This week’s stories are about tech and AI, coming Korea, UK and USA

Almost a third of American teens interact with AI chatbots everyday

Nearly a third of U.S. teenagers say they use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots every day, according to a new Pew Research Center study. It highlights the rapid adoption of a technology that has also prompted concerns about youth mental health and exposure to inappropriate content.

I saw this story at CNN and the survey found that nearly 70% of teens in the United States have used an AI chatbot at least once. Among daily users, 16% said they interact with chatbots several times a day or almost constantly.

While AI chatbots are often marketed as tools for learning and schoolwork, some teens also use them for companionship or romantic interaction, raising questions among experts about whether such use is appropriate. Critics warn that reliance on chatbots, even for educational purposes, could hinder social or emotional development.

Pew surveyed about 1,500 teens ages 13 to 17, with the sample designed to reflect national diversity in gender, age, race and ethnicity, and household income.

ChatGPT was the most widely used chatbot, with more than half of respondents saying they had used it. Other commonly used platforms included Google’s Gemini, Meta AI, Microsoft’s Copilot, Character.AI and Anthropic’s Claude.

Usage rates were similar among girls and boys, at 64% and 63%, respectively. Older teens were more likely to report using chatbots, with 68% of those ages 15 to 17 saying they had done so, compared with 57% of teens ages 13 to 14. Use also rose slightly with household income.

Nearly 70% of Black and Hispanic teens reported having used an AI chatbot, compared with 58% of White teens, the study found.

Online safety advocates have urged caution. Common Sense Media has advised parents not to allow children under 18 to use companion-style AI chatbots, calling them an “unacceptable risk” for young people.

Almost a third of American teens interact with AI chatbots everyday (Image: ChatGPT)

Google DeepMind reveals its first ‘automated research lab’ in the UK

Google DeepMind announced plans to open its first automated research laboratory in the UK, marking a new partnership that could see the company deploy its latest artificial intelligence (AI) models in the country.

The lab, scheduled to open next year, will use AI systems and robotics to conduct experiments autonomously. This is the official announcement of the company and its initial focus will be on developing new superconductor materials, with potential applications in medical imaging, as well as advanced materials for semiconductors.

Under the partnership, British scientists will receive priority access to some of the world’s most advanced AI tools, the U.K. government said.

The agreement could also expand DeepMind’s collaboration with the British government into areas such as nuclear fusion research and the deployment of its Gemini AI models across government services and the education system, officials said. (By the way I have a story here about Google Cloud)

Hassabis said AI has the potential to usher in a new era of scientific discovery and improve daily life. He added that DeepMind looks forward to deepening its collaboration with the U.K. government and building on the country’s long-standing tradition of innovation.

The announcement comes as Britain moves aggressively to expand its AI capabilities following the release of a national AI strategy in January. The government has been seeking partnerships with major technology firms to boost infrastructure and public-sector adoption of the technology.

In September, Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI said they plan to invest more than $40 billion in new AI infrastructure in the U.K., an announcement made during a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Google DeepMind reveals its first ‘automated research lab’ in the UK

Korea announces $100 billion fund to support high-tech industries

Korea launched a 150 trillion-won ($102 billion) public-private fund aimed at boosting investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and other high-tech industries as the country looks to cultivate new engines of economic growth.

The Financial Services Commission said the fund, one of President Lee Jae Myung’s flagship economic initiatives, will be used over the next five years to accelerate the adoption of AI and direct capital into strategic sectors. I read this story at Korea Herald and those include semiconductors, secondary batteries, biotechnology, energy, hydrogen, defense, vaccines and robotics.

Known as the Public Growth Fund, the initiative combines a 75 trillion-won government-guaranteed fund focused on strategic industries with an additional 75 trillion won in private-sector investment. Financing will include direct and indirect investments, government-backed bonds and low-interest loan programs.

FSC Chairman Lee Eog-weon said the government, financial institutions and industry will work together to shape the fund’s strategy and help generate new sources of growth for the economy.

An investment strategy committee made up of government officials and industry experts will determine how the fund is allocated among priority and core industries, the FSC said.

Of the total funding, about 30 trillion won is set aside for AI-related sectors. The plan earmarks 20.9 trillion won for semiconductors, 15.4 trillion won for the mobility industry, 11.6 trillion won for biotechnology and 7.9 trillion won for batteries.

The FSC said it has received about 100 investment proposals from local governments, businesses and other groups seeking funding for their projects.

Final decisions on fund management and investment projects for next year will be made following additional discussions, the regulator said.

Korea announces $100 billion fund to support high-tech industries (Photo: Korea Herald)