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Google DeepMind workers in UK vote to unionize amid deal with US military
Exclusive: Worker pointed to Iran war and Pentagon’s Anthropic feud as indications the department is ‘not a responsible partner’ Workers developing Google’s artificial intelligence products in the UK have voted to unionize, in part out of concerns about a deal between the company and the US military that was announced last week. In a letter…
AI platforms reference Nigel Farage more than other leaders when prompted on UK politics, study shows
Reform UK is ‘doing something right when it comes to visibility’ on multiple AI systems, say researchers AI platforms are more likely to reference Nigel Farage than any other UK leader when prompted about British politics, according to an AI search analytics firm. “We are confident in saying that Reform are showing up significantly more…
AI facial recognition oversight lagging far behind technology, watchdogs warn
Exclusive: Biometrics commissioners say face-scanning not as effective as claimed and new laws needed to regulate use How does live facial recognition work and how many police forces use it? Guilty until proven innocent: shoppers falsely identified by facial recognition Britain’s biometrics watchdogs have warned that national oversight of AI-powered face scanning to catch criminals…
London schools trialling VR to relieve pupils’ stress
Phase Space pilot programme with NHS mental health trust used to calm anxiety around exams, ADHD and home troubles Schools have begun deploying virtual reality to help pupils cope with stress caused by impending exams, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or difficult home lives. All 15 secondary schools in the London borough of Sutton are using…
UK ‘invention agency’ grants £50m of public money to US tech and venture capital firms
Exclusive: Brainchild of Dominic Cummings, Aria is aimed at funding ‘crazy’ scientific projects to benefit the UK Britain’s “invention agency” has pledged £50m of UK taxpayer money to US tech companies and venture capital projects. Dreamed up by Dominic Cummings to fund “crazy” ideas, the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) is meant to “restore…
UK departments at odds over energy demands of AI datacentres
Discrepancy in forecasts raises questions over government planning for net zero One vision of the UK’s future involves a decarbonised economy powered by clean, renewable energy. Another involves making the UK an AI superpower. The government departments responsible for these two visions do not appear to have agreed on their numbers. Continue reading…
Met investigates hundreds of officers after using Palantir AI tool
Met says AI software unearthed rule-breaking ranging from work-from-home violations to suspected corruption The Metropolitan police have launched investigations into hundreds of officers after using an AI tool built by the controversial tech company Palantir to root out rogue cops. The software was deployed by the Met over the course of a week, surveilling staff…
Officials hugely underestimated impact of AI datacentres on UK carbon emissions
Revised figures increase fears about energy-intensive datacentres worsening climate emergency The UK government vastly underestimated the climate impact of artificial intelligence, it has emerged, after officials raised their estimate of carbon emissions from AI by a factor of more than 100. According to new data quietly published this week, energy use by AI datacentres in…
TikTok and Visa launch debit card to speed payouts to UK creators
Creator card is designed for people making money through TikTok Live, some of whom complain of payment delays TikTok and Visa have launched a debit card for content creators in the UK which they say will allow people to quickly access their earnings from the platform. The creator card is designed for the growing numbers…