show and tell&rdquo; sessions, citing an incident in its filing where one OpenAI job candidate allegedly said that he &ldquo;didn&rsquo;t even know we could take those from the office.&rdquo;

OpenAI ​Foundation, OpenAI Group PBC, the company&#39;s commercial arm, and io Products, which OpenAI acquired, were also named as defendants.

Confidential information

In its complaint, Apple claimed it wrote to OpenAI in February with concerns that its confidential information was making its way to OpenAI &zwnj;and asking to ⁠discuss the matter, but it received no reply.

More than 400 former Apple employees now work for OpenAI, it said in its filing, adding that &ldquo;it is not surprising&rdquo; that some of them have knowledge of its confidential information.

&ldquo;That OpenAI now employs people who were once entrusted with Apple&rsquo;s trade secrets does not entitle OpenAI to use that information to jumpstart its hardware efforts,&rdquo; the iPhone maker wrote in its complaint.

Apple also alleged that OpenAI employees sought confidential information from Apple suppliers, at one point allegedly having one of those suppliers carry out what Apple called a secret metal finishing technique on the belief that OpenAI had Apple&rsquo;s permission to use the technique.

Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, ​said that Apple&#39;s complaint &quot;has the potential to be a ​very big case&quot; but that some of what Apple ⁠alleges, such as OpenAI&#39;s hiring of hundreds of Apple employees, is not illegal in California, where Silicon Valley sprang up in part thanks to state laws that allow employees leave for a competitor.

&quot;But if Apple&#39;s claims that the employees took confidential documents with them &mdash; and that OpenAI is using those documents &mdash; are true, that is a problem for OpenAI,&quot; Lemley ​said.

Camilla Hrdy, a law professor at Rutgers Law School, said the case could become complex because most of the previous cases around AI and trade secrets have involved ​software rather than hardware.

&quot;These trade secret ⁠lawsuits are frequently brought in the tech space, and we usually learn much, much more as the case develops. OpenAI is not a defendant that can&rsquo;t afford to defend itself,&quot; Hrdy said.

Simmering tension

A person familiar with the matter told Reuters in May that OpenAI was exploring legal options against Apple, including notifying the technology giant of a breach of contract but potentially not filing a full lawsuit.

In 2024, Apple announced the integration of its Apple Intelligence technology across its apps including Siri and ⁠brought OpenAI&#39;s chatbot ​ChatGPT to its devices.

Their partnership allows users to access ChatGPT results through Siri, while iPhone users can also sign up for ChatGPT memberships ​directly from the iOS settings menu.

Apple rolled out a long-delayed overhaul of Siri last month. The update comes two years after Apple first promised major upgrades that were repeatedly delayed.

OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, last year in a $6.5 billion deal, in ​a push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Ive is not named in the lawsuit.

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			<title>UN digital agency launches initiative to boost trust in AI agents</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617345/un-digital-agency-launches-initiative-to-boost-trust-in-ai-agents</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617345/un-digital-agency-launches-initiative-to-boost-trust-in-ai-agents#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 26 13:50:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[AI agents act independently for users, handling tasks from scheduling and shopping to complex business processes]]>
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				<![CDATA[The United Nations&#39; digital technology agency on Thursday launched a new initiative to improve trust in artificial intelligence agents as increasingly autonomous AI systems raise concerns over accountability and human oversight.

AI agents are a new generation of artificial intelligence systems designed to act independently on behalf of users, carrying out tasks ranging from scheduling and purchasing to complex business processes.

While they can improve productivity, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said they also pose risks, including impersonating people and making unauthorised decisions.

Read More: Meta to put AI chip into production in September as it looks to double computing capacity, memo shows

To address these risks, the ITU announced at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva that it would establish a Focus Group.

The group will develop frameworks to ensure AI agents remain identifiable, trustworthy and subject to meaningful human oversight, particularly in sensitive areas such as financial transactions and critical infrastructure.

&quot;AI agents will soon negotiate, transact and make decisions on our behalf,&quot; said Focus Group Co-Chair Debora Comparin, adding that common international foundations were needed to establish who the agents are and how and when they can be trusted.

The Focus Group will comprise technical, policy and legal experts. It will hold its first meeting in Paris in November and its second in Geneva in January.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Microsoft to cut 4,800 jobs, overhaul Xbox unit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2616822/microsoft-to-cut-4800-jobs-overhaul-xbox-unit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2616822/microsoft-to-cut-4800-jobs-overhaul-xbox-unit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 26 18:13:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Microsoft Xbox expansion, including Activision deal, still trails Sony and Nintendo in gaming market]]>
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				<![CDATA[Microsoft said on Monday it would cut 4,800 jobs, or ​about 2.1% of its global workforce, overhauling its Xbox gaming business and divesting up to five studios as it looks to &zwnj;boost returns after years of heavy investment in the division.

The restructuring of its gaming division will involve 3,200 job cuts, including laying off 1,600 employees on Monday.

Despite spending tens of billions of dollars to expand Xbox, including its blockbuster acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has struggled to narrow the gap with Sony&#39;s PlayStation, and Nintendo, prompting a broader rethink of ​the gaming business.

