Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 16 of 682

MIT study warns of AI reliance in news verification

A new MIT Media Lab study suggests that using AI to verify news can improve short-term accuracy but may not help users build lasting skills to detect misinformation.

The month-long study followed 67 participants as they assessed news headlines and image pairs. Participants were 21% more accurate at detecting false information when assisted by an AI chatbot during a session. However, their unassisted performance on new news items declined by 15 percentage points by the fourth week compared with before the study began.

Researchers linked the finding to the ‘AI dependency paradox’, in which tools that improve immediate performance can also encourage users to rely on automated guidance rather than develop their own judgement. The study found that some participants shifted from active analysis to passive acceptance of AI suggestions, even as some believed their own abilities were improving.

The researchers said the way AI systems interact with users matters. Tools that ask guided questions and encourage reasoning appear more likely to support long-term learning than systems that simply provide direct answers.

The findings point to the need for stronger AI literacy as chatbots become more common in news consumption, education and information verification. Researchers also noted limitations, including the small set of validated news items and a participant pool focused on the United States and the United Kingdom.

Why does it matter?

AI is increasingly becoming part of how people search for, verify and consume news. The study suggests that using AI as a shortcut for fact-checking may reduce users’ ability to evaluate information independently, while better-designed systems could support learning and critical reasoning. That distinction matters for educators, platforms and policymakers working on misinformation, media literacy and responsible AI use.

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New York moves to curb undisclosed news scraping by AI bots

New York lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at restricting ‘stealth crawlers’, automated bots that access and scrape content from news websites without identifying themselves. If signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, New York would become the first US state to impose such transparency requirements.

The bill would require companies operating such bots to identify themselves when accessing the websites of news organisations. It would also prohibit activity that damages, impairs or places undue burdens on news websites, or otherwise causes economic harm to publishers.

Supporters, including the New York State Broadcasters Association and the New York News Publishers Association, argue that undisclosed scraping allows technology companies to use journalistic content for AI and other automated services while reducing traffic and revenue opportunities for publishers.

The legislation would authorise the New York Attorney General’s office to take enforcement action against non-compliant companies, with civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day for violations. The measure was passed by lawmakers in New York and now awaits the governor’s decision.

Why does it matter?

The legislation reflects growing tensions between news publishers and technology companies over the use of online content for AI training, search services and other automated applications. Publishers increasingly argue that large-scale content scraping can generate commercial value for technology firms while undermining the business models that support journalism.

If enacted, the measure could establish one of the first state-level transparency frameworks governing automated content collection in the United States. It may also influence broader debates about AI training data, web scraping practices, publisher rights and the relationship between technology platforms and news organisations.

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UK to issue guidance on smartphone and screen use for children

The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care have announced plans to publish guidance on mobile device use for children aged 5 to 16. The guidance, due to be published this autumn, aims to provide parents with practical advice on issues including screen time, social media use, sleep and smartphone habits.

A three-week call for evidence has been launched to help shape the guidance, supported by an independent expert group co-chaired by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner. The review will also examine how children use screens in schools and at home.

The government said technology can support learning, creativity and inclusion, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It added that the guidance will focus on helping families make informed decisions about online safety rather than imposing blanket restrictions on technology use.

Alongside the guidance, the government plans additional measures relating to technology in education, including the possible introduction of safety certification for certain school technology products and the creation of an AI Youth Advisory Board.

Ministers are also considering measures such as app curfews, time limits and other tools aimed at improving children’s online safety. The announcement was made in the UK, where ministers said technology used in schools should be safe, effective and supported by evidence.

Why does it matter?

Governments around the world are increasingly examining the impact of smartphones, social media and digital platforms on children’s wellbeing, safety and development. While technology can provide educational and social benefits, concerns have grown over excessive screen time, online harms, sleep disruption and the effects of digital services on young people.

The UK’s approach reflects a broader policy trend towards evidence-based guidance and targeted safeguards rather than outright restrictions. The review may also influence future discussions on digital wellbeing, online safety, parental controls and the role of technology in education.

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India’s human rights commission examines impact of digital arrest scams

The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) held an open house discussion on safeguarding human rights against digital arrest scams, highlighting their growing impact on individual rights, dignity and personal security.

The NHRC Chairperson said cybersecurity-enabled fraud has caused significant financial losses and noted that digital arrest scams often exploit fear of law enforcement authorities to coerce victims into transferring money. Participants also highlighted the challenges victims face in recovering stolen funds and obtaining effective redress.

Speakers stressed the need for stronger protections for vulnerable groups, particularly older adults, alongside improved data protection, public awareness campaigns and faster support mechanisms for victims. Participants also reviewed existing government measures, AI-powered detection tools and industry initiatives aimed at preventing and detecting fraud.

Key recommendations included recognising digital arrest scams as a distinct criminal offence, strengthening measures against mule accounts and the fraudulent misuse of official identities, improving compensation and recovery mechanisms, and enhancing cooperation among government agencies, industry and other stakeholders in India.

Why does it matter?

