TECHSWU

Fashion powerhouse H&M is taking bold steps into the digital realm by planning to create AI clones of its human models. Set to unveil 30 “digital twins” this year, the brand aims to explore innovative uses for these virtual avatars, while promising that models will retain rights to their digital likeness and be compensated for its use.

However, the initiative has sparked backlash from industry insiders, with concerns about the implications for job security among fashion workers and the need for robust protections against the pitfalls of AI usage. Labor advocates argue that without proper consent and compensation frameworks, this trend could jeopardize not just models, but also makeup artists, stylists, and other creatives.

As other brands like Levi’s and Mango experiment with AI in fashion, H&M's move raises pivotal questions about the balance between innovation and the livelihoods of real people in the industry.

As of April 1, 2025, Docker Hub has implemented new download limits that could significantly impact developers relying on container images. Unauthenticated users and those on the free Personal tier are now restricted to just 10 image pulls per hour, while registered Personal users can access 100 pulls.

Paying customers enjoy unlimited pulls, but this change raises concerns for automated systems, like those used in CI/CD pipelines, which often pull from Docker Hub multiple times and can exhaust these limits quickly.

Docker's move to enforce rate limits comes as part of its struggle to monetize the service effectively, highlighting the tension between open-source ideals and the financial realities of hosting resources.

While Docker claims only about 7% of users will be affected, it’s essential for development teams to adapt their workflows to avoid disruptions in their software building processes.

Exciting advancements are on the horizon for dementia care with the launch of the TEDI Network Plus, driven by a £1.6 million investment in Newcastle.

Spearheaded by Professor Dame Louise Robinson at Newcastle University, this initiative aims to harness the power of technology to enhance the lives of those living with dementia. The project will focus on identifying gaps in current support systems, developing innovative tech solutions through collaboration, and improving access to assistive technology in community hubs.

With the North East and North Cumbria region experiencing some of the highest dementia rates in England, TEDI is perfectly positioned to lead the charge in transforming dementia care. The goal? To empower individuals and their families to maintain independence, bridging the digital divide and improving quality of life through cutting-edge innovations.

This dynamic approach promises a brighter future for dementia support.

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Google has just launched Gemini 2.5, its most advanced AI tool yet, providing users with a powerhouse of capabilities right when the competition is heating up! As OpenAI faces server overloads due to demand for its new animation feature, Google swoops in with exciting updates.

Gemini 2.5 isn't just an upgrade; it's designed to understand context in lengthy conversations, much like a human would.

This new model excels in analyzing data, programming, and even crafting poems or stories, while also minimizing the pesky issue of "hallucinations"—the tendency of AI to generate incorrect information. As tech enthusiasts and creators eagerly explore these advancements, Gemini 2.

5 promises a more engaging and reliable conversational experience, signaling a thrilling new chapter in AI innovation.

Introducing the Razer Skibidi, an innovative AI headset that’s here to bridge the generational communication gap! Unveiled on April Fool's Day, this unique device translates the perplexing jargon of Gen Alpha into plain English (and vice versa), making it easier for parents to chat with their tech-savvy offspring. Powered by the advanced Razer AI Gamer Copilot, the Skibidi boasts 1,337 unique Natural Language Processing algorithms to decode the whims of internet culture.

With text-to-text and speech-to-speech capabilities, it's designed for everyone—from Twitch streamers to gamers navigating in-game chats. The Skibidi doesn't just look cool; it evolves the way we interact, turning hilariously confusing "brainrot" into understandable dialogue.

WhatsApp just made sharing your favorite tunes easier and more fun! With a fresh new feature, users can now add music to their status updates, whether it's a text, photo, or video. Choose a catchy tune from a massive library and enhance your posts with up to 60 seconds of music for videos and 15 seconds for photos.

The feature is simple to use: just navigate to the Updates section, select your media, tap the music icon, and pick your favorite song. After that, publish your status for 24 hours of musical flair! While your creative updates can be personalized with any song from millions of choices, rest assured that your privacy is protected with end-to-end encryption.

Lightmatter, a Silicon Valley startup valued at $4.4 billion, has just unveiled groundbreaking photonics technology designed to enhance communication between AI chips.

Unlike traditional electrical signals, their innovative approach utilizes light through silicon photonics, promising faster data transfer and improved performance for AI applications like chatbots and image generators. With a significant $850 million raised in venture funding, the company is taking strides in an evolving tech landscape.



Their two new products—a chiplet and an interposer—will bridge AI chips with surrounding components, increasing efficiency. Set to launch in 2025 and 2026, respectively, these developments are capturing attention as major players like Nvidia and AMD explore similar optical technologies.

As the demand for robust AI capabilities grows, Lightmatter's pioneering solutions could well pave the way for the future of AI chip technology.