Daily Tech: Robotics office, CRISP pig organ, BABA AI and Uranium Battery charge

FutureGate | March 28 2025

U.S. Robotics Firms Call for National AI Strategy

Leading U.S. robotics companies are urging lawmakers to establish a dedicated federal office and a comprehensive national AI strategy to compete with China’s advancements in automation and artificial intelligence. Industry leaders argue that without coordinated federal support, the U.S. risks falling behind in the global AI race, particularly in the development of autonomous systems and industrial robotics.

China Pushes Boundaries with CRISPR-Edited Organ Transplants

Chinese scientists have successfully transplanted a CRISPR gene-edited pig liver into a brain-dead patient, keeping the organ functioning for 10 days. This breakthrough marks a major step in xenotransplantation, potentially addressing global organ shortages. The procedure, carried out in a Beijing hospital, demonstrates China’s rapid advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology, positioning the country as a leader in cutting-edge medical research.

Alibaba Introduces Qwen2.5-Omni-7B for On-Device AI

Alibaba has unveiled Qwen2.5-Omni-7B, a new multimodal AI model capable of processing text, images, audio, and video simultaneously. Unlike previous AI models that require cloud computing power, Qwen2.5-Omni-7B is optimized for consumer hardware, making it possible to run sophisticated AI applications directly on smartphones and other personal devices. This development strengthens Alibaba’s position in AI innovation and could accelerate the adoption of advanced AI assistants across the Chinese market.

Japan Develops First Uranium-Based Rechargeable Battery

In a pioneering move, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency has developed the world’s first uranium-based rechargeable battery. This new technology could offer significant advantages in energy storage and power efficiency, particularly for long-duration applications such as space missions and deep-sea exploration. While still in the early stages, uranium-based batteries have the potential to revolutionize energy storage by offering higher energy density and longer lifespans compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.