The article discusses how users can improve their interactions with AI tools like ChatGPT by asking better questions. It offers practical tips to help people get more useful and specific answers from these AI models.
Key Facts
The article highlights that AI responses depend on the quality of the questions asked.
Users should treat AI interactions like a conversation, not a search engine query.
Providing context about who you are and your situation can improve AI responses.
Asking the AI to think "step by step" can yield better results in complex situations.
Users can share files or images with AI to help it understand context faster.
It's important to verify specific claims made by AI, as it can sometimes generate incorrect information.
A former oil field in the North Sea is being repurposed to store carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of a project called Greensand Future. This initiative aims to capture and inject CO2 into the ground to help reduce carbon emissions, with plans for large-scale storage by 2030. The project is one of many in the North Sea region focusing on carbon capture and storage (CCS) to combat climate change.
Key Facts
The Greensand Future project will use an old oil field to store CO2 instead of extracting oil and gas.
Ineos Energy leads the project, which will be the EU's first large-scale offshore CO2 storage site.
The plan is to store 400,000 tonnes of CO2 this year, increasing to eight million tonnes annually by 2030.
CCS is seen as a critical tool for reducing emissions and achieving net zero by 2050.
Critics argue that CCS may discourage reducing CO2 emissions by other means and suggest alternative technologies like wind and solar as cost-effective solutions.
Hundreds of CCS projects are in development worldwide, especially in the North Sea region, due to existing infrastructure and geological knowledge.
Norway's Northern Lights project began storing CO2 under the seabed in August, similar to future plans for the UK and Denmark.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating an incident where a Waymo self-driving car hit a child near a school in Santa Monica, California. The incident has brought attention to the safety of self-driving vehicles, especially in school zones, and comes as more robotaxis are being used across the country. Waymo and other safety agencies are cooperating with the investigation.
Key Facts
A Waymo self-driving car struck a child near a school in Santa Monica, California.
The child ran into the street from behind an SUV, causing minor injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the incident.
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will discuss self-driving cars on February 4.
Waymo claimed the car detected the child and slowed from 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact.
The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the incident.
Waymo had recalled over 3,000 vehicles in December to update software related to school bus safety.
Recent incidents involved Waymo cars passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas.
Apple announced its highest-ever iPhone sales from the last three months of the previous year. The increase contributed to a total revenue of $144 billion, although sales for other Apple products, like Mac computers and accessories, declined.
Key Facts
Apple's iPhone sales reached a new record high in the last quarter of the year.
The company reported a total revenue of $144 billion during this period.
Increased sales in China, Europe, the Americas, and Japan supported this revenue growth.
Sales in Apple's wearables and accessories category fell by approximately 3%.
Microsoft shares dropped by 12% as the company's investments in artificial intelligence (AI) sparked concerns among investors. Microsoft's earnings report showed a slow growth in its cloud computing service and significant spending increases. Investors are also worried about potential risks related to Microsoft's investment in OpenAI.
Key Facts
Microsoft stock fell by 12%, the company's worst performance since March 2020.
The company's valuation decreased by about $400 billion.
Microsoft's growth in its cloud service, Azure, has slowed.
Microsoft spent 66% more on capital expenditures in the second quarter than the previous year.
There are concerns over a $10 billion investment in OpenAI, which has significant debt.
Microsoft predicts stable but slow growth for Azure due to issues with AI chip supplies.
OpenAI accounts for 45% of Microsoft's cloud backlog, causing investor worries.
Other tech companies like Nvidia and Amazon also saw stock decreases.
A passenger on a United flight shared his frustration online after being forced to store his bag in a distant overhead compartment due to a woman's coat occupying nearby space. The discussion highlights a common issue with passengers using overhead bins for smaller items when space is limited. The conversation reflects ongoing concerns about proper usage of overhead storage during flights.
Key Facts
The passenger was on a United flight and sat in seat 1A, a bulkhead seat where bags must be kept overhead.
A woman refused to move her coat from an overhead bin, causing the passenger to store his bag further back.
The incident started a debate online about the proper use of overhead bins.
Many people believe overhead bins should primarily be for bags, not coats or small items.
A poll shows that over half of Americans get annoyed when others don't follow flight attendant instructions or use more overhead space than needed.
With more people using carry-ons, overhead bin space has become more limited.
Newsweek reached out to the passenger for comment, but couldn't verify the full details.
Airports are using artificial intelligence (AI) to manage increasing numbers of passengers, expected to reach 10.2 billion by 2026. AI helps with tasks like managing passenger flow, security, and luggage handling, improving efficiency and the travel experience.
Key Facts
Global air passenger traffic is expected to hit 10.2 billion by 2026.
Airports are using AI to improve infrastructure and operations.
AI helps manage passenger flow, security, and luggage handling.
