Topaz Labs has released Topaz Photo v1.2.0 and Gigapixel v1.1.0, introducing the Recover v3 diffusion upscaler and the cloud-only Wonder 2 realism model. These updates also include new grain controls and metadata features, with distinct processing limitations noted for macOS and Windows ARM users.

A new report by the University of Canberra and DroneShield identifies no recorded domestic drone-enabled cyber incidents in Australia to date, though researchers warn that limited detection capabilities may be obscuring the true threat landscape. This analysis examines the report's findings on critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, the role of AI in drone operations, and the Australian Government's recent regulatory updates regarding counter-drone enforcement and safety.

OpenAI has announced it will begin testing advertisements within ChatGPT for Free and Go tier users in the United States. This report details how the sponsored placements will function to remain distinct from AI advice, the privacy measures regarding user data, and how the move compares to ad-supported models from competitors like Google and Perplexity.

On 22 January 2026, the Finance Sector Union (FSU) reported that ANZ has initiated organisational changes within Suncorp Bank affecting 197 roles, with 66 staff expected to face redundancy. The union contends these cuts violate the conditions set during ANZ’s acquisition of Suncorp, specifically the commitment to "no net job losses" in Australia for three years. ANZ has responded that it remains fully compliant with all government undertakings. This dispute emerges as the banking sector increasingly integrates generative AI and automation into operations, though ANZ has not explicitly linked these specific role changes to its AI programs.

Pearson and the Government of Telangana have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding at the World Economic Forum to establish a Global AI Academy. Operating under Telangana’s Aikam initiative, the collaboration aims to develop AI training frameworks centered on verification, assessment, and credential portability rather than solely on content delivery.

A renewed debate in the Australian startup sector questions the future of SaaS as AI agents introduce autonomous capabilities. While the launch of tools like Anthropic’s Cowork has prompted concerns over value compression, investors suggest the industry is undergoing a reset rather than an ending. This report outlines the shift from seat-based subscriptions to action-based pricing, the rising importance of risk governance, and how major vendors like Microsoft and Salesforce are adapting to an agent-driven market.

On January 21, 2026, ElevenLabs released The Eleven Album, a compilation featuring collaborations with artists such as Liza Minnelli and Art Garfunkel. The project is framed as a product demonstration for the company’s generative AI model, Eleven Music, highlighting a workflow where human creators retain full ownership and streaming revenue. This release coincides with updates to the company’s developer tools, which now include features for stem separation and inpainting to support iterative music production.

The Gates Foundation and OpenAI have announced "Horizon1000," a US$50 million initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into primary healthcare across Africa, beginning with a pilot in Rwanda. The program targets 1,000 clinics by 2028 and focuses on administrative support, patient triage, and workflow efficiency rather than replacing clinical judgment. The initiative aims to address severe workforce shortages and aid constraints, though success will depend on overcoming language barriers and establishing robust safety governance.

Reports regarding the use of X’s Grok tool to generate non-consensual explicit images have renewed focus on Australia’s regulatory landscape. This analysis maps the current legal mechanisms available, from eSafety removal notices to expanding Commonwealth and NSW criminal offences covering AI-generated harms.

A January 2026 industry briefing highlights the growing use of acoustic sensors and AI by water utilities to locate hidden leaks. The report details how this technology supports a shift from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance, citing operational data from Sydney Water and the University of Technology Sydney regarding water savings and asset management.

This report analyzes the security implications of Shadow AI and the proliferation of AI agents within enterprises. It reviews industry polling on the management of non-human identities and outlines recent Australian government guidance regarding data privacy, access controls, and the risks of unmanaged AI tools.

Woolworths has announced a significant upgrade to its Olive customer service chatbot, leveraging Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise platform to transition the tool into a personalized shopping assistant. The updated Olive will feature "agentic" capabilities, allowing it to perform multi-step tasks such as meal planning and building grocery baskets based on voice inputs or handwritten recipe photos. This report examines the operational changes, data privacy considerations, and commercial neutrality policies governing the new system, as well as how this move aligns with global trends in conversational commerce.

Meta Platforms is cutting roles in its Reality Labs division and closing several virtual reality game studios as part of a strategic pivot. The restructuring involves discontinuing the Horizon Workrooms service and reallocating resources toward artificial intelligence infrastructure and wearables. These changes aim to address operating losses and align with a broader shift toward AI-driven consumer devices.

On January 16, 2026, the UK government expanded the Regulatory Innovation Office's (RIO) remit to prioritize robotics and defence technologies. The announcement includes a new "Front Door" pilot designed to identify and reduce cross-regulator barriers that delay the deployment of autonomous systems, such as inspection drones. This initiative seeks to coordinate approvals across aviation, data protection, and sector-specific safety authorities to streamline the path to market for AI-enabled technologies.

Australian cybersecurity startup Dam Secure has secured $6.1 million in seed funding to address logic vulnerabilities in AI-generated software. Led by Paladin Capital Group, the investment supports the development of a platform designed to validate code correctness and security through plain English rules and a proprietary knowledge graph. The company aims to mitigate "verification debt" as organizations increasingly adopt AI coding assistants.

