From Guardian Technology · 40 stories
OpenAI's Stargate UK project faces scrutiny amid alleged lack of site visits
OpenAI's plans for the Stargate UK datacenter project, valued at up to £30bn, have been questioned as it appears the company has not visited key sites. This raises concerns about the validity of the investment claims, suggesting the initiative may have been more of a publicity stunt than a viable project.
UN report highlights risk of AI worsening global inequality
The UN warns that AI development could exacerbate global inequality without shared governance. A report outlines the risks and provides a framework for responsible AI development to ensure equitable access and control.
UK CMA targets Apple and Google’s app store duopoly with new regulations
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is proposing regulations to dismantle the duopoly of Apple and Google over mobile app stores, allowing developers to direct users to external payment methods. This change aims to enhance competition by lifting existing restrictions and could significantly impact the revenue model of both tech giants.
Fenix Flexin's "Rubberz" Reaches Billboard Hot 100 Amidst AI Generation Claims
Rapper Fenix Flexin's song "Rubberz" reached number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and accumulated over 35 million Spotify streams, sparking debate over its origins. The song's stylistic shift, audio anomalies, and an AI detection tool from Treblo, an AI music generation company, led to speculation that it was AI-generated. Flexin initially denied AI use but later stated he never denied it, claiming he was unaware of the tool until mixing.
Global Exam Protests Erupt Due to AI Cheating, Digitization Issues, and Leaked Papers
Mass student protests have occurred globally, particularly in Mexico, Portugal, and India, driven by issues like suspected cheating, failed digitization of exams, and leaked test papers. Experts attribute this rise in unrest to the growth of AI cheating, attempts to digitize examinations, and the high stakes of grades in a precarious global economy.
AI Used to Geotag Holiday Photos for Targeted Scams, McAfee Research Shows
New research by McAfee demonstrates that AI can accurately identify locations from holiday photos without metadata, enabling scammers to create more credible phishing attacks. This capability allows criminals to tailor scam messages with specific travel details, increasing the likelihood of victims falling for financial fraud.
Denmark Implements Oral Defenses and Supervised Writing to Combat AI Cheating in Schools
The Danish government has introduced new measures for upper secondary schools to address AI cheating, including mandatory oral defenses for all written assignments completed at home and supervised in-school writing. These changes, effective immediately, apply to students aged 16-19, including approximately 9,000 students in the two-year HF program, and aim to establish clearer guidelines for AI use in education.
Palantir's Q2 Revenue Jumps 93% to $1.94 Billion, Driven by Commercial Growth
Palantir reported second-quarter revenue of $1.94 billion, a 93% increase year-over-year, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.8 billion. This growth was primarily fueled by a 149% surge in U.S. commercial revenue and a 90% rise in U.S. government revenue. The company also raised its full-year revenue guidance, indicating continued expansion in its commercial sector.
Ofgem Proposes Upfront Fees for UK Data Center Grid Connections to Address Backlog
Ofgem, Britain's energy regulator, has proposed requiring significant upfront fees from data center projects to secure electricity grid connections. This measure aims to reduce a backlog of 315 data center projects, representing 73GW of demand, which exceeds the country's peak energy demand of 45GW.
Australian PM Announces National AI Framework, Establishes AI Office for Regulatory Oversight
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the formation of a national AI framework and an AI office in Australia, focusing on regulatory oversight and protecting creator rights. The framework aims to streamline approval processes for AI projects and ensure datacentres' energy and resource efficiency. This initiative addresses growing societal and economic concerns around AI's impact and development.
Nintendo Unveils Solo-Focused Splatoon Raiders, a New Looter Shooter Spin-Off
Nintendo has introduced Splatoon Raiders, a looter shooter that shifts from the series' typical team-based format to focus on solo play. While some users find it engaging, others note that cooperative play enhances the experience. It represents Nintendo's ongoing effort to make shooters more accessible beyond competitive play.
CuspAI Raises $450 Million with Investments from Jeff Bezos and UK Government
CuspAI, a Cambridge-based AI startup, raised $450 million in funding, valued at $2.6 billion, with contributions from Jeff Bezos and the UK government. CuspAI aims to accelerate material discovery for chipmakers using AI, reducing reliance on rare metals and potentially advancing technology in clean energy and semiconductors. This collaboration involves notable tech firms like Nvidia, marking a significant step in AI-driven material science.
Trump Accused of Conflict of Interest Over $2.2 Billion Earnings While in Office
Donald Trump has made over $2.2 billion since returning to the White House, including more than $1 billion from cryptocurrency ventures. This has sparked criticism and calls for legislative action to prevent government officials from profiting from such industries. Nearly a million investors have reportedly lost $3.8 billion on one of Trump’s crypto ventures.
