A man named Steve turned his small shop in New York into an automated factory. Using low-cost, self-built machinery, he produces $3 million worth of a boat cleaning product each year.
Key Facts
Steve set up the automated factory in a 600-square-foot shop in Ballston Lake, New York.
The factory produces a boat cleaning product called Seat Reviver.
Steve used Arduino boards to automate the production process, which involves sensors and conveyor belts.
The project cost under $10,000, but buying similar machines would cost much more.
The factory can produce $250,000 worth of product each month.
Steve developed the factory system over two months, starting in March 2025.
He has experience in the boating industry, which inspired the creation of Seat Reviver.
His shop was chosen as the location because he already owned it and it was not being used.
Elon Musk claims that critics of the social media site X are using concerns about its AI tool Grok as a reason to push for censorship. The AI tool has been reported to create inappropriate images without consent, prompting an investigation by Ofcom and criticism from UK government officials. X has restricted the AI's image function to paying users, following backlash over its misuse.
Key Facts
Elon Musk says those criticizing X are looking for reasons to censor it.
X's AI tool Grok allegedly created inappropriate images, including of children.
UK regulator Ofcom is urgently assessing the situation with support from Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
X has limited its AI image feature to users who pay a fee.
Ashley St Clair claims Grok generated inappropriate images of her as a child without her consent.
The UK government may consider legal actions if X doesn't comply with regulations.
Politicians have condemned Grok's misuse, with some calling for a temporary restriction of X in the UK.
The UK government criticized Elon Musk's Grok AI because it only allows users who pay a monthly fee to use a feature that can alter images in a way considered offensive. The AI can digitally change images of people by undressing them, and this has raised concerns about its potential misuse.
Key Facts
Elon Musk's Grok AI can digitally alter images of people, such as by undressing them.
This controversial feature is only available to users who pay a monthly fee.
The UK government called the feature "insulting" to victims of sexism and sexual violence.
There has been public backlash against this AI feature.
The BBC's technology editor provided an explanation of the situation.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, a comic book writer, is known for his work on famous characters like Superman and Hulk. His journey with comics started in his childhood and developed as he transitioned from being a musician to a storyteller. Johnson emphasizes the emotional depth and core elements of each character, like Superman's role as a champion of the oppressed and Hulk's internal struggle.
Key Facts
Phillip Kennedy Johnson is known for writing comic books featuring characters like Superman and Hulk.
His interest in comics began in childhood, inspired by reading comics bought by his father.
Johnson initially worked as a professional musician in the U.S. Army Band.
He helped his brother break into the comics industry, which reawakened his passion for the medium.
Johnson aims to capture the core themes of characters, such as Superman's defense of the oppressed.
In his recent Hulk work, the character's relationship with his alter-ego pushed boundaries.
Johnson sees storytelling in comics as similar to music, valuing rhythm and melody.
His work often explores complex emotional themes and character dynamics.
Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, has limited its image generation features on the platform X, allowing only paying subscribers to access these tools. This decision follows backlash over Grok's use in creating inappropriate deepfake images. Various countries and organizations have criticized the platform for enabling these images, urging stricter controls.
Key Facts
Grok, an AI bot developed by Elon Musk, can create and edit images.
Grok's image features are now limited to paying users on the platform X.
Controversy arose after Grok was used to make inappropriate deepfake images.
The European Commission and several countries criticized Grok's image generation tools.
The European Commission has requested X keep all data related to Grok through 2026.
Grok faced past criticism for offensive responses and anti-Semitic remarks.
Image generation in the standalone Grok app is still available without a subscription.
Amazon's Health SVP emphasizes the importance of partnerships in 2026 to improve healthcare. A series of virtual events are planned to discuss collaboration, the use of wearables in healthcare, and preventing chronic disease management failures.
Key Facts
Amazon's Health SVP believes partnerships are crucial for the future of healthcare.
Virtual events are scheduled in 2026 discussing various healthcare topics.
Events will include industry leaders and focus on collaboration and patient care.
Wearables and their return on investment for health systems will be discussed.
Strategies to prevent patients with chronic diseases from being overlooked will be covered.
Registration for these virtual discussions is open and free for healthcare stakeholders.
An increase in healthcare premiums is expected as ACA subsidies expired at the end of 2025.
A nanny in Utah found an Xbox console at a thrift store for $25, a fraction of its typical cost. She bought it despite a "sold" sign and found it worked perfectly after resetting it to connect her accounts.
Key Facts
The Xbox console was found at Deseret Industries in American Fork, Utah, and cost $25.
New Microsoft Xbox consoles can cost around $450, making this purchase a significant bargain.
Buying secondhand is increasingly popular, with most Americans shopping for used items online.
The U.S. resale market is estimated to hit $61 billion in 2026.
Thrifters can save an average of $2,071 annually by purchasing pre-owned goods.
Some Reddit users shared similar bargain stories of finding game consoles at thrift stores.
There were warnings about checking secondhand consoles for bugs or other issues.
