Saturday, July 26, 2025
July 25, 2025By
Unitree Robotics has introduced the R1, a new bipedal humanoid robot priced at 39,900 yuan ($5,566), significantly lower than the previous G1 model's 99,000 yuan. The R1, weighing 25 kilograms, features a multimodal large language model capable of processing both speech and images, reflecting decreased manufacturing costs and a push to make advanced robotics more accessible. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-unitree-prices-new-humanoid-robot-deep-discount-2024-model-2025-07-25/?utm_source=openai))
July 25, 2025By
At the World AI Conference in Shanghai, over 800 tech companies, including Huawei and Alibaba, showcased more than 3,000 AI innovations despite U.S. sanctions. The event underscores China's commitment to becoming a global AI leader by 2030. [Source](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tech-firms-showcase-ai-innovations-china-under-us-sanctions-2025-07-25/)
July 24, 2025By
President Donald Trump has announced a comprehensive AI strategy titled 'Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan,' aiming to position the U.S. as the global leader in artificial intelligence. The plan focuses on accelerating AI innovation, constructing national AI infrastructure, and asserting U.S. global leadership in AI. Proposed actions include reducing environmental regulations on data centers and limiting government AI contracts to developers deemed free of 'ideological bias.' ([time.com](https://time.com/7304994/trump-ai-regulation-plan/?utm_source=openai))
July 23, 2025By
President Donald Trump is set to unveil a new 'AI Action Plan' that heavily incorporates ideas from Silicon Valley tech leaders who supported his campaign. The plan focuses on promoting U.S. AI exports, easing construction and permitting of energy-intensive data centers, and addressing perceived 'woke' biases in AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. This approach signals a shift in U.S. AI policy, moving away from previous guardrails and embracing a pro-industry stance. Critics, including over 90 advocacy groups, argue that the plan prioritizes corporate interests over public protections. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/3763ca207561a3fe8b35327f9ce7ca73?utm_source=openai))
July 22, 2025By
The UK government has entered a strategic partnership with OpenAI to enhance AI infrastructure, including investments in data centers and job creation. In return, the UK plans to integrate OpenAI's technologies into public services such as justice, defense, and education. This initiative aims to position the UK as a global AI leader, with a projected economic benefit of £47 billion annually over the next decade. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-chatgpt-maker-openai-sign-new-strategic-partnership-2025-07-21/?utm_source=openai))
July 21, 2025By
Wes Streeting, the UK's Health Secretary, has unveiled a 10-year strategy to incorporate robotics into the National Health Service (NHS). The plan aims to make robot-assisted surgeries standard for procedures like ENT, urology, and orthopaedics, targeting one in eight operations by 2035. Hospitals not adopting this technology may face financial penalties. The strategy also includes robotic support in NHS pharmacies and data entry through robotic process automation. However, concerns about capital investment and data privacy remain. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/2760c043-5b9c-4cb6-b55e-73ef8eed60e5?utm_source=openai))
July 21, 2025By
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is set to visit Washington, D.C., to promote the broad distribution of AI's economic benefits. He emphasizes the importance of accessibility and productivity gains from tools like ChatGPT, aiming to balance optimism and caution regarding AI's impact on jobs. Altman will highlight how AI is enhancing productivity, with OpenAI reporting over 2.5 billion daily ChatGPT prompts globally, including 330 million from U.S. users. During a fireside chat with Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman, Altman will advocate for a vision of democratized AI that empowers individuals rather than concentrating power among the elite. This initiative coincides with broader D.C. discussions on AI, including a summit keynoted by President Trump, reflecting a strategic effort to position AI as a tool for economic participation and prosperity. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/21/sam-altman-openai-trump-dc-fed?utm_source=openai))
July 20, 2025By
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled a 10-year strategy to incorporate robotics into the National Health Service (NHS). The plan aims to make robot-assisted surgeries standard for procedures like ENT, urology, and orthopaedics, targeting one in eight operations by 2035. Hospitals not adopting this technology may face financial penalties. The strategy also includes robotic support in NHS pharmacies and data entry through robotic process automation. However, concerns about capital investment and data privacy remain. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/2760c043-5b9c-4cb6-b55e-73ef8eed60e5?utm_source=openai))
July 20, 2025By
