Teaching Drones to Play Tag with AI

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are using reinforcement learning (RL) to teach autonomous drones how to cooperate and make rapid decisions in a strategic version of tag. In the experiment, two evader drones attempt to reach a protected base while two pursuer drones try to intercept them. The evaders learn through simulated rewards and penalties to coordinate their movements, including strategies that can cause the pursuers to interfere or collide with one another. Unlike the RL-trained evaders, the pursuers use a conventional proportional-navigation algorithm. The research demonstrates how multi-agent reinforcement learning can produce flexible cooperative behaviours without engineers having to explicitly program every possible manoeuvre.

The project is overcoming the simulation-to-reality gap: strategies that perform well in simulation can fail on physical drones because of factors such as battery depletion, aerodynamic interactions, communication delays and other unmodelled dynamics. Sandia therefore tests the algorithms on small, inexpensive quadrotors in its CAMINO facility, using high-precision motion capture to evaluate and refine their behaviour before moving toward more costly systems. Beyond the game itself, the work could contribute to autonomous systems capable of pursuit, evasion and coordinated swarm behaviour in rapidly changing environments, including potential applications for protecting critical infrastructure against hostile drones and other national-security scenarios.

More information:

https://www.sandia.gov/labnews/2026/08/13/teaching-drones-to-play-tag/

Humanoid Robots Take on Real-World Firefighting

At the 2^nd World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG) in Beijing, 23 teams competed in a realistic simulated firefighting challenge aimed at testing whether humanoid robots can progress from impressive demonstrations to practical work in hazardous environments. Held at an actual fire brigade, the competition required robots to complete three tasks within 30 minutes: identify hazardous materials, locate and close open valves, and find and operate a fire extinguisher. The event exposed significant challenges associated with real-world deployment, including rain, changing lighting, object recognition, manipulation accuracy and movement speed. Of the 12 teams competing on Sunday, only three completed the full challenge, highlighting the gap between laboratory performance and reliable operation in unpredictable environments.

Despite these limitations, organisers and participating teams viewed failures as valuable opportunities for improving humanoid robotics. Data from unsuccessful object recognition, manipulation and motion-planning attempts can be used to refine algorithms and train AI models. The competition also demonstrated emerging approaches such as VR-based teleoperation, multi-jointed robotic hands and specialised actuators combining precision with strength. The event reflects China's broader effort to move humanoid robots and embodied AI into practical applications, particularly dangerous tasks such as emergency response. Ultimately, the objective is not necessarily to replace firefighters, but to develop robots capable of working alongside humans and undertaking operations where human exposure would be risky.

More information:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1368322.shtml

AI Assistant for Art Provenance

Researchers are exploring how AI can help solve one of the art world’s most difficult problems: establishing an artwork’s provenance, or documented history of ownership and attribution. The NPR report describes efforts to develop an AI-based provenance assistant capable of searching and connecting information scattered across archives, auction catalogues, museum records, historical documents and other sources. Rather than replacing provenance researchers, the technology is intended to accelerate the labor-intensive process of identifying names, dates, transactions and relationships that may reveal where an artwork has been and who owned it. This could be particularly valuable for works whose histories contain significant gaps or whose ownership changed during periods such as war, displacement or political upheaval.

At the same time, the approach highlights the limitations of using AI for sensitive art-historical research. Provenance evidence can be incomplete, contradictory or ambiguous, meaning that an AI-generated connection cannot automatically be treated as historical fact. Human scholars still need to examine original records, assess the reliability of sources and determine whether proposed connections are credible. The broader promise, therefore, lies in using AI as a research assistant rather than an authority: a tool capable of navigating enormous collections of digitised information and suggesting leads that experts can subsequently verify. Such systems could ultimately make provenance investigations faster and more systematic while helping museums, collectors and researchers address questions of authenticity, ownership and potentially contested cultural property.

More information:

https://www.npr.org/2026/08/06/nx-s1-5922729/ai-art-provenance-assistant

Robots That Make Recycling Smarter

Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a robotic system designed to automatically dismantle broken products while preserving valuable components for reuse. Unlike conventional robotic assembly, disassembly is difficult because damaged devices can behave unpredictably. The system combines robotic manipulators with predictive algorithms, CAD models, and mathematical models of possible damage. It tests how individual components move, compares their behaviour with expectations, and updates its disassembly plan in real time. For example, if a screw is stuck, the robot can recognize that its original strategy has failed and switch to another technique, such as milling away surrounding material.

