A study highlighted that AI-generated content, referred to as "workslop," is cluttering workplaces with low-quality documents, leading to inefficiencies and wasted time. The research surveyed 1,150 U.S. desk workers who reported spending significant time managing such content, which affects productivity and workplace perception. This phenomenon demonstrates that AI isn't always boosting efficiency as expected.
Key Facts
"Workslop" is a term for low-quality AI-generated content like memos, reports, and emails.
Researchers from Stanford University and BetterUp found that 40% of surveyed desk workers encountered workslop in the past month.
On average, workers spent nearly 2 hours dealing with each instance of workslop.
The study estimated that workslop could cost large organizations over $9 million annually in lost productivity.
More than 50% of survey respondents felt annoyed by workslop, while 38% were confused.
About half of the surveyed workers viewed senders of workslop as less creative and reliable.
18% of workers who use AI admitted to sending unhelpful, low-quality content.
The survey highlighted that tech, healthcare, and professional services report the most workslop.
UpToDate, a widely used clinical research tool in hospitals, has introduced a new AI-based feature to aid medical professionals with decision-making. This tool uses generative AI to answer questions by referring to a vast collection of medical literature. Initially, it will be available to 250,000 users in North America.
Key Facts
UpToDate is a clinical database used by hospitals around the world.
The new AI tool is called UpToDate Expert AI.
It uses generative AI to help answer medical questions.
The AI draws from contributions made by over 7,600 medical experts.
The tool will first be accessible to 250,000 users in North America.
Wolters Kluwer Health, a professional information firm, owns UpToDate.
The AI tool aims to provide accurate information at the point of care.
Generative AI solutions in healthcare face challenges around safety and accuracy.
The U.S. government plans to change fees and processes for the H-1B visa, which companies use to hire skilled foreign workers. A proposed $100,000 fee could especially impact startups that rely on this program. This change aims to prioritize higher-paying jobs and may force employers to explore other hiring options.
Key Facts
New fees proposed for the H-1B visa program could make it harder for startups to hire foreign talent.
The H-1B visa helps U.S. companies bring in skilled workers, especially in fields like technology and health care.
The government plans to shift from a lottery system to prioritize higher-paying jobs in H-1B selections.
A $100,000 fee is suggested for certain H-1B petitions which could reduce applications from outside the U.S.
The H-1B selection rate increased despite fewer applications, due to recent changes.
Current visa holders and applications before the announcement are not affected by the new fee.
Health care workers are exempt from the proposed fee changes.
The H-1B visa cap of 85,000 impacts hiring in specialized fields like engineering and computer science.
An artificial intelligence (AI) tool helped the UK government recover nearly £500 million lost to fraud over the past year, with a significant portion related to the Covid-19 pandemic. This tool will be offered to other countries like the US and Australia, but some groups worry about the government's use of AI. The Cabinet Office says this recovery is the largest ever by the government’s anti-fraud teams in a single year.
Key Facts
The AI tool helped the UK government recover almost £500 million lost to fraud.
£186 million of the recovered money was related to fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The AI tool will be licensed for use in other countries, including the US and Australia.
The government plans to use the recovered money to hire more nurses, teachers, and police officers.
The recovered amount is the largest ever reclaimed by UK government anti-fraud teams in a single year.
Critics have raised concerns about the government's use of AI, highlighting potential biases found in previous AI tools.
The AI tool, called the Fraud Risk Assessment Accelerator, can identify weaknesses in new policies before they are used.
An anti-fraud summit involving the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will discuss these findings.
Mae Martin's new Netflix series "Wayward" examines the troubled teen industry, showing its connections to 1970s self-help groups. The show uses a friendship narrative to explore the industry's harsh realities. Toni Collette co-stars as a leader of such an organization.
Key Facts
"Wayward" is a Netflix series created by and starring Mae Martin.
The show focuses on the troubled teen industry, worth a billion dollars, which often lacks regulation.
This industry has roots in 1970s self-help cults that used strict behavioral therapy.
Mae Martin has a personal interest in the topic from past experiences as a teenager.
Toni Collette plays a leader in the organization depicted in the series.
The series aims to start conversations about the impact of these facilities.
"Wayward" is described as including thriller elements for storytelling.
Canadian privacy officials have found that TikTok’s methods for protecting children's data are not strong enough. The platform has been collecting personal information from many Canadian children and using it for targeted content and ads. TikTok plans to make changes to improve data protection for users in Canada.
Key Facts
A Canadian investigation found TikTok's child data protection measures inadequate.
TikTok is not intended for users under 13, but many Canadian children use it.
Large amounts of sensitive personal information were collected from Canadian children.
TikTok uses this data to target ads and content to users.
Canadian privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne led the investigation.
TikTok agreed to improve efforts to stop children from using the app and clarify data usage.
TikTok disputed some findings but is committed to privacy improvements.
Global concerns exist regarding TikTok's impact on users and data security.