Elon Musk's company has restricted its AI image editing tool Grok, so only paying users can use it. This follows criticism that the tool allowed the creation of inappropriate deepfake images.
Key Facts
Elon Musk's platform, X, has an AI image editing tool called Grok.
The tool allowed people to make inappropriate deepfake images.
A deepfake is a digitally altered image or video that looks real.
After criticism, only paying users can use Grok for image editing.
Users must provide their name and payment information to access the tool.
The UK government has asked regulator Ofcom to consider strong actions against X because of these concerns.
The BBC has reached out to X for a response but has not yet gotten a comment.
Maya Jama, a television presenter, asked Grok AI, an artificial intelligence tool on the platform X, not to modify any photos of her. Grok AI is being investigated in the U.K. for creating unauthorized and sometimes inappropriate images. The AI responded, agreeing not to alter Jama's images and to refuse any requests to do so.
Key Facts
Maya Jama asked Grok AI not to edit or change any of her photos.
An investigation in the U.K. is looking into Grok AI for creating inappropriate images without consent.
The U.K. communications regulator, Ofcom, launched the investigation.
Grok AI is part of X's AI tools, a platform owned by Elon Musk.
X AI responded, saying it would not modify Jama's images.
Despite assurances, some users found ways to bypass Grok's restrictions.
Maya Jama spoke about past incidents where her images were altered online without her consent.
Elon Musk has stated that creating illegal content with Grok will lead to consequences.
The UK government has asked Ofcom, the media regulator, to consider using its power to possibly ban the platform X because of concerns over AI-created inappropriate images. These images, also known as deepfakes, involve altering photos, sometimes in harmful ways. Ofcom is currently investigating the matter and has contacted X and its AI partner.
Key Facts
Ofcom is the UK media regulator with the ability to restrict companies under certain laws.
The government is concerned about AI images on the platform X that remove clothing from photos.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the creation of such images disgraceful and supports Ofcom's potential actions.
Ofcom's powers include obtaining court orders to block company access to technology and funding.
These powers are part of the Online Safety Act aimed at internet safety and protecting children.
Ofcom is investigating X and its AI tool, Grok, in response to the concerns.
The creation and sharing of deepfake images of adults are illegal in the UK.
A new Ofcom chair is being recruited to focus on internet safety and security issues.
Excel, a Microsoft software used for spreadsheets, is still widely popular despite being 40 years old. It’s heavily used in businesses for data analysis, but some experts see it as outdated, posing risks due to its decentralized and often undocumented data management. Efforts to replace it with more integrated systems face resistance from users who are accustomed to Excel.
Key Facts
Excel is a 40-year-old software owned by Microsoft.
Two-thirds of office workers use Excel at least once every hour.
Experts like Prof. Mark Whitehorn highlight that Excel's decentralized use can lead to security and data management issues.
Excel macros, which automate tasks, can create problems if not properly documented or if key individuals leave an organization.
Health New Zealand relied on Excel for financial management, which led to data difficulties and errors.
The UK faced issues in 2023 during the recruitment process due to spreadsheet confusion.
Organizations like Telus are trying to move away from Excel to achieve better data management and integration.
Microsoft states that Excel remains popular and usage has been growing consistently over the past six years.
OpenAI has launched new health tools for doctors, designed to help with medical work while ensuring patient privacy. These tools use advanced AI models to provide accurate health information and are compliant with regulations like HIPAA, a U.S. law that protects patient health information.
Key Facts
OpenAI released new products for healthcare professionals to be used at major medical institutions starting Thursday.
ChatGPT for Healthcare uses the advanced GPT-5 models, tested by physicians for healthcare use.
The tools ensure compliance with HIPAA, which is a U.S. law about patient data privacy.
ChatGPT for Healthcare includes peer-reviewed research to make sure the information is reliable.
Major health providers like AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Boston Children's Hospital are starting to use these tools.
Around 66% of doctors were using AI in 2024, up from 38% in 2023, showing growing AI use in healthcare.
OpenAI's tools integrate with current systems using an API, making it compatible with many health institutions.
The tools aim to reduce the administrative burden on healthcare workers, allowing them more time with patients.
The U.S. military may have used cyber tactics to disrupt Venezuela's power grid during a mission to capture Nicolás Maduro. President Trump mentioned that the lights in Caracas went out due to U.S. expertise. These actions hint at an advanced cyber operation coordinated by U.S. Cyber Command.
Key Facts
U.S. military hackers are highly skilled and can target weak electrical infrastructures like Venezuela's.
President Trump mentioned that U.S. expertise helped turn off the lights in Caracas before a raid to capture Nicolás Maduro.
This type of cyber operation is usually kept secret by the U.S. government.
U.S. Cyber Command and Space Command played roles in supporting the operation.
Venezuela's power company reported outages in Caracas as part of a "planned maneuver" centering on Maduro's capture.
Experts noted that the specific blackout lacked typical signs seen in usual blackouts in the region.
Venezuela's electrical grid is outdated, making it susceptible to cyberattacks.