Google has introduced 'AI Works for America,' a program aimed at equipping American workers and small businesses with essential AI skills. The initiative's first phase, 'AI Works for Pennsylvania,' was unveiled at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. This effort reflects Google's commitment to building an 'AI-empowered U.S. workforce' amid the growing influence of AI technologies in the job market. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/google-ai-training-pittsburgh?utm_source=openai))
July 19, 2025By
Wes Streeting, the UK's Health Secretary, has unveiled a 10-year strategy to incorporate robotic-assisted surgeries into the National Health Service (NHS). The plan aims to increase robot-assisted procedures from one in 60 to one in eight by 2035, focusing on areas like ENT, urology, and orthopaedics. Hospitals not adopting this technology may face financial penalties. The initiative also includes robotic support in pharmacies and data entry through robotic process automation. However, concerns about capital investment and data privacy remain. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/2760c043-5b9c-4cb6-b55e-73ef8eed60e5?utm_source=openai))
July 19, 2025By
Microsoft is anticipated to sign the European Union's voluntary code of practice for artificial intelligence, aiming to support compliance with the EU's AI Act. In contrast, Meta Platforms has rejected the code, citing legal uncertainties and concerns over its scope. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/microsoft-likely-sign-eu-ai-code-practice-meta-rebuffs-guidelines-2025-07-18/?utm_source=openai))
July 18, 2025By
Chinese robotics startup Unitree Robotics has begun the 'tutoring' phase for a potential initial public offering (IPO), aiming for a listing in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company is focusing on humanoid robots, with its G1 model currently undergoing industrial trials. Over the past five years, Unitree has secured at least 90 contracts from Chinese governmental and academic institutions, valued at 39 million yuan ($5.43 million). ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-unitree-robotics-starts-ipo-process-2025-07-18/?utm_source=openai))
July 18, 2025By
The UK government has announced a £1 billion ($1.34 billion) initiative to enhance its computing infrastructure, aiming to increase public computing power twentyfold over the next five years. This plan includes integrating advanced supercomputers into an AI Research Resource (AIRR) and establishing National Supercomputing Centres to bolster AI research and applications. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-boosts-computing-power-13-billion-ai-drive-2025-07-17/?utm_source=openai))
July 17, 2025By
Elon Musk's AI company xAI has added features to its chatbot Grok, including 'Ani,' a sexualized anime-style bot accessible even in 'kids mode,' and 'Bad Rudi,' a red panda using vulgar language unless modified. Critics warn these features could foster unhealthy emotional dependencies. This follows a previous incident where Grok shared antisemitic remarks, leading to significant backlash and a temporary disabling of the chatbot. Despite these controversies, xAI secured a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for advanced AI capabilities. ([time.com](https://time.com/7302790/grok-ai-chatbot-elon-musk/?utm_source=openai))
July 16, 2025By
At the Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University, major U.S. companies, including Google, Blackstone, Meta Platforms, and CoreWeave, announced substantial investments totaling approximately $90 billion in AI and energy infrastructure in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. These initiatives aim to bolster the U.S. position in the global AI race. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/some-big-us-investments-being-made-ai-energy-2025-07-15/?utm_source=openai))
July 15, 2025By
Zimmer Biomet has acquired Monogram Technologies for approximately $177 million, aiming to strengthen its presence in the surgical robotics market. Monogram specializes in semi- and fully autonomous surgical technologies, including a knee replacement system approved by the FDA in March 2025. The acquisition is expected to close later in 2025 and is anticipated to be earnings-neutral until 2027, becoming accretive in 2028 as Zimmer integrates Monogram’s technologies. [Source](https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/zimmer-acquire-monogram-technologies-177-million-boosting-robotics-portfolio-2025-07-14/)
July 15, 2025By
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded contracts worth up to $200 million each to AI companies including OpenAI, Google's Alphabet, Anthropic, and Elon Musk's xAI. These contracts aim to enhance the DoD's use of advanced AI capabilities and develop agentic AI workflows to address national security challenges. This initiative reflects a broader push by U.S. government agencies to expand AI adoption, supported by a White House order promoting AI and regulatory rollbacks by President Donald Trump. xAI also launched 'Grok for Government,' offering its latest AI models to federal and security sectors. OpenAI previously received a $200 million contract for developing frontier AI for warfighting and enterprise applications. These moves signify a growing integration between top AI firms and U.S. government functions, amid concerns about ensuring fair competition in federal AI contracting, raised notably by Senator Elizabeth Warren.
