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Milton Keynes robots could expand as UK plans micromobility regulations
Delivery robots operated by Starship Technologies are becoming common in Milton Keynes and other UK cities. Upcoming legislation may allow wider use of these autonomous delivery systems across the country, enhancing local logistics.
Ford rehired human engineers as AI quality checks underperformed
Ford has rehired over 300 human quality inspectors after AI systems failed to meet quality standards. The company acknowledged that reliance on AI lacked the experience and training of seasoned engineers, prompting a shift back to human oversight for better outcomes.
Erin Brockovich raises concerns over AI datacentres amid community pushback
Erin Brockovich is mobilizing public concerns about the proliferation of AI datacentres, highlighting community impacts and transparency issues. Her efforts come after she received thousands of emails from individuals expressing worries about unannounced datacentre construction and its effects on local resources and health.
Australian Superannuation Funds Increasingly Invest in SpaceX and AI Stocks
Many Australian superannuation funds have roughly 12% of investments in AI-related companies, driven by tech stock growth. SpaceX's recent stock market launch has raised ethical questions about investing in AI-driven ventures.
GTA 6 to Launch with Digital-Only Code in Physical Edition
Rockstar announced that the physical edition of GTA 6 will only include a digital download code. This trend signifies the decline of physical game discs, reflecting changing consumer preferences and how ownership of games is evolving in a digital age.
Geothermal energy gains bipartisan support, focusing on enhanced geothermal systems
US lawmakers from both parties have introduced the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act to support geothermal energy advancement. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are highlighted as a key technology to exploit deeper and hotter geothermal resources effectively.
Steam Sale and GeForce NOW Offer Discounts for Summer Gaming
Steam's Summer Sale provides discounts on thousands of PC games while GeForce NOW introduces membership discounts. This combination enhances accessibility for gamers, allowing them to enjoy a wide range of titles without needing additional storage or hardware upgrades.
IEEE Honors Karen Panetta for Contributions to Engineering and STEM Advocacy
Karen Panetta has received the IEEE Mildred Dresselhaus Medal for her work in computer vision and engineering education. She has also launched initiatives to mentor young women in STEM fields, promoting inclusivity in engineering through hands-on projects.
Researchers Create Conductive Origami Circuit Board Using Liquid Metal
Researchers at the MEI Lab have developed an origami-like circuit board made by impregnating paper with liquid metal. This technique enables the creation of conductive traces through folding and cutting, simplifying the integration of electronics into papercraft.
U.S. Uses Only 50% of Grid Capacity Amid Rising Electricity Demand
The U.S. currently utilizes only 40-55% of its electric grid capacity despite increasing electricity demand. Organizations like the Utilize Coalition advocate for policy changes and technology deployment to improve grid use and manage variable energy sources.
IEEE Education Week 2026 Focused on Lifelong Learning Initiatives
IEEE Education Week highlighted resources for continuous professional development through various events and collaborations. Over 4,770 participants engaged in 114 events aimed at promoting STEM education and mentoring efforts.
Honor Lightning Humanoid Robot Sets Half-Marathon Record
On April 19, 2026, the Honor Lightning robot completed a half-marathon in 50 minutes, outperforming human record by 7 minutes. This performance marks a significant leap in robot running efficiency and technology.
Co-Scientist accelerates genetic research to reverse cellular aging
Biologists Omar Abudayyeh and Jonathan Gootenberg utilize Co-Scientist to identify genetic pathways that could reverse cellular aging. The tool significantly reduces both the lead generation process and data analysis time, facilitating more efficient aging research.
Nothing Phone 4a Pro launched with unique design and features
Nothing has launched the Phone 4a Pro, featuring a large aluminum body and a unique LED matrix screen on the back. Priced at £499, it aims to bring a fun alternative to mid-range smartphones, competing with models like the Google Pixel 10a.
Project Genie adds Google Street View capabilities for virtual environments
Google's Project Genie now incorporates Google Street View imagery, enhancing its ability to create interactive virtual environments. This update allows users to generate imaginative worlds based on real-world locations, expanding the simulation possibilities for AI and users alike.
Expanded tools for content transparency in generative media
New content transparency and verification tools have been launched across various platforms. This enhancement aims to help users understand the origin and authenticity of generative media content.
Researcher uses AI to identify targets in infectious disease study
Professor Clare Bryant utilized the AI tool Co-Scientist to identify molecular switches linked to infectious diseases. This approach has accelerated her research timeline from two to three years to potentially six months.
University of Edinburgh Uses Co-Scientist to Advance Liver Disease Research
The University of Edinburgh is leveraging Co-Scientist to analyze literature on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) for better treatment hypotheses. The platform identified the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key factor linking inflammation and metabolism, potentially guiding dual-therapy development.
Co-Scientist bridges labs in innovative ALS research collaboration
Ritu Raman and Ryan Flynn collaborate to investigate ALS using Co-Scientist, merging their unique methodologies. This integration aims to explore RNA-based mechanisms for potential therapeutic approaches to ALS.
Global review confirms mRNA vaccines are safe and effective
A global review by the University of British Columbia confirms that mRNA vaccines are safe and effective, with evidence gathered from billions of doses. It highlights their potential for combating various diseases beyond COVID-19, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based information for healthcare providers and policymakers.
