Valentino, a luxury fashion brand, is facing criticism for using artificial intelligence (AI) in its advertising. The company's AI-generated ads for a handbag were called "disturbing" by some people online. Critics are concerned that AI might replace human creativity and jobs in the fashion industry.
Key Facts
Valentino used AI to create ads for its DeVain handbag.
The ads were posted on Instagram and received negative feedback.
Critics described the ads as "sloppy" and said using AI was "lazy."
Some people worry AI is replacing human creativity in fashion.
AI allows companies to save on production and promotion costs.
There is concern about AI's impact on jobs for human models and creative workers.
Anne-Liese Prem noted that people might see AI use as prioritizing cost-saving over artistic value.
India has ordered all new smartphones to come with a state-run cybersecurity app called Sanchar Saathi pre-installed. This decision aims to improve mobile device security but has raised concerns about privacy and data access. Smartphone makers have 90 days to comply, and the app must be visible and cannot be disabled or removed.
Key Facts
India’s government requires all new smartphones to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app, which cannot be removed.
Manufacturers have 90 days to ensure compliance with this order.
The app helps users verify devices, report lost or stolen phones, and flag fraud.
The order is intended to improve telecom cybersecurity and address issues like duplicate or spoofed device identities.
India's second-hand mobile market faces challenges with illegal device resales.
Privacy experts are concerned about the app’s broad permissions and potential data collection.
Compliance may be challenging for manufacturers due to conflicting company policies.
The app has reportedly helped recover over 700,000 lost phones.
The BBC Radio 1's Sound of 2026 highlights new music acts predicted to gain popularity in the next year. This annual shortlist features 10 artists who have not yet reached significant commercial success but are expected to become well-known.
Key Facts
The Sound of 2026 list predicts new music trends and highlights upcoming artists.
Nominees include US singer-songwriter Sombr, skate-rock duo Royel Otis, and post-punk band Geese.
Other artists on the list are pop singers Chloe Qisha, Skye Newman, and Alessi Rose.
The winner will be announced in January 2026 on BBC Radio 1 and BBC News.
The selection panel includes over 170 music experts and artists such as Elton John and Dua Lipa.
Past winners include successful acts like Adele and Frank Ocean.
The list excludes artists with a number one album or more than three top 10 singles by October 2025.
The Sound of list started in 2003, with 50 Cent as the first winner.
Germany's green hydrogen industry is facing challenges due to a lack of demand despite its potential benefits. Green hydrogen is more expensive compared to hydrogen made from fossil fuels, slowing its adoption. Companies like Quest One are ready to produce more but need more customers to make operations viable.
Key Facts
Quest One manufactures electrolysers to produce green hydrogen in its factory near Hamburg, Germany.
The company had to lay off 20% of its workforce because demand for electrolysers is lower than expected.
Green hydrogen is produced using electrolysis powered by renewable energy but is costly compared to fossil fuel-based hydrogen.
Green hydrogen accounts for less than 1% of global hydrogen production.
Quest One aims to reduce green hydrogen costs to €4 per kilogram, about half the current price in Germany.
There is concern that some sectors, like building heating and car power, are less efficient uses of green hydrogen.
Volkswagen, which owns part of Quest One, is reviewing its options regarding its involvement in green hydrogen.
Government policy and investment in infrastructure, like hydrogen pipelines and storage, are crucial for competitive pricing.
Disney+ is adding many new shows and movies to its streaming service in December 2025. The lineup includes holiday specials, premieres, and ongoing series, such as "Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas" and "Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures."
Key Facts
"Dancing with the Holidays," a special from "Dancing With the Stars," will stream on December 2 at 8 pm ET.
Kevin Costner hosts "The First Christmas," an exploration of the story of Mary and Joseph.
New episodes of "Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures" and "Percy Jackson" will be available.
"Are You Sure?!" and "Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation" are some of the Disney+ Originals.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw" premieres on December 5.
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" returns for its 13th season on December 5.
Viewers can watch the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on December 25.
