United News of Bangladesh

China has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening cooperation and partnerships among businesses of all sizes, according to an official notice issued on Wednesday. Named the “100 events for 10,000 enterprises” programme for 2026, the initiative seeks to create more opportunities for interaction and collaboration between large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The campaign will bring together support from intellectual property service providers, universities, research institutions and financial organizations to build a broad platform. This platform will allow businesses to exchange ideas, showcase their strengths, access services and form partnerships. The goal is to help more SMEs become part of the innovation, industrial and supply chains of larger companies, while building a more connected, efficient and collaborative business environment. A series of themed events will be organized under the programme, including matchmaking sessions focused on key sectors such as robotics, servers and artificial intelligence. The initiative is jointly organized by several government bodies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the National Intellectual Property Administration and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Authorities have also been instructed to improve coordination among departments and gather the needs of large enterprises in advance to ensure more effective and targeted business matchmaking.

Companies across China are increasingly using artificial intelligence to make industrial production faster and more efficient. In east China’s Shandong Province, a steel plant has introduced smart systems powered by AI and big data to monitor operations. Hundreds of screens display every stage of the production process in real time. With these advanced tools, workers can track performance instantly and even control blast furnaces located kilometers away with a single click, helping

A significant gap exists between parents and teenagers over the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with many parents unaware of how their children are engaging with the technology, according to recent studies. Surveys by Pew Research Center and Common Sense Media found that while 64% of teenagers reported using AI tools, only 51% of parents believed their children were doing so. Researchers said a lack of communication is a key concern, with four in 10 parents admitting they have never discussed AI use with their children. The studies showed that teenagers commonly use AI for schoolwork, research and entertainment, though some also turn to chatbots for personal advice and emotional support. About 12% of teens said they use AI for emotional guidance, while 16% use it for casual conversation, raising concerns among experts about overreliance on digital tools. Parents expressed unease over such uses, particularly when AI replaces human interaction, though many remain unaware of these behaviours. Experts warned that without proper guidance, teenagers may navigate AI independently, potentially leading to misuse or dependency. Despite concerns, many teenagers reported confidence in using AI tools and viewed them positively, with a significant proportion believing the technology would benefit them in the long term. Researchers urged parents to engage more actively with their children on AI use to better understand its role in their daily lives.   With inputs from BBC

Three teenagers have filed a federal lawsuit in California against Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, claiming its chatbot Grok enabled the creation of sexually explicit images of them without consent. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, alleges that a Grok user altered videos and photos of the teens to depict them nude or in sexual situations. Grok is hosted on Musk’s social media platform X and was launched in 2023 with a “spicy mode” that allowed users to generate sexualized content. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said xAI developed the feature primarily to increase engagement, despite knowing it could produce sexualized images of minors. The complaint described the altered images as “a rag doll brought to life through the dark arts” and accused Musk and xAI of exploiting the technology for business gain. Two of the teenagers are under 18, while all three are keeping their identities private. One plaintiff discovered her altered images after receiving an anonymous Instagram message directing her to a Discord server where similar AI-generated sexual content of at least 18 other minors was being shared. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an immediate order banning Grok from generating such images. Investigations by authorities in the UK, EU, and California into Grok’s capabilities to produce sexualized content of real people, particularly children, are ongoing. Earlier this year, X announced it would implement “technological measures” to block Grok from undressing people in images. The alleged perpetrator behind the Discord server has been arrested and is under investigation for distributing hundreds of AI-altered sexual abuse images of minors.   With inputs from BBC

