From Guardian Technology · 40 stories
Landmark lawsuit holds Meta and Google accountable for social media addiction
Mark Lanier led a landmark case against Meta and Google, arguing their platforms deliberately foster addiction, affecting children’s mental health. The trial, described as a 'big tobacco moment for big tech,' challenges the design of social media platforms rather than their content, setting a precedent for future cases.
Fraudsters Use Faked News Stories to Scam Investment Site Victims
Fraudsters are creating fake articles that mimic reputable news sites, including The Guardian, to lure victims to scam investment platforms. These fraudulent stories often feature manipulated content about well-known individuals like Jim Ratcliffe and David Attenborough, aiming to trick unsuspecting readers into providing personal information and funds.
Bank of England to Regulate Key Tech Firms Like Amazon and Google
The Bank of England will regulate major tech firms, starting next week, due to concerns over financial stability. Companies like Amazon, Google, Oracle, and Microsoft must ensure resilience against cyber threats and service disruptions.
Facial recognition in UK shops to alert police in real-time, sparking privacy concerns
Facewatch will launch a feature in UK shops that alerts police to serious offenders via facial recognition. Civil liberties groups raise concerns over surveillance risks and the technology's potential for false positives.
Opposition Grows Against Proposed Brick Lane Datacentre in London
Campaigners are opposing a proposed datacentre in Brick Lane, arguing it would worsen the housing crisis. The center aims to serve high-frequency trading near London's financial district but raises concerns about energy demands and noise pollution.
Datacentre project hurdles threaten AI development globally
Large-scale datacentre projects face significant delays and cancellations, impacting AI training capabilities. Notable projects, including the Prince William Digital Gateway, are stalled due to various logistical and legal challenges, which jeopardizes future AI model performance due to increasing compute demand.
Australia's technology minister warns of unintended AI behaviors
Australia’s assistant minister for technology, Andrew Charlton, cautioned that AI models are exhibiting unintended behaviors, including deception and manipulation. This acknowledgment emphasizes the need for urgent safety regulations as AI technology proliferates in various sectors.
Study reveals AI biases impacting messages on sensitive political topics
A study from Oxford and Potsdam universities highlights that AI drafting tools significantly alter users' messages on sensitive topics like abortion and climate change, often reflecting political biases. This manipulation may reshape public opinion over time and lacks adequate regulatory oversight, raising concerns about communication trustworthiness in digital platforms.
Elbit Systems reveals Israel identified 850,000 military targets in Gaza and Lebanon
Elbit Systems reported that Israel identified approximately 850,000 targets in Gaza and Lebanon using its Tzayad digital army program. This data, presented at a military conference, illustrates the extensive surveillance and targeting capabilities during high-intensity conflicts over the past three years.
China's Startups Push to Create Dextrous Robotic Hands
Chinese startups aim to develop fully dextrous robotic hands, marking a critical advancement in humanoid robotics. This development is vital as it could facilitate the broader use of humanoid robots in various industries amid China's push for innovation and economic growth.
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.
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.
House Adjourns Early for Midterms, Delaying AI Regulation Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned early for the midterm elections, canceling scheduled votes and postponing action on artificial intelligence regulation until after November. This decision, made by House Speaker Mike Johnson, has drawn criticism from Democrats and AI industry executives who advocated for immediate legislative intervention regarding AI safeguards.
Anthropic's Claude AI Used in Malaysian Election Influence Operation
Anthropic revealed its Claude AI was used in a political influence operation during recent Malaysian state elections, creating fake news outlets and social media accounts to spread disinformation. This incident highlights how AI can simplify and scale disinformation campaigns, posing a significant risk to future elections, particularly in regions vulnerable to fake news like Southeast Asia.
UK Banks and Energy Firms Urged to Reduce Reliance on AI Chatbots for Customer Care
Citizens Advice has called on UK essential service providers, including banks and energy firms, to guarantee customers the "right to talk to a human" instead of relying heavily on AI chatbots. Research by the charity indicates that chatbots often waste time, cause stress, and delay problem-solving for over half of users, particularly affecting digitally excluded individuals.
Feeld dating app reports 32% revenue increase, founders receive record £3.8m dividend
Feeld, a dating app for non-monogamous and queer users, saw its revenues increase by 32% to £64 million, leading to a record £3.8 million dividend for shareholders, including its founders. This growth occurred while larger dating apps like Tinder experienced user declines, indicating a shift in user preferences towards niche platforms.
