Latest news with #MicrosoftCopilot
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fears as millions of Britons turn to AI chatbots for mental health support amid spiralling waiting lists
Move over Dr Google, it's Dr ChatGPT 's time to shine. More than 10 million Britons are now using AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot for personal mental health support, new research suggests. The report also found almost of third of adults have already turned to artificial intelligence to to uncover what their health symptoms might indicate. It comes as latest NHS figures, released today, show there were almost 440,000 new referrals for mental health services in England in May, with 2.1million now receiving support. Yet, around five million Britons suffer from anxiety or depression, and some 1.2 million are waiting to see an NHS mental health specialist. Experts have long been divided by the use of AI for mental health support. Smartphone apps designed to support people with anxiety and depression are being rolled out in parts of England, and the software is even being offered to some patients stuck on NHS waiting lists as part of an ongoing trial. But some are alarmed that patients who need proper psychiatric care may resort to the apps instead of getting the help they need. Others fear the lack of human involvement could even exacerbate mental health issues in vulnerable people. According to the report from cybersecurity firm NymVPN, around a fifth of Britons (19 per cent)—equivalent to 10.5 million adults—are now using AI chatbots for mental health therapy. These include ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Three in 10 people (30 per cent) have also entered physical symptoms and medical history into AI chatbots to find out what might be wrong with them. Roughly one in six (18 per cent) are also using the technology for relationship advice, including how to navigate break-ups and tricky situations with their partners, NymVPN said. But almost half of the 1,000 adults surveyed, said they were 'cautious' when it comes to their interactions with AI and the potential privacy risks. A quarter (24 per cent) also admitted they would not trust an AI chatbot on the NHS with their personal information or do the job as well as a human. Harry Halpin, CEO of cybersecurity experts NymVPN, said: 'More people than ever are looking to their GP to provide mental health support, yet budgets for these services are being cut. 'This demand is pushing millions of people to turn to AI to fill in the gaps. 'The likes of ChatGPT and Google Gemini are now so frequently used that they have ventured beyond being a useful tool to being treated as therapists, doctors and relationship coaches.' He added: 'If you are using AI for health and relationship advice, do not give your name or the names of loved ones, give general details and summaries rather than specifics about events, feelings or symptoms. 'Ensure all privacy features are turned on, consider using a VPN to protect your location and do not share accounts. 'Some chatbots, like ChatGPT, allow your conversation history to inform its advice, meaning that you could end up sharing details of your personal life with whoever you share the account with.' Earlier this year in May, the NHS announced it was planning to open a network of 'calm and welcoming' mental health A&Es across England to treat patients who are in crisis. The specialist units will be offer around the clock care to relieve pressure on already overcrowded hospitals and emergency services. Around 250,000 people went to A&E last year due to a mental health crisis - with around a quarter facing a wait of 12 hours or longer. The smartphone app Wysa has also already been made available to thousands of teenagers in West London to help them cope with mental illness. When a user logs on, the app asks how their day is going. If they're feeling anxious, the chatbot guides them through meditation and breathing exercises, for example, to help ease their state of mind with language designed to portray empathy and support. The app is also being used in a £1million trial for patients on the NHS mental health waiting list in North London and Milton Keynes, comparing their wellbeing with other patients on the waiting list without access to the app.
Finextra
3 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
AIB rolls out Microsoft Copilot to 10,000 employees
Irish lender AIB is deploying Microsoft Copilot to provide 100,000 staff with access to enterprise-grade AI tools. 0 The roll out will embed AI into everyday tools like Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint. To extend these capabilities further, AIB's AI Centre of Excellence is also using Copilot Studio to develop tailored AI solutions — for example, enabling teams to synthesise customer insights from complex data sources to support faster, more informed decision-making. In addition, AIB is planning to introduce a secure, AI coding tool for its engineering teams to speed up software development with GitHub Copilot. The bank will also promote peer learning by encouraging the sharing of insights and experiences/ AIB says it will maintain a continuous dialogue with the Financial Services Union on the impact of AI on the workforce. AIB's chief technology officer Graham Fagan, says: 'At AIB, we see responsible AI as having a transformative effect on the experience of our customers and the empowerment of our colleagues. We've been exploring its potential with our employees through collaboration and testing, and now we're scaling it across the organisation to deliver smarter, faster, and more meaningful outcomes for our customers and our people."
