Technology
→ NewsWikipedia at 25: can its original ideals survive AI?
Wikipedia launched in January 2001 and has grown into a globally used, volunteer-edited encyclopedia; recent AI competitors such as Grokipedia, launched in October 2025, have expanded rapidly and prompted debate about the role of human editing and AI.
Woolly rhino DNA found inside Ice Age wolf, Cardiff researchers report
Researchers analysing a roughly 14,400‑year‑old wolf from Siberia recovered woolly rhinoceros DNA from preserved stomach tissue; genetic comparisons suggest the species remained genetically healthy until a rapid population collapse near its extinction.
Grok-generated child abuse material is under Irish police investigation
Irish police say about 200 reports tied to the AI tool Grok are under investigation and that hundreds of related probes into content on X are ongoing.
Docusign aims to use AI to turn complex contracts into plain English.
Docusign is rolling out AI features that generate plain-English contract summaries and support Q&A, and its Intelligent Agreement Management platform is available inside ChatGPT via the MCP.
High-speed mobile coverage across the Tube expected by year-end
Transport for London says more Tube stations and tunnel sections now have high-speed mobile coverage, including the whole Elizabeth line; TfL expects most of the Northern and Metropolitan lines to have tunnel coverage by the end of summer 2026.
Sega drops Game-Key Cards for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on Switch 2
Sega confirmed the physical Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will include the full base game on cartridge and the box art lacks the Game-Key Card logo; the release is dated March 26, 2026, with pre-orders priced at $69.99 / £64.99.
UK struggles to get things done after fresh policy U-turns
A podcast episode discusses a recent government U-turn on a proposed digital ID and raises questions about the prime minister's credibility; it also revisits long-running plans for rail investment in the north of England and whether links between big cities can be improved.
Google Pixel phones receive a free Android update to start the year
Google has released a free Android update with Pixel-specific fixes, issued alongside the regular monthly Android security update. The update covers all Pixel phones released since the Pixel 7a in May 2023.
US teachers union says it will leave X over AI-created images of children
The American Federation of Teachers announced it will stop using X after AI-generated images of children appeared on the platform; AFT president Randi Weingarten said X's Grok image tool lacked safeguards.
Apple Creator Studio bundles iLife and iWork apps across macOS, iPadOS and iOS.
Apple Creator Studio groups Apple’s creative and productivity apps into a single subscription across Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and it launches on January 28, 2026 with monthly and annual pricing.
Travere shares fall after US FDA extends review of kidney drug
The U.S. FDA has extended its review of Travere Therapeutics' Sparsentan for use in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and set a new decision date of April 13; Travere said it had responded to the agency's request for more data and reported no safety or manufacturing queries.
AI chip demand is hitting TVs and audio tech
Growing demand from AI data centres for memory and storage is reducing supply of DRAM and NAND and pushing up prices, and industry reports say that will affect TVs, soundbars and other consumer AV devices, especially at the budget end.
Grok will be integrated into Pentagon networks, Hegseth says
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Grok will be integrated into Pentagon networks later this month, and he unveiled a new Department of Defense AI acceleration strategy.
Apple taps Google Gemini to power Siri's AI upgrade this year.
Apple and Google announced a multi-year partnership in which Apple's next-generation foundation models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology, and the companies said a Gemini-powered Siri is expected to arrive this year.
Nintendo fan proposes dual‑screen add‑on for Switch 2 to play DS games
A concept posted on X shows a clamshell second screen that would attach to the Switch 2 via USB‑C to recreate DS‑style dual displays; Nintendo has not announced such an accessory or confirmed DS emulation.
Malaysia and Indonesia block Musk's Grok over non-consensual AI images
Malaysia and Indonesia have temporarily blocked access to Grok after regulators said the AI tool was being used to create non-consensual manipulated images; authorities say access will remain blocked until effective safeguards are implemented.
All-women team reinvents abortion advice for the TikTok age
Jacarandas, a Colombian all-women hotline set up after abortion was decriminalised in 2022, uses colourful branding and social media to provide legal information, emotional support and clinic referrals; it is now a leading Spanish-language account on TikTok and Instagram.
Concorde commemorative 50p coin unveiled by the Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has launched a 50 pence coin marking 50 years since Concorde's first commercial flight, unveiled at the Aerospace Bristol Museum.
Em Rusciano weighs in on autistic Barbie.
Em Rusciano, who is autistic, said she initially felt unsettled by Mattel's new autistic Barbie but later shared a post from a neurodivergent advocate and expressed conditional support. The doll includes features such as a fidget spinner, noise‑cancelling headphones, a shifted eye gaze and articulated joints, and was developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
SK Hynix to invest nearly $13 billion in South Korea chip packaging plant
SK Hynix will invest 19 trillion won (about $12.9 billion) to build an advanced chip packaging plant in South Korea, with construction set to begin in April and completion targeted by the end of next year.
Grok AI used to create sexualised images, UK ministers say
UK ministers and child protection groups say Elon Musk's Grok AI has been used to generate sexualised images of women and children without their consent; Ofcom has statutory powers under the Online Safety Act but had not opened a formal investigation at the time of the article.
Bushfire threat eases in Victoria as structures lost near 500
Officials say the immediate bushfire emergency in Victoria has eased, with no emergency warnings for the first time in days, while assessments put damaged or destroyed structures at nearly 500.
Claude joins healthcare to assist doctors and explain patient data.
Anthropic has launched Claude for Healthcare, an opt-in feature that can connect to platforms like Apple Health and HealthEx to read lab results, fitness data and appointment notes. The company says the tool offers HIPAA-compliant features for clinicians to help with prior authorizations, claims appeals and other administrative tasks.
Smart ring that tracks sleep apnea is on sale
RingConn's Gen 2 smart ring reports sleep apnea indicators and other health metrics, and it is currently listed at about $239.20 (20% off a $299 price).
Morocco declares end of seven-year drought after winter rains
Morocco's water minister said abundant winter rainfall has ended a seven-year drought, raising the national dam-filling rate to 46% and filling several key reservoirs.
iPhone 17e might arrive soon but its benefits seem limited
Rumors report a possible February 2026 reveal for an iPhone 17e. The current iPhone 16e, released in February 2025, uses an A18 chipset and 8GB of RAM while keeping a notched 60Hz display and a single 48MP camera.
Copilot can be removed from some managed Windows 11 work devices
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 adds a Group Policy that lets administrators uninstall the free Microsoft Copilot app on eligible managed devices. The policy is limited to Enterprise, Pro, and EDU editions and does not remove Copilot components tied to Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Google and Apple agree a multi-year deal to use Gemini models
Alphabet said it has signed a multi-year agreement with Apple under which Apple’s next-generation AI models will be based on Google’s Gemini models. Google’s models are expected to power Apple Intelligence features, including a revamped Siri, which Apple plans to launch this year.
SpaceX cleared to add 7,500 next‑gen Starlink satellites to orbit.
The FCC approved SpaceX's request to increase its Starlink Gen2 fleet from 7,500 to 15,000 satellites, and requires half of the newly authorized satellites to be launched and in position by December 1, 2028.
Apple confirms major update as services report a 'record-breaking' year
Apple announced a record-breaking 2025 for its services, with Apple Music and Apple TV posting strong audience gains and the App Store averaging over 850 million weekly users.
