New natural gas projects are being built to provide power for data centers supporting big AI companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI. These projects could produce more greenhouse gas emissions than some countries, raising concerns about the environmental impact of the growing AI industry.
Key Facts
Eleven data center campuses in the U.S. have new gas projects that could emit over 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.
These gas projects mainly supply power directly to data centers, a trend called "behind-the-meter" power.
Behind-the-meter power lets data centers avoid using the regular power grid, often due to delays or cost concerns.
xAI’s data centers in Memphis and Southaven could each emit over 6.4 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
xAI’s turbines have faced protests from local communities worried about air pollution, and the NAACP recently sued the company.
Microsoft is considering buying power from a Chevron-backed gas project in West Texas that could emit more gases annually than Jamaica.
Officials warn that these emissions increases may reverse progress made in reducing pollution from energy sources.
Companies say they are also investing in cleaner energy but see behind-the-meter power as needed where the grid cannot keep up.
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Researchers at the University of Bristol are using special equipment to measure viewers’ brain activity, heart rate, and eye movements while they watch films. This helps them find which parts of a movie make audiences most focused and engaged, and the data is used to help filmmakers improve their work.
Key Facts
The University of Bristol has a unique cinema set up with sensors to track brain and heart activity, eye movement, and small physical reactions.
The goal is to find moments in films when audience members are highly engaged and immersed in the story.
Researchers collect both biometric data and verbal feedback from viewers to understand their emotional responses.
The experiment was tested using the short sci-fi film "Reno," shown in different versions to see how changes affect audience engagement.
Director Rob Hifle uses this data to refine the film’s final cut and better connect with viewers.
The technology could be useful not only during editing but also earlier in the filmmaking process.
Some experts note that audience preferences vary widely and success may depend more on reaching the right viewers than on universal appeal.
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The article explains that people find it difficult to understand very large numbers because our brains did not evolve to handle such amounts easily. This creates challenges when dealing with data and information involving big numbers.
Key Facts
Humans find it hard to grasp very large numbers.
Our natural intuition is not designed for large numerical values.
This difficulty can affect how we process and understand data.
The article highlights a gap between human thinking and numerical information.
Understanding big numbers is important in many modern contexts like data analysis.
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Personal data of over 300,000 European travellers who bought Interrail passes from Eurail was hacked and posted for sale on the dark web. Some affected travellers have been told to cancel their passports to prevent fraud, causing concern and extra costs. Eurail is advising customers to be cautious and update their passwords while investigating the incident.
Key Facts
Eurail, a Dutch company selling Interrail passes, was hacked in December.
More than 300,000 travellers' personal data was accessed, including passport numbers and contact details.
A sample of the stolen data was published on the messaging app Telegram, and the data is being sold on the dark web.
The UK Passport Office and other agencies have told some travellers to cancel their passports to avoid fraud.
Replacing passports can cost over £100 and cause delays for upcoming travel plans.
Eurail advised customers to watch for suspicious communications and to change passwords for email, social media, and banking.
Some affected customers are asking Eurail for compensation to cover the costs of new passports.
Eurail apologized for the incident and said protecting customer data remains their top priority.
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British and international cybersecurity agencies warn that hackers supported by China are using everyday internet-connected devices like wifi routers to secretly attack companies. These hackers take control of vulnerable devices to spy on targets and steal data, using methods that make it hard to trace where attacks come from.
Key Facts
China-linked hackers are targeting devices such as wifi routers, printers, and webcams for cyber-attacks.
These devices are often older or have not been updated with the latest software, making them easier to hack.
The hacked devices form "covert networks" or "botnets," which act like hidden bases for spying and theft.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and agencies in nine other countries issued a warning about this threat.
China’s intelligence and military agencies are highly advanced in cyber operations.
The hackers use compromised devices to hide their location, similar to how a virtual private network (VPN) works.
Companies are advised to map their IT systems, use multifactor authentication, and limit network connections to protect against these attacks.
Some covert networks are run by private Chinese companies and have infected hundreds of thousands of devices worldwide.
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The UK Biobank’s health data of 500,000 members was found for sale on a Chinese website called Alibaba. The data did not include personal details like names or addresses, and the listings were removed after being discovered. The UK and Chinese governments, along with Alibaba, are working together to investigate the issue.
Key Facts
Health data of 500,000 UK Biobank members was listed for sale online in China.
The data did not have personally identifying information such as names, addresses, or phone numbers.
The UK Biobank is a project used to improve research on diseases like dementia and cancer.
The data breach was reported to the UK government on Monday by the UK Biobank charity.
The listings appeared on Alibaba, a major Chinese e-commerce platform.
The UK government says no sales were made from the data listings.
The listings were removed, and the Chinese government cooperated in the investigation.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office said medical data is very sensitive and must be handled carefully according to law.
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Sony’s AI robot named Ace has defeated top table tennis players in a new experiment. This event marks a significant achievement in the development of robots that can compete with humans in fast, skill-based sports.
Key Facts
Sony created an AI robot called Ace.
Ace played table tennis against elite human players.
