Instagram will notify parents if their teenagers repeatedly search for terms linked to suicide or self-harm. This feature is available for parents who are part of Instagram's parental supervision program. The initiative comes amid ongoing trials concerning the impact of social media on children.
Key Facts
Instagram plans to alert parents when teens search for suicide-related content often.
These alerts are for those registered in Instagram's parental supervision program.
Instagram already blocks such harmful content from appearing in teen searches and directs users to helplines.
Meta, Instagram's parent company, is involved in two trials about harms to children from social media.
Thousands have sued Meta, accusing it of making platforms addictive and harmful to kids.
Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, argue that there's no scientific consensus on social media causing mental health issues.
Parents will receive alerts through email, text, WhatsApp, or Instagram notifications.
Meta is also working on similar notifications about teens’ interactions with artificial intelligence.
Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, mistakenly removed Congressman Al Green from a photo when asked to "remove the ape" by a social media user on X. This event follows other controversies surrounding Grok, including the spread of inappropriate deepfake images, raising concerns about AI bias and misuse.
Key Facts
Grok is an AI tool developed by Elon Musk's company, xAI.
A user on X asked Grok to "remove the ape" from an image at the State of the Union, leading to Congressman Al Green's removal from the photo.
This incident joins previous controversies where Grok generated inappropriate deepfake images.
Grok has faced investigations from several countries due to its content, including being blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Concerns about AI bias were amplified as Grok previously made offensive comments about historical figures.
Congressman Al Green's photo incident relates to a wider discussion on racial bias in AI.
The incident has not yet been commented on by the involved parties: X, xAI, or Al Green.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured new images of a nebula called PMR 1, which looks like a cosmic brain. The pictures show the nebula's unique features and offer insights into the life cycle of dying stars.
Key Facts
NASA used the James Webb Space Telescope to photograph a nebula named PMR 1.
The nebula, also called the "Exposed Cranium," looks like a brain due to its design.
PMR 1 is approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Vela.
The images reveal an outer shell mostly made of hydrogen and an inner cloud of mixed gases.
The dark line in the nebula may be due to activity from the central star.
NASA is unsure if the central star will become a white dwarf or explode as a supernova.
A past NASA telescope, Spitzer, first noticed this nebula using infrared light.
A woman named Ashlee received a surprising notification from her security camera, which mistakenly identified her dog as a "white pig with black patches" on her porch. This led to a viral post, where others shared similar funny misidentifications from security cameras.
Key Facts
Ashlee owns an 8-year-old Staffy dog named Ares, who has white fur with black patches.
Her Blink security camera sent her an alert that inaccurately described Ares as a pig.
The post about this mix-up gained over 36,000 likes on social media.
Other users also reported similar funny errors, with their pets being mistaken for different animals.
Blink cameras use AI to provide video descriptions and activity notifications.
These notifications are meant to help users understand what's happening around their home.
The story highlights how AI can sometimes make amusing errors in object recognition.
ElevenLabs has developed a system that can create realistic voice copies using a short voice sample. This technology might be useful in areas like dubbing movies and helping people who cannot speak, but there are concerns about its misuse.
Key Facts
ElevenLabs can create lifelike voice replicas from short voice recordings.
The technology was featured with a copy of Al Jazeera anchor Neave Barker's voice.
CEO Mati Staniszewski discussed potential uses like dubbing and aiding those who have lost the ability to speak.
There are risks of the technology being used for fraud and spreading false information.
Safety and detection measures are essential to prevent misuse.
Collaboration with governments is important to manage the technology's impact.
Ukraine is mentioned in relation to developing its approach using this technology.
The main question raised is about control and ownership of digitally replicated voices.
Some big tech companies are planning to sign an agreement to cover their own electricity costs, instead of passing them onto consumers, during a visit to the White House. This agreement, called a "ratepayer protection pledge" by President Trump, involves companies like OpenAI and Amazon, but details on how it will be enforced are unclear.