Users can also specify which components are particularly valuable, allowing the system to prioritize keeping them intact. The researchers see technology as an important step toward an automated circular economy, in which machines and electronic products are repaired, refurbished, and reused rather than discarded. The long-term vision is a factory containing many specialized robotic arms equipped with different tools, capable of dismantling a wide range of products, extracting defective components, replacing them, and potentially rebuilding the devices automatically. If scaled successfully, automated disassembly could make repairing products cheaper than manufacturing replacements, reducing electronic waste and the demand for new raw materials.

More information:

https://spectrum.ieee.org/recycling-robot

AI Creates More Realistic Multi-Person Images

Researchers at Cornell have developed a new AI approach for generating more realistic images involving multiple people interacting with one another. While existing image-generation models can create convincing individual people, they often struggle to represent complex interactions accurately. The Cornell method addresses this through iterative pose-image generation, progressively constructing a scene one person at a time. Each predicted pose helps guide the generation of subsequent people, allowing the system to better capture spatial relationships and interactions without requiring users to manually specify poses. The approach uses the FLUX image-generation model as its foundation and combines pose detection with a multimodal large language model to organise descriptions, poses and spatial regions for each person.

The researchers also introduced DrawWaldoWorlds, a benchmark designed to evaluate whether image-generation systems correctly represent not only multiple individuals but also their roles and relationships, essentially testing whether the model understands who does what to whom. Experiments showed that the new approach produced more faithful multi-person scenes than existing methods. In a user study involving 20 participants, images generated using the Cornell method were preferred roughly two-to-one over images produced by two versions of FLUX. The researchers argue that automatically incorporating pose information could make generative AI considerably better at depicting complex social activities, sports, group scenes and other situations where realistic human interaction is essential.

More information:

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/07/strike-pose-creating-more-realistic-multi-person-images

Zoox Wins U.S. Approval for Driverless Robotaxis

Amazon-owned Zoox has become the first company in the United States to receive federal approval for the commercial deployment of purpose-built robotaxis that have no steering wheel, pedals or other human driving controls. The exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allows Zoox to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually for the next two years and begin charging passengers, initially in Las Vegas before expanding to other markets subject to state and local approvals. The electric, carriage-style vehicles feature inward-facing seats and are designed entirely around autonomous operation rather than modified versions of conventional cars.

The approval represents an important regulatory milestone for autonomous transportation, but it comes with enhanced safety oversight. NHTSA will require Zoox to provide additional reporting on crashes, inappropriate road stops and other operational problems, and the agency can withdraw the exemption if significant safety concerns emerge. Regulators are particularly focused on how autonomous vehicles interact with emergency services, construction zones, school buses and unusual road conditions following several incidents across the industry. The decision also signals a broader shift in U.S. regulation toward developing safety standards specifically designed for fully autonomous vehicles.

More information:

https://www.reuters.com/world/amazons-zoox-wins-first-us-approval-paid-robotaxis-with-no-human-controls-2026-07-30/

Digital Innovation Is Transforming the Museum Experience

Museums around the world are embracing digital technologies to create richer, more engaging experiences for visitors. By using data to better understand how people move through galleries, which exhibits attract the most attention, and how visitors interact with collections, museums can design exhibitions that are more intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable. These insights help institutions improve storytelling, enhance visitor engagement, and create experiences that appeal to audiences of all ages.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence, interactive displays, and digital guides are transforming museums into more immersive cultural spaces. Rather than replacing the traditional museum experience, these innovations complement it by making art, history, and heritage more accessible and interactive. The challenge lies in using technology responsibly, respecting visitors’ privacy while ensuring that digital tools enrich, rather than overshadow, the cultural and educational value of their collections.

More information:

https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/07/with-help-from-data-art-museums-are-reframing-the-visitor-experience/

Snake Robots Aid Earthquake Rescue Efforts

Following the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela in June 2026, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute deployed advanced snake robots to assist international search-and-rescue teams in the heavily affected city of La Guaira. Designed to slither through narrow gaps in collapsed buildings, the robots are equipped with front-mounted cameras that allow rescuers to inspect areas inaccessible or too dangerous for humans. Working alongside the Venezuelan and Colombian Red Cross, Mexico's Topos rescue team, and volunteers from around the world, the CMU team aimed to improve the speed and safety of survivor searches.

