Month: May 2026

Exclusive: Varun Chandra’s talks with Google, Meta, Apple and others raise fears of ‘lobbying behind closed doors’ An influential government adviser close to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech executives, the Guardian can reveal. The No 10 business aide Varun Chandra discussed regulatory changes, AI and Donald Trump’s …

Starmer adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bosses Read More »

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 …

AI facial recognition oversight lagging far behind technology, watchdogs warn Read More »

Exclusive: amid unrest, President William Ruto promised to give all Kenyans access to healthcare. But the algorithm favours the rich, an investigation has found An AI system used to predict how much Kenyans can afford to pay for access to healthcare, has systemically driven up costs for the poor, an investigation has found. The healthcare …

Flaws in Kenya’s AI-driven health reforms driving up costs for the poorest Read More »

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 …

London schools trialling VR to relieve pupils’ stress Read More »

People shamed and ordered to leave shops after being misidentified then ‘given no help’ to investigate verdicts AI facial recognition oversight lagging far behind technology, watchdogs warn How does live facial recognition work and how many police forces use it? When Ian Clayton, a retired health and safety professional from Chester, popped into Home Bargains …

Guilty until proven innocent: shoppers falsely identified by facial recognition system struggle to clear their names Read More »

Billionaire’s role as honorary chair and main source of funding has led to boycotts and criticism event has lost its cachet The Met Gala in New York is the grandest and ritziest event in the fashion calendar, and an indicator of the growing ties between designers, celebrity and power. But with tech billionaires now joining …

Fashion’s Faustian pact: the high cost of Jeff Bezos’s Met Gala patronage Read More »

We tend to think of intelligence like height – and imagine ourselves being overtaken. That misses the point Until recently, we humans have been able to be smug about our abilities. No other animals play boardgames, write essays or prove mathematical theorems. But lately, progress in AI seems as though it might challenge our self-image …

Will human minds still be special in an age of AI? Read More »

After subscribing to the Claude chatbot, mystery payments started to appear on one family’s credit card bill. They are not alone David Duggan* was so impressed with the ability of the Claude chatbot to answer medical questions and organise family life, that a $20-a-month (£15) subscription seemed like money well spent. But then his wife …

AI chatbot fraud: the ‘gift card’ subcription that may cost you dear Read More »

Residents say AI factories with unknown environmental impacts are being rushed into development as proponents argue Australia must ride the data boom or be left behind Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast When West Footscray resident Sean Brown takes his 19-month-old …

Under a cloud: the growing resentment against the massive datacentres sprouting across Australian cities Read More »

‘Date My Mate’ nights, which involve pitching a friend to a room of singles, are gaining momentum across the country For many young people, the dating game has been nothing but a thankless task of endless swiping and ghosting, with little hope of finding love. But as dating apps fall out of favour, and a …

‘Sick of swiping’: the dating event where your mates do the talking Read More »