A new digital wellbeing companion, known as Sonny, is now being introduced in several schools across nine districts. Developed by Sonar Mental Health, this tool combines artificial intelligence with human oversight to provide initial mental health support to students.
Students can send their queries via text, with the AI suggesting responses that are ultimately reviewed by a dedicated team of professionals experienced in psychology, social work, and crisis intervention. This approach comes at a time when many schools are facing a severe shortage of qualified counsellours, with recent data revealing that 17 per cent of high schools lack a dedicated counsellour.
CEO Drew Bavir has emphasised that Sonny is not meant to replace professional therapy. Instead, it acts as a first point of contact, with Sonar staff ready to work alongside schools and parents to secure access to further specialist support when needed. This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health challenges within schools.
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London-based model Alexsandrah Gondora is now utilising an AI replica of herself for photo shoots, allowing designers and retailers to book her digital double without the need for her physical presence. This innovative approach not only saves time but also cuts down the costs traditionally associated with high-budget campaigns.
While this technology opens up endless creative possibilities, it has also sparked concerns among industry professionals. Critics fear that the widespread use of AI-generated images could eventually displace traditional models, not just in the UK, but globally. Replacing make-up artists, photographers, and even promote a homogenised standard of beauty.
Gondora, however, remains optimistic about the change, emphasising that she retains control over her digital likeness and benefits from the new model. The rise of such digital innovations is prompting calls for new regulations to ensure that models are fairly compensated and their rights protected in this evolving field.
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Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Waseda University have developed the world’s largest biohybrid robot hand, which utilises cultivated human muscle tissue to perform complex movements. The 18-centimetre hand, complete with five individually moving fingers, incorporates a novel “sushi roll” design that bundles multiple thin muscle tissue strings to ensure sufficient nutrient supply and strength. Gold electrodes are employed to stimulate the tissues, translating straight muscle contractions into the rotational motion of the joints.
This innovative Japanese device is capable of delicate tasks such as grasping small objects, although its muscle tissues exhibit a decrease in force after approximately ten minutes of continuous action, recovering fully after an hour of rest. Such a breakthrough overcomes the limitations of earlier biohybrid devices, which were restricted to single-joint movements and were much smaller due to nutrient diffusion challenges in thicker muscle constructs.
Professor Shoji Takeuchi, specialising in mechanical engineering, believes that this research paves the way for the development of humanlike robots and precision prosthetic hands. The team’s findings, published in Science Robotics, mark a significant advance in the fusion of biological elements with mechanical systems, promising a future where robotics more closely mimic the capabilities of the human body.
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Bluesky, the rapidly growing decentralised social media platform, has partnered with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As part of the collaboration, Bluesky will gain access to the IWF’s tools, which include a list of websites containing CSAM and a catalogue of digital fingerprints, or ‘hashes,’ that identify abusive images. This partnership aims to reduce the risk of users encountering illegal content while helping to keep the platform safe from such material.
Bluesky’s head of trust and safety, Aaron Rodericks, welcomed the partnership as a significant step in protecting users from harmful content. With the platform’s rapid growth—reaching over 30 million users by the end of last month—the move comes at a crucial time. In November, Bluesky announced plans to expand its moderation team to address the rise in harmful material following the influx of new users.
The partnership also highlights the growing concern over online child sexual abuse material. The IWF reported record levels of harmful content last year, with over 291,000 web pages removed from the internet. The foundation’s CEO, Derek Ray-Hill, stressed the urgency of tackling the crisis, calling for a collective effort from governments, tech companies, and society.
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Australia’s eSafety Commission has fined messaging platform Telegram A$1 million ($640,000) for failing to respond promptly to questions regarding measures it took to prevent child abuse and extremist content. The Commission had asked social media platforms, including Telegram, to provide details on their efforts to combat harmful content. Telegram missed the May 2024 deadline, submitting its response in October, which led to the fine.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasised the importance of timely transparency and adherence to Australian law. Telegram, however, disagreed with the penalty, stating that it had fully responded to the questions, and plans to appeal the fine, which it claims was solely due to the delay in response time.
The fine comes amid increasing global scrutiny of Telegram, with growing concerns over its use by extremists. Australia’s spy agency recently noted that a significant portion of counter-terrorism cases involved youth, highlighting the increasing risk posed by online extremist content. If Telegram does not comply with the penalty, the eSafety Commission could pursue further legal action.
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US House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan has called on European Union antitrust chief Teresa Ribera to clarify how the EU enforces its Digital Markets Act (DMA), which he believes disproportionately targets American companies. His request follows a memorandum signed by US President Donald Trump, warning that the administration would scrutinise the EU’s new rules regulating how US companies interact with consumers in Europe.
