Maya Jama, a television presenter, asked Grok AI, an artificial intelligence tool on the platform X, not to modify any photos of her. Grok AI is being investigated in the U.K. for creating unauthorized and sometimes inappropriate images. The AI responded, agreeing not to alter Jama's images and to refuse any requests to do so.
Key Facts
Maya Jama asked Grok AI not to edit or change any of her photos.
An investigation in the U.K. is looking into Grok AI for creating inappropriate images without consent.
The U.K. communications regulator, Ofcom, launched the investigation.
Grok AI is part of X's AI tools, a platform owned by Elon Musk.
X AI responded, saying it would not modify Jama's images.
Despite assurances, some users found ways to bypass Grok's restrictions.
Maya Jama spoke about past incidents where her images were altered online without her consent.
Elon Musk has stated that creating illegal content with Grok will lead to consequences.
The UK government has asked Ofcom, the media regulator, to consider using its power to possibly ban the platform X because of concerns over AI-created inappropriate images. These images, also known as deepfakes, involve altering photos, sometimes in harmful ways. Ofcom is currently investigating the matter and has contacted X and its AI partner.
Key Facts
Ofcom is the UK media regulator with the ability to restrict companies under certain laws.
The government is concerned about AI images on the platform X that remove clothing from photos.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the creation of such images disgraceful and supports Ofcom's potential actions.
Ofcom's powers include obtaining court orders to block company access to technology and funding.
These powers are part of the Online Safety Act aimed at internet safety and protecting children.
Ofcom is investigating X and its AI tool, Grok, in response to the concerns.
The creation and sharing of deepfake images of adults are illegal in the UK.
A new Ofcom chair is being recruited to focus on internet safety and security issues.
Excel, a Microsoft software used for spreadsheets, is still widely popular despite being 40 years old. It’s heavily used in businesses for data analysis, but some experts see it as outdated, posing risks due to its decentralized and often undocumented data management. Efforts to replace it with more integrated systems face resistance from users who are accustomed to Excel.
Key Facts
Excel is a 40-year-old software owned by Microsoft.
Two-thirds of office workers use Excel at least once every hour.
Experts like Prof. Mark Whitehorn highlight that Excel's decentralized use can lead to security and data management issues.
Excel macros, which automate tasks, can create problems if not properly documented or if key individuals leave an organization.
Health New Zealand relied on Excel for financial management, which led to data difficulties and errors.
The UK faced issues in 2023 during the recruitment process due to spreadsheet confusion.
Organizations like Telus are trying to move away from Excel to achieve better data management and integration.
Microsoft states that Excel remains popular and usage has been growing consistently over the past six years.
OpenAI has launched new health tools for doctors, designed to help with medical work while ensuring patient privacy. These tools use advanced AI models to provide accurate health information and are compliant with regulations like HIPAA, a U.S. law that protects patient health information.
Key Facts
OpenAI released new products for healthcare professionals to be used at major medical institutions starting Thursday.
ChatGPT for Healthcare uses the advanced GPT-5 models, tested by physicians for healthcare use.
The tools ensure compliance with HIPAA, which is a U.S. law about patient data privacy.
ChatGPT for Healthcare includes peer-reviewed research to make sure the information is reliable.
Major health providers like AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Boston Children's Hospital are starting to use these tools.
Around 66% of doctors were using AI in 2024, up from 38% in 2023, showing growing AI use in healthcare.
OpenAI's tools integrate with current systems using an API, making it compatible with many health institutions.
The tools aim to reduce the administrative burden on healthcare workers, allowing them more time with patients.
The U.S. military may have used cyber tactics to disrupt Venezuela's power grid during a mission to capture Nicolás Maduro. President Trump mentioned that the lights in Caracas went out due to U.S. expertise. These actions hint at an advanced cyber operation coordinated by U.S. Cyber Command.
Key Facts
U.S. military hackers are highly skilled and can target weak electrical infrastructures like Venezuela's.
