Utilizing artificial intelligence and robots -- and more specifically humanoids -- is crucial in making up for Japan's labor shortage. This was the dominant talking point at the Humanoids Summit on Thursday when the two-day event kicked off in Tokyo. Hosted by a California-based robotics company of the same name, it is the first time the summit, which was previously held in Silicon Valley and London, is being held in Asia. It is expected to draw 2,000 attendees from 30 countries and 300 companies, according to the organizers. Japan was chosen for its "foundational role in the global robotics ecosystem for decades," said Terence Bennett, executive director of the Bay Area Robotics Association, in his opening remarks.

Welcome to our monthly digest, where you can catch up with any AIhub stories you may have missed, peruse the latest news, recap recent events, and more. This month, we learn about AI for science, delve into world models, research transparent and trustworthy AI, and hear about the lottery ticket hypothesis. The latest interview in our series with the AAAI/SIGAI Doctoral Consortium participants featured Ximing Wen who is researching transparent and trustworthy AI systems. We found out more about her work, her experience as a research intern, and what inspired her to study AI. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jonathan Frankle delves into empiricism versus theoretical proofs, how the approach to computer science has changed (even if the fundamental problems haven't), how younger researchers are rapidly adapting to a world that values impact above all else, and what it means to be a researcher.

At the first-ever TIME100 AI Leadership Forum in New York City on Wednesday night, three leaders from music, fashion, and entertainment spoke during an onstage panel about how AI has changed how they worked creatively and the role they see for AI in the arts, moderated by TIME deputy editor Kelly Conniff. Across the board, the panelists agreed that AI is best used as partner and collaborator and cannot replace the distinctly human parts of the creative process. However, they can help users gain deeper knowledge, and shorten the more tedious parts of the brainstorming and ideation process. Christopher Brearton, partner at independent studio AGBO, said that using AI tools could look like leaving a story idea meeting with not only a rough plot and characters but also a quick mockup with images and videos of what it might look like. "Having an AI tool to help open that aperture and expand and continue the creative momentum, and not have breaks in your creative process, has been really fundamentally changing what we do," he said.

'Who is behind AI "art"? The person who wrote the prompt? The tech bro who built the AI that scraped human artistic skill and creation to generate the "art"?' 'Who is behind AI "art"? The person who wrote the prompt? The tech bro who built the AI that scraped human artistic skill and creation to generate the "art"?' AI'art' is boring, soulless theft - and when I see it as an artist I see red I draw the old way - with my hand.

We analysed thousands of Trump's posts - here's what we found In 2026, Donald Trump's use of social media has escalated. The BBC sifted through thousands of posts on his platform Truth Social to analyse what the President has been saying and when. What was the busiest day? When are the busiest hours? What type of content does President Trump share?

Paul McCartney on playing guitar with Paul Mescal: 'He knew it better than I did!' Hey, I know you! exclaims Paul McCartney, gripping my hand as we walk into his office in central London. And while I'm realistic enough to know he doesn't really hold treasured memories of our previous encounters, I'm impressed by his ability to defuse the tension of Meeting A Beatle. We gather in Soho at lunchtime. Instead of Wild Honey Pie or Savoy Truffle, McCartney has opted for a simple bagel (topping: a terrifying blend of Marmite and hummus), which he prepared in a kitchenette next to his assistant's desk. As he eats, he scans a printed list of film titles - mainly vintage comedies - looking for something to play at his family movie night.

Russian lawmakers have passed a bill to allow trained bank employees to shoot down Ukrainian drones amid an increase in the number of attacks. The draft legislation, which would see banks across Russia install electronic jamming systems while selected employees would shoot down incoming unmanned aircraft, passed in its third and final reading in the lower house Duma on Tuesday, according to the state-run TASS news agency. The bill says the legislation is needed to protect Bank of Russia facilities, including those located in the new constituent entities of the Russian Federation - referring to the four eastern Ukrainian regions that Moscow has announced it has annexed despite not controlling them fully - amid the increasing number of sabotage and terrorist attacks. Under the plan, banks would finance the installation of the equipment on their premises. With banks in almost every town, their incorporation into Russia's air defences could help expand its cover.

Gemini can trigger smart home routines based on what your cameras see. Google is updating Gemini for Home, the version of its AI assistant for smart homes, with new camera-based automations, reliability improvements and an updated version of the Google Home app. Gemini for Home launched in early access in October 2025, and has replaced Google Assistant on Google's smart home cameras, speakers, doorbells and displays. At I/O 2026, Google expanded its Google Home Gemini built-in program to make it easier for companies to make compatible cameras and speakers. That focus on cameras wasn't a coincidence; the biggest change the company is rolling out now is the ability to use Gemini to create automations triggered by what your cameras see.

Amid ongoing economic anxieties, BLK and other companies are giving away basic essentials to appeal to the public. While Gen Z catches a lot of flack for being single, or even antisocial, there's a brutal economic reality underscoring why some people aren't going out: They simply don't have the disposable income . Dating apps, already struggling to maintain user bases due to enshittification and a lack of quality matches, are contending with this affordability crisis. In a dystopian sign of the times, BLK, the app for Black singles, announced on Wednesday that it is giving away free gas in an attempt to incentivize people to go on dates. As part of the promotion, BLK is providing $500 gas gift cards to 10 people who download the app and tag three friends in the campaign post across its social channels.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG . Are bank text codes enough to protect you? You have a credit freeze; it still isn't enough Turning 65? Month-by-month plan to protect yourself China's AI growth is about'economic and political leverage,' Rep Hinson says Expert warns'red-green-green alliance' helping China gain AI edge AI's impact on jobs, economy debated as youth express growing fears Jury dismisses Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman China does not'innovate,' they'replicate': Former DHS spokeswoman Trump to press Xi to'open up' China as tech CEOs join key summit Kurt CyberGuy Knutsson lays out how to limit what health apps used by insurance companies can track about you, the user.