The European Commission is investigating Elon Musk's company X regarding its AI tool Grok, which may have been used to create inappropriate images of real people. This investigation is part of efforts to ensure online safety and may lead to penalties if the company does not make changes. The inquiry follows previous concerns from UK regulators about the same issue.
Key Facts
The European Commission launched an investigation into Grok AI, an AI tool from Elon Musk's company X.
Grok AI has been used to create sexually explicit fake images of real people.
X stopped the tool from altering images in areas where it's illegal, but concerns remain.
If X does not comply with EU regulations, it may face interim measures.
The investigation is part of ongoing concerns about X's algorithm that suggests posts to users.
Over 5.5 billion images were reportedly created by Grok in just 30 days.
The EU previously fined X €120 million over separate issues related to account verification.
U.S. officials criticized the EU's actions as an attack on American tech companies.
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OpenAI is promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for aiding scientific research. According to a report shared with Axios, AI is being used for advanced topics in science, such as math and physics, and aims to increase productivity and lead to scientific breakthroughs.
Key Facts
OpenAI shared a report showing that AI can help scientists be more productive.
The report analyzed ChatGPT conversations from last year on topics in advanced science.
The number of discussions on hard science topics grew by nearly 47% over the year.
In January, about 1.3 million users discussed advanced topics using ChatGPT each week.
Popular topics include math, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Most users use ChatGPT for writing and communication, with fewer using it for analysis.
OpenAI's GPT-5.2 is noted for advancing towards mathematical discovery.
OpenAI encourages policymakers to enhance AI use in science through better access and infrastructure.
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Jim VandeHei from Axios is sharing straightforward advice about artificial intelligence (AI) through a new short-video series called "Just Lead!" The series gives practical tips on leading in life and work, starting with a focus on understanding and using AI.
Key Facts
Axios launched two new shows focusing on practical advice.
The first show, "Just Lead!", offers advice on leadership in personal and professional life.
The debut episode discusses the importance of understanding AI.
Jim VandeHei wrote a letter on AI shared with his family and Axios readers.
The episode includes perspectives from his wife, who doubts AI, and his daughter, who is unsure about it.
A second series, "Behind the Curtain," will launch next week.
Both shows aim to help viewers navigate and succeed with essential information.
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"Resident Evil Requiem" is a new game by Capcom that includes two main characters: Leon Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft. The game features unique enemies with individual behaviors and offers different gameplay experiences, such as third-person combat and first-person stealth.
Key Facts
"Resident Evil Requiem" is created by Capcom.
The game features Leon Kennedy, known from previous "Resident Evil" titles.
Leon faces a mad scientist named Dr. Gideon and unusual enemies at a chronic care center.
Enemies resemble their past selves, adding complexity to the gameplay.
Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst, is a second main character in the game.
Grace's gameplay style involves stealth, and she can collect blood for crafting items.
The game allows for both third-person and first-person gameplay perspectives.
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Nintendo announced a special broadcast called Nintendo Direct to discuss its new game "Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream" for the Nintendo Switch. The stream will happen on January 29, 2026, at 6:00 am PT. People can watch it on Nintendo's YouTube and Twitch channels.
Key Facts
"Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream" is a new game for the Nintendo Switch.
The game is a sequel to "Tomodachi Life," which was on the Nintendo 3DS.
A Nintendo Direct livestream will show new game features on January 29, 2026.
The livestream starts at 6:00 am Pacific Time (PT) or 9:00 am Eastern Time (ET).
Viewers can watch on Nintendo of America’s YouTube and Twitch pages.
The game lets players manage the lives of Mii characters.
The original "Tomodachi Life" sold over 6 million copies on the 3DS.
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When TikTok faced technical problems on January 25, many users started looking for other apps. UpScrolled gained popularity as an alternative because of its no-censorship policy and unique content approach. The app, founded by Issam Hijazi, has quickly risen in the App Store rankings.
Key Facts
TikTok users reported major issues with the app on January 25.
The problems led to more than 36,000 user reports at the peak of the outage.
TikTok has faced possible bans in the U.S. due to security concerns related to its parent company.
UpScrolled is gaining interest as an alternative to TikTok and other social media apps.
The app promotes no censorship and does not have billionaire owners.
UpScrolled ranks number 6 in social networking apps in the App Store.
Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian Australian, founded UpScrolled and leads Recursive Methods Pty Ltd, the company behind the app.
The app is supported by the Tech for Palestine incubator and funded privately.
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The European Commission is investigating Elon Musk's social media platform X and its AI chatbot Grok. This investigation focuses on claims about creating inappropriate deepfake images. The inquiry is part of the EU's Digital Services Act, which sets rules for technology companies.
Key Facts
The European Commission is looking into X and Grok, both linked to Elon Musk.
The investigation is about alleged sexually explicit deepfake images involving women and children.
Deepfake technology creates realistic fake images or videos using artificial intelligence.
The inquiry is under the EU's Digital Services Act, which regulates tech companies in the EU.