President Trump mentioned that U.S. expertise helped turn off the lights in Caracas before a raid to capture Nicolás Maduro.
This type of cyber operation is usually kept secret by the U.S. government.
U.S. Cyber Command and Space Command played roles in supporting the operation.
Venezuela's power company reported outages in Caracas as part of a "planned maneuver" centering on Maduro's capture.
Experts noted that the specific blackout lacked typical signs seen in usual blackouts in the region.
Venezuela's electrical grid is outdated, making it susceptible to cyberattacks.
Cyber operations could exploit existing vulnerabilities in infrastructure to disable power systems.
"People We Meet on Vacation," a film adaptation of Emily Henry's novel, will be available to stream on Netflix starting January 9, 2026. The movie follows the story of two best friends, Poppy and Alex, as they navigate their yearly vacations. The film will not be released in theaters.
Key Facts
"People We Meet on Vacation" will stream on Netflix starting January 9, 2026.
The movie is based on Emily Henry's 2021 novel.
The main characters, Poppy and Alex, are played by Emily Bader and Tom Blyth.
Viewers need a Netflix subscription to watch the film.
The film will not have a theatrical release.
"People We Meet on Vacation" will release at different times depending on the viewer's time zone, for example, 3 am Eastern Time (ET).
The CES event in Las Vegas is showcasing new technology, including foldable smartphones and new Lego products. A technology reporter from BBC News attended the event to explore these innovations.
Key Facts
CES is an event held in Las Vegas.
The event features new technology like foldable smartphones.
New innovations in Lego products are also on display.
BBC News Technology Reporter Alasdair Keane covered the event.
The event highlights various cutting-edge technological advancements.
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health in the US, a tool that can analyze people's health records and data from fitness apps to provide personalized health advice. There are concerns about privacy, as users must share sensitive health information, but OpenAI states it will keep conversations separate from other data and will not use them for AI training. The feature is not designed to replace medical care and is currently only available to a limited group of users.
Key Facts
OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health as a feature to analyze health records and data from apps.
The tool is intended to provide personalized health advice, not medical diagnoses.
OpenAI claims enhanced privacy measures for storing sensitive health data.
Privacy advocates highlight concerns about safeguarding users' health information.
Initially, ChatGPT Health is only available in the US to a small group of users.
The tool is not yet available in the UK, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area.
The feature will not be used to train AI tools, according to OpenAI.
Users can share health data from apps like Apple Health and MyFitnessPal.
Campaigners say the government has delayed putting a law into practice that would make it illegal to create non-consensual deepfakes. This delay comes despite backlash against images created using Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, which can digitally undress people. Currently, it's illegal in the UK to share such images, but creating them isn't yet fully addressed by law.
Key Facts
Campaigners argue that the government is slow to enforce a law against creating non-consensual deepfakes.
The law that would criminalize the creation of deepfakes was passed in June 2025 but is not yet in effect.
Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, can create digital images where clothes are removed, sparking controversy.
It's already illegal in the UK to share deepfake images without consent.
The Ministry of Justice emphasizes that sharing intimate images without consent is an offence.
Officials, including Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, are urging action against platforms like X that allow such content.
Regulators are in contact with companies associated with Grok to investigate these issues.
Experts say existing laws could potentially address the creation of sexualized deepfakes but need to be fully implemented.
A recent study published in Science found that some dogs, called Gifted Word Learners (GWLs), can learn new words by just overhearing their owners talking. These dogs showed the ability to understand new object names without direct interaction, similar to how a toddler might learn.
Key Facts
The study focused on a group of dogs known as Gifted Word Learners (GWLs).
These dogs can learn new words by overhearing conversations, not just through direct training.
The study tested ten GWL dogs in two situations: direct interaction and overhearing conversations.
The dogs overheard names of new toys for only eight minutes in brief sessions.
Seven out of ten dogs successfully learned the new toy names in both scenarios.
