TechCapsules

OpenAI has intensified its recruitment of mathematicians, appointing several leading researchers to advisory roles as the company pushes forward with increasingly sophisticated AI models. The move has sparked unease within the academic community, where scholars fear that corporate‑driven research may sideline traditional mathematical inquiry and reshape research priorities. According to a recent interview with one of the newly appointed advisors, OpenAI’s rapid deployment of large‑scale language and reasoning systems is generating results that could “upend” established work [...]

UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health has partnered with Bristol start‑up Siloton to adapt the company’s quantum‑enabled OCT device for paediatric use. The NIHR‑funded project will modify Siloton’s compact Akepa system—adjusting lenses and casing—to fit children’s eyes and faces, enabling safe, high‑resolution imaging outside hospitals. The goal is to allow community or home monitoring of sight‑threatening conditions, reducing clinic visits and improving early detection and treatment for young patients. [...]

Microsoft Teams will discontinue the Copilot chat list shortcut effective next month, a change announced by Microsoft’s product team. The shortcut, which allowed users to quickly access AI‑powered chat summaries, was part of the broader Copilot integration aimed at boosting productivity. The removal follows user feedback indicating limited adoption and a shift toward more streamlined AI features within the Teams interface. Microsoft will replace the shortcut with alternative navigation options in upcoming updates, maintaining Copilot’s core functionality. [...]

Hyderabad‑based TakeMe2Space plans to launch India’s first orbital data centre mission in 2028 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The company will deploy two 100‑kg MOI satellites under a rideshare with RIDE! Space, forming the initial nodes of a six‑satellite constellation that will provide networked computing in orbit. Each satellite will carry 10 Nvidia Thor GPUs, 100 TB of storage, and optical inter‑satellite links, enabling workload sharing and data processing close to the source. The launch, part of the Waymaker 2 mission, [...]

Tesla quietly doubled its Cybercab Robotaxi fleet in Austin, Texas, from 58 to 125 units over a weekend, marking the largest expansion of the company’s autonomous ride‑sharing service. The fleet, launched in early September, operates without steering wheels or pedals and relies entirely on Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving software. The increase follows high demand and long wait times, and Tesla plans to roll out Cybercabs to additional U.S. cities in the coming months, signaling confidence in its autonomous [...]

In 2026, African start‑ups collectively secured over $2 billion in venture funding, surpassing the 2024 milestone by several months. The achievement reflects a surge in investor confidence across the continent, with notable contributions from tech, fintech, and health‑tech sectors. The total funding includes both local and international investors, underscoring the growing appeal of African innovation hubs. This milestone signals a maturation of the African venture ecosystem and positions the region as a competitive player in global startup markets.

Caviar has released a limited‑edition Liquid Metal iPhone Duo, a foldable Apple device entirely crafted from sterling silver and priced at up to $21,340 (£16,084.49). Only 17 units will be produced worldwide, with four storage options ranging from 256 GB to 2 TB. The design emphasizes fluid sculptural lines and a mirror finish, aiming to transform the phone into a seamless metallic composition. Caviar also offers luxury variants of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, including an 18K gold [...]

A U.S. jury awarded Taction Technology $5.7 billion for infringing its Taptic Engine patents, used in Apple’s iPhone and Apple Watch. The verdict, announced Friday, triggers a potential $1.4 billion payout to litigation funder Burford Capital, which disclosed its financial stake. Burford’s shares rose 9.41 % in London, boosting its market cap to £659.9 million ($875 million). Apple plans to appeal, while Taction celebrates the ruling as vindication of its patent rights.