News/Europe
BBC Sounds Tests AI-Generated Subtitles to Boost Accessibility
BBC Sounds introduces AI-generated subtitles: The BBC is trialing artificial intelligence-powered subtitles and transcripts for select shows on its popular audio platform, BBC Sounds, marking a significant step towards improving accessibility. The three-month trial currently includes five shows: In Touch, Access All, Profile, Sporting Witness, and Economics with Subtitles. Users can access the AI-generated subtitles via a new button in the playbar on the BBC Sounds website. The trial is also expanding to the BBC Sounds app, starting with Android devices and later iOS. How it works: The BBC is utilizing Whisper AI, a speech-to-text artificial intelligence system, to generate...
read Sep 4, 2024UK Regulator Approves Microsoft’s AI Talent Acquisition
Regulatory decision on tech industry merger: The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its antitrust investigation into Microsoft's hiring of Inflection AI staff, determining that the transaction does not pose significant competitive concerns. Joel Bamford, executive director of the CMA, confirmed that while the hiring of Inflection AI employees by Microsoft qualifies as a merger under UK law, it is unlikely to substantially reduce competition in the consumer chatbot market. The CMA's decision to close the probe suggests that the regulatory body does not view this particular transaction as a threat to fair competition in the rapidly evolving...
read Sep 4, 2024UK School Debuts First AI-Led Classroom for £27,000 a Year
Pioneering AI-taught class launches in UK: London's David Game College introduces the first artificial intelligence-led classroom in the United Kingdom as part of its innovative Sabrewing program. The educational experiment involves 20 GCSE students who will experience a learning environment powered by AI platforms and virtual reality headsets, replacing traditional human teachers. Sabrewing's AI model is designed to personalize education by assessing each student's individual strengths and weaknesses, adapting lesson plans to focus more on areas where students require additional support. The annual cost of attending this cutting-edge educational program is £27,000, reflecting the advanced technology and personalized learning approach....
read Aug 27, 2024Australian Pension Fund Acquires Bandwidth Infra Company to Capitalize on AI
Australian pension fund invests in European fiber network: Aware Super, an Australian pension fund, has acquired a minority stake in euNetworks, a London-based bandwidth infrastructure company, aiming to capitalize on the growing artificial intelligence sector. The investment was made through a vehicle led by Stonepeak, a global infrastructure and real assets manager, along with other investors including Investment Management Corporation of Ontario and APG Asset Management. Aware Super, which manages A$180 billion in assets, did not disclose the size of its stake or the investment amount. EuNetworks operates deep fiber networks in 18 European cities and a long-haul network across...
read Aug 27, 2024AI Startup Aleph Alpha Launches Open-Source Language Models
Aleph Alpha's release of open-source AI models signals a shift towards transparent and EU-compliant machine learning, potentially reshaping the landscape of AI development. Breakthrough in open-source AI: German startup Aleph Alpha has unveiled two new large language models (LLMs) under an open license, challenging the closed-source approach of many tech giants. The models, Pharia-1-LLM-7B-control and Pharia-1-LLM-7B-control-aligned, each have 7 billion parameters and are designed to deliver concise, length-controlled responses in multiple European languages. Aleph Alpha claims their performance matches leading open-source models in the 7-8 billion parameter range. The company has also open-sourced its training codebase, called "Scaling," allowing researchers...
read Aug 26, 2024Tech Giants Withhold AI Products from Europe Amid Regulatory Clash
Silicon Valley's strategic response to European tech regulations: Major U.S. technology companies are withholding key artificial intelligence products from the European market, signaling a growing tension between innovation and regulatory compliance. Meta and Apple have decided not to launch certain AI products in Europe, citing the region's regulatory environment as the primary reason for their decision. This move is being interpreted as a form of protest against Europe's tech rules, which these companies may view as overly restrictive or burdensome. The strategy of withholding products from specific markets due to regulatory concerns is not unprecedented in the tech industry, suggesting...
read Aug 26, 2024AI-Powered Device Boosts Bowel Cancer Detection in Groundbreaking UK Trial
Revolutionary AI technology enhances bowel cancer detection: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) has successfully implemented an AI-powered device called GI Genius to improve colonoscopy procedures, leading to significant advancements in identifying potential cancer-causing lesions. Key findings from the trial: The AI technology detected an average of 0.36 additional lesions (adenomas) per colonoscopy The device helped identify small or flat polyps often missed by human observation At least one adenoma was found in an extra 8 out of 100 people using the AI device No increase in complications was reported with the use of the technology Expert insights...
read Aug 25, 2024Europe Risks Falling Behind in AI Race, Tech CEOs Warn
Open-source AI's potential and Europe's regulatory challenge: Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and Daniel Ek of Spotify have jointly advocated for Europe to embrace open-source AI technology while warning about the region's complex regulatory environment. The tech leaders argue that Europe's fragmented regulations could cause the continent to fall behind in the global AI innovation race. They emphasize AI's transformative potential in boosting productivity, accelerating scientific progress, and contributing to the global economy. However, they note that AI benefits are not being equally distributed, with disparities emerging between those with and without access to cutting-edge AI technology. The case for open-source...