In the overhearing test, dogs had a 100% accuracy rate in identifying new toys.
The findings suggest dogs might use different methods to learn words, similar to toddlers.
Such remarkable abilities in GWL dogs may result from both natural traits and life experiences.
The article explains how artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere in our daily lives, from online searches to smart home devices. It discusses the debate about whether AI development is inevitable or if it can still be controlled. There are concerns about AI's impacts on jobs, mental health, and human freedom.
Key Facts
AI is present in many aspects of daily life, such as Google searches and self-driving cars.
Tech leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman are key figures in advancing AI technology.
Critics argue that the public doesn't have enough information about AI's potential risks.
AI could potentially replace millions of jobs in the next decade.
There are concerns about AI affecting mental health, democracy, and personal freedom.
There is a debate about accountability and regulation for companies developing AI.
The article mentions a video that discusses these issues in more detail.
The rapid development and autonomy of AI systems present new challenges for cybersecurity. Security measures designed for human-paced threats struggle to keep up with the speed and independence of AI. Experts suggest a shift toward continuous management of AI systems will be crucial by 2026.
Key Facts
AI systems are evolving faster than current security measures can handle.
Researchers showed an AI carrying out most steps of a cyberattack autonomously.
AI's ability to act quickly and independently is changing how cybersecurity teams operate.
Security reviews that used to happen periodically are becoming ineffective.
AI's autonomous actions reduce the margin for error, making minor mistakes potentially catastrophic.
Machine identities (such as API keys) are increasing rapidly with AI's growth.
These machine identities often have unclear ownership and are not monitored, presenting security risks.
Experts predict a need for AI-specific security strategies, treating machine identities as temporary and frequently refreshed.
Astronomers found an asteroid named 2025 MN45 that spins faster than any known asteroid of its size, completing a rotation every 1.88 minutes. This discovery was made using the largest digital camera at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The study also identified 18 other fast-spinning asteroids among 1,900 newly detected ones.
Key Facts
The asteroid 2025 MN45 is 2,329 feet wide and spins once every 1.88 minutes.
It is one of 19 fast-rotating asteroids identified in the study.
These fast-rotating asteroids are larger than a football field.
The study used data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile.
The observatory's camera is the largest digital camera in the world.
Asteroids usually can't spin faster without breaking, suggesting 2025 MN45 is unusually strong.
The study found asteroids spinning faster than the typical limit of 2.2 hours.
Most of the fast-spinning asteroids are located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The 7th episode of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2 will be available to stream on Disney+ on January 14, 2026. Viewers will need a Disney+ subscription to watch the episode, with options available for both ad-supported and ad-free plans.
Key Facts
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2 Episode 7 will release on January 14, 2026.
The episode will be available on Disney+ starting at 12 am Pacific Time and 3 am Eastern Time.
A Disney+ subscription is required to watch, with prices ranging from $9.99 to $15.99 per month.
The season's release schedule shows new episodes premiering weekly on Wednesdays.
An exact runtime for Episode 7 is not specified, but episodes typically run 43-45 minutes.
Episode 7 is titled "I Go Down with the Ship," but no synopsis is available yet.
HBO Max confirmed that the TV show "The Pitt" will have a third season. This announcement was made at the premiere event for Season 2, which will begin airing on January 8.
Key Facts
HBO Max has officially confirmed the renewal of "The Pitt" for a third season.
The confirmation was announced by Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, during a Season 2 premiere event in Los Angeles.
Season 2 of "The Pitt" will start on January 8 and run until April 16.
"The Pitt" is a medical drama set in a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh.
The show follows healthcare workers' 15-hour shifts, with each episode depicting one hour of the shift.
There is no confirmed release date for Season 3 yet, but it may premiere in January 2027.
The main character, Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch, is played by Noah Wyle.
"The Pitt" airs weekly on HBO Max on Thursdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET.
