This week’s list of top data news highlights covers April 26, 2025 to May 5, 2025 and includes articles on a new algorithm to improve hearing aids in crowded areas and uncovering ancient geoglyphs.
CambridgeHOK, a horticulture engineering company based in England, has created CropCam, a robot that moves through indoor farms where crops are grown in stacked layers under artificial lights. The robot uses cameras and sensors to take pictures of the plants, and then an AI system analyzes the images to extract data on crop type, size, and overall health determining if crops are meeting growth benchmarks or if farmers need to intervene. This helps farmers improve their productivity while reducing waste, pests, and other risks.
The city of Philadelphia has launched two open-data tools—a Wi-Fi finder and a broadband dashboard—to help expand free Internet access citywide. Built with support from Verizon, the tools combine public data on city-owned sites, connectivity gaps, and Verizon’s network rollout to show residents where to find free Wi-Fi and help officials plan future broadband investments in underserved areas.
Coder’s Cafe, a tech company based in India, has developed a solar-powered buoy to monitor water quality at shrimp farms. Using built-in sensors, it tracks key indicators like pH, turbidity, and oxygen levels, then sends real-time updates to a dashboard via cellular networks. Its 3D-printed design makes it durable and easy to deploy in remote areas. By giving farmers early warnings of harmful changes, the system helps reduce shrimp stress and mortality, boosting overall yield.
Doppel, a San Francisco based tech startup, has developed AI agents that detect and disrupt social engineering scams by scanning 100 million phishing threats daily across the Internet, dark web, and social media. Using a “threat graph” to map fraudulent networks, Doppel flags and reports fake ads, cloned websites, and impersonation accounts with 90 percent accuracy. The system has helped clients like Notion and United Airlines dramatically reduce attacks.
Danish startup Teton has created an AI system that builds a “digital twin” of hospital rooms using real-time data from cameras and sensors. It monitors patient posture, breathing, and movement, and alerts nurses through an app if it detects signs of distress or other risks. The tool runs entirely on-site to protect privacy and has reduced night shift workloads by 25 percent in early hospital trials.
6. Uncovering Ancient Geoglyphs
Researchers from Yamagata University in Japan and IBM used AI to identify 303 new Nazca Lines—ancient giant shapes etched into Peru’s desert over 2,000 years ago. The AI system helped spot faded or overlooked figures in satellite and drone images. While the purpose of the shapes is still debated, many believe they were used in ritual paths to connect with gods.
A senior living facility in Omaha, Nebraska, is using virtual reality from U.S.-based company Rendever to help residents reconnect with personal memories and reduce feelings of isolation. The platform allows users to revisit meaningful places, like former homes or travel destinations, and share stories with others. It also offers immersive experiences, such as flying in a hot air balloon or swimming with turtles, promoting emotional well-being and cognitive stimulation.
8. Boosting Hearing in Noisy Environments
Researchers at Boston University have developed BOSSA, a new hearing aid algorithm that mimics the brain’s natural ability to filter sound. By using spatial cues to separate speech from background noise, BOSSA improves word recognition by up to 40 percent in loud settings like restaurants or parties, offering a major advance for people who struggle to hear in crowded environments.
9. Detecting Hidden Submarines
Scientists at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation have developed a drone-mounted quantum sensor that detects hidden submarines by measuring tiny disruptions in Earth’s magnetic field. Traditional magnetic sensors often fail near the equator because Earth’s magnetic lines run parallel to the surface, creating blind spots. This new system overcomes that by using quantum effects in rubidium atoms to sense magnetic changes in any direction.
Hawk-Eye Innovations, a UK-based sports tech firm owned by Sony, has rolled out a computer vision system now used across NBA arenas to support officiating. The system combines high-speed cameras with AI to track player and ball movement in 3D, delivering frame-by-frame analysis for reviewing crucial plays. By enhancing the precision of in-game decisions, it’s helping reduce human error and improve fairness in high-pressure moments.
