microsoft, google and deepseek Updates

Artificial intelligence continues to weave itself into various sectors, from finance and healthcare to energy and education. In the financial world, WorldQuant's International Quant Championship saw a record 80,000 university students participate, a number that doubled from last year, largely due to AI making trading algorithm creation more accessible. This competition manages over $7 billion in assets. Meanwhile, in healthcare, Butterfly Network is deploying its AI gestational age tool in Malawi and Uganda to improve maternal and fetal health in resource-limited areas. Northeast Georgia Health System is expanding its use of AI, in partnership with Microsoft and Epic, to alleviate staff burnout by streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing patient care. Harvard University Dining Services is piloting an AI system called Winnow to combat food waste in its dining halls. On the energy front, a UK renewable energy firm is implementing ServicePower's Vision AI for enhanced safety and quality control during smart meter installations, aiming to support the monthly installation of 40,000 meters. Google's DeepMind has demonstrated AI's ability to optimize refrigeration systems for energy efficiency, as seen in its work with Tesco. In China, AI chatbots like DeepSeek are exhibiting a cautious approach to sensitive topics, often directing users to seek human assistance, a contrast to some Western counterparts. Businesses are increasingly seeking insurance for generative AI risks, with nine out of ten companies interested in coverage for issues like intellectual property infringement and data privacy, according to Hiscox. The Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, has urged the UK to increase investment to fully benefit from the economic potential of AI. A broader analysis from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' 'AI Power Trip' project examines the growing control AI developers are gaining over global systems, highlighting the need for regulation to ensure AI serves humanity's best interests and protects democratic governance.

Key Takeaways

• WorldQuant's International Quant Championship attracted a record 80,000 university students, doubling participation from the previous year, with AI making trading algorithm development more accessible.
• The WorldQuant competition manages over $7 billion in assets.
• Butterfly Network is introducing an AI gestational age tool in Malawi and Uganda to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.
• Northeast Georgia Health System is partnering with Microsoft and Epic to expand AI use for reducing healthcare worker burnout and improving patient care.
• Harvard University Dining Services is piloting an AI system to reduce food waste in its dining halls.
• A UK energy firm is using ServicePower's Vision AI to enhance safety and quality control for smart meter installations, supporting the monthly installation of 40,000 meters.
• Google's DeepMind has shown AI's capability in optimizing refrigeration energy consumption, as demonstrated with Tesco.
• Chinese AI chatbots, including DeepSeek, are displaying caution when addressing sensitive topics, often advising users to consult human resources.
• Nine out of ten businesses are interested in insurance coverage for generative AI risks, citing concerns over intellectual property and data privacy.
• Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey emphasizes the need for increased investment in the UK to capitalize on AI's economic potential.

WorldQuant AI contest draws record 80,000 students globally

WorldQuant's 2025 International Quant Championship saw a record 80,000 university students participate worldwide, with artificial intelligence playing a major role. AI and large language models made it easier for students from diverse backgrounds to create trading algorithms. The competition, which manages over $7 billion, doubled its participants this year. A student from South Korea won the top prize, with other winners from India, Kenya, and Taiwan, highlighting the global nature of finance.

AI boosts WorldQuant's student trading competition to record numbers

WorldQuant's annual quantitative competition attracted a record 80,000 university students this year, double the number from last year. The increased participation is due to artificial intelligence making it easier for students from various backgrounds to develop trading models. Founder Igor Tulchinsky noted that many teams consisted of just one person, utilizing AI and language models. Winners were announced from South Korea, India, Kenya, and Taiwan.

WorldQuant's AI Quant Contest Sees 80,000 Student Entries

WorldQuant's International Quant Championship attracted a record 80,000 university participants, doubling last year's numbers as AI makes quantitative trading more accessible. AI tools allow students from diverse backgrounds to create trading algorithms, with many teams now having only one member. MinKyeom Kim from South Korea won the top prize. The competition, which uses WorldQuant's BRAIN platform, saw over 263,000 trading strategy submissions.

Butterfly Network brings AI gestational age tool to Africa

Butterfly Network launched its first AI Gestational Age tool in Malawi and Uganda to improve maternal and fetal health. This handheld ultrasound technology uses AI to quickly estimate a baby's age, which is crucial for prenatal care, especially where traditional methods are unreliable. CEO Todd F. Usen stated the tool offers a fast, accessible, and reliable solution for healthcare providers in resource-limited areas. The company plans to expand this initiative to other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Georgia hospital system uses AI to reduce staff burnout

Northeast Georgia Health System is expanding its use of artificial intelligence in partnership with Microsoft and Epic to reduce healthcare worker burnout. The AI tools will streamline administrative tasks, improve patient care, and allow clinicians more time with patients. The system has used AI for years, but this expansion integrates tools that analyze patient data, predict health risks, and personalize treatments. Dr. John Smith emphasized that AI will augment, not replace, human clinicians, aiming to improve efficiency and patient experience.

