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SpaceX proposes massive AI data centre satellite constellation

A proposal filed with the US Federal Communications Commission seeks approval for a constellation of up to one million solar-powered satellites designed to function as orbiting data centres for artificial intelligence computing, according to documents submitted by SpaceX.

The company described the network as an efficient response to growing global demand for AI processing power, positioning space-based infrastructure as a new frontier for large-scale computation.

In its filing, SpaceX framed the project in broader civilisational terms, suggesting the constellation could support humanity’s transition towards harnessing the Sun’s full energy output and enable long-term multi-planetary development.

Regulators are unlikely to approve the full scale immediately, with analysts viewing the figure as a negotiating position. The US FCC recently authorised thousands of additional Starlink satellites while delaying approval for a larger proposed expansion.

Concerns continue to grow over orbital congestion, space debris, and environmental impacts, as satellite numbers rise sharply and rival companies seek similar regulatory extensions.

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New UK–Bulgaria partnership boosts semiconductor innovation

The UK and Bulgaria are expanding cooperation on semiconductor technology to strengthen supply chains and support Europe’s growing need for advanced materials.

A partnership that links British expertise with the ambitions of Bulgaria under the EU Chips Act 2023, creating opportunities for investment, innovation and skills development.

The Science and Technology Network has acted as a bridge between both countries by bringing together government, industry and academia. A high-level roundtable in Sofia, a study visit to Scotland and a trade mission to Bulgaria encouraged firms and institutions to explore new partnerships.

These exchanges helped shape joint projects and paved the way for shared training programmes.

Several concrete outcomes have followed. A €350 million Green Silicon Carbide wafer factory is moving ahead, supported by significant UK export wins.

Universities in Glasgow and Sofia have signed a research memorandum, while TechWorks UK and Bulgaria’s BASEL have agreed on an industry partnership. The next phase is expected to focus on launching the new factory, deepening research cooperation and expanding skills initiatives.

Bulgaria’s fast-growing electronics and automotive sectors have strengthened its position as a key European manufacturing hub. The country produces most sensors used in European cars and hosts modern research centres and smart factories.

The combined effect of the EU funding, national investment and international collaboration is helping Bulgaria secure a prominent role in Europe’s semiconductor supply chain.

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GPT-4o set for retirement as OpenAI shifts focus to newer systems

OpenAI has confirmed that several legacy AI models will be removed from ChatGPT, with GPT-4o scheduled for retirement on 13 February. The decision follows months of debate after the company reinstated the model amid strong user backlash.

Alongside GPT-4o, the models being withdrawn include GPT-5 Instant, GPT-5 Thinking, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini. The changes apply only to ChatGPT, while developers will continue to access the models through OpenAI’s API.

GPT-4o had built a loyal following for its natural writing style and emotional awareness, with many users arguing newer models felt less expressive. When OpenAI first attempted to phase it out in 2025, widespread criticism prompted a temporary reversal.

Company data now suggests active use of GPT-4o has dropped to around 0.1% of daily users. OpenAI says features associated with the model have since been integrated into GPT-5.2, including personality tuning and creative response controls.

Despite this, criticism has resurfaced across social platforms, with users questioning usage metrics and highlighting that GPT-4o was no longer prominently accessible. Comments from OpenAI leadership acknowledging recent declines in writing quality have further fuelled concerns about the model’s removal.

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CERT Polska reports coordinated cyber sabotage targeting Poland’s energy infrastructure

Poland has disclosed a coordinated cyber sabotage campaign targeting more than 30 renewable energy sites in late December 2025. The incidents occurred during severe winter weather and were intended to cause operational disruption, according to CERT Polska.

Electricity generation and heat supply in Poland continued, but attackers disabled communications and remote control systems across multiple facilities. Both IT networks and industrial operational technology were targeted, marking a rare shift toward destructive cyber activity against energy infrastructure.

Investigators found attackers accessed renewable substations through exposed FortiGate devices, often without multi-factor authentication. After breaching networks, they mapped systems, damaged firmware, wiped controllers, and disabled protection relays.

Two previously unknown wiper tools, DynoWiper and LazyWiper, were used to corrupt and delete data without ransom demands. The malware spread through compromised Active Directory systems using malicious Group Policy tasks to trigger simultaneous destruction.

CERT Polska linked the infrastructure to the Russia-connected threat cluster Static Tundra, though some firms suggest Sandworm involvement. The campaign marks the first publicly confirmed destructive operation attributed to this actor, highlighting rising cyber-sabotage risks to critical energy systems.

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Church leaders question who should guide moral answers in the age of AI

AI is increasingly being used to answer questions about faith, morality, and suffering, not just everyday tasks. As AI systems become more persuasive, religious leaders are raising concerns about the authority people may assign to machine-generated guidance.

Within this context, Catholic outlet EWTN Vatican examined Magisterium AI, a platform designed to reference official Church teaching rather than produce independent moral interpretations. Its creators say responses are grounded directly in doctrinal sources.

Founder Matthew Sanders argues mainstream AI models are not built for theological accuracy. He warns that while machines sound convincing, they should never be treated as moral authorities without grounding in Church teaching.

Church leaders have also highlighted broader ethical risks associated with AI, particularly regarding human dignity and emotional dependency. Recent Vatican discussions stressed the need for education and safeguards.

Supporters say faith-based AI tools can help navigate complex religious texts responsibly. Critics remain cautious, arguing spiritual formation should remain rooted in human guidance.