Microsoft's Xbox announces layoffs and studio closures amid financial challenges
Microsoft's Xbox division is preparing for significant layoffs and potential studio closures due to rising costs and an overburdened studio system. These changes are part of an 'Xbox reset' initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma, aiming to address a 3% accountability margin and ongoing component price increases.
US home battery installations reach record 673 MW amid rising electricity costs
In early 2026, US home battery installations surged to a record 673 megawatts, driven by state incentives and rising electricity costs. This trend indicates a shift towards energy independence for homeowners while potentially providing more flexibility for the power grid.
Volvo Stops US Imports of Compact EX30 Electric Crossover
Volvo has ceased importing the EX30 electric crossover to the US after tariff complications. The decision follows increased manufacturing costs due to shifted production from China to Belgium, affecting its pricing and availability.
Krafton settles dispute with Unknown Worlds, CEO to depart after $250M legal saga
Krafton has settled its legal dispute with subsidiary Unknown Worlds Entertainment, which is developing Subnautica 2, by agreeing to pay bonuses to all staff. The settlement comes after a contentious year where Krafton removed studio cofounders and faced a lawsuit, leading to CEO Ted Gill's reinstatement in March.
Honda starts battery production for energy storage, shifts focus from EVs
Honda has commenced battery production for energy storage systems as it pivots from its EV strategy in the U.S. This shift responds to dwindling EV demand due to the cancellation of tax credits, marking Honda's entry into the expanding energy storage market, which is expected to triple by the decade's end.
Boeing's Starliner certification delayed until at least 2028, audit shows
NASA's inspector general audit reveals that Boeing's Starliner crew capsule may not be certified until 2028, a decade behind schedule. This delay impacts NASA’s plans for ongoing crew rotations to the ISS, which could be exacerbated by anticipated technical issues.
AI Summit at Google Promotes Education-Industry Collaboration for Future Careers
A summit hosted by Google and local organizations brought together 150 educators and industry leaders to explore AI's role in education. The event aimed to foster knowledge sharing and emphasize the importance of teaching human skills amidst technological advancements.
Comcast's Split Challenges Peacock's Future in Streaming
Comcast plans to separate NBCUniversal, forcing Peacock to operate independently amid financial challenges. As Peacock shifts away from being a complementary service, it must find a way to attract subscribers and achieve profitability.
Google's Gemini Spark AI Assistant Launches on macOS with New Features
Google's Gemini Spark AI assistant is now available on macOS, enhancing its integration with various applications. The update allows users to manage files and interact with apps such as Google Tasks and Keep, increasing competition with other desktop AI agents.
UK government may halt Paramount's $111B Warner Bros. Discovery takeover
The UK government is considering intervening in Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery due to concerns about media plurality. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated public interest grounds influence her decision, focusing on news diversity and media ownership in the UK.
Vinton Cerf, 'Father of the Internet,' retiring from Google next week
Vinton Cerf will retire as Google's chief internet evangelist after over 20 years with the company. Cerf, known for co-developing TCP/IP, is recognized as a foundational figure in internet technology, impacting its development since the 1970s.
Dish files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to continue operations
Dish has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to inability to repay $2 billion in debt. The company plans to maintain operations of its Dish TV and Sling TV brands while restructuring to emerge from bankruptcy by late 2026.
Google introduces TabFM, a zero-shot foundation model for tabular data
Google Research has launched TabFM, a zero-shot foundation model aimed at improving classification and regression tasks with tabular data. This model eliminates manual hyperparameter tuning and feature engineering, allowing high-quality predictions in a single step, representing a significant advancement over traditional supervised learning approaches.
Reddit mandates login for accessing old.reddit.com to curb automated traffic
Reddit will require users to log in to access old.reddit.com starting over the next month. This change aims to reduce abusive scraping and automated traffic impacting the platform's functionality.
NASA considers sending Perseverance rover model to the Moon
NASA is evaluating the possibility of sending the engineering model of its Perseverance rover, named 'Promise,' to the Moon to assist in exploring the lunar south pole. The rover would utilize a nuclear-powered generator, allowing it to operate during the lunar night and access challenging terrains.
Google discontinues Tenor GIF API affecting X, Discord, and others
Google has officially shut down the Tenor API, a service that allowed platforms like X and Discord to integrate animated GIFs. This move aims to streamline Google's resources and signals a shift away from free services that lack profitability.
ScarfBench Launches as New AI Benchmark for Java Framework Migration
ScarfBench provides a new open benchmark to evaluate AI agents on Enterprise Java framework migrations. It focuses on ensuring successful builds, deployments, and behavior preservation across major Java ecosystems like Spring and Jakarta EE, addressing gaps in existing AI-assisted modernization efforts.
RFK Jr. expands FDA advisory panel with pro-peptide members amidst FDA opposition
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has increased the number of supporters on an FDA advisory panel to advocate for the approval of injectable peptide drugs, which the FDA has deemed ineffective and potentially unsafe. The upcoming panel meetings will evaluate multiple peptide drugs for various uses, raising concerns about regulatory integrity and safety assessment.
IO Interactive lays off staff amid project shift but commits to Project Fantasy
IO Interactive is laying off staff following the end of its partnership with a publisher for Project Fantasy, described as an online fantasy RPG. Despite these cuts, the company remains committed to the project's development.
Threads enhances Live Chats with new features and expands user access
Meta's Threads introduces new features to its Live Chats, including translation support and tools for hosts. The platform is also expanding Live Chats access to highly followed users, aiming to improve real-time engagement and community interaction.