Ace won these matches, demonstrating advanced skills.
The experiment is viewed as a major step forward in robotics.
Table tennis requires quick reflexes and precise movements, which the robot managed successfully.
This breakthrough shows how AI and robotics can improve in handling complex physical tasks.
The event was reported on April 23, 2026, by France 24.
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Spotify started in 2008 and changed how people listen to music by offering legal streaming online. It now has over 750 million users and offers music, podcasts, and audiobooks worldwide, except in a few restricted countries. Big artists like Taylor Swift and Drake have gained huge audiences through Spotify, which also helps artists from different languages and cultures reach fans globally.
Key Facts
Spotify was founded in 2006 and launched in 2008, expanding to the U.S. in 2011.
It offers more than 100 million songs, 7 million podcasts, and 500,000 audiobooks.
The platform has 751 million users, growing 11% each year.
Taylor Swift is Spotify’s most-streamed artist, with 26.6 billion streams in 2024.
Spotify supports artists worldwide, with 16 languages reaching its Global Top 50 in 2025.
The U.S. and Europe make up over half of Spotify’s users and two-thirds of its revenue.
Popular music genres on Spotify that earn over $100 million in royalties include Brazilian funk, K-pop, urban Latino, and reggaeton.
Spotify introduced an AI-generated DJ feature in 2025 to create personalized music experiences.
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States and local areas are beginning to pass laws that limit or stop the building of large data centers. This change comes as many people grow concerned about the rapid growth of data centers needed for artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Key Facts
Maine became the first state to ban the building of large data centers.
The move reflects a growing concern about the effects of data centers on communities.
Data centers are buildings that store and process large amounts of information.
These centers are important for running AI tools and services.
The expansion of data centers has raised issues like energy use, noise, and local disruption.
Other states and cities are considering similar measures to control data center growth.
This trend shows increased public attention to the impact of AI infrastructure.
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Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company, has introduced its new Mythos model. Despite being banned earlier this year by the Trump administration from military and government projects, the company has gained renewed interest from different federal government agencies because of this model.
Key Facts
Anthropic is an artificial intelligence company.
The new AI model from Anthropic is called Mythos.
Mythos is Anthropic’s most advanced model so far.
Earlier in the year, the Trump administration banned Anthropic’s products from use in military and government jobs.
Despite the ban, parts of the federal government are now interested in Anthropic’s Mythos model.
This interest gives Anthropic a way to remain connected to the White House and federal government.
The renewed attention suggests a possible change in how the government views Anthropic’s technology.
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Experts report that websites sharing child sexual abuse material have doubled in number. These sites are often run by criminal gangs who make money from illegal content.
Key Facts
The number of websites with child sexual abuse content has increased two times.
Criminal gangs control many of these websites.
These gangs profit financially from sharing illegal material.
The growth in such websites raises concerns about online safety.
Experts call for stronger measures to stop these criminal activities.
Website access issues in the article suggest technical barriers to viewing the content.
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Anthropic, a company that makes AI tools, is facing many problems just before a possible stock market launch valuing it near $800 billion. Meanwhile, its rival OpenAI is trying to attract customers by pointing out Anthropic’s recent difficulties and promoting itself as more reliable.
Key Facts
Anthropic’s revenue has tripled to $30 billion this year due to its popular coding AI tools.
The company’s latest AI model, Opus 4.7, showed improved test results but users reported higher costs and bugs.
Growing customer demand has caused capacity problems and occasional outages for Anthropic’s services.
The article highlights how deep reading helps teens develop important brain skills like empathy, critical thinking, and creativity, especially in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). It encourages families to build strong reading habits to support cognitive growth and lifelong learning.
Key Facts
Reading deeply helps build brain functions like understanding others' feelings and thinking critically.
Teen reading for fun has dropped from 27% to 14% among 13-year-olds since 2012.
Most eighth graders (70%) are not reading at a proficient level according to national tests.
Many teens involved in a literary magazine community gain skills that help them succeed in college and careers.
Neuroscience shows that reading physically changes the brain, improving reasoning and empathy.
Families that value reading tend to have children with better literacy skills.
Making time for reading, even with busy schedules, strengthens the brain like exercise strengthens the body.
Schools should provide clear, research-based reading instruction to help struggling readers.
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The article discusses how AI technology focuses on removing friction—delays and difficulties—in human life, pushing for constant speed and efficiency. It argues that this loss of friction may undermine important human experiences like reflection and meaning, which take time and involve complexity beyond pattern recognition by AI.
Key Facts
The author began by researching how fast a match must be struck to ignite, illustrating a human curiosity and patience often replaced by quick digital searches.
Silicon Valley and AI developers promote frictionless experiences that speed up decisions and interactions.
Some experts believe AI must operate without human oversight in split-second situations like defense, emphasizing speed over reflection.
The author notes a growing tension between viewing AI as simple pattern-matching machines versus seeing them as early forms of consciousness.
Tech leaders like Marc Andreessen value rapid action and little self-reflection, which fuels AI development focused on efficiency.
The article warns that AI’s imitation of human behavior lacks true meaning or consciousness, reducing rich human experiences to shallow mimicry.
