Software Engineering & Open-Source

IIT Kharagpur Launches New School for Applied AI to Boost Industry Innovation The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has announced the launch of its new School of Digital Engineering, Applied Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. This new school is designed to be a premier hub for research and innovation, with a strong focus on industry integration to promote the real-world application of AI technologies. According to the institution’s director, Suman Chakraborty, this initiative represents a significant shift in institutionalizing applied AI. The ultimate goal is to position IIT Kharagpur as a leading global center for developing responsible and sovereign AI for key sectors like healthcare and manufacturing. ...

Biotech’s ‘Builder’ Phase: AI Integration Drives R&D Transformation The biotech industry is shifting from standalone artificial intelligence tools to developing fully integrated, AI-native discovery systems. According to the 2026 Biotech AI Report from Benchling, this new “builder” phase sees organizations reshaping their data infrastructure and company structures to make AI a core component of their research and development models. A common trend is to embed AI leadership directly within R&D to ensure technology remains connected to the experimental context. However, the report highlights that poor data quality and availability are the top reasons for the failure of AI pilot projects. These infrastructure issues are creating a significant bottleneck for AI adoption in more complex areas like generative design and biomarker analysis. ...

FBI Doubles Down on AI for Investigations and Operations The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is significantly expanding its use of artificial intelligence in key areas, including criminal investigations, intelligence analysis, and internal operations. According to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) latest public inventory, the number of AI use cases reported by the FBI has more than doubled to 50. These AI applications encompass machine learning, computer vision, and generative AI, primarily aimed at labor-saving tasks like translation, transcription, and summarization. The 2025 DOJ AI Use Case Inventory reveals a sharp increase in the FBI’s AI tools for law enforcement, jumping from 15 to 27 in just one year, reflecting a broader 30.7% increase in AI adoption across the entire DOJ. ...

Generative AI Reshapes Indian IT Hiring, Prioritizing Skills Over Volume A study by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), supported by OpenAI, reveals that generative AI is significantly reshaping India’s IT job market. The report, ‘AI and Jobs: This Time Is No Different,’ found that while 65% of companies have reduced overall hiring after adopting AI, this reflects a strategic shift rather than mass layoffs. The moderation is primarily seen in entry-level positions like data entry and manual software testing, with 32% of firms reporting a decline in demand for these roles. ...

Neuromorphic Computing Breakthroughs and the Rise of Agentic AI This edition of the news roundup highlights significant advancements in neuromorphic computing, the real-world application of large language models in military operations, and the broader societal shift towards agentic AI systems. Sources: The Guardian UniX AI Launches Panther Series Embodied AI Robots for Complex Environments UniX AI has introduced its new Panther series of embodied AI robots. These next-generation robots are equipped with 8-degree-of-freedom bionic arms, adaptive intelligent grippers, and an omnidirectional four-wheel steering and drive chassis, enhancing their mobility and operational stability in complex settings. The Panther series is designed for real-world scenarios, with an 80 cm vertical lift range allowing it to perform tasks from floor level to high shelves. A demonstration video showcased the robot’s capabilities in various extreme situations, including multi-machine coordination in a kitchen for tasks like cutting and cleaning, and pouring wine with precision. UniX AI is initially targeting high-value business applications such as elderly care and commercial services. ...

Aurasell Launches AI-Native GTM Operating System to Supercharge Salesforce and HubSpot CRMs Aurasell has launched the first AI-Native Go-To-Market Operating System (GTM OS), engineered to seamlessly integrate with and enhance existing CRM environments like Salesforce and HubSpot. This innovative system empowers revenue teams to deploy intelligent, AI-driven automated workflows without the disruptive process of replacing their core CRM software. The GTM OS is designed to boost productivity by automating manual tasks, minimizing context switching, and enforcing consistent execution across sales and marketing teams. Co-founder Jason Eubanks emphasized that Aurasell’s approach eliminates the significant risk and internal friction associated with a full CRM migration. The company claims that teams can achieve a measurable impact from the platform in as little as two hours. ...

AI Everything MEA 2026 Summit: A Focus on AI in Cybersecurity and Digital Infrastructure The AI Everything MEA Egypt 2026 summit in Cairo is centering its discussions on the critical role of artificial intelligence and semiconductors in digital infrastructure, compute capacity, and technological sovereignty. The event, running from February 11-12, gathers AI leaders, innovators, and policymakers to accelerate AI adoption across the Middle East and Africa. Key topics include public sector transformation via smart cities, AI in cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, and digital health. The summit also champions startup innovation through initiatives like the AI 200 and Supernova Challenge. With over 1,000 exhibitors, the event aims to foster collaboration on AI projects and contribute to a robust regional AI ecosystem. ...

AI Tool ONCO-ACS to Guide Treatment for High-Risk Cancer Patients A new artificial intelligence tool, ONCO-ACS, has been developed by an international research team to help doctors treat cancer patients who have suffered a heart attack. This high-risk patient group has historically been excluded from cardiovascular clinical trials, creating a gap in validated treatment guidance. The AI model was trained on a real-world dataset of over one million heart attack patients, including more than 47,000 with cancer. ONCO-ACS combines cancer-specific factors, such as tumor type and time since diagnosis, with standard cardiovascular data to predict the six-month risk of mortality, major bleeding, and recurrent ischemic events. The tool demonstrated strong predictive accuracy, aiming to provide clinicians with reliable data to tailor treatments and balance the risks and benefits of interventions like antiplatelet therapy. ...

Faraday Future Enters Robotics Market with Humanoid and Bionic Models At the NADA Show in Las Vegas on February 4, 2026, Faraday Future announced its strategic entry into the robotics market with the launch of multiple robot products across three categories. The company aims to become the first U.S. entity to deliver both humanoid and bionic robots. The “Robot & Vehicle +” themed event also served as a recruitment platform for sales partners. ...

Met Office Enhances Weather Forecasting with Advanced AI and Machine Learning The Met Office is increasingly using artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance its forecasting capabilities for both weather and climate science. These technologies present a significant opportunity for transformation at every stage of the meteorological process, from atmospheric analysis to delivering actionable insights. Through its National Capability AI Programme (NCAIP), the Met Office is aiming to deliver substantial benefits to the public, businesses, and government. In climate science, AI provides new methods to improve localized impact projections, enhance small-scale process modeling, and support the analysis of extreme weather events. The AI4Climate programme, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is specifically exploring cutting-edge AI to strengthen climate models and deliver improved climate information more efficiently. ...