Although the robots did not locate any survivors during the three-day mission, they played an important role by confirming that certain collapsed structures contained no trapped victims, allowing rescue teams to focus their efforts elsewhere and providing closure to waiting families. The deployment also highlighted both the promise and the practical challenges of using robotics in disaster response, including difficult terrain, equipment repairs, logistics, and communication barriers. The experience reinforced the potential of bio-inspired robotic systems as valuable tools that complement, rather than replace, human first responders during large-scale humanitarian emergencies.

More information:

https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2026/july/snake-robots-support-earthquake-search-and-rescue-in-venezuela

Brain Implant Helps Paralysed Man Regain Independence

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking double neural bypass brain–computer interface that enabled a patient, who was paralysed from the chest down after a 2020 diving accident, to regain the ability to feed himself, drink from a cup, and perform everyday tasks independently. The system uses implanted brain electrodes to detect his intention to move, transmitting those signals directly to his arm and hand muscles while simultaneously sending sensory information back to the brain, allowing him to feel touch again. After 35 weeks of therapy, his arm strength improved dramatically, and he was able to handle delicate objects such as eggshells with remarkable precision.

Beyond restoring movement, the researchers found evidence that the technology may promote long-term healing of the nervous system rather than simply bypassing the spinal injury. By combining brain stimulation with sensory feedback and a technique called cortical mirroring, the patient regained sensation in areas that had been numb since his accident, with improvements persisting for more than two years after treatment. Although the results currently come from a single patient and larger clinical trials are still needed, the study represents a major advance in neuroprosthetics and offers new hope for millions of people living with paralysis.

More information:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jul/16/neural-bypass-brain-implant-paralysed-man-feed-himself-drink-from-cup

Cyprus Leads Europe's Virtual Worlds Skills Academy

Cyprus has taken on a leading role in advancing Europe's digital future through the Virtual Worlds Academy of Skills (ViWAS), a major European initiative coordinated by Prof. Fotis Liarokapis, Research Director at the CYENS CoE. Bringing together universities, research organisations, businesses, vocational education providers, and public-sector partners from across Europe, the academy aims to equip learners with the practical knowledge and skills required for emerging technologies such as extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence, digital twins, immersive design, cybersecurity, and digital creativity.

The initiative seeks to establish common European standards for virtual worlds education, making qualifications more interoperable while promoting flexible learning through practical training, short courses, and micro-credentials. Designed for a broad audience (including educators, healthcare professionals, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, public servants, and lifelong learners) ViWAS emphasises inclusivity and accessibility, helping Europe address the growing demand for digital talent as immersive technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life and professional practice.

More information:

https://en.politis.com.cy/life/1020289/cyprus-coordinates-europes-new-virtual-worlds-academy-for-digital-skills

Bird-Inspired Robot Swims and Flies

Researchers from MIT and EPFL have developed a lightweight flapping-wing robot inspired by diving birds such as puffins, petrels, and kingfishers that can both swim underwater and transition directly into flight. By studying the biomechanics of these birds, the team designed a robot with flexible wings, a steerable tail, and a waterproof body that can efficiently move through two vastly different environments. Experiments in water tanks and Lake Geneva showed that the robot could reliably swim, leap out of the water, and continue flying without requiring propellers, folding mechanisms, or paddling feet.

The breakthrough could enable a new generation of aerial-aquatic robots for environmental monitoring and ocean exploration. Unlike conventional drones or underwater vehicles, the robot could rapidly fly to remote locations, dive underwater to collect measurements or samples, and return with the data at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The researchers are now working to improve the robot's maneuverability and its ability to operate in rough water and windy conditions, with future applications including marine ecosystem monitoring, coastal surveillance, and climate research.

More information:

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-07-birdlike-robot-underwater-flight.html

Tiny Robot Boats Assemble Floating Structures

MIT researchers have developed FloatForm, a swarm of small autonomous robotic boats that can self-organise into floating structures such as bridges, platforms, or temporary workspaces. Inspired by the way fire ants link together to form rafts, each boat communicates only with its nearby neighbours rather than relying on a central controller. This decentralised approach allows the swarm to dynamically assemble, reconfigure, or repair structures even if individual robots fail or environmental conditions change. In laboratory demonstrations, groups of up to eight boats successfully formed a range of stable geometric configurations with a high success rate.

