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Parents warned not to publicly share children’s images amid AI abuse risks

Parents warned not to publicly share children’s images amid AI abuse risks

July 03, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) warn parents not to post images of their children online due to the rise in AI-created child sexual abuse images. They advise parents to use privacy settings, check existing posts, and review consent forms to help keep children safe from misuse of AI technology.

Key Facts

  • Over 8,000 AI-generated realistic child sexual abuse images and videos were found in 2025, a 14% increase from 2024.
  • The number of AI-generated child sexual abuse videos rose from 13 in 2024 to 3,440 in 2025.
  • Such AI-created content is classified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in the UK.
  • The UK government is taking steps to ban apps that create fake nude images ("nudification") and update laws to prevent AI from producing CSAM.
  • Parents are advised to review social media privacy settings and make accounts private or limit posts to close friends.
  • Parents should check photos shared by family or at schools and clubs to ensure they do not reveal identifying details.
  • It is important to discuss image sharing with children so they can express comfort or discomfort about their photos being used.
  • The rising misuse of AI in creating fake sexual images adds new risks beyond traditional concerns of “sharenting” (parents sharing kids’ photos online).
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BBC Tech BBC Top Stories
Jodie Foster Says Brad Pitt's $634mn Hit 'F1' Felt Like It Was Made by AI

Jodie Foster Says Brad Pitt's $634mn Hit 'F1' Felt Like It Was Made by AI

July 03, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Actor Jodie Foster said that the movie "F1," starring Brad Pitt, felt like it was made by artificial intelligence (AI) because its story followed a very predictable, formula-like structure. She clarified that she was not insulting the film but highlighting how Hollywood often uses set patterns in storytelling, which raises questions about creativity and the role of technology in making movies.

Key Facts

  • Jodie Foster spoke about the use of AI in entertainment and how it is replacing some human roles.
  • She described the movie "F1" as feeling like it was created by AI due to its very structured and predictable storytelling.
  • Foster noted the film’s scenes and dialogue seemed timed and written according to a fixed formula.
  • "F1," released in 2025 and starring Brad Pitt, earned over $634 million worldwide.
  • The movie received four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won Best Sound.
  • Foster said her comments were not meant to insult the movie or people involved.
  • The reaction online was mixed, with some agreeing on the point about originality and others defending the film’s classic sports-drama style.
  • Foster’s remarks contributed to ongoing debates about AI’s impact on creativity in Hollywood.
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Newsweek
NSW government ‘absolutely thrilled’ to welcome OpenAI ... until someone mentioned the Terminator films

NSW government ‘absolutely thrilled’ to welcome OpenAI ... until someone mentioned the Terminator films

July 03, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

The NSW government welcomed OpenAI’s decision to open its first Australian office in Sydney but removed an enthusiastic phrase from its announcement after staff joked about a fictional AI threat from the Terminator films. The government is promoting Sydney as a key tech hub and working on strategies to support the growing AI sector while addressing environmental concerns about data centers.

Key Facts

  • OpenAI announced its first Australian office in Sydney, opening in December last year.
  • NSW government initially said it was "absolutely thrilled" about OpenAI's office but later softened the language after staff joked about a fictional dangerous AI called Skynet.
  • Sydney is promoted as a leading startup location in the southern hemisphere, attracting 65% of venture capital in Australia.
  • Sydney hosts major tech companies like Atlassian, Canva, and Afterpay, and many AI businesses (45% of all in Australia).
  • Big US tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM also have Australian headquarters in Sydney.
  • NSW is developing a strategy for data center growth to support AI but has not announced a release date.
  • There are concerns about environmental impacts from data centers, especially air pollution during power outages when diesel generators run.
  • The worst-case environmental model predicts data centers could cause pollution five to six times greater than all electricity generation or motor vehicles in NSW during simultaneous generator use.
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Guardian World Guardian Tech
Rocket Report: Indian startup nears first launch; SpaceX's millenary milestone

Rocket Report: Indian startup nears first launch; SpaceX's millenary milestone

July 03, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

An Indian company called Skyroot Aerospace is preparing for its first private rocket launch between July 12 and August 4 from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center. Meanwhile, NASA successfully launched a mission to boost the orbit of its aging Swift astronomy satellite using a Pegasus rocket, which is making its final flight. The space industry continues to experience launch delays, but companies and agencies are working on new technologies and missions.

