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Google DeepMind launches AI tool to help identify genetic drivers of disease
AlphaGenome can analyse up to 1m letters of DNA code at once and could pave way for new treatments Researchers at Google DeepMind have unveiled their latest artificial intelligence tool and claimed it will help scientists identify the genetic drivers of disease and ultimately pave the way for new treatments. AlphaGenome predicts how mutations interfere…
The year of the ‘hectocorn’: the $100bn tech companies that could float in 2026
OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX and Stripe are rumoured to be among ten of the biggest companies considering IPOs You’ve probably heard of “unicorns” – technology startups valued at more than $1bn – but 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the “hectocorn”, with several US and European companies potentially floating on stock markets at…
Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin launches rocket carrying twin Nasa spacecraft to Mars
A huge New Glenn rocket successfully took off to place two spacecraft in orbit for a later boost to the red planet Blue Origin successfully launched its huge New Glenn rocket on Thursday with a pair of Nasa spacecraft destined for Mars. It was only the second flight of the rocket that Jeff Bezos’s company…
‘Vibe coding’ beats ‘clanker’ to be Collins dictionary’s word of the year
AI-inspired word joins ‘biohacking’, ‘Henry’ and ‘broligarchy’ on tech-heavy 2025 list “Vibe coding”, an emerging software development that turns natural language into computer code using artificial intelligence, has been named Collins dictionary’s word of the year for 2025. Lexicographers at Collins monitor the 24bn-word Collins Corpus, which draws from a range of media sources, including…
AI study gives insights into why super-recognisers excel at identifying faces
Research uses eye-tracking data to examine some people’s extraordinary recognition ability They have been used in the search for the Salisbury novichok poisoners, finding murder suspects and even spotting sexual predators. Now, research has revealed fresh insights into why super-recognisers are so good at identifying faces. Previous research has suggested people with an extraordinary ability…
Ultra-HD televisions not noticeably better for typical viewer, scientists say
Research shows 4K or 8K screens offer no distinguishable benefit over similarly sized 2K screen in average living room Many modern living rooms are now dominated by a huge television, but researchers say there might be little point in plumping for an ultra-high-definition model. Scientists at the University of Cambridge and Meta, the company that…
‘Sycophantic’ AI chatbots tell users what they want to hear, study shows
Scientists warn of ‘insidious risks’ of increasingly popular technology that affirms even harmful behaviour Turning to AI chatbots for personal advice poses “insidious risks”, according to a study showing the technology consistently affirms a user’s actions and opinions even when harmful. Scientists said the findings raised urgent concerns over the power of chatbots to distort…
AI could make it harder to establish blame for medical failings, experts say
Report raises concerns about liability issues and lack of testing as development of AI health tools booms The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare could create a legally complex blame game when it comes to establishing liability for medical failings, experts have warned. The development of AI for clinical use has boomed, with researchers creating…
‘Lab to fab’: are promises of a graphene revolution finally coming true?
Two decades after the material was first produced, some UK firms have reaped its potential but others are struggling After graphene was first produced at the University of Manchester in 2004, it was hailed as a wonder material, stronger than steel but lighter than paper. But two decades on, not every UK graphene company has…
Head of UK’s beleaguered Alan Turing Institute resigns
Jean Innes says it is time for ‘new chapter’ at AI research body, after staff revolt and government calls for change The chief executive of the UK’s leading artificial intelligence institute is stepping down after a staff revolt and government calls for a strategic overhaul. Jean Innes has led the Alan Turing Institute since 2023,…