US government launches new AI cybersecurity challenge and other tech stories to read

The Biden-Harris Administration in the United States has launched a new two-year competition that aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help protect some of the country's most important software.

The 'AI Cyber Challenge' will bring together competitors from across the country to look at how software vulnerability, in areas from critical infrastructure to the code that runs the internet, can be identified and fixed using AI.

Several leading tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, will work with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on the competition, which will offer nearly $20 million in prizes.

The Administration hopes the competition will showcase AI as a force for good and demonstrate its potential to tackle critical challenges.

The Financial Times (paywall) reports that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are buying thousands of Nvidia computer chips to support their artificial intelligence ambitions.

According to the FT, Saudi Arabia has purchased at least 3,000 of the company's H100 chips.

It comes amid a global push to secure hardware, like chips, that is vital for the development of artificial intelligence technologies. American tech firms, like Google and Microsoft, are major global buyers of Nvidia chips.

The H100 chip was described by Nvidia's President, Jensen Huang, as 'the world's first computer [chip] designed for generative AI.'

Californian firefighters are using AI to help spot wildfires. The system feeds video from more than 1,000 cameras across the state to the technology, which then directs first responders.

The United States has said more than 460 companies have expressed their interest in government funding for semiconductors in an effort to boost the country's competitiveness in the space. Applications opened in June for the $39 billion subsidy programme.

IBM is working on new technology to make AI more energy efficient. It's developing a prototype chip that has components that connect in a similar way to the human brain.

The US government has announced new funding for direct air capture technology, with $1.2 billion made available for two projects in Texas and Louisiana.

How is Glasgow becoming a digitally-inclusive city? It aims to bridge the gap between those who have access to technology and those who don't.

Artificial intelligence is having an impact on industries across the world, but how will it affect jobs? Here are 3 ways it's set to change the world of work.

As well as the US government's new challenge, artificial intelligence is already being used to boost our understanding of the human lung.