The company has increasingly shifted its strategy toward distributing its games across more platforms rather than relying on console-exclusive titles ​to drive Xbox hardware sales.

The Xbox restructuring will involve divestment of four studios, Xbox&#39;s new head, Asha Sharma, said in ⁠a note to employees.

&#39;South of Midnight&#39; producer Compulsion Games and &#39;Psychonauts&#39; maker Double Fine Productions will become independent studios, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will ​be spun off to grow &#39;Senua&#39; and &#39;State of Decay 3&#39;, Sharma said.

The management of Arkane Studios, which developed &#39;Dishonored&#39; and is currently working on a game based on ​Marvel Comics character Blade, has started consultations with its workers union in France to review options, she added.

AI-driven efficiency push 

Big Tech&#39;s historic AI outlays, set to top $700 billion this year, are piling pressure on companies to show returns from the technology and offset the rising cost of rolling it out across their businesses. Amazon and Meta Platforms have also laid off ​thousands of employees this year.

Chief People Officer Amy Coleman, however, told employees in a memo that &quot;the roles eliminated today are not being replaced by AI.&quot;

&quot;At the same time, ​what is true is that AI is changing how work gets done.&quot;

Burgeoning AI spend 

&quot;That (targeted cuts) makes the announcement read more like portfolio reallocation and operating discipline than a fresh &zwnj;catalyst for ⁠the stock,&quot; said Parth Talsania, CEO of Equisights Research.

Read More: Indian IT firms face muted Q1 as AI shift, weak demand weigh

&quot;In the near term, the market is likely to reward Microsoft less for headcount reductions and more for evidence that AI monetization is scaling faster than AI-related costs.&quot;

The company&#39;s shares were down 1.4% on Monday, following a nearly 23% slump in its shares in the first six months of 2026, their worst first-half performance since 2022.

The software giant earlier this year offered voluntary buyouts to about 7% of its US ​workforce, or about 9,000 employees. Microsoft often ​trims jobs near the end of ⁠its fiscal year in June as it sets spending plans for the new year.

&quot;Microsoft has been managing down its workforce in order to pay for its AI investments. By keeping its headcount down they have been able to ​accelerate revenue growth while maintaining the same margins,&quot; said Gil Luria, managing director of DA Davidson.

Booming AI demand has ​powered growth at ⁠Microsoft&#39;s Azure cloud-computing business, which was the exclusive seller of OpenAI&#39;s models until April, but the mounting cost of building data centers to run those services is squeezing its cash flows.

The company, expected to report results later this month, had in April forecast quarterly Azure sales above Wall Street estimates, but also issued a $190 billion ⁠spending projection ​for 2026 that massively surpassed expectations.

AI tools that can increasingly automate routine business tasks have ​also emerged as a threat to its lucrative software business, while a surge in memory chip prices driven by data center demand has forced Microsoft to raise Xbox console prices at a ​time when demand for the console was already soft.]]>
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			<title>PlayStation to end physical game discs for new releases from 2028, Sony confirms</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615929/playstation-to-end-physical-game-discs-for-new-releases-from-2028-sony-confirms</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615929/playstation-to-end-physical-game-discs-for-new-releases-from-2028-sony-confirms#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 13:15:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Pop Culture &amp; Art]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615929</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sony says all new PlayStation games will be digital-only from January 2028 as physical disc production ends]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sony has confirmed that it will stop producing physical discs for all new PlayStation game releases from January 2028, marking a major shift towards digital distribution for the platform.

In a statement published on the official PlayStation Blog, the company said all new games released from January 2028 onwards will be available exclusively in digital formats through the PlayStation Store and participating retailers offering digital game codes.

The change applies only to new releases. Sony confirmed that games launched before the January 2028 cut-off will continue to be produced and sold on physical discs.

Explaining the decision, the company said it reflects changing consumer habits and the wider entertainment industry&#39;s ongoing move away from physical media.

&quot;As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028,&quot; Sony said.

The company described the decision as &quot;a natural direction&quot; for Sony Interactive Entertainment.

&quot;This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,&quot; the statement continued.

Sony also said players will still have multiple purchasing options, with digital titles remaining available through both the PlayStation Store and participating retailers.

&quot;We&#39;ll continue to prioritize our resources to drive innovation in how players can access games and provide choices as to where players prefer to purchase new games, whether that&#39;s at retailers or PlayStation Store. We remain committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience to our fans and we thank you for your continued support.&quot;]]>
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			<title>GTA VI pre-orders set for June 25 as Rockstar reveals cover art ahead of launch</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614052/gta-vi-pre-orders-set-for-june-25-as-rockstar-reveals-cover-art-ahead-of-launch</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614052/gta-vi-pre-orders-set-for-june-25-as-rockstar-reveals-cover-art-ahead-of-launch#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 26 10:41:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Pop Culture &amp; Art]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2614052</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rockstar has confirmed GTA VI pre-orders begin on June 25, with game's official cover art now unveiled]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Rockstar Games has confirmed that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will open on June 25, providing the clearest indication yet that the highly anticipated game remains on track for its planned launch on November 19 2026.

The announcement was made on June 18 and was accompanied by the reveal of the game&#39;s official cover art, marking one of Rockstar&#39;s most significant updates on GTA VI in recent months.

