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Amplifier with 10-fold bandwidth opens up for super lasers

Rapidly increasing data traffic is placing ever greater demands on the capacity of communication systems. In an article titled “Ultra-broadband optical amplification using nonlinear integrated waveguides” published in Nature, a research team from Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, introduce a new amplifier that enables the transmission of 10 times more data per second than those of current fiber-optic systems.

This amplifier, which fits on a small chip, holds significant potential for various critical laser systems, including those used in medical diagnostics and treatment.

The advancement of AI technology, the growing popularity of streaming services, and the proliferation of new smart devices are among the factors driving the expected doubling of data traffic by 2030. This surge is heightening the demand for communication systems capable of managing vast amounts of information.

AI could revolutionize early skin cancer detection, treatment

Health care providers can use small devices to hover over moles or lesions and immediately check for common skin cancers, such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.

The most significant benefit is that health care professionals who do not specialize in dermatology could perform these checks during a routine visit, making early detection easier and quicker.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans expected to be affected in their lifetime, according to the City of Hope Cancer Center.

Recognizing rare microorganisms with an AI-based tool

Identifying rare microorganisms in microbiome data just got easier. A team of researchers from Portugal and Canada has developed a new tool that uses machine learning to automatically detect rare biosphere in ecological datasets.

The aim is to quickly, autonomously and unsupervisedly identify rare microorganisms in microbiome datasets. This new tool, named ulrb, responds to a long-standing challenge in : distinguishing rare microorganisms from the most abundant in natural environments.

The new methodology and the new ulrb software have now been published in the study “Definition of the microbial rare biosphere through unsupervised machine learning” in the journal Communications Biology.

Tiny, soft robot flexes its potential as a lifesaver

A tiny, soft, flexible robot that can crawl through earthquake rubble to find trapped victims or travel inside the human body to deliver medicine may seem like science fiction, but an international team led by researchers at Penn State are pioneering such adaptable robots by integrating flexible electronics with magnetically controlled motion.

The 2025 AI Index Report

At Stanford HAI, we believe AI is poised to be the most transformative technology of the 21st century. But its benefits won’t be evenly distributed unless we guide its development thoughtfully. The AI Index offers one of the most comprehensive, data-driven views of artificial intelligence. Recognized as a trusted resource by global media, governments, and leading companies, the AI Index equips policymakers, business leaders, and the public with rigorous, objective insights into AI’s technical progress, economic influence, and societal impact.