This Week in AI

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Major AI Breast Cancer Screening Trial To Begin in the UK

The NHS is launching its largest AI-powered breast cancer screening trial, recruiting 700,000 women across 30 sites in England. The trial, known as the ￡11M Edith project, will test five AI models to see if they can speed up diagnosis and ease pressure on radiologists.

Currently, two radiologists review each mammogram, but if AI proves reliable, only one may be needed. This could free up specialists to see more patients and reduce long wait times. With over 2 million mammograms performed annually, AI could significantly improve efficiency.

The trial is part of a broader push to improve cancer care, as the UK lags behind other countries in survival rates. Meanwhile, the government is seeking public input for its upcoming national cancer plan, though experts warn AI alone won’t fix the NHS’s 30% shortage of radiologists.

The Beatles Make Grammy History with AI-Assisted Song

The Beatles just won a Grammy…with a little help from AI.

Their track “Now and Then” won Best Rock Performance, marking the first time an AI-assisted song has taken home the award.?

But this isn’t AI-generated music. Paul McCartney used AI-powered noise reduction to clean up a decades-old piano demo recorded by John Lennon. The same tech that helps Zoom and FaceTime filter out background noise was used to isolate and enhance Lennon’s vocals.?

The band first attempted to restore the demo in the 1990s, but the technology wasn’t there. In 2022, inspired by AI tools used in the "Get Back" documentary, they tried again – and this time, it worked!

It’s interesting to note how AI isn’t just generating new content but also helping to preserve and revive the past.

Can AI Feel Pain? Scientists Are Putting it to the Test

A new study from Google DeepMind and the London School of Economics is exploring whether factors like pain and comfort can influence AI's decision-making.

Researchers designed a text-based game where AI models had to decide between maximizing their score or avoiding “pain” – choosing to avoid pain would come at the cost of a higher score.?

Interestingly, some models, including Google's Gemini 1.5 Pro, consistently prioritized avoiding pain, similar to how animals exhibit pain-avoidance behavior.

While this doesn’t mean AI is sentient, it raises questions about how AI makes decisions and whether future systems could develop behaviors that resemble self-preservation. Some experts argue that as AI advances, society may need to consider ethical implications – perhaps even AI rights.

For now, AI remains far from experiencing real pain, but this study lays the groundwork for testing whether future AI could ever develop something similar to sentience.

Hundreds of Companies Block DeepSeek Over Data Concerns

Chinese AI company DeepSeek may be surging in popularity, but it’s also facing growing restrictions.?

While the chatbot recently became the top free app on the Apple and Google Play stores, cybersecurity firms report that “hundreds” of companies – especially those with government ties – are blocking it over national security concerns.?

DeepSeek stores user data in China, where companies must comply with government data-sharing laws. The Pentagon and the US Navy have already banned the app, and law firm Fox Rothschild has followed suit.

Despite its rapid adoption, DeepSeek’s future in Western markets could be limited as companies weigh the risks of potential data exposure.

Google’s “Ask for Me” Calls Businesses so you Don’t Have to

Google is testing "Ask for Me," a new AI-powered feature that calls local businesses on your behalf to ask about pricing, availability, and scheduling.?

The tool, available through Search Labs, aims to save users from making calls themselves by handling inquiries at nail salons, auto shops, and other service providers. Users can input details like "oil change", “tire replacement”, or "nail art," and Google’s AI will make the call, gather the information, and return a summary.?

This follows Google’s "Talk to a Live Rep" feature, which waits on hold and connects users once a representative is available, eliminating the need for long wait times.

For now, "Ask for Me" is limited to select services, but its success could lead to broader adoption.

Until next time! The future awaits.

Ayesha ??