According to the developers, players will be able to pre-order the game through digital storefronts and selected retailers.

The update follows months of speculation surrounding pre-order dates, fuelled by retailer listings, online leaks and comments from Take-Two Interactive executives.

Rockstar also released a short promotional video showcasing the cover art. The artwork places protagonists Jason and Lucia at the centre of the image and features several elements associated with the game&#39;s fictional setting of Leonida, including vehicles, helicopters and wildlife.



In addition to unveiling the cover art, Rockstar refreshed the official GTA VI website with new imagery highlighting Vice City.

The updated visuals feature the city&#39;s skyline, waterfront attractions and busy port areas, offering another glimpse into the game&#39;s world ahead of release.

The confirmation of pre-orders comes after Take-Two previously stated that marketing activity for GTA VI would begin during the summer.

GTA VI is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19 2026 after previously being delayed from its original release window.]]>
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			<title>Meta expands generative AI tools with Muse Image rollout</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617010/meta-expands-generative-ai-tools-with-muse-image-rollout</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617010/meta-expands-generative-ai-tools-with-muse-image-rollout#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 26 18:28:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617010</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Meta said Muse Image can interpret prompts, use photos as inputs and edit AI-generated images through sketches]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Meta Platforms said on Tuesday it is rolling out Muse Image, its first image-generation model from ​Meta Superintelligence Labs, as the Facebook owner &zwnj;expands generative AI tools across its apps.

The company said Muse Image, which is integrated into its Meta AI chatbot, can ​interpret complex prompts, use photos as inputs and ​let users edit generated images directly through ⁠sketches or annotations.

Meta said its Muse Image model will power more than 30 new AI effects for Instagram Stories and enable image generation in direct chats with Meta AI on WhatsApp, initially in select countries.

Read More: Meta&#39;s Zuckerberg says AI agent tech progressing slower than expected

The company plans to expand Muse Image to more markets and integrate the technology into Facebook and Messenger.

While basic use of Muse Image through Meta AI will remain free, additional image creation capabilities will be offered through Meta&rsquo;s subscription plans.

In April, Meta launched Muse Spark, the first text-and-reasoning AI model developed by its Meta Superintelligence Labs team, which was assembled last year as the company sought to compete with rivals in the artificial intelligence race.

Advanced AI models are driving the current AI boom, powering autonomous tasks such as software development, content generation and customer support operations.

Meta also announced an early preview of Muse Video, its AI model designed to generate videos.]]>
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			<title>Apple plans affordable iPhone 17e with upgraded chip</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2591746/apple-plans-affordable-iphone-17e-with-upgraded-chip</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2591746/apple-plans-affordable-iphone-17e-with-upgraded-chip#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 26 05:58:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2591746</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It is also expected to include Apple’s in-house cellular, Wi-Fi chips]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Apple is preparing to introduce a more affordable version of the iPhone 17 alongside an upgraded version of its Siri voice assistant, according to a recent report by Bloomberg.

The company is planning to launch the iPhone 17e, which will follow last year&rsquo;s iPhone 16e &mdash; a lower-priced model that used older hardware to reduce costs.

According to Bloomberg, the new iPhone 17e will feature a more powerful processor, matching that of the standard iPhone 17. It is also expected to include Apple&rsquo;s in-house cellular and Wi-Fi chips.

The report adds that, for the first time, a lower-priced iPhone model will support wireless MagSafe charging.

Despite the upgrades, the device is expected to retain its price tag of $599 or &pound;599, with no increase anticipated.

Read:&nbsp;Everything Apple announced at its September 2025 iPhone 17 keynote event

Earlier on September 9, 2025,&nbsp;Apple unveiled its latest products during the highly anticipated iPhone 17.

They introduced the iPhone 17 lineup, a new ultra-slim model called the iPhone Air, updated Apple Watches, and the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3.

The highlight was the iPhone Air, Apple&rsquo;s thinnest iPhone ever, at just 5.6mm. Positioned as part of a multi-year redesign strategy, the Air aims to redefine Apple&rsquo;s smartphone form factor. Alongside it, the standard iPhone 17 iPhone 17 Pro and iphone 17 Pro Max also made their debut with upgraded cameras and design refinements.

On the wearable front, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 11, featuring 5G connectivity, improved durability, and new health-monitoring capabilities, including hypertension alerts. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 introduced satellite connectivity, a larger edge-to-edge display, and up to 42 hours of battery life.

Meanwhile, the entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 received upgrades including an always-on display, the faster S10 processor, sleep apnea detection, and 5G support, starting at $249.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Samsung unveils Galaxy Z TriFold, its most expensive foldable yet</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2580147/samsung-unveils-galaxy-z-trifold-its-most-expensive-foldable-yet</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2580147/samsung-unveils-galaxy-z-trifold-its-most-expensive-foldable-yet#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 25 08:43:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2580147</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Samsung says the 10-inch triple-fold model is a ‘special edition’, not aimed at mass sales]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Galaxy Z TriFold will go on sale on December 12 and costs more than twice as much as the new iPhone 17 at $2,443.