Key Facts

  • Skyroot Aerospace will conduct the first test flight of its Vikram-1 rocket, aiming to send a commercial vehicle into orbit from India.
  • The Vikram-1 rocket has four stages with different engines and can carry nearly 500 kilograms into low-Earth orbit.
  • Skyroot has raised about $160 million and is valued at over $1 billion.
  • NASA’s Swift satellite, launched in 2004, cannot move itself in orbit and risks falling back to Earth this year.
  • The Swift satellite’s orbit was boosted by Katalyst Space Technologies using a Pegasus XL rocket dropped from a plane.
  • This was the last planned launch of the Pegasus rocket, which was popular in the 1990s and 2000s but has since been replaced by newer commercial rockets.
  • NASA provided rocket engines for Europe’s Rosalind Franklin mission to Mars.
  • Many space launches planned for 2024 have been postponed to 2025, showing common delays in the space industry.
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Ars Technica
How the world's top AI models were revived

How the world's top AI models were revived

July 03, 2026 • Axios

Summary

Anthropic, an AI company, faced U.S. government restrictions after Amazon warned about a potential security flaw called "jailbreaking" in its AI models Mythos and Fable. After nearly three weeks of talks and technical fixes involving multiple government agencies and Anthropic engineers, the AI models were allowed back online.

Key Facts

  • Amazon raised concerns about a "jailbreaking" flaw in Anthropic's AI models Mythos and Fable.
  • The U.S. government imposed export controls on Anthropic’s models following Amazon’s alert.
  • President Trump directed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to ensure the issue was resolved quickly.
  • Anthropic engineers worked with several federal agencies, including the NSA and the Center for AI Standards and Innovation, to fix the problem.
  • Cybersecurity experts noted that other top AI models share similar "jailbreaking" issues.
  • After technical improvements and approvals from multiple agencies, the models were relaunched on July 1.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent played a key role in raising early alarms and supporting a cybersecurity executive order.
  • The process involved a large, fast-moving government effort with many agencies and difficult communication.
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Axios
Mission launched to rescue a falling space telescope

Mission launched to rescue a falling space telescope

July 03, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

A small company called Katalyst Space, working with NASA and Northrop Grumman, launched a space tug named LINK to catch and boost a falling space telescope called the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The tug will use robotic arms to grab the telescope and push it into a higher orbit, helping it continue its mission to study powerful cosmic explosions.

Key Facts

  • The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is a $250 million space telescope launched in 2004.
  • The telescope is losing altitude and would re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up by the end of the year without help.
  • Katalyst Space built LINK, a robotic spacecraft designed to dock with and boost the telescope.
  • LINK was launched on a Pegasus XL rocket dropped from Northrop Grumman’s Stargazer jet over the Marshall Islands.
  • LINK uses robotic arms to latch onto a special part of the Swift telescope for reboosting.
  • The tug will then use ion thrusters, which are efficient low-power engines, to raise the telescope’s orbit over about 10 to 12 weeks.
  • The mission cost $30 million and was developed quickly, in just eight months.
  • The Swift Observatory detects gamma ray bursts, which are very powerful cosmic explosions linked to events like supernovae and neutron star collisions.
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CBS News
Inside the Luddite festival harnessing Gen Z’s rage against Big Tech

Inside the Luddite festival harnessing Gen Z’s rage against Big Tech

July 03, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

A weeklong event called the Summer of Ludd took place in New York City’s East Village, focusing on reducing reliance on digital devices and encouraging real-life community activities. The event included plays, talks, and workshops that promoted offline interaction and criticized the wide influence of technology, especially among Generation Z.

Key Facts

  • The Summer of Ludd featured a play about the original Luddite movement, which opposed machines in the early Industrial Revolution.
  • The event was held mainly in Tompkins Square Park with no phones or recordings allowed, emphasizing in-person participation.
  • Posters and booklets for the event were distributed offline with no online advertising.
  • The event attracted a diverse crowd including Gen Z, families, Pride attendees, and East Village locals.
  • A Pew Research study showed that nearly half of teenagers in 2024 viewed social media as having negative effects.
  • Activities included workshops on dating offline, repairing items, and resisting data centers.
  • The organizers used a puppet named Gowanus to communicate with the media while keeping their identities secret.
  • The event encourages questioning technology’s role and fostering real human connections.
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Ars Technica
AI prey: why watchdogs are telling parents to protect children from nudification apps

AI prey: why watchdogs are telling parents to protect children from nudification apps

July 03, 2026 • Guardian Tech

Summary

AI tools can create fake explicit images and videos of children using normal photos without consent. Child safety groups in the UK warn parents to protect children’s photos on social media as AI-made child abuse material is increasing. The UK government plans to regulate AI tools that generate such illegal content.

