Parental controls and crisis tools added to ChatGPT amid scrutiny

The death of 16-year-old Adam Raine has placed renewed attention on the risks of teenagers using conversational AI without safeguards. His parents allege ChatGPT encouraged his suicidal thoughts, prompting a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco.

The case has pushed OpenAI to add parental controls and safety tools. Updates include one-click emergency access, parental monitoring, and trusted contacts for teens. The company is also exploring connections with therapists.

Executives said AI should support rather than harm. OpenAI has worked with doctors to train ChatGPT to avoid self-harm instructions and redirect users to crisis hotlines. The company acknowledges that longer conversations can compromise reliability, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards.

The tragedy has fuelled wider debates about AI in mental health. Regulators and experts warn that safeguards must adapt as AI becomes part of daily decision-making. Critics argue that future adoption should prioritise accountability to protect vulnerable groups from harm.

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Could quantum computing reshape Bitcoin’s future

Quantum technology, rooted in quantum mechanics from the early 1900s, is rapidly advancing and may reshape the future of computing. Quantum computers handle data far faster than classical systems, with Google’s Willow chip marking a key advance.

However, their potential also raises concerns for digital assets such as Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s cryptographic security relies on the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which is considered unbreakable with today’s computers. Yet quantum computers, using algorithms like Peter Shor’s, could theoretically expose private keys and compromise wallets.

Experts caution that such risks remain distant, as current quantum hardware is still decades away from posing a real threat.

Beyond security risks, quantum computing could also revive millions of long-lost Bitcoins locked in early wallets. If those coins return to circulation, it could shake Bitcoin’s scarcity and market value.

The debate continues whether these coins should be burned or redistributed to preserve Bitcoin’s economic integrity.

For now, Bitcoin remains safe. Developers are creating quantum-resistant tools like QRAMP and new cryptography to strengthen the network. Users can boost safety by avoiding address reuse and using wallets like Taproot and SegWit.

While quantum risks loom, the network’s adaptability and ongoing research suggest that Bitcoin is well placed to withstand future challenges.

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NVIDIA’s sales grow as the market questions AI momentum

Sales of AI chips by Nvidia rose strongly in its latest quarter, though the growth was less intense than in previous periods, raising questions about the sustainability of demand.

The company’s data centre division reported revenue of 41.1 billion USD between May and July, a 56% rise from last year but slightly below analyst forecasts.

Overall revenue reached 46.7 billion USD, while profit climbed to 26.4 billion USD, both higher than expected.

Nvidia forecasts sales of $54 billion USD for the current quarter.

CEO Jensen Huang said the company remains at the ‘beginning of the buildout’, with trillions expected to be spent on AI by the decade’s end.

However, investors pushed shares down 3% in extended trading, reflecting concerns that rapid growth is becoming harder to maintain as annual sales expand.

Nvidia’s performance was also affected by earlier restrictions on chip sales to China, although the removal of limits in exchange for a sales levy is expected to support future revenue.

Analysts noted that while AI continues to fuel stock market optimism, the pace of growth is slowing compared with the company’s earlier surge.

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Samsung enhances TV and monitor range with Copilot AI

South Korean company, Samsung Electronics, has integrated Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant into its newest TVs and monitors, aiming to provide more personalised interactivity for users.

The technology will be available across models released annually, including the premium Micro RGB TV. With Copilot built directly into displays, Samsung explained that viewers can use voice commands or a remote control to search, learn and engage with content more positively.

The company added that users can experience natural voice interaction for tailored responses, such as music suggestions or weather updates. Kevin Lee, executive vice president of Samsung’s display business, said the move sets ‘a new standard for AI-powered screens’ through open partnerships.

Samsung has confirmed its intention to expand collaborations with global AI firms to enhance services for future products.

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Google boosts Virginia with $9 billion AI and cloud projects

Alphabet’s Google has confirmed plans to invest $9 billion in Virginia by 2026, strengthening the state’s role as a hub for data infrastructure in the US.

The focus will be on AI and cloud computing, positioning Virginia at the forefront of global technological competition.

The plan includes a new Chesterfield County facility and expansion at existing campuses in Loudoun and Prince William counties. These centres are part of the digital backbone that supports cloud services and AI workloads.

Dominion Energy will supply power for the new Chesterfield project, which may take up to seven years before it is fully operational.

The rapid growth of data centres in Virginia has increased concerns about energy demand. Google said it is working with partners on efficiency and power management solutions and funding community development.

Earlier in August, the company announced a $1 billion initiative to provide every college student in Virginia with one year of free access to its AI Pro plan and training opportunities.

Google’s move follows a broader trend in the technology sector. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta are expected to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI-related projects, with much dedicated to new data centres.

Northern Virginia remains the boom’s epicentre, with Loudoun County earning the name’ Data Centre Alley’ because it has concentrated facilities.