Jordan and his co-signatory, Scott Fitzgerald, criticised the DMA’s hefty fines, which can reach up to 10% of a company’s global revenue for violations. They argue that the rules not only disadvantage US companies but also potentially benefit Chinese firms, stifling innovation and handing over valuable data to adversarial nations. The letter urges Ribera to address these concerns with the judiciary committee by March 10.
The European Commission, where Ribera is the second-highest official, has rejected claims that its laws are aimed at American companies. Ribera defended the DMA in a recent interview, stating that the EU should not be pressured into altering laws that have already been approved by European lawmakers.
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YouTube is approaching its 20th anniversary, but many fundamental details about the platform remain unknown. While Google shares select statistics, key information, like the total number of videos or the full extent of user engagement, remains elusive. A team of researchers, led by Ethan Zuckerman at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, devised a creative solution: they built a program that randomly generates video URLs, allowing them to sample YouTube’s vast catalogue in an unbiased way.
Their findings challenge common perceptions. YouTube is often associated with high-profile creators and viral content, but the reality is different. The majority of videos receive little to no engagement, with a median of just 41 views. Many uploads lack professional editing, and nearly 90% of videos have no likes at all. Additionally, English-language content, while dominant, makes up less than 30% of YouTube’s overall library.
The research also highlights YouTube’s critical role beyond entertainment. Millions of everyday users rely on it as a storage hub, a tool for local governance, and a platform for sharing niche content. Yet, Google keeps much of YouTube’s influence hidden, avoiding the scrutiny faced by other social media giants. As pressure mounts for greater transparency, experts argue that understanding YouTube’s full impact is essential for meaningful public debate and regulation.
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For many creators, TikTok has become more than just a platform for viral trends—it’s their livelihood. Beauty content creator Leila Nikea left her job as a make-up artist three years ago to focus solely on TikTok, tripling her income and even buying her first home.
Yet, uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future has left her anxious, especially after the recent threat of a US ban over national security concerns. Although the ban was briefly implemented and then postponed, ongoing scrutiny has made creators like Leila fear for their financial stability.
Musicians Howard and George, known as The Whiskey Brothers, share similar concerns. After nearly two decades performing as a wedding band, TikTok finally gave them a platform to reach new audiences with their original music.
Their growing following led to their first official gig under their new name. However, the prospect of future bans has cast a shadow over their plans, making them question the long-term sustainability of their careers on TikTok.
Veteran tech influencer Safwan Ahmedmia, better known as SuperSaf, has already faced the consequences of a TikTok ban when India blocked the app in 2020, costing him thousands of followers. Now, he spreads his content across multiple platforms, advising fellow creators to do the same.
As debates over TikTok’s data privacy and security continue worldwide, creators are increasingly aware of the fragility of their digital careers. While many remain committed to their passions, the platform’s instability serves as a stark reminder of the risks tied to relying on a single app for income.
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Chinese universities have launched AI courses based on DeepSeek, a breakthrough AI startup from Hangzhou, which has gained significant attention for its advanced models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1. These courses are part of a broader effort by Chinese authorities to boost scientific and technological innovation in higher education, aiming to create new growth sources for the economy.
Shenzhen University has introduced an AI course focused on DeepSeek, addressing key technologies as well as ethical and security issues. Similarly, Zhejiang University began offering DeepSeek-based courses in February, while Shanghai’s Jiao Tong University has incorporated DeepSeek to enhance its AI learning tools. Renmin University is applying the technology across various academic and research fields.
This educational push aligns with China’s new national plan to build a “strong education nation” by 2035, aiming to establish a world-class, accessible education system. Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, recently attended a high-level meeting with President Xi Jinping and other tech industry leaders, further highlighting the significance of the startup’s contributions.
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Brazil‘s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has fined social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, 8.1 million reais ($1.42 million) for failing to comply with judicial orders. The ruling, made public on Thursday, follows a legal case from 2023 where the court had instructed X to remove a profile spreading misinformation and provide the user’s registration data.
X’s failure to meet these demands resulted in a daily fine of 100,000 reais, and the company’s local legal representative faced potential criminal liability. The court order required the immediate payment of the fine, citing the platform’s noncompliance. X’s legal team in Brazil has not commented on the matter.
In 2024, X faced a month-long suspension in Brazil for not adhering to court orders related to hate speech moderation and for failing to designate a legal representative in the country, as mandated by law.
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