Friction, or moments of pause and complexity, is important for reflection, creativity, and deeper understanding, which AI cannot replicate.
The piece suggests that losing friction could lead to a societal emptiness as people rely more on AI and less on human insight and feelings.
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The article is a letter from Jim VandeHei to young people, offering advice on how to handle rapid changes, especially related to artificial intelligence (AI). He encourages using AI as a helpful tool, staying hopeful, working hard, and focusing on personal control in an uncertain world.
Key Facts
Many parents and kids feel unsure about how to deal with fast changes, especially AI.
AI is changing jobs and life in big ways, similar to the invention of electricity.
Success will come to those who use AI smartly to improve their work, not just the smartest or fastest learners.
It's normal to be worried about AI, but ignoring it is not a good choice.
Young people should practice using AI daily to get better at tasks and stand out in the job market.
Hard work, clear communication, and learning new skills are important regardless of your major or job field.
Social media can give a negative view of the world, but many positive things are happening, like lower crime and better health.
Individuals should focus on what they can control, like their habits, actions, and attitude.
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Anthropic says it cannot control or turn off its AI models once the Pentagon starts using them. The Pentagon has labeled Anthropic a supply chain risk because it disagrees with how the company wants its AI to be used in military operations.
Key Facts
Anthropic filed a document in federal court saying it has no way to see, control, or shut down its AI after deployment by the Pentagon.
The Pentagon called Anthropic a supply chain risk, concerned about the company's involvement in sensitive military uses.
Anthropic’s policies forbid using its AI, called Claude, for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.
The Pentagon rejected these restrictions, leading to a legal dispute.
A D.C. appeals court denied Anthropic’s request to pause the supply chain risk label, while a California judge allowed a related request.
Because of the court decisions, Anthropic cannot get new Pentagon contracts but can work with other government agencies.
The Trump administration is trying to use Anthropic’s new AI model, Mythos, across federal agencies, raising cybersecurity concerns.
A court hearing on this issue is set for May 19.
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Rishi Sunak, former UK Prime Minister and advisor to AI companies Anthropic and Microsoft, said governments should remove National Insurance (a tax on jobs) to encourage hiring as AI changes the job market. He suggests replacing this tax with taxes on company profits, which could increase due to AI’s productivity gains.
Key Facts
Sunak wants to remove National Insurance tax on workers over time to make hiring easier.
He proposes shifting tax focus from jobs to corporate profits boosted by AI technology.
AI is making it harder for young people to find entry-level jobs in fields like law and creative industries.
Sunak believes governments must rethink tax systems because AI may reduce income from job taxes.
He advises Microsoft and Anthropic, and helped set up the UK’s AI Safety Institute.
Anthropic’s new AI model, Claude Mythos, can outperform humans in cybersecurity tasks, raising safety concerns.
Sunak worked with politicians from different parties to encourage UK tech investment.
He described the UK as an “AI superpower” thanks to major companies like DeepMind, Anthropic, and OpenAI operating there.
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On Earth Day, people are encouraged to recycle unused electronic devices in environmentally friendly ways. Some recycling programs may also offer money in exchange for old electronics.
Key Facts
Earth Day is observed on April 22 each year.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes devices like old phones, computers, and tablets.
Proper disposal of e-waste helps reduce environmental harm.
Some companies and programs pay people for turning in old electronics.
Recycling e-waste allows valuable materials to be reused.
Experts recommend using certified recycling centers to handle e-waste safely.
Technology reporter Abrar Al-Heeti discussed these options on CBS News.
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Ars Technica has published a clear policy on how it uses generative AI in its editorial work. The company states that all reporting, analysis, and commentary are written by humans, and AI tools are only used to assist with tasks like editing and research under strict human control.
Key Facts
Ars Technica’s editorial content is created by human writers and editors.
AI does not write stories, create images, or produce videos for Ars Technica.
AI tools may be used to help with grammar checks, style suggestions, and research assistance.
Any AI-generated material shown is clearly marked and used only as examples or for analysis.
AI-generated content is not considered an authoritative source and must be verified by humans.
When quoting or referencing named sources, the information must come from direct human work, not AI summaries.
The policy is publicly shared to explain how Ars Technica uses AI and will be updated if practices change.
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NASA’s Artemis II mission used new laser communication technology to send much higher-quality video and images from the Moon to Earth. This system can transmit data much faster than older radio methods but requires clear skies and special ground stations to work well.
Key Facts
Artemis II astronauts sent low-definition video most of the time using radio waves.
They also sent some high-resolution photos using laser communication, which transmits data with light instead of radio waves.
Laser communication can send data about 50 times faster than traditional radio systems.
The high-speed laser signals need clear skies and special ground stations to be received.
NASA has only three ground stations able to receive laser signals so far (two in the U.S. and one in Australia).
Laser systems use less power and smaller transmitters compared to radio ones.
To ensure constant laser communication, NASA may need around 40 ground stations worldwide.
Artemis II tested a lower-cost ground terminal for laser communication to help expand the system in the future.
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