Cloud Computing

Tech News Digest: March 4, 2026 ‘Merlin’ AI Revolutionizes Medical Diagnostics with Automated CT Scan Analysis A research team funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed a versatile machine learning model named Merlin that analyzes 3D abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans for a wide range of diagnostic tasks. This powerful AI in healthcare is capable of identifying anatomical features and, more significantly, predicting disease onset years in advance. Merlin was trained on a large dataset of patient CT scans linked with radiology reports and medical diagnosis codes from Stanford University. In testing, the general-purpose model surpassed other automated tools specifically designed for the tasks it was evaluated on, signaling a major step forward in streamlining clinical workflows and enabling earlier disease diagnosis. ...

ZKBoost Protocol Unveiled for Private, Verifiable XGBoost AI Model Training Researchers have introduced ZKBoost, a groundbreaking cryptographic protocol designed to verify XGBoost machine learning model training on sensitive datasets without revealing the underlying data or model parameters. ZKBoost is the first zero-knowledge proof of training (zkPoT) protocol specifically developed for XGBoost, a widely-used algorithm for tabular data. This innovation addresses the critical need for cryptographic guarantees of model integrity in high-stakes applications. The system employs a fixed-point implementation of XGBoost compatible with arithmetic circuits, enabling efficient zero-knowledge proofs. Research indicates this implementation maintains accuracy within 1% of the standard XGBoost, making practical verification on real-world data a reality. ...

Richtech Robotics & Microsoft Partner to Advance Agentic AI in Real-World Robots Richtech Robotics has announced a collaboration with Microsoft’s AI Co-Innovation Labs to develop and implement agentic artificial intelligence in real-world robotic systems. This joint effort will enhance Richtech’s ADAM robot with adaptive intelligence using Microsoft’s Azure AI. The partnership aims to elevate robots from simple task executors to context-aware, conversational assistants by applying vision, voice, and autonomous reasoning to physical environments. The enhanced ADAM robot will be able to consider factors like time of day, weather, and promotions to better respond to customer needs. It will also use vision-based models to maintain service quality during busy periods and provide operational awareness, such as alerting staff about low inventory levels. ...

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning NVIDIA Boosts Robotics and Autonomous Driving with New Open-Source AI Models NVIDIA has released a powerful suite of open-source artificial intelligence models, datasets, and development tools designed to accelerate advancements in robotics and autonomous driving. This release features the Nemotron model family for agentic AI, now with enhanced components for speech recognition and safety, alongside the Cosmos world foundation models for physical AI. These models improve perception and synthetic data generation. A standout component is the Alpamayo family, a vision-language-action model for reasoning-based autonomous driving, enabling vehicles to process and explain complex driving scenarios. Furthermore, NVIDIA introduced Isaac GR00T N1.6, an open vision-language-action model for humanoid robots that seamlessly integrates visual perception with action planning. To bolster development, the company also launched AlpaSim, an open-source simulation framework for rigorously evaluating autonomous vehicle models. ...

Today’s Top Tech Headlines: Robotics, AI, and Cloud Innovations China Establishes National Committee to Fast-Track Humanoid Robot Dominance China is intensifying its development of humanoid robotics by forming a new National Standardization Committee for Humanoid Robots and Embodied Intelligence. This committee, led by industry giants, is tasked with creating standards for foundational technology, components, and safety to accelerate practical deployments. Chinese companies are already showcasing advanced capabilities, with humanoid robots performing for tourists and appearing in shopping malls. This strategic focus on robotics is a key part of China’s plan to address labor shortages and stimulate its economy through technological leadership. Companies like Unitree and UBTech Robotics are at the forefront, with ambitious plans for large-scale production. In a related move, JD.com and Unitree Robotics are launching their first offline experience store in Beijing, allowing consumers to interact with and purchase robots directly. ...

AI and Human Collaboration Boosts Self-Driving Lab Performance by 150% Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have developed a new shared control framework for self-driving laboratories, where human scientists and AI collaborate on the discovery process. This innovative approach has already yielded a 150% increase in mix conducting performance for MIECPs over previous methods. In this model, the AI advisor suggests potential actions, but the human researcher makes the final decision. The team’s future goal is to create a tighter feedback loop where the AI can learn directly from human choices, refining its own decision-making models to better mimic expert intuition. ...

New AI System Enhances At-Home Balance Training for Physical Therapy Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new machine learning model to support home-based balance training for physical therapy patients. The system utilizes data from four wearable sensors to predict how a physical therapist would assess a patient’s performance on balance exercises. This AI-driven feedback can help patients make faster progress and maintain their abilities after their formal therapy sessions have concluded. The model was developed by training convolutional neural networks with sensor data and evaluations from physical therapists, achieving nearly 90% accuracy in predicting patient balance ratings. The technology aims to make balance training more accessible, particularly for those in rural areas, and to assist physical therapists in making healthcare decisions. ...

Google Tackles Catastrophic Forgetting with Nested Learning; AI Discovers New Magnets In the world of AI and Machine Learning, Google Research has unveiled Nested Learning, a novel machine learning paradigm designed to combat the persistent issue of catastrophic forgetting in AI models. In a separate development, AI has been instrumental in materials science, leading to the discovery of new magnetic materials that could decrease our dependence on scarce rare earth elements. Furthermore, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has announced a strategic pivot, restructuring to harness the power of artificial intelligence in its mission to cure, prevent, or manage all diseases. ...

OpenAI & Broadcom Announce Landmark 10GW Custom AI Accelerator Partnership OpenAI and Broadcom have announced a strategic multi-year collaboration to develop and deploy 10 gigawatts of custom AI accelerators. Under this partnership, OpenAI will lead the design of the AI accelerators and systems, while Broadcom will be responsible for their development and deployment. This collaboration will also involve the co-development of systems incorporating Broadcom’s Ethernet and other connectivity solutions to enhance the scalability of next-generation AI clusters. The deployment of these AI accelerator and network system racks is scheduled to commence in the latter half of 2026, with a target completion by the end of 2029. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that this partnership is a crucial step in building the necessary infrastructure to unlock the full potential of AI. ...

OpenAI & Nvidia Eye $100B Chip Deal to Fuel Next-Gen AI OpenAI and Nvidia are reportedly planning a landmark $100 billion chip deal aimed at shaping the future of artificial intelligence. This significant investment underscores the increasing competition and demand for specialized data center chips to power advanced AI models. The collaboration is expected to involve OpenAI acquiring Nvidia’s GPU systems, with Nvidia taking a non-controlling equity stake. This strategic partnership aims to significantly scale OpenAI’s computational infrastructure. ...