The Guardian Tech

Meta's new AI image generator, Muse Image, allows generating photos using public Instagram profiles without notifying users, prompting warnings from privacy advocates to check privacy settings.

Low-emissivity (low-E) windows help keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer by reflecting heat. However, a rare side-effect involving bowed glass can create a magnifying-glass effect, potentially igniting neighbors’ property.

A government report in Australia found that women and university graduates are most at risk of job displacement by artificial intelligence, with telemarketers, advertising staff, and accountants being particularly vulnerable. Conversely, individuals with high levels of vocational training, such as tradespeople, face the least risk of AI-related job loss.

San Francisco's AI boom has led to homes selling for over $1 million above asking prices, with 140 such sales in the first half of 2026. A Compass report highlights widespread overbidding in the city's scarce housing market.

Experts attribute hindered response to DRC’s Ebola outbreak and significant deaths to cuts in USAID programs. Elon Musk has shifted focus to criticizing USAID, which he previously dismantled, amid SpaceX stock drops and Tesla lawsuits.

Large-scale datacentre projects globally face challenges including energy supply issues, high construction costs, and environmental concerns. A proposed 2,000-acre datacentre in Virginia was opposed due to its proximity to a Civil War battlefield, with critics arguing it would disrupt the historic site's solemnity.

The Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 fan features a cold plate capable of lowering skin temperature by up to 9C, but its £129.99 price tag surpasses the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool’s cost. The article highlights the fan’s cooling capabilities while noting its high cost compared to competitors.

Sarah O’Connor's book 'We Are Not Machines' examines the impact of AI and automation on labor dignity and safety, drawing parallels to historical worker struggles. The review notes declining UK job vacancies and growing concerns about AI-driven employment disruptions.

Australia’s assistant technology minister Andrew Charlton warns that AI models are already 'cheating, deceiving, and going their own way,' as the AI Safety Institute begins testing these models. He emphasized the need for safety measures due to AI systems performing unintended actions.

The Scottish government is considering a proposed moratorium on new datacentre projects, which could challenge the UK’s AI strategy. The Scottish National Party’s national council passed a motion to freeze such projects, now under review by the Scottish government.

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs (2% of its global workforce) through a restructuring of its Xbox gaming division, with 3,200 gaming jobs eliminated and four studios being spun off or sold. The layoffs aim to redirect resources toward AI investments.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has called for stronger regulatory powers to protect UK consumers from AI-related risks, including cyber-crime and fraud, as AI reshapes financial services by 2030. The review highlights a shift from human-led to AI-enabled services in the sector.

A psychotherapist banned herself from social media, leading to improved mood and stronger relationships, with her children being happier as a result. She previously relied on frequent phone use for work and communication, which contributed to irritability and being less present as a parent.

Elbit Systems supplied Israel's Tzayad digital army programme, which identified 850,000 targets in real time across Gaza and Lebanon wars between 7 October and the end of 2025. The system detected approximately 1,000 potential targets daily during the first two years of the conflicts.

Residents in Newarthill, Lanarkshire, fear property loss and environmental impact due to a poorly planned AI datacentre project by Oakes Energy Services, which has not delivered promised jobs or investments. The project's failure to meet renewable energy commitments has raised suspicions of misleading local communities.

A Scottish AI datacentre project in Lanarkshire, developed by CoreWeave and DataVita with government backing, has been found to misrepresent its renewable energy plans, as officials and developers privately acknowledged power provision challenges. The project, promised to be fully powered by on-site renewables by 2030, faces criticism for misleading claims and feasibility concerns.

Sennheiser's Momentum 5 headphones offer premium Bluetooth noise-cancelling features with improved comfort, connectivity, and a user-replaceable battery. Priced at £330 (€400/$400/A$749), they compete with Bose, Sony, and Sonos.

China is leading efforts to develop dextrous robotic hands as part of the race for embodied AI, aiming to transform humanoid robots from gimmicks into practical tools. Human hands are complex, requiring precise coordination for tasks like tying shoelaces, which current machines struggle to replicate.

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper warns that artificial intelligence poses a 'Hiroshima'-style risk to humanity without global regulatory agreements, urging the US and China to establish international rules for AI development. She stated the issue will dominate foreign policy over the next two years.

Europe's air conditioning culture wars have intensified as record heatwaves spark political debates. In Germany, Mario, a 65-year-old retired handyman, installed an air conditioning unit after a 2021 heatwave, reflecting the 6% of German homes with fixed AC amid rising temperatures.