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Google DeepMind workers in UK vote to unionize amid deal with US military

Google DeepMind workers in UK vote to unionize amid deal with US military

May 05, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Workers at Google DeepMind in the UK have voted to form a union partly because of concerns about a new deal between Google and the US military. They want more control over how AI technology is used, especially to prevent it from supporting military or surveillance actions they see as harmful.

Key Facts

  • Google DeepMind UK workers voted to unionize in April.
  • The union represents about 1,000 workers if recognized by the company.
  • Workers are worried about a recent AI agreement between Google and the US Department of Defense.
  • The Pentagon deal includes several AI companies such as Google, SpaceX, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Amazon.
  • Google previously dropped a promise not to develop AI for military use, raising employee concerns.
  • Some workers object to Google’s AI support to the Israeli military and its role in conflicts like the war in Gaza.
  • The union asks Google to agree not to use AI for domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons without human control.
  • The agreement with the Pentagon states Google cannot veto lawful military actions using its AI.
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Canadian fiddler sues Google after AI Overview wrongly claimed he was a sex offender

Canadian fiddler sues Google after AI Overview wrongly claimed he was a sex offender

May 05, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Ashley MacIsaac, a Canadian fiddle player, is suing Google for $1.5 million because its AI-generated summary falsely said he was a sex offender. The incorrect information caused him to lose a concert opportunity and harmed his reputation.

Key Facts

  • Ashley MacIsaac is a three-time Juno award-winning Canadian musician.
  • Google’s AI Overview falsely claimed MacIsaac was convicted of serious crimes, including sexual assault and being on the sex offender registry.
  • The misinformation led the Sipekne’katik First Nation to cancel a scheduled concert with MacIsaac.
  • The First Nation later apologized after realizing the information was incorrect and AI-generated.
  • MacIsaac’s lawsuit claims Google should be responsible for the AI’s errors and its effects on his life.
  • He is suing for $500,000 each in general, aggravated, and punitive damages, totaling $1.5 million.
  • Google said it works to improve AI summaries and addresses errors when found.
  • Google’s AI now includes a note about MacIsaac’s lawsuit against the company.
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Guardian World
WATCH: ‘Ask Jeeves’ search engine shuts down

WATCH: ‘Ask Jeeves’ search engine shuts down

May 05, 2026 • ABC News

Summary

The search engine "Ask Jeeves," known for allowing users to ask questions in everyday language, has shut down after about 30 years of operation. This marks the end of a well-known online service that helped people find answers on the internet.

Key Facts

  • Ask Jeeves was a popular search engine that let users ask questions in plain English.
  • The service operated for around three decades before closing.
  • It was one of the early question-and-answer style search engines.
  • Ask Jeeves helped users find information on the internet by interpreting natural language questions.
  • The shutdown reflects changes in search technology and user preferences over time.
  • The closure was officially announced in early May 2026.
  • Ask Jeeves was part of internet history as a pioneer in user-friendly search services.
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ABC News
Apple asks Supreme Court to pause contempt finding in Epic Games case

Apple asks Supreme Court to pause contempt finding in Epic Games case

May 04, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Apple has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a lower court's decision that found Apple in contempt for charging fees on payments made through third-party systems in the Epic Games lawsuit. Apple wants the Supreme Court to temporarily stop this ruling while it appeals the case.

Key Facts

  • Apple faces legal issues related to its fees on in-app purchases using third-party payment methods.
  • A lower court found Apple in contempt for continuing to charge these fees despite orders not to.
  • Apple has asked the Supreme Court for an emergency pause (called a stay) on this contempt ruling.
  • The request is to allow Apple more time while it appeals the ruling to the Supreme Court.
  • The case is part of a long legal battle between Apple and Epic Games over app store rules and payments.
  • Apple wants to prevent immediate penalties related to the contempt finding.
  • The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to grant Apple's request.
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The Hill
"Notepad++ for Mac" release is disavowed by the creator of the original

"Notepad++ for Mac" release is disavowed by the creator of the original

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Notepad++ is a popular text editor made only for Windows by Don Ho since 2003. A separate “Notepad++ for Mac” app was created by Andrey Letov without Ho’s permission, causing a dispute about trademark misuse and confusion over official support.