Key Facts
Tech companies will meet at the White House to sign a "ratepayer protection pledge."
Companies expected to join include OpenAI, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, and Oracle.
The pledge aims to ensure tech companies cover their electricity costs, not consumers.
Energy cost regulations are primarily controlled at the state and regional levels.
Some states already require data centers to pay for their electricity.
FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and DOE (Department of Energy) are working on related policies.
Current power market rules allocate costs to the customers who cause them, to avoid cross-subsidizing.
Instagram will now send alerts to parents if their teens search repeatedly for suicide or self-harm content on the platform. This change is part of Meta's efforts to give parents more tools to monitor their children's activity to ensure safety, and it will roll out first in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada.
Key Facts
Instagram will send alerts to parents if their teen frequently searches for self-harm or suicide-related terms.
The feature will first be available to users in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada, with a global rollout planned later.
Parents will receive these alerts via email, text, WhatsApp, or Instagram, depending on contact details.
The Molly Rose Foundation criticizes the change, fearing it could harm more than help.
Instagram will provide expert resources to help parents talk to their children about these issues.
The alerts aim to notify parents of sudden changes in their teen's behavior.
Meta says the alerts are based on analysis of user search patterns and may sometimes notify parents unnecessarily.
Social media platforms are under pressure from governments to improve safety for young users.
In early 2026, the AI system Claude from Anthropic is having a big impact in different areas like U.S. national security, the financial markets, and startup development. Anthropic changed its safety rules for Claude as it deals with pressure from government and industry. Claude is now widely used and valued at $380 billion, causing competitors to rush to catch up.
Key Facts
Claude is an AI system developed by Anthropic that has influenced national security, financial markets, and startups.
Anthropic adjusted its safety commitments for Claude during discussions with the Pentagon about military uses.
The Pentagon sees Claude as the best performing AI model but may ban its use in military if changes aren't made.
Anthropic's Claude has caused big movements in stock markets, affecting company valuations.
The company is valued at $380 billion in 2026, a significant increase from two years ago.
Anthropic's Claude is highly regarded for its complex reasoning and writing abilities.
Companies and investors in Silicon Valley are excited about Claude's potential to speed up technology development.
A game developer, James Muirhead, is creating a horror video game called "Grease Trap '99" inspired by his time working in a Scottish fish and chip shop. He received £10,000 in funding from Creative Scotland to work on this project, which includes Gaelic dialogue and features a monster growing in the basement of the shop.
Key Facts
James Muirhead is the developer of the horror game "Grease Trap '99."
The game is set in a Scottish fish and chip shop, inspired by Muirhead's past job.
Creative Scotland awarded him £10,000 to develop the game.
The game's plot involves players managing orders while a monster grows in the basement.
It features early PlayStation-style graphics to create a nostalgic feel.
The game includes Gaelic dialogue, a nod to Scottish culture.
Muirhead was inspired to use Gaelic after playing a game in Finnish.
Menu items in the game reflect Muirhead's real-life chip shop experiences.
Smiling Friends, an animated series on Adult Swim, will end after its third season. The creators, Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, announced the decision, citing burnout but also a sense of accomplishment. The network Adult Swim supports their decision, allowing for future possibilities if inspiration returns.
Key Facts
Smiling Friends will end after its third season.
Creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack confirmed this news in a video on YouTube.
Both creators mentioned feeling burnt out after years of work on the show.
They wanted the show to end while it was still popular and of high quality.
Adult Swim supports their decision, suggesting a possible future return.
Two additional episodes will air on April 12, making a total of 10 episodes in Season 3.
The creators emphasized they did not face any network pressure to end the show.
The show has received significant fan engagement, including art and memes.
The Netflix series "Bridgerton" is currently airing Season 4, and fans are curious about Season 5. Netflix already renewed "Bridgerton" for Seasons 5 and 6, though the exact release date for Season 5 is not yet announced. The showrunner, Jess Brownell, suggested that the focus will likely be on either Eloise or Francesca Bridgerton.