Super thin, it unfolds to a 10-inch (25.4 centimetre) display, offering &quot;increased possibilities for creating and working&quot;, the South Korean tech giant said. The triple fold function is not a world-first, as&nbsp;China&#39;s Huawei beat Samsung to the punch last year with a phone at a similar price.

Growth has been patchy in the competitive smartphone market, prompting manufacturers to find innovative, eye-catching ways to differentiate their products.

Offered solely in a black design, Samsung&#39;s new device comes in at 309 grams&nbsp;and at its thinnest point measures less than 0.2 inches. Generative artificial intelligence features are integrated into the phone, which can give real-time help through screen or camera sharing.

Samsung admitted the Galaxy Z TriFold was &quot;not intended for mass sales&quot;. Alex Lim, executive vice president at Samsung Electronics, said it was a &quot;special edition&quot; product.

The launch comes as recent industry numbers suggest Apple is on track to overtake Samsung for the first time in 14 years as the world&#39;s top smartphone maker through 2029.

Apple has also long been rumoured to be planning a foldable iPhone, possibly as early as next year.

The US company&#39;s smartphone shipments are expected to reach a global share of 19.4% in 202,5, while Samsung is expected to hold 18.7%, with Apple effectively dethroning its rival for the first time, according to research firm Counterpoint.]]>
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			<title>WhatsApp rolls out fun filters and backgrounds for video calls</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2500381/whatsapp-rolls-out-fun-filters-and-backgrounds-for-video-calls</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2500381/whatsapp-rolls-out-fun-filters-and-backgrounds-for-video-calls#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 24 06:55:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2500381</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[These new features are expected to be available to all WhatsApp users in the coming weeks.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[WhatsApp is rolling out new features designed to make video calls more engaging and fun. The messaging app has introduced filters and backgrounds, allowing users to add a personal touch to their video calls, whether it&#39;s a one-on-one conversation or a group call.

Although these features are already available on competitor apps like Zoom, WhatsApp is bringing them to an app primarily used for social, rather than work-related, calls.

Similar to Instagram&#39;s filters (also owned by Meta), WhatsApp&rsquo;s filters allow users to adjust the look of their video during a call.

This means there&rsquo;s no need to worry about tidying up your space or arranging a backdrop to impress&mdash;users can simply select a background that hides any mess or distraction, making it easier to focus on the conversation.

With 10 backgrounds available, users can choose from options like Blur, Office, Living Room, Caf&eacute;, Beach, Sunset, Pebbles, Foodie, Celebration, Forest, and the quirky Smoosh.

These backgrounds give users the flexibility to transform their environment instantly, hiding clutter or adding a polished touch to their surroundings.

In addition, there are 10 filter options, including Warm, Cool, Black &amp; White, and Vintage TV, providing a playful way to change the atmosphere of your video.

WhatsApp has also introduced Touch up and Low Light features, which &ldquo;can help you feel more confident and comfortable by naturally enhancing the look and brightness of your environment, making your video calls more vibrant and enjoyable,&rdquo; according to the announcement.

To access these effects, users can simply tap the effects icon during a video call and choose from the available options.

These new features are expected to be available to all WhatsApp users in the coming weeks, further enhancing the video call experience.]]>
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			<title>Meta bans Russian state media outlets over 'foreign interference'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2496794/meta-bans-russian-state-media-outlets-over-foreign-interference</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2496794/meta-bans-russian-state-media-outlets-over-foreign-interference#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Sep 24 08:50:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2496794</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Meta accuses outlets RT and Rossiya Segodnya of employing tactics to manipulate public opinion and evade detection]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, announced a global ban on Russian state media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya.

This decision is part of an intensified crackdown on alleged foreign interference, with Meta accusing these outlets of employing deceptive tactics to manipulate public opinion and evade detection.

The ban follows recent US actions, including money-laundering charges against two RT employees who allegedly orchestrated a scheme to influence the 2024 election.

According to Meta, Russian state-controlled media have previously attempted to evade detection through covert activities, prompting the company to take more stringent measures.

Meta&#39;s move marks a significant escalation in its approach to Russian state media, which had previously faced only limited restrictions, such as ad bans and reduced post visibility.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for treating Russian media operations as covert intelligence activities, reinforcing the government&#39;s stance on combating foreign influence.

He recently announced new sanctions against RT, labeling it as an extension of Russian intelligence operations aimed at undermining democratic processes.

RT has dismissed these accusations, labeling them as attempts to stifle its journalistic activities.

In response to Meta&#39;s ban, RT&#39;s spokesperson denounced the actions as unfounded and politically motivated.

The ban on these Russian media outlets is expected to be enforced over the coming days.

Meta has also been censoring Palestinian creators and activists during Israel&#39;s brutal onslaught on besieged Gaza.

The social media company was recently found censoring posts made by the Prime Minister of Malaysia,&nbsp;several Turkish government officials along with journliats and activitsts. Some of these take downs were attributed to glitches, which coinidently were always targeted pro-Palestinian voices in favour of Israel.