Key Facts

  • Notepad++ is a Windows-only text editor created by Don Ho in 2003.
  • Notepad++ has never officially released a version for Mac computers.
  • Andrey Letov made a Mac version called “Notepad++ for Mac” using the Notepad++ name and logo without permission.
  • Don Ho says this use misleads users into thinking the Mac version is official.
  • Ho asked Letov to stop using the Notepad++ name and logo and change the website.
  • Letov initially wanted to keep using the name a little longer and worked on changing the name and branding.
  • The Mac app was renamed “NextPad++” with a different icon to avoid confusion.
  • The dispute involves trademark law and concerns over misleading users.
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Ars Technica
Elon Musk emailed OpenAI two days before trial asking about settlement, court filing show

Elon Musk emailed OpenAI two days before trial asking about settlement, court filing show

May 04, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Elon Musk sent an email to OpenAI two days before the start of a trial, asking about the possibility of settling the case. This information was revealed in court documents related to a lawsuit involving Musk and OpenAI.

Key Facts

  • Elon Musk is involved in a lawsuit against OpenAI, the company co-founded by Sam Altman.
  • Two days before the trial began, Musk emailed OpenAI to ask about a settlement.
  • The email was made public through a court filing.
  • The case has entered its second week of testimony.
  • News about this was reported by CBS News and The New York Times.
  • The lawsuit and trial focus on disagreements between Musk and OpenAI.
  • Settlement means resolving a dispute without continuing the legal trial.
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CBS News
Canadian election databases use "canary traps"—and they work

Canadian election databases use "canary traps"—and they work

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Canadian election officials used a simple security method called a canary trap to find out who leaked voter data. They put fake entries in the voter list given to the Republican Party of Alberta, and when these fake entries appeared in an unauthorized online database run by another group, officials quickly identified the source.

Key Facts

  • A canary trap involves adding small, unique changes to documents to track leaks.
  • Alberta’s electoral list includes names, addresses, and voting districts of millions of people.
  • Political parties can access this voter list but are not allowed to share it with others.
  • The Centurion Project created an online database using data from Alberta’s voter list without permission.
  • Elections Alberta noticed fake entries in the unauthorized database that matched ones given to the Republican Party.
  • The canary trap helped Elections Alberta prove the data leak came from the Republican Party’s copy.
  • The Centurion Project removed its database after legal action by Elections Alberta.
  • The canary trap concept is from espionage and was popularized by Tom Clancy’s novel "Patriot Games."
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Ars Technica
Influential study touting ChatGPT in education retracted over red flags

Influential study touting ChatGPT in education retracted over red flags

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

A study claiming that OpenAI’s ChatGPT greatly improves student learning has been retracted nearly a year after it was published. The publisher, Springer Nature, withdrew the paper due to problems with how the analysis was done and doubts about the results, despite the study being widely cited and shared on social media.

Key Facts

  • The study analyzed 51 earlier research papers to measure ChatGPT’s impact on student learning.
  • It initially claimed ChatGPT has a large positive effect on learning performance and thinking skills.
  • The paper was published on May 6, 2025, in the journal Humanities & Social Sciences Communications.
  • Critics pointed out many of the original studies were low quality or not comparable.
  • Experts questioned how so many solid studies about ChatGPT and learning could appear within just two and a half years after ChatGPT’s release in late 2022.
  • The study got 262 citations in similar journals and 504 citations overall, plus huge social media attention.
  • Springer Nature retracted the paper on April 22, 2026, after the authors did not respond to requests about the issues.
  • The paper’s positive claims about ChatGPT were spread widely, but the detailed problems with the study were largely overlooked online.
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Ars Technica
Collaboration is the key to ending online exploitation

Collaboration is the key to ending online exploitation

May 04, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Meta is working to make the internet safer for teenagers. They offer parents tools to monitor teen accounts and team up with experts and other tech companies to spot harmful online behavior.

