Artificial Insights

January 2025  saw explosive growth in several AI sectors.  Marketing  saw a boom in AI-powered TikTok advertising.  Software development  benefited from AI code assistants, while  creative industries  embraced AI voice generators and presentation makers.

Cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)  are transforming numerous sectors.  Significant progress  is evident in customer service, search technology, and scientific research, with AI improving efficiency and accuracy.

A new machine learning algorithm accurately identifies the top five flavour notes in different whiskies, matching the assessments of expert human tasters. 

Microsoft's AI for Good Lab has developed SPARROW, a solar-powered, AI-driven device designed to monitor biodiversity in remote locations.

Researchers at Imperial College London are developing an AI-powered t-shirt to improve the diagnosis of inherited heart conditions. Funded by the British Heart Foundation, the shirt uses embedded sensors and AI to monitor heart rhythms continuously, potentially detecting abnormalities missed by traditional hospital scans. 

A UK NHS trust is utilising an AI-powered app, Lenus, to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients. 

Research from Imperial College London demonstrates how an AI model, trained on millions of ECGs, can accurately predict heart disease, heart attacks, and even mortality risk.

Key areas highlighted include healthcare, utilising AI for diagnostics and robotic surgery; robotics, showcasing innovative designs for various applications; military and defence, noting AI integration into weaponry and strategy; and environmental monitoring, employing AI for climate analysis and ecological observation. 

The NHS in England is employing artificial intelligence to identify and support individuals who frequently use A&E services. Over 360,000 patients visit A&E more than five times annually, often due to underlying social and economic factors. 

Google has unveiled Gemini 2.0 Flash, a significantly enhanced version of its AI assistant.  Key improvements  include enhanced multimodality—processing and generating various media types—and the ability to utilise external tools like Google Search. 

Five ways artificial intelligence (AI) will impact workplaces in 2025.

Researchers at the John Innes Centre and the University of Exeter have developed PlantRNA-FM, a groundbreaking AI model that analyses the genetic "language" of plants.

Announcing OpenAI's release of its new language model, ChatGPT o1, touted as the "world's smartest". 

Several key trends in artificial intelligence, including the rise of  multimodal and agential AI systems , the increasing prevalence of  shadow AI  within workplaces, and significant advancements in  AI-powered robotics and healthcare .

Google recently launched Veo, its first AI video generator, and Imagen 3, an advanced image generator, both accessible through its Vertex AI platform. 

iOS 18.2 , an upcoming Apple software update, is expected to launch around 9th December and will feature significant  AI enhancements .

AI-powered tools are improving the detection of bone fractures and early disease signs, aiding ambulance needs assessment, and assisting clinicians via chatbots.

France's plan to introduce AI-powered speed cameras in 2025, capable of detecting various driving offences beyond speeding. 

A recent report reveals a disparity between the hype surrounding AI in the workplace and its actual adoption. While 60% of companies claim AI tool usage, a significant portion of employees (34%) use such tools less than monthly.

The UK government is establishing the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) to combat the growing threat of AI-enabled cyberattacks. 

New research from Ziff Davis reveals that leading AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Meta, heavily rely on high-quality content from premium publishers to train their large language models (LLMs), despite downplaying this reliance. 

Apple is reportedly developing a next-generation Siri, codenamed "LLM Siri," based on large language model (LLM) technology. This upgraded Siri, aiming for a spring 2026 release, will allow for more human-like conversations and integration with third-party apps, similar to ChatGPT.

A new AI system, Squirrel Agent, is being trialled in the UK to help conserve red squirrels, whose numbers are dwindling due to competition from grey squirrels and a lethal virus. The AI identifies red and grey squirrels with 97% accuracy, automatically controlling access to feeders dispensing food or contraceptives.

Virgin Media O2 in the UK has deployed an AI-powered "granny" named Daisy to combat phone scams. Daisy engages scammers in lengthy conversations, wasting their time and frustrating them with irrelevant details.