The European Union argues these investigations are to protect consumers.
There is tension between the EU and the Trump administration over the regulation of U.S. tech firms.
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Freezing rain and ice led to over 210,000 people losing power in Nashville. This also caused major internet outages for Xfinity customers. Xfinity customers affected can check for outage credits through their support services.
Key Facts
Over 210,000 Nashville Electric Service (NES) customers lost power due to ice and fallen trees.
Xfinity reported internet outages in the affected area, though it didn't specify how many customers were impacted.
To restore internet, power must first be restored to both the customer's home and the local network.
Xfinity users can check the Xfinity app or website for outage status and restart equipment after power restoration.
Customers might be eligible for a bill credit during service outages, depending on conditions like cause and account history.
Nearly 300 NES lineworkers were planned to work on Monday to speed up power restoration.
Other regional utilities also reported outages, including Tri County Electric and CEMC.
Xfinity advises checking their site or app for service updates and using their assistant to apply for credits.
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The second season of Netflix's live-action series "Avatar: The Last Airbender" will show a noticeably older Aang, as the actor Gordon Cormier has grown up since filming the first season. Season 2 will release in 2026, and Netflix has released its official trailer. The season includes a new character, Toph, played by Miya Cech.
Key Facts
Gordon Cormier, the actor for Aang, is older in season 2 due to filming seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back.
"Avatar: The Last Airbender" Season 2 will release in 2026, with no exact date announced yet.
Netflix released the trailer for Season 2 on December 10, 2025.
Miya Cech will play Toph, a blind earthbending character, in Season 2.
The main cast includes Gordon Cormier (Aang), Kiawentiio (Katara), Ian Ousley (Sokka), and others.
Season 2 will explore more action and emotional scenes according to the actor Cormier.
The character's wardrobe and appearance will reflect the older and more experienced Aang.
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Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air because of dust, mold, pet dander, and chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and studies suggest that using air purifiers with HEPA filters can help clean indoor air and reduce health issues like allergies and asthma. It is important to choose air purifiers based on the size of the room and filter efficiency.
Key Facts
Indoor air can contain more pollutants than outside air, such as dust, mold, and pet hair.
The EPA notes that many people spend 90% of their time indoors.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters can reduce tiny particles that can cause health problems.
HEPA filters are designed to capture most small particles that can harm health.
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) measures how effectively a purifier cleans the air.
Choosing the right air purifier depends on room size and CADR rating.
High-CADR models are recommended for larger rooms with more air cleaning needs.
Budget-friendly air purifiers are available for smaller rooms and still meet HEPA standards.
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Two parents whose children died after exposure to harmful social media content worry that delays in banning social media for under-16s might harm more kids. The UK House of Lords has voted for this ban, and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is starting a review to examine its potential impacts. Australia already has a similar ban, and countries around the world are observing its effects.
Key Facts
The UK House of Lords voted to ban social media use for children under 16, following a model set by Australia.
Bereaved mothers expressed concerns about delays in implementing the ban, fearing more children could be harmed.
The UK government will conduct a three-month consultation to evaluate the proposed social media ban.
Parents have filed lawsuits in the US against social media companies after their children's deaths linked to online challenges.
Ofcom, the UK online safety regulator, began new rules last year and is investigating over 90 platforms for compliance.
Australia blocks users under 16 from having social media accounts, aimed at protecting children from harmful online content.
Meta and other companies accept more actions are needed but question if an outright ban is the solution.
97% of 12-year-olds own smartphones, increasing the need for careful online safety measures.
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Health experts say many people suffer neck and spine problems from looking down at laptops and devices, a condition often called "tech neck." To prevent this, they suggest adjusting the screen height so it's at eye level and doing specific stretches to ease any pain.
Key Facts
"Tech neck" happens when people feel pain or stiffness in their neck and shoulders from poor posture while using technology.
The Mayo Clinic Health System describes tech neck as chronic neck or shoulder pain linked to using phones or computers.
Younger people are experiencing tech neck problems more frequently as they use screens from a young age.
Many children get their first smartphone by ages 12 to 13, and one in five by age nine.
Experts recommend stretching exercises like chin tucks to avoid tech neck issues.
Raising the screen to eye level with a laptop stand or monitor can reduce neck strain.
Various products, such as adjustable laptop stands and standing desks, help improve posture by bringing screens to the right level.
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The United States and China agreed to let TikTok keep operating in the U.S. by forming a new company partly owned by U.S. investors. This agreement aims to ease national security concerns that previously caused discussions about banning the app.
Key Facts
TikTok's future in the U.S. faced uncertainty over security concerns for almost six years.
The U.S. and China created a joint venture to address these concerns.
U.S. investors will have control over the new TikTok entity.
This agreement allows over 200 million U.S. users to keep using TikTok.
The debate focused on whether TikTok posed a risk to U.S. national security.
The deal aims to satisfy political concerns in the U.S. regarding TikTok.