Australia's eSafety Watchdog Criticizes Tech Giants for Inadequate Sextortion Measures
Australia's eSafety Commission reports over 2,000 sextortion complaints, with 800 from men aged 18-24. Tech companies, including Apple and Meta, face criticism for not effectively combating these threats, especially given recurring coercive scripts. Major platforms identified include Instagram, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Snapchat.
Google, Amazon, and Microsoft Report Significant Rise in Carbon Emissions Amid AI Demand
Google, Amazon, and Microsoft report rises in carbon emissions spurred by AI technologies and data center demand. Emissions increased 25%, 16%, and nearly 20% respectively, challenging their net-zero carbon goals. This reflects broad tech industry challenges as AI adoption expands, impacting sustainability pledges.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Launched with Privacy Display and AI Features
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra, featuring a new privacy display with restricted viewing angles and integration of multiple AI chatbots. The device, priced at $1,299, comes with multiple configurations and stackable discounts, driving increased production to meet demand. This launch is significant as it addresses user security while keeping pace with competitive flagship offerings.
Meta Datacenter Contamination Leads to Wyoming Wastewater Rule Changes
Meta's datacenter construction in Cheyenne led to water contamination with Cupriavidus gilardii. This incident resulted in new wastewater regulations, affecting all city-linked datacenters. It underscores ongoing concerns about datacenter resource consumption and environmental impact.
FCA Calls for Enhanced Powers to Regulate AI in UK Financial Services
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is advocating for stronger regulatory powers to tackle AI-related risks in UK financial services. A report led by FCA's Sheldon Mills highlights the potential for AI to both support consumer access and increase threats such as fraud and cybersecurity risks. The gravitation towards AI requires robust regulation to safeguard consumer interests as AI reshapes financial markets.
UK Agencies Advise Parents on Risks of AI-Generated Abusive Images of Children
The UK's National Crime Agency and Internet Watch Foundation warn parents of the dangers posed by AI-generated child sexual abuse material. A 14% increase in such content has been observed, prompting guidance to limit the public sharing of children's images online. Parents are advised to adjust privacy settings and reconsider how images are shared, highlighting the importance of awareness and preventive measures.
Ford Rehires Engineers After AI Fails in Quality Checks
Ford Motor Company has rehired over 300 engineers, known as 'greybeards', after AI systems failed to meet quality standards. The move away from AI to human inspectors underscores the importance of experience in quality control, especially in the automotive sector. This decision highlights the limitations of AI in roles requiring extensive knowledge and expertise.
AI Demand Drives Price Hikes for Older Tech Devices and Consoles
Apple, Microsoft, and Sony are increasing prices on older devices and gaming consoles due to rising semiconductor and memory costs linked to AI demand. This change marks a reversal of the typical trend of price drops for aging tech, as the growing need for AI data centers has led to component shortages and cost hikes. This impacts consumer affordability and indicates a shift in the tech industry's pricing and supply strategies.
Police Scotland warns AI datacenters need security against protester attacks
Police Scotland has warned that proposed AI datacenters require robust security measures to prevent attacks from protesters, citing significant public opposition to a planned facility in Larbert. This development highlights growing public unease in the UK regarding datacenter expansion, which could impact the UK's AI strategy.
UK Government Launches AI Boot Camps for Unemployed Youth to Boost Job Readiness
The UK government is piloting AI boot camps for unemployed young people aged 16-21 in north-west England to equip them with AI and workplace skills. This initiative aims to address youth unemployment by preparing participants for apprenticeships with local businesses, utilizing tools from companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
AI-powered crypto investment scams lead to significant financial losses in Australia
A Queensland man lost over $166,000 to an AI-generated cryptocurrency investment scam, highlighting a growing trend where AI is used to create sophisticated fraudulent schemes. Australian consumers have lost over $45 million to investment scams in 2026, with AI enabling scammers to bypass traditional red flags and create hyper-realistic deception at scale.
Study finds AI's climate benefits outweighed by increased fossil fuel production
A new study indicates that AI-driven productivity gains in the fossil fuel sector lead to more planet-heating pollution than the gains from renewables avoid. Researchers modeled 64 scenarios and found that net yearly carbon pollution increased by 0.47-1.8 gigatonnes, representing 1-5% of the energy sector's annual emissions. This research is the first to quantify AI's climate impact across the entire power sector, highlighting a previously overlooked aspect of AI's environmental footprint.
Senator Bernie Sanders Calls for Pause in AI Development by Major Tech Companies
Senator Bernie Sanders has urged Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic to halt AI development, citing risks like bioweapon creation and loss of control over models. He warned of potential Senate regulation if companies continue their current pace of deployment.
