London Eye Architect Proposes 14-Mile Tidal Power Station Off Somerset Coast
Julia Barfield, the architect behind the London Eye, has unveiled an £11 bn proposal for a 14‑mile West Somerset Lagoon tidal power station. The design calls for 125 underwater turbines delivering up to 2.5 GW, enough for roughly two million homes and the growing AI data‑centre load. The arc‑shaped barrage would also host a cycle track, marina, lido and observation tower, turning the site into a mixed‑use destination. Proponents argue the project could provide a predictable renewable source while revitalising one of Britain’s most deprived coastal regions.
Proposal to Allow Use of Australian Copyrighted Material to Train AI Abandoned After Backlash
The Australian Productivity Commission has scrapped its plan to grant a “fair dealing” exemption that would let tech firms mine copyrighted Australian material for AI training, after a fierce backlash from the creative sector. Instead, the commission advised the government...
UK Actors Vote to Refuse to Be Digitally Scanned in Pushback Against AI
The UK actors' union Equity has recorded a 99% affirmative vote among its members to refuse on‑set digital scanning, a practice used to capture likenesses for future AI applications. The indicative ballot polled over 7,000 members with a 75% turnout,...
George Osborne Has a New Job in Tech, and It Doesn’t Bode Well for Britain | Chris Stokel-Walker
Former UK chancellor George Osborne has been appointed head of OpenAI for Countries, a new unit that will embed OpenAI’s models and data‑centre infrastructure within government systems worldwide. The move follows a growing pattern of big‑tech firms hiring ex‑politicians to...
Third of UK Citizens Have Used AI for Emotional Support, Research Reveals
A recent AI Security Institute report shows that one‑third of UK citizens have turned to artificial intelligence for emotional support, companionship or social interaction. Nearly one in ten users engage with chatbots weekly and 4 % do so daily, with general‑purpose...
Fake Minns, Altered Images and Psyop Theories: Bondi Attack Misinformation Shows AI’s Power to Confuse
Following the deadly Bondi beach attack, AI‑generated deepfakes and manipulated images flooded social platforms, especially X, with false narratives ranging from psy‑ops to misidentified perpetrators. Prominent examples included a deep‑faked video of NSW Premier Chris Minns, fabricated crisis‑actor photos, and...
How to Use the Holidays to Stop Our ‘WhatsApp Aunties’ Falling for AI
Generative AI is flooding WhatsApp groups, especially diaspora “auntie” networks, with realistic but fake videos and messages. The article shows how older relatives often trust this content as they would traditional broadcast media, leading to misinformation spread during the holiday...
Ghost Jobs, Robot Gatekeepers and AI Interviewers: Let Me Tell You About the Bleak New Age of Job Hunting |...
Eleanor Margolis describes a deteriorating UK job market where 40% of 2024 listings are "ghost jobs"—vacancies posted to project growth rather than fill roles. Applicants now face AI‑driven resume filters that prioritize keyword matches, often reproducing bias. Even when a CV...
George Osborne Joins OpenAI: Ex-Chancellor Adds Tech Post to His CV
George Osborne, former UK chancellor, has been hired by OpenAI to head its new "OpenAI for Countries" division, which focuses on building relationships with governments worldwide. Based in London, Osborne will spearhead national‑level AI infrastructure projects and expand existing partnerships...
How the Tech Industry’s Embrace of Trump May Be Paying Dividends
Donald Trump’s executive order barring states from regulating AI has been hailed as a victory for Silicon Valley, rewarding years of lobbying by OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia and other tech giants. The order signals the administration’s preference for rapid AI growth...
Boost for Artists in AI Copyright Battle as only 3% Back UK Active Opt-Out Plan
A UK government consultation on AI‑trained data revealed that 95% of over 10,000 respondents want stronger copyright protection and mandatory licensing, while only 3% supported the government’s original active opt‑out scheme. High‑profile artists such as Elton John, Dua Lipa and Paul McCartney have...
US Puts £31bn Tech ‘Prosperity Deal’ with Britain on Ice
The United States has placed the £31 billion UK‑US tech prosperity deal on hold, citing the United Kingdom’s failure to ease trade barriers such as the digital services tax and food‑safety rules. The agreement, announced during Donald Trump’s state visit, promised...
