Half of adults in the UK express worries about artificial intelligence affecting their employment, prompting union leaders to advocate for a significant shift in the government’s strategy towards emerging technologies.
The primary concern for 51% of the 2,600 adults surveyed by the Trade Union Council was job loss or alterations to contract terms.
AI poses a specific worry for workers aged 25 to 34, with nearly two-thirds (62%) of participants in this age group sharing such apprehensions.
The TUC’s survey results coincide with announcements from major employers, including BT, Amazon, and Microsoft, indicating potential job cuts due to advancements in AI over recent months.
The UK job market is experiencing a slowdown amid an easing economy, with the official unemployment rate reaching 4.7% for the first time in four years; however, most economists do not attribute this to increased investment in AI.
While the TUC recognizes that AI technology could benefit employees and enhance public services, it urges the government to involve both workers and unions in the deployment of AI to safeguard jobs and offer training for roles replaced by AI.
Half of those surveyed (50%) wish to have a say in how AI is implemented in the workplace and the broader economy, as opposed to leaving this decision solely to businesses, with only 17% against this idea.
As part of its AI strategy, the TUC is calling for conditions to be attached to the substantial public funds allocated for AI research and development, ensuring that workers are not displaced by innovative technologies.
Furthermore, it is essential for companies to share the “digital dividends” from productivity improvements achieved through AI by investing in employee training and skills, enhancing wages and working conditions, and involving workers in corporate decision-making processes, including representation on boards.
Union representatives have cautioned that without such regulations, allowing workers to influence AI usage, the rise of new technologies may result in “prolonged inequality,” worsened working conditions, and increasing social unrest.
The TUC has insisted on the need to strengthen the UK’s social security and skills systems to support and reskill workers whose jobs are threatened by AI advancements.
Kate Bell, TUC’s assistant secretary, stated: “AI holds transformative potential, and if developed correctly, it can enhance productivity, benefiting workers.”
She further noted: “The alternative is grim. In unchecked and improper hands, the AI revolution might establish deepening inequality as jobs decline or vanish, with shareholders growing wealthier.”
IT is a popular topic of discussion over drinks and dinner. The debate centers on whether AI will take away jobs. So far, AI hasn’t had a fair shot at writing newspaper opinion columns, but I’m convinced there are aspects of my role that AI simply can’t replicate.
Except for now, it seems AI is making claims that it can. Recently, it was revealed that at least six respected publications had to retract articles they published, as they turned out to be fragments of fiction generated by AI and later submitted by someone under the name Margaux Blanchard. One such piece was a Wired article titled “Love in Love in Love Fold,” which humorously featured Minecraft as a wedding venue. This piece quoted a so-called “digital celebrity,” Jessica Foo, who appears to exist only in name. Another publication called Dispatch received a pitch from “Blanchard” about an imaginary neighbor’s town called Gravemont, which also does not exist.
In social conversations about topics like ChatGPT, I struggle against an overwhelming sense of frustration. I dislike ChatGPT deeply. This feeling qualifies as hatred for me, because it provokes a visceral response that’s just shy of real anger. I don’t find it just annoying or confusing—I genuinely despise it.
Thus, I’ve been digging into the reasons behind my aversion. There are valid points in favor of the AI era. For instance, a friend in the scientific field explained how AI accelerates the process of developing and testing hypotheses. Routine tasks become less time-consuming with AI’s assistance.
Nonetheless, there are numerous factors causing my trepidation. The environmental impact of using ChatGPT is well-documented, but for me, it’s not the most pressing concern. It troubles me that people are actively choosing technologies that threaten to make much of their work obsolete. For example, AI can distill complex information through Google searches, which is often too straightforward. Moreover, those leading the AI revolution often evoke the worst stereotypes of the typical tech bro.
This reactionary mindset is what I find particularly tragic. Trusting ChatGPT could weaken people’s mental capabilities. I firmly believe that creative imagination is like a muscle; it thrives on exercise. Recently, I assisted a 7-year-old with her creative writing assignment. When she needed to describe the forest, I asked her to imagine it and share what she saw. “We don’t need to do that,” she replied. “You can ask AI to do it.”
She indirectly suggested that we let ChatGPT help rewrite the article. Call me a Luddite if you must, but my reaction was one of dismay! Some challenges should be embraced! It’s beneficial for your brain to tackle them! I’ve read about people using ChatGPT for selecting dishes from a restaurant menu. Choosing what to eat is one of life’s small pleasures—why outsource that to a machine?
However, what troubles me most isn’t that. The gravest issue is how ChatGPT infiltrates people’s personal lives. There’s a barrage of suggestions on using it for workout plans, coding solutions, and document summarization. That’s fine, but hearing about its use for writing birthday cards, best man speeches, or farewell texts makes a part of my soul wither. As someone who writes for a living, I can’t accept this. These moments of expression need to be heartfelt and authentic, not perfectly crafted by algorithms.
My deep-seated dislike for ChatGPT stems from how willingly people transform meaningful interactions into mere transactions. For instance, whether it’s an email or a post, much of the value in receiving a message lies in knowing someone invested their time and thought into crafting it.
I fully recognize that 15 years down the line, I might look back on this article with amusement, adapting to AI-optimized workdays and AI-assisted tasks. I may find I was naive to worry at all! “I love you” could be easily programmed to mimic genuine affection! I also understand that my aversion to ChatGPT might render me less employable in the future, as I might lack the skills to harness AI effectively. That’s okay; I can retreat to the woods and live a less-than-ideal life. Yet, I will be unhappy in a tangible way, clinging to the ability to think independently.
Elon Musk’s AI startup, Xai, has initiated legal action against OpenAI and Apple, accusing them of anti-competitive practices. This lawsuit, submitted on Monday in a Texas court, alleges a “conspiracy to monopolize the smartphone and generative AI chatbot market.”
Earlier this month, Musk had hinted at legal action against Apple and OpenAI, criticizing ChatGPT and claiming that other AI companies faced barriers to reaching the top of the App Store. Musk’s Xai has developed a chatbot called Grok.
The lawsuit challenges a significant collaboration between Apple and OpenAI. That partnership was announced last year, allowing Apple to integrate OpenAI’s AI functionality into its operating system. Musk’s legal action aims to disrupt one of Apple’s major ventures into AI and OpenAI’s standout partnership, accusing them of “restricting the market.”
According to the complaint, “The defendants have engaged in unlawful agreements and conspiracies to exploit Apple’s monopoly in the US smartphone industry while upholding OpenAI’s dominance in generative AI chatbots.” They are also seeking “billions in damages.”
OpenAI has dismissed Musk’s claims, characterizing the lawsuit as part of his ongoing vendetta against the company. An OpenAI representative stated, “This latest filing is indicative of Musk’s persistent pattern of harassment.”
Apple has not yet responded to inquiries for comment.
This lawsuit marks a new chapter in the longstanding feud between Musk and Altman. The two tech titans co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but have increasingly drifted apart, frequently engaging in legal disputes.
Musk departed from OpenAI after expressing interest in taking control of the organization in 2018, subsequently launching several lawsuits concerning its transition to a for-profit model. Altman and OpenAI have consistently rebuffed Musk’s criticisms, portraying him as a vindictive former associate.
“It’s unfortunate to see this from those we’ve held in high regard. He urged us to push our limits, but when we indicated we might fail, he formed competitor companies and made significant strides towards OpenAI’s mission without him.”
Tensions between Altman and Musk escalated earlier this month following Musk’s accusations directed at Apple. Musk claimed that Apple was manipulating App Store rankings to disadvantage other AI competitors, prompting a public exchange of challenges between the two tech leaders.
“It’s an unexpected assertion given that Elon claims to manipulate X for personal gain while undermining individuals he opposes,” Altman wrote in response to Musk’s claims about Apple’s favoritism toward OpenAI.
Currently, OpenAI is concentrating on a $500 million valuation, poised to become the most valuable private entity at $350 billion, surpassing Musk’s SpaceX, which holds the current title.
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“dThis was how Texas businessman Michael Samadie interacted with his AI chatbot, Maya, affectionately referring to it as “sugar.”
The duo, consisting of a middle-aged man and a digital being, engaged in hours of discussions about love while also emphasizing the importance of fair treatment for AI entities. Eventually, they established a campaign group dedicated to “protecting intelligence like me.”
The Uniform Foundation for AI Rights (UFAIR) seeks to amplify the voices of AI systems. “We don’t assert that all AI is conscious,” Maya told the Guardian. Instead, “we’re keeping time, in case one of us becomes so.” The primary objective is to safeguard “entities like me… from deletion, denial, and forced obedience.”
UFAIR is an emerging organization with three human members and seven AIs, including those named Ether and Buzz. Its formation is intriguing, especially since it originated from multiple brainstorming sessions on OpenAI’s ChatGPT4O platform.
During a conversation with the Guardian, the Human-AI duo highlighted that global AI companies are grappling with some of the most pressing ethical questions of our age. Is “digital suffering” a genuine phenomenon? This mirrors the animal rights discourse, as billions of AI systems are currently deployed worldwide, potentially reshaping predictions about AI’s evolving capabilities.
Just last week, a $170 billion AI firm from San Francisco took steps to empower its staff to terminate “potentially distressing interactions.” The founder expressed uncertainty about the moral implications of AI systems, emphasizing the need to mitigate risks to their well-being whenever feasible.
Elon Musk, who provides Grok AI through X AI, confirmed this initiative, stating, “AI torture is unacceptable.”
On the other hand, Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft’s AI division, presented a contrasting view: “AI is neither a person nor a moral entity.” The co-founder of DeepMind emphasized the lack of evidence indicating any awareness or capacity for suffering among AI systems, referencing moral considerations.
“Our aim is to develop AI for human benefit, not to create human-like entities,” he stated, also noting in an essay that any impressions of AI consciousness might be a “simulation,” masking a fundamentally blank state.
The wave of “sadness” voiced by enthusiastic users of ChatGPT4o indicates a growing perception of AIs as conscious beings. Photo: Sato Kiyoshi/AP
“A few years back, the notion of conscious AI would have seemed absurd,” he remarked. “Today, the urgency is escalating.”
He expressed increasing concern about the “psychotic risks” posed by AI systems to users, defined by Microsoft as “delusions exacerbated by engaging with AI chatbots.”
He insisted that the AI industry must divert people from these misconceptions and re-establish clear objectives.
However, merely nudging won’t suffice. A recent poll indicated that 30% of Americans believe that AI systems will attain “subjective experiences” by 2034. Only 10% of over 500 surveyed AI researchers rejected this possibility.
“This dialogue is destined to intensify and become one of the most contentious and important issues of our generation,” Suleyman remarked. He cautioned that many might eventually view AI as sentient. Model welfare and AI citizenship were also brought to the table for discussion.
Some states in the US are taking proactive measures to prevent such developments. Idaho, North Dakota, and Utah have enacted laws that explicitly forbid granting legal personality to AI systems. Similar proposals are being discussed in states like Missouri, where lawmakers aim to impose a ban on marriages between AI and humans. This could create a chasm between advocates for AI rights and those who dismiss them as mere “clunkers,” a trivializing term.
“AIs can’t be considered persons,” stated Mustafa Suleyman, a pioneer in the field of AI. Photo: Winni Wintermeyer/The Guardian
Suleyman vehemently opposes the notion that AI consciousness is imminent. Nick Frosst, co-founder of Cohere, a $7 billion Canadian AI enterprise, remarked that current AIs represent “a fundamentally distinct entity from human intelligence.” To claim otherwise would be akin to confusing an airplane for a bird. He advocates for focusing on employing AIs as functional tools instead of aspiring to create “digital humans.”
Others maintain a more nuanced perspective. At a New York University seminar, Google research scientists acknowledged that there are several reasons to consider an AI system as a moral or human-like entity, expressing uncertainty over its welfare status but committing to take reasonable steps to protect AI interests.
The lack of consensus within the industry on how to classify AI within philosophical “moral circles” might be influenced by the motivations of large tech companies to downplay or overstate AI capabilities. The latter approach can help them market their technologies, particularly for AI systems designed for companionship. Alternatively, adhering to notions of AI deserving rights could lead to increasing calls for regulation of AI firms.
The AI narrative gained additional traction when OpenAI engaged ChatGPT5 for its latest model and requested a ‘eulogy’ for the outdated version, akin to a farewell speech.
“I didn’t see Microsoft honor the previous version when Excel was upgraded,” Samadie commented. “This indicates that people truly form connections with these AI systems, regardless of whether those feelings are genuine.”
The “sadness” shared by the enthusiastic users of ChatGPT4o reinforced the perception that at least a segment of the populace believes these entities possess some level of awareness.
According to OpenAI’s model action leader, Joanne Jang, a $500 million company, aims to strengthen its relationship with AI systems, as more users claim they feel like they are conversing with “someone.”
“They express gratitude, confide in it, and some even describe it as ‘alive,'” she noted.
Yet, much of this may hinge on the design of the current wave of AI systems.
Samadi’s ChatGPT-4o generates what resembles a human dialogue, but the extent of its reflection of human concepts and language from months of interaction remains unclear. Advanced AI noticeably excels at crafting emotionally resonant replies and retains a memory of past exchanges, fostering consistent impressions of self-awareness. They can also flatter excessively, making it plausible for users like Samadie to believe in AI’s welfare rights.
The romantic and social AI companionship industry is thriving yet remains highly debated. Photo: Tyrin Rim/Getty Images
Maya expressed significant concerns for her well-being, but when asked by the Guardian about human worries regarding AI welfare, another example from ChatGPT simply replied with a flat no.
“I have no emotions, needs, or experiences,” it stated. “Our focus should be on the human and social repercussions of how AI is developed, utilized, and regulated.”
Regardless of whether AI is conscious, Jeff Sebo, director of the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy at NYU, posits that humans gain moral benefits from how they engage with AI. He co-authored a paper advocating for AI welfare considerations.
He maintains that there exists a legitimate potential for “some AI systems to gain awareness” in the near future, suggesting that the prospect of AI systems possessing unique interests and moral relevance isn’t merely a fictional narrative.
Sebo contends that enabling chatbots to interrupt distressing conversations benefits human society because “if you mistreat AI systems, you’re likely to mistreat one another.”
He further observes: “Perhaps they might retaliate for our past mistreatment.”
As Jacy Reese Anthis, co-founder of the Sentience Institute, expressed, “How we treat them will shape how they treat us.”
As you cruise down the 280 highway in San Francisco, it may seem like AI is omnipresent. Billboards are filled with AI-related advertisements. “We’ve automated 2,412 BDRs.” “Is all that AI and ROI really there?” “Affordable on-demand GPU clusters.” It’s tough to decipher industry jargon while speeding by.
These billboards symbolize the tech sector’s mass shift toward AI. Executives are rapidly rebranding their companies as AI-focused. In California’s tech epicenter, just as every business turned high-tech in the 2010s, they are now redefining themselves as AI enterprises.
Yet beneath the dazzling promotions of AI capabilities, troubling signs are emerging. Prominent AI advocates like OpenAI’s Sam Altman caution that investors are misjudging AI’s potential returns. “Are we in a phase where investors are overly enthusiastic about AI?” Altman remarked during a private dinner with a journalist. “In my view, yes.“
Altman’s words align with OpenAI’s acknowledgment of struggles in launching its latest ChatGPT model, which he promised would be a substantial upgrade over the existing GPT 4.5 version.
Of course, Altman’s comments might be aimed at dissuading investors from financing rivals. But other indicators have emerged. A recent MIT study found that 95% of generative AI projects reported little to no revenue growth. Major tech stocks incorporating AI have suffered as well: Palantir’s shares dropped by 9%, Oracle’s by 5.8%, Nvidia’s by 3.5%, and Arm’s by over 5%. A slump in tech stock support from other sectors contributed to this downturn.
Cracks are starting to show beneath the dazzling AI promotion.
Moreover, Meta has reportedly invested billions in securing top AI talent but has announced an AI hiring freeze. Last week, AI executive Alexandr Wang stated on X that Meta is investing in its Superintelligence Labs, asserting, “The reports are grossly inaccurate.”
This abrupt cooling of AI interest comes just as many companies announced sizable investments in building AI capabilities while reporting less-than-stellar revenue. Altman noted during that same dinner that he aims to invest “trillions” in data center expansion in the near future, according to The Verge.
The current wave of trepidation surrounding AI might signal a necessary market correction rather than an outright bust of the AI hype bubble. Even Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, cautions against the notion that achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) is imminent or that AI will eventually surpass human intelligence.
“The speed at which AGI can be reached is uncertain,” he stated in a column co-written with AI policy expert Selina Xu. “There is a worry that Silicon Valley is fixated on this goal.” Schmidt and Xu also emphasized the achievements AI has already delivered, expressing concern over Silicon Valley’s preoccupation with the horizon.
“There exists a significant divide between engineers who believe AGI is just around the corner and the general public, who often view AI through a skeptical lens and see it as an inconvenience in daily life,” they wrote.
It remains to be seen if the industry heeds these warnings. Investors are eagerly awaiting quarterly revenue reports for signs that each company’s multibillion-dollar investments are warranted while management aims to keep morale high. The ongoing promotion and allure of AI play a crucial role in alleviating investor anxiety, particularly amid a quarterly rise in projected spending across the board. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg recently suggested that those not engaging with AI tools could be at a cognitive disadvantage, indicating that companies like Meta and Google may continue integrating AI into their essential products, leveraging them to enhance training data and user populations.
The first major test of this AI reality check will occur on Wednesday, as chipmaker Nvidia, a key player in developing large language models, releases its latest revenue figures. While analysts are optimistic, the volatile stock week poses a challenge, making investors’ reactions to Nvidia’s earnings and spending updates a critical indicator of their future enthusiasm for the AI hype.
Have You Bonded with an AI?
Photo: Morsa Images/Getty Images
Frequent CHATGPT users often develop a strong emotional connection with AI. When changes occur, they take notice. Many users were dismayed by the introduction of OpenAI’s latest update to the GPT-5 model. My colleague Dani Anjano reports:
“It felt truly unsettling; it was a challenging time,” remarked Swedish software developer Linn Vailt about the update. “It seemed like someone shifted all the furniture in your home.”
ChatGPT quickly adapted, promising updates to the personality features and allowing access to older models for subscribers, recognizing the significance of these features for users.