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Police departments are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help solve cold cases and conduct investigations more efficiently. AI tools are helping detectives quickly search through large amounts of evidence, like interviews and photos, to find important information. Although AI speeds up detective work, some groups worry about privacy and fairness issues.
Key Facts
Police are using AI to manage and analyze large amounts of evidence in cold cases.
AI tools are used to review jail calls, interviews, social media, photos, and documents faster.
Anchorage Police Department signed a five-year contract for the Closure AI tool to assist in investigations.
Redmond and Wyomissing Police Departments use the Longeye AI tool for similar purposes.
AI software helps translate and analyze evidence in different languages, aiding investigators.
Almost 70% of investigators report not having enough time to check all digital data in their cases.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warns about potential risks of bias and reliability with AI use in criminal justice.
AI is designed to help, not replace, detectives, ensuring human verification of its findings.
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A woman named Charlotte Sterling from Memphis, Tennessee, who lost her vision due to genetic eye diseases, has gained independence using AI-powered glasses. The glasses help her recognize everyday items, read descriptions, and understand her surroundings by using artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
Charlotte Sterling began losing her vision at 17 due to Stargardt's disease.
At 64, she is almost completely blind and can only see light and dark.
She also has retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma, which further impair her eyesight.
Charlotte's daughter, actress Kat Conner Sterling, supports her alongside her husband.
In January 2026, Charlotte started using Meta Skyler Gen 2 AI glasses.
The glasses can identify items, read text, and describe environments, helping her regain some independence.
Charlotte's story, shared by her daughter on TikTok, received over 1.2 million views.
The glasses have an eight-hour battery life with a backup of 48 hours from a charging case.
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Netflix postponed a live special event featuring climber Alex Honnold due to rain making conditions unsafe to climb Taipei 101 in Taiwan. The climb is now set to air on Saturday, January 24, adjusted for better weather.
Key Facts
The live event, called Skyscraper Live, features Alex Honnold climbing Taipei 101 without ropes.
Rain in Taipei made the building too slippery, causing the postponement.
Netflix rescheduled the climb for Saturday, January 24, at 8 p.m. ET.
Honnold is known for climbing El Capitan without safety gear.
The live broadcast will have a delay as a safety measure.
Honnold and his fans emphasized the importance of safety in this decision.
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TikTok's new business venture in the U.S. will now collect precise location data from users if they choose to allow it. This change is part of an updated privacy policy following a deal with ByteDance, the Chinese firm that owns TikTok. The joint venture, involving companies like Oracle, aims to secure U.S. user data amid ongoing concerns about data privacy.
Key Facts
TikTok in the U.S. can now collect precise location data if users enable it in their settings.
A privacy policy update follows a deal with TikTok's owner, ByteDance, and U.S investors.
Oracle leads the joint venture and will manage data security and privacy.
The U.S. government required TikTok to separate its American business due to security worries.
Oracle will place TikTok's data and recommendation algorithm in its U.S. cloud.
The deal ensures greater control over American user data to address national security concerns.
ByteDance remains a minority stakeholder with less than 20% ownership.
Concerns continue about potential Chinese influence over TikTok's U.S. operations.
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The article discusses technological advancements in farming across Australia, focusing on innovations that improve seeds, grains, and crops. It also highlights recent consumer tech trends from CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Key Facts
The article features advancements in agricultural technology in Australia.
Tech innovations discussed aim to improve seeds, grains, and crops.
The article includes highlights from CES 2026, a major tech event in Las Vegas.
CES 2026 showcases trends and innovations in consumer technology.
The program includes discussions on various tech topics such as space exploration, AI, and sustainable mining practices.
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The article discusses how Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) models are increasingly being used by companies like Pinterest and Airbnb to enhance their services, often due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Chinese models, such as DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen, are popular because they are open-source and customizable, unlike many proprietary U.S. models. A Stanford University report noted that Chinese AI models may have caught up or even surpassed some global competitors.
Key Facts
Pinterest uses Chinese AI models like DeepSeek to improve its recommendation systems.
Chinese AI models are open-source, meaning companies can freely access and adapt them.
Pinterest reports its customized models are 30% more accurate while being cheaper than many U.S. proprietary models.
Companies like Airbnb also use Chinese AI models, citing them as good, fast, and affordable.
Hugging Face, an AI model-sharing platform, frequently has Chinese models as the most downloaded ones.
A Stanford University report suggests Chinese AI models may now match or exceed the capabilities of global competitors.
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Big tech companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), but there are worries about whether AI will meet expectations. Some experts warn that if AI falls short, it could affect the world economy. People, especially younger ones, have different opinions on the future impact of AI.
Key Facts
Tech companies are putting a lot of money into AI.
Economists say there is a risk that AI might not deliver as expected.
Concerns exist about the potential negative effects on the global economy if AI underperforms.
Younger people online have mixed opinions on AI's future role.
Some hope that any setbacks might reduce excessive corporate spending.
The article features insights from an analyst and a content creator.
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