Key Facts

  • Meta provides Teen Accounts designed for safer use by teenagers.
  • Parents can use supervision tools to help monitor their teens’ online activity.
  • Meta collaborates with experts to create awareness campaigns about online safety.
  • The company works with other tech firms to share information about accounts that might be harmful or predatory.
  • The goal is to protect teens from online exploitation through teamwork and shared resources.
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The Hill
AMD is adding HDMI 2.1 support for Linux. That's good news for the Steam Machine.

AMD is adding HDMI 2.1 support for Linux. That's good news for the Steam Machine.

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

AMD is working on updating its Linux graphics driver to support HDMI 2.1, a newer video connection standard. This update will allow Linux users, including Steam Machine owners, to use better screen features like higher resolution and smoother refresh rates.

Key Facts

  • AMD is adding HDMI 2.1 support to its AMDGPU driver for Linux.
  • HDMI 2.1 offers features like higher bandwidth, better resolution, dynamic HDR, and Variable Refresh Rate.
  • The update will include HDMI FRL (Fixed Rate Link), which is faster than older HDMI 2.0 technology.
  • Full support for Display Stream Compression (DSC), needed for very high resolutions up to 10K, is still being tested.
  • AMD plans to complete full HDMI 2.1 compliance after more testing and patch releases.
  • This improvement benefits Linux gamers and Steam Machine users by removing workarounds needed for HDMI 2.0 limitations.
  • Valve has been working with AMD to speed up this driver support progress.
  • It is unclear if legal or licensing issues with HDMI 2.1 and open source drivers are fully resolved.
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Ars Technica
Would you bet on the next disaster? The rise of prediction markets

Would you bet on the next disaster? The rise of prediction markets

May 04, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

Prediction markets, where people bet on future events, are growing quickly. These markets have faced controversies, including legal actions and restrictions on who can participate, showing they affect real-world events and decisions.

Key Facts

  • Prediction markets allow people to bet on the outcomes of future events.
  • Companies like Polymarket and Kalshi have become very popular.
  • US Senators are banned from using prediction market websites.
  • A US soldier was charged for betting on the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
  • These markets are influencing how people view and respond to events.
  • The topic was discussed in an episode produced by NPR and The Take podcast teams.
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Al Jazeera
The rise of cosy gaming: is this the closest many young people will get to home ownership?

The rise of cosy gaming: is this the closest many young people will get to home ownership?

May 04, 2026 • Guardian Tech

Summary

Cosy gaming is a style of video games that focuses on gentle, relaxing activities like farming or decorating virtual homes. These games have become more popular, especially among young people who face challenges like high unemployment and difficulty buying real homes.

Key Facts

  • Cosy gaming began with games like Harvest Moon (1996) and The Sims (2000).
  • These games focus on low-stress, calming activities rather than violence or competition.
  • The number of cosy games on Steam grew from 19 in 2020 to 616 in 2025.
  • New cosy games like Hozy let players decorate and fix up virtual abandoned houses.
  • Many young people cannot afford real homes due to high prices and unemployment.
  • In the UK, 29% of people aged 20-34 still live with their parents.
  • Cosy gaming offers a sense of control and satisfaction not often found in real life for young adults.
  • Although virtual home-owning is popular, real home ownership comes with many challenges like taxes and repairs.
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Guardian Tech
AI platforms reference Nigel Farage more than other leaders when prompted on UK politics, study shows

AI platforms reference Nigel Farage more than other leaders when prompted on UK politics, study shows

May 04, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

A study by Peec AI found that AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google AI mention Nigel Farage more often than other UK political leaders when asked about British politics. The research showed that AI models often use social media content, especially from platforms like Facebook, which can influence the political figures they reference.