Digital arrest scams have emerged as a growing form of cyber-enabled fraud, combining social engineering techniques with the impersonation of law enforcement and government authorities. By exploiting fear and urgency, such scams can cause significant financial losses and psychological harm, particularly among vulnerable groups.

The discussion highlights the increasing intersection between cybersecurity, consumer protection and human rights. As digital fraud becomes more sophisticated, policymakers are placing greater emphasis on prevention, victim support, data protection and coordinated responses involving government agencies, technology providers and financial institutions.

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Anthropic launches Claude Fable 5 with advanced safety safeguards

Anthropic has launched Claude Fable 5, a new general-purpose AI model, alongside Claude Mythos 5, a more capable version reserved for selected cyber defence and infrastructure partners.

The company described Fable 5 as its most capable generally available model to date, with strong performance across software engineering, knowledge work, vision and scientific research. Anthropic said the model’s advanced capabilities pose misuse risks, particularly in cybersecurity and research biology.

To reduce those risks, Fable 5 includes additional safety classifiers designed to detect potential misuse, including attempts to bypass safeguards. When certain high-risk requests are detected, users may receive a response from Anthropic’s next-most-capable model, Claude Opus 4.8, rather than Fable 5.

Anthropic said the safeguards have been tuned conservatively and may sometimes block benign requests. According to the company, the fallback mechanism is triggered in less than 5% of sessions on average.

Claude Mythos 5 uses the same underlying model as Fable 5, but with some safeguards lifted in specific areas. Anthropic said it will initially deploy Mythos 5 through Project Glasswing, in collaboration with the US government, for a limited group of cyber defenders and critical software infrastructure providers.

The launch highlights a growing model governance approach in which access to frontier AI capabilities is tiered according to use case and risk. Anthropic said it plans to expand trusted access to Mythos 5 while continuing to refine safeguards for broader public use.

Why does it matter?

The release shows how frontier AI providers are increasingly linking capability deployment to access controls, model routing and domain-specific safeguards. As advanced systems become more useful for software engineering, cybersecurity and scientific research, companies face pressure to provide broad access while limiting misuse in dual-use areas. Anthropic’s split between Fable 5 and Mythos 5 reflects a wider governance question: who should receive access to the most capable AI systems, under what conditions, and with what oversight.

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EU orders Meta to restore access for AI assistants

The European Commission has imposed interim measures requiring Meta to restore access to WhatsApp for rival general-purpose AI assistants while an EU antitrust investigation continues.

The measures require Meta to reinstate access to the WhatsApp Business Solution for third-party AI assistant providers under the same terms that applied before 15 October 2025. Meta must comply within five working days and maintain access until the Commission adopts a final decision.

The Commission opened the investigation in December 2025 after Meta changed the terms of its WhatsApp Business Solution to restrict AI providers from using the service when AI was the primary service offered. In February 2026, the Commission sent Meta a Statement of Objections setting out its preliminary view that the conduct could breach the EU antitrust rules.

According to the Commission, Meta appears at first sight to hold a dominant position in the EEA-wide market for consumer communication applications through WhatsApp. It also said Meta may have abused that position by preventing competing general-purpose AI assistants from accessing and interacting with users on WhatsApp.

Meta revised its policy in March 2026 to allow third-party AI assistants back onto WhatsApp, but introduced a fee that the Commission said was, at first sight, equivalent in practice to the previous ban. The Commission warned that the conduct could harm competition at a critical stage in the development of the market for general-purpose AI assistants.

The substantive investigation remains ongoing, and the interim measures do not prejudge the Commission’s final decision. The Commission said it may impose fines or daily penalty payments if Meta fails to comply.

Why does it matter?

The case shows how the EU competition enforcement is moving into the emerging market for general-purpose AI assistants. WhatsApp is not only a messaging service, but also a major access point for businesses and users. If dominant platforms can limit rival AI assistants’ access to such channels, competition in AI services could be shaped before the market fully matures. The interim measures also signal that the Commission is willing to act quickly where it believes platform conduct may create serious and irreparable harm to competition.

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Poland signals progress on AI gigafactories and digital services tax

According to the Polish Press Agency, negotiations between the European Commission and EU member states on the development of AI gigafactories could conclude in June. The planned facilities are expected to be financed through the EU’s €20 billion InvestAI fund.

The initiative aims to establish five AI gigafactories across the EU to support the development of large-scale AI models and applications. Discussions intensified after revisions to the funding model required member states to commit financial support before the launch of a tender process limited to private companies and consortia.

Polish Deputy Minister of Digitisation Dariusz Standerski said Poland led a coalition of seven member states that opposed the revised framework and pushed for changes. He said negotiations are now close to a compromise that could strengthen the EU’s digital sovereignty and AI infrastructure ambitions.

Separately, Standerski said the Ministry of Digitisation is finalising proposals for a digital services tax of up to 3% on revenues generated by large technology companies operating in Poland. The draft legislation is expected to be published by early July in Poland.

Why does it matter?