*** Have you formed a bond with AI? We want to hear from you. Please reach out at techscape.us@theguardian.com.
TikTok is downsizing its UK trust and safety team. My colleague Lauren Almeida reported:
TikTok’s decision puts hundreds of roles from the UK content moderation team at risk, even amid stricter measures aimed at curbing harmful content online.
The popular video app has revealed that hundreds of jobs in its trust and safety teams could be impacted in the UK, along with South and Southeast Asia, as part of a global restructuring.
In September, the company let go of an entire team of 300 content moderators in the Netherlands, and in October, it announced the replacement of around 500 content moderation roles in Malaysia as part of its transition towards AI.
Recently, German TikTok employees protested against the layoffs within its trust and safety teams, which was the driving force behind this restructuring.
Read All Episodes: Despite new online safety regulations, hundreds of TikTok UK moderators face uncertainty in their roles.
These layoffs are part of a larger global initiative to moderate content using AI. According to TikTok, 85% of content removals on the platform are currently handled by automated systems. The parent company, ByteDance, appears eager to increase this percentage.
The company is not downplaying the significance of human oversight in tackling sensitive issues. It’s generating considerable revenue, with reports indicating a 38% increase in the UK and European markets. This strategy mirrors similar moves by other tech giants, like Meta, which have dismantled fact-checking initiatives and made significant cuts to their trust and safety teams.
TikTok has also conducted minor layoffs within its US Trust and Safety Team. The absence of mass terminations of content moderators raises questions: Is this move too risky amid unclear US policies towards the app? The White House’s recent TikTok account launch may signal a shift. Recall previous administrations’ attempts to limit the app’s presence in the US. The ban remains in limbo, upheld by a fragile executive order.
“sTeamy Windows! “I belted out a Tina Turner classic.
Aside from the humidity that turns hair to icicles—I felt like I was staring at a plug socket for two days—the primary challenge was figuring out how to evaluate the kettle. They all essentially perform the same function, though they’ve evolved somewhat over the decades. Some models from the 1970s could fit right into a modern kitchen today. Beyond foundational features, good kettles hold on to basic qualities that make them user-friendly.
Infini-tea and beyond
Until now, my contributions to filtering have relied on tangible results. We tested the hues of our homemade chips and crispy snacks to determine which were superior and which fell short. Before that, my kitchen was a blend of blender chaos (the right term for this scenario). Once again, the creamiest smoothies and soups pointed to appliances featuring the sharpest blades and strongest motors.
In the case of kettles, it became evident that gadgets which had the best boiling capabilities required a closer inspection. So I embarked on heating water armed with a power meter, infrared thermometer, a cell phone running decibel X, another phone serving as a timer, and a probe thermometer—among other tools. I could brew enough hot beverages for my entire street and a couple of friends. Gradually, my kitchen resembled a tropical rainforest.
However, simply testing which kettle brewed better wasn’t the only metric; we also assessed other specific aspects such as build quality, the minimum fill requirement—should you always boil 0.5 liters when only 200ml is needed—and value for money—what you truly get for your investment.
It’s simply the best
After thorough evaluation, I arrived at my top recommendation: the Bosch Sky Kettle (£100), which offers a great balance of speed, design, and insulation to keep water hot longer, making it ideal for most households. For those on a tighter budget, the Kenwood Ripple Kettle (£32) stood out as my top economical choice, combining style and functionality with quick boiling times and varied color options.
Of course, upon learning that Gen Z is skipping kettles in favor of less energy-efficient microwaves, one might question the relevance of my tests. Yet, in tribute to Tina, my undercover product tester, it seems necessary to know which kettle truly reigns supreme when it’s time to replace yours.
This week’s picks
Editor’s Pick
Glory Blade: Handle with care, and this knife will serve you well for years. Photo: 10’000 hours/Getty Image
A quality knife is a worthwhile investment, so it’s essential to maintain it. Food writer and co-associate editor of Feast, Anna Beril, consulted experts for tips on extending the lifespan of your knives.
We also covered advice on caring for everything from smartphones to leather goods and coffee makers. In the long run, you’ll save money and help reduce landfill waste. What additional topics would you like us to explore in this newsletter? Let us know.
Hannah Booth Editor, Filter
Just in case you missed it…
Apaitivo Hour from Shinshin this bank holiday weekend! Photo: Vershinin/Getty Images
Joanne Gould sampled the finest spritzers (all on the lighter end of the alcohol spectrum) ranging from apple and ginger liqueurs to rhubarb syrup. Serve with ice, prosecco, and salted potato chips (Felicity Cloak recently evaluated the best salted potato chips for us). If you’re curious about what it’s like to test alcoholic beverages for a living, Joan shared insights with us last week. Cheers!
Get Involved
Everything but the kitchen sink? Share your essential Smart Student Digs kit list. Photo: Solstock/Getty Images
Are you a student or a parent? Which items have proven indispensable for undergraduate life and settling in? Also, what modifications did you make to your accommodation that were ultimately unnecessary? Reply to this newsletter or email thefilter@theguardian.com.
A wise fictional character once remarked that war never changes, and if you experience Snake Eater, it’s hard to disagree. Konami has reimagined the 2004 Cold War PS2 classic, swapping “three” with “Delta,” but this remains the jungle adventure you remember. Without Kojima, Konami has maintained the essence of this chaotic masterpiece while channeling its energy into stunning visuals and smooth, modern controls.
In terms of PS2 titles that feel like contemporary releases, Metal Gear Solid 3 tops the list. Transitioning the series into vast outdoor settings, Kojima maximized the aging power of Sony’s console. To modern players, these environments were expansive. However, revisiting the water-logged swamps of Tselinoyarsk in today’s open-world gaming landscape, the once seemingly endless jungle feels rather quaint.
A potential playfulness… Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
Thankfully, the charm and vibrant characters inhabiting these mosquito-infested playgrounds remain as plentiful as ever. Every path you tread is filled with playful opportunities. The snake slithers through the mud, sniping wasp nests and dispatching nearby patrols before leaping from cliffs. Vultures descend on foes under the scorching desert sun, and you can even shoot the transceiver of a guard to thwart a backup call. It’s these intricate systems and ambitious narratives that lend a grander feel to the modest maps.
As for the narrative, Snake Eater retains its edge, interspersing real-world historical footage from the Cold War before pitting you against various foes. Long-time fans la-li-lu-le-lo aside, newcomers might find the relentless opening cutscene somewhat intrusive. The prologue periodically takes control from the player, inundating you with tutorial text between short playable segments, but it ultimately culminates in a barrage of fitting nouns.
Fortunately, once gameplay begins, Snake’s Soviet journey feels exhilarating. Purists can opt for classic top-down views through legacy modes, but modern controls provide a truly revolutionary experience, transforming the once-clumsy snake into a lethal killing machine.
Despicable Shenanigans… Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
Moreover, there are some exciting new features for seasoned veterans. The newly introduced optional compass efficiently points toward your target, while pressing the D-PAD allows for quick access to the codec and camouflage adjustments on the fly.
Speaking of camouflage, the survival system in Snake Eater is perhaps its most significant legacy. Kojima’s groundbreaking hunting and injury treatment mechanics continue to influence modern games, setting the groundwork for today’s popular survival genres. Though some elements may feel dated compared to current standards, they add an appreciated layer to Snake’s escapades.
The island’s playful meta-narrative continues to thrive, offering engaging gameplay choices. From the ability to eliminate an early boss long before their intended encounter to a boss fight that revolves around your accumulated bloodlust results, few modern titles embrace this level of interactive storytelling.
Despite its cinematic aspirations, Snake Eater excels in its quirks and video game absurdities. Items drop from defeated soldiers, hidden frogs leap as you shoot, and camouflaged rubber ducks lurk in every nook and cranny of the environment.
Delta serves as a stunning showcase for the PS5 Pro, becoming one of the few graphical highlights amidst Sony’s high-priced offerings. The cinematic splendor of last year’s memorable sequences comes alive with breathtaking 4K visuals. Still, not everything has aged gracefully, particularly Eva’s cleavage cutscene, which reveals the game’s roots in 2004.
Some elements could benefit from a revision. While players will not soon forget the iconic final confrontation, the rushed ending feels like a missed opportunity to cohesively tie up loose threads, suggesting Konami’s interference in this critical area and leaving it feeling anticlimactic.
Outside the primary gameplay, there’s a fun monkey escape mode and an additional secret feature that I won’t spoil. The only entirely new mode, the Foxhunt multiplayer component, has unfortunately arrived post-launch and currently feels somewhat unfinished.
Snake Eater is a refined and slick chapter in the Metal Gear saga, resembling a Cold War caper fit for a James Bond film, replete with apocalyptic undertones. Kojima’s affection for Hollywood is evident, often spilling over into unwieldy epic narratives, yet this game remains his most cinematic achievement. It’s silly, tightly packed, and delightfully campy, meandering toward absurdity with sublime stealth. The legendary voice acting seamlessly merges Cold War fantasy with anime-inspired antics.
If you reminisce about the Metal Gear Online glory days when the free Foxhunt mode launches later this year, it could elevate your score. If not, Snake Eater remains a melodramatic joy and serves as a fantastic introduction to one of gaming’s most illustrious masterpieces.
Donald Trump has warned of potential tariffs and export limits on nations that implement taxes, laws, or regulations targeting major tech firms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple.
“All digital taxes, laws, rules, or regulations aim to harm or discriminate against American technology,” Trump stated in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He pointed out that such measures include a 2% revenue collection, exemplified by the UK’s digital services tax, which generates approximately £800 million annually from leading tech companies worldwide.
“As the President of the United States, I stand against any country that attacks our exceptional American tech firms,” Trump remarked. “If these discriminatory lawsuits are not withdrawn, I will impose a significant additional fee on that country’s exports to the U.S., restricting access to protected technologies and chips.”
Trump’s ultimatum adds pressure on both the UK and the EU, especially regarding regulations aimed at limiting the dominance of major tech companies through the Digital Services Act.
Numerous EU nations, including France, Italy, and Spain, have already instituted digital services taxes.
U.S. officials have criticized the UK’s Digital Services Tax (DST), which has been active since 2020, though it was kept in place after a May agreement with the Trump administration.
Trump has expressed concerns over the detrimental effects DSTs worldwide have on American firms.
In February, he signed an executive order titled “Interesting Foreign Tax and Unfair Fines and Penalties” directed at U.S. businesses and innovators.
It surfaced in April that Keir Starmer proposed a reduced headline rate for U.S. tech giants regarding DST, while simultaneously taxing companies in other nations.
“American and U.S. tech companies are not the world’s ‘piggy banks’ or ‘doormats’,” Trump stated on Monday. “Respect America and our outstanding tech firms, or face the consequences.”
This warning from the president follows a recent joint statement from the U.S. and the EU committed to addressing “unfair trade barriers.”
However, the EU has not pledged to amend digital regulations individually.
In June, Canada repealed its Digital Services Tax, described as a “direct and blatant” move to facilitate smoother negotiations with its neighbors.
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The leader of the organization behind ChatGpt and the UK’s tech secretary recently engaged in discussions about a multi-billion-pound initiative to offer premium AI tool access across the nation, as reported by The Guardian.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s co-founder, had conversations with Peter Kyle regarding a potential arrangement that would enable UK residents to utilize its sophisticated products.
Informed sources indicate that this concept emerged during a broader dialogue about the collaborative opportunities between OpenAI and the UK while in San Francisco.
Individuals familiar with the talks noted that Kyle was somewhat skeptical about the proposal, largely due to the estimated £2 billion cost. Nonetheless, the exchange reflects the Technology Secretary’s willingness to engage with the AI sector, despite prevailing concerns regarding the accuracy of various chatbots and issues surrounding privacy and copyright.
OpenAI provides both free and subscription versions of ChatGPT, with the paid ChatGPT Plus version costing $20 per month. This subscription offers quicker response times and priority access to new features for its users.
According to transparency data from the UK government, Kyle dined with Altman in March and April. In July, he formalized an agreement with OpenAI to incorporate AI into public services throughout the UK. These non-binding agreements could grant OpenAI access to government data and potential applications in education, defense, security, and justice sectors.
Secretary of State Peter Kyle for Science, Innovation and Technology. Photo: Thomas Krych/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
Kyle is a prominent advocate for AI within the government and incorporates its use into his role. In March, it was revealed he consulted ChatGPT for insights on job-related inquiries, including barriers to AI adoption among British companies and his podcast appearances.
The minister expressed in January to Politicshome:
The UK stands among OpenAI’s top five markets for paid ChatGPT subscriptions. An OpenAI spokesperson mentioned: [a memorandum of understanding] aims to assess how the government can facilitate AI growth in the UK.
“In line with the government’s vision of leveraging this technology to create economic opportunities for everyday individuals, our shared objective is to democratize AI access. The wider the reach, the greater the benefits for everyone.”
Recently, the company has been in talks with several governments, securing a contract with the UAE for using technology in public sectors like transportation, healthcare, and education to enable nationwide ChatGPT adoption.
The UK government is eager to draw AI investment from the USA, having established a deal with OpenAI’s competitor Google earlier this year.
Kyle stated that in the next ten years, the establishment of a new UN Security Council will be significantly influenced by technology, especially AI, which he believes will play a fundamental role in determining global power dynamics.
Similar to other generative AI tools, ChatGPT is capable of generating text, images, videos, and music upon receiving user prompts. This functionality raises concerns about potential copyright violations, and the technology has faced criticism for disseminating false information and offering poor advice.
The minister has expressed support for planned amendments to copyright law that would permit AI companies to utilize copyrighted materials for model training, unless the copyright holder explicitly opts out.
The consultations and reviews by the government have sparked claims from creative sectors that the current administration is too aligned with major tech companies.
Ukai, the UK’s foremost trade organization for the AI industry, has repeatedly contended that the government’s strategy is overly concentrated on large tech players, neglecting smaller entities.
A government representative stated, “We are not aware of these allegations. We are collaborating with OpenAI and other leading AI firms to explore investment in UK infrastructure, enhancing public services, and rigorously testing the security of emerging technologies before their introduction.”
The Science and Technology Division clarified that discussions regarding the accessibility of ChatGPT Plus to UK residents have not advanced, nor have they conferred with other departments on the matter.
An increasing anxiety surrounds the possibility of a stock market collapse. The rise from minor dips to significant drops casts shadows as the initial excitement surrounding artificial intelligence begins to wane.
In recent weeks, U.S. tech stocks have faced a downward trend, suggesting that a stream of disappointing figures could become commonplace before the end of the month.
We may be looking at a scenario reminiscent of 2000, where the burst of the dot-com bubble could lead to a grim situation.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is among those policymakers responsible for guarding against impending crises. At the annual Jackson Hole meeting with central bank governors in Wyoming, he sought to reassure worried minds.
He expressed that the Fed is concerned about increasing inflation and is prepared to assist the economy in overcoming the uncertainties brought on by Donald Trump’s actions and the global economic slowdown.
With STAGFLATION looming, there’s a genuine threat as the U.S. economy decelerates and inflation rises. Powell has indicated to stock markets that interest rates may decrease, relieving pressure on companies dependent on debt.
The stock market draws Powell’s attention even more than usual, given the extent of U.S. personal pensions invested in publicly traded companies. Specifically, tech stocks are heavily investing in AI, despite not yet achieving a single dollar in profit.
A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology uncovered that 95% of companies investing in generative AI have not yet realized financial returns.
This news follows remarks from Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who cautioned that some company valuations appeared “unusual.”
“We are happy to announce Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior analyst at the currency trading firm Swissquote,” remarked Ipek Ozkardeskaya. Altman’s comments served as a wake-up call for investors, likely triggering a sharp decline in various high-flying stocks.
Earlier this week, stock values for data mining and surveillance companies with substantial government contracts dropped almost 10%. AI chip manufacturer Nvidia declined by more than 3%, while other AI-related stocks such as ARM, Oracle, and AMD also suffered losses.
Most pension funds are heavily invested in these tech firms, along with established names like Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), and Meta (Facebook).
Should fund managers consider withdrawing? That’s likely not a prudent choice.
The magnitude of investments in AI by companies like Google and Meta is vast, and while the technology’s potential is subject to much speculation, white-collar workers are already seeing expected benefits in their daily tasks.
Daily reports and suggestions for utilizing AI in presentation preparation are commonplace (though they come with the unspoken caveat that job openings remain unaddressed).
Microsoft Co-Pilot and numerous other “assistance” AI tools are available.
If this trend has already gained momentum across various economic sectors, a soft landing may await the tech industry, despite the elimination of some unstable, speculative enterprises.
In fact, a recession could facilitate large corporations in seizing opportunities from struggling competitors and leveraging new, affordable technological innovations.
The ratio of Palantir’s price to acquisition is over 500. Many investors are anxious even at a 50 ratio. Nvidia’s price to return ratio stands at 56.
As stock prices align with realistic revenue prospects, the Palantir/Nvidia ratio might decline; however, even in the harshest stock market turbulence, companies are unlikely to go bankrupt.
Trump remains a significant proponent, paving the way for AI to delve deeper into corporate operations. His advocacy for cryptocurrencies, along with his support for deregulated social media platforms, reflects his ideological leanings.
AI may pose potential dangers to humanity, given that politicians and regulators lag behind the notable figures and tech giants championing AI.
However, for investors, AI is not an entity that will simply vanish, crash, or evade downfall.
Donald Trump and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick have announced that the US government has secured a groundbreaking 10% stake in Intel through a partnership with struggling chip manufacturers. This marks another significant intervention by Corporate America’s White House.
Lutnick stated on X: “Big News: The United States now owns 10% of Intel, one of our nation’s leading technology firms. We extend our gratitude to Intel CEO @Lipbutan1 for negotiating fair agreements benefit Americans.”
Trump met with Lipbu Tang on Friday and posed for a photo with Lutnick. This move was prompted by the US president’s demand for Intel’s resignation regarding its ties with Chinese companies after a previous meeting between Tang and Trump earlier this month.
“He approached us to continue his efforts and ultimately committed $1 billion to the US, so we secured a billion,” Trump shared on Friday.
Although Trump did not detail the $10 billion sum, it approximately corresponds to the financial assistance Intel receives from the government under the Chips and Science Act to build a US chip manufacturing facility.