Key Facts

  • Some AI apps can turn normal photos into fake explicit images and videos of children.
  • The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) advise parents to limit who sees children’s photos online.
  • AI-generated child sexual abuse material rose by 14% last year, with over 8,000 cases found in 2025.
  • The UK government will make it illegal to create, share, or own AI tools that make child abuse images.
  • Tech companies and child protection groups will be able to test AI tools for harmful content.
  • IWF experts say it is hard to tell real abuse images from AI fakes, complicating victim protection.
  • AI tools used by offenders are often open source, meaning freely available and modifiable.
  • Experts call for AI systems to be built with “safety by design” to prevent misuse and protect users.
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Guardian Tech
Visiting the stars (and planets, and telescopes) in VR

Visiting the stars (and planets, and telescopes) in VR

July 03, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

The Smithsonian Starstruck is a 40-minute virtual reality (VR) experience that lets visitors explore space, including stars, black holes, and distant planets. It started in Washington, DC, and will soon open in other U.S. cities, using VR headsets to provide an immersive astronomy tour.

Key Facts

  • Smithsonian Starstruck is a VR tour focused on astronomy and space exploration.
  • The experience lasts about 40 minutes and includes visits to places like near the Sun, a black hole, and the exoplanet Janssen.
  • It began in Washington, DC, in May and will expand to Denver, Orlando, and San Antonio later this year.
  • Visitors use HTC Vive Focus VR headsets, with newer models planned for the future.
  • The VR tour features NASA observatories such as the Hubble, Chandra X-Ray, and James Webb Space Telescopes.
  • Participants can interact with virtual models of telescopes and take virtual pictures.
  • The tour explains star life cycles and shows harsh conditions on alien planets.
  • Tickets cost between $18 and $35, with discounts for groups and early buyers.
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Ars Technica
Wing Commander IV and the FMV future that never quite was

Wing Commander IV and the FMV future that never quite was

July 03, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Wing Commander IV, released in early 1996, was a video game that used full-motion video (FMV) with big-name actors and real film sets. The game pushed technology by using six CDs to store nearly four gigabytes of content, making it one of the most expensive CD-ROM productions of its time.

Key Facts

  • Wing Commander IV was released in February 1996, after missing its original Christmas 1995 launch date.
  • The game featured full-motion video (FMV) using 35mm film and real sets, unlike earlier digital backgrounds.
  • Well-known actors like Mark Hamill and Malcolm McDowell returned to star in the game.
  • It came on six CD-ROM discs, holding nearly four gigabytes of data.
  • The game’s production cost was around $12 million, considered extremely high for a CD-ROM title.
  • Wing Commander IV aimed to combine elements of movies and games into one interactive experience.
  • The game was part of a 1990s trend where games tried to match Hollywood’s quality and storytelling.
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Ars Technica
Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that’s falling back to Earth

Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that’s falling back to Earth

July 03, 2026 • AP News

Summary

A special spacecraft called Link was launched to save NASA’s Swift telescope, which is falling closer to Earth faster than before. The Link spacecraft will catch the telescope and raise its orbit so it can keep studying space events like explosions of stars.

Key Facts

  • The Link spacecraft was launched from the Marshall Islands using a Pegasus rocket carried by an airplane.
  • NASA is paying $30 million to have Katalyst Space Technologies capture and boost the Swift telescope’s orbit.
  • Swift was launched in 2004 and is currently orbiting about 224 miles above Earth.
  • Solar storms have increased the drag on the telescope, causing it to lose altitude faster.
  • Link will raise Swift’s orbit by about 150 miles slowly to avoid shaking the telescope.
  • The mission was put together in just nine months because Swift needs help before October.
  • Observations from Swift are paused to save its orbit until the rescue mission is complete.
  • NASA might use a similar mission in the future to help the Hubble Space Telescope, which is also losing altitude.
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AP News
Nasa launches mission to save falling space telescope

Nasa launches mission to save falling space telescope

July 03, 2026 • BBC World

Summary

NASA has launched a new spacecraft named LINK to catch and rescue the Swift space telescope, which is falling toward Earth due to atmospheric drag caused by increased solar activity. LINK will use robotic arms to capture Swift and lift it back to a safer orbit, marking the first time such a mission has been attempted.