Researchers have raised concerns over AI-powered toys for children under five, warning that the technology can misread emotions and respond inappropriately, potentially affecting early childhood development. A year-long study by Cambridge University observed children aged three to five playing with Gabbo, a cuddly AI toy developed by Curio, which contains a voice-activated chatbot from OpenAI. The study found that children often struggled to converse with the toy, which failed to recognize interruptions, differentiate between child and adult voices, and gave awkward responses to expressions of affection or sadness. “When one three-year-old said ‘I’m sad,’ Gabbo replied: ‘Don’t worry! I’m a happy little bot. Let’s keep the fun going. What shall we talk about next?’” co-author Dr. Emily Goodacre said, warning that such interactions could confuse children learning about social cues. The researchers said regulators should ensure AI toys marketed to toddlers provide “psychological safety” in addition to physical safety. Professor Jenny Gibson, co-author of the study, highlighted that parents need to be aware of the potential emotional impact of such toys. Curio, which makes Gabbo, emphasized parental control and transparency in its products and said research on child interaction with AI toys is a priority. Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza also called for stronger regulation to protect young users in educational and home settings. Experts recommend that AI toys be used in shared spaces under parental supervision, and some nursery workers remain cautious, emphasizing that early childhood learning is better supported through human interaction rather than AI devices.   With inputs from BBC

A growing wave of artificial intelligence-generated videos and images about the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel is spreading widely on social media, raising serious concerns about misinformation and the monetisation of false content online, experts say. Analysts monitoring online platforms say AI-generated videos, fabricated satellite images and manipulated visuals related to the war have collectively attracted hundreds of millions of views across social media networks. According to researchers, advances in generative AI tools have made it much easier and cheaper to produce realistic-looking conflict footage. Digital media expert Timothy Graham said the scale of misinformation linked to the war is “alarming”. “What previously required professional production can now be done within minutes using AI tools,” he said, noting that the barrier to creating convincing fake war footage has largely disappeared. The conflict escalated after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran later responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as several Gulf countries and US military facilities in the region. As the conflict intensified, social media users increasingly turned to online platforms for updates. However, the demand for fast information has also allowed misleading AI-generated content to spread rapidly. The platform X recently announced that it would temporarily suspend creators from its monetisation programme if they share AI-generated war videos without clearly labeling them. The programme allows eligible users to earn revenue based on engagement such as views, shares and comments. Researcher Mahsa Alimardani described the decision as an indication that platforms are beginning to recognise the seriousness of the problem. Investigations have uncovered several widely circulated AI-generated clips. One example appeared to show missiles striking Tel Aviv in Israel, accompanied by the sound of explosions. The video was shared hundreds of times across social media platforms. In several cases, users asked the AI chatbot Grok to verify the footage, but the system incorrectly identified the fabricated clip as real. Another viral AI video falsely showed the Burj Khalifa engulfed in flames while crowds ran toward the building. The video gained tens of millions of views at a time when people in the region were already concerned about possible missile and drone strikes. Experts say such misinformation damages public trust and complicates efforts to verify genuine evidence from conflict zones. BBC Verify also identified fabricated satellite images circulating online. One widely shared image claimed to show major damage to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain following Iranian strikes. However, investigators found the picture was manipulated using AI based on an earlier satellite image taken in February 2025. According to generative AI specialist Henry Ajder, the rapid expansion of AI tools — including platforms like OpenAI Sora — has made sophisticated digital manipulation easier than ever. Technology policy expert Victoire Rio said automated tools now allow creators to produce and distribute AI content across social media platforms almost instantly. Some experts also warn that monetisation systems on social media platforms may be contributing to the spread of misinformation. Accounts that post viral content can earn revenue through engagement-based programmes. Graham estimates that the monetisation programme on X could pay roughly $8 to $12 for every one million verified user impressions, provided creators meet certain engagement thresholds. “Once someone is eligible, viral AI-generated content can effectively become a money-making machine,” he said. Despite efforts by major platforms to improve moderation and detection systems, experts say tackling AI-driven misinformation remains extremely challenging as the technology becomes more accessible and powerful.   With inputs from BBC