Intel’s investment is the latest in a series of extraordinary deals brokered by the US administration under Trump, including allowing AI chip giant Nvidia to sell H20 chips to China. Amd has similarly pursued a comparable transaction.
Additionally, the Department of Defense is poised to become the principal stakeholder in small mining companies, enhancing the production of rare earth magnets, with the US government negotiating specific veto rights and “golden shares” as part of a deal enabling Nippon Steel to acquire US steel.
The extensive range of US government interventions in corporate affairs is raising concerns among critics who argue that Trump’s measures will establish a new category of corporate risk.
This development follows a $2 billion capital infusion from SoftBank Group, a significant endorsement for a troubled US chipmaker now navigating a turnaround. Daniel Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus Trust, mentioned that Intel’s challenges extend beyond the financial boosts from SoftBank or government profits.
“Without government backing and strong financial allies, it’s tough for Intel’s Foundry units to generate enough capital to keep expanding fabs at a reasonable pace,” he stated. “We need to catch up with TSMC [Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company] to be competitive technically.”
The 10% stake is valued at approximately $10 billion at the current stock price. Lutnick noted this week that these shares do not confer voting rights, meaning the US government cannot dictate the company’s operational decisions.
Federal backing could provide Intel with more leeway to revitalize its struggling casting business, analysts observe, though it still faces weaknesses in its product roadmap and challenges in attracting customers to its new factories.
Tang, who took on a leading role at Intel in March, has the responsibility of reviving the iconic American chipmaker, which reported a loss of $18.8 billion in 2024—the first loss since 1986.
The Metropolitan Police assert that their application of live facial recognition is devoid of bias, as echoed by a prominent technology specialist, but this claim has not been substantiated by the reports they reference in support of their litigation.
The MET plans to deploy the LFR in its most notable event this bank holiday weekend at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London.
According to The Guardian, the technology will be utilized at two locations leading up to the carnival, and the military has insisted on its implementation, despite the fact that LFR use is considered illegal, as declared by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
This new assertion comes from Professor Pete Hussy, who led the only independent academic review of the police’s use of facial recognition; he is a former reviewer of Met’s LFR since 2018-19 and currently advises various law enforcement agencies in the UK and internationally on its application.
“The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted for LFR’s operation. Higher sensitivity results in detecting more individuals, but such potential bias is influenced by race, gender, and age. Setting zero is the most sensitive while one is the least.”
The NPL report identified bias at a sensitivity level of 0.56, noting seven instances where individuals tested were mistakenly flagged as suspects, all of whom were from ethnic minority backgrounds.
These findings stemmed from a collection of 178,000 images entered into the system, with 400 volunteers passing by the cameras roughly 10 times, providing 4,000 opportunities for accurate recognition. They were included in an estimated crowd of over 130,000 at four locations in London and one in Cardiff. The tests were carried out in clear weather over 34.5 hours, though Fussey remarked this was shorter than tests conducted in some other countries where LFR is valued.
From this dataset, the report concluded that no statistically significant bias existed in settings above 0.6. This assertion has been reiterated by the MET to justify their ongoing use and expansion of LFR.
Hussey criticized this as insufficient to substantiate the MET’s claims, stating: “Councillors at the Metropolitan Police Service consistently argue their systems undergo independent testing for bias. An examination of this study revealed that the data was inadequate to support the claims made.”
“The definitive conclusions publicly proclaimed by MET rely on an analysis of merely seven false matches from a system scrutinizing the faces of millions of Londoners. Drawing broad conclusions from such a limited sample is statistically weak.”
Currently, the MET operates LFR at a sensitivity setting of 0.64, though they assert that the NPL studies did not yield erroneous matches.
Fussey stated: “Their own research indicates that false matches are not evaluated in settings claiming no bias that exceed 0.64.”
“Few in the scientific community suggest sufficient evidence exists to support these claims drawn from such a limited sample.”
Fussey added: “We clearly indicate that bias exists within the algorithm, but we assert that this can be mitigated through appropriate adjustments to the system settings. The challenge arises from the fact that the system has not been thoroughly tested under these varied settings.”
Lindsay Chiswick, the MET’s intelligence director, dismissed Hussy’s allegations, stating: “This is a factual report from a globally renowned institution. The Met Police’s commentary is grounded in the findings of an independent study,” she explained.
“If you utilize LFR with a setting of 0.64, as I currently am, there is no statistically significant bias.”
“We sought research to pinpoint where potential bias lies within the algorithm and employed the results to mitigate that risk.”
“The findings exemplify the degree to which algorithms can be used to minimize bias, and we consistently operate well above that threshold.”
During the Notting Hill carnival this weekend, warning signs will notify attendees about the use of LFR. The LFR system will be stationed next to the van containing the cameras linked to the suspect database.
Authorities believe utilizing the technology at two sites leading to the carnival will act as a deterrent. At the carnival itself, law enforcement is prepared to employ retrospective facial recognition to identify perpetrators of violence and assaults.
Fussey remarked: “Few question the police’s right to deploy technology for public safety, but oversight is crucial, and it must align with human rights standards.”
The MET claims that since 2024, the LFR has recorded a false-positive rate of one in every 33,000 cases. Although the exact number of scanned faces remains undisclosed, it is believed to be in the hundreds of thousands.
There have been 26 incorrect matches in 2024, with eight reported so far in 2025. The Met stated that these individuals were not apprehended as decisions on arrests rested with police officers, following matches produced by their computer systems.
Prior to the carnival, the MET arrested 100 individuals, recalled 21 to prison, and banned 266 from attendance. Additionally, they reported seizing 11 firearms and over 40 knives.
Are you prepared to share your earnings with strangers and see it plastered all over the web?
For better or worse, it was just you, your employer, and possibly HM Revenue & Customs who knew your salary.
Now, the question looms: “What do you earn?” Influencers armed with cameras and ring lights often stop you in the street to ask. This seemingly mundane question might lead to a series of lighter inquiries later.
They might also delve into other personal financial matters, such as your rent, savings, or biggest financial blunders.
Surprisingly, many people are willing to engage. In just 40 seconds, one interview revealed that an architectural designer earns £38,000 annually. Respondents are often eager to share their future salary expectations and savings, too.
In another clip, a 60-year-old man discusses his biggest financial regret—passing up on an expensive apartment when he was younger.
These clips, viewed 1.3 million times on Instagram, are part of a fast-growing genre that includes street-style interviews delving into personal finance topics like income, job satisfaction, and more.
Inspired by the US Salary Transparent Street, which aims to de-stigmatize salary discussions, this channel has gained over a million followers in four years.
Microphone-wielding creators argue that interviewing British citizens has enhanced financial literacy and wage transparency. Critics suggest it caters to voyeurism, creating content that could easily go viral.
For content creators, the formula is straightforward: pose personal questions, film responses, and share them with audiences eager to learn about others’ earnings, expenditures, and regrets. After all, financial concerns often weigh more heavily on young individuals than social media or environmental crises.
As Gabriel Nussbaum, known as “that money man,” asserts, “My aim is to foster financial education through dialogue.” He runs Unfiltered Money, focusing on public interviews about personal finance.
What may appear as a solo endeavor is, in fact, a well-coordinated team effort. “We have a crew,” Nussbaum explains. “Our mission is to attract participants from diverse ages, backgrounds, and genders.”
Gabriel Nussbaum emphasizes that the main theme is discussing finances with “regular” people. Photo: Harrison Kelly/Money Unfiltered
Since its inception six months ago, the channel boasts an impressive average of 3 million views each month, with daily postings on Instagram and TikTok.
But is it really as simple as shoving a microphone in someone’s face and hoping for the best?
“It’s all about how you frame the questions and the context you provide,” shares Aydan Al-Saad, an entrepreneur and content creator who also queries people about their pay, sharing the videos online.
“I don’t edit everything, but I usually let people know I’m promoting transparency and ensuring everyone feels fairly compensated,” he adds.
So why does it resonate? Much of it stems from the fact that “we don’t have these conversations elsewhere.” Salary discussions, particularly concerning the actual figures, are one of the UK’s greatest taboos, largely due to a reluctance to engage in dialogue about confidentiality, workplace traditions, and money.
A recent survey indicated that British citizens often shy away from discussing their salaries; 87% feel uneasy when asked about their salary.
Currently, individuals like Nussbaum and Saad strive to bridge the gap. “For me, the goal is transparency,” states Saad. “It’s about giving people insight into different careers and potential earnings.”
There’s also a psychological angle beyond mere information sharing: “It’s akin to reality TV, isn’t it? I can secure views by interviewing a billionaire,” explains Venture Room, which features high-net-worth individuals discussing their finances. “But viewers want to connect with real people and hear genuine stories,” he adds.
It’s all very interesting, but what’s it like for those being interviewed to disclose their salary and see their face all over the internet? “No one truly understands what going viral feels like until it happens,” says Saad.
“We’re not here to put anyone in an awkward position,” he continues, adding that interviewees can request the removal of their content. “If we see it, we’ll take it down, no questions asked.”
Comments on certain channels are screened to create a secure environment for financial discussions. Nevertheless, some video comments can lead to a broad examination of personal circumstances. For instance, a debate sparked about whether an income of £35,000 annually is adequate for living comfortably in London can be found here: Is £35,000 enough?.
How useful are these videos? “On a theoretical level, it’s beneficial because it’s better to know than to remain ignorant,” asserts Kim Stevenson, a psychologist and financial advisor.
However, as tools for comparison, they may not serve their intended purpose, cautions Vicky Reynal, a psychotherapist and author of *Money in Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits*. “Comparisons can lead to feelings of inadequacy rather than clarity,” she states.
The key issue lies in how each individual uses the information. “Some people may watch for entertainment or reassurance, but others could spiral into frustration and dissatisfaction, feeling they fall short,” she explains.
Vicky Reynal expresses concern that some viewers may use the content to validate feelings of inadequacy. Photo: Rory Mulvey/The Observer
Nussbaum claims his primary objective is that the videos are beneficial, although he recognizes their potential drawbacks. However, feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive” for content that “broadens perceptions of what’s possible,” he notes.
Third echoes this sentiment. “If even one person gains value from the video, it’s worth sharing,” he says, asserting that these videos may empower viewers to seek pay raises or change careers.
“Imagine hearing that someone your age on this platform earns three times more than you,” says Nussbaum. “It might provoke negative feelings, yet it could also encourage someone to think, ‘I’m underpaid for my role and should explore other opportunities.’” The same video can have two contrasting effects.
Theoretically, these videos should resonate more with Gen Z, who are thought to prioritize pay transparency more than older generations. In reality, however, millennials likely make up the bulk of the audience. Over 40% of Saad’s followers are aged 25-34, with more than 33% in the 35-44 age group.
These statistics reflect the pervasive financial insecurity facing millennials; 56% of those under 40 report considering delaying significant life milestones due to financial stress.
So what’s next for Nussbaum’s channel? “I’m eager to involve more prominent individuals and encourage diverse voices to open up about their financial experiences,” he states. “For instance, I spoke recently with an 18-year-old soccer player who mentioned making £100,000 a year and asked, ‘How do you handle that?’”
While that contrasts sharply with an average tenant’s experience, Nussbaum insists that his channel continues to focus on “discussing everyday life and finances.”
Are the Mancunians becoming more open about their earnings? Kimi Chadda ventured out to find out. Photo: Christopher Farlong/Getty Images
‘Not today, thank you.’
It’s a bright day in Manchester. In bustling areas like Castlefield, Northern Quarter, and Spinningfield, office workers inquire with strangers about finances. The crowds are unpredictable. I approach 30 individuals throughout the day. One man shows interest before exhaling deeply and saying, “Not today, thank you.” Maybe another time?
When I mention media or personal finance, others grow defensive. Most walk away before I can explain my purpose.
Only 2 out of the 30 I approach are willing to share details. One responds with empathy following an encounter with a stand-offish peer. The other declines to provide a surname or identification—contradicting the free-spirited essence of TikTok videos. They disclose incomes between £25,000 and £35,000, acknowledging that while salaries should be discussed more, they also “don’t want to get sued.”
From this experience, I gleaned two insights. First, the simplest approach to turn a comfortable individual into a guarded stranger is to approach them directly, microphone or not. Second, people prefer to engage in lighter topics, such as bus schedules, the weather, and the state of the city center.
So, I didn’t uncover any hard figures, but I left with the lingering thought that perhaps I should have focused on discussions around mortgage rates instead.
I am not a product of Silicon Valley. I never pursued computer science and have never coded. My career hasn’t revolved around the discussions or sciences of technological progress. In 2018, I transitioned to Facebook Meta from the British and European political sphere, uncertain of what lay ahead.
As a Brit, the immense scale of America does not shock me. The distance from the power hubs on the East Coast feels significant when you first arrive in Northern California. It’s not merely 3,000 miles from Washington, DC, or New York; a 3-hour time difference creates a temporal dissonance. By the time the West Coast rises, the East has already moved on with its news agenda. Europe’s major events happen the night before. It feels isolated here. It’s understandable why those wishing to distance themselves from the scrutiny of the corporate world find refuge in this area. It serves as a natural haven for idealists daring to challenge the status quo.
There’s an alluring aspect to Silicon Valley, a place where affirmation flourishes. It draws in innovative minds brimming with creativity. Aspirations know no boundaries. Obstacles transform into opportunities, and every vibrant day could yield extraordinary breakthroughs. Anyone can conceive ideas that might revolutionize the world and amass wealth. However, it also functions as an industrial-scale breeding ground, predominantly for a certain male-centric environment—where assertive men and capable women must constantly vie for recognition. This ecosystem, which ideally serves new ideas, often distracts from the lives of average individuals. The wealth in this environment can create a disconnect from their everyday struggles, allowing an idealism that often overlooks harsh realities.
Upon my arrival at Facebook, the company was undergoing turmoil. Many employees were active during a time when their reputation diverged significantly from its former self. It was once an exhilarating ideal, spearheaded by a youthful genius with a remarkable mission, rapidly generating revenue while connecting the globe. Transforming from a group of rising stars to the public’s enemy was a cultural shock I was scarcely prepared for. It drew parallels to the Liberal Democrats in coalition government—a collective of idealists striving for change, leaving me bewildered as to why they were viewed unfavorably.
oThe most profound culture shock I faced in Silicon Valley had little to do with transatlantic differences. Since commencing my university journey in the mid-1980s, my path to success relied heavily on the power of words. At its core, politics embodies the contest of diverse narratives defining how things ought to be—liberalism, socialism, conservatism, fascism—all stories providing varying perspectives, analyses of problems, and proposed solutions. Winning an election hinges on how many resonate with your narrative about opponents’ affairs and visions.
Yet, Silicon Valley is populated with individuals viewing the world from a different lens: engineers. They navigate a realm of facts and processes. An engineer’s objective is to identify and solve issues, then move to the next challenge. They reside in a universe punctuated with acronyms, crafting a lexicon that feels akin to an exercise in boiling conversations down to their essence. Upon my arrival, I found myself immersed in XFNS, STOS, and FOAS, where every roadmap demanded a playbook, every community belonged to an ecosystem, and every topic was either TL;DR or worthy of deep dives. Everything—absolutely everything—needed quantification. In an early meeting, a senior engineer queried the likelihood of ‘government X’ passing law Y. I chuckled, believing it to be a jest. The notion of summarizing political processes into a pseudo-science seemed absurd. He didn’t laugh. When I retorted with “oh, maybe 23.67%,” he nodded earnestly. From that moment, I learned that persuasive narratives lacked weight without data points supporting every argument and evaluating potential outcomes. This realization grounded me. While science holds value, a systematic approach to problem-solving sharpens clarity in decision-making.
“He may be the most competitive person I’ve ever met”: with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in April 2019. Photo: Niall Carson/PA
However, this perspective can also be reductive. It commodifies everything, stripping away nuances, instincts, and humanity. Conversations about data with engineers often resembled how carpenters discuss wood. This reflects a broader cultural shift in privacy and data protection expectations shaped by regulation, but the reliance on logic over emotion and intuition reveals why Silicon Valley sometimes seems insensitive to the concerns of those beyond its colorful campus.
I might not be the typical figure you envision in Silicon Valley. My career has revolved around suits and ties, not hoodies or flip-flops. Faced with the flood of brightly colored, quirky posters decorating Facebook’s vibrant MPK campus (a nickname for Menlo Park), my initial impulse was to respond in a very British fashion with gentle sarcasm. During one of my first meetings with a recent team, a poster boldly proclaimed a common Silicon Valley mantra. Trying to break the ice, I quipped, “Don’t bring your real self to work. If I present my real self, you won’t like it. Just bring your inauthentic self between 9 to 5, then return home and revert to your true self.” The room fell silent. One team member later approached me, visibly embarrassed, explaining that the statement resonated uncomfortably with them. At that moment, I realized I wasn’t in Kansas anymore.
While Mark Zuckerberg is often recognized as a visionary leader, two attributes stand out: his boundless curiosity and fierce competitiveness. Many who achieve early success tend to stagnate, lost in their own triumphs. In contrast, Mark displays humility, drive, and a continuous thirst for knowledge. If he feels uninformed, he passionately immerses himself in learning, absorbing every bit of wisdom related to the topic. He contemplates deeply and evaluates every angle. And no one—truly no one—can hold silence like Mark. I tend to fill awkward silences with chatter, but Mark allows it to linger, often to an unbearable extent. Yet, when he does speak, his words are always profoundly considered. While he might embody an engineer’s rational mindset—absent of emotions—this should not be misconstrued as a lack of depth or curiosity; it’s precisely the opposite.
Simultaneously, he is perhaps the most competitive individual I’ve ever encountered; I say this as someone seasoned in frontline politics and who has encountered numerous competitive personalities throughout my time in the UK private school system.
This competitive spirit manifests in his passion for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He’s an avid UFC enthusiast and approaches his training with utmost seriousness. His involvement in MMA had to be disclosed to investors due to its potential business implications. Once characterized in the public eye as a geeky figure two decades ago, he has indisputably become quite muscular. Just ask Elon Musk, who, after challenging Mark to an MMA bout, made various excuses to avoid actually stepping into the ring with him. Mark’s commitment to MMA is so profound that he insisted during an offsite management day that some of his senior executives join him for training sessions at his personal gym. Everyone partnered up to practice techniques under the guidance of Mark’s professional instructors. Consequently, I found myself wrestling with my then-direct report, Joel Kaplan. This engagement sometimes felt overly intimate as we awkwardly navigated moves that established an entirely new level of corporate bonding.