Disney+ includes a real-time animated NBA game called "Dunk the Halls" on Christmas Day.
A variety of movies and TV shows will be added to HBO Max in December 2025, including popular films like "Girls Trip" and "Miss Congeniality" and new episodes of ongoing series. The platform will release new content nearly every day during the month.
Key Facts
HBO Max will add new movies and shows throughout December 2025.
Some of the films added include "Girls Trip," "Miss Congeniality," "The Goonies," "Atomic Blonde," and "Hidden Figures."
New episodes of existing series like "Welcome to Derry" and "The Seduction" will continue on the platform.
The schedule includes daily releases of new or additional content.
Other added titles include "20 Day Fiancé," "Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East," and "Ne Zha II."
New seasons of shows like "Fixer to Fabulous" and "House Hunters International" are also part of the lineup.
Original content such as "Wizkid: Long Live Lagos" and "Stolen Children" will debut.
The article discusses how people are rapidly starting to trust artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily lives, even without realizing it. Consumers are quickly adopting AI for tasks like using self-driving cars or online shopping, moving faster than businesses are ready for.
Key Facts
A webinar highlighted that people often use AI technologies without realizing they trust them.
In cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, self-driving cars have given over 10 million rides.
Consumers use AI for tasks such as finding products, solving problems, and comparing brands.
The speed of adopting new AI technologies is much faster than in previous technological eras.
People have begun using natural language and images in search queries without hesitation.
Companies face pressure to adjust so their information is accessible to AI tools.
If businesses don't adapt quickly, they risk being invisible in search results and losing customers.
The Newsweek webinar discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing shopping habits, with consumers increasingly relying on AI to make purchasing decisions. Experts noted that while AI adoption is rapid among consumers, businesses are slower to adapt and must build trust to succeed. The conversation also touched on the evolving role of AI agents in helping consumers make informed choices.
Key Facts
AI is changing how people shop, with many relying on AI agents to suggest purchases.
The webinar featured industry leaders Suraj Srinivasan and Gopi Kallayil.
Consumers adopt AI faster than many businesses, according to the experts.
Businesses are encouraged to monitor competitors and be proactive with AI strategies.
Trust is crucial for AI models, as errors can quickly erode consumer confidence.
Consumers are becoming more discerning and expect AI to incorporate their input.
AI is compared to streaming services, offering vast choices but requiring consumer interaction.
Rapid consumer decision-making requires businesses to also speed up their processes.
Prime Video is releasing several new movies and shows in December 2025, including the Christmas film "OH. WHAT. FUN." and the romantic comedy "Merv." The second season of the popular series "Fallout" will also premiere during the month. In addition to new titles, Prime Video will continue to stream live sports like Thursday Night Football and the NBA.
Key Facts
Prime Video is adding new original films and series throughout December 2025.
"OH. WHAT. FUN.", starring Michelle Pfeiffer, will be available on December 3.
"Merv," a romantic comedy, will release on December 10.
The second season of "Fallout" starts on December 17, with new episodes every week until February 4.
Another new series, "Surely Tomorrow," starring Park Seo-jun and Won Ji-an, premieres on December 6.
Prime Video will also stream live sports events such as Thursday Night Football and NBA games.
The platform will add a selection of non-original content, though specific titles are not yet announced.
Peacock has announced a list of new movies and shows available on their streaming platform in December 2025. The new content includes holiday-themed films, classic movies, and television series, as well as live broadcasts and original features.
Key Facts
Peacock is adding new content in December 2025, with a focus on holiday movies like "Jingle All The Way" and "Miracle On 34th Street".
Subscribers can also watch popular films such as "Erin Brockovich", "Gladiator", and "Pitch Perfect", starting December 1.
New television series episodes and premieres will be available, including "Bel-Air, Season 4" and "The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, Season 15".
A live simulcast of "Christmas In Rockefeller Center" will be available on December 3.
The platform will offer a throwback watch of "A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special" from 2022 on December 19.
