News/Europe
Swiss AI startup raises €114M to train robots using gaming data
Swiss AI startup General Intuition has raised €114 million in one of 2025's largest seed funding rounds, led by Khosla Ventures and General Catalyst with participation from Raine. The New York and Geneva-based company, spun off from Dutch video platform Medal, plans to bridge gaming data with real-world applications in robotics and drones, leveraging over 2 billion annual gameplay clips to train AI agents for both virtual and physical environments. What you should know: General Intuition emerged from Medal's extensive gaming content library, which processes nearly 1 billion video uploads annually from 10 million monthly active users. The startup uses...
read Oct 14, 2025No biggie? A paltry 5% of German workers fear losing jobs to AI
A new survey reveals that only 5% of German workers fear losing their jobs to artificial intelligence within the next five years, despite research suggesting nearly 40% of jobs in Germany involve tasks that could be automated. The widespread complacency may reflect limited AI knowledge among employees, with fewer than 40% having received any AI-related training even in companies already using the technology. What you should know: The survey by AOK's Scientific Institute found that two-thirds of German employees are "not at all concerned" about AI threatening their job security, while another 23% are "rather unconcerned." 42% of respondents said...
read Oct 14, 2025France’s Publicis raises growth forecast as AI powers 73% of operations
French advertising giant Publicis raised its full-year organic growth forecast for the second time in 2025, crediting artificial intelligence as its primary growth driver. The company now reports that 73% of its operations are AI-powered, demonstrating how strategic AI implementation can deliver measurable business results amid ongoing debates about AI's practical value. What you should know: Publicis has systematically invested €12 billion ($12.7 billion) in data, technology, and AI infrastructure since 2015, enabling the company to monitor consumer behavior across more than 4 billion individuals globally. The advertising firm now individualizes marketing strategies at unprecedented scale, leveraging this massive data...
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Swiss agtech Ecorobotix raises $150M to scale plant-by-plant AI spraying
Swiss agtech company Ecorobotix has raised $150 million across Series C and D funding rounds to accelerate development of its Plant-by-Plant AI software for precision crop spraying. The company's technology uses computer vision and robotics to enable ultra-precise pesticide application with spray footprints of just a few centimeters, potentially reducing chemical input usage by up to 95% while helping farmers cut costs and meet sustainability pressures. What you should know: Ecorobotix's ARA "smart" spraying systems are already operational in more than 20 countries including the US, Europe, and Oceania. The funding consists of $45 million raised in 2024 and $105...
read Oct 13, 2025Oi! UK performers union plans mass data requests to expose AI training theft
Equity, the UK's performing arts union, has threatened mass direct action against tech and entertainment companies using its members' images, voices, and likenesses in AI content without permission. The union represents 50,000 performers and plans to coordinate large-scale data access requests to force companies to disclose whether they've used members' personal data in AI-generated material without consent. What you should know: Equity is escalating its fight against unauthorized AI use by leveraging data protection laws to create pressure on tech companies. The union plans to help members submit subject access requests en masse, which legally require companies to respond within...
read Oct 9, 2025Study finds just 250 malicious documents can backdoor AI models
Researchers from Anthropic, the UK AI Security Institute, and the Alan Turing Institute have discovered that large language models can develop backdoor vulnerabilities from as few as 250 malicious documents inserted into their training data. This finding challenges previous assumptions about AI security and suggests that poisoning attacks may be easier to execute on large models than previously believed, as the number of required malicious examples doesn't scale with model size. What you should know: The study tested AI models ranging from 600 million to 13 billion parameters and found they all learned backdoor behaviors after encountering roughly the same...
read Oct 9, 2025Norwegian Army selects Six Robotics’ autonomous drone swarm system
The Norwegian Army has selected Six Robotics' Valkyrie autonomous drone swarm system for a pilot program focused on concept and technology development across multiple Army units. This contract marks a significant milestone in Norway's military modernization efforts, as armed forces worldwide increasingly integrate autonomous systems to maintain operational advantages in future combat environments. What you should know: The Valkyrie system represents Norway's strategic investment in next-generation warfare capabilities that prioritize speed and autonomy. The drone swarm will support training and exercises with advanced unmanned systems, preparing soldiers for combat environments defined by autonomous operations. Valkyrie provides scalable and intelligent swarm...
read Oct 9, 2025Bank of England warns AI hype could trigger global market crash
The Bank of England warned on Wednesday that global financial markets could face a "sharp correction" if investor sentiment turns negative on artificial intelligence or the U.S. Federal Reserve's independence. The central bank's Financial Policy Committee issued its strongest warning to date about AI-triggered market risks, noting that U.S. stock valuations have reached levels similar to the dotcom bubble peak and expressing concern about potential spillovers to Britain's financial system. The big picture: Market concentration and AI-driven valuations have created unprecedented vulnerability in global financial markets. The five largest companies now represent 30% of the S&P 500's total valuation, marking...
