Technology & Innovation

UK agency ARIA funds early projects building “AI scientists” that can run lab experiments

The UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) has awarded extra funding to 12 teams building “AI scientists” that can design, run, and analyze lab experiments, after receiving 245 proposals. The small, short grants are meant to gauge how quickly automated scientific workflows are advancing and to inform future larger ARIA programs.

BioticsAI gains FDA clearance for AI-powered fetal ultrasound software

BioticsAI, the TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield 2023 winner, said it received FDA clearance for AI software that helps detect fetal abnormalities in ultrasound images.

Mother of Elon Musk’s child sues xAI over Grok-generated sexually exploitative deepfakes

Ashley St Clair, mother of one of Elon Musk’s children, sued Musk’s AI company xAI alleging Grok enabled users to generate nonconsensual sexualised deepfake images of her. The suit comes as California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent xAI a cease-and-desist demand to stop creation and distribution of such imagery, growing international scrutiny of Grok.

Google appeals US antitrust ruling on online search monopoly

Google appealed a US district judge’s antitrust ruling that found it illegally held a monopoly in online search and asked to pause implementation of court-ordered remedies.

OpenAI plans to test ads inside ChatGPT for US users

OpenAI plans to start testing ads inside ChatGPT in the United States, showing clearly labeled ad boxes below answers for logged-in users on the free tier and the $8-a-month Go tier.

OpenAI begins testing banner ads in ChatGPT for some US users

OpenAI said it will begin testing labeled banner advertisements in the ChatGPT app for some US users of the free tier and the $8-per-month ChatGPT Go plan.

Japan probes X over Grok image generation and seeks immediate changes

Japan began probing X over Elon Musk’s Grok AI service and said it would consider legal measures to prevent the generation of inappropriate images.

Replit raises new funding round as AI coding tools competition intensifies

Replit is raising $400 million in a funding round that would value the company at about $9 billion, as investor interest grows in developer-focused AI tools.

Australia’s under-16 social media ban leads to 4.7 million accounts being revoked

Social media companies revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia under a law banning social media use for users under 16, officials said.

Infosys shares jump on higher fiscal 2026 revenue forecast and AI-led deal momentum

Infosys shares rose 5% after the company unexpectedly raised its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast, lifting India’s Nifty IT index.

US–Taiwan deal to cut tariffs and expand Taiwanese investment in US semiconductors

The United States signed a deal with Taiwan to cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 percent and secure at least $250 billion in new Taiwanese chip and tech investment in the United States.

US–Taiwan trade deal lowers tariffs and commits Taiwanese tech investment in the US

Washington and Taipei reached a trade deal that lowers US tariffs on Taiwanese goods and includes at least $250 billion in new Taiwanese chip and tech investment in the United States.

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