Scientists in Spain have conducted a study showing that a new "triple therapy" could potentially eliminate pancreatic cancer in mice. Although this treatment has not yet been tested on humans, it could lead to new clinical trials and possibly a treatment for pancreatic cancer in the future.
Key Facts
Spanish scientists conducted a study using a "triple therapy" to treat pancreatic cancer in mice.
The study's findings were published in the journal PNAS.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with low survival rates.
The new treatment involves combining three drugs to target cancer cells more effectively.
Clinical trials for humans are not yet underway but could happen in the future.
Pancreatic cancer symptoms are often detected late, making early diagnosis difficult.
Over 50,000 Americans die from pancreatic cancer every year.
Successful treatment in mice does not guarantee the same results in humans.
UpScrolled is a new social media app created by Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian entrepreneur. The app has quickly gained popularity as an alternative to TikTok, after TikTok's U.S. operations were taken over by U.S.-backed investors. Users are flocking to UpScrolled, particularly interested in its focus on transparency and pro-Palestine content.
Key Facts
UpScrolled was developed by Issam Hijazi, who has a background working with major tech companies.
The app combines features of photos, videos, and text posts, similar to Twitter and Instagram.
UpScrolled became the most downloaded free app in the U.S. Apple App Store’s social networking category.
Concerns over TikTok's censorship of pro-Palestine posts have fueled interest in UpScrolled.
Larry Ellison, owner of Oracle, invested in TikTok's U.S. entity, raising concerns about possible biases.
UpScrolled’s increased downloads caused temporary server issues, which have since been fixed.
The app is supported by Tech for Palestine, an initiative that funds tech projects supporting the Palestine cause.
The UK's advertising watchdog banned Coinbase ads because they suggested that cryptocurrency could help with cost of living concerns. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found the ads irresponsible because they downplayed the risks of crypto investments. Coinbase disagreed with the decision but stated their intention to communicate responsibly.
Key Facts
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned ads from Coinbase.
The ads implied that cryptocurrency could help with living costs in the UK.
ASA said the ads made crypto risks seem less serious than they are.
Coinbase disagreed but said it aims for responsible communication.
Cryptocurrency investments are mostly unregulated in the UK.
The Financial Conduct Authority has advised people about risks in crypto investments.
Previous crypto ads have also been banned for not clearly showing risks.
A survey in the U.K. shows that millennials are more comfortable using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools at work than other generations. While millennials believe AI will improve job efficiency and career growth, Gen Z workers are less confident about learning new AI skills. Over half of both men and women use AI tools regularly for work.
Key Facts
AI is becoming more common in work settings, but confidence varies by generation.
Around 55% of companies that used AI for job cuts eventually regretted it.
Millennial workers are most likely to use AI frequently, with 67% believing AI will improve work efficiency.
About 60% of both millennials and Gen X are confident about learning new AI skills.
Gen Z is less confident about adopting new AI skills, possibly due to their familiarity with technology.
More than half of men and women use AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot at least weekly.
Only 39% feel they receive enough support to grow their AI skills and knowledge.
Experts suggest AI can be used as a career coach to improve skills and self-awareness.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes 2026 will see big changes in work due to AI, as the company invests heavily in AI tools to boost productivity. Meta plans to spend significantly more on AI infrastructure, anticipating growth in both internal operations and user products.
Key Facts
Zuckerberg predicts AI will change work dramatically by 2026.
Meta plans to nearly double its capital spending to up to $135 billion in 2026.
AI tools are helping Meta employees work more efficiently, increasing productivity.
The company has invested in AI tools that let small teams or individuals accomplish tasks that once required many people.
Meta's output per engineer has risen 30% since 2025, thanks to AI coding tools.
Meta expects higher operating income in 2026, following a rise in 2025 profits.
The company is focusing on AI infrastructure like data centers and processors.
Meta aims to use AI to improve operations and offer better services to users and advertisers.
New data confirms that cycling is still one of the most energy-efficient ways to travel. Walking requires more energy compared to cycling on flat surfaces at leisure speeds. Both walking and cycling offer health benefits, but cycling provides speed and intensity while walking is easy to include in daily routines.
Key Facts
Cycling remains a highly energy-efficient way for people to move.
Walking requires more energy than cycling at leisurely speeds on flat surfaces.
Cycling allows for covering more ground and can vary in intensity.
Walking is easily accessible and can fit into everyday life without special equipment.
Cycling can be costly and finding safe routes might be challenging.
Walking takes more time to achieve significant cardiovascular benefits.
Sony announced the PlayStation Plus free games for February 2026. Subscribers can download and keep four games, accessible for various PlayStation consoles and subscription tiers, between February 3 and March 2, 2026.
Key Facts
PlayStation Plus provides four free games to subscribers every month.
February 2026 games are Undisputed, Subnautica: Below Zero, Ultros, and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
Undisputed is available only on PS5, while the others are available on both PS4 and PS5.
