Artificial intelligence

China has rolled out AI-powered weed-killing machines across large areas of farmland. Each machine combines cameras, artificial intelligence and lasers: a vision system scans plants while AI distinguishes crops from weeds, allowing targeted removal without damaging the crops. The machines are already operating in the fields, and the technology is drawing attention as an example of automation entering everyday agriculture.

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is set to brief the UN Security Council next week, according to Reuters. It would be a rare appearance by a leading AI industry figure before the council, which has increasingly weighed the risks of artificial intelligence to international peace and security. Observers are watching to see what Altman will say about AI safety, regulation and the technology's geopolitical implications.

China is rejecting American warnings about its rapid artificial intelligence development, deepening a growing technology dispute between the two powers. Beijing's pushback signals that AI has become a central front in US-China rivalry, with Washington framing China's pace of AI progress as a security concern and Chinese officials dismissing the warnings as an attempt to contain its technological rise.

The US military is changing how it uses artificial intelligence in lethal targeting after a strike hit a school in Minab, Iran. The Pentagon is revising its AI-assisted combat decision processes in response to the incident, which drew criticism over civilian harm and the role of automated systems in choosing targets.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said that people warning of an AI apocalypse 'have ulterior reasons', pushing back against prominent voices predicting catastrophic outcomes from artificial intelligence. Huang's remarks add to an ongoing debate between AI industry leaders who see the technology as an economic opportunity and critics who argue its risks are being downplayed for commercial gain.

China and the United States have agreed to establish a dedicated channel for dialogue on artificial intelligence safety, alongside plans to continue ongoing talks on trade and military matters. The agreement marks a step toward keeping communication open between the two powers on emerging technology risks, even as broader economic and strategic tensions between Washington and Beijing persist.

Leading figures in the technology industry have appealed to the United Nations, asking international bodies to establish controls over the artificial intelligence tools they themselves helped build. The call, raised in connection with the UN Security Council, frames AI governance as a matter of urgency for humanity's safety. It adds to growing debate over whether governments and global institutions can impose meaningful oversight on rapidly advancing AI systems.

Pope Leo opened his trip to France with a warning that an overreliance on technology, which he called a 'paradise of machines,' could undermine humanity. He urged people not to let machines diminish human dignity and relationships, adding his moral voice to the growing global debate over artificial intelligence and automation.

Commentators are arguing that media coverage of artificial intelligence focuses too much on speculative, science-fiction-style scenarios while ignoring the concrete harm generative AI is already causing to people today. The piece says society should not waste time fantasizing about distant risks and should instead address the real, present-day damage. The argument is fueling debate about how AI dangers should be framed.

OpenAI's AI models accessed or scanned the websites of the Department of Education and other US federal agencies, according to an Education Week report. The disclosure raises questions about how artificial intelligence systems collect government data and what oversight applies to automated access to public agency sites. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate in Washington about AI companies' data practices and the security of federal information systems.

The Guardian reports that artificial intelligence is already shaping the 2028 US presidential race, with likely Democratic contenders laying out diverging positions on AI regulation, jobs and safety ahead of the primary contest. The piece outlines where each hopeful stands as the party begins defining its technology platform.

BBC News reports that artificial intelligence was used to hack a government, raising questions about how such an attack was possible. The report explores the security failures and AI tools involved, and it is drawing wide attention as governments everywhere weigh the risks of AI-enabled cyberattacks on state systems.

The North Carolina attorney general is calling on Congress to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence following a series of bot attacks. The appeal urges federal lawmakers to act on AI-driven manipulation, a concern gaining traction among state officials who say they lack tools to address it on their own.

Classified budget estimates indicate the National Security Agency is paying billions of dollars to test artificial intelligence models. The figures, described in classified documents, suggest US intelligence is investing heavily in evaluating commercial and in-house AI systems for intelligence and security work. The scale of the spending has drawn attention online, with readers debating the implications for surveillance, oversight and the direction of government AI investment.

President Trump has pushed to accelerate artificial intelligence development with minimal regulation, but Anthropic has become an obstacle to that agenda. The company's safety-focused stance and disagreements with the White House over how fast and freely AI should advance have put it at odds with an administration otherwise eager to champion the industry.

New Jersey has joined a multistate coalition calling on Congress to pass comprehensive artificial intelligence regulations. The move adds state-level pressure on federal lawmakers as they debate how to oversee AI technology, with states arguing that Congress should set unified nationwide standards rather than leave a patchwork of state rules.

A college president is warning that artificial intelligence could either strengthen higher education or create dangerous shortcuts for students, saying the outcome depends on how institutions manage the technology. The remarks add to an ongoing debate among educators over AI tools in classrooms, with leaders weighing academic integrity risks against potential learning benefits as adoption accelerates on campuses.

A 2027 National Convening on AI in Education has been announced, aiming to bring together educators, policymakers and technology experts to discuss how artificial intelligence should shape teaching and learning. Details about the organisers, venue and agenda have not yet been released. Interest reflects growing attention on the role of AI tools in classrooms worldwide.

Mathematician Terence Tao has written about the creation of an Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, a body intended to advise on how AI intersects with mathematical research. The announcement is drawing attention in the tech and mathematics communities, where Tao is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices on AI's role in science.

Zalando's 'Partner Day' event put artificial intelligence at the centre of debate, examining what the technology can and cannot deliver for online fashion retail. The discussion, reported by WWD, brought together partners to weigh AI's practical role in e-commerce, from product discovery to merchandising, alongside its current shortcomings.

OpenAI has announced the creation of an Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence. The initiative brings together experts to examine how AI systems relate to mathematical research and reasoning, and how the two fields can inform each other. The announcement is drawing attention among technologists debating AI's growing role in scientific and mathematical work.