Tech News

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning New Open-Source Omni-Modal AI Model ‘LongCat-Flash-Omni’ Released A new state-of-the-art, open-source omni-modal AI model, LongCat-Flash-Omni, has been released. Featuring an impressive 560 billion parameters, this model marks a significant leap forward in the capabilities of open-source artificial intelligence. Its release is a major event for the AI community, equipping researchers and developers with powerful new tools for a diverse range of applications. Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles IIT Bombay Develops GPS-Free Control System for Autonomous Drone Swarms Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a groundbreaking control system enabling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to fly in coordinated swarms without GPS, inter-drone communication, or a central controller. This innovative method relies on ‘bearing-only’ measurements, where each drone uses its onboard camera to observe neighbors and maintain formation based on relative positions. ...

Hybrid Quantum-Classical Systems Essential for AI Decision-Making, New Study Reveals A new study from Chapman University suggests that true agency and intelligence cannot arise from a purely quantum system. Researchers argue that the principles of quantum mechanics, which prevent the copying and comparison of information, mean that decision-making processes like modeling and deliberation require classical resources. This finding implies that both consciousness and the development of advanced quantum artificial intelligence will depend on hybrid quantum-classical architectures. The study posits that even sophisticated quantum machines will need classical components to learn, act, and make decisions effectively, touching on philosophical implications for free will and the emergence of classical reality. ...

AI Roundup: MIT’s Brain-Inspired Chips, AI Weather Forecasts, and Warehouse Intelligence Today’s top stories in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning feature new research from MIT on energy-efficient, brain-inspired computing. In other news, the World Meteorological Organization has endorsed using AI to improve weather forecasts, and Gather AI is strategically shifting its focus to AI-powered warehouse intelligence. Sources: World Meteorological Organization WeRide and Uber Debut Autonomous Robotaxi Service in Riyadh WeRide and Uber have launched an autonomous robotaxi service in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, introducing self-driving vehicles to the Uber platform in the country for the first time. Initially, the service will operate with a safety operator present in the vehicle. The first public routes are established between Roshn Front and Princess Noura University. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for smart mobility. WeRide had previously secured the first robotaxi autonomous driving permit in Saudi Arabia, and this launch follows a similar service introduction on the Uber platform in Abu Dhabi in late 2024. ...

Lightning AI Launches PyTorch Copilot to Streamline AI Development Lightning AI has introduced a new suite of tools designed to enhance productivity for PyTorch developers, featuring an AI code editor for its Lightning Studios and Notebooks environments. The company also announced the integration of Meta’s Monarch and Forge frameworks, which aim to simplify distributed AI workloads and reinforcement learning. These updates are part of Lightning AI’s mission to make PyTorch development more accessible. Key features include ‘Lightning Environments,’ which provide scalable, sandboxed environments for all stages of the AI development lifecycle. ...

S&P Global and IBM Launch Agentic AI to Revolutionize Supply Chains S&P Global and IBM have announced a partnership to integrate IBM’s watsonx Orchestrate agentic AI framework into S&P Global’s offerings, starting with supply chain management. This collaboration aims to provide businesses with AI-powered tools to address global supply chain challenges by enhancing visibility and insights into vendor selection. S&P Global will develop new AI agents for IBM’s watsonx Orchestrate Agent Catalog, utilizing its proprietary data and analytics to help accelerate decision-making. The partnership is a key part of S&P Global’s strategy to use trusted AI agents to transform its enterprise services. Beyond the initial supply chain focus, S&P Global intends to integrate IBM’s AI technology into other risk intelligence services. ...

Google Unveils CodeMender AI to Automatically Fix Software Vulnerabilities Google DeepMind has introduced CodeMender, a groundbreaking AI agent designed to automatically detect, patch, and rewrite vulnerable code to thwart security exploits. This powerful cybersecurity tool operates both reactively, addressing new threats as they emerge, and proactively, hardening existing codebases to eradicate entire classes of vulnerabilities. Powered by Google’s advanced Gemini AI models, CodeMender can debug, identify, and resolve security flaws by targeting their root cause and validating patches to prevent regressions. Alongside this launch, Google has initiated an AI Vulnerability Reward Program to incentivize the discovery of AI-related issues in its products, reinforcing its commitment to AI-driven security. ...

AI in Manufacturing Market Forecast to Skyrocket to $155 Billion by 2030 The global market for artificial intelligence in manufacturing is predicted to grow from USD 34.18 billion in 2025 to USD 155.04 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.3%. This significant growth is attributed to the increasing use of AI for improving production efficiency, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. Key technologies driving this expansion include machine learning and computer vision, with major adoption seen in the automotive and aerospace sectors. The report highlights Europe as a key region poised for substantial growth due to widespread industrial modernization and digital innovation initiatives. ...

AI Developments: MIT Research, Military AI, and Market Shifts This week in AI and Machine Learning, MIT introduced a new AI system designed to accelerate clinical research, while a U.S. Air Force experiment demonstrated AI’s superior speed in battle planning. In the financial sector, new machine learning frameworks are emerging for improved risk management. However, reports also highlight the growing threat of AI-powered cyberattacks and the significant impact of AI on the workforce, evidenced by major layoffs at Accenture. On the hardware front, Huawei is emphasizing the critical integration of 5G-A and AI for the next generation of mobile technology. ...

UK Secures Billions in AI Investment from Microsoft, Nvidia, and Google The United Kingdom’s artificial intelligence sector is poised for substantial growth, fueled by a major wave of investment from leading US tech giants. Under a new “Tech Prosperity Deal,” Microsoft is committing $30 billion over four years to expand the UK’s cloud and AI infrastructure. Nvidia will contribute up to $15 billion, including the creation of AI factories equipped with 120,000 of its “Blackwell Ultra” B300 GPUs. Google has also pledged a £5 billion investment, which will feature a new data center. These strategic investments aim to enhance the UK’s sovereign AI capabilities, enabling the nation to develop and deploy its own AI models using domestic infrastructure and data. A significant portion of this new capacity will support OpenAI’s Stargate UK project, which is dedicated to building AI models tailored for British sectors like healthcare and education. ...

BRICS Urban Future Forum in Moscow Centers on AI and Robotics The third BRICS Urban Future Forum, held in Moscow on September 17-18, is focusing on the role of robotic technologies and artificial intelligence in urban transformation. The event brings together government officials, business leaders, and technology experts from over 35 countries to discuss strategies for the development of megacities through 2040. A key theme is the increasing importance of robotics, automation, and AI as primary drivers for changes in production and social systems within large urban environments. The forum serves as a platform for international collaboration on building the cities of the future. ...