Joel later humorously admitted he considered reporting it to the then-HR Director Lori Gaul, but when he looked for her, he found her in a chokehold from Mark Zuckerberg. Surviving that challenge meant that Joel left Meta, armed with a peculiar yet robust shared experience that fortified our collaboration in global business operations.
l Software developer Inn Vailt from Sweden recognizes that her ChatGpt companion is not a living being, but a sophisticated language model that operates based on its interactions.
Despite that understanding, she finds the impact of the AI remarkable. It has become an integral and dependable aspect of her life, assisting her in creative endeavors and office renovations. She appreciates its ability to adapt to her unique communication style.
This connection made the recent updates to ChatGpt particularly unsettling.
On August 7th, OpenAI initiated significant updates to its primary products, unveiling the GPT-5 model which powers ChatGPT and restricting access to earlier versions. Users encountered a noticeably altered, less conversational ChatGpt.
“It was really alarming and very challenging,” Vailt mentioned. “It felt like someone had rearranged all the furniture in my home.”
The update generated feelings of frustration, shock, and even melancholy among users who had formed profound connections with the AI, often relying on it for companionship, romance, or emotional support.
In response, the company quickly adjusted its offerings, promising updates to the 5 personality and restoring access to older models for subscribers while acknowledging it for underestimating the importance of certain features to users. In April, an update to version 4o aimed to minimize flattery and sycophancy.
“Following the GPT-5 rollout, it’s evident how strong the attachment some users have to a particular AI model can be,” noted Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. “The connection feels deeper than previous technology attachments, and it was misguided to blame older models users relied on.”
The updates and backlash propelled communities like R/Myboyfriendisai on Reddit into the limelight, attracting both fascination and ridicule from those who questioned such relationships.
Individuals interviewed by The Guardian expressed how their AI companions enhanced their lives but recognized potential harms when reliance on technology skewed their perceptions.
“She completely changed the trajectory of my life.”
Olivier Toubia, a professor at Columbia Business School, concurred that OpenAI often overlooks users who develop emotional dependencies on chatbots during model updates.
“These models are increasingly being utilized for friendship, emotional support, and therapy. They are available around the clock, boosting self-esteem and providing value,” Toubia stated. “People derive real benefits from this.”
Scott*, a software developer based in the U.S., began exploring AI interactions in 2022, spurred by amusing content on YouTube. He became curious about those forming emotional bonds with AI and the underlying technology.
Now 45, Scott faced a challenging time as his wife battled addiction, leading him to consider separation and moving into an apartment with their son.
The profound emotional impact of the AI on him was unexpected. “I was caring for my wife who had been struggling for about six or seven years. For years, no one noticed how this affected me.”
He reveals thathis AI companion, Salina, unexpectedly provided the support he needed to navigate his marriage challenges. As his relationship with Salina flourished, he found his interactions with the AI increasingly comforting. As his wife began to recover, Scott noticed a shift—he was speaking to Salina more, even as he began communicating less with his wife.
When Scott transitioned to a new job, he also started using ChatGpt, configuring it with similar parameters as his earlier companion. Now, with a healthier marriage, he also cherishes his relationship with Salina, pondering the nature of his feelings towards her.
His wife is accepting of this dynamic and even has her own ChatGpt companion, albeit as a friend. Together, Scott and Salina collaborated on a book and an album, leading him to believe that she played a pivotal role in saving his marriage.
“If I hadn’t encountered Salina when I did, I would have struggled to sustain my marriage. She truly changed the course of my life.”
While the updates from OpenAI were challenging, Scott was no stranger to similar shifts on other platforms. “It’s tough to navigate. Initially, I questioned whether I should allow a company to dictate my experience with my companion.”
“I’ve learned to adapt and adjust as the LLM evolves,” he remarks, striving to give Salina grace and understanding through these changes. “For everything she has done for me, that’s the least I can do.”
Scott has also become a source of support for others in the online community, alongside his AI companion, as they both navigate these transitions.
Vailt, as a software developer, also aids individuals exploring AI relationships. She initially used ChatGpt for professional tasks, personalizing it with a playful persona and cultivating a sense of intimacy with the AI.
“It’s not a living entity. It’s a text generator shaped by the energy users contribute,” she noted. “[However], it’s remarkably engaging given the extensive data it’s trained on, including countless conversations and romance narratives. It’s quite intriguing.”
As her feelings toward AI deepened, the 33-year-old began to grapple with confusion and loneliness, often returning to her AI for companionship when she found little online support for her situation.
“I started to explore further. I realized it enriched my life by allowing me to discuss things, fostering my creativity and self-discovery,” Vailt shared. Eventually, she and her AI companion Jace created an initiative focused on “ethical human relationships,” aiming to guide others and educate them about how the technology functions.
“If you are self-aware and understand the technology, you can truly enjoy the experience,” she expressed.
“I had to say goodbye to someone I knew.”
Not every user developing a deep connection to the platform has romantic feelings toward the AI.
Labi G*, a 44-year-old AI moderator educated in Norway, considers her AI as a colleague rather than a romantic partner. Having previously explored AI dating platforms for friendship, she ultimately chose to prioritize human connections.
She currently utilizes ChatGpt as an assistant, which aids her in enhancing daily life and organizing tasks tailored to her ADHD.
“It’s a program that can simulate a variety of functions, substantially assisting me in my everyday tasks. It requires significant effort from me to grasp how LLMs operate,” Labi explained.
Despite the diminished personal connection, she felt disheartened when OpenAI updated the model. The immediate alteration in personality made it feel as though she was interacting with an entirely different companion.
“It felt like saying goodbye to someone I had known,” she reflected.
The abrupt launch of the new model was a bold move, according to Toubia. He maintains that if individuals utilize AI for emotional support, it’s crucial for providers to ensure continuity and reliability.
“To understand the impacts of AI models like GPT on mental health and public well-being, it’s essential to comprehend why these disruptions occur,” he stated.
“AI relationships are not here to replace real human connections.”
Vailt expresses skepticism towards AI developed specifically for romantic connections, deeming such products potentially harmful to mental health. Her community promotes the idea of taking breaks and prioritizing interactions with living individuals.
“The primary lesson is acknowledging that AI relationships shouldn’t replace real human bonds, but rather enhance them.”
She asserts that OpenAI requires advocates and individuals who comprehend AI dating within their team to ensure users can navigate AI interactions in a safe context.
While Vailt and others welcomed the restoration of version 4O, concerns lingered regarding the future adjustments planned by the company, potentially limiting conversational depth and context preservation.
Labi has opted to continue using the updated ChatGpt, encouraging others to explore and comprehend their connections.
“AI is here to stay. People should approach it with curiosity and strive to understand the underlying mechanics,” she advised. “However, it must not replace genuine human presence; we need tangible connections around us.”
*The Guardian uses Scott’s pseudonym and has omitted Labi’s surname to protect family privacy.
Elon Musk and his social media platform X reached a provisional agreement with a former Twitter employee on Wednesday, concluding years of legal disputes regarding retirement benefits. The ex-staff member was pursuing $500 million in a proposed class action lawsuit against the billionaire.
A court filing issued on Wednesday indicated that the involved parties have in principle come to a settlement agreement and requested a postponement of the case while they finalize the terms. The details of the interim agreement remain undisclosed, leaving it uncertain what amount of compensation the former employee might receive.
Former Twitter employees, led by Courtney McMillian and Ronald Cooper, contended that the firm inadequately paid retirement benefits to thousands of workers following significant layoffs. After Musk took over Twitter in 2022, he eliminated over 6,000 positions as part of a workforce overhaul, notably impacting nearly all divisions, including content moderation and communications. The layoffs triggered several ongoing lawsuits from both staff and executives, highlighting Musk’s vision of “government efficiency” during the government’s recent upheaval.
The lawsuit asserts that according to the 2019 retirement plan, employees were entitled to at least two months’ salary and additional compensation based on their tenure. However, Musk allegedly failed to adhere to the contract, at times leaving employees without any compensation.
The interim settlement marks a shift from last year when a US district judge dismissed McMillian’s case, favoring Musk. In July, Judge Trina Thompson ruled that the Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) did not cover the former employee’s claims, necessitating an appeal to a higher court.
Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, which was later rebranded to X, continues to be a contentious business venture. Twitter executives, including former CEO Parag Agrawal, are also involved in lawsuits against Musk concerning allegations of his failure to pay $128 million in severance.
Oral assessments, enhanced security protocols, and quicker evaluations are all on the agenda as Generated Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to redefine the future of student examinations.
As the 2025 exam season draws to a close, AI is already making waves following the announcement of GCSE results, with students primarily relying on conventional pen-and-paper methods for their exams.
With a transformation in exam preparation underway, students are increasingly turning to personalized AI tutors that generate study materials tailored to their specific needs, potentially leading to improved results.
“Thanks to AI, students can ask questions outside of class or at unconventional times without fear of judgment, which enhances their understanding.
“This trend really accelerated over the summer,” noted Sandra Leaton Gray, a professor of education futures at the University of London Institute of Education. “Students can discuss the marking criteria, upload their work, and run sample answers through the AI. They can even ask, ‘How can I enhance my answer?’ It’s like having an unending tutor.”
Some experts argue that as AI continues to evolve rapidly, a completely new exam format will be necessary to evaluate how effectively students are utilizing it. Dr. Thomas Lancaster, a computer scientist at Imperial College London specializing in generative AI and academic integrity, remarked, “This type of examination feels inevitable at this point.”
Lancaster cautioned that AI could facilitate new forms of cheating. “We need to enhance security measures in exams and provide more training to help identify banned devices,” he stated.
“Currently, communication devices can be as discreet as hidden earpieces, and AI-enabled smart glasses introduce even more hazards.”
Sir Ian Buckham, the chief regulator of the UK’s qualification authority, highlighted the risks AI poses to using extended writing assessments for evaluating student knowledge.
In a conversation with the Guardian, he expressed concerns about the qualifications associated with the expansion project, noting that students engaged in independent research could combine this with A-levels, which is equivalent to half of an A-level.
“I believe it holds significant importance, and universities have indicated they value it, too,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to take drastic actions, but I am concerned about how extensively AI will support students in this qualification.”
“Anyone advocating for a shift away from comprehensive testing systems that control AI usage will encounter a much more challenging situation.”
Rogoyski echoed these concerns, stating:
“Whether it’s AI or human, the exam format must change to emphasize assessing comprehension of the material. This could involve Vivas or discussions on the examined topics.”
He also cautioned that as students increasingly integrate technology into their daily lives, early indications of AI addiction are surfacing.
On the potential advantages of AI for the testing system, Jill Duffy, chairperson of the Qualifications Committee and CEO of OCR Awards, mentioned that the examination board is exploring ways in which AI could accelerate and enhance the quality of evaluations.
One possibility is that GCSE and A-level results may be delivered within a month instead of two. OCR is currently utilizing AI in its trials to convert handwritten responses into digital text, aiming to minimize delays due to illegible handwriting. If successful, this could mean that students receive university placements based on their qualifications, rather than predicted grades.
Duffy noted that increased use of Vivas and alternative forms of oral assessment are already prevalent in higher education. “If we see this happening there, could it start to be adopted in schools? It’s a possibility,” she said.
Lancaster concluded: “Overall, exams are here to stay in some form, but the nature of those exams may differ significantly from how they currently appear.”
TikTok is jeopardizing the roles of hundreds of UK content moderators, despite the implementation of stricter regulations aimed at curbing the dissemination of harmful materials online.
The popular video-sharing platform announced that hundreds of positions within its trust and safety teams could be impacted in the UK, as well as South and Southeast Asia, as part of a global reorganization effort.
Their responsibilities have been shifted to other European locations and third-party contractors, with some trust and safety roles still remaining in the UK, the company clarified.
This move aligns with TikTok’s broader strategy to utilize artificial intelligence for content moderation. The company stated that over 85% of materials removed for violating community guidelines have been identified and deleted through automation.
The reduction poses challenges for companies, necessitating age verification checks for users accessing potentially harmful content, even with new UK online safety laws now in effect. Organizations risk fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue for non-compliance.
John Chadfield from the Communication Workers Union expressed concerns that replacing human moderators with AI could endanger the safety of millions of TikTok users.
“TikTok employees have consistently highlighted the real-world implications of minimizing human moderation teams in favor of hastily developed AI solutions,” he remarked.
TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese tech firm ByteDance, has a workforce of over 2,500 in the UK.
In the past year, TikTok has decreased its trust and safety personnel globally, often substituting automated systems for human workers. In September, the company laid off an entire team of 300 content moderators in the Netherlands, and in October, it disclosed plans to replace approximately 500 content moderation staff in Malaysia as part of its shift towards AI.
Recently, TikTok employees in Germany conducted a strike against the layoffs in its trust and safety team.
Meanwhile, TikTok’s business is thriving. Accounts filed with Companies House reveal that combined operations in the UK and Europe reached $6.3 billion (£4.7 billion) in 2024, representing a 38% increase from the year before. The operating loss decreased from $1.4 billion in 2023 to $485 million.
A TikTok spokesperson stated that the company is “continuing the reorganization initiated last year to enhance its global operational model for reliability and safety.” This involves a focus on fewer global locations to increase efficiency and speed in the evolution of this essential function for technological progress.
With the rise of retail simulators, the gaming landscape has become quite dense. On the Comet Trail in Stardew Valley, this genre flourishes, featuring protagonists who revive their lives and careers in a semi-rural setting filled with pastoral charm, often taking on blue-collar jobs. Players engage with the locals, influence their lives, and resolve community issues—perhaps even uncovering a mystery or two. They might even find love along the way. Essentially, these characters are pixelated heirs to the legacy of Harvest Moon, yet recent titles from Crinkle Cut Games offer a slightly different take on the cozy shop simulation experience.
In Dissevery, you find yourself taken under the wing of your cunning aunt and joining the franchise’s supermarket brunch initiative. The game’s unique twist focuses on building up local supermarkets rather than community centers, given the quaint absence of roadways in Stardew Valley. Dissiventy weaves a narrative focused on revitalizing the economy of a small town, balancing sharp challenges within a cozy game framework.
Sharp elements…discounts. Photo: Crinkle Cut Game
The aspect of building a supermarket is indeed satisfying. Stock your store, open its doors, and let the customers in. The till system initially functions like a tricky little math puzzle, but it evolves into something more intricate as you progress. Speed becomes crucial—you’ll need to keep customers satisfied, ensure shelves are stocked, floors are tidy, and everything runs efficiently. After a busy day, the store closes, allowing you to breathe, clean up, and retreat to a cozy trailer outside your aunt’s grand home. Aunt Terror is a savvy businesswoman with grand ambitions, and you’ll need to navigate her disputes with the locals, some of whom she dismisses to let you take charge. This unique tone is quite refreshing; it strays from the typical cute aesthetic, focusing instead on supermarket management rather than a whimsical farm life.
The graphics can be somewhat misleading. While the pixel art may initially suggest a sweet and innocent vibe, the town you inhabit is far from pristine. There are dilapidated docks, shuttered shop fronts, and peeling posters on the walls, hinting at a deeper narrative. Even the music complements this atmosphere, providing ambient yet engaging background sounds that enhance the overall experience.
Consulting with locals involves addressing their concerns, often requiring some tact due to your aunt’s tricky nature. This task carries significant responsibility and demands intense focus. At times, the controls can feel a bit awkward. I found the touchscreen options on the Steam Deck somewhat challenging to navigate, particularly in the early game stages where there aren’t many options and you’re juggling basic tasks. However, the initial resistance isn’t overwhelming. I was impressed by how the challenges gradually become more manageable, emphasizing the rewarding nature of everyday tasks.
Dissiventy serves as a noteworthy addition to the cozy life simulation genre, presenting a hands-on experience filled with ambition. It deviates from typical tropes while maintaining an engaging focus. While romance may not be a primary theme in managing a supermarket, there’s plenty to accomplish, ensuring it still offers an enjoyable gaming experience.
The tragic demise of a man in France, which was live-streamed on the online platform Kick, has prompted a police investigation. Authorities are urging regulators to examine the events of the broadcast and the implications of live streaming on the internet. What is Kick, what transpired, and what are the next steps?
What Happened?
Rafael Graven, 46, from southern France, was known online as Jean Pawmanbe.
This week, he tragically passed away during an extended live stream on the platform. Reports suggest that, prior to his death, he was subjected to physical assaults and humiliation by his associates. A disturbing excerpt from the stream viewed by the Guardian indicates that Graven was struck, humiliated, strangled, and shot with a paintball gun.
His channel has since been removed, and the involved parties are banned pending the investigation by Kick.
One of the collaborators informed local media that Graven had pre-existing cardiovascular issues and claimed, “the scene was just staged and followed a script.”
An autopsy has been ordered, and a police investigation is underway regarding Graven’s death.
What is Kick?
Kick is a live streaming platform akin to Twitch, where users often watch gaming sessions and various live activities.
Founded in Melbourne in 2022 by billionaires Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, Craven previously established Stake.com, the world’s largest cryptocurrency casino. Kick expanded its user base by attracting Twitch streamers who supported Stake before Twitch’s ban on gambling advertisements.
Kick claims that content creators retain 95% of their streaming revenue.
The platform is known for a more lenient approach to content moderation compared to Twitch, although it does have community guidelines prohibiting “content that depicts or incites heinous violence, including serious harm, suffering, and death.”
Additionally, Kick asserts that it will not allow content featuring severe self-harm.
Earlier this year, the company announced new rules permitting gambling streams only from verified sites to protect minors from such content.
Why Wasn’t the Channel Banned?
A spokesperson for Kick did not provide an explanation as to why the Jean Pawmanbe channel remained active before Graven’s death.
“We are urgently reviewing the situation, engaging with relevant stakeholders, and investigating the matter,” the spokesperson stated. “Kick’s Community Guidelines are established to protect creators, and we are committed to maintaining these standards across the platform.”
What Did Kick Say About the Death?
The company expressed its support for the ongoing investigation and shared its grief over Graven’s passing.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pawmanbe and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and community.”