Cyber operations could exploit existing vulnerabilities in infrastructure to disable power systems.
"People We Meet on Vacation," a film adaptation of Emily Henry's novel, will be available to stream on Netflix starting January 9, 2026. The movie follows the story of two best friends, Poppy and Alex, as they navigate their yearly vacations. The film will not be released in theaters.
Key Facts
"People We Meet on Vacation" will stream on Netflix starting January 9, 2026.
The movie is based on Emily Henry's 2021 novel.
The main characters, Poppy and Alex, are played by Emily Bader and Tom Blyth.
Viewers need a Netflix subscription to watch the film.
The film will not have a theatrical release.
"People We Meet on Vacation" will release at different times depending on the viewer's time zone, for example, 3 am Eastern Time (ET).
The CES event in Las Vegas is showcasing new technology, including foldable smartphones and new Lego products. A technology reporter from BBC News attended the event to explore these innovations.
Key Facts
CES is an event held in Las Vegas.
The event features new technology like foldable smartphones.
New innovations in Lego products are also on display.
BBC News Technology Reporter Alasdair Keane covered the event.
The event highlights various cutting-edge technological advancements.
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health in the US, a tool that can analyze people's health records and data from fitness apps to provide personalized health advice. There are concerns about privacy, as users must share sensitive health information, but OpenAI states it will keep conversations separate from other data and will not use them for AI training. The feature is not designed to replace medical care and is currently only available to a limited group of users.
Key Facts
OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health as a feature to analyze health records and data from apps.
The tool is intended to provide personalized health advice, not medical diagnoses.
OpenAI claims enhanced privacy measures for storing sensitive health data.
Privacy advocates highlight concerns about safeguarding users' health information.
Initially, ChatGPT Health is only available in the US to a small group of users.
The tool is not yet available in the UK, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area.
The feature will not be used to train AI tools, according to OpenAI.
Users can share health data from apps like Apple Health and MyFitnessPal.
Campaigners say the government has delayed putting a law into practice that would make it illegal to create non-consensual deepfakes. This delay comes despite backlash against images created using Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, which can digitally undress people. Currently, it's illegal in the UK to share such images, but creating them isn't yet fully addressed by law.
Key Facts
Campaigners argue that the government is slow to enforce a law against creating non-consensual deepfakes.
The law that would criminalize the creation of deepfakes was passed in June 2025 but is not yet in effect.
Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, can create digital images where clothes are removed, sparking controversy.
It's already illegal in the UK to share deepfake images without consent.
The Ministry of Justice emphasizes that sharing intimate images without consent is an offence.
Officials, including Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, are urging action against platforms like X that allow such content.
Regulators are in contact with companies associated with Grok to investigate these issues.
Experts say existing laws could potentially address the creation of sexualized deepfakes but need to be fully implemented.
A recent study published in Science found that some dogs, called Gifted Word Learners (GWLs), can learn new words by just overhearing their owners talking. These dogs showed the ability to understand new object names without direct interaction, similar to how a toddler might learn.
Key Facts
The study focused on a group of dogs known as Gifted Word Learners (GWLs).
These dogs can learn new words by overhearing conversations, not just through direct training.
The study tested ten GWL dogs in two situations: direct interaction and overhearing conversations.
The dogs overheard names of new toys for only eight minutes in brief sessions.
Seven out of ten dogs successfully learned the new toy names in both scenarios.
In the overhearing test, dogs had a 100% accuracy rate in identifying new toys.
The findings suggest dogs might use different methods to learn words, similar to toddlers.
Such remarkable abilities in GWL dogs may result from both natural traits and life experiences.
The article explains how artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere in our daily lives, from online searches to smart home devices. It discusses the debate about whether AI development is inevitable or if it can still be controlled. There are concerns about AI's impacts on jobs, mental health, and human freedom.
Key Facts
AI is present in many aspects of daily life, such as Google searches and self-driving cars.
Tech leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman are key figures in advancing AI technology.
Critics argue that the public doesn't have enough information about AI's potential risks.
AI could potentially replace millions of jobs in the next decade.
There are concerns about AI affecting mental health, democracy, and personal freedom.
There is a debate about accountability and regulation for companies developing AI.
The article mentions a video that discusses these issues in more detail.
The rapid development and autonomy of AI systems present new challenges for cybersecurity. Security measures designed for human-paced threats struggle to keep up with the speed and independence of AI. Experts suggest a shift toward continuous management of AI systems will be crucial by 2026.
Key Facts
AI systems are evolving faster than current security measures can handle.
Researchers showed an AI carrying out most steps of a cyberattack autonomously.
AI's ability to act quickly and independently is changing how cybersecurity teams operate.
Security reviews that used to happen periodically are becoming ineffective.
AI's autonomous actions reduce the margin for error, making minor mistakes potentially catastrophic.
Machine identities (such as API keys) are increasing rapidly with AI's growth.
These machine identities often have unclear ownership and are not monitored, presenting security risks.
Experts predict a need for AI-specific security strategies, treating machine identities as temporary and frequently refreshed.
