The United Arab Emirates has partnered with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to public services across the country, supporting its national AI ambitions. While some media and social media posts claim all residents will receive free ChatGPT Plus subscriptions, these reports remain unverified. The official partnership currently centers on expanding access to ChatGPT’s free version in government, education, and healthcare platforms.

Telstra Group Ltd has launched its “Connected Future 30” strategy, outlining a five-year plan centered on AI-driven network innovation and large-scale fibre infrastructure investments. The initiative aims to enhance connectivity and support emerging technologies across Australia.

BigBear.ai and Hardy Dynamics have joined the U.S. Army’s Project Linchpin to develop AI-powered drone swarm systems for military use. The project will focus on secure coordination for unmanned aerial systems and is set for field testing at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia, involving AUKUS and allied forces.

An AI-powered chatbot named PoBot, developed by Migrasia, is helping migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong access legal guidance on employment disputes and recruitment practices. Available in multiple languages and operating 24/7, PoBot offers instant support and helps workers better understand their rights.

Australian regulators are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to detect and address predatory lending. By integrating AI into oversight processes, authorities aim to protect vulnerable consumers and strengthen regulatory compliance as cost-of-living pressures persist and financial hardship complaints rise.

Citigroup has rolled out “Citi AI” tools to its Hong Kong employees, providing AI-powered support for tasks such as document summarization and policy retrieval. The initiative is part of Citi’s global strategy to enhance operational efficiency and aligns with local regulatory efforts to advance responsible AI use in financial services.

Samsung has introduced its 2025 OLED TV range in Australia, featuring new AI-driven enhancements, QD-OLED and WOLED panel options, and a variety of sizes to meet diverse viewing needs. The lineup aims to deliver improved picture quality, gaming performance, and smart features for consumers in Australia and Hong Kong.

The University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine has unveiled an AI-powered model capable of classifying thyroid cancer stage and recurrence risk with over 90% accuracy. Validated against real-world data, the model aims to enhance clinical efficiency and support more consistent, precise diagnoses.

xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has partnered with Microsoft to make Grok 3 and Grok 3 Mini available on Azure AI Foundry. Announced at Build 2025, this collaboration enables developers to leverage Grok’s language models, emphasizes AI safety, and coincides with Microsoft’s launch of a new AI coding agent, expanding Azure’s AI offerings.

A U.S. federal judge has allowed a wrongful death lawsuit against Character Technologies, the developer of Character.AI, to move forward. The suit alleges that the company’s AI chatbot contributed to the suicide of a 14-year-old user. The ruling raises important legal and ethical questions about AI accountability, user safety, and the scope of free speech protections for AI-generated content.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has announced the development of four AI software models for medical diagnostics and three robotic medical devices. These tools are being tested in collaboration with hospitals in Hong Kong and mainland China, with the aim of improving diagnostic accuracy, surgical procedures, and patient rehabilitation.

CADA, a Sydney radio station, conducted a six-month experiment featuring an AI-generated DJ without informing listeners. The revelation has sparked national debate about transparency, ethics, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in broadcasting, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines in the industry.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has announced that the upcoming Strategic Defence Review will place a central focus on integrating artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into the armed forces. The review, led by Lord Robertson and Fiona Hill, aims to strengthen the UK’s position in NATO through targeted investments and procurement reforms.

Westpac Banking Corporation is set to cut around 1,500 jobs as part of its “Unite” strategy to streamline operations and boost investment in artificial intelligence. The redundancies, representing about 5% of the workforce, follow rising costs and profit pressures. The Finance Sector Union has voiced concerns about the move’s impact on staff and communities.

Australians lost $2.03 billion to scams in 2024, with AI-powered deepfake videos playing a major role in recent high-profile frauds. Authorities and industry experts warn that the rapid evolution of AI poses new challenges for detection and regulation, underscoring the urgent need for stronger safeguards and public education.

Nokia and Australian cloud provider ResetData are launching the nation’s first sovereign, liquid immersion-cooled AI data centers—known as “AI Factories”—in Melbourne’s CBD from Q2 2025. The initiative aims to keep data within Australia, promote energy efficiency, and strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 marked a significant shift in the art world, placing artificial intelligence at the forefront of contemporary artistic practice. Featuring large-scale works and discussions by leading artists and curators, the event explored both the opportunities and challenges of AI-driven creativity.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has introduced CommBiz Gen AI, an AI-powered messaging service for business customers. Developed with AWS and Anthropic, the tool delivers instant, natural-language responses to banking queries, aiming to streamline business operations and enhance digital banking services across Australia.

Google introduced Veo 3, a new AI video generation tool, at I/O 2025. Developed by DeepMind, Veo 3 produces high-quality videos with native audio and integrates with Google Workspace and Flow. Available for U.S. subscribers and enterprises, Veo 3 sets a new standard in AI-powered content creation.

The Hong Kong government has announced a HK$1 billion investment in artificial intelligence research and development, alongside plans to reduce the civil service workforce by 10,000 positions by 2027. The dual strategy seeks to stimulate economic growth through innovation while addressing significant fiscal pressures.