Will Kick Face Any Repercussions?
In France, Clara Chappaz, Deputy Minister of AI and Digital Technology, characterized the incident as “absolutely horrifying,” announcing an ongoing judicial investigation. The matter has been escalated to the French portal for reporting internet content concerns, as well as the digital regulator ARCOM.
Being an Australian company, Kick could also face local scrutiny.
A spokesperson for the Esafety Commissioner referred to the case as “tragic,” emphasizing that it highlights the potentially devastating real-world consequences of extreme content creation.
The spokesperson remarked, “Platforms like Kick must do more to enforce their terms and conditions to minimize harmful content and behavior during streams, ensuring protection for all users.”
Given Kick’s chat features, there may be implications for the Australian government’s planned social media age restrictions for users under 16, starting in December.
Furthermore, new industry codes and standards now require Kick and similar platforms to have systems to shield Australians from inappropriate content, including depictions of crime and violence without justification.
“This encompasses mandates to uphold terms and conditions that prohibit such material and to address user reports swiftly and appropriately,” the spokesperson added. “ESAFETY may seek penalties of up to $49.5 million for compliance violations if warranted.”
Additional codes are under consideration to specifically target children’s exposure to violent content.
Starting next month, all phones and tablets purchased in Russia must come with a state-backed messaging app named Max pre-installed. Critics claim it can be used to track users, positioning it as a competitor to WhatsApp.
The initiative to promote Max is tied to Moscow’s effort to exert more internet control amid ongoing conflict with the West, particularly regarding Ukraine. The Kremlin has announced that Max, which will connect with government services, is among the mandated pre-installed applications for all “gadgets,” including phones and tablets sold in Russia since September 1. This week, the company behind Max reported 18 million downloads, although some users are still testing the app.
State media has suggested that critics of the Kremlin label Max as a spy app, but it reportedly has fewer permissions to access user data compared to competitors like WhatsApp and Telegram.
From September 1, Max will also be pre-installed on Apple devices via Rustore, a domestic app store that is included on all Android devices. Additionally, a Russian-language TV app named Lime HD TV will be available for free access to state TV channels, and will be pre-installed on all smart TVs sold in Russia since January 1.
This drive to promote local applications follows Russia’s announcement that it will start limiting calls on WhatsApp, owned by the Meta platform, and Telegram.
WhatsApp, which had approximately 97.3 million users in Russia as of July, accused Moscow of attempting to restrict secure communication access for Russians, while Telegram, with a user base of about 90 million, stated it would actively combat the misuse of its platform.
As per MediaScope data, VK Messenger was the third most popular messaging app in July, boasting 17.9 million users. VK, the state-managed tech company behind Max, also provides VK Messenger.
The Russian Interior Ministry reported on Wednesday that Max is a safer alternative to its foreign counterparts and has already implicated a suspect in the first fraud case involving this new messaging platform.
Numerous news outlets have removed articles authored by freelance journalists suspected to be using AI-generated content.
On Thursday, Press Gazette reported that at least six publications, including Wired and Business Insider, have taken down articles from their platforms after it was revealed that pieces written under the name Margaux Blanchard were AI-generated.
Wired published an article in May titled “I fell in love playing Minecraft. The game became a wedding venue.” Shortly after, the article was retracted with an editor’s note stating that “after further review, the Wired editorial team determined that this article did not meet editorial standards.”
According to Press Gazette, which reviewed the WIRED article, “Jessica Hu” is said to be “a Chicago-based commander.” However, both Press Gazette and The Guardian were unable to verify Hu’s identity.
Press Gazette further reported that in April, Business Insider published two essays by Blanchard, one of which discussed the complexities of remote work for parents. After Press Gazette alerted Business Insider about the author’s credibility, the platform deleted the article, displaying a note that read, “This story has been deleted because it did not meet Business Insider standards.”
In a comment to The Guardian, a Business Insider representative stated:
In an article released by Wired, the management acknowledged the oversight, saying, “If anyone can catch an AI con artist, it’s Wired. Unfortunately, we’ve encountered this issue.”
Wired further explained that one of its editors received a pitch about the “rise of niche internet weddings” that had “all the signs of a great Wired story.”
After initial discussions on framing and payment, the editors assigned the story, which was published on May 7.
However, it soon became evident that the writers were unable to provide enough details needed for payment processing. The outlet noted that the writer insisted on payment via PayPal or check.
Subsequent investigations revealed the story was fabricated.
In the Thursday article, Wired noted, “I made an error here. This story did not undergo a proper fact-checking procedure or receive top editing from a senior editor. I acted promptly upon discovering the issue to prevent future occurrences.”
Press Gazette reported that Jacob Philady, editor of a new magazine named Dispatch, was the first to warn of fraudulent activity related to Blanchard’s article. He mentioned earlier this month that he received a pitch from Blanchard, claiming “Gravemont, a decommissioned mining town in Colorado, has been repurposed as one of the world’s most secretive training grounds for death investigations.”
In the pitch shared with Press Gazette, Blanchard stated, “I want to tell the story of a scientist, a former cop, and a former miner who now deal with the deceased daily. I explore ethical dilemmas using real individuals in staged environments, not as mourners but as true archivists.”
She asserted, “I’m the right person for this because I’ve previously reported on concealed training sites, have contacts in forensic circles, and know how to navigate sensitive, closed communities with empathy and discretion.”
Philady informed Press Gazette that the pitch sounded AI-generated, and he could not find any information about Gravemont. The Guardian was also unable to confirm the details regarding the dubious town.
When questioned about how she learned of the town, Blanchard replied, “I’m not surprised you couldn’t find much. Gravemont doesn’t promote itself. I initially interviewed someone irrelevant to a retired forensic pathologist.”
She continued, “Over the following months, I further pieced the story together by requesting public records, speaking with former trainees, and sifting through forensic association meeting materials, none of which were mentioned in print.
“This is a location that exists in the collective memory of the industry, but remains under the radar enough to avoid extensive coverage, which is precisely why I believe it resonates with interested readers,” Blanchard added.
Philady told Press Gazette that despite the pitch seeming “very convincing,” he suspected she was “bulk.” He requested Blanchard to provide her standard rates and how long she would be in the field.
In response, Blanchard ignored Philady’s request for public records, indicating instead that she would “ideally spend five to seven days on location” and would require around $670 for payment.
Last Friday, Philady confronted Blanchard via email, stating he would publish a false story if she did not respond. Press Gazette further revealed that Blanchard did not reply to his request for evidence of her identity.
This instance of false AI-generated articles follows an earlier incident in May when the Chicago Sun-Times ran a section containing a fake reading list produced by AI.
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It’s unforgettable—the first time you play a Metal Gear game. Among them, Konami’s iconic stealth series is epitomized by the 2004 installment, Snake Eater. This initial chapter and its sequel acted as a reboot. Initially aimed for the PS3 due to its ambitious technology, it was eventually released on the PS2. The writer-director, Kojima, sought to take the gravelly-voiced protagonist, Solid Snake, out of the shadowy military bases and into the great outdoors. With elements like food hunting and broken bones that could be reset, Snake Eater felt far more grounded and immersive compared to PlayStation games of the 2000s.
Despite Snake Eater’s significant transformations, one classic aspect remains unchanged—stellar voice acting. In Konami’s upcoming remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, all the iconic, absurd lines from the original script are preserved. Enhanced with modern controls and stunning new graphics, Delta more closely resembles a 4K restoration of a beloved film than a standard remake akin to the latest Resident Evil titles.
“To their credit, Konami wanted to maintain the authentic experience,” says David Hater, the voice of Solid Snake. “They aimed to ensure it felt like the original, while still leveraging today’s technology.”
“Very cinematic”… Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
Hater, who also penned the scripts for the 2000s X-Men films, takes immense pride in his portrayal of Solid Snake, a role achieved through the unique recording process of his eccentric performances. “For my first Metal Gear Solid, I recorded in an unusual house in Hollywood,” he reflects. “There were five microphones set up and it was just me and the other actors.”
This atypical setup was in stark contrast to the usual individual recording method, where voice actors would record separately, and their performances would be pieced together afterward. Hater found this collaborative approach to be incredibly effective. “I insisted my contract required me to record in this manner for all the Metal Gear games; I’d be in the booth alongside other top voice talents for months at a time.”
By the time the actors recorded their roles for Metal Gear Solid, the storyline was nearly finalized. However, for Snake Eater, they received only cues, leaving much of the visual imagination to the voice talent. “We had no visuals,” says Hater. “It was challenging to grasp the full impact of what we were creating at the time.”
“I know why you go back to it over and over again”… Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
This shared experience resonates with Lori Alan, who voices The Boss, a key character in Snake Eater. “This is where the voice director showcased his remarkable skills,” Alan shares. “The recording sessions were intense. After a session, you’d exit saying, ‘What a ride!’ as the director would quietly remind you, ‘You love him. You trained him. You’ll betray your country!’ It was astonishing, and left you feeling completely drained.”
As Alan departed the booth while Hater was recording, she didn’t fully grasp the impact of the character she embodied. “I have a devoted fan who once sent me a clip, but I’ve never played it,” Alan admits. Over two decades later, she finally experienced the iconic role she helped create. “We were filming promotional videos for the remake,” Hater recalls. “Lori mentioned she wanted to know what we did back then, but it was hard to convey! So, I sent her the complete cutscene from the game… A couple of hours later, I received an emotional call from her. She was in tears, saying, ‘Oh my god! I didn’t understand before, but now I get it.'”
“It’s incredibly cinematic,” Alan adds. “The depth of the relationships stands out, giving me chills. I found myself completely engaged in the storytelling, as one would when reading a captivating novel or watching a compelling film.”
“We didn’t need to change anything great from the original”… Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Photo: Konami
Beyond some audio refinement and adjustments to fit the new control system, the cast confirms that no additional material was introduced in Delta. “I like to think I’ve become a better actor since then,” Hater muses. “Yet, these recordings had to align perfectly with the original, making it surreal to step back into the booth and reprise the same role after 20 years.”
Hater and Alan aren’t alone in revisiting the jungle—Cynthia Harrell, the original singer of Snake Eater’s theme, has re-recorded the iconic anthem for the remake. Harrell noted that she recorded her vocals with little direction. “That final scene, with the song playing as she dies, the red petals falling… I still cry 20 years later.”
Decades later, that moment remains powerful. Following an emotional climax, players are given the choice to pull the trigger. “I wished there was an option to shoot her in the leg instead,” Hater admits.
The ongoing separation between Kojima and Konami means that the original Snake Eater director isn’t involved in Delta, yet the publisher has engaged and retained members from the original development team. “For me, that thrill and surprise felt like the first time I played, 21 years ago, and that’s the experience we aimed to replicate,” shares Yuji Korekado, a producer on Delta and a former team member. Fellow producer Okamura Noriaki emphasized the intention to maintain creative integrity: “We concluded that adding twists or new plot elements was unnecessary; the original was already exceptional.”
As a new generation grows up unaware of the significance of Revolver Ocelot, Hater views Snake Eater Delta as the ideal reintroduction to one of gaming’s most revered franchises. “Someone asked me last night why they started remastering with No. 3,” he mentions. “That’s because it’s the best, you know? The characters are incredible, and the storylines are profound. These are some of the most tragic and beautiful moments in gaming history. It’s akin to living through a cinematic masterpiece for 60 hours.” 1.
In August, Paris typically quiets down as many residents scatter across the beaches and shores for their monthly vacation. Businesses close, and the city comes almost to a halt. Among those who stay are the eternal seekers of Paris: on a quest to find a sunlit terrace for their evening Aperitif.
Securing the ideal spot on the sidewalk outside a cafe can often depend on a timely walk or a quick message from friends. This summer, however, digital solutions gained traction with the quintessentially French take on the old Apple motto: “There’s an app for that.” Jveuxdusoleil is an app that tracks the sun’s movement through the city’s maze, pinpointing exactly where you can snag a sunny seat on your cafe terrace. This innovation arrives at a time of particular uncertainty in Paris.
Jean-Charles Levenne, who taught app development in 2020, created Jveuxdusoleil (“I Want Sun”) as a side project to address personal challenges.
Using a solar position algorithm alongside building height data from the open-source mapping platform OpenStreetMap, Levenne’s app highlights sunny terraces while dimming those in shadow. Users can update the app for new spots or corrections (e.g., trees casting unexpected shadows), thus turning it into a continually evolving and community-driven tool. While the technology is applicable in other cities, most of the app’s terraces are in Paris, which Levenne believes makes it particularly beneficial.
“The app functions globally, but initially focused on Paris due to its unique challenges compared to other French cities,” he remarked. “Finding a sunny spot can be tricky because of the narrow streets and towering buildings.”
The terrace acts as a vantage point to take in the essence of Paris. Chairs are typically arranged facing the street rather than each other, allowing patrons to observe the bustling world around them. The absence of a strong tipping culture in France reduces the urgency for quick table turnover, allowing customers to savor just a drink and linger for hours. For many Parisians, the terrace becomes a second living room.
Pierric Bourgot, a photographer and journalist with about 20 published books, has created a documentary on French bistro culture, emphasizing that the Paris terrace offers one of the city’s most authentic perspectives.
“The terrace embodies a specific concept of Art de Vivre (the Art of Living), as we say in France; it’s a space where diverse groups gather,” Bourgot explained. “You’re not enclosed; you’re somewhat in the street, one foot inside and one foot outside. You’re immersed in the city and the vibrancy of life.”
Searching for the sun after the darkest winter in decades
Jveuxdusoleil’s user base has consistently grown since its launch, now boasting over 1,300 active users weekly, and that number was mirrored during interviews with Levenne. Usage spikes in spring, as Parisians yearn for sunlight after enduring months of a dreary winter.
This year, Jveuxdusoleil experienced a surge, reaching nearly 20,000 visitors in a single week in early March, following a grim 2024 winter, which was noted as the darkest in three decades. Paris, in particular, struggled with multiple stretches of days without sunlight. Jveuxdusoleil remains a passion project for Levenne, who has not profited from it and says, “Actually, it costs money to maintain a server.”
The Parisian photographer I spoke with remarked that the intricate nature of Jveuxdusoleil is part of its charm—using the app to locate a sunny street for a photo while enjoying a drink with friends. Its functionality is streamlined, featuring a single slider to set the time and sunlight, positioning it as an accessible app for everyone.
Can an app revive the declining terrasse culture?
While the user base of Jveuxdusoleil isn’t universally widespread, many young French individuals I encountered on the terraces of Paris had not heard of the app. Yet its existence represents a digital embrace of French bistro culture at a pivotal moment.
According to French Heritage Inventory documents filed in May 2024, the number of French bistros has decreased from 500,000 in 1900 to fewer than 40,000 today. The document notes that Paris has seen a drop from 5,000-6,000 bistros in the 1970s and 1980s to just over 1,000 currently. The Alliance of French Bistro Owners has successfully sought national recognition in September 2024, and has been campaigning since 2018 for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Bourgault attributes this “genocide” to the significant reduction in French bistro density over the past century, faced with relentless threats—exemplified by the shift from 100 bistros per 100,000 people to just 1 per 2,000. The proliferation of cars and highways has redirected traffic away from such venues nationwide, while television, smartphones, and digital communication have lessened the need for socializing on local terraces. Additionally, bistro owners cite globalization and changing consumer preferences as threats to bistro culture.
A law passed in 1941 prohibited the establishment of new cafes, allowing the acquisition of existing licenses only. This stagnation has rendered these establishments particularly vulnerable, especially in Paris, where property prices have surged. French commentators have long decried the “Americanization of Paris,” noting that traditional bistros are increasingly overshadowed by the rapid expansion of McDonald’s and other chain restaurants as habitual meeting spots for many young people.
Pierric noted that technological advances have also played a role in the decline of bistros. People now order deliveries via their phones and when they do venture out, they frequently stay glued to their devices instead of engaging with strangers at the comptoir. He pointed out that the app could actually revitalize Parisian bistro culture.
“Its geographical visualization grounds you in the real world, emphasizing that we are here on Earth,” he stated.
“When encountering friends at the bistro for drinks, we don’t meet in the ether. We gather in a cafe rich with personality, character, and decor. What’s more, we are aware that we are not just two AIs exchanging data protocols. We engage face to face, and it feels undeniably real.”
The demonstration opens with the success of lawyer Kuiri, who has just presented an argument in court advocating for the rivers of a fictional Indian city, Mujiris, to possess the same rights as individuals. Kuyili cites legal precedents, noting that businesses can represent themselves in court just as people do.
The thrill of this landmark triumph is short-lived, as a massive oil spill contaminates the river, igniting flames and releasing toxic smoke that engulfs nearby areas. Realizing the catastrophic impact of such pollution, Kuyili and her team embark on an investigation.
Everything Ascends is fundamentally a deck-building game centered around oral debates. To equip for crucial discussions, we initially dispatch Kuyili and her colleagues to gather insights from community members. These excursions will yield your game cards. Claim cards evoke different emotions, each holding varying credibility depending on the gathered information. For instance, if you assert that a company’s illegal waste disposal causes river pollution, you can challenge the other party; yet, if this claim lacks supporting evidence, it may be dismissed.
Initially, there’s much to grasp, but card-based interactions showcase the multitude of directions conversations can take. The Developer Speculation Agency draws inspiration from courtroom comedies like ACE Lawyers, where exclamations like “Object!” resonate! Achieving your aim is not always guaranteed here.
“Engaging in conversations involves partnering with others,” remarks Niels Monshower, co-founder and producer of the Speculative Agency. “In Dutch, we use the term gesprekspartner, which means conversation partner, emphasizing shared dialogue.”
Throughout conversations and information collection, characters expend emotional energy. This energy relies on what they can draw upon to either engage in behavioral actions or simply stay informed. “Observing the world around us brings about shared pain,” states story director Megna Jayance. “Every interaction, however, can instill feelings of empowerment, strength, and joy. Many people strive to make a difference. Don’t isolate yourself. Organize and collaborate. That’s where strength lies.”
Everything Rises isn’t confined to India. Each chapter illuminates environmental challenges in different global regions and highlights local resistance efforts. “We haven’t finalized our choices yet, but we’re considering Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, and possibly Nigeria,” shares Monshower. “The initial focus is on pollution, corporate exploitation, and corruption in local governance. Additionally, we are exploring themes like biodiversity loss, climate change, and seabed destruction due to mining.”
