From Guardian Technology · 40 stories
EU Mandates AI Content Labeling and Transparency Under AI Act
The European Union's AI Act now requires AI-generated images, audio, and text designed to appear authentic to be labeled as AI-made, effective August 2 for new systems and with an additional four months for existing ones. This regulation aims to combat deceptive content and misinformation, ensuring users are aware when interacting with AI or AI-created media.
Spotify to Label AI-Generated Artists and Exclude Them from Recommendations
Spotify will introduce "AI Persona" labels for artists whose identities are AI-generated, starting in mid-September. These labeled artists will be excluded from Spotify's editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default, aiming to differentiate human artists from AI creations and address the influx of AI-generated content on the platform.
AI Designs Novel Viruses Capable of Infecting Bacteria, Raising Biosafety Concerns
Researchers at Stanford University and Arc Institute have used AI models, including Evo 1 and Evo 2, to design novel bacteriophages, a type of virus that infects bacteria. These AI-designed viruses successfully killed antibiotic-resistant E. coli in laboratory tests, demonstrating AI's capability to generate functional biological entities and prompting discussions about biosafety and biosecurity.
Origin Energy Confirms Customer Data Breach Affecting Personal and Partial Banking Details
Origin Energy confirmed a data breach affecting its 4.8 million customer accounts, compromising personal details and partial banking information. This incident exposes customers to potential identity theft and phishing, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity risks for critical service providers.
US utility companies pledge to shield consumers from AI-related energy costs
Nearly 200 U.S. utility and data center companies have pledged to protect consumers from rising electricity bills linked to AI. Signed by major firms including NextEra Energy and Google, the pledge lacks enforcement mechanisms, raising concerns over its actual impact.
SpaceX Launches Crew-13 Mission to ISS After Propulsion System Repair
SpaceX launched a four-person crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on a Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The launch was delayed to replace a faulty valve in the Dragon's propulsion system, requiring a surgical intervention to swap the component.
Anthropic Proposes Opt-Out Model for AI Training on Australian Copyrighted Content
Anthropic has suggested an opt-out model for AI training on Australian copyrighted works, including news, after a blanket exemption was ruled out. Australian public broadcasters ABC and SBS oppose this, advocating for AI companies to be subject to existing media regulations and included in news bargaining incentives.
Analyst Predicts John Ternus as Apple CEO Could Lead to Larger Acquisitions and New Products
Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan suggests that John Ternus, expected to become Apple's CEO on September 1, may pursue bigger acquisitions and expand into new product categories. This shift would represent a more risk-tolerant strategy compared to current CEO Tim Cook's approach, potentially impacting Apple's future market direction and product portfolio.
Bank of England Governor Calls for AI Testing and Intervention Before Regulation
Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, stated that rigorous testing of AI for vulnerabilities and the establishment of intervention systems are necessary before formal regulation. He emphasized the growing risks AI poses to financial stability, including increased cyber threats, while acknowledging its immense benefits.
Dutch Intelligence Warns of Espionage Risks from Smart Car Features
The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) issued a warning that smart car features like microphones and cameras could be used by hostile states for espionage. This alert follows concerns about data collection by modern vehicles and increased imports of Chinese-made cars.
AI Chatbots Remove Hijabs from Images of Muslim Women When Prompted
AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Grok removed hijabs from images of Muslim women when prompted, while Gemini did so when asked to make a woman look more "western." This behavior raises concerns about AI's role in perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiment and digital alteration without consent.
Trump Administration to Confront Australia Over Social Media Algorithm Regulation Plan
The Trump administration plans to confront Australia regarding its proposed laws that would fine digital platforms over $100 million for failing to remove harmful content and for not allowing users to opt out of algorithm-generated feeds. This confrontation highlights international tension over regulating major technology companies and their content moderation practices.
New Mexico Lawyer Fined for Submitting AI-Generated Brief with Fabricated Testimony
The New Mexico Supreme Court fined attorney Stephen Aarons $5,000 and held him in contempt for submitting a legal brief containing fabricated police testimony and witnesses generated by OpenAI's ChatGPT. This incident highlights the risks of using AI tools in legal work without proper verification, as courts increasingly sanction lawyers for unvetted AI-generated content.
UK Government to Legislate Against Child Nude Image Sharing on Tech Platforms
The UK government plans to introduce a new law compelling tech firms to prevent children from taking or sharing nude images on mobile devices and apps. This legislation follows insufficient commitments from companies like Apple and Google to address the issue, aiming to create an ecosystem-wide change to protect children online.
