Science and Technology

Deepfakes to become criminal offence in NI 'sooner rather than later'

Northern Ireland to ban deepfakes as criminal offence ‘sooner rather than later’

The swift advancement of digital technologies has led to significant breakthroughs; however, it has also resulted in new dangers, such as the emergence of deepfakes. These extremely realistic altered videos and audio recordings, developed using artificial intelligence, are being utilized more frequently to deceive, defame, or take advantage of others. To counteract this escalating threat, Northern Ireland seems ready to propose laws that would make the harmful creation and sharing of deepfakes a criminal act.Although the use of deepfakes originally emerged in entertainment and creative spaces, their potential for abuse has become more apparent. From fake videos impersonating public figures…
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App to help farmers with £3.5bn potato problem

New app aims to solve £3.5bn potato problem for farmers

In a time when agricultural practices are more dependent on intelligent technologies, a new application is emerging to tackle an ongoing and expensive issue for potato producers: waste. Throughout the UK, the potato sector experiences yearly setbacks amounting to billions from inefficiencies, inaccurate predictions, and market disparities. However, with the introduction of a digital platform uniquely crafted for farmers, there is optimism for the future.The core issue stems from a familiar agricultural dilemma—mismatch between supply and demand. Growers often plant crops without knowing exactly what the market will need months later. By the time harvest comes around, prices may have…
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OpenAI and UK sign deal to use AI in public services

OpenAI joins forces with UK to bring AI to public services

El Reino Unido está avanzando considerablemente en la modernización de su sector público mediante la incorporación de tecnologías de inteligencia artificial. A través de una asociación recién formada, el gobierno del Reino Unido ha firmado un acuerdo formal con OpenAI, una compañía destacada en el desarrollo de sistemas de IA avanzados. El objetivo de esta colaboración es investigar e implementar herramientas de inteligencia artificial que puedan mejorar la eficiencia, accesibilidad y capacidad de respuesta de varios servicios públicos en todo el país.As digital transformation becomes a central priority for governments around the world, the UK is positioning itself at the…
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Weak password allowed hackers to sink a 158-year-old company

The downfall of a 158-year-old company: hackers and a weak password

In the digital age, cybersecurity is no longer a concern reserved for tech giants or financial institutions—it’s a fundamental necessity for all organizations, regardless of size, industry, or history. Yet, despite growing awareness, one recent incident demonstrates how a basic oversight in digital security can have devastating consequences. A company with more than a century and a half of history saw its operations unravel due to a weak password—a simple misstep that opened the door to cybercriminals and ultimately led to its downfall.The company in question had been a cornerstone in its sector for over 150 years. With a long-standing…
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World's first 150mph car returns to beach where it broke record

World’s first 150mph car returns to the beach of its record-breaking run

One hundred years after setting a milestone in automotive history, a trailblazing land speed vehicle has come back to the same coast where it initially amazed spectators. This car, famous for surpassing the 150 mph mark—an achievement deemed unattainable in its time—has made its way back to the beach that was its testing site, serving as a strong emblem of human ambition and the unyielding quest for advancement.Este regreso es más que un gesto de nostalgia. Es un momento para reflexionar sobre una era crucial en la ingeniería, cuando aventureros y pioneros empujaron los límites de la tecnología en extensiones…
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Retro gaming arcade saved from immediate closure

Immediate closure averted for retro gaming arcade

In a time where advanced visuals and online multiplayer experiences prevail, the pixelated charm of vintage gaming carries a distinct sense of comfort. For numerous individuals, these arcades serve a purpose beyond amusement—they embody treasured memories and a link to an era when gaming was less complicated. A particular location, admired by fans of classic games, was recently in danger of closing down. However, with significant backing from the community, it was able to remain open and keep its gaming alive—at least for the moment.The arcade had long been a fixture in its local area, drawing in patrons of all…
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Unique 1.5m year-old ice to be melted to unlock mystery

Melting 1.5m year-old ice could reveal hidden history

A rare, 1.5-million-year-old sample of ice extracted from Antarctica is set to be melted—not for disposal, but as part of a groundbreaking scientific effort to unlock secrets about Earth’s ancient climate. This endeavor could offer a clearer picture of how our planet’s atmosphere has changed over time and help researchers better understand the pace and impact of current global warming trends.The ice, meticulously extracted from great depths below the Antarctic ground, is thought to include air bubbles encased from a time far before humans existed. These frozen air pockets act as historical records, maintaining remnants of the atmosphere from an…
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How the Space Shuttles were given better names thanks to Star Trek

How Star Trek Inspired Better Names for the Space Shuttles

On September 17, 1976, an expansive aircraft hangar in Palmdale, California, opened its doors to reveal something extraordinary—NASA’s very first space shuttle. The sleek, white vehicle that rolled into view wasn’t just a marvel of engineering. It was a cultural icon in the making. Its name? Enterprise. And while that title carried naval heritage and futuristic charm, its origin wasn’t NASA’s original plan. In fact, the name change was the result of an impassioned grassroots campaign—one led by fans of a certain science fiction television show with a mission “to boldly go where no man has gone before.”The space shuttle…
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Hong Kong opens criminal probe into AI-generated porn scandal at city's oldest university

Hong Kong investigates AI-generated porn controversy at city’s oldest university

Hong Kong officials have launched a criminal probe into a troubling incident at the University of Hong Kong involving a male law student allegedly using artificial intelligence to create unauthorized deepfake pornographic pictures of more than twelve female students and instructors. This formal investigation, revealed recently by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, comes after a considerable outcry from students at the city's most historic institution, who voiced strong discontent with the university's handling of the situation. The event highlights the swiftly changing issues introduced by the abuse of AI and the pressing necessity for strong regulatory…
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Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease

Children born using three-person DNA technique are disease-free

A groundbreaking medical achievement has seen the birth of babies conceived with genetic material from three different individuals, all reportedly free from the inherited diseases their parents risked passing on. This remarkable development signifies a major leap forward in reproductive science and offers a glimmer of hope for families grappling with the specter of severe genetic conditions. The procedure, often referred to as Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT), represents a revolutionary approach to preventing the transmission of debilitating illnesses that originate in the cell's powerhouses, the mitochondria.The essence of MRT lies in its ingenious method of circumventing defective mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria,…
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