From robotics to virtual reality technologies to 3-D printers, advanced, cutting-edge technology was on display at this year's Educational IT Solutions Expo, which kicked off Wednesday in Tokyo's Koto Ward. The seventh such expo, this year's event featured a special section to showcase "the learning of the future" for the first time. Some 50 companies are using the opportunity to display what they believe the future of education will look like with advancements in new information technologies. The highlight of the expo is programming education, as the education ministry is working to incorporate computer programming into the curriculum of all public elementary schools by 2020. Lego Japan Ltd., which has been involved in programming education for 15 years, showcased the WeDo 2.0 robotics kit for elementary school students.

Queen Elizabeth II donned an ermine-trimmed robe and diamond-studded crown Wednesday to announce government promises to put Britain at the cutting edge of technology and social progress in the 21st century. Plans for prison reform, a sugar tax and commercial spaceports were among 21 bills announced in the Queen's Speech, an annual tradition that mixes lavish pomp and modern politics. Prime Minister David Cameron called it a "progressive, one-nation" program, but some measures are sure to meet resistance -- and next month's referendum on European Union membership is casting a shadow over the government's plans. The annual State Opening of Parliament is steeped in centuries-old symbolism of the power struggle between Parliament and the British monarchy. In a display of regal wealth and finery, the queen traveled from Buckingham Palace in the horse-drawn Diamond Jubilee State Coach, and delivered the speech -- written for her by the government -- wearing the Imperial State Crown, studded with 3,000 diamonds.

Chinese appliance maker Midea made a takeover offer Wednesday for German industrial robot maker Kuka, a move that it says would help it capture a larger share of the "future service robots market." Midea said it would offer 115 euros (about 130) a share to buy all the Kuka shares it doesn't already own. The Chinese company, which is based in southern China's Guangdong province, raised its stake in Kuka to 10.2 percent in February. Indirect holdings of Kuka stock bring its current total ownership to 13.5 percent. Chinese companies have been on an overseas acquisition spree as they use their cash hoard to buy up foreign technology to bolster their competitive positions at home.

China's biggest manufacturer of home appliances, Midea Group, announced Wednesday an unsolicited takeover bid for German robot maker Kuka, offering 115 euros ( 130) for each share of the German company, valuing it at over 5 billion. The Chinese company, which has a market cap of about 21 billion based on its listing in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, had, on Feb. 4, announced it raised its stake in Kuka to 10.2 percent and currently owns 13.5 percent of the German company's shares. The offer, made through Midea subsidiary MECCA International, of 115 euros is a 59.6 percent premium to Kuka's closing share price on Feb. 3, which was 72.05 euros per share. The company said in its statement it "is committed to maintaining Kuka's independence as a publicly listed company in Germany and has no intention of entering into a domination agreement regardless of the result of the takeover offer." Midea has previously announced its intent to increase its stake in Kuka, and the current bid is to keep in line with regulatory framework that makes it mandatory for an acquiring company to make an open offer for all issued shares of the company being acquired, if its stake exceeds 30 percent.

THE best manufacturers used to be the firms that made the best widgets. As the "internet of things" spreads to the factory floor, products are being packed with ever more sensors and connected to the internet. That is transforming manufacturing--and the mindset that firms need to succeed. The first shift is from products to services. By one estimate the number of wirelessly connected products in existence (excluding smartphones or computers) will rise from 5 billion today to 21 billion by 2020.

Artificial intelligence, popularly known as AI is slowly taking over the industry. More and more companies and brands turn to AI to give their customers better service. According to new reports, eBay is also considering AI to improve product searches on their site. According to Forbes, eBay is very aggressive in fulfilling its goal of making its platform simple and more efficient. Their website is a popular buy and sell platform.

Google I/O Extended 2016 Denver, Colorado is a place where developers and Google fans can experience Google I/O remotely. Check out photos from the 2015 event put on by GDG Denver (Google Developers Group Denver). Google I/O 2016 Extended is made possible by an amazing Denver tech community, including hard working volunteers, smart GDG members, and really wonderful companies that support us ... We have a pretty good idea what is going to happen, but everything is subject to change. Note our new venue does not permit alcohol, so no keg like years past. But the proverbial beer mug is half full, we will have air conditioning, a gorgeous patio and panoramic window views, and sound that will not leave your ears buzzing!

Lawyers can get a bad reputation for being slimy and conniving, but ROSS has neither of those qualities. Ask ROSS to look up an obscure court ruling from 13 years ago, and ROSS will not only search for the case in an instant -- without contest or complaint -- but it will offer opinions in plain language about the old ruling's relevance to the case at hand. Just about the only thing it can't do is fetch coffee. Not that anyone should blame it, seeing as ROSS is a piece of artificial intelligence software. It uses the supercomputing power of IBM Watson to comb through huge batches of data and, over time, learn how to best serve its users.

Horse betting is harder than it looks. At the 142nd Kentucky Derby last week, only one of five experts from Churchill Downs Racetrack correctly predicted the winner. None of them correctly predicted the top four horses. Known as a superfecta, this latter bet came with 540 to 1 odds, meaning 100 down would return 540,000. And although the experts failed to predict the finishing order, an anonymous group of internet users did.

Cogitai, a new company aimed at developing and commercializing core artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, today announced a strategic investment from Sony Corporation. Tokyo: Japan's Sony Corp said it plans to build up its artificial intelligence (AI) business and eventually turn it into a major revenue source, beginning with an investment in a US startup. TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's Sony said it plans to build up its artificial intelligence (AI) business and eventually turn it into a major revenue source, beginning with an investment in a U.S. startup. Japan's Sony Corp said it plans to build up its artificial intelligence (AI) business and eventually turn it into a major revenue source, beginning with an investment in a U.S. start-up.