OpenAI faces 30 new lawsuits, including aiding and abetting claims, related to Tumbler Ridge shooting
Edelson PC filed 30 additional lawsuits against OpenAI on behalf of victims and families connected to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, bringing the total to 37. These new complaints, for the first time, accuse OpenAI of aiding and abetting the shooting, escalating the legal challenges beyond negligence claims. This development matters as it intensifies scrutiny on OpenAI's content moderation policies and its responsibility for user-generated content that may lead to real-world harm.
Rockstar Games Debuts Extended Grand Theft Auto VI Preview
Rockstar Games released a 26-minute preview of Grand Theft Auto VI, showcasing gameplay, graphics, and protagonist interactions. The preview provided details on the game's scale, dual protagonists, and various activities, indicating a large and detailed open-world experience.
Unitree Robotics IPO Raises $900 Million, Valuing Company at $9 Billion
Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree Robotics priced its IPO at 150.8 yuan ($22.4) per share, raising $900 million and valuing the company at $9 billion. The listing on Shanghai's STAR market makes Unitree the first humanoid robot firm to go public on the mainland, but commercial viability for its robots remains a question.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered Launches September 29 with Free Upgrade
CD Projekt Red will release "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered" on September 29, offering visual and combat improvements, a redesigned skill tree, and both expansions. This update is a free upgrade for existing owners across multiple platforms and marks the game's debut on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Bill Gates Proposes 'Human Reserved' Jobs and AI Taxation Amidst AI Upheaval Concerns
Bill Gates, in an essay titled "The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make are critical," proposed the concept of "human reserved" jobs to protect certain sectors from AI displacement. He also suggested taxing AI tokens and expressed concern that governments are unprepared for the broad impact of AI, which he believes will lead to one of the most turbulent times in human history.
Israel Creates Fake Think Tank to Influence AI Chatbots on Israel/Palestine Narratives
The Israeli Government Advertising Agency, through Piro, Inc., created the "Hanover Institute for Public Policy," a fabricated think tank producing reports designed to influence AI chatbots on topics related to Israel and Palestine. This initiative, termed "AI Story Optimization" by Piro and "LLM poisoning" by others, aims to shape the information large language models provide in response to user queries.
Samsung and SK Hynix Shares Plummet Amid Global Tech Stock Rout
The shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix experienced significant declines, over 7% and 9% respectively, amidst a global sell-off in tech stocks. This drop affected the South Korean benchmark Kospi index, highlighting investor concerns about meeting AI growth expectations. The sell-off extended to other Asian semiconductor firms, influenced by the broader downturn in U.S. semiconductor shares.
White House Finalizes AI Model Testing Framework, Keeps Details Private
The White House has finalized a framework for voluntarily evaluating advanced AI models for cybersecurity risks, following President Trump's June executive order. The framework, which requires a 30-day review period for participating models, was discussed with AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, but its details will not be publicly released. This decision raises concerns about transparency and the exclusion of open-source AI models from the testing process.
OpenAI Settles DOJ Discrimination Claims for $3.2 Million Over Hiring Practices
OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig will pay $3.2 million to settle allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice that they discriminated against U.S. workers by favoring temporary visa holders. The settlement addresses claims that the companies used specific tactics to deter U.S. applicants for certain roles and includes changes to hiring practices and a fund for affected individuals.
Apple Reclaims Most Valuable Company Title, Surpassing Nvidia
Apple has overtaken Nvidia as the world's most valuable company with a market cap of $4.88 trillion during Friday's trading. This shift in ranking reflects changing investor sentiment towards AI and product innovation. Apple's stock rise follows a growth of 22% this year.
UK to Enforce Opt-in Midnight Social Media Curfew for Teens by Spring 2027
The UK government has announced plans to implement a non-mandatory social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, effective by spring 2027. This measure will restrict app usage from midnight to 6am, with features like infinite scrolling being disabled, aiming to improve sleep and mental health. The initiative, which can be opted out of, follows trial results showcasing benefits for teens' well-being.
Publishers and Author Sue Google for Using Copyrighted Works in AI Training
Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier, and author Scott Turow have filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging it used copyrighted books to train its Gemini AI without permission. The case, brought in federal court, claims Google removed copyright details to obscure its usage and breached copyright laws by training its commercial AI models with unauthorized texts. This lawsuit underscores ongoing legal tensions between AI development and copyright protection.