Peacock will feature original content like "Here Come the Irish, Season 2" and "Reality Hot Seat – Premiere".
Special programming includes the "NBC’s Year In Review... Presented By Access Hollywood" on December 12.
The full lineup features both classic and new movies, holiday specials, and series finales throughout December.
Nurses in New York are concerned about the fast adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in hospitals, believing it affects their workflow and patient care. They held rallies and testified before the city council to demand safer working conditions and more investment in patient care over technology. The New York State Nurses Association argues that hospitals should focus on improving patient safety rather than using AI mainly for profit.
Key Facts
Nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) held a rally and testified about AI's impact on November 18, 2025.
They are concerned that AI is affecting their work and patient safety.
Nurses demand that hospitals prioritize patient care and safety over technology and profit.
Maimonides Medical Center stated that they review AI tools with input from clinical staff to improve patient outcomes.
The NYSNA mentioned federal health care cuts affecting patient care and job security.
Demonstrations were partly about private hospitals, like Mount Sinai, that nurses believe focus more on profits than on patient care.
Around 20,000 NYSNA nurses at 12 hospitals may see their contracts expire soon, increasing tensions.
Nationwide issues for nurses include staffing shortages, safety concerns, and wage disputes.
The Indian government has ordered smartphone makers to pre-install a cybersecurity app on new phones to combat online scams and crimes. This app, called Sanchar Saathi, aims to prevent issues like phone theft and fraudulent connections. Apple and privacy advocates may resist the order due to concerns about user consent and privacy.
Key Facts
India wants smartphone makers to pre-install a government cybersecurity app called Sanchar Saathi on new devices.
The order was made on November 28 and companies have 90 days to comply.
The app tackles issues like phone theft by using IMEI numbers to block stolen phones.
Since its release, the app has been downloaded over five million times.
Users cannot disable the app once it's installed on new phones.
The app has helped block over 3.7 million stolen phones and more than 30 million fraudulent connections.
Apple may resist this order due to its policies against pre-installing third-party apps.
Privacy advocates are concerned about the lack of user consent in this directive.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new type of glasses called Essilor Stellest lenses meant to slow down nearsightedness in children. These glasses have shown to reduce the progression of myopia by up to 70% in children aged 6 to 12 over a two-year period.
Key Facts
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, makes it hard for people to see distant objects clearly.
Myopia rates are rising, partly due to increased time indoors and screen use.
FDA-approved Essilor Stellest lenses aim to slow myopia in children aged 6 to 12.
Studies show these lenses slow myopia progression by about 70% over two years.
The lenses have 11 rings that help focus light on the retina to reduce eye elongation.
The suggested retail price for these glasses is $450.
Most major U.S. vision insurance providers are likely to cover these lenses for eligible children.
The only other FDA-approved myopia treatment is a type of contact lens called MiSight.
Jorja Smith's record label claims a viral song used an artificial intelligence version of her voice without permission. The song, "I Run" by Haven, faced removal from streaming services over copyright concerns. Smith's label is seeking royalties, arguing the use of AI impacts more than just one artist.
Key Facts
Jorja Smith's label says the song "I Run" by Haven used an AI version of her voice.
"I Run" became popular on TikTok and almost made it to music charts in the UK and US.
Streaming services took down the original song for alleged copyright violations.
The song was re-released with new vocals, but Smith's label still claims rights infringement.
Haven admits to using AI to alter vocals, with software trained on copyrighted works.
The label sees this as an important case for how AI should be regulated in the music industry.
Smith's label wants AI-created material to be clearly labeled for public awareness.
Rad AI introduced a new speech recognition tool to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnostic reporting in radiology. This tool adapts to each radiologist's style and can handle complex medical terms and different accents. Rad AI plans to showcase the technology at a major medical conference in 2025.
Key Facts
Rad AI's new tool aims to enhance diagnostic reporting by improving speed and accuracy.
The technology is integrated directly into clinicians' workflow.
It can understand clinical context and adapt to individual radiologists' work styles.