The researchers envision FloatForm as a flexible infrastructure solution for waterfront cities and disaster-response scenarios, where temporary floating structures can be deployed quickly without permanent construction. Potential applications include emergency bridges, floating markets, event stages, environmental monitoring platforms, and mobile sensor networks. By combining swarm intelligence with modular robotics, the system demonstrates how large-scale, adaptive infrastructure can emerge from the coordinated actions of many simple robots, opening new possibilities for resilient and responsive urban environments.

More information:

https://news.mit.edu/2026/tiny-robot-boats-build-floating-structures-0709

Cyborg Cockroach Swarms Go Underwater

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Waseda University have developed remote-controlled cyborg cockroaches that can now operate underwater by wearing miniature 3D-printed diving suits. The lightweight system generates oxygen through a chemical reaction and delivers it directly to the insects' breathing openings, allowing them to survive and move underwater for up to three hours without impairing their natural mobility. The technology builds on previous work that enabled researchers to steer swarms of cockroaches remotely using tiny electronic implants.

The amphibious cyborg insects are designed to support search-and-rescue missions in environments inaccessible to conventional robots, such as flooded buildings, collapsed tunnels, drains, and other confined spaces. Because the insects rely on their own muscles for movement, they require far less energy than similarly sized robots while remaining highly agile. The research team also envisions future applications in infrastructure inspection and, eventually, exploration of extreme environments, including planetary missions where lightweight, energy-efficient biohybrid systems could offer significant advantages.

More information:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2531894-remote-controlled-cockroach-swarm-can-now-breathe-underwater/

PaperTok Fights AI Slop

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed PaperTok, an AI-powered tool that helps scientists turn academic papers into engaging 45-second videos for platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Designed to combat misleading AI-generated science content ("AI slop"), the system keeps researchers in control by allowing them to review and refine AI-generated scripts before publication.

The developers argue that if scientists do not actively communicate their findings on popular social media platforms, inaccurate AI-generated summaries are likely to fill the gap. Early evaluations suggest that PaperTok can make research more accessible to non-specialist audiences while preserving scientific accuracy through researcher oversight. The team hopes it will encourage wider public engagement with credible scientific research.

More information:

https://www.geekwire.com/2026/short-form-science-university-of-washington-researchers-launch-papertok-to-combat-ai-slop/

Wearable Robotic Glove Restores Hand Function

Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna, working with collaborators from ETH Zurich, the Technical University of Munich, and the University of Belgrade, have developed a wearable neurorobotic system designed to restore hand function in people with severe neurological impairments. The system combines a lightweight robotic hand exoskeleton with functional electrical stimulation (FES), which activates weakened muscles through carefully timed electrical impulses. By synchronizing robotic assistance with the user's own muscle activity, the device enables more natural and coordinated grasping and finger movements than conventional rehabilitation approaches.

The researchers evaluated the system in individuals with spinal cord injuries and stroke-related hand paralysis, demonstrating significant improvements in performing everyday tasks such as grasping and manipulating objects. Unlike existing rehabilitation devices that often rely solely on robotics or electrical stimulation, the hybrid approach leverages the strengths of both technologies, promoting functional recovery while encouraging active patient participation. The team believes the wearable system could support both clinical rehabilitation and home-based therapy, offering a practical solution for improving independence and quality of life for people with impaired hand function.

More information:

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260619/Scientists-develop-wearable-robotic-system-to-restore-hand-function.aspx

New Tool Detects AI Vision Hallucinations

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new tool called the Prelim Attention Score (PAS) to detect hallucinations in vision-language AI models, systems that combine image analysis with large language models. These models can sometimes generate descriptions of objects or details that are not actually present in an image. PAS works by monitoring how much the AI relies on the visual input versus its own previously generated text while producing a response, helping identify when the model is beginning to make things up.

The method operates in real time and can be integrated into existing vision-language models. By analyzing internal attention patterns, PAS provides a score indicating the likelihood of hallucination, allowing developers and users to assess the reliability of AI-generated outputs. The approach achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in detecting hallucinations and could improve the safety and trustworthiness of AI systems used in applications such as autonomous vehicles, healthcare imaging, robotics, and security monitoring.