San Francisco Housing Market Surges as AI Boom Drives Prices Sky-High
The San Francisco real estate market has experienced a significant surge, with over 140 homes selling for at least $1 million above asking price in the first half of 2026. The median house price has reached a record $1.76 million due to increased demand from wealthy AI professionals. This trend is influenced by the growth of AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, preparing for major IPOs.
Letterboxd Valued at $250 Million Amid Acquisition Talks with Netflix, Sony, Paramount
Letterboxd, a social media app for movie enthusiasts, is in early-stage acquisition talks with companies like Netflix, Paramount, and Sony Pictures. The platform is currently valued at $250 million, despite limited revenue, and is majority-owned by Tiny. Letterboxd’s membership surged during COVID-19, reaching 26-30 million users.
Over 44,000 object to Palantir's NHS data platform handling their personal data
More than 44,000 individuals have filed legal objections to the NHS England's Federated Data Platform (FDP), powered by Palantir, using their personal health information. This coordinated campaign utilizes data protection rights, requiring the NHS to cease using this data unless a compelling reason is provided.
Former Meta Engineer Testifies Zuckerberg Misled Public on Child Safety Efforts
A former Meta safety engineer testified in a federal trial that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was aware of child safety issues on platforms like Facebook and Instagram but did not act on warnings. This testimony is part of a landmark lawsuit filed by 29 US state attorneys general alleging Meta designed addictive products harmful to young people and collected data on minors without consent.
UK children report surge in explicit deepfakes, exceeding previous year's totals
The UK's Report Remove service has seen a significant increase in reports from children regarding explicit deepfake images of themselves, with 420 reports in the first six months of this year, surpassing the total for the previous year. This rise highlights the growing concern over the misuse of readily available AI tools for creating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and the challenges in preventing such online manipulation.
New 15% Tariff Imposed on Polysilicon Imports, Affecting Microchip and Solar Industries
A new 15% tariff on imported polysilicon products, primarily from China, will take effect on December 4, impacting microchip and solar panel manufacturing. This measure aims to bolster US supply chains for chips and solar panels, supporting domestic competition in AI and energy sectors.
Amazon Accused of Manipulating Prices to Suppress Competition
California authorities claim Amazon pressured suppliers to raise prices on rival retailers. Internal communications show Amazon identified lower prices at competitors as threats, leading suppliers to increase prices elsewhere or risk losing sales on Amazon.
Study Finds AI Chatbots Provide Inaccurate Voting Advice
A study by civil liberties group Liberties reveals AI chatbots often give unreliable voting recommendations, misclassifying political parties and omitting relevant options. This raises serious concerns about the efficacy of general-purpose AI systems used in electoral contexts, particularly as AI usage among voters in Hungary is significant.
Violent Online Network '764' Linked to Youth Criminality Across Multiple Countries
A 14-year-old boy in Sweden was linked to an online network called 764, which promotes youth violence and extortion through games like Roblox and Minecraft. This network, founded by a Texas teen, is tied to a growing trend of victims becoming perpetrators under online influence, highlighting systemic issues across global digital communities.
UK's water supply insufficient for future datacentre expansion, warns trade body
Water UK has alerted MPs that the UK lacks adequate water resources for future datacentres, contradicting government growth plans. The trade body criticizes the government's failure to address water supply needs in its AI strategy, indicating potential challenges for the tech sector's expansion in water-stressed areas.
Rise in online exploitation of children reported by experts
Cases of sadistic online exploitation, where predators coerce children into creating sexual material, have surged globally. This trend represents a serious threat to child safety, with significant increases in reported incidents and severe consequences for victims.
Fraudsters Target X Accounts with Fake Login Alerts
Fraudulent emails impersonating X notify users of suspicious logins from unfamiliar devices. Clicking links in these emails can lead to credential theft, putting users' accounts at risk for scams.
Senator accuses Meta of retaliating against whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams
US Senator Josh Hawley has accused Meta of using lawfare to retaliate against whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams. Meta has restricted her from discussing her memoir alleging the company's collaboration with the Chinese government and its impact on teenagers.
Brain implant enables paralyzed man to feed himself and drink independently
A brain implant has enabled Keith Thomas, paralyzed from the chest down, to independently feed himself and drink from a cup. This technology bypasses his spinal cord injury by connecting brain signals directly to his limbs, thereby restoring some motor functions and sensations.