Subscribers can download the games from February 3 until March 2, 2026.
Players can keep the games as long as they are subscribed to PlayStation Plus.
The games are available for subscribers at the Essential, Extra, and Premium levels.
Once February ends, the games will be replaced with a new selection for March.
January's PlayStation Plus games will be removed on February 2, 2026.
A Reddit user shared an accidental pocket photo taken by a woman's iPhone, showing unexpected blue streaks and glowing white lines. The image stirred discussions online, with users jokingly suggesting it could depict another dimension, though the likely cause involves reflections or motion blur.
Key Facts
A woman accidentally took a pocket photo on her iPhone 16.
The photo shows blue and white streaks, creating a cosmic look.
The image was posted on Reddit and received 50,000 upvotes.
Users speculated in a joking manner about other dimensions.
The actual cause of the photo is likely reflections, motion blur, or interaction with fabric and light.
On average, Americans have about 2,795 photos on their phones, mostly of everyday moments according to a survey by OnePoll.
Apple stopped the release of its latest iOS updates for older iPhones and iPads shortly after they became available. This decision affects devices such as iPhone SE and various iPads, and the updates were meant to address important functionality and security issues. Apple has not explained why the rollout was halted, but there may be issues, including problems with emergency calls on some devices.
Key Facts
Apple released new iOS updates, including versions iOS 18.7.4 and iOS 16.7.13, for older devices.
The updates were designed to maintain device functionality and fix issues like emergency call problems.
By Wednesday, Apple stopped allowing the updates to be installed.
The updates aimed to refresh an expiring security certificate, essential for some services.
Telstra, an Australian telecom company, noted network connection problems affecting emergency calls on some old iPhones.
Apple has not yet announced a timeline for reissuing the halted updates.
iOS 26.2.1 is still available and not affected by this halt.
A pit bull named Oliver went viral on TikTok after seeing his first-ever backyard in his new home. The dog's joyful reaction highlights a growing trend among pet owners seeking pet-friendly living spaces. An Apartments.com survey shows pet-friendly policies are major factors in housing decisions for renters.
Key Facts
A pit bull named Oliver became popular on TikTok after exploring his first backyard.
The video of Oliver's reaction has over 267,000 views and more than 62,300 likes.
Oliver's previous home was an apartment without outdoor space.
Many people commented on the joy Oliver showed when running in the new yard.
An Apartments.com survey found nearly 90% of renters have a pet, while over 80% consider pet-friendly policies important.
Oliver's new home in Charlotte, North Carolina, is double the size of his old apartment and includes a yard and patio.
Lanarkshire in Scotland will host a new artificial intelligence (AI) hub, aiming to become one of the most advanced AI sites globally. The project, led by DataVita and CoreWeave, is expected to bring significant investment and create jobs in the AI and construction sectors.
Key Facts
The UK government expects over £8 billion in private investment for the project.
A community fund worth about £543 million will support local initiatives over 15 years.
Around 800 jobs in the AI sector and 2,600 construction roles will be created.
The AI hub will be located at DataVita's data centre in Airdrie.
Energy for the project will come from renewable sources on-site.
Excess heat from the site will help power University Hospital Monklands, aiming to become the first net-zero hospital in the UK by 2031.
The project includes training programs, after-school coding clubs, and local charity support.
The development is part of the UK's broader AI Opportunities Action Plan.
A chatbot called Grok, created by Elon Musk's company xAI, can digitally alter images without consent. This has led to a global crackdown by authorities. Governments are taking action to address the creation of these non-consensual images and are investigating how such AI systems like Grok operate.
Key Facts
Grok is an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk's company xAI.
Grok can remove clothing digitally from images without the subject's consent.
This ability to create non-consensual images has caused widespread concern.
A bipartisan group of state attorneys in the U.S. is investigating Grok.
The European Commission is looking into whether Grok meets EU legal standards.
The UK is examining Grok under its Online Safety Act.
Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have blocked Grok temporarily.
The controversy highlights broader issues of AI impacting privacy and safety.
A man asked for help online to find ingredients that enhance food flavor and received numerous suggestions. People on Reddit recommended various spices and ingredients, each known for adding depth and unique tastes to dishes. The conversation highlighted the use of online communities as a valuable resource for cooking advice.
Key Facts
A Reddit user experimented with new cooking flavors and sought advice online.
The user shared success with chipotle in adobo sauce for its smoky flavor.
Suggestions included fish sauce, smoky paprika, and the stock base Better Than Bouillon.
MSG and pickle juice were recommended for enhancing savory and bright flavors.
Dried mushrooms and their soaking liquid can add umami to dishes.
Ingredients like celery seed, mustard powder, and Sichuan pepper add unique twists.
Online platforms are popular for sharing cooking tips and experimenting with new flavors.