The tool addresses issues with existing reporting tools that struggle with complex medical terminology.
It features a unique "voting" algorithm to ensure accurate real-time transcription.
Early tests show fewer dictation errors and a smoother transcription flow.
Rad AI plans to demonstrate the tool at the 2025 RSNA Annual Meeting in Chicago.
ARA Health Specialists, an imaging center, has reported improved efficiency with the tool.
A video captured a sweet moment between a father, Donny, and his young son, Donny Jr., using a Ring doorbell camera. The father used the camera's two-way talk feature to offer advice to his son as he was leaving for school, surprising him with the message, "Be good, boy." The clip highlights how technology helps families stay connected.
Key Facts
Donny, from Yorkville, Illinois, used a Ring doorbell camera to talk to his son, Donny Jr.
The father surprised his son with a message as he was heading to school.
The Ring doorbell has a feature called Two-Way Talk, allowing people to speak through it.
Donny Jr. was surprised and asked if his dad was speaking through the camera.
The video was shared by Ring and Newsweek, showcasing the use of technology in family communication.
Research suggests technology, like internet devices, helps families stay connected over distances.
The incident shows a real-life example of how technology can positively impact family relationships.
Bill Gates expressed that he would back the use of technology to cool the Earth, but only if the planet experiences severe climate changes. He funds research on this technology, known as geoengineering, which aims to moderate global temperatures. He differentiates between supporting research and actually using the technology, emphasizing caution due to potential risks.
Key Facts
Bill Gates would support using artificial cooling technology if severe climate changes occur.
This technology is called geoengineering, which involves techniques like solar radiation management.
Solar radiation management tries to cool the planet by reflecting sunlight back into space.
Gates funds research at places like Harvard University on solar geoengineering.
He stresses the difference between researching and deploying the technology.
Concerns exist about geoengineering affecting efforts to reduce fossil fuel use.
Private companies, like Stardust Solutions, are also getting involved in the field.
Geoengineering is a part of ongoing discussions at global climate meetings.
A study led by the University of Pennsylvania found that 12-year-olds with smartphones are more likely to experience depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep. The research used data from a large study involving over 10,000 young people in the United States.
Key Facts
Kids who have smartphones at age 12 are more prone to depression.
These children also have higher chances of being obese.
They are more likely to suffer from insufficient sleep compared to peers without smartphones.
The study analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study between 2016 and 2022.
Responses from 10,588 youths were included in the research.
About half of American children get a smartphone by age 11.
The study will appear in the journal Pediatrics.
The findings suggest that smartphones pose unique challenges for children, requiring careful oversight by parents.
More than 1,000 Amazon workers expressed concerns about the company's fast implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). They warned that AI could harm jobs, the environment, and democracy. The workers have called for changes in how the company manages AI projects.
Key Facts
Over 1,000 Amazon employees signed a letter raising concerns about the company’s AI practices.
The letter was addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and the senior leadership team.
Workers warned that AI development could harm jobs, increase global warming, and damage democracy.
Amazon plans to invest up to $50 billion in AI infrastructure for U.S. government agencies.
The letter included signatures from employees of other big tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple.
Amazon has faced criticism for prioritizing AI development over climate goals.
Employees demand clean energy for data centers, more worker input on AI policies, and a stop to using AI for harmful purposes.
Amazon spokesperson stated the company's energy strategy aims to reduce emissions and better serve customers.
Apple TV will feature new content in December 2025. This includes new episodes of shows and movies like "The First Snow of Fraggle Rock" and "F1 The Movie."
Key Facts
"The First Snow of Fraggle Rock" is a kids' movie available on Apple TV starting December 5, 2025.
"F1 The Movie," starring Brad Pitt, will be available on December 12, 2025.
New episodes of the series "Loot" will air on December 3 and December 10, 2025.
Episodes 6, 7, 8, and 9 of "Pluribus" will air across different dates in December 2025.
"Born to Be Wild" will be available on December 19, 2025.
The article lists upcoming releases for Apple TV in December 2025.