A Human Rights Watch report last year revealed that Meta&rsquo;s policies and practices have been suppressing voices advocating for Palestine and Palestinian human rights on Instagram and Facebook.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Meet Noor Pakistan: The multilingual chatbot ready to assist at the defence exhibition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2495041/meet-noor-pakistan-the-multilingual-chatbot-ready-to-assist-at-the-defence-exhibition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2495041/meet-noor-pakistan-the-multilingual-chatbot-ready-to-assist-at-the-defence-exhibition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Sep 24 12:02:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2495041</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Around 40 mobile chatbot robots offering support in 25 different languages are being prepared for the IDEAS exhibition]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Chatbots, created by engineering universities in Pakistan, will now be able to&nbsp;assist and guide international delegates at a defence exhibition taking place this November.

The AI-powered chatbot project is a collaborative effort between Dawood University of Engineering and Ziauddin University, and it has been named &ldquo;Noor Pakistan.&rdquo;

The Noor Pakistan robot, designed to assist delegates at major national events in Pakistan, is being led by Dr. Samreen, Vice Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering.

The team developing the chatbot is guided by Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Nafeh from the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department at Ziauddin University.

The student team includes Sharif Khan, Zoha, Mohammad Saeed, and others.

Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Nafeh, speaking about the project, explained that the goal is to create a bot capable of generating its own responses about major events. This bot was first unveiled at the IEEEP exhibition.

This bot will be officially presented at the IDEAS 2024 defence exhibition in November. Noor Pakistan, equipped with artificial intelligence, will function like a brain, capable of understanding and responding in multiple languages.

The chatbot will be designed in the form of a robot to provide on-the-go assistance and guidance to delegates.

For the IDEAS exhibition, around 40 mobile chatbot robots will be prepared, offering support in 25 different languages. In addition to answering questions about the IDEAS exhibition, they will guide delegates to specific halls or stalls.]]>
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			<title>China's DeepSeek considers new fundraising after first round, FT reports</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618208/chinas-deepseek-considers-new-fundraising-after-first-round-ft-reports</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618208/chinas-deepseek-considers-new-fundraising-after-first-round-ft-reports#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 13:06:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618208</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The company began talks with new investors on a funding round that could value it at about $71 billion]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is weighing raising new funds one month after ​closing its first round, the Financial &zwnj;Times reported on Tuesday.

The company started preliminary talks this week with new investors about opening ​another round that would value the ​company at about $71 billion before the deal, ⁠according to the report.

DeepSeek did not ​immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read More: AI firms&#39; mass purchase, destruction of books for model training fuels copyright debate

DeepSeek, ​China&#39;s best-known AI startup, completed its first-ever round of financing around the end of May, which ​raised about $7 billion at a valuation ​of $52 billion, including the raised funds, the FT added.

DeepSeek did not ​immediately respond to a request for comment.

DeepSeek, ​China&#39;s best-known AI startup, completed its first-ever round of financing around the end of May, which ​raised about $7 billion at a valuation ​of $52 billion, including the raised funds, the FT added.]]>
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			<title>From shampoo to cookies, consumer products get an AI makeover</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2616797/from-shampoo-to-cookies-consumer-products-get-an-ai-makeover</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2616797/from-shampoo-to-cookies-consumer-products-get-an-ai-makeover#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 26 14:37:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2616797</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Nestle, Haleon and Mondelez use AI to speed product innovation, recipe design and supply chain planning]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[French cosmetics company L&#39;Oreal&nbsp;has used AI to identify molecules in its &zwnj;skincare products that can be repurposed for use in shampoo and can now create products four times faster than before, a senior executive told Reuters.

Consumer companies, including Nescafe owner Nestle&nbsp;,Sensodyne toothpaste maker Haleon&nbsp;and chocolate maker Mondelez&nbsp;, are using ​AI in product innovation, helping them in some cases test ingredients faster, generate recipe ideas ​and address supply chain vulnerabilities, executives said.

The push to integrate AI into product development ⁠comes as consumer goods companies face pressure to innovate faster and cut costs amid shifting consumer tastes.

​L&#39;Oreal, which started using AI in its labs four years ago, has identified new molecules for beauty products ​by predicting the effect they will have on skin and hair, said Fabrice Megarbane, president of its consumer products unit.

L&#39;Oreal&#39;s recent innovation was repurposing molecules used in skincare products for a shampoo that uses collagen to add lift and fullness ​to hair, Megarbane said.

&quot;You can really go much faster by imagining ... new associations of molecules and new ​benefits of molecules,&quot; Megarbane said at the Consumer Goods Forum&#39;s Global Summit in Vienna in late June.

Read More: Indian IT firms face muted Q1 as AI shift, weak demand weigh

L&#39;Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus &zwnj;launched ⁠a &quot;beauty stimulus plan&quot; last year to spur innovation after L&#39;Oreal posted its slowest group sales growth in years.

AI compressing product development 

Human product innovation augmented by AI is a &quot;game-changer&quot; at chocolate maker Mondelez, Chief Information and Digital Officer Filippo Catalano told Reuters.

The technology has helped the Cadbury and Toblerone owner speed up processes and ​reimagine recipes. The firm ​said AI can create ⁠recipes, including &quot;out-of-the-box&quot; ideas, which a human expert assesses.

