Ward: Newsss

322

Introducing a New Chapter for ‘Uncanny Valley’

In this episode, we look back at 2025 and look ahead to what's happening in 2026—including what’s in store for Uncanny Valley.

320

How social media encourages the worst of AI boosterism

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, summed it up in three words: “This is embarrassing.” Hassabis was replying on X to an overexcited post by Sébastien Bubeck, a research scientist at the rival firm OpenAI, announcing that two mathematicians had used OpenAI’s latest large language model, GPT-5…

309

'Architects of AI' named Time Magazine's Person of the Year

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang is among the influential tech figures that adorn one of the two covers.

312

Trump just broke his own executive order record — in under a year

Data: Pew Research Center, American Presidency Project; Chart: Axios VisualsPresident Trump has signed more executive orders in less than a year than he did during his entire first term, according to new data from Pew Research Center.The big picture: Trump has shattered presidential traditions and s…

321

Waymo vehicles are operating again in San Francisco following a power outage

Waymo has resumed its robo-taxi service in San Francisco after a power outage stranded vehicles around the city, CNBC reported. The blackout, caused by a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) substation fire, caused traffic light disruptions that affected Waymo's automated driving systems.
"Yesterday’s pow…

321

Instacart to end AI price tests for retailers following investigation

Instacart had drawn criticism for testing an AI-based system that enabled retailers to charge different prices for the same grocery items.

220

AI supercharges scientific output while quality slips

AI writing tools are supercharging scientific productivity, with researchers posting up to 50% more papers after adopting them. The biggest beneficiaries are scientists who don’t speak English as a first language, potentially shifting global centers of research power. But there’s a downside: many AI…

201

Consumer Debt is Possible Headwind for Retail, Says EY-Parthenon's Auchincloss

US consumer sentiment rose in December by less than expected, remaining depressed amid lingering affordability concerns.
The University of Michigan’s final December sentiment index climbed 1.9 points to 52.9, according to a report released Friday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economi…

210

How AI is redefining finance leadership: ‘There has never been a more exciting time to be a CFO’

Finance chiefs say 2026 will mark AI’s shift from experimentation to enterprise impact.

231

Australia announces special honours list to recognise acts of bravery during the Bondi attack

Prime minister says awards will celebrate extraordinary acts of courage and kindness in the wake of the terror attackAnthony Albanese has announced the creation of a special honours list to recognise the bravery of those who helped respond to the Bondi terror attack, paying tribute to police, medica…

211

‘We refuse to be afraid’: solidarity and vigilance in British Jewish community targeted by IS plot

Life goes on in a vibrant Greater Manchester neighbourhood after a plan for an attack was thwarted“They tried to kill us. They failed. Let’s eat,” Andrew Walters said.It is an old Jewish joke that’s as relevant as ever in Greater Manchester in the face of today’s threats. Continue reading...

229

Independent businesses: have your online sales been affected by the rise of AI?

We’d like to hear from independent retailers about how changes to online searches has affected them. We’d also like to find out from customers about how easy it is to track down independent retailers We’d like to find out more about how your business has been affected by changes to online searches a…

231

Will tech trump tradition at bakers and biscuit makers?

Introducing robots and automation to the food industry involves extra hurdles.

218

After more than a decade of tragedy, Christchurch emerges as New Zealand’s most ‘vibrant city’

Christchurch now at the centre of the country’s fastest-growing region as lower house prices, job prospects and thriving cultural scene entice people to the cityFrom 2010, New Zealand’s second-largest city, Christchurch, became inextricably linked with crises. The city, which had been known for its …

228

When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control | Rafael Behr

The US economy is pumped up on tech-bro vanity. The inevitable correction must prompt a global conversation about intelligent machines, regulation and riskIf AI did not change your life in 2025, next year it will. That is one of few forecasts that can be made with confidence in unpredictable times. …

232

Silicon Valley’s tone-deaf take on the AI backlash will matter in 2026

AI’s champions keep trying to impress, but the public is still waiting for answers about jobs, costs, and who benefits. By 2026, that tension will matter.

218

Creative industries 'incredibly worried' about OpenAI-Disney deal

The $1bn deal will let fans generate videos and images of more than 200 Disney characters on ChatGPT and Sora.

223

Scammers in China Are Using AI-Generated Images to Get Refunds

From dead crabs to shredded bed sheets, fraudsters are using fake photos and videos to get their money back from ecommerce sites.

210

Governor Hochul signs New York's AI safety act

New York governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Friday aimed at holding large AI developers accountable for the safety of their models. The RAISE Act establishes rules for greater transparency, requiring these companies to publish information about their safety protocols and report any incident…

220

Ecuadorean soldiers jailed for 34 years over boys' forced disappearance

The four boys were picked up by a military patrol and their bodies were later found mutilated and burned.