Key Facts

  • The Swift observatory studies powerful cosmic explosions and was launched in 2004.
  • Swift’s orbit has dropped from 373 miles (600 km) to around 220 miles (360 km) because Earth's atmosphere has expanded and slowed it down.
  • If Swift falls below 186 miles (300 km), a rescue will not be possible.
  • NASA funded a commercial company, Katalyst Space Technologies, to build and launch the rescue spacecraft LINK.
  • LINK has three robotic arms, cameras, and guidance systems to capture Swift.
  • LINK launched aboard a Pegasus XL rocket and is currently checking its systems before approaching Swift.
  • The mission is considered high-risk but important for preserving Swift’s unique scientific capabilities.
  • The rescue attempt has about three to four weeks before LINK approaches and tries to capture Swift.
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BBC World BBC Top Stories
Maps Show Data Centers in Areas Where Power Grids Struggling

Maps Show Data Centers in Areas Where Power Grids Struggling

July 03, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Some of the largest data centers in the U.S. are located in areas where power grids are already under stress or may face problems soon. In regions like the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, high electricity demand caused by heat waves and fast growth in data centers is pushing the power systems to near or above record levels.

Key Facts

  • The Mid-Atlantic grid, managed by PJM Interconnection, is seeing electricity demand close to or above its highest summer peak from 2006.
  • PJM serves parts of 13 states and Washington, D.C., including areas with many data centers like Northern Virginia.
  • The Department of Energy says rising demand in PJM is mainly driven by data centers, along with electrification and manufacturing.
  • Emergency orders allow cutting power to data centers with backup electricity in extreme situations to protect the overall grid.
  • Northern Virginia has the world’s largest concentration of data centers, with capacity of 11.3 gigawatts.
  • Texas’s grid operator ERCOT expects electricity demand to break records again in 2024 due partly to new data centers and other big projects.
  • ERCOT believes blackouts this summer are unlikely due to new power plants coming online, but rising demand remains a concern.
  • Electricity use in Texas is projected to grow by 7% in 2025 and 14% in 2026 because of data centers and cryptocurrency mining.
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Newsweek
What is Paralives? The creative life simulator game that could rival The Sims

What is Paralives? The creative life simulator game that could rival The Sims

July 03, 2026 • Guardian Tech

Summary

Paralives is a new life simulation game similar to The Sims, letting players create and control virtual people and their homes. Released in early access on PC in May 2026, it quickly sold many copies and attracted players with its creative building tools and inclusive character options.

Key Facts

  • The Sims series has dominated life simulation games for 26 years.
  • Paralives was originally a solo project by designer Alex Massé and now has a small development team.
  • Paralives launched on Steam in early access in May 2026 and sold 250,000 copies in eight hours.
  • It reached nearly 79,000 players online at the same time, close to The Sims 4’s peak.
  • The game emphasizes creativity and customization, allowing detailed body features and removing gender limits.
  • Building tools let players place and resize objects freely, unlike The Sims which restricts placement.
  • Paralives includes personalizable items like text on gravestones and doormats and has a "medical clutter" category with items like wheelchairs and sign language books.
  • Its art style is a comic-book look, different from The Sims’ more realistic style, and has sparked mixed reactions.
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Guardian Tech
Instagram running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India, BBC finds

Instagram running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India, BBC finds

July 03, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

A BBC investigation found that Instagram was showing paid ads in India promoting child sexual abuse material, linking to Telegram channels where such content could be purchased. Instagram’s parent company Meta has removed some ads and accounts after being notified but acknowledged its systems do not catch all violations.

Key Facts

  • Instagram displayed ads in India using terms like "rape video" and "child video" that linked to Telegram channels selling illegal content.
  • These ads appeared even though Instagram’s automated system is supposed to approve ads before publication.
  • BBC created a fake Instagram account in India to monitor sexualized content and began seeing such ads within a week.
  • Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said it removed some of the ads, suspended accounts, and blocked related URLs after the BBC's report.
  • Telegram reported removing over 274,000 groups related to child sexual abuse material in 2026.
  • Some Instagram ads showed minors in sexually explicit situations and linked to Telegram channels selling the videos for as little as $1.
  • Instagram initially told the BBC that some reported ads did not violate their community standards before later taking action.
  • Both Instagram and Telegram have legal obligations to remove this content and report it to authorities, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
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BBC Top Stories BBC World BBC Business
AI is 'not smart' so what's next in artificial intelligence?

AI is 'not smart' so what's next in artificial intelligence?

July 02, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

Yann LeCun, a leading AI expert and founder of AMI Labs, says current AI systems like ChatGPT cannot handle complex real-world tasks. His company is developing a new AI technology called JEPA that aims to better understand and predict physical outcomes by focusing on useful information.