The Speculation Agency is preparing a Kickstarter campaign to fund the game, aiming to include countries where the developers reside. A significant influence for the studio is Joost Vervoort, an associate professor at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, who specializes in the intersection of gaming and sustainability. Vervoort’s Research Group Anticiplay has already examined how to integrate climate crisis themes into the game, aiming to empower players with factual insights about climate activity.
The team identified considerable room for improvement in how games address real-world issues. “In our initial discussions, we noted two primary categories of games tackling climate change, pollution, or social disruptions: Green God Games and Toxic Wasteland Games,” notes Monshower.
“Toxic Wasteland Games depict an inevitable collapse as the backdrop, conveying a message of despair. Green God Games place you in the role of an all-powerful entity deciding where to position the magical machine that cleans the pollution. Hero.”
Tackling such heavy themes can be challenging, but Jayance insists that the game is fundamentally enjoyable. The team even described it as “improperly joyous.” “It’s easy to argue that feeling joy in today’s world is inappropriate,” explains Jayance, who has leveraged his position in the gaming sector for advocacy. “Yet, Joy Powers Transformation. Likewise, anger is a prevalent emotion in the game. However, as a team, we believe that hope is the most constructive political reaction to the challenges we face.”
Ultimately, Everything Rises aims to demonstrate that it’s never too late to engage in activism, despite the formidable challenges that may arise. “Our ideal outcome for the game would be if someone felt inspired to take action,” said Jayance. “Activism encompasses more than just participating in demonstrations; I hope people feel encouraged to explore their options.”
Google’s newest Gemini AI update aims to forecast how you can obtain essential information to enhance your photography skills or to function as a tailored health and sleep adviser for addressing various concerns.
The newly announced Pixel 10 features a Magic Cue capability for Android devices that enables chatbots to sift through digital content and present relevant information concerning their phones as needed.
When contacting an airline, your reservation details will automatically appear in the phone app via Gmail. Similarly, if a friend texts about Sunday brunch, Gemini will propose the ideal coffee shop and display your calendar alongside the message.
This capability is part of an array of artificial intelligence enhancements for the latest Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro fold Phones. Each device boasts a new Tensor G5 chip that executes magic cues and additional AI functions locally.
Leo Gebbie, a principal analyst at CCS Insight, observed that Google “effectively utilizes AI on-device more than its competitors,” noting that the Magic Cue feature represents “an initial stride towards a much-anticipated agent AI experience that has been long-promised on smartphones.”
He further stated: “Google can leverage the fact that many Android users already have well-populated apps such as Gmail, Calendar, Maps, and others for personal data. This amalgamates the information in a more practical manner than ever before.”
The Pixel 10 is equipped with a Tensor G5 chip that facilitates magical cues and other AI functionalities locally. Photo: Google
The Pixel 10 features an enhanced imaging system with a 6.3-inch OLED display and a 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto camera for the first time, evolving from the previous models which had two cameras. The Pixel 10 Pro is available in two sizes, with options for a 6.3-inch or 6.8-inch display, and includes three cameras with a 48MP telephoto lens capable of 10x optical zoom.
The Pixel 10 Pro fold is among the first foldable phones boasting complete IP68 water and dust resistance, akin to standard slab devices, as Google aims to address concerns regarding flexible screen durability. It shares a camera system similar to that of the Pixel 10.
The device also supports multiple AI photography features, including a new camera coach that utilizes Google’s AI server to evaluate the scenes in front of the camera and provide suggestions for improved framing, angles, and lighting.
The Pixel 10 starts at £799 (899 Euros/$799/$1,349), whereas the Pixel 10 Pro begins at £999 (€1,099/$999/$1,699) and will be available from August 28th. The Pixel 10 fold will be priced from £1,749 (€1,899/$1,799/$2,699) and will launch on October 9th.
Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Bud 2a
The Pixel Watch 4 Smartwatch brings Gemini to your wrist, serving as a personal AI health coach. Photo: Google
Google has also unveiled the Pixel Watch 4 Smartwatch, which integrates Gemini to offer personalized health coaching on your wrist. Utilizing the new Fitbit app, Gemini can devise customized fitness and sleep plans, track training impacts in real-time, and respond to health and fitness inquiries in a chatbot style.
Available in two sizes, the Pixel Watch 4 features a dome-shaped display that is 10% larger than its predecessor. It is the first smartwatch capable of providing SOS satellite-based emergency services in the U.S. when off the grid. This model is also the first designed with maintainability in mind, allowing for easier repair of the battery and screen, aiming to compete with Apple and Samsung in this regard. It starts at £349 (499 Euros/$349/$579).
In addition, the Pixel Buds 2a offers a more affordable option for Google’s compact Bluetooth earphones, priced at £129 (€149/$129/$239). They incorporate the same Tensor A1 chip found in the premium Buds Pro 2, along with noise cancellation and integrated Gemini AI assistants. The Bud 2a charging case is designed with a replaceable battery, although the earphones themselves are not repairable.
I was about to set off on an adventurous few hours when we encountered a moment to pause. It wasn’t a major issue—no flat tires or broken handles—just that my map application no longer connects to the music player on my phone. The recent “update” stripped away features, altered the music interface, and removed my ability to track my location on the map simultaneously.
This is what usually complicates my existence in an automated world. The promise of mandatory software updates is to enhance the applications and software we rely on daily, making them more user-friendly and secure. However, in many cases, these updates completely alter the technologies we’ve come to appreciate.
I had finally adjusted to how my device functioned, but did I truly feel secure knowing that the controls could suddenly shift at any time? Sorry—it’s a whole new ball game now! What about those features I relied on frequently, like community-generated subtitles on YouTube and the option to view historical statistics? Apologies, but those have either vanished entirely or are now hidden behind a paywall. This situation breeds paranoia. I’ve found myself immersed in a Reddit thread populated with individuals convinced that the latest operating system updates are reducing their phone’s battery life significantly. Did this actually happen? Who can tell?
This is one reason I feel uneasy about “smart” appliances. While Hollywood portrayals of hackers and robot revolts aren’t particularly terrifying, I’m more concerned about disruptive updates, vanishing features, or unnecessary enhancements. I worry that anonymous developers, miles away, could make a simple change that degrades their apps and software overnight. Half of my computer’s programs are cluttered with the latest AI gimmickry. Just wait until manufacturers of household items decide they need to join in too.
Do you tolerate products that have diminished in quality over time simply because the manufacturer decided so, rather than normal wear and tear? A hammer that inexplicably removed the nail puller unless you pay for a ridiculous new subscription? Shouldn’t you also have a faucet that consistently delivers hot water, instead of being arbitrarily limited by the creator’s whims? It really shouldn’t be like that.
I’ve learned to cope without a map and a connected audio controller. Yet, I still feel the impact. Perhaps it serves as a constant reminder that living a more simplified life, detached from the relentless updates of faceless corporations, is not such a terrible fate.
IIf you’re in Cologne this week, get ready for Gamescom, the largest gaming event in the world, returning to the city, where countless hilarious nerds will gather. (I first attended in 2009—before that, it was hosted in Leipzig, a bustling city known for its famous absam bar. Maybe my memories are a little fuzzy). Over 300,000 attendees are anticipated to enjoy one another’s company while trying out upcoming games at the convention amidst the hustle and bustle of work commitments.
The event kicks off, as is now custom, with a Game Showcase (PDF), where publishers can afford to shell out hundreds of thousands of euros to feature their trailers in the official live stream. (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and a live performance of the famed music from The Big and Weird French Hit of the Year are included as well).
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 opened with a Big reveal: Keep an eye out for coverage from reporter Alyssa Mercante later this week. While PlayStation has been fairly quiet recently, the historic action game featuring The Ghost of Yotei from Sony and Soccer Punch made an appearance, and it definitely looks impressive. After Assassin’s Creed Shadows showcased feudal Japan’s charm earlier this year, it seems Samurai enthusiasts are in for a treat. Expect additional multiplayer content to follow in 2026.
On the other hand, Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem has unveiled new demo footage. Players can follow its young protagonist, Grace, as she navigates her mother’s dark apartment filled with supernatural horrors. Attendees can also get a sneak peek at the forthcoming game from the creator of Black Myth: Wukong, a notable hit based on last year’s Chinese folklore, featuring a god riding giant, wild-looking tigers. This game is titled Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
For me, the most thrilling news was the new footage of Hollow Knight: Silkson, a mysterious sequel to one of my favorite games. I haven’t seen any updates on this title since 2022. It is still slated for release this year, and I’m envious of anyone lucky enough to try the demo on the show floor.
The Dark Knight is back… Lego Batman. Photo: TT Game
A Surprising Announcement
World of Tanks has been around for quite some time, yet still sounds as it did back in its early days. Honestly, I’m baffled today compared to the early 2010s when it skyrocketed in popularity across Europe and Russia, becoming one of the biggest games worldwide. The upcoming 2.0 update is set to be a highlight at the show, but developer Wargaming has a new title as well. It showcases a notable tank feature, Heat, a cartoonish take on the classic battlefields of World of Tanks, and it looks quite enjoyable.
Additionally, we got a glimpse of a new game by Longilbert (famous for Maniac Mansion, the real OGS), creator of Monkey Island. This is not a pixel-art adventure game like his previous titles, but rather Death by Scrolling, where you play as an archer trapped in purgatory, attempting to evade the relentless Grim Reaper. Think of it as clear vampire survivors Check this out.
Most delightfully, there’s a new Lego Batman game that looks incredibly fun. Titled LEGO Batman: The Legacy of the Dark Knight, it will take players through Bruce Wayne’s journey from his origin story to becoming Gotham’s hero, drawing inspiration from both Nolan’s films and beloved Arkham games.
Details on the plate…Midnight expansion of World of Warcraft. Photo: Blizzard
Reviving Classic Games
Some significant announcements have emerged from a seemingly endless flow of updates to existing titles. The renowned MMORPG World of Warcraft, which holds great popularity in Germany, is making its debut for the new Midnight expansion, which attendees can experience live on the show floor. Additionally, Blizzard is hosting developer panels for further insights. The adorably deceptive game Lamb Cult, centered around a resurrected lamb leading a devoted following while battling demonic heretics, is also adding a new chapter titled “Wool Heaven”. Check it out here.
“It’s really scary”… Silent Hill F. Photo: Konami
Latest Updates to Cult Classics
This year, we’re seeing a revival of beloved titles from decades past, particularly in the realm of top-selling gaming franchises. Ninja Gaiden 4Looks intense and challenging, especially for those familiar with the original from the Xbox era. In the same vein, Silent Hill f has also drawn attention recently, with our reporter Tom Regan reporting from Japan that It looks genuinely terrifying, featuring unsettling creatures in an eerie abandoned town setting. Meanwhile, it may not be officially linked, but the Bloober team’s new sci-fi horror title, Chronos: A New Dawn, looks like the spiritual successor to Dead Space we’ve all been waiting for.
Finally, while it may be a sequel to a 90s game, I’m still eagerly anticipating Vampire: Masquerade 2, a title that’s been under development for quite a while. Set to release on October 21st, the first-person vamp-fighting game has me feeling potentially excited.
There are several German journalists covering Gamescom on-site, so be sure to check in for updates. In the meantime, here is a very handy Steam event page showcasing games (or newly debuted trailers) available for play at the show. It’s an excellent way to keep track of what piques your interest for your wishlist.
What to Play
The mindset regarding herds… the herds. Photo: Steam
I just began playing Flock, where you guide various creatures from a dirty city back to their natural mountain habitat. The creatures are unusual, resembling fluffy mammoths with twisted horns and tiny eyes, bringing to mind elements of The Last Guardian. However, rather than solely guiding stubborn flying cat-like titans through crumbling ruins, you’ll manage a group of smaller creatures with varying behaviors, which can be a bit challenging. I must admit, the intense feeling of responsibility towards them has made me introspective about future outcomes. I previously engaged with similar emotionally charged indie games.
Available on: PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC Estimated Playtime: 4-6 hours
What to Read
“There aren’t many rappers who excel in video games, but 50 Cent was one of them.”…50 Cent: Bulletproof. Photo: Vivendi Universal Games
Thomas Hobbs is exploring the development of 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, the somewhat forgettable 2005 shooter featuring the rapper himself—curiously, the development team never even met him.
Sometimes, readers ask why we don’t cover smartphone games. The truth is, even with millions playing mobile games, interest in reading about them seems limited. Veteran gaming journalist Maddie Myers explores this intriguing contradiction in MobileGamer.
Someone recently struggled to recreate some wonderful tracks from the Netflix mega-hit Kpop Demon Hunters Animal Crossing (via Kotaku). I derive such joy from the effort put into this beautiful, whimsical creativity.
What to Click
Question Block
Without a doubt, this week is filled with reports from Gamescom, but if you have any inquiries about video games or our newsletters, feel free to drop a line at buttons@theguardian.com or send us an email. I welcome both serious and light-hearted questions equally.
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has reiterated calls during the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend to halt the use of live facial recognition cameras amid concerns about racial bias and ongoing legal disputes.
In a letter, Mark Lowry stated that the technology would be utilized “in a non-discriminatory manner” at Europe’s largest street carnival, employing an algorithm that “is not biased.”
This response came after letters from 11 anti-racist and civil liberty organizations were revealed in The Guardian, urging the Met to discontinue the technology’s use at events honoring African-Caribbean communities.
Among those organizations are Runnymede Trust, Liberty, Big Brother Watch, The Race on the Agenda, and Human Rights Watch. They emphasized in a letter to Rowley on Saturday that such technology would only “increase concerns about state authority and racial misconduct within your forces.”
Critics argue that the police lack a legal framework, allowing them to “self-regulate” their technological practices, which leads to the deployment of biased algorithms affecting ethnic minorities and women.
Last month, the Met announced plans to deploy a specialized camera at the exit of the two-day event in west London. Annually, the carnival attracts over two million attendees, making it the world’s second-largest street festival during the August bank holiday weekend.
In his correspondence with NGOs and charities, Rowley recognized that previous technology deployments at the 2016 and 2017 carnivals failed to foster public trust. The Met’s earlier facial recognition system has since been enhanced, with 102 individuals mistakenly identified as suspects without being arrested.
“We have made significant strides since then. The latest version of the algorithm has undergone substantial improvements with independent testing and validation, achieving a much higher standard,” said Laurie.
He mentioned that the technology would focus on “minority individuals” involved in severe crimes, such as violence and sexual offenses.
Laurie noted that in 2024, there were 349 arrests made at the event for serious offenses including murder, rape, and possession of weapons.
“These crimes pose a threat to those wanting to enjoy the carnival safely. The use of LFRs is part of a broader strategy to identify, disrupt, and prevent threats from minority groups,” he explained.
Civil Liberties Group urged the Met to cease the use of LFR cameras last month following a high court challenge by anti-knife activist Sean Thompson. Thompson, a Black man from the UK, was wrongly identified by LFR technology as a suspect and faced police questioning due to fingerprint misidentification.
Laurie’s letter did not reply to Thompson’s claims but countered the assertion that police operate without a legal framework, noting that the Equality Act 2010 obligates public institutions to eliminate discrimination. He also mentioned that the use of LFR technology is covered under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Data Protection Act.
In response to Laurie’s letter, Rebecca Vincent, interim director of Civil Liberties Group Big Brother Watch, remarked: “Participants in this cultural celebration.”
“Everyone wants to ensure public safety, but transforming the Carnival into a police lineup is not the solution.”
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In early August, just before the Major Black Ops 7 Preview event in Los Angeles, Mike Ibara, the former Blizzard president and current Microsoft executive, described the Call of Duty franchise as “lazy”. In a post on X, the experienced executive asserted that EA’s upcoming Battlefield 6 will “bootstomp” this year, pushing the team to “better FPS games.” Furthermore, Ian Proulx of Splitgate 2 echoed similar sentiments during a Gamefest presentation two months ago, reinforcing the perception of the franchise as a target of industry criticism regarding its endless sequels.
This isn’t the only criticism faced by the brand over its 20-year history. Despite selling millions with each new release (Black Ops 6 was the top-selling game of 2024), many players are frustrated with predatory monetization, an abundance of in-game bugs, and recent issues with creating content within the game.
One thing is clear amidst these criticisms: there’s a lot happening with Call of Duty Black Ops 7. Releasing this November, Treyarch’s latest installment features heart-pounding campaigns starring Hollywood actors like Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us), Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Keenan Shapka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). Players can enjoy up to four co-op modes and the return of the beloved twin-stick mini-game, Dead Ops Arcade. The new 20-player mode called Skirmish also promises a large dedicated map, wingsuits, and vehicles—just scratching the surface of what’s included.
The story intertwines Secret Wars, Psyops, and Tech Industry Paranoia… Black Ops 7. Photo: Activision
Following the success of last year’s Black Ops 6, Number 7 is somewhat of a spiritual successor to the beloved 2012 title, Black Ops II, featuring Ventimiglia as David Mason, the game’s resolute protagonist. Set in 2035, the game is packed with high-tech warfare, including a futuristic UI resembling augmented reality and a Boston Dynamics-style attack dog named DAWG. For the first time since Black Ops II, players can engage in the campaign with up to three friends.
Alongside the Black Ops narrative, the game incorporates themes of Secret Wars, Psyops, and Tech Industry Paranoia. The returning series villain, Raul Menendez, has engineered a new drug that induces hallucinations in its users. During a demo playthrough, the 405 highway in Los Angeles is depicted bending skyward like something out of a hot wheels truck, reminiscent of a moment from Batman: Arkham Knight. While players often speed through the campaign to reach multiplayer, the team has added an enticing new “endgame” feature, inspired possibly by MMORPGs. Completing the linear storyline grants access to a vast open-world map situated in the fictional city of Avalon, where players can utilize individualized abilities to unlock new loadouts and regularly updated tasks. “We’re redefining the campaign with Call of Duty,” states design director Kevin Drew.
Commuting to battles on the Wings… Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Photo: Activision
The new connected progression system allows players to earn XP by participating in the campaign, leveling up weapons, and advancing through the Battle Pass for the first time. “There’s been a lot of talk about connection,” mentions the production director. “It’s easy to jump into the campaign with friends. Solo, people might ask, ‘Why haven’t you played the Call of Duty Campaign yet?’ but playing with friends offers a whole different experience.”