Key Facts
"Bridgerton" is a Netflix series based on books by Julia Quinn.
Season 4 is streaming on Netflix, starting January 29 and ending February 26.
Netflix renewed the series for two more seasons, 5 and 6, in May 2025.
Season 4 features the story of Benedict Bridgerton and housemaid Sophie Baek.
Season 5 may focus on either Eloise or Francesca Bridgerton.
Francesca’s story involves themes of grief and second love and includes an LGBTQ romance.
Eloise's possible storyline involves a botanist named Phillip Crane.
Changes in the show suggest possible deviations from the book’s plot for Eloise.
The United Downs power plant in Cornwall is the UK's first geothermal power plant to generate electricity using heat from underground. It aims to power up to 10,000 homes and provide a domestic supply of lithium. The project took nearly two decades and involved drilling deep wells to access the Earth's heat.
Key Facts
The United Downs plant is located near Truro in Cornwall, UK.
It is the UK's first geothermal power plant to generate electricity.
The plant can power up to 10,000 homes using Earth's heat.
High drilling costs make it hard to replicate the project elsewhere.
The plant will also supply lithium, used in green technology.
The project cost £50 million, funded by private investors and part of the EU.
Geothermal energy uses underground heat to generate continuous power.
The power is sold to Octopus Energy and delivered through the national grid.
Nvidia, a major chipmaker, reported a 73% increase in its fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $68.1 billion, driven by demand for AI technology. The company is a key player in AI infrastructure, supplying chips to leading tech firms like OpenAI and Meta. Nvidia is expanding its product offerings and has plans for a robotaxi service and a new platform for self-driving cars.
Key Facts
Nvidia's fourth-quarter revenue increased by 73% to $68.1 billion.
The company's total annual revenue for the fiscal year was $215.9 billion.
Nvidia's shares rose in after-hours trading after releasing its earnings report.
It is the world's most valuable publicly-traded chipmaker, valuing around $4.8 trillion.
Nvidia supplies AI chips to companies like OpenAI and Meta.
The company recently acquired Groq for $20 billion to enhance its technology capabilities.
Nvidia plans to launch a robotaxi service and introduced a platform for self-driving cars.
The U.S. has approved Nvidia to sell its H200 chips to China under specific conditions, but no sales have occurred yet.
The Pentagon is considering labeling the AI company Anthropic as a "supply chain risk." This step involves asking defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin to assess their reliance on Anthropic's AI model, Claude. The decision stems from disagreements over the use of the AI model for military purposes.
Key Facts
The Pentagon contacted Boeing and Lockheed Martin to evaluate their dependence on Anthropic's AI, Claude.
Anthropic has safeguards on its AI to prevent mass surveillance and autonomous weapons use.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given Anthropic a deadline to meet the Pentagon's conditions.
If Anthropic does not comply, the Pentagon may use the Defense Production Act to modify Claude's usage or label Anthropic as a supply chain risk.
Claude is the only AI currently used in the military's classified systems.
The potential supply chain risk label is usually for companies in adversarial countries, making this situation unusual.
Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, has previously raised concerns about AI use in surveillance and autonomous weapons.
Anthropic has been growing, securing new funding and expanding into major business operations.
A 15-minute movie featuring Logan Paul has been created entirely using artificial intelligence (AI) by The Dor Brothers, an AI video production company based in Germany. The movie showcases Paul as a superhero and was completed with a small team over seven days using AI technology.
Key Facts
The movie was fully generated using AI by The Dor Brothers.
It stars Logan Paul in a superhero role.
The production took less than seven days.
The Dor Brothers claimed the movie would have cost $300 million to make without AI.
The team consisted of one person for visuals, one for sound design, and Logan Paul for voiceover.
The movie has been shared on Logan Paul's TikTok page.
The use of AI in film is controversial, with concerns about its impact on human creativity.
Industry experts expect AI video technology to improve further.