New project listings from the Disaster Ready Fund detail the integration of machine learning into Australian disaster response, specifically regarding bushfire detection in Victoria and heatwave surveillance in Western Australia. These initiatives mark a shift toward smart infrastructure and automated decision support in national emergency management.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has contacted X following a sharp rise in reports regarding the misuse of its generative AI tool, Grok. The regulator cited concerns over the creation of non-consensual explicit imagery and potential risks to children. This inquiry aligns with similar regulatory investigations in the UK and Asia, and precedes the commencement of new Australian online safety codes scheduled for March 2026.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is implementing AI-enabled automation to address production bottlenecks in coral aquaculture. The initiative includes systems for automated fertilization, computer vision for larval counting, and robotic deployment guidance to support restoration efforts on the Great Barrier Reef.

On January 13, 2026, the US Senate passed the DEFIANCE Act by unanimous consent. The bill establishes a federal civil cause of action for victims of nonconsensual, sexually explicit AI-generated forgeries, allowing them to sue for damages and injunctive relief. It defines “intimate digital forgery” to include realistic AI depictions and operates alongside the existing TAKE IT DOWN Act.

A new report backed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia indicates a significant discrepancy between perceived and actual abilities to detect AI-generated scams. While 89% of respondents believed they could identify a deepfake, testing revealed a success rate of only 42%. This summary outlines the growing prevalence of synthetic media in investment and business fraud, the psychological "trust shortcuts" that scammers exploit, and the emerging regulatory obligations under the Scams Prevention Framework.

Universal Music Group (UMG) has appointed Hannah Poferl as Chief Data Officer, effective immediately. Poferl, previously the Chief Data Officer at The New York Times, will report to UMG Chief Operating Officer Boyd Muir. Her remit includes leading global data and analytics strategy, leveraging AI technologies to support audience development, and driving the company's "superfan" strategy. This appointment follows UMG’s recent partnership with NVIDIA and reflects a wider industry focus on integrating governed AI tools into digital music operations and rights management.

ChatlyAI.app is a conversational AI platform developed by Vyro AI that aggregates multiple large language models, including GPT, Claude, and Gemini, into a single interface. This report outlines the app’s core features, document analysis capabilities, and data handling policies. It also details the security context following the 2025 breach report regarding unsecured logs and compares Chatly’s governance to platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity.

Skylum has released Luminar Neo 1.26.0, featuring a new AI Assistant that offers editing suggestions and guidance through natural language prompts. The update, which requires an internet connection for the new feature, also delivers performance improvements and wider camera support, aligning with industry trends toward conversational interfaces in creative software.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has introduced a new legislative instrument permitting restricted advertising for software that detects hypertension patterns using wearable PPG data. This report outlines the specific regulatory conditions, including mandatory consumer advisories and prohibited accuracy claims, and examines how the framework aligns with broader AI medical device standards in Australia and overseas.

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Health, a dedicated, private space within ChatGPT for managing health and wellness inquiries. The new feature allows users to connect apps like Apple Health and upload medical records for context, with data excluded from model training. It is currently rolling out to early users on web and iOS in select regions.

On January 5, 2026, the Australian Department of Defence announced a funding package of nearly A$40 million for 14 new contracts focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Managed by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), the "Decision Advantage" program is designed to fund the development of prototypes and new concepts—such as machine reasoning and AI orchestration—rather than the purchase of finished systems. The contracts have been awarded to a mix of Australian universities and technology companies to build the technical foundations for future defence capabilities.

The Sydney AI Safety Fellowship 2026 has commenced a 10-week hybrid program in Sydney, aimed at addressing the risks of transitioning to advanced AI systems. Running from January 10 to March 1, the fellowship focuses on critical issues such as loss of control, AI-enabled pandemics, and societal-scale cyberattacks rather than general AI literacy. This initiative runs parallel to the Australian Government's launch of the Australian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI), marking a shift toward specialized, risk-focused training within the local AI sector.

Ambarella has introduced the CV7, a new system-on-chip built on Samsung’s 4nm process, aimed at 8K imaging devices such as action cameras, drones, and security hardware. Announced at CES 2026, the CV7 integrates an upgraded AI accelerator with image signal processing to deliver improved performance and lower power consumption compared to previous generations.

GDU has introduced the UAV P300 at CES 2026, an enterprise drone targeting the public safety and infrastructure sectors. This report details the manufacturer's claims regarding AI-enhanced visibility in adverse weather, obstacle avoidance technology, and autonomous navigation. It also examines how the P300 compares to competitor models from DJI and Skydio, while noting relevant regulatory factors that may impact availability.

Sydney-based Morse Micro has announced the general availability of HaLowLink 2, a Wi-Fi HaLow platform designed to extend wireless connectivity for IoT and edge AI networks. The device functions as a router, access point, and extender, utilizing sub-1 GHz spectrum (IEEE 802.11ah) to provide longer range and better signal penetration than standard Wi-Fi. Powered by the MM8108 chipset and running OpenWrt software, the gateway targets developers and integrators requiring reliable connections for agricultural, logistics, and smart city deployments.