Harvard dining uses AI to fight food waste

Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) is piloting a new AI system called Winnow at three dining halls to reduce food waste. The system uses a smart camera and scale to weigh and identify food scraps, helping to track what is being wasted. This technology aims to make dining operations more sustainable and efficient. Preliminary data has already helped identify overproduced items like rice, allowing for immediate adjustments to reduce waste.

AI and humanity's future depend on balance

A new analysis using the Princonser Universal Scientific Method suggests that the future of humanity depends on maintaining a proportional balance between technological energy and human integration. The study identifies algorithms, information, and computational consciousness as AI's energy, and devices and networks as its matter. It warns that without balance, AI could destabilize human systems, leading to fragmentation and loss of essence. The method proposes that AI can enrich human development if integrated properly, leading to upward qualitative changes.

Businesses seek insurance for Generative AI risks

A report by Hiscox indicates that nine out of 10 businesses are interested in insurance coverage for risks associated with Generative AI (Gen AI). Companies are rapidly adopting Gen AI for products and operations, leading to concerns about intellectual property infringement, data privacy breaches, and reputational damage. The insurance market is developing specialized products to address these unique risks, aiming to build trust and encourage responsible AI adoption.

UK energy firm uses ServicePower's AI for smart meter safety

A leading UK renewable energy company will use ServicePower's Vision AI to improve safety and reduce risks during smart meter installations. The AI solution will help prevent safety failures, overheating, and fires by providing real-time quality control and compliance checks. This technology enables field technicians to capture potential defects instantly, ensuring installations meet standards and reducing rework. Over 1,000 technicians will use Vision AI to support the installation of 40,000 smart meters monthly.

UK must invest more to benefit from AI boom, says Bank of England

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey stated that the UK must increase investment to capitalize on potential economic growth from artificial intelligence. He believes the UK is in a transitional period and needs a pragmatic approach to AI's potential and risks. Bailey emphasized the need for a supportive investment environment for AI development, comparing it to previous general-purpose technologies. He expressed optimism about investment opportunities if necessary commitments are made.

China's AI chatbots show caution with sensitive topics

Chinese AI chatbots like DeepSeek, Doubao, and Ernie 4.5 appear more cautious than their Western counterparts when discussing sensitive topics, urging users to seek human help. A Bloomberg Opinion columnist tested DeepSeek and found it consistently recommended calling a hotline or talking to a trusted person. While China's media is tightly controlled, potentially hiding similar issues, this cautious approach may stem from training data and government safety frameworks. The article contrasts this with a lawsuit against OpenAI regarding a teen's suicide.

AI transforms refrigeration with smart energy and maintenance

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the refrigeration industry by optimizing energy management and enabling predictive maintenance. AI systems can automatically adjust temperatures based on various factors, significantly reducing electricity consumption, as seen with Google's DeepMind and Tesco. AI also prevents unexpected breakdowns by analyzing sensor data to predict component malfunctions, saving businesses maintenance costs and reducing downtime. Furthermore, AI enhances refrigerant leak detection and improves the efficiency of sustainable cooling systems.

AI Power Trip examines AI's growing control

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' 'AI Power Trip' project explores how AI developers are gaining control over global governance, information, energy, and military systems. Generative AI has become nearly inescapable in daily life, offering usefulness but also posing threats to democratic governance. The series uses storytelling to reveal how AI is being used for profit and domination, emphasizing the need for restrictive controls and regulation to ensure AI is used for good and to prevent damage to democracy.

Sources

• AI-Fueled Trading Contest Attracts Record Crowd To WorldQuant
• AI drives surge in WorldQuant's university quant contest participation
• AI Drives Record 80,000 Participation in WorldQuant's University Quant Cont
• Butterfly Network Launches First-to-Market Artificial Intelligence Gestational Age Tool in Sub-Saharan Africa to Improve Maternal Health
• Georgia hospital system expands use of AI for healthcare operations
• HUDS Rolls Out New Artificial Intelligence System to Combat Food Waste | News
• Artificial intelligence and the future of humanity
• Global: Nine in 10 businesses show interest in insurance cover for Gen AI risks
• Leading UK-Based Renewable Energy Company Selects ServicePower's Vision AI for Smart Meter Rollout
• BOE’s Bailey Says UK Must Step Up Investment to Ride AI Boom
• The AI Suicide Problem Knows No Borders
• How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Refrigeration Industry
• The AI Power Trip - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists