OpenAI names Kolter to lead its new Safety and Security Committee, aiming to prioritize safety over profit as it transitions to a public benefit corporation. The committee's success depends on its authority and adherence to commitments to address AI risks, including cybersecurity and mental health impacts.

Riyadh will host the Global Games Show 2026, a key event for the gaming industry, alongside the Global AI Show, from February 9–10, organized by VAP Group and Times of Games. The event underscores Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, focusing on AI's role in gaming, healthcare, and societal transformation, with panels, keynotes, and networking opportunities.

Microsoft plans a hiring rebound powered by AI tools, with CEO Satya Nadella highlighting AI as the core engine for growth. This strategy contrasts with rivals' layoffs, emphasizing AI-driven productivity gains.

Mercor, an AI recruitment startup founded by three high school friends, has reached a $10 billion valuation after a $350 million Series C, making its founders the youngest self-made billionaires. The company, which rapidly grew from a dorm project to a global operation, faces a trade secrets lawsuit from Scale AI, adding intrigue to its meteoric rise.

SECL has been praised for adopting advanced digital tools to bolster safety and efficiency in mining operations, aligning with the Ministry of Coal's and CVC's visions. Key innovations include AI-driven analytics, drone monitoring, and an Integrated Command & Control Centre, enhancing real-time vigilance and ethical mining practices.

Fortytwo introduces Swarm Inference, a decentralized AI network leveraging consumer devices to offer scalable and cost-effective AI services. Using blockchain governance and crypto incentives, it promises higher efficiency and privacy by coordinating small models globally, with an API set for release this year.

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, hints at annual revenues far surpassing the $13 billion mark, potentially reaching $100 billion by decade's end, driven by ChatGPT and AI cloud growth. Altman defends a $1.4 trillion infrastructure push and teases skeptics about shorting a potential future IPO, while Microsoft lauds OpenAI's performance.

Global leaders from energy, technology, and finance sectors convened at Abu Dhabi's ENACT Majlis to discuss integrating energy and AI for sustainable growth. The event emphasized collaboration and infrastructure investment to meet future energy and AI demands, with a White Paper forthcoming on strategic recommendations.

OpenAI revised its Terms of Use to limit ChatGPT's role in providing personalized medical and legal advice, aiming for safer AI usage. This aligns with trends in AI regulation to prevent misuse and enforce ethical standards.

AI deployment faces hurdles not from compute shortages but from inadequate power infrastructure, warns Satya Nadella. Rising energy needs and regulatory constraints challenge data-center expansion, impacting AI's future scalability.

Japan's METI has unveiled a national plan, RING, to boost rural SME productivity using robotics and AI, addressing labor shortages and demographic challenges. The initiative focuses on training and collaboration rather than subsidies, aiming for sustainable automation in nonurban areas through community engagement and tailored support.

AI-powered gadgets are revolutionizing life for the visually impaired by offering real-time scene understanding and navigation assistance. From smart glasses to navigation apps, these technologies enhance mobility, safety, and independence, aiding in daily tasks and social interactions.

Sector HQ's latest digest ranks AI companies by tangible progress, showing Sony, Stability AI, and Palantir as notable movers. The leaderboard emphasizes product releases and market traction over hype.

AI is radically transforming ecommerce, with 84% of brands integrating AI in marketing, personalization, and support, according to a recent Passport study. However, challenges in compliance, logistics, and backend operations persist, limiting the full potential of AI-driven growth.

Vietnam is leveraging AI and Big Data to transform its e-commerce landscape, with initiatives to create competitive advantages and drive growth. At the Autumn Fair 2025 in Hanoi, experts highlighted AI's role in automating operations and enhancing customer experiences, positioning Vietnam's digital economy for substantial gains.

AI is revolutionizing the energy sector by enhancing renewables integration, predictive maintenance, and grid modeling for increased reliability and efficiency. Infosys leads with a robust AI strategy, executing over 60 projects, achieving impressive savings and accuracy in energy forecasting.

AI personas could revolutionize mental health guidance testing, offering scalable, cost-effective evaluations of AI therapy bots. Future plans involve DSM-5 conditioning and large-scale trials against human therapists.

At the International AI Championship, officials emphasized AI's transformative role in key sectors and Pakistan's shift from textiles to tech as part of its export strategy. Initiatives like Uraan Pakistan aim to build a knowledge-based economy, with plans for new national centers in tech and an annual training goal of 300,000 in AI skills under CPEC 2.0.

Myntra is evolving into an AI-centric platform to cater to India's 400 million Gen Z consumers, focusing on personalized content and shopping experiences. CEO Nandita Sinha highlighted this shift during the ET Startup Awards 2025, emphasizing AI as a cultural and operational transformation for the company.