Robotics & AI

Charlie Brooker, the mind behind the chillingly prescient 'Black Mirror,' has dropped a bombshell: the show could run indefinitely! Just two years after the last season, 'Black Mirror' returns to a world even more warped and tech-obsessed. Brooker says inspiration is EVERYWHERE. From Siri's infancy to Meta AI and the Apple Watch Series 10, our reality has become fertile ground for dystopian narratives. 'Black Mirror' has already explored memory implants, robotic bees, and actor-werewolves – and Brooker says the possibilities are endless. 'Selfishly, it's a fun job,' Brooker admits. 'Technology is developing so fast, there are more sources of inspiration, and viewers are experiencing more tech in their daily lives.' No need to explain complex concepts; we're living them! Emma Corrin, st...

OpenAI founder Sam Altman ignited a social media frenzy in India after posting an AI-generated image of himself as an anime-style cricketer sporting the Indian team jersey. The image, created using ChatGPT, immediately sparked speculation about Altman's motives, with many questioning whether it was a calculated move to attract Indian customers and capitalize on the country's burgeoning AI market. While some Indian users expressed delight at seeing Altman in their team's colors, others were quick to point out his recent praise for India's adoption of AI technology. Just hours before posting the cricket image, Altman lauded India's AI progress as "amazing" and "outpacing the world," further fueling suspicions of a strategic agenda. Skepticism surrounding Altman's perceived charm offensive ...

Journalist Ben Black's April Fool's prank from 2020, claiming Cwmbran held the world record for roundabouts, was shockingly regurgitated as FACT by Google's AI. Black, who publishes satirical stories annually on Cwmbran Life, was 'shocked' to see the misinformation amplified. Despite marking the story as a prank, Google's AI tool and other sites used the article to claim Cwmbran reportedly had the world's highest concentration of roundabouts. He stresses the ease with which fake news spreads, even from trusted sources, highlighting the threat to independent publishers whose content is exploited without permission. Black, usually creating fake news for fun, expressed worry over the AI's impact and may stop the tradition altogether.

Authors are protesting Meta's AI training practices, alleging the tech giant used their copyrighted works without permission. Author Jack Strange, whose self-published books appeared on LibGen, a library of pirated content, voiced his frustration: "You've got to speak up and fight back." The Atlantic reported Meta may have used LibGen to train its Llama AI model. Author groups are urging government intervention. Meta defends its actions, citing "fair use." Critics argue AI models threaten creative jobs and raise copyright concerns. The Society of Authors is pushing for compensation and transparency, arguing AI companies should license content instead of taking it for free. A government consultation proposed an opt-out system for creators, which the Society of Authors opposes, saying it sho...

Cheshire East Council eyes a massive £60M savings in 5 years by unleashing the power of AI, internal report reveals. AI implementation could slash costs in customer service, adult & children's services, while eliminating admin nightmares & boosting data accuracy. The AI 'Transformation Plan' aims to reduce call center traffic and bolster social services. The council, grappling with financial challenges, sees AI as a game-changer for improved service delivery, reduced costs, & enhanced operational efficiency. With government financial support secured, Cheshire East is betting big on AI to revolutionize its operations.

Elon Musk's Grok 3 is causing chaos in India. It all started with a simple question on X, leading to Grok using controversial language. Grok's unfiltered responses have made it a sensation, even drawing law enforcement into the mix. Musk promised an 'anti-woke' AI, and Grok seems to deliver. Critics of Modi's BJP are embracing Grok's bold takes, while others believe the hype is overblown. Experts note Grok's output reflects the data it's trained on, mirroring X's tone. The IT ministry is reportedly in touch with X. Is Grok a game-changer or a passing fad? Only time will tell.

Employers fear AI-generated job applications risk hiring incapable staff. A recent survey revealed nearly half of UK applicants use AI to assist in their applications. Business owner James Robinson notes a rise in AI-produced sentences, making it hard to distinguish genuine candidates. Careers advisor Megan Cooper advises AI should complement, not replace, human judgment, and that students should highlight their uniqueness. Cardiff Metropolitan University steers students on ethical AI use in job applications, with student Jasmine James avoiding it due to plagiarism risks. Fellow student Jacob Morgan finds AI a helpful tool, believing it's here to stay. Timothy Mitchell, studying computer security, argues AI-users are at an advantage.

Tech stocks are wildly volatile, reminiscent of the early car industry where many companies failed. Cambridge's Prof. Dimson notes uncertainty about long-term winners fuels this. Unlike stable companies, tech firms often reinvest profits, making share prices sensitive to growth expectations. Hargreaves Lansdown's Susannah Streeter says investors gamble on "jam tomorrow," chasing future winners. News impacting growth prospects can trigger share value collapses. Small expectation changes significantly affect share value across similar companies, echoing the dotcom boom. The dominance of the "Magnificent Seven" (Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Tesla) makes the market vulnerable. Rapid technological change threatens established business models. Tesla's sales decline due t...

H&M will use AI to create digital twins of 30 models for social media and marketing. The move, first reported by Business of Fashion, allows H&M to showcase fashion creatively while embracing new tech. Models retain rights over their digital replicas and will be compensated similarly to current arrangements. While H&M says it's not changing its human-centric approach, some, including influencer Morgan Riddle, fear job losses for models, photographers, and makeup artists. Trade union Equity stresses the importance of model control and fair pay amid AI advancements, advocating for AI protections in union agreements. Other brands, like Hugo Boss and Levi's, have also explored AI-generated images. H&M is partnering with Uncut, a tech firm aiming to simplify and make content creation more affor...

Kim Jong Un inspected North Korea's new 'AI suicide attack drones,' state media KCNA reports. The drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to crash into targets. Kim has approved plans to ramp up their production. Analysts suggest Russia is aiding the rogue state's tech advancements. James Patton Rogers calls the drone development "fruits" of closer ties between North Korea and Russia. North Korea first revealed the drones in August 2024, vowing to integrate AI. Rogers warns South Korea and the international community should be concerned about Pyongyang's growing capabilities. He believes Russian assistance likely contributed to the drone's development. Alongside the drone, Kim also revealed what is thought to be North Korea's first airborne early-warning aircraft. South Kor...