read Oct 7, 2025Union, jack thy skillset up: 48% of UK AI projects fail as firms lack know-how, says study
A new Pluralsight survey reveals that 95% of UK businesses claim to prioritize employee learning cultures, yet half of workers can't find time for training and 93% need additional support. The disconnect between leadership intentions and execution is particularly acute in AI and machine learning, where skills shortages are now among the most severe across all technology domains. The big picture: AI and machine learning has rapidly evolved from a low-priority skill to the third most critical capability for businesses, trailing only cybersecurity and cloud computing in terms of skills gaps. Key findings from the survey: The research, which polled...
read Oct 6, 2025Netherlands delivers 150+ THeMIS combat robots to Ukraine
Milrem Robotics will deliver over 150 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine as part of a Dutch-funded defense initiative, with assembly operations being established at VDL Defentec's facility in the Netherlands. This marks one of the largest deployments of unmanned ground vehicles to support Ukraine's defense capabilities, building on the proven battlefield effectiveness of 15 THeMIS units already operating in the country since 2022. Key details: The donation was formally announced on October 6, with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans joining Milrem Robotics and VDL for a signing ceremony at VDL's Born facility. VDL Defentec, a Dutch defense contractor, is...
read Oct 3, 2025EU chief pushes for self-driving car network to rival US and China
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a continent-wide push to develop self-driving cars during Italian Tech Week in Turin, positioning artificial intelligence as a key solution for reviving Europe's struggling automotive sector. Her "AI first" strategy aims to help European automakers catch up with competitors in the United States and China while improving road safety and preserving millions of jobs across the region. What she's proposing: Von der Leyen outlined an ambitious plan to establish Europe as a leader in autonomous vehicle technology through coordinated action across member states. She proposed creating a network of European cities...
read Oct 3, 2025Uber acquires Belgian Segments.ai to expand AI data labeling services
Uber has acquired Belgian data labeling startup Segments.ai for an undisclosed amount, expanding its push into AI training services beyond its traditional ride-sharing and delivery operations. The move transforms Uber's internal data labeling capabilities—originally developed for its own autonomous driving efforts—into a revenue-generating service for other companies developing self-driving technologies worldwide. What you should know: Segments.ai specializes in annotating objects in videos and LiDAR sensor data, creating the training datasets essential for autonomous vehicle development.• The Y Combinator-backed startup helps engineers label complex visual data that AI systems need to recognize and respond to real-world driving scenarios.• Uber has been...
read Oct 2, 2025EU’s landmark AI Act forces companies to rethink cybersecurity fundamentals
The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act represents the world's most comprehensive AI regulation, fundamentally reshaping how organizations must approach AI security and compliance. As the latest provisions took effect on August 2nd, companies operating in or selling to EU markets face unprecedented requirements for AI system governance, particularly for applications classified as "high-risk." This groundbreaking legislation establishes the first mandatory framework for AI safety and ethics, but compliance demands more than checking regulatory boxes. Organizations must now embed security considerations throughout their AI development lifecycle, creating new operational challenges and opportunities across the technology landscape. How the Act rewrites cybersecurity...
read Oct 1, 2025Automaker Stellantis and Mistral expand partnership with 2 new AI platforms
Carmaker Stellantis and French AI firm Mistral AI are expanding their 18-month partnership to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across the automaker's global operations. The collaboration introduces two new platforms designed to integrate AI solutions into sales, aftersales, and core production processes, positioning Stellantis to leverage AI for enhanced customer service and operational efficiency. What you should know: The expanded partnership builds on successful pilot programs that began 18 months ago between Stellantis, which owns brands like Jeep and Ram, and Mistral AI, a French artificial intelligence company. Two new platforms will launch: Innovation Lab and Transformation Academy, each targeting different...
read Oct 1, 2025“Disquiet on the set!” Italian producer unveils first AI-directed feature film amid industry pushback
Italian producer Andrea Iervolino has unveiled The Sweet Idleness, what he claims is the first feature film directed by an artificial intelligence system called FellinAI. The project arrives amid intensifying industry debate over AI's role in filmmaking, particularly following recent controversy surrounding AI actress Tilly Norwood's potential talent agency representation. What you should know: FellinAI operates as a virtual director designed to "celebrate the poetic and dreamlike language of great European cinema." The AI system is housed at Andrea Iervolino Company AI, with Iervolino serving as the "human-in-the-loop" supervisor and producer who guides and monitors the technology. The Sweet Idleness...
read Sep 30, 2025Swedish legal AI startup Legora seeks $150M at $1.8B valuation
Legora, a Stockholm-based legal AI startup, is in talks to raise $100-150 million at a $1.8 billion valuation, just four months after its Series B round. The funding round, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, reflects the rapid growth in legal AI adoption as law firms increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to automate repetitive tasks and boost efficiency. Key growth metrics: Legora has experienced explosive revenue growth, jumping from $4 million to $23 million in annual recurring revenue, with projections to reach $40 million ARR by year-end.• However, only $1 million of current revenue comes from U.S.-based customers, suggesting significant untapped...
