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The AI regulation smackdown isn’t over
AI industry leaders briefly appeared united on supporting regulation this week, with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei proposing a three-step plan that included third-party evaluators, industry coordination, and international agreements. However, the consensus collapsed sharply: whilst OpenAI and Anthropic pushed for government involvement in safety standards, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and others blocked proposals for an…
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Vals, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, is looking to become the gold standard for AI benchmarking
Vals, an artificial intelligence benchmarking startup founded in 2024, has raised $40 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz to fix what it views as a broken testing system. Existing benchmarks have become outdated and companies have learned to “game” public tests, rendering them unreliable measures of genuine model capability. With AI increasingly…
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Brighton v Arsenal, Newcastle v Hull and more: clockwatch – live
Brighton defeated Arsenal 2-0, marking a significant defensive setback for the away side. This result is particularly notable as it represents Arsenal’s fourth goal conceded in their first eight games across all competitions this season. Prior to this match, Arsenal had been in excellent form with seven consecutive victories. Their defensive record had been exceptional,…
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The pros and cons of using noise cancelling headphones
Active noise cancellation has become an increasingly popular feature in consumer headphones, offering significant advantages such as blocking out background noise, improving audio quality, and enabling safer listening at lower volumes. However, the technology also presents notable drawbacks that users should understand before relying on it extensively, making it important to know when to use…
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10 Of The Coolest Japanese Gadgets You’ll Almost Never See In The US
The article showcases ten unusual Japanese gadgets that are rarely sold in the United States, highlighting how Japanese manufacturers often create highly specialised solutions to everyday problems. The products range from playful novelties to sophisticated technology, reflecting Japan’s distinctive approach to convenience, entertainment and personal devices. – Poketomo: a palm-sized, meerkat-inspired AI companion that remembers…
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What causes a stuck pixel on your laptop and can it be fixed?
A stuck pixel occurs when a transistor controlling a single pixel becomes stuck in the “on” position, causing it to display continuously in one colour. Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels still receive power and can potentially be repaired using various home methods, making them less catastrophic than permanent screen damage, though they remain distracting depending…
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Learning another language may be one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy
Learning another language may help maintain brain health because it engages memory, attention, pattern recognition, problem-solving and cognitive control simultaneously. Research suggests bilingualism is associated with brain differences and may strengthen cognitive reserve, helping people retain mental function despite age-related changes. However, it may delay dementia symptoms rather than prevent dementia or its underlying brain…
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‘Just cut the wires’: why UK conspiracy theorists are destroying traffic scanners
A group known as the “Blade Runners” is vandalising traffic sensors fitted above lights, believing they are surveillance devices or “electronic assault weapons” capable of causing serious illness. Attacks have led to arrests and police investigations across England, highlighting how conspiracy theories about technology and state control can translate into public danger and criminal damage.…
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China bogeyman looms large over American firms’ AI doomsday scenario
Silicon Valley figures, including Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei, argue that the United States must maintain its lead in artificial intelligence because China could otherwise gain decisive economic, political and military power. Their warnings are shaping opposition to broad AI restrictions, with the debate increasingly framed as a race between democratic and authoritarian systems, even…
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Rings around a tiny body have changed over the past decade
Astronomers have found that Chariklo, a tiny body orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, has rings that have changed significantly over the past decade. Observations by the James Webb Space Telescope suggest its inner ring has become denser while the outer ring may have almost disappeared, raising fresh questions about how such rings form and survive.…