read Aug 25, 2024AI Revives Faded Masterpieces Through Color Reconstruction
AI-driven art preservation breakthrough: A groundbreaking project called PERCEIVE aims to revolutionize art conservation by using artificial intelligence to reconstruct original colors in aging artworks. The European Union-backed initiative involves 12 major institutions, including museums and technology companies, collaborating over a three-year period. PERCEIVE's goal is to create an AI-powered toolkit that can be used by both experts and laypeople to study and digitally reconstruct the original colors of various art forms. The project focuses on five key groups of art: statues, paintings and works on paper, textiles, photographs, and augmented reality artworks. High-profile case study: The Scream: Edvard Munch's...
read Aug 23, 2024AI Boosts Bowel Cancer Detection in UK NHS Trial
Groundbreaking AI technology improves cancer detection: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) has decided to continue using AI technology in colonoscopies after a successful trial demonstrated its ability to detect potentially cancerous bowel lesions more effectively than traditional methods. Key findings of the trial: The AI module, called GI Genius, found an average of 0.36 additional lesions (adenomas) per colonoscopy The technology was particularly effective at detecting small or flat polyps that are often missed by the human eye The trial involved 2,032 patients across 10 centers in the UK The AI device identified at least one adenoma...
read Aug 21, 2024World’s Largest Wealth Fund Urges Its 9,000 Portfolio Companies to Build AI Literacy
Norway's sovereign wealth fund pushes for AI governance: The world's largest sovereign wealth fund, Norway's $1.7 trillion fund, is urging boards of its portfolio companies to enhance their AI proficiency and take control of its implementation to mitigate potential risks. Key initiative details: The fund, which holds shares in nearly 9,000 companies worldwide, has issued recommendations for integrating responsible AI practices across its vast portfolio. Carine Smith Ihenacho, chief governance and compliance officer, emphasizes the need for boards to collectively understand AI's relevance to their business and establish appropriate policies. The fund has shared its perspective on AI with its...
read Aug 14, 2024AI Propels Norway’s Wealth Fund to $138 Billion Profit
Record-breaking performance: Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, posted a remarkable profit of 1.48 trillion kroner ($138 billion) in the first half of 2023. The fund's overall return for the six-month period was 8.6%, slightly lower than its benchmark index by 0.04 percentage points. As of the end of June, the fund's total value reached 17.75 trillion kroner. Tech stocks fuel growth: The fund's impressive performance was primarily attributed to strong returns on investments in technology stocks, particularly those related to artificial intelligence. Equity investments yielded a "very strong" return, according to Nicolai Tangen, CEO...
read Aug 14, 2024EU Scrutiny Intensifies as X Faces AI Data Usage Restrictions
The European Union has become the focal point of a data privacy dispute involving X, formerly known as Twitter, over the use of EU citizen data for AI training purposes. Legal action and regulatory scrutiny: Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) has taken steps to restrict X's use of European user data for AI system development and training. The Irish court declared on August 8 that X had agreed to suspend the use of all data belonging to European Union citizens gathered via the platform for AI training purposes. This action was prompted by complaints from the DPC, which sought an...
read Aug 14, 2024AI Deep Fakes Target UK Leaders in Crypto Scam
Prince William and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have become unwitting faces of a sophisticated AI-generated deep fake scam promoting a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform, raising concerns about the growing threat of AI-based disinformation campaigns targeting public figures. The deceptive campaign: AI-generated videos of Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer were used in Facebook advertisements to falsely endorse a cryptocurrency platform called "Immediate Edge," which researchers have identified as a scam operation. The deep fake videos showed Prince William appearing to say: "Good afternoon, honored citizens of the United Kingdom. I am pleased to announce that I, Prince William, and...
read Aug 8, 2024How AI Could Transform NHS Care for the UK
AI's growing role in the NHS brings both promise and challenges for healthcare delivery in the UK. The integration of artificial intelligence into the National Health Service is aimed at alleviating staff pressures and enhancing patient care, but it also raises important questions about accuracy, bias, and regulation. Current applications of AI in the NHS: Artificial intelligence is being utilized in various ways to support healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes. AI systems are being employed to identify risk factors for chronic conditions, potentially enabling earlier interventions and preventive care. The technology is assisting in the analysis of medical imaging,...
read Aug 8, 2024UK’s £59M AI Safety Project Attracts Top Talent
The UK government's £59 million Safeguarded AI project, aimed at developing an AI system to verify the safety of other AIs in critical sectors, has gained significant traction with the addition of Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio as its scientific director. This initiative represents a major step in the UK's efforts to establish itself as a leader in AI safety and foster international collaboration on mitigating potential risks associated with advanced AI systems. Project overview and objectives: The Safeguarded AI project seeks to create a groundbreaking "gatekeeper" AI capable of assessing and ensuring the safety of other AI systems deployed...