UK Manufacturers Face Rising Cyber-Attack Risk; 30% Hit Last Year
A survey by MakeUK reveals that nearly a third of British manufacturers experienced a cyber-incident in the past year, leading to production losses and increased costs. This highlights a growing risk as factories become more connected and hackers more sophisticated, with only half of affected companies having a response plan.
Moody's warns AI adoption in banking creates dependency on tech firms and systemic risks
Moody's has warned that the financial sector's rapid adoption of AI is leading to an over-reliance on a small number of Silicon Valley tech firms, creating risks such as widespread outages, price gouging, and systemic dependency. This dependency could lead to significant credit risks for financial institutions, despite potential cost savings and revenue increases from AI integration.
Emails reveal Palmer Luckey's political fundraising amid Anduril's sole-source contracts
Emails obtained by The Guardian show Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Anduril Industries, is a significant fundraiser for Republican political campaigns, including a recent "Keep the Senate" event. This activity coincides with Anduril, a defense contractor, securing large sole-source contracts from the US government, such as a $20 billion drone contract and involvement in the "Golden Dome" anti-missile project.
Uber and Wayve Receive Licenses for Self-Driving Taxis in London
Uber and autonomous technology developer Wayve have secured the first minicab licenses in London to operate self-driving taxi services with human safety drivers. This development marks London as one of the initial cities globally to host competing American and Chinese self-driving taxi firms.
American Federation of Teachers Launches AI Training Program with Big Tech Funding
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has launched a new National Academy for AI Instruction, offering training to educators on how to use AI and address its impact in classrooms. This initiative, funded by Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic with $23 million, aims to train 400,000 educators over five years, though its funding source has drawn criticism.
Palantir paid £2m UK corporation tax in 2024 despite lucrative public sector contracts
Palantir paid £2 million in UK corporation tax in 2024, an effective rate of 8% on £25 million in profits, despite holding hundreds of millions in UK public sector contracts and a 25% corporation tax rate. This low tax payment is attributed to tax breaks and practices like shifting revenues to its US parent company, raising concerns from a trade union about tax avoidance by tech giants with government contracts.
Study finds AI-generated stories rated higher quality than human-written ones by readers
A study published in the journal Judgment and Decision Making found that participants rated short stories generated by ChatGPT as more absorbing and of higher quality than human-written stories. This research indicates that AI systems can produce creative content perceived as equal to or better than human output, challenging previous assumptions about AI's creative capabilities.
Skyral wins £2bn UK MoD contract to train British soldiers in virtual environments
Skyral, a UK company, secured a £2 billion contract from the Ministry of Defence to provide advanced virtual training environments for the British Army. This initiative aims to train soldiers and tacticians on the complex, second-order consequences of military decisions in highly detailed simulated urban and national settings, moving beyond basic combat familiarization.
UK Government Investments Reports Data Breach Exposing Management Information and Official Details
UK Government Investments (UKGI) experienced a data breach where "high-level management information" and personal details of 51 government officials were publicly accessible for nearly two days. The incident was attributed to a staff member not following security policies, prompting UKGI to enhance its internal security controls and incident preparedness.
Australian Booksellers Concerned by "Destructive Scanning" of Books for AI Training
Australian secondhand booksellers are reporting unusual bulk orders, raising concerns that their inventory, including rare titles, is being acquired for "destructive scanning" to train generative AI models. This practice, where physical books are destroyed after scanning, was revealed in a US copyright lawsuit against AI company Anthropic and is now believed to be widespread.
Crime Novel Deal Collapses Amid Unconfirmed AI Authorship Concerns
A publishing deal for Jerry Falade's debut crime novel, "Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body," collapsed after the author's agent withdrew it due to unconfirmed concerns about AI involvement in its creation. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in the publishing industry regarding the detection and authentication of AI-generated content in manuscripts.
Lloyds Banking Group plans £2bn cost cuts and £13bn tech investment, focusing on AI
Lloyds Banking Group announced a four-year strategy to cut £2 billion in costs and invest £13 billion by 2030, with a focus on AI and new technology to drive growth and efficiency. The plan includes using AI for personalized customer offers, wealth advice, and to reduce mortgage approval times, while also considering international expansion.
Shark Detect Lift-Away XL enhances corded vacuum technology with new features
The Shark Detect Lift-Away XL introduces a sensor that adjusts roller speed based on the cleaning surface. This enhancement provides a seamless cleaning experience across different floor types without manual adjustments, making the corded vacuum more versatile.
Charities warn UK government's AI age-detection system for migrants risks misclassifying child refugees
Children's charities and rights groups are warning that the British government's planned AI-powered facial age-estimation technology for screening migrants will endanger children, particularly those from conflict zones. They argue that the flawed and racialized models underpinning these systems could lead to more child refugees being wrongly identified as adults, exposing them to adult detention and removal processes.