Virgin Atlantic to cross the pond using 100% SAF, cooking oil
The long haul Virgin commercial Boeing 787 has debuted flying across the Atlantic — from Heathrow to New York — powered purely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Concocted from used cooking oil and plant-based products, the test flight has potential to materially bring down the carbon footprint of flights by up to 70%, according to Holly Boyd-Boland, VP of corporate development at Virgin Atlantic. However some are not as optimistic.
Matt Finch, from the campaign group Transport and Environment, said: “It’s a well-intentioned flight that’s been poorly executed because of a fuel that’s going into the plane. The fuel going in is just simply not sustainable”.
Professor Graham Hutchings of Cardiff University, said: Wwe need to be very clear about the strengths, limitations, and challenges that must be addressed and overcome if we are to scale up the required new technologies in a few short decades.”
Foxconn to invest over $1.5bn to expand India operations
The $1.541 billion investment will go towards fulfilling the Apple supplier’s operational needs, it said, coming a few months after Foxconn did a U-turn on a $19.5bn chipmaking venture in India.
The investment was made through a Foxconn subsidiary, Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development, which has been registered in India’s Maharashtra state since 2015. Foxconn has also announced multiple projects inside India, including a $600 million project in Karnataka state and a $500m factory in Telangana state.
Amazon to roll-out AI business chatbot, Q
Powered by generative AI, Amazon said Q can do things such as synthesise content, streamline day-to-day communications and help employees with tasks. Companies can also connect Q to their own data and systems to get a tailored experience that is more relevant.
The announcement was made in Las Vegas at an annual conference the company hosts for its AWS cloud computing service.
Schools urged to train children on AI from 11-years-old
The British Computer Society (BCS) is urging schools to make AI part of the curriculum from the beginning of Secondary school, rather than wait for pupils to choose computer science at GCSE.
The professional body for computing wants a digital literary qualification to be introduced, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and its practical applications. It added that AI should also become a key part of teacher training.
Julia Adamson MBE, director of education at the institute, said: “Young people need modern digital skills, like understanding how AI chatbots can help them in their life and career.
“But these aren’t covered in the current GCSE, which is highly theoretical. The digital literacy options available need to change immediately, so the UK’s teenagers don’t get left behind.”