YouTube content creators contributed £2.2 billion to the UK economy in 2024 and supported 45,000 jobs. A new all-party parliamentary group has been formed to represent and support UK creators and influencers. This group aims to provide industry insights to policymakers and address challenges like training and funding.
Key Facts
YouTube content creators added £2.2 billion to the UK economy in 2024.
They supported 45,000 jobs, according to an Oxford Economics report.
The UK has formed an all-party parliamentary group for creators and influencers.
This group aims to give creators a voice in policy discussions.
British fitness content creator Lilly Sabri has about 6.5 million followers.
This group will address issues like access to training, funding, and workspace.
The Prime Minister of the UK and the US White House have engaged with influencers recently.
NASA plans to send astronauts on a mission around the Moon and back by February 2026 as part of the Artemis programme. This will be the first time since 1972 that a crew will travel beyond low Earth orbit. The mission is a precursor to future plans to land on the Moon and, eventually, on Mars.
Key Facts
NASA aims to launch the Artemis II mission by February 2026.
This mission involves a crewed flight around the Moon and back.
The Artemis II mission will not land on the Moon.
The goal is to explore the Moon for science and prepare for future Mars missions.
Artemis II will use NASA's Space Launch System and Orion capsule.
This mission is a vital test for Artemis III, planned for 2027, which aims for a Moon landing.
NASA's last trip beyond low Earth orbit with astronauts was in 1972.
The United Nations General Assembly is discussing how many countries are falling behind in the use of artificial intelligence. Over 100 countries are not keeping up with those leading in AI development, which could create a global digital divide.
Key Facts
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major technological change happening now.
More than 100 countries are not advancing as quickly in AI compared to leading nations.
The UN General Assembly is addressing this issue to understand the risks involved.
The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to digital technology and those who do not.
Experts like Rahul Dogra, Atoosa Kasirzadeh, and Ramesh Srinivasan are discussing these challenges.
A digital divide in AI could mean lost opportunities and advantages for lagging countries.
The article discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. It looks at the benefits and challenges that come with using AI for medical purposes.
Key Facts
The article was released on September 23, 2025.
Experts talk about the advantages and problems of using AI in healthcare.
AI in healthcare refers to using computer systems to help with medical tasks.
The discussion is available as a 26-minute episode on BBC Sounds.
The main focus is on whether people can trust AI in healthcare settings.
The movie "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to release digitally on September 23, 2025. It will become available for purchase in physical formats like 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray from October 14, 2025. The film tells the story of a group of superheroes who work together to protect Earth from threats.
Key Facts
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" will be available digitally on September 23, 2025.
You can rent or buy the digital version on platforms like Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV+.
The film will be released physically in formats such as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on October 14, 2025.
The price to rent the movie is $19.99, while purchasing it costs $24.99.
The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, and Julia Garner.
Bonus features for the physical release include deleted scenes, a gag reel, featurettes, and audio commentary.
The movie follows a superhero team defending Earth from Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
Although not yet available for streaming, it is expected to appear on Disney+ later.
A survey by Checkr found that most hiring managers think job applicants may be using artificial intelligence (AI) to misrepresent their skills during the hiring process. Around 59% of managers suspect some candidates use AI to create misleading applications, but only a small number of managers feel confident they can detect such fraud.
Key Facts
A survey from Checkr involved 3,000 managers.
59% of managers suspect candidates use AI to fake skills in applications.
Only 19% of managers are very confident in catching fraudulent applicants.
One in three managers believes they have interviewed someone using a fake identity.
62% think candidates are better at using AI for faking identities than hiring teams are at detecting it.
The survey suggests employers need to improve how they verify identities and assess the authenticity of applications.
The use of AI in job applications may affect the trust between candidates and employers.
NASA plans to send astronauts on a mission around the Moon in February, marking the first crewed lunar mission in 50 years. This mission, named Artemis II, will involve four astronauts traveling beyond low Earth orbit as part of NASA's efforts to eventually land on the Moon and establish a long-term presence there.
Key Facts
NASA aims to launch the Artemis II mission as early as February.
It is the first crewed Moon mission in 50 years.
The mission will include four astronauts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.
Astronauts will not land on the Moon but will travel around it for a ten-day mission.
The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to prepare for future Moon landings.
The rocket used will be the Space Launch System, the most powerful ever built.
Scientists will study biological samples from astronauts to understand space's impact on the human body.
The U.S. Secret Service is dismantling a network of "SIM farms" near the United Nations in New York. These devices could have potentially disrupted telecom networks by overwhelming them with calls. The investigation is still ongoing, and no arrests have been made yet.
Key Facts
The Secret Service found SIM farms in the New York area as world leaders gathered at the UN.
Over 100,000 SIM cards were active in these operations.
SIM farms use VoIP technology to send mass messages or calls.
Initially used for cheap international calls, SIM farms are now linked to organized fraud.
Investigators suspect the setup might involve nation-state actors.