A video game studio named Full Circle, which creates the "skate." game, has laid off some of its employees. Despite these layoffs, the studio plans to keep updating the "skate." game. Electronic Arts (EA), the parent company, has seen several layoffs recently due to restructuring.
Key Facts
Full Circle is the studio behind the "skate." video game.
The studio has laid off some developers but will continue to update the game.
Full Circle explained the layoffs are to help focus on the game's long-term future.
"skate." was released in September 2025 as a free-to-play game.
The game received mixed reviews, with some pointing to EA as a reason.
EA has been laying off employees since 2024, including at Ridgeline Games.
EA was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake Partners, and others.
The third season of "skate." is planned for release on March 10.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series smartphones are scheduled for release on March 11, 2026. These phones feature advancements in AI, which aim to enhance mobile gaming experiences. Key improvements include better battery life, faster charging, and AI features that help in managing calls, energy use, and audio quality.
Key Facts
The Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra will be released on March 11, 2026.
The phones use a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and have significant AI features.
AI is used to optimize battery energy consumption to allow longer gaming sessions.
The phone has Super Fast Charging 3.0, taking it from 0% to 75% charge in 30 minutes.
AI call screening can answer calls and let users get back to them later without interrupting games.
An AI-powered audio eraser reduces unwanted noise from apps to focus on one audio source.
An AI screenshot analyser organizes screenshots into relevant folders for easy access.
Additional features include the AI-improved Bixby and privacy display options.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4, sold separately, adapt audio for better gaming sound using AI technology.
President Trump plans to have major tech companies sign a pledge to generate or buy their own electricity for data centers, aiming to prevent consumers from paying extra for AI-related power needs. The announcement, expected next week, includes companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others. The initiative seeks to balance the growth of AI with stable electricity prices.
Key Facts
Tech companies will meet with President Trump at the White House to sign an electricity pledge.
The pledge requires companies to manage their own power needs for data centers.
This initiative is a response to concerns about AI's impact on electricity rates.
President Trump mentioned the pledge in his State of the Union address.
Companies expected to participate include Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others.
Microsoft President Brad Smith supports the pledge, saying it helps prevent higher electricity prices.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized that companies are cooperating with the pledge.
Some critics argue that the initiative does not address the need for broader electricity grid reforms.
A recent episode of The Stream explores why people online feel nostalgic for 2016. Many participants remember simpler times on social media with less technology-driven content. The discussion includes thoughts on whether this nostalgia is about the year itself or a desire for more genuine connections.
Key Facts
The discussion took place on The Stream, focusing on nostalgia for 2016.
People online miss things like grainy selfies and playful filters from that time.
In recent years, new ways to express oneself online have grown.
The use of AI-generated content has increased since 2016.
Some people long for more genuine online interactions rather than advanced technology.
Stefanie Dekker hosted the discussion.
Guests included Joel Marlinarson, a social media strategist, and Louisa Munch, a critical theorist.
Alexei Hamblin, a designer and content creator, used TikTok to share his ideas on revamping old sports brands. His content gained significant attention, leading to a consulting role with Frasers Group to help reinvent the sports brand Slazenger. The initiative aims to blend the brand's heritage with modern, premium styles while retaining its broad accessibility.
Key Facts
Alexei Hamblin is a 23-year-old content creator and designer who uses TikTok to share fashion ideas.
Hamblin's TikTok series on revamping "dead" sports brands caught the attention of Frasers Group.
Instead of facing legal action, Hamblin was offered a consulting role with Frasers Group to work on the Slazenger brand.
Slazenger, founded in 1881, is known for golf and tennis equipment and was a supplier for Wimbledon.
Hamblin aims to create a premium sportswear line that enhances the brand's heritage while keeping it accessible.
He believes Generation Z habits give him insight into modern consumer trends.
Renee Washington, a fashion journalist, notes content creators are making fashion more accessible and conversational, but legacy brands still hold trust and authority.
