OpenAI shutting down the Sora AI gen video app also marks the end of its partnership with Disney. And the firm has quietly closed its ChatGPT WhatsApp account. Feels like a company doing some belt tightening. Thanks to all who sent me their fave Sora videos, crikey what a weird era that was
A few thoughts about Horizon World, and the state of VR, and a photo from the time I tried so many VR demos at a CES I ended up with conjunctivitis
AI toys for young children need tighter rules researchers warn, writes @zsk.bsky.social. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #responsibleAI #Cambridge #AI #children
AI toys for young children need tighter rules, researchers warn
In first study of its kind, Cambridge researchers found AI toys could misread some children's emotions.
bbc.co.uk
@zsk.bsky.social: "In 2026 online privacy is a luxury, not a right," says Thomas Bunting, an analyst at the UK innovation think tank Nesta.”
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become
bbc.co.uk
Helpful update into UKRI and research council funding changes from Zoe Kleinman @zsk.bsky.social But please more focus on 2 things... 1) Immediate effects (eg funding decisions expected in March) 2) Likely disproportionate effects on early career scientists www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK’s £8bn research fund faces “hard decisions” as it pauses new grants
UKRI boss Ian Chapman said it had been told by the government to
bbc.co.uk
Is it better to have many smaller data centres or fewer large ones - interesting balancing act as described by @zsk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Honey, I shrunk the data centres: Is small the new big?
Huge data centres are being built to handle AI computing but some experts say they aren't necessary.
bbc.co.uk
Who’s with me for a campaign to stop politicians wearing hi viz jackets and hard hats when talking about the economy and instead being filmed playing Total War: Warhammer
Hetan Shah@hetanshah.bsky.social · 12mo agoIn Britain video games generate more revenue (£4.3bn) than the film (excluding streaming) and music industries combined (£3.4bn). economist.com/britain/2025...
In the UK, the water shortage is so bad that the government is urging citizens to help save water by deleting old emails. It really helps lighten the load on water hungry datacenters, you see. 🔗 www.404media.co/uk-asks-peop...
A lovely tribute from BBC’s @zsk.bsky.social: I also had the honour of meeting Dame Steve a few times through her philanthropy and she was always inspirational. From the Kindertransport to being an early tech pioneer, she encouraged others to enjoy a life of generosity. May her memory be a blessing.
Dame Stephanie 'Steve' Shirley, technology pioneer, dies aged 91 - BBC News
She founded the software company Freelance Programmers in 1962, which almost exclusively hired women, and in later life donated almost £70m of her fortune.
bbc.co.uk
I’ve been blown away by the responses to my story yesterday about screentime. It took a while to research and was one of those journalism projects that got more interesting the more we dug in.Thanks so much if you got in touch - I couldn’t keep up! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What screen time really does to children's brains
Screen time has become synonymous with bad news - but the science may not be as straightforward as it seems
bbc.co.uk
A poignant reminder that tech will tell you it can save the world… until “limitations in detection algorithms” means it can’t www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Google admits it failed to warn 10 million of Turkey earthquake
The tech giant said only 469 serious warnings were sent out ahead of the 7.8 magnitude quake.
bbc.co.uk
Packing a lot into my time in London this week: fascinating afternoon trying out Huawei’s latest foldable tech, and dinner with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to celebrate his new book
Looking forward to seeing Karen Hao in Edinburgh in August. Just secured my ticket after starting off at 1,502 in the online queue! I got her new book about OpenAI yesterday. The firm and Sam Altman declined to be involved which of course makes me even more intrigued to read it…
While the UK mulls the AI/copyright dilemma, Russia appears to be making the most of the data free-for-all for AI developers in other countries.
Laurence Dierickx@ohmyshambles.bsky.social · last yr.Read also: Russian propaganda may be flooding AI models www.americansunlight.org/updates/new-...
Truly awesome to have made it onto Computer Weekly's shortlist of influential people in UK tech. What a powerful list! So many brilliant names. Please cast your votes... (ahem: its alphabetical so zsk is last!) www.computerweekly.com/news/3666260...
UKtech50: Vote for the most influential person in UK technology | Computer Weekly
This is your opportunity to vote for the 2025 edition of Computer Weekly’s annual UKtech50, our definitive list of the movers and shakers in UK technology – the chief information officers, industry ex...
computerweekly.com
I’m very pleased to hear this Kate! It was great to meet you too.
Kate Baucherel 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️@katebaucherel.bsky.social · last yr.Lovely to meet @zsk.bsky.social IRL today at #TechNExt up in Newcastle - inspiring ambition! The CEO I’m working with told me his long term dreams for the company as a result of your question. Some fun planning to do!
Exclusive: WhatsApp sides with Apple in privacy dispute with UK government www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
WhatsApp backs Apple in its legal row with the UK over user data
The messaging app says the UK government's demands over data access could set a
bbc.co.uk
In August 2024 I met Peter Kyle, shortly after he had been appointed the new government’s Tech Secretary, and he told me there was no money for this. What a difference a year makes! www.gov.uk/government/n...
Scotland to host UK’s national supercomputer as Chancellor confirms £750 million investment
Scotland will become home to the UK's most powerful supercomputer, with up to £750 million for the project confirmed in the Spending Review.
gov.uk
Last month I reported that the government had put back plans to allow driverless cars on UK roads: today it has brought the date forward again! Uber will now trial robotaxis in London (probably with customers via the app) in Spring 2026 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Uber brings forward trialling driverless taxis in UK
The autonomous cars with no human safety driver at the wheel will be trialled in London next spring.
bbc.co.uk
The UK has made more than 20,000 demands using the Cloud Act, an agreement which allows the UK and the US to request data access from each other for law enforcement purposes. The US has made 63, says @GregNojeim at a US sub committee hearing about the UK gov’s privacy row with Apple
I see names I recognise in this article … always good to see! 💜😉 @mrr3b00t.bsky.social and @lisaforte.bsky.social and @zsk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
M&S cyber attack chaos leaves more questions than answers
The company not saying who carried out the attack - or when their systems will be restored - suggests it's serious.
bbc.co.uk
Cristina and I first talked over a year ago and we have stayed in contact. She has never stopped fighting her treatment at Tesla despite her own personal health battle www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tesla whistleblower wins legal battle against Elon Musk
Engineer Cristina Balan raised a safety concern about a design flaw which could affect the cars' braking in 2014.
bbc.co.uk
I think I want to marry the guard on my train today who said in an announcement that everyone using their devices to watch or listen to stuff during the journey must wear headphones!