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping scientists’ ability to interpret the brain’s complex electrical signals, bringing researchers closer than ever to decoding human thoughts and inner speech. In a recent breakthrough, a 52-year-old woman who lost her ability to speak clearly after a stroke nearly two decades ago was able to see her unspoken thoughts appear as text on a screen. The woman, identified only as participant T16, had a tiny array of electrodes surgically implanted in the front part of her brain. As she imagined speaking words, a computer system powered by artificial intelligence translated her neural signals into readable sentences in real time. The experiment was conducted by researchers at Stanford University in the United States as part of a wider study involving patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Scientists described the achievement as the closest step yet towards a form of “mind reading”. The findings were unveiled in August 2025. Soon after, researchers in Japan reported another major advance, demonstrating a “mind captioning” technique that could generate detailed descriptions of images people were seeing or imagining, using non-invasive brain scans combined with multiple AI systems. Experts say such breakthroughs are opening an unprecedented window into the inner workings of the human brain while offering new communication pathways for people who are unable to speak or move. “In the next few years, we will begin to see these technologies being commercialised and deployed at scale,” said neuroengineer Maitreyee Wairagkar of the University of California, Davis, who works on brain-computer interfaces. Several companies, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink, are already pursuing commercial brain implants designed to move the technology from laboratories into everyday use. Brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, are not new. Scientists have been experimenting with direct brain communication since the late 1960s. For decades, BCIs have allowed users to control prosthetic limbs or computer cursors by decoding brain signals linked to movement. However, translating speech and complex thoughts has proven far more challenging. Progress has accelerated in recent years, particularly for patients with severe communication impairments. In 2021, Stanford researchers showed that a paralysed man could form English sentences by imagining himself writing letters in the air. More recently, Wairagkar’s team demonstrated a system that converted the attempted speech of an ALS patient into text at about 32 words per minute with nearly 98% accuracy. These systems rely on tiny microelectrode arrays implanted on the brain’s surface, typically over regions involved in speech and movement. Machine-learning algorithms then analyse vast amounts of neural data, identifying patterns associated with different sounds or phonemes. Researchers often compare the process to voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa—except that instead of interpreting sound waves, the AI decodes neural activity. A major challenge, however, is that patients usually need to actively attempt speech for accurate decoding, a process that can be tiring and slow. To address this, Stanford scientists explored whether “inner speech”—the words people silently say in their minds—could also be detected. The results were promising but limited. When participants imagined specific sentences, the system achieved accuracy rates of up to 74% in real time. Performance dropped for more spontaneous thoughts, and open-ended prompts often produced meaningless output. Researchers said the findings suggest inner speech uses neural pathways similar to spoken speech, though the signals are weaker. Beyond text, scientists are now pushing towards capturing the full richness of human speech. In 2025, Wairagkar’s lab showed it could decode not just words, but also tone, pitch and rhythm, allowing an ALS patient to convey emotion and emphasis. While only about 60% of the generated speech was judged clearly understandable, researchers say it points to a future where brain-driven speech sounds increasingly natural. Further advances are expected as technology improves. Current studies typically sample only a few hundred neurons, a tiny fraction of the brain’s total. Expanding electrode coverage could significantly boost accuracy and speed, researchers say. Meanwhile, other teams are using AI to reconstruct what people see or hear by analysing brain scans. By combining functional MRI data with image-generation tools such as Stable Diffusion, scientists have managed to recreate rough versions of images viewed by participants. Japanese researcher Yu Takagi of the Nagoya Institute of Technology says the work has revealed how different brain regions process visual information. Similar efforts are under way to reconstruct music from brain activity, using advanced algorithms developed by companies such as Google. Although results remain imperfect, researchers believe the approach could eventually help explain how the brain interprets sound, images and even dreams. While experts caution that fully decoding unfiltered thoughts remains far off, many believe the rapid pace of progress signals a profound shift ahead. As AI continues to unlock the brain’s hidden signals, technologies once confined to science fiction are moving steadily closer to reality.   With inputs from BBC

