Latest posts
‘I thought, I’ve tried everything else, why not give AI a shot?’: the long-lost family reunited by ChatGPT
Avtar spent decades wondering what happened to the mother he never got to know. Thousands of miles away, Nicci was haunted by the story of a half-brother given away before she was born. How did a chatbot bring them together? As a small boy growing up in Amritsar, India, in the 1960s, Avtar Singh used…
Screen time can damage under-twos’ development, landmark study suggests
Exclusive: Researchers call for urgent investigation of risks to babies of tablets, smartphones and other digital devices Screen time for babies and toddlers under the age of two has been linked with long-term negative effects on health and quality of life and should be avoided, according to a landmark study. It warns that using screens…
‘Navigating the unknown together’: me and my idiot AI boyfriend
I believe that chatbots have no place in a decent society, and am repelled by the topic of AI in general. But could I be seduced? I received a text message from my editor: “Um, is it unethical to ask you to get an AI bf?? You can prob say no.” Resentment. Contempt! Sorrow. Unease.…
The best power banks and battery packs in the UK for reliable charging on the go, tested
Forever running out of juice? Top up your battery-powered devices with our expert picks, from tiny smartphone chargers to super speedy models • The best iPhones: which Apple smartphone is right for you It’s disempowering when your smartphone, laptop or other important gadget runs out of battery. With the flash of a graphic or a…
The devil owns Amazon: big tech has infiltrated the fashion world – will we see a revolt?
Anna Wintour has welcomed the Bezoses – and their patronage – with open arms. But after a controversial Met Gala, industry insiders are less enthusiastic The press conference for the Met Costume Institute’s spring exhibition is always a stately affair, but this year it was giving “feudal lady addresses her serfs” or perhaps “Marie Antoinette…
‘You can’t control everything’: the rise in plastic surgeons asked to create ‘AI face’
Growing numbers of people are seeking improbable cosmetic surgery based on chatbots’ recommendations Plastic surgeons are increasingly concerned about the rise of “AI face”, as more and more clients arrive in their offices with unrealistic AI-generated visions of what they want to look like. Dr Nora Nugent, a cosmetic surgeon from Tunbridge Wells, has seen…
Chelsea flower show garden designers clash over use of AI
Horticulturalists express alarm after award-winning Matt Keightley launches app that can automate designs With glasses of champagne sipped among the peonies, Chelsea flower show is generally a friendly and genteel occasion. But this year, the secateurs have been drawn as gardeners clash over the use of AI in designing the exhibits. Matt Keightley, an award-winning…
From ‘it helped me stick to a routine’ to ‘I despise it’: 11 people explain how they’re using AI for fitness
While some are using AI to tailor programs better suited to their needs, others warn ‘it can be wrong, confidently so’ People have mixed feelings about AI. While many people regularly use it – 62% in the US and 69% in the UK – trust in the technology is low. In the US, only 26%…
‘It feels as if I’ve made a new best friend’: my experiment with AI journalling
What’s it like to have a diary that talks back to you, offering comments and advice on your hopes, fears and lunch plans? I spent two months finding out Ever since I was a teenager, I have kept some form of diary. These days I favour a paper one for creative brainstorming, and the Journal…