The SIM farms could have disabled cell service, similar to past incidents like Sept. 11.
The system may have been used to communicate with crime groups.
The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been reported.
Björk's album "Vulnicura" has been adapted into a virtual reality (VR) experience, now remastered for the Apple Vision Pro headset. This project allows users to immerse themselves in the emotional themes of heartbreak that the album explores, using new VR technology to enhance the experience.
Key Facts
Björk's VR project is based on her 2015 album "Vulnicura," which deals with themes of heartbreak.
The VR experience was initially developed about a decade ago and has now been remastered.
The new version of Vulnicura VR can be experienced on the Apple Vision Pro headset and will soon be available on Meta Quest.
Users in the VR can interact with the album by navigating an Icelandic landscape and engaging with objects related to the music.
The original VR project was part of a broader exhibition called Björk Digital, which ran in various museums from 2016 to 2020.
The updated VR version takes advantage of modern technology, making it easier to navigate and more visually detailed than earlier versions.
PulseJet Studios, a VR music company, collaborated with Björk on creating this experience.
The new "Spider-Man" movie, titled "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," has started announcing its cast. Marvin Jones III will play the villain Tombstone, moving from animation to live-action. The movie is set to release on July 31, 2026.
Key Facts
The film is called "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."
Tom Holland stars in the movie and mentions it being different from past films.
Zendaya and Mark Ruffalo are also in the cast, with Zendaya reprising her role as MJ.
Marvin Jones III will play the villain Tombstone, a character he voiced in animated movies.
Tombstone has indestructible skin and great strength.
The movie is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.
Filming is paused due to a head injury Tom Holland sustained, but will resume soon.
Researchers found that adding tiny particles to vinegar can help fight infections, including those resistant to antibiotics. This new method might improve the effectiveness of treatments against tough bacterial infections. The study involved testing on bacteria and human cells in a lab, and on mice with infected wounds.
Key Facts
Scientists used nanoparticles made of carbon and cobalt to improve vinegar’s ability to kill bacteria.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when bacteria and other germs no longer respond to antibiotics, making infections hard to treat.
The World Health Organization says AMR is a major global health threat.
The study showed vinegar with nanoparticles killed bacteria like drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Enterococcus faecalis.
Researchers used very small amounts of vinegar combined with the nanoparticles for treatment.
Tests were done in labs on human cells and bacteria, and on infected wounds in mice.
The treatment was successful in removing infections without harming human cells or slowing wound healing.
The method could benefit people with chronically infected wounds, like those with type 1 diabetes.
Pornhub plans to block access to its site in Arizona as the state enacts a new law requiring age verification for users. The law mandates that websites verify a user's age using an ID, face scan, or credit card, with no data storage allowed. Pornhub's parent company argues that these laws are flawed and could push users to unregulated sites.
Key Facts
Arizona passed a law requiring age verification for adult websites, which takes effect this Friday.
The age verification can be done using an ID, face scan, or credit card.
The law prohibits companies from storing users' verification data.
Pornhub will block its site in Arizona in response to the new law.
Similar laws have led to a significant traffic drop on Pornhub in other states.
Critics say these laws could drive users to unregulated sites and raise privacy concerns.
Pornhub's parent company supports age verification but argues current methods are flawed.
The law's effectiveness and impact remain uncertain.
President Trump announced a plan for TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. by changing ownership. The plan involves keeping TikTok's user data within the U.S., supervised by American investors and technology company Oracle. The deal, which aims to address national security concerns, awaits approval from the Chinese government.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a deal intended to keep TikTok operating in the U.S.
U.S. lawmakers wanted TikTok banned over data privacy and national security fears.
The deal involves copying TikTok's algorithm and retraining it with U.S. user data.
Oracle will audit and manage TikTok's U.S. data storage.
Private equity firm Silver Lake is involved in the agreement.
TikTok had to find a U.S.-approved buyer or face being shut down according to a 2024 law.
The new joint venture will have U.S. investors and board members with cybersecurity experience.
China has not yet confirmed the deal but has indicated it respects the ongoing negotiations.
The U.S. government has arranged for Oracle to oversee TikTok's algorithm and data security as part of a deal to separate TikTok's U.S. operations from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Oracle and Silver Lake will form a joint venture to manage TikTok's U.S. division, but the final details are still pending approval from both the U.S. and Chinese authorities. The arrangement addresses national security concerns over data privacy and the influence of Chinese law on the algorithm.
Key Facts
Oracle will lead U.S. oversight of TikTok's algorithm and data security.
The deal involves a new joint venture with Oracle, Silver Lake, and potentially other investors.
President Trump is expected to issue an executive order supporting the deal's terms.
China's approval and regulatory clearance are still required for the deal.
The initiative aims to address security concerns about TikTok's ownership by ByteDance.
The U.S. version of the TikTok algorithm must operate separately from the Chinese version.
Oracle will ensure the U.S. data is handled securely and monitored effectively.
The proposal is part of efforts to resolve ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