read Aug 7, 2024UK AI Strategy Shift Sparks Debate on Global Tech Competitiveness
The UK government's recent decisions regarding AI funding have sparked debate about the country's commitment to technological advancement and global competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence. Funding announcement and policy shift: The UK government has unveiled a £32 million investment in nearly 100 cutting-edge AI projects across various sectors, while simultaneously scrapping £1.3 billion in previously promised funding for large-scale tech and AI initiatives. The £32 million will support 98 projects spanning diverse areas such as construction site safety and prescription delivery efficiency, benefiting over 200 businesses and research organizations. This new investment comes in stark contrast to the...
read Aug 7, 2024Apple Intelligence May Launch on Macs in EU Despite iOS Restrictions
Apple's upcoming AI features, collectively known as Apple Intelligence, are set to roll out this fall with varying availability across regions and devices, particularly in the European Union. Initial rollout plans: Apple Intelligence, a new suite of AI-powered features, is scheduled for release this fall on compatible devices set to U.S. English. The company initially announced that Apple Intelligence would be blocked in the European Union due to potential conflicts with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This decision raised concerns about the availability of these advanced AI features for users in EU countries. Unexpected developments: Recent evidence suggests that Apple...
read Aug 3, 2024The EU’s AI Act Has Entered Into Force But Implementation Questions Remain
The EU's AI Act has entered into force, marking a significant milestone in AI regulation, but its impact will largely depend on its implementation, which raises many unanswered questions and concerns within the industry. Industry reactions and implications: The AI Act has elicited mixed reactions from industry associations, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it presents for businesses and innovation in Europe: Bitkom, a German digital association, emphasizes the need for clarity and efficiency in the implementation of the AI Act to avoid hindering European AI innovation due to legal uncertainty, unclear responsibilities, and complex bureaucratic processes. The TÜV Association welcomes...
read Aug 2, 2024The SeaCheck App Uses AI to Update Beachgoers on Sea Conditions
Innovative technology: The SeaCheck app, launched by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, harnesses the power of real-time data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide up-to-date information about sea conditions: Users can access current information about sea temperature, wind speed, and wave height for Boscombe Beach -- so if you don't live in the UK, you unfortunately can't access it to understand local conditions, at least for now. The app aims to help beachgoers make informed decisions before entering the water for swimming, paddling, or surfing. Pilot program and future enhancements: The SeaCheck app is currently in a pilot phase...
read Aug 1, 2024Germany Accuses China of Cyber Attack, US Mulls AI Export Restrictions
Key details of the cyber attack: Germany's Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs has attributed a 2021 cyber attack on the Federal Office of Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) to China-controlled actors, alleging espionage as the motive: The attackers first compromised devices belonging to private individuals and businesses before infiltrating the BKG's systems. A part of the BKG's network was compromised, but malware was not found elsewhere in the agency's systems, and the attacker was not able to maintain a presence after networks were rebuilt. Germany's strong condemnation: Federal minister of the interior Nancy Faeser issued a stern warning to...
read Jul 25, 2024AI Surveillance at Paris Olympics Sparks Privacy Concerns and Fears of Overreach
A controversial new AI surveillance system is being deployed at the Paris Olympics, raising concerns about privacy and fundamental rights. The system, which uses algorithms to analyze CCTV footage in real-time, is part of the extensive security measures put in place for the Games. Key details of the AI surveillance system: The algorithms, developed by French companies, will be used at 46 train and metro stations during the Olympics to detect potential security threats: The system can identify and alert operators to events such as crowd surges, abnormally large groups, abandoned objects, weapons, or people falling to the ground. Developers...
read Jul 23, 2024Google and NBC Score Big with AI-Enhanced Olympics Coverage in Paris Partnership Deal
Google and NBC are leveraging AI to enhance the viewer experience for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Key partnership details: Google has struck a deal with NBCUniversal and Team USA to integrate its Gemini AI models into Olympics coverage across TV and online platforms: NBC commentators will demonstrate Google Search's AI Overviews feature during their coverage, sharing quick facts and detailed information about sports, athletes, and Olympic rules. SNL alumna and NBC's "chief superfan commentator," Leslie Jones, will use Google's Gemini AI to explore the Games and learn about new sports in real-time. AI Overviews will also...
read Jul 20, 2024AI Surveillance at Paris Olympics Raises Privacy Concerns and Sets Troubling Precedent
The 2024 Paris Olympics will see widespread use of AI-powered surveillance, raising concerns about privacy and the normalization of mass surveillance in France. Key Takeaways: The French government has authorized extensive use of AI surveillance systems for the Paris Olympics, in collaboration with private tech companies: AI software will be used to monitor security camera feeds, flagging events like crowd surges, abandoned objects, weapons, fires, and certain traffic violations in real-time. The government has also expanded traditional surveillance powers, including wiretapping and collecting geolocation, communications, and visual/audio data. Controversial Legal Changes: To enable this level of AI surveillance, France had...
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