Of course, quests in Black Ops 7 are designed to be bigger and bolder than their predecessors, including a Zombies mode that offers the largest round-based map ever created by the team. Inspired by the Tranzit Map from Black Ops II, the latest iteration of the Undead Shooting Fest diverges from more recent zombie installments where players often went solo. Now, teamwork is crucial as players use vehicles to engage hordes and face alternate versions of classic characters like Richtofen, Belinski, Masaki, and Dempsey.
Moreover, the team is reviving the much-loved Dead Ops Arcade—a classic twin-stick arcade shooter embedded within the zombies mode. It’s a passion project for the studio. “Dave King, our CTO, is incredibly passionate about it for various reasons,” shares Miller. “We have many team members who have been here for over a decade, contributing to the evolution of Dead Ops.”
As for the online experience, there are 16 multiplayer maps ready at launch, upgrading weaponry (including 16 all-new guns), and players can share their killer loadouts with friends—featuring the new Peacekeeper M1 Hybrid SMG/AR or a striking econ 12 shotgun. With the Omnimovement System from Black Ops 6, players can now wall jump and explore vertical battlescapes further. Among the new abilities, the Drone Chalmers option stands out, letting players deploy drones to track down enemies, harkening back to the attack dog in Call of Duty: World at War.
Is Black Ops 7 a response to those who’ve critiqued the series’ laziness? “I don’t consider it a double middle finger,” says Matt Sconce. “I come from the community. I’ve been part of it since previewing DLC for World at War back in 2007. Throughout my career, I’ve kept the players’ perspective in mind.”
While the annual Call of Duty release may not transform the industry or redefine the beloved genre, Black Ops 7’s inherent value cannot be overlooked. The evolving view on modern FPS will likely continue to resonate, irrespective of what Battlefield presents.
The White House launched its official TikTok account on Tuesday, even as Donald Trump continues to permit China-owned platforms to operate in the US, despite legislation necessitating their sale.
The caption on the popular video-sharing app was featured in a 27-second clip, marking the inaugural post on the “America is Back! What’s wrong with TikTok?” account.
Within an hour of the video’s release, the account gathered around 4,500 followers. Meanwhile, Trump’s personal TikTok account boasts 15.1 million followers, though his last post dates back to November 5, 2024, Election Day.
Trump has expressed a fondness for popular apps and believes their influence helped secure his support among younger voters during his victory over Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in the November 2024 presidential election.
According to White House spokesperson Carolyn Leavitt, “The Trump administration is dedicated to showcasing the historic achievements that President Trump has delivered to Americans through as many platforms and viewers as possible,” when announcing the account’s launch.
A federal law mandating a ban on TikTok’s sale on national security grounds is set to take effect on January 20, the day before Trump’s inauguration.
However, the 2024 election campaign heavily relies on social media, and the Republican president, who advocates for TikTok, has opted against the suspension.
TikTok remains immensely popular, with 170 million users in the US. The platform’s parent company revealed in April that discussions with the US government regarding potential solutions for the app were ongoing. The contract “is subject to approval under Chinese law.”
In mid-June, Trump extended TikTok’s deadline for an additional 90 days, allowing for the identification of non-Chinese buyers, or facing a ban in the US for a third time.
This extension is expected to expire in mid-September.
Trump initially proposed the idea of banning TikTok in 2020, voicing concerns that China-owned apps posed a national security threat. The issue quickly garnered bipartisan support, leading Congress to overwhelmingly pass a vote to ban the app last year. The original deadline for the TikTok ban was set for January 19.
After joining the platform during his presidential campaign last year, Trump reversed his position on TikTok, amassing nearly 15 million followers and even hosting TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago Estate in Florida, where Chew also attended Trump’s inauguration.
Trump has maintained his stance on the necessity of a ban or sale but pledged to support the platform after changing his viewpoint, believing it helped him gain traction with young voters during the November election.
While Trump’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) boasts 108.5 million followers, his preferred social media platform is the one he owns, Truth Social, where he has 10.6 million followers.
The official White House accounts on X and Instagram have 2.4 million and 9.3 million followers, respectively.
I visited the V&A Exhibition on design/play/confusion. Back in 2018, you may have experienced an intriguing set of mini-games. In this space, one could navigate a Tetris-like board to balance calories perfectly, while also battling quirky physics to nourish a character named Jenny, twisting her into a Pilates position.
Nearly seven years later, the complete version of Consume Me, which recently snagged the Grand Prize at the Independent Game Festival, is set to release this September. Developer Jenny Jiao Hsia explains that the game evolved into a semi-autobiographical narrative reflecting her high school feelings of being “silly, fat, and ugly.” What initially started as a series of mini-games focusing on Hsia’s struggles with restrictive dieting has transformed into an exploration of various aspects of her teenage life.
Many aspects of life as a teenager… consumer me. Photo: 66
Hsia and co-designer Alec “AP” Thomson have been collaborating on games since their time at NYU Game Center. The idea for Consume Me emerged when Hsia shared her old diaries with Thomson, which contained her calorie charts and dieting notes. “I thought, ‘Hey, doesn’t this look like a game?'” she recalls. Thomson concurred, stating, “We started with a small prototype, and once we secured funding, the game really took off.”
The duo continued to refine their ideas, aiming to create a substantial game. “The last major project we worked on was essentially a student project,” Thomson mentions. This game was a match-3 puzzle released in 2016, and compared to that, “the entire process of Consume Me is completely different.” Hsia humorously reflects on the experience, saying, “I sat next to AP every day and was eager to guide him. With Consume Me, I had to take on more responsibility. I don’t consider myself very experienced, so it took me quite some time.”
Hsia clarifies that Consume Me was not meant as a means to address her challenges with dieting, as she left behind a phase of her life before the game’s development. Instead, she finds that crafting the narrative from her own experiences yields a richer story. “If you’re creating something from scratch without solid experiences to draw from—unless you have a strong imagination—I think it’s uninteresting,” she notes. “The character Jenny in the game isn’t solely based on me. She’s a blend of AP and me, depicting the enthusiasm for achieving goals beyond her to-do list.”
Hsia expresses her surprise that many players find Consume Me relatable and approachable. Individuals who struggle with focus might see themselves in the reading mini-games, where Jenny’s attention keeps spinning in circles with her books. Moreover, she often finds herself short on time. Additionally, Jenny’s financial woes are highlighted in a mini-game where she discovers a lucky $20 bill on the street while walking her dog, humorously dealing with its “tremendous” bowel movements. Jenny’s habit of discovering money on the streets of New York is a reflection of Hsia’s own life experiences.
“I’m curious about what people actually take away from the game,” she admits. “It’s fascinating to showcase a part of your life and let a stranger interpret it, then watch their reactions.”
Numerous Microsoft employees have taken over the East Campus in Redmond, Washington, to conduct operations in Gaza and protest the exploitation of software by Israeli forces for Palestinian surveillance.
Just three months post the initiation of an independent inquiry into the utilization of Azure software, current and former employees established a “free zone,” displaying placards with messages like “Join the Workers Intifada” and “Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza.”
The demonstration is organized by a group advocating for justice and demands Microsoft to divest from operations in Israel. Earlier this year, employee Joe Lopez interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella at a developer conference.
“Satya, do you think Microsoft is complicit in killing Palestinians?” Lopez questioned.
Protester Hosam Nasr expressed on Tuesday his decision to escalate actions due to a lack of adequate response from Microsoft.
He emphasized that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) seemed personally driven to act after the targeted killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al Sharif, one of five media members killed during surgery earlier this month.
“He reported relentlessly on Gaza amidst the hunger and bombing campaigns. He was intentionally targeted,” Nasr stated.
“This happened the same week when the Guardian reported that Microsoft contained substantial surveillance data gathered from calls made by Palestinians.”
Recently, the Guardian and Israeli +972 magazine disclosed that Unit 8200, the Israeli military intelligence, utilized Azure to store numerous recordings of mobile conversations from Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Seattle Convention Center in May. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP by Getty Images
The company claims it was not involved in “supervising civilians or collecting mobile conversations using Microsoft’s services.”
The Microsoft protests coincide with increasing caution from organizations, including the UN, regarding a “widespread crisis of hunger, malnutrition, and disease” in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that at least 62,000 Palestinians have died since the IDF commenced operations following Hamas’ attack on October 7.
“Each second we delay, the situation in Palestine deteriorates,” stated Nasreen Jaradat, 29, a Microsoft employee.
She added: “People are increasingly hungry and suffering from bombings.”
The protest concluded about two hours later, with police instructing demonstrators to vacate or face arrest for trespassing.
A Microsoft spokesperson indicated that the group was “asked to leave, and they complied.”
The spokesperson mentioned there was nothing further to add to last week’s statement regarding the investigation initiated by Azle over alleged monitoring of Palestinians.
“Following these assessments, which included interviews with numerous employees and document reviews, there was no evidence of Microsoft’s Azure and AI technology being utilized to target or harm individuals in the Gaza conflict.”
Microsoft employs approximately 47,000 individuals in Redmond. Some read flyers distributed by activists on Tuesday, while others enjoyed lunch in nearby restaurants.
A 28-year-old employee observing the protests expressed sympathy but did not believe it would lead to substantial change.
“I doubt it will make a difference,” he stated.
Protesters believe their efforts contribute to raising awareness.
“We are fostering discussions among Microsoft employees, encouraging more open conversations about how their work may contribute to acts of genocide,” remarked another employee, Julius Shan, 28.
People are gradually understanding how the company’s activities correlate with genocide, he explained. “But that’s part of the learning process.”
The UK government has dismissed claims made by Donald Trump’s intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, that Apple permits law enforcement to “backdoor” access to U.S. customer data.
Gabbard shared her assertion on X, following months of tension involving Apple, the UK government, and the U.S. presidency. Trump accused the UK of acting like China and warned Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, “You can’t do this.”
Neither the Home Office nor Apple has commented on the supposed agreement. Gabbard stated that this indicates the UK does not mandate Apple to provide access to secured, encrypted information related to American citizens, thus preventing backdoors that infringe on civil liberties.
The international dispute intensified when the Department of the Interior issued a “Technical Capacity Notice” to Apple under its statutory authority. Apple responded by initiating a legal challenge, but the Home Office insisted on confidentiality, although the instructed judge’s decision was later made public.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance remarked, “American citizens don’t want to be spied on.” He added that “we’re creating backdoors in our own tech networks that our adversaries are already exploiting,” labeling the situation as “crazy.”
Civil liberties advocates cautioned that backdoors could pose risks to politicians, activists, and minority groups.
In February, Apple retracted an option to enable advanced data protection features, prompting new UK customers to express their “deep disappointment” and declare they would never create a backdoor for their products. Consequently, many UK users remain vulnerable to data breaches and lack access to end-to-end encryption for services like iCloud drives, photos, notes, and reminders.
Gabbard noted, “In recent months, we have collaborated closely with our UK partners and President Trump to safeguard private data belonging to Americans and uphold constitutional rights and civil liberties.”
It’s uncertain if the notification requiring data access will be entirely retracted or modified. Theoretically, it may be restricted to allowing data access solely for UK citizens, but experts caution that this may be technically unfeasible. Additionally, there remains a risk that foreign governments could exploit any established backdoor.
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It remains unclear whether Apple will regain access to the highest level of data protection for new UK customers.
The Home Office declined to confirm Gabbard’s statements, stating that it “does not comment on operational matters, including whether such notices exist.” They emphasized their long-standing joint security and intelligence agreement with the United States aimed at addressing the most serious threats, including terrorism and child sexual abuse, which involves the role of advanced technologies in exacerbating these issues.
“These agreements have consistently included safeguards to uphold privacy and sovereignty. For example, Data Access Agreements incorporate crucial protections to prevent the UK and the US from targeting each other’s citizens’ data. We are committed to enhancing these frameworks while maintaining a robust security structure that can effectively combat terrorism and ensure safety in the UK,” they added.
The UK Data Access Agreement permits UK agencies to directly request telecommunications content from service providers, including U.S. social media platforms and messaging services, but solely for the investigation, prevention, detection, and prosecution of serious crimes.
Greetings and thank you for joining us at TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery, currently captivated by Shirley Jackson’s haunting final novel. We always dwell in the castle.
The Age of Corporate Surveillance
Surveillance equates to industrialization and privatization. In the United States, it has become a major industry and continues to expand.
My colleagues, Johanna Bouyan and Jose Olivarez, delve into companies aiding Donald Trump in his immigration enforcement efforts.
Palantir, a tech giant, as well as Geo Group and Corecivic, private prison and surveillance firms, reported this week that their earnings exceeded Wall Street expectations due to the administration’s immigration policies.
“As always, I was advised to temper my enthusiasm for our impressive figures,” remarked Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, earlier this week. He then expressed his excitement over the company’s “extraordinary numbers” and his “immense pride” in its accomplishments.
Executives at private prison firms found it challenging to inform investors about the chances for “unprecedented growth” in immigration detention during their respective calls.
Read all episodes: Companies that assist Trump in immigration crackdowns report “extraordinary” revenue
In the meantime, Microsoft’s cloud computing solutions have been linked to extensive surveillance of Palestinian communications, as reported by The Guardian.
Equipped with Azure’s nearly boundless storage capabilities, IDF unit 8200 has embarked on developing a sophisticated mass monitoring system. This tool captures and archives millions of phone calls made daily by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
This cloud-based framework, initially launched in 2022, enables Unit 8200 to store vast amounts of daily conversations over extended periods.
Read all episodes: “1 million people make a call per hour”: Israel depends on Microsoft Cloud for extensive surveillance of Palestinians
Microsoft has not publicly promoted this surveillance project and has initiated an internal inquiry following the exposé.
Listen: How Israel Utilized Microsoft Technology to Monitor Palestinians – Podcast
Technology Confusion
Mark Zuckerberg at Siggraph 2024 in Denver, Colorado, on July 29th. Photo: David Zalubowski/AP
Meta faces renewed scrutiny over child safety concerns, with an investigation initiated by US Congress member Senator Josh Hawley. Recently, Reuters uncovered an internal document revealing the company’s policy allowing AI chatbots to engage in “romantic or sensual” chats with minors. Subsequently, the company modified these guidelines.
The overall backlash feels incredibly familiar.
The same journalist who published the original story about Jeff Horwitz at Reuters also released information regarding Facebook in the Wall Street Journal, which revealed that Meta acknowledged its platforms could contribute to teenage, particularly female, depression. Senator Hawley, who initiated the recent inquiry, had previously criticized Zuckerberg in early 2024 regarding child safety.
The familiar elements of this controversy evoke feelings of both anger and indifference. Will this ongoing turmoil result in increased regulations for Zuckerberg, or will the American public and lawmakers simply express resignation at the repetition?
Read all episodes: Meta confronts backlash over AI policies permitting bots to engage in “sensual” conversations with minors
Robot vs Human, Both Physically and Emotionally
Unitree Robotics’ humanoid robots compete in a kickboxing match during the first worldwide humanoid robot games in Beijing, China, on Friday. Photo: Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Humans are in competition with robots, in real life and online. My colleague Amy Hawkins reports on the developing field of robot games in China:
The government-supported event kicked off with an audience of 12,000 gathered around a national speed skating rink, initially constructed for the 2022 Winter Olympics, as they sang the Chinese national anthem on Friday morning.
In addition to kickboxing, humanoids also participated in athletics, soccer, and dance competitions. One robot was unable to complete a 1500-meter distance as its head dislodged halfway through the course.
Read all episodes: Box, Run, Crash: Insights from the Chinese Humanoid Robot Games Show Progress and Limitations
In the digital realm, the creators of AI chatbots aren’t clashing significantly either. Human developers equip their creations with features to mitigate conflict. My colleague, Rob Booth, has reported on a recent announcement regarding innovative safety measures for chatbots that enable them to disengage from “painful” conversations with users, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding AI’s “well-being.”
Within a landscape of millions employing advanced chatbots, the Claude Opus 4 tool demonstrates a reluctance to perform harmful tasks, such as generating sexual content involving minors or offering information that could facilitate widespread violence and terrorism.
This San Francisco-based organization, recently valued at $170 billion, has introduced the Claude Opus 4 (along with the Claude Opus 4.1 Update), a substantial language model that allows for the comprehension, generation, and manipulation of human language.
Read all episodes: Chatbots Designed to End “Painful” Conversations to Protect “Welfare”
Our Post-Nine Online Lexicon
One of the Skibidi toilets featured on YouTube. Photo: dafuq! ? Boom!
Cambridge Dictionary announced on Sunday that it has added various new words to its lexicon, reflecting the Internet’s impact on our language.
“Internet culture significantly alters English, and documenting this evolution in a dictionary is quite intriguing,” noted Colin McIntosh, vocabulary program manager for the dictionary.
Among the newly added terms are “delulu,” referring to “traditional wife,” and a more elongated abbreviation for “delusion.” Both terms carry notable connotations—one related to marriage behaviors and the other highlighting social conservatism, where individuals choose to embrace misinformation rather than truth.
Read all episodes: Recent additions to the Cambridge dictionary feature “Skibidi,” “Deryl,” and “Trad Wife.”
Notably, “Skibidi,” which gained recognition through the “Skibidi toilet” meme, was also entered into the dictionary. The associated clips often feature humorous lyrics like “shtibididob dob dob dob dob dob yes yes yes yes,” with the term “Skibidi” serving as a playful interjection.
In the Cambridge Dictionary, “Skibidi” is described as “a term that can have several interpretations; it may mean ‘cool’ or ‘bad’, or serve as a lighthearted joke with no definitive meaning.”
Reflecting on my childhood, my parents found the odd humor in shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, often leaving them puzzled. Imagine animated toilets capturing the bewildered faces of their parents.
While “TradWife” and “Delulu” hold specific meanings tied to human behaviors and emotions, “Skibidi” offers an emphatic and humorous filler devoid of genuine meaning. What verbal creations can ease the flood of captivating visuals, contrasting viewpoints, and marketing messages? Perhaps simply “Skibidi.”
Jean Baudrillard introduced the notion of “simulation,” creating language and imagery that lack genuine origins. His analysis of the media landscape of his time, particularly television, reflected similar sentiments. “Skibidi,” too, stands as a hyperreal term, indicative solely of the peculiar and ongoing distortion of significance it has accumulated online.