Business Journals
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
From disruption to opportunity: Technology trends for manufacturers and distributors
We polled over 500 manufacturing and distribution business leaders to understand the trends, opportunities, and challenges this sector is experiencing today, including technology and tech skills. Citrin Cooperman's 2025 Manufacturing and Distribution Pulse Survey Report reveals important considerations in the adoption and implementation of advanced technologies for strategic advantages. Business impact of present and future technologies Manufacturing and distribution leaders share that the technologies and initiatives with the most business impact over the past three years are artificial intelligence (AI), cyber and data security, and business intelligence (BI), followed by internal systems integration work, external systems integration, and new enterprise resource planning (ERPs) systems. Looking forward, the most mentioned applications of technology and intelligence to remain competitive are 1) improving prediction of supply chain delays/cost changes and 2) gathering and analyzing customer data to better predict their behavior. The AI adoption curve and most common uses today Applying AI tools for business advantage is a work in progress for most and a learning process for all. Adoption rates vary, yet strides are being made. While only 1% do not use AI in their business at all, only a very small percentage, 7%, consider what they have done to date as 'mature adoption.' While the manufacturing and distribution industry overall is exploring and implementing AI, the depth of adoption varies significantly when explored across company size. Mid-sized companies ($10M-$99.9M) are the most active in leveraging AI agents like GitHub, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT for document creation, research, marketing, and client communications, with 43% mid-sized companies reporting such usage. Meanwhile, enterprises in the $250M-$499.9M range show strong emerging adoption, with up to 52% exploring more structured tools like Copilot. Mature AI integration is most prevalent among companies with more than $1B in revenue, where 50% report comprehensive, mature AI adoption. Despite varying levels of maturity, AI is clearly on the radar for many manufacturing and distribution companies across all revenue sizes. Technology workforce skills gap Manufacturing and distribution leaders are clear about the value and purpose of their technology investments and initiatives, though 18% are not fully confident that they have the skilled talent to make the most of advanced technology. In order for companies to stay competitive moving forward, investing in their technology workforce should be top of mind. For more insights into how manufacturing and distribution companies are addressing this gap to keep up with increasingly sophisticated technology, access our report below. The evolving technology landscape presents both significant opportunities and challenges for manufacturing and distribution companies. Business leaders should focus on building a technology roadmap aligned with business objectives, invest in developing their workforce's tech capabilities, and continuously evaluate their systems for improvements. Those that commit to thoughtful planning and talent development will be best positioned to turn emerging technologies into lasting business value. Citrin Cooperman's Manufacturing and Distribution Industry Practice leverages specialized knowledge to provide a full range of professional services and industry insights, helping companies achieve their strategic objectives. Access our 2025 Manufacturing and Distribution Pulse Survey Report for greater insights into current industry issues and solutions successful business leaders are implementing. 'Citrin Cooperman' is the brand name under which Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC and Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, independently owned entities, provide professional services in an alternative practice structure in accordance with applicable professional standards. Ryan Dailey is a partner in Citrin Cooperman's Audit and Attest Practice with over 13 years of experience. He provides a wide variety of accounting and audit services to both public and privately held companies with a focus on the manufacturing and distribution industry.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
From Celeb Style to Closet Staples: How Gen Z Is Using AI to Curate Personal Fashion
Gen Z is turning to AI to remix celebrity looks, personalise everyday style, and make smarter wardrobe choices. For a generation fluent in scrolling, saving, and screenshotting, the next frontier of fashion is digital and increasingly, AI-assisted. Gen Z and millennials are embracing artificial intelligence not just to follow trends, but to refine their personal style, remix their wardrobes, and make more mindful fashion choices. Celebrity fashion remains a key influence. From designer campaigns to off-duty looks, high-profile outfits often serve as starting points for everyday inspiration. But for many young people today, it's less about replication and more about reinterpretation, adapting the vibe of a look into something wearable, practical, and uniquely theirs. That's where AI comes in. AI assistants are helping bridge the gap between inspiration and execution. For instance, a simple prompt to Microsoft Copilot like 'brunch outfit inspired by Alia Bhatt" or 'monochrome airport style, budget under ₹3000" can generate personalised suggestions that match the occasion, price range, and even what the user already owns. One of the most interesting shifts AI is enabling is the discovery of personal style. Rather than chasing the next trend cycle, many are feeding in real wardrobe pieces—say, a white shirt, printed pants, or a pair of Kolhapuri sandals and asking Copilot to suggest fresh outfit combinations. A prompt like 'ways to style my cotton co-ord set for work and dinner" might surface minimalist, boho, and Indo-western looks that feel fresh without requiring a new purchase. For those navigating dress codes at work or college, AI also offers practical value. It can help strike the balance between looking polished and staying true to personal style, suggesting outfit variations that meet professional expectations without feeling generic. That could mean styling a blazer with wide-leg trousers one day and pairing it with a cotton sari the next. These AI-generated remixes are also encouraging people to get more out of what they already own. By offering fresh ways to combine pre-owned pieces, AI tools make it easier to reimagine existing wardrobes for different occasions and moods. And when a new purchase is needed, they can help refine the search—suggesting silhouettes, colours, or styles that work well with what's already in rotation. Microsoft Copilot, for instance, can interpret prompts like '5-day packing list for Goa in the monsoon" or 'Zendaya-inspired festive look using pieces I already have." It can yield outfit ideas, smart layering options, and seasonal styling tips aligned with your needs. The tool's ability to integrate with documents, calendars, and stored images makes it even more intuitive, allowing fashion decisions to be made in the flow of everyday life. This move toward AI-assisted styling reflects a broader Gen Z mindset—one that prioritises self-expression, digital ease, and conscious choices. Celebrity looks may still spark inspiration, but shoppers want to remix, repurpose, and personalise that inspiration in ways that feel authentic. The result? Fashion becomes more expressive, more intentional, and more efficient. AI helps decode trends, personalise them, and make them relevant—not just aesthetically, but practically. And as style becomes less about fitting in and more about standing out, AI is helping a new generation own their look, their way.
Harvard Business Review
5 days ago
- Harvard Business Review
How to Build an AI Assistant for Any Challenge
You might have your teams and organization implementing new AI tools, but how much have you experimented with them yourself? Alexandra Samuel is a tech speaker and journalist, and she says many leaders are still just scratching the surface of AI by using things like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot as supercharged search engines. Instead, she recommends managers at all levels start playing with AI at the next level, building assistants to help in all sorts of functions to not just find efficiencies, but help in decision-making and strategy as well. She explains the ways she uses AI tools for everything from training to project management to coaching and strategic advice – and how you can build your own assistants to do the same. Samuel is the author of the HBR article ' How to Build Your Own AI Assistant.'