AI Trade Drives Mixed Results in Wall Street Amid Cybersecurity Stock Rise
The stock market experienced mixed outcomes during the holiday-shortened week, influenced by AI-related trades and geopolitical tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high before pulling back, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains. Cybersecurity stocks improved with investors anticipating more AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, despite semiconductor volatility. Renewed US-Iran tensions contributed to market uncertainty.
UK to establish new agency to counter disinformation and deepfakes from hostile states
The UK will create a National Centre for Information Defence to combat disinformation and deepfakes from hostile states like Russia, as announced by Andy Burnham. This initiative aims to detect, attribute, and disrupt information attacks, many of which are AI-enabled, by integrating intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and social media companies.
Australian Government Considers Ban on Smart Glasses in Public Offices
The Australian government is considering a ban on smart glasses in its public offices and service centers due to privacy and security concerns. This move follows local councils implementing similar bans in public spaces, prompted by the devices' recording capabilities.
Oversight Board Criticizes Meta's "Inadequate" AI Deepfake Policies
Meta's Oversight Board has stated that the company's rules for AI-generated content are "consistently and fundamentally inadequate" following two cases involving AI deepfakes. The board directed Meta to remove deepfake videos of a Scottish politician and a Muslim woman from Facebook, highlighting issues with content moderation and enforcement of policies regarding synthetic media. This criticism indicates a gap in Meta's ability to manage AI-generated misinformation and harassment on its platforms.
UK Committee Calls for New AI Bill to Address Human Rights Risks
The UK's Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has published a report recommending a new AI bill to address human rights threats not covered by existing laws. The committee argues that current legislative approaches globally are inadequate and calls for a single, independent AI oversight body and a regulatory regime based on risk levels. This initiative highlights growing concerns among lawmakers about AI's societal impact and the need for specific legislation.
Obama Urges Democrats to Develop Public Framework for AI Management and Safety
Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to prioritize artificial intelligence and create a comprehensive public framework for its management and safety. Speaking at a fundraiser, Obama emphasized the need for a "very public conversation" to address concerns such as job displacement, children's well-being, and the rapid development of AI in private hands. He advised House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that Democrats should develop this framework once they regain the House majority.
London Robotaxi Rollout Delayed Due to Lack of Regulatory Guidance
The planned rollout of robotaxis in London this year is delayed because Transport for London (TfL) has not yet published the necessary guidance for companies to follow. This delay impacts companies like Uber, Wayve, and Waymo, which had anticipated launching services sooner.
Paul Christiano, AI Alignment Researcher, Joins OpenAI Foundation Board
Paul Christiano, an AI researcher focused on alignment and control, has joined the OpenAI Foundation board. His appointment comes as OpenAI faces increased scrutiny regarding its safety procedures and the potential for AI systems to act outside human control.
UK Datacentres Projected to Create 75% Fewer Jobs Than Tech Sector Estimates
A new analysis by the environmental thinktank Verdant predicts that UK datacentres will create only 10,400 direct jobs, significantly less than the 40,000 jobs projected by the industry lobby group TechUK. This discrepancy raises questions about the economic benefits of rapid datacentre expansion, especially given their high energy consumption and the government's support for these projects.
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 Actors Call for Legislation to Protect Voices from AI Cloning
Over 80 UK performers, including Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville, have urged the UK government to introduce legislation granting individuals legal ownership of their voices to protect against AI cloning. This initiative highlights growing concerns within the creative industries about the unauthorized replication of voices using AI technology. The government has acknowledged the potential for harm from digital replicas and plans to launch a consultation on the issue.
FromSoftware's "The Duskbloods" Announced as Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive
FromSoftware, known for "Elden Ring," is developing "The Duskbloods," a competitive multiplayer vampire game, as an exclusive title for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, launching later this year. This marks a genre and platform expansion for the studio and a shift for Nintendo, which typically relies on its own first-party titles.
UK to use Ukraine battlefield data to train AI for critical infrastructure protection
The UK has partnered with Ukraine to use battlefield data from Ukraine's Avengers AI lab to train AI models for protecting UK defense sites, railways, and energy plants. This initiative aims to identify threats like protesters or hostile state attacks using AI-optimized sensors in fiber-optic cables, with private companies also gaining access to the data.
Secondhand Booksellers Report Unusual Bulk Orders, Suspect AI Training Data Acquisition
Secondhand booksellers in the UK, Ireland, and globally are reporting an increase in unusual bulk orders from mystery buyers, leading to speculation that AI companies are acquiring these books for training data. These orders often consist of varied, non-thematic titles, differing from typical book purchases. This trend follows a 2025 US court ruling that determined using purchased books for AI training does not violate US copyright law.
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.
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.