&quot;You can optimise how you develop your recipes,&quot; Catalano said, pointing to the possibility for reduced dependency on single ​sourcing in supply chains and the ability to adapt formulas to respond to ​changing consumer tastes.

Mondelez&#39;s ⁠AI tool is reducing the number of samples typically generated through innovation, he said. It helped develop its Gluten Free Golden Oreo cookies and a refreshed recipe for Chips Ahoy cookies, the firm said. In the ⁠biscuit category, ​60% of recipes produced using its AI tool performed better ​in areas such as nutrition, sustainability and cost.

&quot;(AI capabilities are) accelerating things you could do already, but compressing the time from months ​to weeks or years to months,&quot; Catalano said.]]>
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			<title>Google appeals Indian ruling over its ads platform, citing consumer harm</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617347/google-appeals-indian-ruling-over-its-ads-platform-citing-consumer-harm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617347/google-appeals-indian-ruling-over-its-ads-platform-citing-consumer-harm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 26 14:09:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617347</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Delhi High Court ruled against Google in the case, ordering it to pay damages of $31,600 and other costs]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[&nbsp;Google&nbsp;has challenged an Indian ​court ruling that it infringed on a company&#39;s trademark rights by allowing rivals to use its &zwnj;name as an advertising keyword, arguing the decision will hurt consumers, documents reviewed by Reuters show.

The&nbsp;May decision&nbsp;could reshape the online ads market in a country where Google last year earned $4.1 billion in gross advertising revenue but where it is also facing a raft of ​antitrust cases and court battles.

The Delhi High Court ruled against Google in the ​case, ordering it to pay damages of $31,600 and other litigation costs.

In its 4,761-page challenge, which is not public but was reviewed by Reuters, Google said the decision makes India the &quot;sole outlier&quot; among global jurisdictions &quot;with serious consequences for the digital advertising industry, online consumer choice, ​and competitive markets.&quot;

Researchers have observed that consumers may search for a brand in order to identify and assess alternatives, ​Google wrote in the July 7 filing, arguing the ruling will effectively grant trademark owners a &quot;monopoly over advertising space to the detriment &zwnj;of consumers.&quot;

In ⁠a response to a Reuters request for comment, Google confirmed it is appealing the order, which it said &quot;diverges from established legal precedents in India&quot;. It added that its ads policies reflect standard practices that enable competition.

Read More: Meta to put AI chip into production in September as it looks to double computing capacity, memo shows

Google India&#39;s appeal will be heard in the coming days.

Google selling something it doesn&rsquo;t own, judge says

If upheld, Indian lawyers and tech experts ​say the original ruling will ​have wide-ranging ramifications for how ⁠the online ads market operates.

Indian matchmaking service Shaadi.com, for example, said that it would change the economics of online ads for millions of businesses that were suffering when their ​competitors bid on their name and Google took a fee.

Justice Mini Pushkarna noted in ​the decision in ⁠May that Google could not be permitted to shrug off responsibility after making a tool available that leads to trademark infringement.

&quot;Google has attempted to sell something that it simply does not own,&quot; Pushkarna wrote.

Google&#39;s appeal rejects the position that it has ⁠infringed ​on trademarks, arguing that &quot;a keyword is merely used as an internal and ​backend trigger to display an ad&quot; and is simply &quot;making advertising space available&quot;.

Google also faces antitrust cases in India as well as legal challenges over&nbsp;AI ​training&nbsp;and stricter-than-ever&nbsp;content takedown regulations&nbsp;that began applying to tech companies from February.]]>
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			<title>Google loses fight against record €4.1 billion EU antitrust fine</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2616097/google-loses-fight-against-record-41-billion-eu-antitrust-fine</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2616097/google-loses-fight-against-record-41-billion-eu-antitrust-fine#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 26 11:33:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2616097</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Google has racked up close to €11 billion in EU fines in the last decades for various antitrust infringements.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Alphabet&#39;s Google on Thursday lost its fight against a record fine imposed by EU antitrust regulators ​eight years ago for using its Android mobile operating system to &zwnj;block rivals, a court ruling likely to boost Europe&#39;s crackdown on Big Tech.

The European Commission had originally handed out a &euro;4.34 billion fine to Google in 2018 for its agreements, ​which forced phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search, the Chrome browser and ​the Google Play app store on their Android devices and ⁠prevented them from using rival Android systems.

A lower tribunal subsequently trimmed the fine ​to &euro;4.1 billion in 2022 after the world&#39;s most popular search engine challenged the ​EU penalty. Google then appealed to the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union, Europe&#39;s highest.

The court sided with the EU antitrust enforcer.

&quot;The appeal brought by Google and its ​parent company Alphabet against the judgment of the General Court is dismissed, ​thereby confirming the penalty imposed for Google Search&#39;s abuse of a dominant position in the &zwnj;context of ⁠the Android operating system,&quot; judges said.

Read More: EU targets Amazon, Microsoft cloud units for Big Tech &#39;gatekeeper&#39; rules

A Google spokesperson said that the judgment failed to take into account its investment to ensure Android remains open, interoperable and free.

&quot;In any event, we adapted our agreements to comply with the initial ​decision back in 2018 ​and we remain ⁠focused on continued innovation and openness for our users, partners and developers&quot;, Google said.