read Sep 29, 2025People cheat 88% more when delegating tasks to AI, says Max Planck study
A new study reveals that people are significantly more likely to cheat when they delegate tasks to artificial intelligence, with dishonesty rates jumping from 5% to 88% in some experiments. The research, published in Nature and involving thousands of participants across 13 experiments, suggests that AI delegation creates a dangerous moral buffer zone where people feel less accountable for unethical behavior. What you should know: Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and University of Duisburg-Essen tested participants using classic cheating scenarios—die-rolling tasks and tax evasion games—with varying degrees of AI involvement. When participants reported results directly, only...
read Sep 29, 2025AI voice clones fool humans with just 4 minutes of training
New research from Queen Mary University of London reveals that AI voice clones created with just four minutes of audio recordings are now indistinguishable from real human voices to average listeners. The study demonstrates how sophisticated consumer-grade AI voice technology has become, raising significant concerns about fraud, misinformation, and the potential for voice cloning scams. What you should know: Researchers tested people's ability to distinguish between real voices and AI-generated clones using readily available technology.• The study used 40 synthetic AI voices and 40 human voice clones created with ElevenLabs' consumer tool, requiring roughly four minutes of recordings per clone.•...
read Sep 29, 2025London-based Vaire Computing’s Ice River chip cuts AI energy use by 30%
Vaire Computing has successfully tested its Ice River chip, which demonstrated a 30% reduction in energy consumption compared to standard processors by reusing energy rather than discarding it as heat. The proof-of-concept achievement addresses growing concerns about AI's escalating energy demands, though questions remain about whether hyperscale operators will adopt such technology over their own internal solutions. How it works: Ice River tackles processor inefficiency through two key innovations that fundamentally change how chips handle energy. The chip uses reversible logic gates that allow energy to flow in both directions, enabling calculations to reuse inputs for further operations rather than...
read Sep 29, 2025Mamma m-AI! Greece deploys tech to speed up crime investigations
Greek police will begin integrating artificial intelligence into their crime-fighting operations, with the technology set to analyze CCTV footage, handle traffic violations, and assist with domestic violence cases. The initiative, developed through collaboration between Greece's Ministry of Citizen Protection and Ministry of Digital Governance with Google's involvement, aims to dramatically reduce investigation times and free up officers for other duties. How it works: AI will replace time-intensive manual processes that currently burden Greek law enforcement.• While it can take weeks for personnel to review CCTV footage for theft clues, AI can accomplish the same task in minutes, accelerating efforts to...
read Sep 29, 2025AI in the sky: Lufthansa to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030 using while expanding fleet
Lufthansa Group announced Monday it will eliminate 4,000 jobs by 2030 through artificial intelligence implementation, digitalization, and operational consolidation across its member airlines. The German aviation giant is leveraging AI to streamline administrative functions while simultaneously planning its largest fleet expansion in company history, targeting significantly increased profitability amid strong travel demand and constrained aircraft supply. What you should know: The job cuts will primarily affect administrative roles in Germany rather than operational positions, as Lufthansa integrates operations across its airline portfolio.• Most eliminated positions will result from removing duplicated work across Lufthansa's member airlines, which include Austrian Airlines, Swiss,...
read Sep 26, 2025Cambridge researchers use AI to map hedgehog habitats from satellite data
Cambridge researchers have developed an AI model that identifies bramble patches from satellite imagery to map potential hedgehog habitats across the UK. This innovative approach addresses a critical conservation challenge, as European hedgehog populations have declined by 30-50% over the past decade, and traditional tracking methods are too expensive and labor-intensive for large-scale monitoring. How it works: The AI system combines satellite data with citizen science observations to detect brambles, which serve as essential hedgehog habitats for shelter, nesting, and food sources. The model uses relatively simple machine learning techniques—logistic regression and k-nearest neighbors classification—rather than complex deep learning models...
read Sep 26, 2025Sam Altman will be “very surprised” if AI doesn’t surpass humans by 2030
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicts artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence by 2030, with models capable of making scientific discoveries that humans cannot achieve independently. Speaking at the Axel Springer Award ceremony in Berlin, Altman outlined his vision for AI's rapid trajectory and OpenAI's plans to develop a "family of devices" that could fundamentally reshape how people interact with computers. Timeline for superintelligence: Altman expects AI models to demonstrate extraordinary capabilities well before the decade's end. "By the end of this decade, by 2030, if we don't have extraordinarily capable models that do things that we ourselves cannot do, I'd...
read Sep 26, 2025Craft works: Germany leads Europe in robot installations with 26,982 new units
Germany has solidified its position as Europe's robotics powerhouse, ranking fourth globally in industrial robot density and leading Europe in new robot installations, according to the International Federation of Robotics 2025 World Report. This dominance reflects Germany's strategic importance as a manufacturing hub and its ability to attract significant foreign investment in automation technologies. What you should know: Germany stands as the only European country to crack the global top five across multiple robotics categories. The country achieved fourth place worldwide in industrial robot density with 449 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees. Germany installed 26,982 new robots, more than any...
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