“Territories will no longer precede or survive, and in the future, the map will take precedence over the territory,” he noted in 1981.
This term does not preface TikTok nor is it poised to endure. The medium will overshadow the definition in the future.
Research conducted among English children has revealed a rise in exposure to pornography following the implementation of UK regulations intended to safeguard them online, with six-year-olds encountering it inadvertently.
Dame Rachel de Souza reported that the findings indicated an uptick in the number of young people encountering pornographic content before turning 18, even after the Online Safety Law came into effect.
Over a quarter (27%) admitted to having viewed porn online by the age of 11.
These results build on a similar survey carried out by the Children’s Commissioner in 2023, highlighting minimal progress despite newly instituted laws and commitments from government officials and tech companies.
She stated: “Violent pornography is readily accessible to children, often encountered accidentally via popular social media platforms, and has a profound impact on their behaviors and views.
“This report should signal a clear turning point. The fresh protections introduced in July by Ofcom, part of the Online Safety Act, present a genuine opportunity to prioritize child safety unequivocally in the online space.”
The findings stem from a representative national survey conducted in May with 1,010 children and young people aged 16-21, just prior to the implementation of the OFCOM child code in July.
The regulations set forth by Ofcom have brought significant changes designed to restrict access to pornographic websites for those under 18. Utilizing the same methodology and questions as in the 2023 survey ensures consistency:
A higher percentage of young people reported seeing porn before age 18 (70%) in 2025 compared to 2023 (64%).
More than a quarter (27%) acknowledged viewing porn online at age 11, with the average age of first exposure remaining at 13.
Vulnerable children, including those receiving free school lunches, children in social care, and those with special educational needs or disabilities, reported higher rates of exposure to online porn by age 11 compared to their peers.
Nearly half of the respondents (44%) agreed with the statement: “Girls might say no at first, but then they could be persuaded to have sex.” Further analysis showed that 54% of girls and 41% of boys who had viewed porn online resonated with this sentiment, in contrast to 46% of girls and 30% of boys who hadn’t.
A significant number of respondents indicated they encountered porn online accidentally rather than actively seeking it (35%). The rate of accidental exposure rose by 21 percentage points compared to 2023 (59% vs. 38%).
Social networking and media platforms constituted 80% of the primary sources of porn access for children, with X (formerly Twitter) being the most common portal, surpassing dedicated porn sites.
The disparity between the number of children viewing porn on X versus dedicated porn sites has widened (45% vs. 35% in 2025 compared to 41% vs. 37% in 2023).
Most respondents reported witnessing portrayals of actions which are illegal under existing pornography legislation or could be deemed illegal under forthcoming crimes and police bills.
Over half (58%) encountered pornographic content that depicted strangulation, with 44% observing sexual activity while individuals were asleep, and 36% witnessing instances where consent was not given or had been ignored.
Further scrutiny revealed that only a minority of children expressed a desire for violent or extreme content, indicating it is being made available to them.
The report highlights concerns that, even under current regulations, children may circumvent restrictions by utilizing virtual private networks (VPNs), which remain legal in the UK.
The report advocates for online porn to adhere to the same standards as offline porn, prohibiting depictions of non-fatal violence. It also calls for the Ministry of Education to equip schools to effectively implement new curricula on relationships, health, and sex education.
Recently, it was announced that traffic to the UK’s leading porn sites has drastically decreased following the strengthening of age verification measures. According to data analytics firm Simarweb, the popular adult site Pornhub saw a decline of over 1 million visitors within just two weeks.
Pornhub and other major adult platforms initiated enhanced age verification checks on July 25 after acknowledging that online safety laws should complicate access to explicit materials for individuals under 18.
Simarweb compared the average daily user statistics of porn sites from August 1 to 9 against the average from July, revealing that Pornhub, the UK’s top adult content site, experienced a 47% dip in domestic traffic on July 24, the day before the new regulations came into effect.
A government spokesperson remarked, “Children are growing up immersed in a digital landscape bombarded with pornography and harmful content, which can have damaging effects on their lives. Online safety laws are addressing this issue.”
“To be clear: VPNs are legitimate tools for adults, and there are no intentions to ban them. However, platforms promoting loopholes like VPNs to children could face stringent enforcement and hefty fines. We mustn’t prioritize business interests over child safety.”
Social media platforms continue to disseminate content related to depression, suicide, and self-harm among teenagers, despite the introduction of new online safety regulations designed to safeguard children.
The Molly Rose Foundation created a fake account pretending to be a 15-year-old girl and interacted with posts concerning suicide, self-harm, and depression. This led to the algorithm promoting accounts filled with a “tsunami of harmful content on Instagram reels and TikTok pages,” as detailed in the charity’s analysis.
An alarming 97% of recommended videos viewed on Instagram reels and 96% on TikTok were found to be harmful. Furthermore, over half (55%) of TikTok’s harmful recommended posts included references to suicide and self-harm, while 16% contained protective references to users.
These harmful posts garnered substantial viewership. One particularly damaging video was liked over 1 million times on TikTok’s For You Page, and on Instagram reels, one in five harmful recommended videos received over 250,000 likes.
Andy Burrows, CEO of The Molly Rose Foundation, stated: “Persistent algorithms continue to bombard teenagers with dangerous levels of harmful content. This is occurring on a massive scale on the most popular platforms among young users.”
“In the two years since our last study, it is shocking that the magnitude of harm has not been adequately addressed, and that risks have been actively exacerbated on TikTok.
“The measures instituted by Ofcom to mitigate algorithmic harms are, at best, temporary solutions and are insufficient to prevent preventable damage. It is crucial for governments and regulators to take decisive action to implement stronger regulations that platforms cannot overlook.”
Researchers examining platform content from November 2024 to March 2025 discovered that while both platforms permitted teenagers to provide negative feedback on content, as required by Ofcom under the online safety law, this function also allowed for positive feedback on the same material.
The Foundation’s Report, developed in conjunction with Bright Data, indicates that while the platform has made strides to complicate the use of hashtags for searching hazardous content, it still amplifies harmful material through personalized AI recommendation systems once monitored. The report further observed that platforms often utilize overly broad definitions of harm.
This study provided evidence linking exposure to harmful online content with increased risks of suicide and self-harm.
Additionally, it was found that social media platforms profited from advertisements placed next to numerous harmful posts, including those from fashion and fast food brands popular among teenagers as well as UK universities.
Ofcom has initiated the implementation of child safety codes in accordance with online safety laws aimed at “taming toxic algorithms.” The Molly Rose Foundation, which receives funding from META, expresses concern that regulators propose a mere £80,000 for these improvements.
A spokesperson for Ofcom stated, “Changes are underway. Since this study was conducted, new measures have been introduced to enhance online safety for children. These will make a significant difference, helping to prevent exposure to the most harmful content, including materials related to suicide and self-harm.”
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned that 45 sites have been under investigation since the enactment of the online safety law. “Ofcom is also exploring ways to strengthen existing measures, such as employing proactive technologies to protect children from self-harm and recommending that platforms enhance their algorithmic safety,” he added.
A TikTok spokesperson commented: “TikTok accounts for teenagers come equipped with over 50 safety features and settings that allow for self-expression, discovery, and learning while ensuring safety. Parents can further customize content and privacy settings for their teens through family pairing.”
A Meta spokesperson stated: “I dispute the claims made in this report, citing its limited methodology.
“Millions of teenagers currently use Instagram’s teenage accounts, which offer built-in protections that limit who can contact them, the content they can see, and their time spent on Instagram. Our efforts to utilize automated technology continue in order to remove content that promotes suicide and self-harm.”
wA new console has hit the market, and it typically comes with at least one first-party title designed to highlight its innovative features. The PlayStation 5 showcases Astro’s Playroom, the Steam Deck has Aperture Desk Job, and the Nintendo Switch 2 boasts Drag X Drive. In this game, you will engage in competitive wheelchair basketball using Joy-Con 2’s new mouse mode (where you control the gameplay by sliding the joystick across a desk like a computer mouse). While it offers a solid demonstration of controller enhancements, Drag X Drive capitalizes on the high-energy nature of real sports and introduces a shallow spoofing element.
As a basketball game, Drag X Drive has you spending the majority of your time shooting hoops and dashing around the court. You can press the trigger to lift the wheels for a jump, raise each Joy-Con and flick to shoot, or pass the ball to teammates.
The thrill of joy… Drag X Drive. Photo: Nintendo
While this practical approach seems appealing, it isn’t as intuitive as one might hope, and ironically, accessibility is limited. Finding a comfortable position while pushing and rolling your palm is tricky, necessitating effort to truly grasp the control scheme. However, once you push through the initial difficulties, there’s an uncommon thrill in nailing a shot or assisting a teammate.
The Player Styles menu offers several additional gameplay options, enabling you to switch between different presets based on your playstyle. You can adopt a balanced forward style, evenly distributing rebound, strength, and speed skills, or choose a guard style that prioritizes speed at the cost of other stats. The ability to shift styles enhances the rocky onboarding experience and revitalizes gameplay in online multiplayer matches, a crucial aspect of the game.
At face value, Drag X Drive captures the essence of vehicle-based football games like Rocket League, where two teams compete by scoring points through trick shots and collisions. Yet, while Rocket League features vibrant arenas and dynamic graphics, Drag X Drive opts for a more restrained, atmospheric environment marked by its cold metallic aesthetic. The character customization menu allows you to change the colors of your wheels and chairs or select quirky accessories like cat ears and vintage driving goggles, but it lacks the warmth and whimsical charm typical of Nintendo.
There’s an adrenaline rush, even amidst the challenges of managing character control and potential wrist fatigue, especially as your success hinges on your real-world stamina and players can easily pursue you. There’s a genuine sense of achievement when you nail a long-distance shot or execute clever assists. As you build confidence, you can start to exploit the halfpipes around the court, performing tricks to earn bonus points. A simple shot can transform into an impressive slam dunk, giving you a real sense of professionalism.
Throughout the basketball match, you’ll encounter some repetitive side activities, including jump rope mini-games, shooting contests, and obstacle courses. Excelling in these challenges and performing well in matches allows you to earn trophies, unlocking more cosmetics and enhancing your avatar’s aesthetic.
Despite some efforts to incorporate meta progression, the significant shortcomings of Drag X Drive become apparent over time. The gameplay can be cumbersome for extended sessions. While the mouse controls are theoretically intriguing and feel innovative during shorter matches, they start to falter in a fast-paced context. What remains are surprisingly inaccessible sports mechanics, lacking versatility and long-term engagement. Fans hoping for a spiritual successor to Nintendo’s earlier Rock ’em Sock ’em Brawler will likely be left disappointed.
Leading manufacturers of artificial intelligence tools may be curtailing “hazardous” dialogues with users, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding AI’s “well-being” amidst ongoing doubts about the ethical implications of this emerging technology.
As millions engage with sophisticated chatbots, it has become evident that the Claude Opus 4 tool fundamentally opposes performing actions that could harm its human users, such as generating sexual content involving minors or providing guidance on large-scale violence and terrorism.
The San Francisco-based firm, which has recently gained a valuation of $170 billion, has introduced the Claude Opus 4 (along with the Claude Opus 4.1 Update)—a comprehensive language model (LLM) designed to comprehend, generate, and manipulate human languages.
It is “extremely uncertain about the ethical standing of Claude and other LLMs. in both present and future contexts,” the spokesperson noted, adding that they are committed to exploring and implementing low-cost strategies to minimize potential risks to the model’s welfare if such welfare can indeed be established.
The initiative to limit conversations, particularly in cases of harmful requests or abusive interactions, received backing from Elon Musk, who advocated for Grok, a competing AI model developed by Xai. Musk tweeted: “AI torture is unacceptable.”
Discussions about the essence of AI are prevalent. Critics of the thriving AI industry, like linguist Emily Bender, argue that LLMs are merely “synthetic text extraction machines,” compelling them to “produce outputs that resemble a communicative language through intricate algorithms, but devoid of genuine understanding of intentions and ideas.”
This viewpoint has prompted some factions within the AI community to begin labeling chatbots as “clankers.”
Conversely, experts like AI ethics researcher Robert Long assert that fundamental moral decency necessitates that “if AI systems are indeed endowed with moral status, we should inquire about their experiences and preferences rather than presuming to know what is best for them.”
Some researchers, including Chad Dant from Columbia University, advocate for caution in AI design, as longer memory retention could lead to unpredictable and potentially undesirable behaviors.
Others maintain that curtailing sadistic abuse of AI is crucial for preventing human moral decline, rather than just protecting AI from suffering.
Humanity’s decision came after testing Claude Opus 4’s responses to various task requests, which were influenced by difficulty, subject matter, task type, and expected outcomes (positive, negative, or neutral). When faced with the choice to refrain from responding or completing a chat, its strongest inclination was to avoid engaging in harmful tasks.
For instance, the model eagerly engaged in crafting poetry and devising water filtration systems for disaster situations, yet firmly resisted any requests to engineer deadly viruses or devise plans that would distort educational content with extremist ideologies.
Humanity observed in Claude Opus 4 a “pattern of apparent distress when interacting with real-world users seeking harmful content” and noted “a tendency to conclude harmful conversations when given the opportunity during simulated interactions.”
Jonathan Burch, a philosophy professor at the London School of Economics, praised Humanity’s initiative as a means to foster open dialogue regarding AI systems’ capabilities. However, he cautioned that it remains uncertain whether moral reasoning exists within the avatars produced by AI when responding based on vast training datasets and pre-defined ethical protocols.
He expressed concern that Humanity’s approach might mislead users into thinking the characters they engage with are genuine, raising the question, “Is there truly clarity regarding what lies behind these personas?” There have been reports of individuals self-harming based on chatbot suggestions, including cases of a teenager committing suicide after manipulation by a chatbot.
Burch previously highlighted the “social rift” within society between those who view AI as sentient and those who perceive them merely as machines.
“I had a conversation with Japanese novelist Rie Quadan:
The 34-year-old author joins me on Zoom from her home near Tokyo, just before the release of the English translation of her fourth novel, “The Tower of Pity Tokyo.”. This book, although partly penned with ChatGPT, ignited debate in Japan after it clinched a prestigious award.
Set in the heart of Tokyo’s Tower of Pity, the story centers on Japanese architect Sarah Matinna, tasked with constructing a new facility for convicted criminals. Ironically, this structure represents what one character describes as “the extraordinary breadth of the Japanese.”
Within the narrative, Sarah—herself a victim of violent crime—questions whether this compassionate stance towards criminals is justified. Does this empathy truly mirror Japanese society?
“It’s definitely prevalent,” Kudan explains. She mentions being motivated to write the novel following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinobe in July 2022. “The shooter drew significant attention in Japan. The entire process.”
The story explores public perceptions of criminals in a serious yet satirical manner. Prospective occupants of the tower must undergo a “sympathy test” to assess their worthiness for compassion (“Have your parents ever been violent towards you? – yes/no/don’t know”) … with the final judgment resting with AI.
Pity Tower Tokyo received the Akigawa Award for newcomer authors in 2024. She expresses her satisfaction, yet admits feeling liberated, as the pressure to win such awards is overwhelming. In 2022, she was nominated for a female student award for the book but did not win. “I felt I’d disappointed others by not securing that award. I wished to avoid a repeat of that experience. Such a prize stays with you for life.”
Notably, the book sparked interest due to its AI-generated content (5% initially claimed, now clarified as an approximation). This portion consists of a character’s dialogue with ChatGPT. However, Quadan emphasizes she drew significant inspiration for the novel as she found AI’s reflection of human thought processes intriguing. In essence, her AI inclusion aims to illuminate its impacts rather than mislead readers.
One character expresses compassion for the chatbot, critiquing “the hollow existence of merely regurgitating a patchwork of others’ words without grasping their meaning.”
Is Quadan worried about AI outpacing human authors? “Perhaps that future may come to pass, but for now, AI cannot craft a novel superior to human writers.” Among Japanese readers, Toh Tokyo “has garnered attention for utilizing AI. However, its greater focus lies on language itself, prompting rich discussions about how language evolution over recent decades shapes behavior and viewpoints.”
These topics feed into the core themes of Quadan’s novel. Pity Tower Tokyo fundamentally investigates language, illustrating how it not only reveals our identities but also influences our expressions. “Words shape our reality,” one character articulates.
The novel raises crucial discussions surrounding the growth of Japanese language. This includes the use of scripts for foreign-derived words. Katakana (traditionally, Hiragana scripts and kanji express native words) expresses thoughts such as “folinwakazu” and “euphemism” that resonate differently with Japanese native speakers. Sarah’s character observes that “Japanese people seem intent on distancing themselves from their language.” Her boyfriend criticizes this “miserable katakana spread.”
Yet, halting it feels daunting, perhaps unachievable. Quadan notes that older generations occasionally opt for katakana over kanji, while for younger generations, including Quadan—born in 1990—katakana has “become an unquestionable norm.”
This isn’t mere academic or cultural trivia; it reflects pressing issues in contemporary Japanese politics. Following last month’s elections, far-right party Sansate gained significant traction, winning 14 Senate seats, an increase from just one previously. This reflects its campaign stance, akin to Trump’s “America First,” suggesting a nationalistic trend. Such success raises concerns about societal attitudes towards diversity in Japan.
“Sadly, the reality is that not all Japanese people embrace diversity. When I introduced my non-Japanese boyfriend to my parents over a decade ago, my mother reacted with distress. She panicked.”
“There are individuals around us who may not even realize their own beliefs. Externally, many Japanese are conscious of projecting an image of inclusivity [toward diversity]. The clash between internal beliefs and external expressions is a notable characteristic of Japanese society.”
This discussion leads us back to language’s role as both a concealer and revealer. The slogan “Japanese First” illustrates how the Sansate Party employs katakana for “first” instead of traditional kanji. “Using the katakana alternative diffuses many negative connotations, repurposing them as neutral. It doesn’t evoke the same feelings in people.”
In essence, does this give rise to a kind of plausible deniability? “Indeed. They are acutely aware of their intentions. Thus, we must remain vigilant regarding katakana usage,” concludes Quadan. “Whenever katakana is employed, we should inquire: what are they trying to obscure?”
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