Google has racked up close to &euro;11 ​billion in EU fines in the last decades for various ​antitrust infringements.

It ⁠will likely see more fines in the near future for allegedly favouring its own services and products in search results and for practices related to its app ⁠store, ​both of which fall under the Digital Markets ​Act aimed at reining in the power of Big Tech.

The case is C-738/22 P Google and Alphabet ​v Commission.]]>
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			<title>Indonesia to restrict social media access for children under 16, minister says</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596121/indonesia-to-restrict-social-media-access-for-children-under-16-minister-says</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596121/indonesia-to-restrict-social-media-access-for-children-under-16-minister-says#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 26 09:20:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2596121</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[&quot;The process will be done gradually until all platforms perform their obligations&quot; said Indonesia's digital minister]]>
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				<![CDATA[Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications and digital ministry said on Friday, making it the latest country to install online guardrails to reduce the risks of addiction and cyberbullying.

A number of governments have imposed curbs on social media for children amid mounting concerns over the impact that social media is having on the safety and mental health of minors.

Australia introduced a ban on social media for under-16s in December, and Spain also said last month that it would ban access to social media for minors under 16.

Indonesia&#39;s neighbour Malaysiaannounced in November that it would also ban social media for users under the age of 16 starting from 2026.

Meutya Hafid, Indonesia&#39;s Communications and Digital Minister, said in a video statement that the government will &quot;delay access&quot; to social media accounts for children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued on Friday.

Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on &quot;high risk platforms&quot; will be gradually deactivated, Meutya said, adding the platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox.

&quot;The process will be done gradually until all platforms perform their obligations,&quot; she said, without elaborating on what they need to do to meet the new requirements.

&quot;We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints.&quot;

&quot;Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction,&quot; she said, adding Indonesia will be the first non-Western country to impose such restrictions.

TikTok, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Roblox did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The details of the new regulation have yet to be revealed. Ministry officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Internet penetration in Indonesia, a country of about 280 million people, reached 79.5% in 2024, according to a survey of 8,700 people by the Indonesia internet service providers&#39; association.

The survey showed 48% of children under 12 had access to the internet, with some respondents of that age group using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The survey showed internet penetration stood at 87% among &quot;Gen Z&quot; users aged 12 to 27.]]>
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			<title>Norway imposes near ban on AI in elementary school</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614102/norway-imposes-near-ban-on-ai-in-elementary-school</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614102/norway-imposes-near-ban-on-ai-in-elementary-school#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 26 16:04:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2614102</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said using AI risks young children skipping important steps in their education]]>
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				<![CDATA[Norway is imposing a near ban on the use of generative AI tools by elementary school pupils while also restricting their use in the education of older children to prevent a negative impact on learning, the country&rsquo;s prime minister said on Friday.

Facing a broad decline in education test scores, the government in 2024 banned smartphones from schools and gave teachers more powers to enforce discipline in the classroom.

Using AI increases the risk that young children skip important steps in their education, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told a press conference.

&ldquo;The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write and do mathematics,&rdquo; Store said, adding that the new standards will be imposed from the new school year beginning in late August.

Read More: The Indian workers training AI robots to take their jobs

Pupils from first through seventh grade (ages 6 to 13) should generally not use AI, while those in lower secondary school (ages 14 to 16) may cautiously adopt tools under teacher supervision, the government said.

In upper secondary education (ages 17 to 19), students should learn to use AI appropriately to prepare for further education and work, it added.

Norway began adopting computers in classrooms in the 1990s and tablets after the introduction of the iPad from 2010 onwards, reducing reliance on books and handwriting.

But in a related statement, the government also said it will propose legislation to fund more use of books in classrooms, reversing the trend towards computer tablets.

The Norwegian government in April also announced plans to ban children from using social media until age 16, following similar moves by Australia and other countries.]]>
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			<title>Meta offers support for AI models as Pakistan deepens digital push</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2555152/meta-offers-support-for-ai-models-as-pakistan-deepens-digital-push</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2555152/meta-offers-support-for-ai-models-as-pakistan-deepens-digital-push#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 25 11:23:48 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Meta presented its latest developments in AI, including LLaMA, generative AI tools, and Urdu-language AI models]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, met with a high-level delegation from Meta, led by Sarim Aziz, Director of Public Policy for South and Central Asia, to discuss strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s digital infrastructure, scaling artificial intelligence adoption, and empowering youth through technology.

Meta presented its latest developments in AI, including the LLaMA open-source models, Generative AI tools for public sector innovation, and work on Urdu-language AI models.

The company also expressed interest in helping Pakistan build local AI capacity and expanding technical training initiatives.

Shaza Fatima reiterated the government&#39;s full commitment to a digital Pakistan, emphasizing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally chairs weekly meetings on the country&rsquo;s shift toward a cashless economy.

She stressed that digital skills for youth remain a top national priority, and that public-private partnerships like this are essential to unlocking the country&rsquo;s future potential.