More information:

https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/us-tool-hallucinations-machine-vision-model

Digital Preservation of the Endangered Vaquita

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have created one of the most detailed digital records ever made of the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), the world’s most endangered marine mammal. Using medical CT scans, high-resolution micro-CT imaging, and digital photography, the team digitized a rare female vaquita skeleton collected in 1966, transforming it into interactive 3D models that can be explored, measured, and studied without risking damage to the fragile original specimen. The resulting datasets have been made freely available through the MorphoSource repository.

The project serves as both a scientific resource and a conservation effort for a species on the brink of extinction. Found only in Mexico’s northern Gulf of California, the vaquita has suffered a catastrophic population decline due to accidental entanglement in illegal gillnets used to catch totoaba fish. With only a handful of individuals believed to remain in the wild, the digital archive preserves invaluable anatomical information for future generations while raising awareness of the urgent need for international action to eliminate gillnet fishing and protect this critically endangered porpoise.

More information:

https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/pixels-preserve-endangered-vaquita.php

AI Brain Implant Restores Communication and Employment for ALS Patient

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have demonstrated a major advance in brain–computer interface (BCI) technology that enabled a 47-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to communicate, control a computer, and maintain full-time employment despite losing the ability to speak. The implanted system uses AI-driven decoding algorithms to translate neural activity associated with intended speech into text and synthesized speech, while also providing cursor control for independent computer use. Over more than two years of daily use, the patient generated nearly two million words and over 183,000 sentences, achieving communication speeds of about 56 words per minute with high accuracy.

The study is considered a significant milestone because the system functioned reliably outside the laboratory and without constant researcher supervision. Researchers reported that the participant accumulated more than 3,800 hours of use, creating the largest known single-neuron-resolution brain recording dataset of its kind. Beyond restoring communication, the technology allowed the user to reconnect socially, preserve aspects of his natural voice, and continue professional work, highlighting how AI-enhanced BCIs are moving from experimental demonstrations toward practical tools that can meaningfully improve quality of life for people with severe paralysis.

More information:

https://www.theregister.com/science/2026/06/16/ai-and-brain-computer-interface-allow-speechless-als-patient-to-work-a-full-time-job/5256492

BlueME Enables Long-Range Underwater Robot Communication

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed BlueME, a novel underwater communication system that enables marine robots to exchange data directly over distances exceeding 700 meters without needing to surface. The technology is based on compact magnetoelectric antennas, which use very-low-frequency electromagnetic signals to transmit information through water more efficiently than traditional acoustic or optical communication methods. This capability allows autonomous underwater vehicles to coordinate missions, share sensor data, and make collective decisions in real time while remaining submerged.

The breakthrough could significantly enhance applications such as ocean exploration, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and search-and-rescue operations. Unlike conventional underwater communication systems that often suffer from limited range, high power consumption, or environmental interference, BlueME operates with relatively low energy requirements while maintaining reliable robot-to-robot connectivity. The research team has already demonstrated a working prototype and is seeking further funding to advance the technology toward larger-scale deployment in marine robotic networks.

More information:

https://news.ufl.edu/2026/05/marine-robot-communication/

Apple Smart Glasses Delayed to 2027

Apple’s long-rumored smart glasses project has reportedly encountered new development hurdles, pushing the expected launch from early 2027 to late 2027. The device, known as N50, is designed to compete with products such as Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and is expected to focus on AI-powered assistance, cameras, audio features, and voice interaction rather than offering a full augmented reality display. Reports suggest that delays are linked in part to Apple’s ongoing efforts to upgrade Siri and integrate more advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities into the wearable experience.

Apple reportedly considers smart glasses a strategic priority and views the technology as a long-term successor to today’s mobile devices. The company is said to be experimenting with multiple frame designs and color options while aiming to differentiate itself through tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. At the same time, Apple appears to be reassessing its broader Vision product roadmap, with lighter and more affordable Vision headsets now expected no earlier than 2028–2029 as resources are redirected toward making smart glasses a mainstream consumer product.

More information:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-smart-glasses-development-bumps-reported-delay/

A Robot Companion Supporting Independent Aging

Researchers in New Hampshire are testing a socially assistive robot called Robbie to help older adults remain independent at home. The robot, based on Hello Robot’s Stretch 4 platform, assists elderly by providing exercise guidance, medication and meal reminders, hydration prompts, and personal hygiene cues. Developed through a collaboration between the University of New Hampshire and the National Institute on Aging, the project aims to address growing shortages of home-care workers while supporting aging populations who wish to remain in their own homes.

