Tech

Paralysed man with severed spice walks again

Published

4 years ago

February 8, 2022

ticker NEWS

It’s a world-first: A paralysed man, Michel Roccati, with a severed spinal cord has taken his first steps in years

In 2017 Roccati became paralysed after a serious motorcycle accident which caused him to lose all feeling in his legs.

It wasn’t until Swiss researchers, neuroscientist Prof Grégoire Courtine and neurosurgeon Prof Jocelyne Bloch, developed an electric implant that was surgically attached to the patient’s spine which allowed him to walk again.

It’s the first time someone with a complete cut to their spinal cord has regained their ability to walk.

“This is a monumentally huge step forward,”
says Dr Ronaldo Ichiyama at the University of Leeds, UK.

Alongside Roccati, the electrical implant has helped two other patients according to the research team, which has sparked hope for paralysed people to gain back their independence.

Even though this is a major advance in technology, Dr Ichiyama says this needs to be seen in more people before everyone gets “too excited”.

The gift of technology

Michel Roccati called the technology a “gift” and now utilises the implanted device for up to two hours a day to go on walks by himself.

The range of simulation programs also allows him to also stand, cycle and swim.

But researchers are emphasising that it isn’t a cure for a spinal injury and is still too complex for everyday life. It is expected that the technology will continue to be developed and strengthened.

Written by Savannah Pocock

Tech

AI stocks surge amid market shifts and spending warnings

AI sector drives economic growth; Meta adjusts strategy, Palantir’s valuation sparks questions, and Nvidia leads amid rising competition.

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2025

Harvey Vargas

AI sector drives economic growth; Meta adjusts strategy, Palantir’s valuation sparks questions, and Nvidia leads amid rising competition.

The artificial intelligence sector continues to be a major driver of growth for both the U.S. and global economies. Companies at the forefront of AI innovation are influencing market trends and reshaping industries worldwide.

Meta’s stock has rebounded slightly following reports of potential cost-cutting measures and job reductions in its Reality Labs division. Investors are watching closely as the company adjusts its strategy to manage rising expenses and optimize innovation.

Palantir is trading at over 120 times forward sales and 180 times forward earnings, signaling investor confidence but also raising questions about valuation risks. Meanwhile, Nvidia maintains a market cap of $4.2 trillion as a leading AI chip supplier, yet competition is ramping up.

These moves highlight the growing tension between tech giants’ AI ambitions and the practical need to balance profits with heavy R&D spending.

Some analysts, however, warn that rapid growth may not be sustainable, with current levels of AI-related spending potentially overshooting realistic returns.

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Tech

AI investments set to surge in 2026 as companies target productivity gains

Analysts forecast $500 billion AI investment by 2026, transforming corporate spending priorities and enhancing economic productivity.

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Analysts forecast $500 billion AI investment by 2026, transforming corporate spending priorities and enhancing economic productivity.

Analysts predict that artificial intelligence companies could invest over $500 billion in 2026, signaling a major shift in corporate spending priorities. This surge in capital allocation comes as businesses look to harness AI to drive growth and efficiency across multiple sectors.

Following strong third-quarter earnings, overall capital spending estimates for 2026 have been revised upward. However, investors are becoming more selective, focusing on companies that can clearly demonstrate revenue benefits from their AI investments, separating hype from tangible results.

AI adoption is expected to boost economic productivity, with significant investment already flowing into AI infrastructure such as semiconductors and data centres. The coming year could redefine how companies leverage technology to gain a competitive edge.

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Tech

Airbus A320 fleet faces software upgrade due to risk

Airbus alerts A320 operators to urgent software fix after JetBlue incident raises safety concerns

Published

3 weeks ago

November 29, 2025

Ahron Young

Airbus alerts A320 operators to urgent software fix after JetBlue incident raises safety concerns

In Short:
– Airbus warns over half of A320 fleet needs software fixes due to potential data corruption risks.
– Affected airlines must complete upgrades before next flights, with operational disruptions anticipated during a busy travel season.

Airbus has issued a warning regarding its A320 fleet, indicating that over half of the active jets will require a software fix.

It follows a recent incident involving a JetBlue Airways aircraft, where “intense solar radiation” was found to potentially corrupt data crucial for flight control system operation.

The European plane manufacturer stated that around 6,500 jets may be affected. A regulation mandates that the software upgrade must occur before the next scheduled flight.

Operational disruptions for both passengers and airlines are anticipated. The issue arose from an incident on October 30, where a JetBlue flight experienced a computer malfunction that resulted in an uncommanded descent. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but the malfunction of an automated computer system was identified as a contributing factor.

Airlines, including American Airlines Group, have begun to implement the required upgrades.

The majority of affected jets can receive an uncomplicated software update, although around 1,000 older models will necessitate an actual hardware upgrade, requiring grounding during maintenance.

Hungarian airline Wizz Air has also initiated necessary maintenance for compliance, potentially affecting flights. This announcement has surfaced during a busy travel season in the US, with many facing delays due to other factors as well.

Regulatory Response

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has mandated that A320 operators replace or modify specific elevator-aileron computers. The directive follows the JetBlue incident, where a malfunction led to a temporary loss of altitude.

Airbus’s fix applies to both the A320 and A320neo models, representing a vital response in ensuring aircraft safety.