Key Facts

  • Yann LeCun worked as Meta’s chief AI scientist before starting AMI Labs in 2025.
  • Current AI models like ChatGPT are good at coding and text but lack deep understanding of the real world.
  • AMI Labs raised over $1 billion from investors like Nvidia and Jeff Bezos’s wealth fund.
  • Large Language Models (LLMs) predict outcomes based on patterns but do not reason about physical realities.
  • JEPA creates simplified models of the world to predict what actions will happen more accurately.
  • Humanoid robots find it hard to perform household chores because current AI cannot navigate real environments well.
  • LeCun believes simply making LLMs bigger will not lead to human-level intelligence.
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BBC Tech BBC Business BBC Top Stories
Scientists create first synthetic cell that can complete life cycle

Scientists create first synthetic cell that can complete life cycle

July 02, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have created the first synthetic cell that can grow and divide, completing a full life cycle. This synthetic cell represents a breakthrough in creating life-like systems from scratch.

Key Facts

  • The synthetic cell was developed by a team at the University of Minnesota.
  • This cell can complete a full life cycle, meaning it can grow and divide.
  • This is the first time scientists have made a synthetic cell able to fully reproduce.
  • Kate Adamala, a professor at the university and co-founder of the company Biotic, worked on the project.
  • The achievement was shared in an interview on CBS News.
  • This development may help scientists better understand life and create new biological technologies.
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CBS News
Spotify removes streams of No. 1 song after suspicious Kalshi bets

Spotify removes streams of No. 1 song after suspicious Kalshi bets

July 02, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Spotify removed streams of the song "Earrings" by Malcolm Todd after detecting that the streaming numbers were not from real listeners. This happened following suspicious bets placed on the song’s success on the prediction market platform Kalshi, which is now investigating the issue with Spotify.

Key Facts

  • The song "Earrings" quickly rose 70% in streams overnight, reaching No. 1 on Spotify's U.S. chart.
  • Spotify identified the streams as manipulated and removed them, saying they do not pay royalties for fake streams.
  • Kalshi is a prediction market where people bet on future events, including music chart success.
  • Kalshi is working with Spotify to investigate the suspicious bets.
  • There are concerns about prediction markets being vulnerable to manipulation with inside information.
  • In a previous case, a suspicious bet on the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro involved a U.S. soldier charged with using classified information.
  • The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates prediction markets in the U.S.
  • Prediction markets have attracted billions in venture capital but face questions about security and fairness.
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CBS News
Newly discovered PamStealer isn't your typical macOS malware

Newly discovered PamStealer isn't your typical macOS malware

July 02, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Researchers discovered a new type of malware called PamStealer that targets Mac computers. It tricks users into running it by pretending to be a clipboard app, then secretly steals login passwords by validating them through macOS’s built-in system before sending them to hackers.

Key Facts

  • The malware spreads in two steps: first through a fake disk image posing as the Maccy clipboard manager, then through a hidden second-stage program.
  • PamStealer uses AppleScript and JavaScript for Automation to quietly download and run its secret code.
  • The second stage is written in the programming language Rust, which is rare for Mac malware.
  • It uses the macOS Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) system to check passwords locally, making stolen credentials more accurate.
  • The malware pretends to be parts of macOS, like Finder or Software Update apps, to hide its activity.
  • It delays showing security permission requests to avoid detection.
  • The malware encrypts its communications to hide data sent to hackers.
  • Users see a fake password prompt that looks like a normal system message to capture their passwords.
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Ars Technica
Can our fridges cope with heatwaves?

Can our fridges cope with heatwaves?

July 02, 2026 • BBC Business

Summary

This article discusses whether home refrigerators can keep food safe during heatwaves. It looks at how higher temperatures affect fridge performance and what people can do to protect their food.

Key Facts

  • Heatwaves increase outside temperatures, which can make fridges work harder to stay cool.
  • Higher heat can cause fridges to get less cold inside, risking food spoilage.
  • Some fridges have better insulation and cooling systems designed for warm weather.
  • Experts suggest keeping fridge doors closed as much as possible during heatwaves.
  • It is important to regularly check fridge temperatures to make sure food stays safe.
  • Supermarkets also face challenges keeping food cool during hot weather.
  • Heatwaves are becoming more common due to climate change.
  • Simple steps like moving fridges away from direct sunlight can help maintain cooling efficiency.
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BBC Business