&ldquo;The effective use of AI is not optional&mdash;it is foundational for Pakistan&rsquo;s next phase of development,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Initiatives that enhance youth capacity and improve public service delivery are not just welcome&mdash;they&rsquo;re necessary.&rdquo;

Both sides agreed to explore deeper collaboration in digital skilling, AI adoption in governance, and innovation-driven partnerships that can accelerate Pakistan&rsquo;s digital transformation.]]>
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			<title>Spain to probe X, Meta, TikTok over AI-generated child sexual abuse material</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593046/spain-to-probe-x-meta-tiktok-over-ai-generated-child-sexual-abuse-material</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593046/spain-to-probe-x-meta-tiktok-over-ai-generated-child-sexual-abuse-material#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 26 09:05:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2593046</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Announcement comes as European regulators are cracking down on big tech companies]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Spanish government has ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta META.O and TikTok for allegedly spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

The announcement comes as European regulators are cracking down on big tech companies, alleging the prevalence of abusive practices on online platforms ranging from anti-competitive behaviour in digital advertising to deliberate design of addictive features on social media.

The three companies named by Sanchez did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

&quot;These platforms are undermining the mental health, dignity, and rights of our children,&quot; Sanchez wrote on his X account. &quot;The state cannot allow this. The impunity of these giants must end.&quot;

He said the government would ask prosecutors to &quot;investigate the crimes that X, Meta, and TikTok may be committing through the creation and dissemination of child pornography using their AI&quot;.

Read: France moves to ban social media for users under 15

Spain is not the only country probing sexually explicit content generated by Elon Musk&#39;s xAI chatbot Grok on X - other governments have launched investigations, bans and demands for safeguards in a growing global push to curb illegal material.

Earlier this month, Sanchez announced several measures aimed at curbing online abuse and protecting children, including a proposed ban on access to social media platforms for those under the age of 16.

On the same day, French police raided the offices of Musk&#39;s X and prosecutors ordered the tech billionaire to face questions in a widening investigation amid growing scrutiny of the platform by authorities across Europe.

In November, Sanchez said that Spain&#39;s parliament would investigate Meta for possible privacy violations of its Facebook and Instagram users.

Meanwhile, Ireland&#39;s Data Protection Commission said on Tuesday it had opened a formal investigation into Grok over the processing of personal data and its potential to produce harmful sexualised images and video, including of children.]]>
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			<title>‘The Core’: Al Jazeera rolls out AI system for news production</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583477/the-core-al-jazeera-rolls-out-ai-system-for-news-production</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2583477/the-core-al-jazeera-rolls-out-ai-system-for-news-production#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 25 08:55:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category><category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Partnership aims to combine AI-driven content creation with human editorial expertise]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Al Jazeera Media Network has announced&nbsp;a new ArtificiaI Intelligence&nbsp;initiative,&nbsp;developed in&nbsp;partnership with Google Cloud&nbsp;aimed at integrating AI more deeply into newsroom operations.

The project, named &ldquo;The Core,&rdquo; was announced on December 15 as an integrative AI‑driven model designed to AI&#39;s role in journalism from a passive tool to an active partner in news production, while retaining editorial control.





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Built on what Al Jazeera describes as a &ldquo;cognitive operating model,&rdquo; The Core embeds generative AI across multiple stages of the news lifecycle, including information gathering, data analysis, content creation and distribution, with human editors overseeing all editorial decisions.

According to Al Jazeera and Google Cloud, The Core integrates Google&rsquo;s AI suite across six interdependent pillars that form the system&rsquo;s backbone. These include:


	AJ Now: a central platform that assists with suggesting questions, generating angles and drafting summaries, which will use Google Cloud&#39;s compute engine, Gemini Enterprise, Vertex AI Search and other generative tools.
	AJ‑LLM (Editorial Brain): a large language model (LLM) fine‑tuned on Al Jazeera&rsquo;s own archives to help with translation, summarisation and real‑time contextual analysis.
	AJ Vision: supports immersive content creation with generative AI tools, including Imagen, Veo, and others.
	AJ Data Lake: uses data analytics to uncover trends and support data‑driven reporting using BigQuery and Gemini Data Agents.
	Operations&nbsp;Engine: focused on automating internal workflows through Gemini for Workspace.
	Academic and Knowledge Arm: Offers training for journalists on advanced AI tools.


Some observers have raised questions about potential bias associated with the use of Google Cloud, citing the company&rsquo;s broader regional technology partnerships, including Project Nimbus. Al Jazeera has said the system&rsquo;s language model will be trained on its own editorial archives and remain under continuous human oversight, which it says will help mitigate such concerns.

Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, director general of Al Jazeera Media Network, said the initiative reflected the organisation&rsquo;s ambition to build &ldquo;a global technological ecosystem&rdquo; that strengthens its position in the AI era, while preserving editorial judgment.

Alex Rutter, managing director for AI in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Google Cloud, said the initiative&rsquo;s tools were designed to reshape how journalists research, produce and publish news, as well as how audiences engage with it.

Under the expanded partnership, Al Jazeera will deploy Google Cloud&rsquo;s AI infrastructure and agent-based systems across its global operations. Both organisations stressed that editors and reporters would remain central to all editorial decisions, with AI serving a supporting role.

Details regarding data-centre locations, regional infrastructure and deployment timelines have not been publicly disclosed.]]>
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