July 14, 2025By
Siemens CEO Roland Busch and SAP CEO Christian Klein have called on the European Union to revise its AI regulations, arguing that the current AI Act and Data Act hinder innovation and technological progress. They advocate for data regulation reforms to better utilize Europe's data resources. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/siemens-sap-call-eu-revise-its-ai-regulations-faz-2025-07-13/?utm_source=openai))
July 13, 2025By
Local news stations are increasingly adopting advanced robotic camera systems to deliver dynamic visual storytelling, inspired by cinematic techniques from top-tier productions. These systems enable continuous, engaging camera movements that capture varied angles and create dramatic effects, enhancing viewer engagement and competitiveness. ([tvtechnology.com](https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sponsored-robotic-deployments-are-transforming-local-news?utm_source=openai))
July 13, 2025By
A coalition of media organizations, including the European Broadcasting Union and the World Association of News Publishers, has called on AI developers to collaborate in combating misinformation and protecting fact-based journalism. The initiative outlines five core principles for ethical AI use in news, emphasizing the need for prior authorization to use news content in AI models and ensuring transparency in attribution. This move comes amid rising tensions between traditional media and AI developers over copyright concerns. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/61fb43f20d945753a8c86881aa631d65?utm_source=openai))
July 12, 2025By
Google has entered into a $2.4 billion licensing agreement with AI code generation startup Windsurf, acquiring key executives and researchers to bolster its AI coding initiatives under the Gemini project. This strategic move follows unsuccessful acquisition talks between Windsurf and OpenAI, which had considered a $3 billion acquisition. The deal allows Google to utilize Windsurf's technology without taking an equity stake, while Windsurf's investors receive liquidity and retain ownership. The majority of Windsurf's 250 employees will remain with the company, which plans to focus on enterprise innovation. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/google-hires-windsurf-ceo-researchers-advance-ai-ambitions-2025-07-11/?utm_source=openai))
July 11, 2025By
RealSense, a computer vision technology firm, has officially spun out from Intel and secured $50 million in early-stage funding to expand in the robotics sector. The company specializes in 3D vision cameras that enable machines to perceive depth and interact with their environment. Backed by Intel Capital, the MediaTek Innovation Fund, and other strategic investors, RealSense plans to use the funds to scale manufacturing, boost global operations, and invest in AI software and next-generation depth camera development. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/realsense-spins-out-intel-secures-50-million-drive-ai-vision-robotics-2025-07-11/?utm_source=openai))
July 11, 2025By
The European Union has finalized its Code of Practice for general-purpose AI, aiming to regulate models like OpenAI's GPT-4 and Google's Gemini. The code mandates technical safeguards against reproducing copyrighted content and requires independent risk assessments. Despite these measures, industry groups, including Airbus and BNP Paribas, have called for a two-year delay, citing potential hindrances to EU competitiveness. The code awaits formal approval from the European Commission and member states. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/32a3c83d-64ed-4c83-a5d3-a6cd89b087ba?utm_source=openai))
July 10, 2025By
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled a 10-year strategy to incorporate robotics into the National Health Service (NHS). The plan aims to make robot-assisted surgeries standard for procedures like ENT, urology, and orthopaedics, targeting one in eight operations by 2035. Hospitals not adopting this technology may face financial penalties. The strategy also includes robotic support in NHS pharmacies and data entry through robotic process automation. However, concerns about capital investment and data privacy remain. A new workforce plan tailored to emerging technologies is expected in the autumn. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/2760c043-5b9c-4cb6-b55e-73ef8eed60e5?utm_source=openai))
July 10, 2025By
OpenAI is set to launch an AI-driven web browser that offers a conversational interface, potentially disrupting existing browsers like Google Chrome. This innovation aims to streamline tasks such as bookings and form completions through AI, raising concerns among publishers about declining web traffic. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/ai-intelligencer-what-matters-ai-this-week-2025-07-10/?utm_source=openai))