Sber, one of Russia's leaders in new technologies, has announced the launch of its own conversational robot, called "GigaChat," which will be available in test mode by invitation only. According to the company, GigaChat can hold conversations, write text, answer factual questions, write computer code, and create images based on descriptions. Sber CEO Guerman Gref hailed the launch as a breakthrough for the entire vast universe of Russian technology.

While the blue tick was originally used as a tool of authentication to help prevent the spread of fake accounts and misinformation, it is now a symbol of having subscribed to Twitter Blue, a premium service that offers various benefits. There has been controversy over Twitter's decision to remove the blue ticks of those who did not pay the subscription fee, but some high-profile accounts have had their blue ticks reinstated without payment, reportedly at Elon Musk's discretion.

The Franco-Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has won the Polar Music international prize, alongside British founder of Island Records Chris Blackwell and Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The Swedish jury praised Kidjo as one of the best international singer-songwriters. Nicknamed "the African diva," she has already won five Grammys. The Polar Music prizes, worth 600,000 Swedish crowns (around 53,600 euros), will be awarded to the winners at a ceremony in Stockholm on May 23rd.