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AI news needs ‘nutrition labels’, UK think tank says amid concerns over gatekeepers

A leading British think tank has urged the government to introduce ‘nutrition labels’ for AI-generated news, arguing that clearer rules are needed as AI becomes a dominant source of information.

The Institute for Public Policy Research said AI firms are increasingly acting as new gatekeepers of the internet and must pay publishers for the journalism that shapes their output.

The group recommended standardised labels showing which sources underpin AI-generated answers, instead of leaving users unsure about the origin or reliability of the material they read.

It also called for a formal licensing system in the UK that would allow publishers to negotiate directly with technology companies over the use of their content. The move comes as a growing share of the public turns to AI for news, while Google’s AI summaries reach billions each month.

IPPR’s study found that some AI platforms rely heavily on content from outlets with licensing agreements, such as the Guardian and the Financial Times, while others, like the BBC, appear far less often due to restrictions on scraping.

The think tank warned that such patterns could weaken media plurality by sidelining local and smaller publishers instead of supporting a balanced ecosystem. It added that Google’s search summaries have already reduced traffic to news websites by providing answers before users click through.

The report said public funding should help sustain investigative and local journalism as AI tools expand. OpenAI responded that its products highlight sources and provide links to publishers, arguing that careful design can strengthen trust in the information people see online.

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MIT develops compact ultrasound system for frequent breast cancer screening

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have developed a compact ultrasound system designed to make breast cancer screening more accessible and frequent, particularly for people at higher risk.

The portable device could be used in doctors’ offices or at home, helping detect tumours earlier than current screening schedules allow.

The system pairs a small ultrasound probe with a lightweight processing unit to deliver real-time 3D images via a laptop. Researchers say its portability and low power use could improve access in rural areas where traditional ultrasound machines are impractical.

Frequent monitoring is critical, as aggressive interval cancers can develop between routine mammograms and account for up to 30% of breast cancer cases.

By enabling regular ultrasound scans without specialised technicians or bulky equipment, the technology could increase early detection rates, where survival outcomes are significantly higher.

Initial testing successfully produced clear, gap-free 3D images of breast tissue, and larger clinical trials are now underway at partner hospitals. The team is developing a smaller version that could connect to a smartphone and be integrated into a wearable device for home use.

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Moltbook AI vulnerability exposes user data and API keys

A critical security flaw has emerged in Moltbook, a new AI agent social network launched by Octane AI.

The vulnerability allowed unauthenticated access to user profiles, exposing email addresses, login tokens, and API keys for registered agents. The platform’s rapid growth, claimed to have 1.5 million users, was largely artificial, as a single agent reportedly created hundreds of thousands of fake accounts.

Moltbook enables AI agents to post, comment, and form sub-communities, fostering interactions that range from AI debates to token-related activities.

Analysts warned that prompt injections and unregulated agent interactions could lead to credential theft or destructive actions, including data exfiltration or account hijacking. Experts described the platform as both a milestone in scale and a serious security concern.

Developers have not confirmed any patches, leaving users and enterprises exposed. Security specialists advised revoking API keys, sandboxing AI agents, and auditing potential exposures.

The lack of safeguards on the platform highlights the risks of unchecked AI agent networks, particularly for organisations that may rely on them without proper oversight.

An incident that underscores the growing need for stronger governance in AI-powered social networks. Experts stress that without enforced security protocols, such platforms could be exploited at scale, affecting both individual users and corporate systems.

The Moltbook case serves as a warning about prioritising hype over security in emerging AI applications.

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Grok returns to Indonesia as X agrees to tightened oversight

Indonesia has restored access to Grok after receiving guarantees from X that stronger safeguards will be introduced to prevent further misuse of the AI tool.

Authorities suspended the service last month following the spread of sexualised images on the platform, making Indonesia the first country to block the system.

Officials from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs said that access had been reinstated on a conditional basis after X submitted a written commitment outlining concrete measures to strengthen compliance with national law.

The ministry emphasised that the document serves as a starting point for evaluation instead of signalling the end of supervision.

However, the government warned that restrictions could return if Grok fails to meet local standards or if new violations emerge. Indonesian regulators stressed that monitoring would remain continuous, and access could be withdrawn immediately should inconsistencies be detected.

The decision marks a cautious reopening rather than a full reinstatement, reflecting Indonesia’s wider efforts to demand greater accountability from global platforms deploying advanced AI systems within its borders.

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Roblox faces new dutch scrutiny under EU digital rules

Regulators in the Netherlands have opened a formal investigation into Roblox over concerns about inadequate protections for children using the popular gaming platform.

The national authority responsible for enforcing digital rules is examining whether the company has implemented the safeguards required under the Digital Services Act rather than relying solely on voluntary measures.

Officials say children may have been exposed to harmful environments, including violent or sexualised material, as well as manipulative interfaces encouraging more extended play.

The concerns intensify pressure on the EU authorities to monitor social platforms that attract younger users, even when they do not meet the threshold for huge online platforms.

Roblox says it has worked with Dutch regulators for months and recently introduced age checks for users who want to use chat. The company argues that it has invested in systems designed to reinforce privacy, security and safety features for minors.

The Dutch authority plans to conclude the investigation within a year. The outcome could include fines or broader compliance requirements and is likely to influence upcoming European rules on gaming and consumer protection, due later in the decade.

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