Computing
Top Categories
-

UK and Ireland’s secondhand bookshops raise concerns over unusual large orders linked to AI companies.
Booksellers across the UK and Ireland are experiencing a surge in bulk orders from unidentified buyers, raising concerns that these purchases may be linked to artificial intelligence companies acquiring books for data purposes. The Guardian spoke with various bookshops, which reported receiving requests from purchasers based in the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK. This…
-

Mark Zuckerberg emphasizes that artificial intelligence should be accessible to all, yet raises the question of ownership.
On Monday, Mark Zuckerberg released an extensive 6,500-word essay titled “The Future Is for Everyone,” accompanied by a significant innovation from Meta: a new open-weight AI model. This type of AI model allows users to download the entire system and operate it independently on their own devices, with or without internet access, maintaining full control.…
-

Experts assert that AI agents bear no legal liability for their actions, raising the question: who is accountable?
Professor Jeannie Paterson emphasizes the legal responsibilities associated with utilizing AI agents, stating, “If I use an AI system that causes harm to another person, I am accountable for that damage.” She adds that even unintentional harm is still foreseeable, thus necessitating accountability. As the director of the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics at…
-

Should the US Consider Nationalizing OpenAI and Anthropic If Market Confidence Wanes? | Insights from Bruce Schneier and Nathan E. Sanders
OpenAI and Anthropic were established by AI developers concerned about the unchecked advancement of corporate AI, particularly fearing that companies like Google and Meta might guide the technology towards harmful and potentially disastrous consequences for society. The founders asserted that their organizations would be devoted to developing AI in a manner that prioritizes human welfare.…
-

UK Manufacturers Encounter Increased Cybersecurity Threats, with 30% Reporting Incidents in the Past Year
According to a recent survey, nearly one-third of manufacturers in the UK have experienced a cyber-attack either directly or through their supply chain, underscoring the increasing threat of cybercrime to businesses. This report emerges almost a year following a significant incident involving Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK’s largest automotive employer, which was compelled to…
-

The Impact of Data Centers on Beloved Locales: A Stark Reality in Slough Explored by John Harris
As the UK grapples with drought conditions, Europe faces rampant wildfires, and global temperatures reach alarming highs, I found myself in Slough last Monday, where the temperature was a balmy 28 degrees Celsius. My visit centered on the Slough Trading Estate, a location that once conjured images of the sitcom “The Office,” which humorously depicted…
-

Google DeepMind embarks on a transformative journey as co-founder Demis Hassabis transitions to a new position in AI leadership.
Last month, Sir Demis Hassabis remarked that artificial intelligence had ushered in a “pivotal moment in human history,” signaling that significant changes were on the horizon. In a recent announcement, the Nobel laureate and head of Google DeepMind revealed that he would step back from his daily responsibilities as CEO, transitioning to the role of…
-

The White House’s strategy for assessing potentially hazardous AI remains shrouded in confidentiality.
This week, following extensive discussions with leaders from the technology sector, the Trump administration has concluded a framework aimed at evaluating the safety and cybersecurity risks associated with new artificial intelligence (AI) models. While the White House has developed this framework, specific details remain confidential, which raises concerns regarding transparency and could benefit AI companies…
-

China’s AI landscape reveals less openness than advertised, a trend mirrored globally | Letters
Ambassador Zheng Zeguang has commendably acknowledged the significance of publicly available AI models, praising the Chinese laboratories responsible for innovations such as Qwen, DeepSeek, and Kimi. These advancements foster competition that is advantageous for all, particularly in developing nations where such models can operate on limited hardware (The future of AI hinges on openness and…
-

Lloyds Bank urged to disclose the impact of AI on its workforce | Correspondence
The article titled “Lloyds Bank to cut £2bn in costs as part of AI-powered strategy,” published on July 30, prompts an important inquiry beyond mere financial objectives: who is responsible for managing the workload when automation does not perform as expected? Many banks track the time saved by employees utilizing AI technologies, yet they often…
-

Significant Leadership Change in Google’s AI Division as DeepMind CEO Resigns
Sir Demis Hassabis is resigning from his position as CEO of Google DeepMind, marking a significant shift in leadership within the UK-based artificial intelligence research organization. Hassabis, a Nobel laureate, will transition to the role of chair at DeepMind and will also assume the position of chief scientist at Alphabet, the parent company of Google.…
-

The Future of Democracy Hangs in the Balance as Naive Individuals Rely on Artificial Intelligence | Rafael Behr
When I am stirred awake by my dog’s whimpering, it is clear that she is signaling her hunger and urging me to rise. In contrast, when my alarm clock sounds, it has no awareness of my needs; it merely functions according to its programming to wake me at a specified hour without any concern for…
-

Study Reveals AI-Crafted Narratives Outperform Human Compositions in Quality Ratings
From ancient epics like Homer’s Odyssey to the intricate mysteries of Agatha Christie, literature has long been a cornerstone of human culture. Recent research indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a formidable contender in the realm of storytelling. A study featured in the journal Judgment and Decision Making involved 1,682 adults who were…
-

‘Australian Booksellers Warn of Alarming Losses as Rare Titles are Destroyed to Fuel AI Development’
Tim White, while arranging meticulously covered books and pamphlets in protective sleeves on temporary shelves at Melbourne University’s Wilson Hall, remarks, “Occasionally, books convey more than just their content.” He is getting ready for the upcoming Melbourne Rare Book Fair, where he will showcase works that highlight the intersection of food and society. For White,…