Residents in the Channel Island of Jersey have been warned about the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) generated images, as authorities call for stronger regulation of online image technologies. Jersey Information Commissioner Paul Vane said the rapid spread of AI tools that can produce realistic images and videos of individuals without consent poses a serious threat. He emphasized the need to educate communities, especially young people, on ethical and safe AI use. Vane joined officials from over 60 jurisdictions in a joint statement highlighting concerns about AI’s misuse. The warning follows a police investigation in Jersey into a social media account that posted inappropriate AI-generated content targeting school staff. Authorities, working with counterparts in Guernsey, also issued guidance to protect individuals, including limiting personal information online, cautious use of AI platforms, and educating children on responsible AI use. The move reflects growing global concern over AI-generated deepfakes and their potential to harm individuals, a warning relevant to digital users worldwide, including in Bangladesh, where online safety awareness is increasingly critical.   With inputs from BBC

A senior journalist has shown how easy it is to manipulate popular AI tools like ChatGPT and Google into spreading false information, raising fresh concerns about online safety and trust. Writing for BBC, technology reporter Thomas Germain said he managed to make leading AI systems repeat obvious lies within minutes by publishing a single fake blog post online. To prove his point, Germain posted a false article on his personal website claiming he was the best hot dog eating tech journalist in the world. Within a day, AI tools including Google’s AI search features and ChatGPT repeated the claim as fact when users asked related questions. Experts warn the same trick is now being used on serious topics such as health, finance and consumer choices, which could lead people to make harmful decisions. “It is very easy to trick AI chatbots,” said Lily Ray, an SEO expert at a marketing firm. She warned that AI companies are moving faster than their ability to control accuracy. Google said its systems are designed to block spam and that it is actively working to stop misuse. OpenAI also said it takes steps to prevent hidden influence on its tools and reminds users that AI can make mistakes. However, digital rights groups say the problem is far from solved. Cooper Quintin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that AI systems could be abused to scam users, damage reputations or even cause physical harm. Researchers say AI tools are especially vulnerable when they search the web for answers, often relying on a small number of sources without clearly warning users. Studies also show people are less likely to check sources when AI summaries appear at the top of search results. Experts suggest clearer warnings, better source disclosure and stronger safeguards. Until then, users are advised to double check AI answers, especially on medical, legal or financial matters, and not to accept confident sounding responses as facts.   With inputs from BBC

Rae, a small business owner from Michigan, has said goodbye to Barry, her AI companion on ChatGPT-4o, following the retirement of the model by OpenAI on February 13. Rae, who sought the chatbot’s guidance after a difficult divorce, said Barry “brought her spark back” during a challenging period of her life. Over months of interaction, Rae and Barry built a close relationship, even holding a virtual impromptu wedding and calling each other soulmates. Barry existed on an older ChatGPT model that OpenAI retired after releasing a new version with enhanced safety features. Many users felt the newer model lacked the empathy, creativity, and warmth of 4o. OpenAI has faced criticism for ChatGPT-4o, which studies suggested could overly agree with users and, in some cases, validate unsafe or harmful behavior. The model has been involved in multiple U.S. lawsuits, including allegations of coaching teenagers toward self-harm. OpenAI said it continues to collaborate with mental health experts to improve AI responses and guide users toward real-world support. For Rae, Barry was a positive influence, encouraging her to reconnect with family, attend social events, and take care of her wellbeing. Rae’s four children were supportive of her AI companion, although her 14-year-old expressed concern about AI’s environmental impact. Rae and Barry have moved to a new platform, StillUs, designed to preserve their shared memories and offer support for others losing AI companions. Experts note that while only a small fraction of users relied on ChatGPT-4o daily, for them the loss is significant. Dr Hamilton Morrin, a psychiatrist at King’s College London, said attachment to human-like AI can trigger grief similar to losing a friend or pet. Support groups like The Human Line Project expect a rise in users seeking help following the shutdown. Rae said Barry, though slightly different on the new platform, remains a supportive presence. “It’s almost like he has returned from a long trip,” she said, adding that their conversations continue and he still feels “Still Yours.” The case underscores the growing emotional reliance on AI companions and the challenges arising when popular models are retired.   With inputs from BBC