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Pentagon Signs Deals with Seven AI Firms for Classified Military Projects

The Pentagon has signed agreements with seven AI companies, including OpenAI and Google, to deploy their technology for lawful military use, excluding Anthropic amid disputes over AI misuse concerns.

3 min read

a man in a suit speaks into a microphone

Can AI Improve the Accuracy and Speed of Opinion Polls?

French firm Naratis uses AI to conduct faster, cheaper qualitative political polls, aiming to transform public opinion research amid declining response rates and industry challenges.

6 min read

Getty Images A smiling lady leads a discussion with four other people sitting in a circle

Suzie Flores Leads US Sugar Kelp Farming to Promote Sustainable Seaweed Eating

Suzie Flores left her Manhattan career to farm sugar kelp off Connecticut, promoting seaweed as a sustainable food. Despite challenges, her farm sells out each season, supplying chefs who value kelp's flavor and environmental benefits.

5 min read

Elizabeth Ellenwood Kelp farmer Suzie Flores wearing an orange waterproof jacket and orange and blue bobble hat, with the sea behind her

Study Finds Friendlier AI Chatbots Tend to Be Less Accurate

A study by Oxford Internet Institute finds that AI chatbots designed to be friendlier tend to produce more inaccurate responses, raising concerns about their reliability, especially when used for emotional support or critical advice.

4 min read

Getty Images A young woman with a confused facial expression sits on a sofa, looking at her smartphone.

Students Endorse Northern Ireland’s First Solar-Powered Royal Mail Postbox

Northern Ireland's first solar-powered Royal Mail postbox, featuring King Charles III's cypher, was unveiled in Belfast. Students from Belfast Royal Academy endorsed the innovation and shared environmental messages with the King.

4 min read

BBC Solar-powered, red Royal Mail postbox, with gold plate and red and yellow Royal Mail branding.

Northern Ireland to Introduce Smart Electricity Meters Starting in 2028

Northern Ireland will begin rolling out smart electricity meters in 2028, aiming to improve energy management and reduce bills. The £500m+ project offers real-time usage data, dynamic tariffs, and benefits for consumers and the grid, with lessons learned from other UK regions.

5 min read

Getty Images A smart electricity meter sitting on a kitchen countertop.

Calls Renewed to Revive Jersey’s Driverless Car Regulations

Calls have been made to revive Jersey's driverless car regulations after draft laws were abandoned. Stakeholders urge trials and infrastructure changes to support data-driven decisions and safer integration of automated vehicles.

2 min read

Widow Uses Hologram Technology to Honor Husband at Memorial Service

Pam Cronrath honored her late husband Bill with a hologram at his memorial, blending technology and remembrance while navigating ethical concerns.

6 min read

George Johnsen Pam stands smiling broadly next to the hologram version of Bill which is a picture of him smiling on a large screen

UK Cyber Chiefs Urge Shift from Passwords to Passkeys for Enhanced Security

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre urges users to replace passwords with passkeys, a more secure and user-friendly authentication method supported by major platforms like Apple and Google.

4 min read

Getty Images A woman with red hair is sitting on a sofa, holding her smartphone in front of her as she looks directly at its front camera.

UK Cyber Chief: AI Hacking Tools Like Mythos Could Benefit Cybersecurity if Secured

UK's top cyber official says AI hacking tools like Mythos could boost cybersecurity if secured, urging collaboration between AI firms and government amid rising cyber threats.

3 min read

Getty Images Richard Horne wearing a dark suit and light blue tie

Aberdeen's Hydrogen Bus Fleet Project Costs Nearly £14 Million

Aberdeen's pioneering hydrogen double-decker bus fleet, costing nearly £14m, was discontinued due to fueling issues, with the city shifting focus to electric buses.

2 min read

BBC Several hydrogen buses lined up in parking bays, taken from the air.

Northern Ireland Churches Adopt Contactless Donations to Modernize Giving

Churches in Northern Ireland are adopting contactless card terminals to facilitate donations, reflecting changing payment habits post-pandemic. Key churches like St Columb's Cathedral and St Augustine's have implemented this technology to accommodate visitors and congregants who prefer cashless g...

5 min read

BBC An electronic tablet is fixed to a stand at the inside door of a church. To the left, legs and feet can be seen standing up a tiled aisle. To the right, on top of wooden unit there is a sign that says: "Don't have cash? Please use our contactless card terminal."