Key Facts

  • AI platforms were tested on 5,000 prompts about UK politics, producing over 280,000 data points.
  • Nigel Farage appeared more frequently than Labour leader Keir Starmer in many AI responses.
  • Reform UK was mentioned in 88% of Google AI Overview results on political topics.
  • AI showed more references to Labour and Liberal Democrats than Conservatives or Greens overall.
  • ChatGPT cited Farage first in answers related to immigration policy in a sample prompt.
  • Large language models (LLMs) often rely on social media and open web content when lacking up-to-date information.
  • This reliance on social media makes AI systems vulnerable to manipulation and misinformation.
  • Reform UK’s high visibility in AI responses may relate to their active social media posting strategies.
  • Experts warn that AI models can be influenced by large volumes of online content, including disinformation.
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Kalshi launches features to keep kids off betting platform

Kalshi launches features to keep kids off betting platform

May 04, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Kalshi, a prediction market platform, has introduced new features to prevent users under 18 from using its service. These features include making face ID verification the default for users with that option and encouraging parents to activate additional security measures like two-factor authentication.

Key Facts

  • Kalshi is a prediction market, a platform where people can bet on future events.
  • The company wants to stop children under 18 from using its site.
  • New features launched focus on age verification using face ID technology.
  • Face ID will be automatically turned on for users whose devices support it.
  • Parents are urged to use face ID and two-factor authentication to protect their children.
  • Two-factor authentication adds a second step to verify users’ identities for better security.
  • These changes aim to create a safer environment and prevent underage gambling on the platform.
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The Hill
Musk’s “World War III” threat in Twitter lawsuit haunts him at OpenAI trial

Musk’s “World War III” threat in Twitter lawsuit haunts him at OpenAI trial

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Elon Musk tried to settle his lawsuit against OpenAI just days before the trial started but refused to drop his claims after OpenAI suggested it. Musk sent a message saying that if the claims were not dropped, OpenAI leaders “will be the most hated men in America,” which could now be used as evidence in court to show his intentions.

Key Facts

  • Elon Musk sued OpenAI, accusing it of abandoning its nonprofit mission to benefit humanity.
  • Two days before the trial, Musk offered to settle the lawsuit but refused to drop his claims when OpenAI asked.
  • Musk sent a message to OpenAI’s president saying, “By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America.”
  • This message may be allowed in court as evidence of Musk’s real motives, even though settlement talks usually can’t be used in court.
  • OpenAI argues Musk’s message was a threat, not a genuine effort to settle.
  • The court might allow the message as evidence because of a similar case where Musk’s threatening message during his Twitter lawsuit was admitted.
  • Musk’s lawyers want the judge to reject the evidence based on usual rules about settlement talks.
  • Trial judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide soon whether to allow the message in court.
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Ars Technica
Vine video-sharing app is back – and battling AI slop

Vine video-sharing app is back – and battling AI slop

May 04, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Vine, a short-form video app popular for its six-second looping clips, has relaunched under the new name “Divine,” supported by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. The new app aims to promote human-made content and avoid low-quality videos generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Key Facts

  • Vine was originally launched in 2013 and became famous for short, looping six-second videos.
  • Twitter (now called X) bought Vine but shut it down in 2017 because it wasn’t profitable.
  • Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder, is funding a new version called “Divine.”
  • Divine hosts 500,000 original Vine videos and allows new videos with the same 6-second limit.
  • All videos must be made by humans, verified by recording directly in the app or a verification process.
  • The app tries to avoid “AI slop,” meaning low-quality AI-generated content, which is common online now.
  • Divine opened to the public after testing with 100,000 original Vine videos.
  • Today, short-form videos are dominated by apps like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, posing a challenge for Divine’s success.
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MIT's virtual violin offers luthiers a new design tool

MIT's virtual violin offers luthiers a new design tool

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

MIT engineers created a virtual violin, which is a computer tool that simulates how a violin works using physics. This tool can produce realistic sounds of a plucked violin string and may help violin makers design their instruments better by understanding how sound is made.

