Microsoft took the wraps off a language learning app it described as "an always available, artificially intelligent" assistant. The app, Microsoft Learn Chinese, uses speech and natural language processing technology to enable learners to practice speaking the language. It uses "a suite of AI tools such as deep neural networks that have been tuned…to recognise what the language learners are trying to say and evaluate the speakers' pronunciation". Users get feedback in the form of scores, along with highlighted words which need improvement and links to sample audio to hear proper pronunciation. The machine-learning and neural networks powering the service are language-independent, Microsoft said. The app was developed in the computing giant's Asia research lab in Beijing.

A regularized optimization problem over a large unstructured graph is studied, where the regularization term is tied to the graph geometry. Typical regularization examples include the total variation and the Laplacian regularizations over the graph. When applying the proximal gradient algorithm to solve this problem, there exist quite affordable methods to implement the proximity operator (backward step) in the special case where the graph is a simple path without loops. In this paper, an algorithm, referred to as "Snake", is proposed to solve such regularized problems over general graphs, by taking benefit of these fast methods. The algorithm consists in properly selecting random simple paths in the graph and performing the proximal gradient algorithm over these simple paths. This algorithm is an instance of a new general stochastic proximal gradient algorithm, whose convergence is proven. Applications to trend filtering and graph inpainting are provided among others. Numerical experiments are conducted over large graphs.

SYDNEY – After applying his machine-learning programs to central bank policy statements to churn out trading calls, a hedge fund-backed political economy specialist is training his sights on corporate earnings announcements. Evan Schnidman, a 31-year-old who set up his own firm after a Harvard University Ph.D. dissertation that looked at the Federal Reserve's communications, is hoping the approach that lured $3.3 million in a fundraising round last December will work in the corporate sphere. St. Louis-based Prattle has until now focused on applying the artificial intelligence method known as natural-language processing to make assessments of Fed and other central bank policy statements. At a time when analysis is poised to get its own price tag, with the introduction of Europe's MiFID II regulations, research costs are an increasing focus for investment banks and asset managers. BlackRock Inc. has even moved to use robots to design funds.

The Channel 4/AMC science fiction series Humans depicts a world where humanoid robots (known as Synths) can perform a range of household tasks such as running errands and doing the laundry. Synths can also help in the kitchen and care for the young and the elderly. Interestingly, the Humans original 2012 Swedish version, Real Humans, attracted a large French audience, and there may be a good reason for it. France has as many 150,000 people working in the robotics industry. In 2015, the country was the world's fifth largest robot exporter, ahead of the U.S. and China.

As technology goes, microscopes are pretty smart, allowing us to examine samples blown up thousands of times their original size. But what if a microscope was able to identify what it was looking at? And what if this capability could be used to save people's lives? That's the idea behind new work carried out by microbiologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a teaching hospital at Harvard Medical School. Researchers there have developed a microscope that's enhanced by machine learning technology to help diagnose potentially deadly blood infections, greatly improving patients' odds of survival in the process.

On Dec. 14, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published its plan to develop China's artificial intelligence industry over the next three years. The MIIT report declares China's intention to gain an international competitive advantage in AI by 2020. What's in the report: The MIIT report identifies eight key AI development goals. The systems should also be able to support face recognition of people from different ethnicities. The devices should also detect user intent with an accuracy rating of over 90 percent.

Groceries, toys and flowers are no longer the only things filling UK-based Ocado's massive Hampshire warehouse. In the two years since the company started branding itself as the world's largest online-only supermarket, the distribution center has begun teeming with robots steered by algorithms that control the logistics side of the company's 24/7 grind. Now, frozen meat and canned tomatoes are sorted and picked up by robots, which allows the customer service team to deliver them to the doorstep more quickly. The explosion of AI in e-commerce has allowed online retail giants to explore advanced technologies. As firms in the e-commerce industry continue to expand and cater to a growing number of customers, the need for an automated system to streamline their operations has become one of their top investment priorities.

The stunning capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) may obscure the reality that we are only at the beginning of its evolution. It is bound to grow to be something that makes today's capabilities look quaint. The Economist makes clear that the excitement no doubt will continue to build, painting the picture of an industry segment on the rise. Big name companies, including Alphabet, Apple, Facebook, IBM and Microsoft, are deeply in the game. China is pushing hard on AI as well.

The University of Mumbai (MU) will soon set up a research and educational institute for artificial intelligence – a first-of-its-kind institute in India. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables machines to perceive their environment and mimic cognitive functions that humans associate with other human minds, such as learning and problem solving. The institute is aimed at finding solutions to social challenges by employing techniques of artificial intelligence and data science. The varsity plans to set up the institute in collaboration with Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence, California. It will be opened at MU's Vidya Nagari campus in Kalina.

Every editorial product is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our journalism. Chinese electric car startup Nio has launched its first vehicle, the ES8. It's an all-electric, modern SUV that's a direct competitor to Tesla's Model X -- and it costs half as much. The price for the ES8 starts at 448,000 yuan ($67,697) in China, while the Model X starts at 836,000 yuan ($126,328).