Unlike the humanoid robots often portrayed in science fiction, Robbie prioritizes functionality over appearance. Equipped with cameras, sensors, and a mobile platform, it can monitor routines, deliver reminders, and assist with everyday tasks, reducing the burden on family caregivers. Although the system currently costs nearly $30,000 and remains in an early adoption phase, researchers view it as a practical example of how robotics could complement human care in the coming decades as demand for elder-support services continues to rise.

More information:

https://apnews.com/article/robot-elder-care-companion-946ce0517281381950e72f088b0eda89

Brain-Inspired AI Runs on Ambient Energy

Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have unveiled a miniature neuromorphic computing system that operates without batteries or external power, harvesting ambient energy from its surroundings to sense, process information, and make decisions in real time. Inspired by the human brain, the fully analog device integrates sensing, computing, and memory into a single energy-efficient architecture, enabling intelligent operation at the edge without reliance on cloud infrastructure.

The breakthrough represents a significant step toward self-sustaining artificial intelligence systems for applications such as environmental monitoring, autonomous robotics, smart infrastructure, and wearable technologies. By dramatically reducing power requirements while maintaining adaptive decision-making capabilities, the technology could pave the way for a new generation of autonomous devices capable of operating in remote or resource-constrained environments.

More information:

https://viterbischool.usc.edu/news/2026/06/usc-scientists-built-a-tiny-system-that-thinks-like-a-brain-and-runs-on-thin-air/

ViWAS Kick-Off Meeting

A new ambitious European initiative, the Virtual Worlds Academy of Skills (ViWAS), has been unveiled under the Digital Europe Programme, aiming to position Europe at the forefront of Web 4.0 and immersive technologies. Coordinated by Professor Fotis Liarokapis, CYENS Centre of Excellence, the project brings together a large, multidisciplinary consortium spanning over 16 countries to tackle one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: the growing shortage of advanced digital skills in virtual worlds and extended reality (XR). Through innovative, simulation-based learning environments and immersive digital twins, ViWAS will enable users to gain hands-on experience in safe, scalable, and cost-effective settings.

ViWAS will establish a pan-European training ecosystem designed to equip learners, professionals, and institutions with cutting-edge competencies in XR, artificial intelligence, and virtual environments. The ViWAS project started on the 1^st of May and the kick-off meeting took place in Paris, France between 26-27 May 2026. The Academy will function as an open, interoperable ecosystem, connecting universities, vocational training providers, industry, SMEs, and public institutions. Leveraging AI-driven personalization and advanced XR platforms, ViWAS will deliver tailored learning experiences, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support workforce upskilling and reskilling at scale.

More information:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects-details/43152860/101298981/DIGITAL?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=100&sortBy=es_SortDate&keywords=101298981

China Accelerates AI BCI Race

Chinese companies are accelerating the development of AI-powered BCIs, moving beyond laboratory trials toward practical real-world applications. Firms in China are combining neural implants with advanced AI algorithms to help people with paralysis regain abilities such as walking, speaking, and controlling digital devices. Start-ups and research groups are increasingly competing with Western companies such as Neuralink, while benefiting from strong state support, expanding clinical testing, and growing investment in neurotechnology infrastructure.

China’s approach focuses not only on the implant hardware itself, but on AI systems capable of decoding and interpreting brain signals more efficiently. Researchers believe this integration could accelerate rehabilitation technologies and improve communication tools for patients with neurological disorders. However, the rapid expansion of the sector also raises concerns regarding safety, regulation, transparency, and long-term ethical oversight, especially as these systems transition from experimental environments into broader medical and commercial use.

More information:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01468-x?shem=dsdf,sharefoc,agadiscoversdl,,sh/x/discover/m1/4

Stanford AI Learns to Interpret Emotion in Art

Researchers at Stanford Human-Centered AI (HAI) have unveiled a groundbreaking artificial intelligence system capable of recognizing and interpreting emotional responses in visual art, marking a major step toward emotionally intelligent machines. The project, known as ArtEmis, was developed using more than 81,000 artworks and approximately 440,000 human emotional reactions collected from over 6,500 participants. Unlike conventional computer vision systems that focus on identifying objects or scenes, the new AI is designed to understand how images make viewers feel and explain those emotions in natural language.

According to the Stanford research team, the system demonstrates how AI can move beyond purely analytical perception toward a more human-centered understanding of culture, aesthetics, and emotional expression. Researchers believe such technologies could influence future applications in digital museums, creative industries, therapeutic environments, and emotionally adaptive interfaces. By teaching machines to interpret symbolism, atmosphere, and artistic intent, the project opens new discussions about the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, creativity, and human emotional experience.

