Displaying items by tag: AI

The Government has announced plans to establish a new Fundamental AI Research Lab aimed at advancing major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. Backed by up to £40 million in funding over six years, the initiative will support ambitious 'blue sky' research designed to overcome persistent challenges in current AI systems. These include problems such as hallucinations, limited memory, unreliable reasoning, and unpredictability. By addressing these weaknesses, researchers hope to create AI systems that are more accurate, transparent, and trustworthy. The lab will also provide scientists with access to powerful computing resources worth tens of millions of pounds to support cutting-edge experimentation. The research could lead to significant improvements in healthcare, transport, infrastructure, and scientific discovery. AI is already being used to assist cancer diagnosis and develop improved battery technology, but experts believe its potential is far greater. By investing in fundamental research and drawing on the UK’s strong academic and technology sector, the Government aims to ensure Britain remains a global leader in developing responsible and beneficial AI innovation.

Security experts are warning about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in online disinformation campaigns after a British academic discovered a deepfake video using his likeness. Professor Alan Read of King’s College London was surprised to see a video circulating on social media in which a synthetic version of his face and voice delivered a political rant he had never made. Researchers say such videos, suspected to be mainly of Russian origin, are part of a wider trend of AI-generated content designed to spread misleading narratives and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Some campaigns have criticised European leaders or attempted to discredit Ukraine during the ongoing war. Experts say newer AI tools have made it easier and cheaper to create highly realistic videos, allowing influencers to reach large audiences quickly. The speed and scale of these synthetic messages pose a growing challenge for governments, regulators, and technology companies as they seek to limit the spread of coordinated disinformation online.

Keir Starmer has said that Elon Musk’s social media platform X is acting to ensure compliance with UK law, following outrage over its AI tool, Grok, being used to generate non-consensual sexualised images. There was widespread condemnation in parliament, with ministers describing the images, particularly of women and children, as shameful and harmful. Ofcom has launched an independent investigation, with the Government pledging full support and signalling that further legislation will be introduced if current powers prove insufficient. While X restricted some image-generation features, many feel it continues to enable abuse, accusing it of monetising exploitation. The controversy has reignited debate over free speech, corporate responsibility, and the regulation of artificial intelligence. Concerns have also been raised about the impact of automated content on young people’s mental health and the need for stronger online safeguards.

Hundreds of thousands of women in the UK will be screened for breast cancer using AI technology in a groundbreaking trial designed to reduce waiting times and improve early detection. The £11 million trial will involve nearly 700,000 patients, replacing one of the two radiologists typically used to review mammograms with AI. Experts believe AI could increase accuracy and speed up diagnoses, allowing radiologists to focus on other areas of patient care. The trial will take place in thirty sites nationwide, with different AI technologies being tested to determine the most effective. Smaller studies have already suggested that AI may be better than human doctors at detecting breast cancer from mammograms. However, with a 40% shortfall in consultant radiologists expected by 2028, medical leaders emphasise the need for continued investment in screening services. Health secretary Wes Streeting, himself a cancer survivor, has pledged to prioritise early detection and patient care in the upcoming National Cancer Plan.

Federal prosecutors are increasing efforts to target suspects who use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create or manipulate child sex abuse images, fearing that the technology could lead to a surge in illegal content. The Justice Department has initiated two criminal cases against individuals accused of such crimes. A department official has voiced concerns over the potential normalisation of such images, as AI makes it easier to create and distribute them. Prosecutors worry that AI-generated content will complicate the identification of real victims and make the task of law enforcement more difficult. These cases are likely to break new legal ground, especially when real children are not depicted. Convictions may face appeals as courts navigate the evolving legal landscape around AI and child exploitation.

The UK government has announced a £32 million investment in nearly 100 AI projects nationwide, despite the new Labour government's controversial decision to cancel £1.3 billion in tech funding previously promised by the Conservatives. This funding supports 98 projects, enhancing construction safety and prescription delivery efficiency, benefiting over 200 businesses and research organisations across the UK. Rick McConnell, CEO of Dynatrace, praised the investment, emphasising its potential to drive immediate value and attract private sector confidence in AI. However, the Labour government's decision to scrap major projects like the £800 million exascale supercomputer and £500 million for AI Research Resource has raised concerns about the UK's commitment to tech innovation. Minister for digital government and AI, Feryal Clark, reiterated the importance of AI for economic growth and public service improvement.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, uses the Bible to train its artificial intelligence (AI) speech tool. The project includes recordings of Bible stories, evangelistic messages, Scripture, and songs in more than 6,255 languages and dialects. In a sense, the Bible is helping AI learn other languages. Wycliffe USA Bible Translators have been using machine-assisted drafting for two decades, changing and modifying it as time goes on. Using technology to accelerate Bible translation is a priority. AI is notably beneficial in sign language Bible translation. Less than 2% of the world’s deaf population can access the Gospel in a known sign language, but that is about to change for deaf people in sensitive countries. Putting a deaf believer on camera is too risky in some countries. That’s where the Chameleon avatar project comes in. AI is not perfect yet, but the problems are being corrected to make the avatar smoother and more accurate.

This year’s London Tech Week focused on the need for artificial intelligence (AI) to be trustworthy and responsive to the needs of society. UK Research and Innovation has funded £50 million to create secure AI to help solve major challenges by bringing experts from different fields together. Professor Gregory O’Hare said, ‘AI offers profound opportunities, but could also be used for sinister means with financial or political implications, like boundary incursions and even wars. Will it always be used for good purpose, or is there a significant chance it will be used for Machiavellian purposes? AI is developing at a faster pace than laws can be drafted in response.’ The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said they should be involved at an early stage when addressing AI concerns as the EU AI Act is not suitable and is more than disappointing from workers’ point of view. It offers some comfort but ‘doesn’t go far enough’.

The UK competition watchdog has launched a review of the artificial intelligence market, as it warned of threats from AI tools including the distribution of false or misleading information. This announcement comes as global regulators increase scrutiny of the technology, look at the underlying systems, and foundation models behind AI tools such as ChatGPT. The US vice-president invited the CEOs of leading AI firms to the White House on 5 April to discuss how to deal with the safety concerns around the technology in a week when hundreds of millions of pounds were wiped from the share price of UK’s education company Pearson after a US provider of online help to students revised its financial forecasts and warned ChatGPT was affecting customer growth. Global companies like Google, Apple and Amazon may have to pay penalties of up to 10% of their turnover as the Government gives its competition watchdog more power.