Key Facts

  • Violin makers usually rely on hands-on experience to craft violins and choose materials.
  • The virtual violin simulates the physics of the instrument rather than using pre-recorded sound samples.
  • The simulation was described in a paper published in the journal npj Acoustics.
  • The tool aims to help understand violin sound physics and assist makers in design, not replace artisan skill.
  • Researchers have studied famous violins like Stradivari’s to learn why they sound special, examining wood type, varnish, and chemicals.
  • Methods like CT scans and 3D lasers have been used to analyze violin structure and vibrations.
  • Past projects, such as Strad3D, mapped how violins vibrate to understand their unique sounds.
  • Experts say violin-making includes art and science, and no single factor explains the Stradivari sound fully.
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Ars Technica
Toyota built a $10 billion private utopia—what’s going on in there?

Toyota built a $10 billion private utopia—what’s going on in there?

May 04, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Toyota has built a new city called Woven City, costing about $10 billion, as a test site for future technologies. The city includes many sensors and cameras to improve safety, especially for autonomous vehicles, but it also raises concerns about privacy due to the extensive surveillance.

Key Facts

  • Toyota started Woven City to create a living lab for researchers, engineers, and scientists to develop future mobility technologies.
  • The city is built on the site of an old factory and recently welcomed its first 100 residents, called "Weavers."
  • Woven City aims to support Toyota’s goal of zero traffic accidents by using connected sensors and cameras throughout the city.
  • Cameras are placed densely, with some intersections having eight or more, all feeding data into an AI system called the Woven City AI Vision Engine.
  • The AI system tracks people by clothing but does not use facial recognition, aiming to monitor activity and improve safety.
  • Privacy concerns exist due to this high level of surveillance, and Toyota is working to protect data with a system called "Data Fabric."
  • Surveys show varying privacy attitudes globally, with Japanese people being particularly cautious and wanting clear data protection and use policies.
  • Toyota plans to use Woven City as a model for integrating advanced safety technology in future vehicles and urban environments.
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Ars Technica
AI godfather Yann LeCun's advice on college, work and breaking through AI hype

AI godfather Yann LeCun's advice on college, work and breaking through AI hype

May 04, 2026 • Axios

Summary

Yann LeCun, a leading AI scientist and former Meta AI chief, advises people not to worry about exaggerated fears concerning AI taking jobs or causing human extinction. He encourages students to pursue college degrees, especially in subjects like physics or electrical engineering, and says AI will create new kinds of jobs rather than eliminate many.

Key Facts

  • Yann LeCun has over 40 years of experience in AI and warns against believing extreme claims about AI's future threats.
  • He says fears about AI causing human extinction are harming the mental health of some teenagers.
  • LeCun advises ignoring CEOs who exaggerate AI capabilities because they want to promote their products.
  • He believes AI is still not very good at reasoning and human-level AI is a long way off.
  • He recommends students go to college and focus on subjects with lasting value, such as physics or electrical engineering.
  • LeCun argues AI will change jobs, but not eliminate large numbers of them; new roles will emerge.
  • He says AI will enable people to manage AI systems, shifting how work is done.
  • Historically, new technologies take about 15 years to fully improve productivity, so AI's impact will be gradual.
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Axios
London schools trialling VR to relieve pupils’ stress

London schools trialling VR to relieve pupils’ stress

May 04, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Schools in the London borough of Sutton are using virtual reality (VR) headsets to help students reduce stress and anxiety, especially related to exams and mental health issues. The VR program, developed by Phase Space, offers short sessions that help pupils calm down and regain focus, showing positive effects on attendance and behavior.

Key Facts

  • All 15 secondary schools in Sutton are using Phase Space VR headsets in a pilot program with the local NHS mental health trust.
  • The VR sessions last about seven minutes and students use them when feeling anxious or stressed.
  • The program helps with issues like exam stress, ADHD, and emotional difficulties from home life.
  • 90% of students in the first 10 schools experienced immediate stress relief after using the VR.
  • Schools reported fewer disruptions in class, as students can use VR instead of leaving lessons unsupervised.
  • The program is supported by local child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) to help with overloaded mental health resources.
  • Students said VR helped them feel calmer, more confident, and better able to focus and follow instructions.
  • Experts see this digital approach as a promising, low-cost way to improve children’s mental health in schools.
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