The next time you check into a Marriott hotel in the US, Amazon's Alexa might be there to help you dial room service
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IBM AI Machine Draws In Debate With Humans
“Open the pod bay doors, HAL”. IBM AI machine holds its own in public debate with human
US Military Backs Research Into AI ‘Common Sense’
The Defence Department's Darpa agency wants machines that can adapt to their environment and are better at spotting counterfeit imagery
Microsoft Working On Shop Automation Tech To Rival Amazon Go
Microsoft is working with retailers to build checkout-free systems like the Amazon Go shop that opened to the public in January
Home Office Launches ‘Start-Up’ Visa Programme
The move aims to attract more entrepreneurs, following criticism of immigration restrictions from the UK's tech industry
US To Retake Supercomputing Crown With ‘Summit’
The new Oak Ridge National Laboratories system will be used to help build an exascale computer running at 100 petaflops
Xiaomi Reports $1bn Quarterly Loss Ahead Of Blockbuster IPO
The smartphone maker's listing is expected to be the biggest since Alibaba's US market debut in 2014
Swiss ‘Crypto Valley’ Tests Blockchain-Based Voting
The city of Zug is to hold a small-scale test referendum using its blockchain-based electronic ID system
Google Pledges AI Halt For Weapon Systems
Alphabet signals u-turn after military project, and publishes its core principals for AI development going forward
Microsoft Sinks Second Data Centre Under The Sea Near Orkney
No more worry about cooling costs, when you sink a data centre deep within the ocean, claims Microsoft
Apple Unveils iOS Features To Combat Gadget Addiction
WWDC 2018: iOS 12 also includes Group FaceTime, improved Face ID and a feature that blocks cops' phone unlocking tools
Google To End Military AI Drone Project – Report
Internal pressure from staff forces a rethink by Google over little-known Pentagon drone project
Japan Drives Ahead With Self-Driving Car System For Tokyo
The system could be in place in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with commercialisation planned for 2022
Google Nest Launches Ring Rival Doorbell In UK
Watch out Amazon's Ring.com as Google's Nest division launches facial recognition video doorbell in UK
Uber In Tech Sharing Talks With Alphanet’s Waymo
Possible thaw in frosty relationship between Uber and Alphabet's Waymo as talks begin over self driving tech
Google Launches Project Sunroof Tool In UK
Teams up with E.ON for tool to work out cost savings for individual roof structures fitted with solar panels
Amazon Defends Work On Police Face Recognition
The ACLU and other civil liberties campaigners said Amazon Rekognition could turn into a mass surveillance tool
AI, Cloud And Blockchain ‘Creating New Risks’ For Banks
Financial organisations must work with authorities to revamp banking regulations, study finds
China’s Tianjin Forms £11.6bn Fund To Boost Artificial Intelligence Growth
The move comes amid a growing 'arms race' that has fuelled major AI initiatives from the UK, France and the European Union
Google Staff Quit Over Military Drone Project
Project Maven with Pentagon sees 4,000 Google staff petition management against it, with some resigning in protest
Google Ramps AI Technologies At Key Conference
Google I/O 2018: New tech includes Duplex, which phones businesses on a user's behalf to book appointments
NASA, Amazon Look To France For Drone Air-Traffic Control System
Both organisations to utilise French drone expertise and less onerous laws to develop drone control systems
Deutsche Telekom Switches On 5G Mobile Data In Berlin
Operator trials 'Europe's first live 5G data link' in the centre of the German metropolis
Russia Out To ‘Own’ Blockchain As Competition Intensifies
'Blockchain will belong to the Russians,' a Russian spy reportedly tells standards delegates
Start-Up Kicks Off First Phase Of Battery Gigafactory In Sweden
Europe is ramping up competition for battery tech, seen as essential for the future of transportation and renewable power
T-Mobile Buys Sprint In £19bn Mega-Deal
The deal would give the combined T-Mobile more funds to invest in infrastructure and 5G development
Government, Tech Firms Invest £1bn Into British AI Industry
Deal worth £1 billion from private sector and government to put UK at forefront of artificial intelligence industry
EU Calls For €20bn Artificial Intelligence Cash Injection
A major increase in AI investment is needed to catch up with the US and Asia and prevent brain drain, European Commission says
Amazon ‘Developing Robot For Consumers’
The move follows the $1bn acquisition of smart doorbell maker Ring, as Amazon delves further into the home
EU Opens In-Depth Probe Into Apple’s Shazam Buy
Competition officials fear Apple could use data from Shazam to place rival streaming services at a 'competitive disadvantage'