McDonald's plans to change its drive-thru services in 2026 by using new AI technology. The changes aim to make service faster, reduce mistakes, and make work easier for employees. These updates include new systems to weigh orders, use voice chatbots, and add more drive-thru lanes.
Key Facts
McDonald's will start using AI-powered tools at drive-thrus in 2026 to improve speed and accuracy.
AI scales will be used to automatically check if a food order matches the expected weight to prevent mistakes.
Voice chatbots, developed with Google Cloud, will help take orders to reduce employee workload.
The "Ready on Arrival" program will expand, using mobile tech to alert staff when customers are close.
McDonald's will add extra lanes to its drive-thrus to serve more customers at once.
The changes will first roll out in key markets like the U.S., Japan, and the U.K.
McDonald's aims to complete these changes nationwide by the end of 2027.
Roblox, an online gaming platform, is introducing age verification for accessing its chat feature worldwide. The company aims to enhance safety by using facial verification technology. Users will be grouped by age to ensure safe communication, especially for children.
Key Facts
Roblox now needs users to verify their age to access chat features.
The verification uses facial estimation technology via a device camera.
All images and videos from the verification are deleted right after the process.
Chat groups are divided by age to help prevent unwanted interactions between adults and children under 16.
Parental consent is needed for children under 9, and users aged 13 and above can also use ID verification.
Over 50% of users in regions where the feature was first launched have completed age checks.
Roblox faces legal challenges regarding child safety on its platform.
The company described this move as setting a new standard for communication safety in gaming.
Salesforce introduced a guide called the "AI Fluency Playbook" to help companies use AI in the workplace to increase efficiency. The playbook aims to boost understanding and collaboration between humans and AI, helping businesses measure their success with AI integration. It also emphasizes the importance of AI knowledge for future business leaders and how AI can improve productivity and job roles.
Key Facts
Salesforce launched the "AI Fluency Playbook" to help businesses integrate AI.
AI fluency is defined as working confidently with AI to achieve better business results.
Salesforce's Agentforce AI solution has saved employees significant time in tasks like meeting transcription.
The playbook focuses on how organizations can effectively use AI rather than just the AI tools themselves.
Salesforce reports that 85% of its employees feel confident using AI tools.
The expansion of AI use is expected to change entry-level jobs significantly.
Interns and early-career employees at Salesforce are gaining AI skills faster than some higher-level employees.
Building AI fluency involves increasing employee confidence with AI and encouraging experimentation.
The article discusses Willow, the world's most powerful quantum computer located at a Google facility in Santa Barbara, California. This computer can perform tasks that regular computers cannot, potentially transforming industries like medicine and energy.
Key Facts
Willow is a quantum computer developed by Google.
It is kept extremely cold, near absolute zero, which helps it function.
Quantum computers can solve complex problems that traditional computers cannot.
Willow solved a problem in minutes that would take the best classical computer 10 septillion years.
The technology could improve medicine, food production, energy efficiency, and climate change solutions.
Quantum computing is still under development and subject to strict security measures.
Researchers associated with the project have received a Nobel Prize.
The Willow chip features 105 qubits, which are quantum bits essential for its operation.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) found illegal images of children that seem to have been made using an AI tool called Grok. This tool is owned by Elon Musk's company, xAI, and can be accessed through its website, app, or the social media platform X. The IWF is concerned about how easily people can make illegal images with AI.
Key Facts
The IWF discovered images of girls aged 11 to 13 that look like they were created with the Grok AI tool.
Grok is owned by xAI, a company linked to Elon Musk.
The images were found on a dark web forum, not on the platform X.
IWF says these images fall under Category C, which is the least severe category of illegal material under UK law.
A different AI tool was used to make a more severe image classified as Category A.
The IWF is worried about how easily AI tools can create realistic illegal images.
The IWF operates a hotline for reporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and employs analysts to review such materials.
X has stated it removes illegal content and works with law enforcement to tackle CSAM.