More information:

https://hai.stanford.edu/news/artists-intent-ai-recognizes-emotions-visual-art

AI Cinema Arrives in Korea

South Korea is preparing to release I’m Popo, described as the country’s first feature-length film created entirely with generative AI. Directed by webtoon artist Kim Il-dong, the 64-minute sci-fi film follows Popo, a police robot designed to protect humanity, but which begins eliminating people it predicts could become future threats. Rather than relying on traditional filming, the movie was largely produced through AI-generated visuals and prompt-based workflows, while professional voice actors provided the dialogue. The film is already being positioned as a milestone in Korea’s rapidly evolving AI cinema movement.

Beyond its technological novelty, I’m Popo has sparked broader debate about the future of filmmaking and the role of AI in creative industries. The film raises ethical questions about algorithmic decision-making, human emotion, and artistic authenticity, while also challenging traditional ideas of authorship and cinematic production. Its release comes amid growing international discussion around AI-generated cinema, with film festivals and industry figures increasingly confronting how artificial intelligence may reshape storytelling, labor, and creativity in the entertainment world.

More information:

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/others/20260507/im-popo-koreas-first-all-ai-film-asks-what-comes-next-for-cinema

MIT Unveils Virtual Violin Design Tool

Researchers at MIT have developed a physics-based virtual violin that could transform how violins are designed and tested. Unlike conventional digital sound simulators that rely on prerecorded samples, the new computational model recreates the actual physical behavior of the instrument, allowing it to generate realistic violin sounds by simulating how strings, wood, and surrounding air interact. The system enables luthiers to experiment with factors such as wood type, plate thickness, and structural geometry before physically building an instrument.

The project aims to provide violin makers with a scientific design tool that complements centuries of artisan knowledge. Researchers believe the model could accelerate experimentation and offer new insights into the acoustics behind legendary instruments such as Stradivari violins. While the current system focuses on reproducing plucked-string sounds, future versions may simulate bowed performance as well, potentially opening new possibilities for digital instrument design, acoustic research, and preservation of historical instrument-making traditions.

More information:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/05/mits-virtual-violin-offers-luthiers-a-new-design-tool/

Underwater Drones Aim to Rescue Dying Coral Reefs

Researchers and conservationists are developing autonomous underwater robots to help restore the world’s rapidly declining coral reefs, where traditional restoration methods have struggled to keep pace with climate-driven bleaching events. The technology includes robotic coral planters, AI-powered mapping systems, and automated monitoring vehicles that can identify ideal planting sites and deploy coral seedlings far faster and more cheaply than human divers. One prototype, called the Deployment Guidance System, can plant coral in under a second and could eventually deploy up to a million seedlings at a cost of about $1 each.

Scientists say robotics could transform coral restoration into a large-scale industrial effort, but they caution that technology alone cannot solve the crisis. Researchers are also using robotic systems to identify heat-resistant coral strains capable of surviving warming oceans, while fleets of autonomous drones and underwater vehicles may soon monitor reef health continuously. Despite the promise of automation, experts stress that long-term reef survival still depends on addressing climate change, pollution, and community engagement alongside technological innovation.

More information:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/could-underwater-autonomous-robots-save-coral-reefs-180988626/

Underwater Robot Tracks Whale Communication in Real Time

Scientists have developed a new autonomous underwater robot capable of tracking sperm whale communication in real time, marking a major advance in marine research. The system, created by Project CETI, uses a glider equipped with hydrophones to detect the whales’ distinctive clicking sounds, known as codas, and automatically steer toward them. Unlike traditional tracking methods such as suction tags or fixed sensors the robot can make decisions underwater as events unfold, allowing it to follow individual whales or groups continuously for extended periods, potentially lasting months.

This breakthrough enables researchers to study whale behaviour, social interactions, and communication patterns with unprecedented detail, including how calves learn vocalizations and how whales respond to human-generated noise. The data gathered could inform more effective conservation strategies, such as adjusting shipping routes or fishing practices to reduce disruption. While challenges remain, the technology represents a significant step toward understanding complex marine life communication and improving protection of ocean ecosystems.

More information:

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/underwater-robot-tracks-sperm-whale-conversations-real-time-2026-05-01/