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WhatsApp launches AI assistant for editing messages

Meta’s WhatsApp has introduced a new AI feature called Writing Help, designed to assist users in editing, rewriting, and refining the tone of their messages. The tool can adjust grammar, improve phrasing, or reframe a message in a more professional, humorous, or encouraging style before it is sent.

The feature operates through Meta’s Private Processing technology, which ensures that messages remain encrypted and private instead of being visible to WhatsApp or Meta.

According to the company, Writing Help processes requests anonymously and cannot trace them back to the user. The function is optional, disabled by default, and only applies to the chosen message.

To activate the feature, users can tap a small pencil icon that appears while composing a message.

In a demonstration, WhatsApp showed how the tool could turn ‘Please don’t leave dirty socks on the sofa’ into more light-hearted alternatives, including ‘Breaking news: Socks found chilling on the couch’ or ‘Please don’t turn the sofa into a sock graveyard.’

By introducing Writing Help, WhatsApp aims to make communication more flexible and engaging while keeping user privacy intact. The company emphasises that no information is stored, and AI-generated suggestions only appear if users decide to enable the option.

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Trump threatens tariffs over EU digital taxes on US tech companies

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on countries implementing digital taxes or regulations affecting American technology companies. His comments, made in a post on Truth Social, were interpreted as a warning to the European Union.

The EU and several member states have introduced digital services taxes and regulations, including the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act.

These measures aim to tackle illegal content, increase oversight of large online platforms, and ensure that major tech firms, such as Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta, pay taxes in the countries where they generate revenue.

According to AP News, Trump’s administration previously argued that these taxes unfairly target US-based companies and considered tariffs on European goods in response.

The Guardian reports that Trump’s latest threat adds pressure on the UK and the EU, which have recently signed trade agreements with the US.

While the EU continues to enforce strict digital regulations and taxes, the UK has maintained its digital services tax, introduced in 2020, despite earlier criticism from US officials and a trade deal reached with the Trump administration.

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Google alerts users after detecting malware spread through captive portals

Warnings have been issued by Google to some users after detecting a web traffic hijacking campaign that delivered malware through manipulated login portals.

According to the company’s Threat Intelligence Group, attackers compromised network edge devices to modify captive portals, the login pages often seen when joining public Wi-Fi or corporate networks.

Instead of leading to legitimate security updates, the altered portals redirected users to a fake page presenting an ‘Adobe Plugin’ update. The file, once installed, deployed malware known as CANONSTAGER, which enabled the installation of a backdoor called SOGU.SEC.

The software, named AdobePlugins.exe, was signed with a valid GlobalSign certificate linked to Chengdu Nuoxin Times Technology Co, Ltd. Google stated it is tracking multiple malware samples connected to the same certificate.

The company attributed the campaign to a group it tracks as UNC6384, also known by other names including Mustang Panda, Silk Typhoon, and TEMP.Hex.

Google said it first detected the campaign in March 2025 and sent alerts to affected Gmail and Workspace users. The operation reportedly targeted diplomats in Southeast Asia and other entities worldwide, suggesting a potential link to cyber espionage activities.

Google advised users to enable Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome, keep devices updated, and use two-step verification for stronger protection.

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Google Cloud develops blockchain network for financial institutions

Google Cloud is creating its own blockchain platform, the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), targeting the financial sector. The network provides a neutral, compliant infrastructure for payment automation and digital asset management through a single API.

GCUL allows financial institutions to build Python-based smart contracts, with support for various use cases such as wholesale payments and asset tokenisation. Although called a Layer 1 network, its private, permissioned design raises debate over its status as a decentralised blockchain.

The company also revealed a series of AI-driven security enhancements at its Security Summit 2025.

These include an ‘agentic security operations centre’ for proactive threat detection, the Alert Investigation agent for automated analysis, and Model Armour to prevent prompt injection, jailbreaking, and data leaks.

Currently in a private testnet, GCUL was first announced in March in collaboration with the CME Group, which is piloting solutions on the platform. Google Cloud plans to reveal more details in the future as the project develops.

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ChatGPT guides investors through crypto research

AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming essential for researching cryptocurrencies before investing. The platform can simplify white papers, explain tokenomics, and summarise use cases to help investors make informed decisions.

Evaluating the team, partnerships, and security risks remains critical. ChatGPT can guide users in identifying potential scams such as rug pulls, pump-and-dump schemes, or phishing attacks.

It also helps assess regulatory compliance and whether projects have working products. Comparing coins with competitors further highlights strengths and weaknesses within categories like DeFi, NFTs, or Layer 1 blockchains.

Although ChatGPT cannot give real-time data or investment advice, it helps by suggesting research questions, summarising content, and organising insights efficiently. Investors should use it to complement traditional due diligence, not replace critical thinking or careful analysis.

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