The AI gigafactory initiative is a central component of the EU’s broader effort to strengthen its AI infrastructure and reduce dependence on non-European providers of computing capacity. Access to large-scale computing resources is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite for developing advanced AI models and competing in the global AI ecosystem.

The negotiations also highlight the governance challenges associated with large industrial policy initiatives. Questions around funding, public-private participation and member state involvement will shape how effectively the EU can translate its AI ambitions into operational infrastructure.

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Study warns of self-replicating AI malware using real-time reasoning

Cybersecurity researchers have demonstrated an AI-powered computer worm capable of identifying vulnerabilities, generating attack strategies and spreading autonomously across networks. The study suggests that advances in AI agents could enable a new class of adaptive cyber threats capable of operating with minimal or no direct human intervention.

The research, conducted by teams from the University of Toronto, Vector Institute, University of Cambridge, and ServiceNow, describes malware that uses large language models to tailor its behaviour to each target. Unlike traditional worms, the system can adapt its attack methods in real time instead of relying solely on pre-programmed exploits.

Testing in a controlled virtual environment showed the system could successfully compromise multiple machines and replicate across a simulated network over several days. The worm also operated without relying on cloud infrastructure, running AI models locally on infected systems and using those resources to support its operations.

Researchers warned that such capabilities could signal a shift towards what they describe as ‘autonomous generative adversaries’ and stressed the need for stronger detection systems, evaluation frameworks and governance mechanisms. While details were limited to reduce misuse risks, the authors said the findings reflect how rapidly AI-enabled cyber capabilities are evolving.

Why does it matter?

The research signals a shift in cyber risk from static, signature-based malware to autonomous systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and scaling attacks without human input.

As AI models become more capable and widely deployed, the line between tool and autonomous threat blurs, increasing pressure on cybersecurity systems, patching cycles, and regulation to keep up with real-time, evolving attacks.

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Kenya Defence Forces expands AI capacity-building efforts through new training course

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has completed the Service Members Basic Artificial Intelligence Course 01/26, a training programme aimed at strengthening AI capabilities among military personnel. The course concluded with a graduation ceremony at the National Military Command Centre in Nairobi.

Delivered by the Defence Intelligence Academy in partnership with the Moran AI and Cyber Centre of Excellence and other technology partners, the programme provided participants with foundational knowledge of AI and emerging technologies. The course aimed to equip participants with practical skills relevant to increasingly data-driven security and defence environments.

According to KDF, the initiative supports broader efforts to modernise military capabilities and prepare personnel for the growing role of data, automation and digital technologies in defence operations. Officials described technological literacy as an increasingly important competency in modern military service.

The programme forms part of KDF’s wider strategy to strengthen digital skills and innovation capacity. The military said the programme also supports regional cooperation and technological capacity development through partnerships with institutions across Africa.

Why does it matter?

AI is increasingly influencing defence planning, intelligence analysis, logistics and operational decision-making. As armed forces around the world integrate data-driven technologies into their activities, developing AI literacy and digital skills among personnel is becoming a strategic priority.

The KDF initiative reflects a broader trend in which military organisations are investing in AI-related capacity building to ensure personnel can effectively understand, manage and operate alongside emerging technologies while supporting long-term defence modernisation efforts.

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Canada warns of cyber threats targeting FIFA World Cup 2026

Canada’s Cyber Centre has warned that the FIFA World Cup 2026 will almost certainly attract cyber threat activity from cybercriminals, non-state actors and state-sponsored actors.

The tournament will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across Canada, the US and Mexico, with 104 matches in 16 cities. The Cyber Centre said the event’s global visibility, complex supporting infrastructure and broad ecosystem of suppliers and services create a large attack surface.

According to the bulletin, cybercriminals are expected to exploit public interest in the tournament through phishing, social engineering, ticket scams, fraudulent travel offers, fake livestreaming services, malicious apps and other forms of online fraud. The Cyber Centre cited research identifying more than 4,300 likely fraudulent domain registrations linked to the tournament as of August 2025.

Organisations connected to the event, including travel, hospitality, ticketing, broadcasting, telecommunications, utilities and transport providers, could also face ransomware, distributed denial-of-service attacks and website defacement. The Cyber Centre said attackers may target entities in the wider tournament ecosystem to maximise publicity, even when their targets are not part of the core World Cup infrastructure.

The bulletin also warned that threat actors are very likely to use the event for disinformation and influence activity, including campaigns involving AI-generated articles, images, videos and deepfakes. It found that there is roughly an even chance of disruptive state-sponsored cyber activity, depending on geopolitical tensions involving host nations or participating countries.

Canadian authorities urged fans, attendees, athletes, government officials and organisations linked to the tournament to strengthen cybersecurity practices and prepare for scams, disruptive attacks and information manipulation during the event.

Why does it matter?

The bulletin treats the World Cup as more than a sports event. It frames major tournaments as digitally dependent public safety environments involving ticketing systems, broadcasters, transport networks, hotels, mobile communications, local authorities and critical infrastructure. Cyber incidents during such events can cause financial loss, service disruption, data exposure, emergency communication risks and information manipulation, making cybersecurity part of event resilience and public trust.

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