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Dutch startup Lalaland, a pioneer of AI-generated fashion models, has been snapped up by software firm Browzwear for an undisclosed sum. Based at TNW City in Amsterdam, Lalaland quickly made waves — and sparked debate — after launching its customisable, realistic AI avatars in 2019. They’re pitched as a way for brands to save money while showcasing more diversity in their advertisements.  Browzwear, best known for developing 3D design tools that let fashion brands prototype clothes without making physical samples, had previously used Lalaland’s tech. With the acquisition, CEO Greg Hanson says the company is bringing the Lalaland team fully…

UK-based fintech Cleo, known for its AI-powered budgeting app, has launched its most advanced product to date. Dubbed Cleo 3.0, the new version introduces features such as voice interaction, long-term memory, and improved reasoning capabilities. Barney Hussey-Yeo, Cleo’s founder and chief executive, said Cleo 3.0 is less chatbot and more “conversational AI money coach.” Users can now have real-time voice conversations with Cleo, which the company says makes financial help feel more natural and accessible. “Cleo remembers your goals, learns your habits, and delivers personalised financial guidance previously only available to the wealthy,” said Hussey-Yeo, who founded the fintech in…

Proton VPN has become the UK’s most downloaded free app, as Britons rush to bypass a new law requiring users to verify their age before accessing websites hosting adult content.  Proton VPN reported a staggering 1,400% surge in UK sign-ups almost immediately after the Online Safety Act came into effect. It is now Britain’s most downloaded free app, overtaking ChatGPT, according to Apple’s App Store rankings. The Switzerland-based virtual private network (VPN) said in a post on X that the surge in interest has been “sustained.” This contrasts with recent short-term spikes, such as when people in France temporarily lost…

For the first time, a satellite has used onboard AI to autonomously decide where and when to capture a scientific image — all in under 90 seconds, with no human input. The technology, called Dynamic Targeting, was tested by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) earlier this month. It was installed aboard a briefcase-sized satellite built and operated by UK-based startup Open Cosmos, and carried a machine learning processor developed by Dublin-based firm Ubotica.   In the test, the satellite tilted forward to scan 500km ahead of its orbit and snapped a preview image. Ubotica’s AI quickly analysed the scene to check…

Swiss startup Jua has launched an AI weather model it says outperforms leading systems from tech giants — potentially making it the most accurate forecaster in the world. Jua claims its model — dubbed EPT-2 — is faster and more accurate than both Microsoft’s Aurora and Google DeepMind’s Graphcast. In separate, peer-reviewed studies, both of those models were shown to be more accurate than the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)’s ENS forecast, widely regarded as the world leader. Jua backs up its bold claims with a new report, published today, that puts EPT-2 head-to-head with top-tier models — including…

Swedish AI startup Lovable says it has surpassed $100mn in annual recurring revenue (ARR) just eight months after launch. This makes it the fastest-ever software company to reach the milestone — eclipsing the historically rapid growth rates of companies such as Cursor and Wiz.  Lovable’s rise stems from the popularity of its generative AI platform. The system allows non-technical users to build apps or websites based on simple text prompts.  The platform is the brainchild of Anton Osika, who co-founded Lovable in 2023. “I decided what we needed to do is build for the 99% who do not create software,” he…

Spotify has been hit with another AI controversy after publishing computer-generated songs under the names of dead musicians. An investigation by 404 Media found that Spotify is releasing AI-generated songs on the pages of deceased artists — without approval from their estates or labels.  One such track, “Together,” recently appeared on the official page of Blake Foley, a country singer who was murdered in 1989. The song sounds vaguely similar to Foley’s style, but the accompanying image features a blonde, young man who looks nothing like him.  404 Media linked the track to a company account called Syntax Error, which…

As we move into the second half of 2025, the global tech ecosystem is navigating a heady mix of unpredictability and promise. Funding into newer tech firms remains complex, with Startup Genome reporting that while the Beijing, Los Angeles and Tokyo startup landscapes are seeing YoY growth, Paris is flat and the rest of the European ecosystem is in decline. Meanwhile, the technology landscape continues to evolve at an accelerating pace. As Deloitte’s 2025 Tech Trends report states: “technology optimisation and transformation have never been more important as innovation continues to fuel innovation.” This is creating a landscape where large…

Funding focus is a new series analysing cash flow into the European tech ecosystem. Last week, we looked at the largest investment rounds in fusion energy this year, and now we’re honing in on Europe’s booming defence tech arena.  Europe’s defence tech startups secured $971mn in funding in the first half of this year, as VCs look to capitalise on the continent’s push to rearm amid heightened geopolitical tensions.  Funding in H1 2025 has already shot past the whole of 2024 — the previous record year — which saw defence startups raise $605mn, according to Dealroom data. German startups led the…

The UK has just launched its most advanced supercomputer — the 11th most powerful in the world.  Isambard-AI, hosted at the University of Bristol, officially went live this week. The machine was built by Hewlett-Packard Enterprises (HPE) using its Cray EX architecture and fitted with over 5400 NVIDIA Grace Hopper superchips.  Its raw computing power is measured at 216.5 petaflops, with a peak theoretical performance of 278.6 petaflops. For the uninitiated, one petaflop is equal to 1 quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000) calculations per second. The system is more than 10x faster than the UK’s next-fastest supercomputer — the Njoerd supercluster in London.…