Technology

Exclusive-In Australia, a data centre boom is built on vague water plans

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Authorities in Sydney approved construction of data centres without requiring measurable plans to cut water use, raising concerns the sector's rapid growth will leave residents competing for the resource.

Technology

Rolling Stone, Billboard owner Penske sues Google over AI overviews

(Reuters) -The owner of Rolling Stone, Billboard and Variety sued Google on Friday, alleging the technology giant's AI summaries use its journalism without consent and reduce traffic to its websites.

AI

AI is replacing online moderators, but it's bad at the job

The advent of generative AI has led to such impressive advances that many companies are betting that the technology will one day learn to discern good from bad, if they feed it enough examples of each. But according to 13 professional moderators, the AI now relied upon to stop the spread of ­dangerous content, like child sex abuse material or political disinformation, is replacing workers faster than it can learn the job.

Internet

From emoticons to emoji: tracing the evolution of digital expression

How a few keystrokes became a universal symbol for the digital age.

AI

Parents urged to keep kids away from Google's 'unsafe' chatbot

Google's Gemini AI offering is not suitable for children despite a recent addition of protections, according to Common Sense Media, an organisation that advises parents and schools on safe use of media and tech for children.

Social media

TikTok and other video apps appear to alter pre-schoolers' behaviour

Any parents considering giving their three or four-year-old access to social media or streaming apps such as TikTok might want to think again.

Wearables

Apple pledges to reduce burden of 'silent killer' with new watch

Apple has vowed to find a million people with undiagnosed high blood pressure in just one year with its new watch.

Streaming

Spotify rolls out lossless streaming for all Premium subscribers

After years of rumours, the world's market leader in audio streaming is getting its most sought-after feature: Lossless streaming is coming to Spotify, and not just for an extra cost, but for all Premium subscribers.

Technology

UK, US to sign multibillion-dollar tech deal during Trump's visit

(Reuters) -The United Kingdom and the U.S. are preparing to sign a landmark technology agreement in the coming days as part of President Donald Trump's visit to the UK, the British Embassy in Washington said on Saturday.

Technology

BlackRock to invest $700 million in UK data centres during Trump visit, Sky News reports

(Reuters) - BlackRock plans to invest 500 million pounds ($700 million) in British data-centre infrastructure, one of a string of deals to be announced during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit next week, Sky News reported on Saturday.

Technology

OpenAI to share 8% of its revenue with Microsoft, partners, The Information reports

(Reuters) - OpenAI has projected that by the end of the decade it will be sharing about 8% of its revenue with commercial partners, namely Microsoft, down from the current 20%, The Information reported on Friday.

Technology

Musk's xAI lays off hundreds of data annotators, Business Insider reports

(Reuters) - Elon Musk's xAI has laid off at least 500 workers from its data annotation team, which helps develop the company's Grok chatbot, Business Insider reported on Friday.

AI

OpenAI installs parental controls following California teen's death

While some AI researchers and suicide prevention experts commended OpenAI's willingness to alter the model to prevent further tragedies, they also said that it's impossible to know if any tweak will sufficiently do so.

Cybersecurity

Urgent warning to all 1.8 billion iPhone users

Bleeping Computer was the first to report that cyber criminals were using iCloud Calendar invites to send phishing emails that look as if they come from Apple's email servers.

Gadgets

Apple launches AirPods that can help live translate languages

It can work as a user speaks naturally with AirPods, according to the tech giant.

AI

AI could make the smartphone passe. What comes next?

Modern artificially intelligent assistants, which are far more capable and flexible than clunky voice helpers like Siri, are poised to become the central operating system of all our personal computing devices, superseding smartphone software in importance.

Technology

US appeals court declines Google bid to further pause Play store overhaul in Epic Games case

(Reuters) - Alphabet's Google on Friday failed to persuade a U.S. appeals court to further freeze an order forcing it to make sweeping reforms to its app store Play while it challenges the decision in a lawsuit by "Fortnite" video game maker Epic Games.

Technology

Apple's AI and search executive Robby Walker to leave, Bloomberg News reports

(Reuters) -Robby Walker, one of Apple's most senior artificial intelligence executives, is leaving the company, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Technology

Transit tech firm Via valued at $3.5 billion as shares fall in NYSE debut

(Reuters) - Transit technology maker Via Transportation was valued at $3.5 billion on Friday after its shares fell 4.4% in their NYSE debut.

Technology

Winklevoss twins' crypto exchange Gemini valued at $4.4 billion in strong Nasdaq debut

(Reuters) - Gemini Space Station shares jumped 32.2% in their Nasdaq debut on Friday, giving the cryptocurrency exchange a valuation of $4.4 billion and capping a bright week for digital asset companies in a resurgent U.S. IPO market.