HMRC got targeted in a £47 million UK fraud

A phishing scheme run by organised crime groups cost the UK government £47 million, according to officials from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Criminals posed as taxpayers to claim payments using fake or hijacked credentials. Rather than a cyberattack, the operation relied on impersonation and did not involve the theft of taxpayer data.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s deputy chief executive, confirmed to Parliament’s Treasury Committee that the fraud took place in 2024. The stolen funds were taken through three separate payments, though HMRC managed to block an additional £1.9 million attempt.

Officials began a cross-border criminal investigation soon after discovering the scam, which has led to arrests.

Around 100,000 PAYE accounts — typically used by employers for employee tax and national insurance payments — were either created fraudulently or accessed illegally.

Banks were also targeted through the use of HMRC-linked identity information. Customers first flagged the issue when they noticed unusual activity.

HMRC has shut down the fake accounts and removed false data as part of its response. John-Paul Marks, HMRC’s chief executive, assured the committee that the incident is now under control and contained. ‘That is a lot of money and unacceptable,’ MacDonald told MPs.

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Meta inks 20-year nuclear deal to power AI expansion

Meta has entered a landmark 20-year agreement with Constellation to purchase 1.1 gigawatts of nuclear power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, starting in 2027.

The deal is designed to support the company’s rapidly growing AI infrastructure and data centres as energy demands surge across the tech industry.

Once facing closure due to financial losses, the Clinton plant’s future is secure — without relying on Illinois’ Zero Emission Credit programme. The agreement will keep over 1,100 local jobs, boost grid capacity by 30 megawatts, and generate an estimated $13.5 million in annual tax revenue.

Illinois lawmakers have praised the deal for its economic and environmental benefits, with Republican Regan Deering calling it ‘a forward-thinking investment.’

The partnership is part of Meta’s broader strategy to build a nuclear-powered AI ecosystem. With clean energy targets of 1 to 4 gigawatts, Meta has been negotiating with multiple nuclear providers and says further agreements are in the final stages.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, global data centre energy use is set to more than double by 2030 — potentially outstripping Japan’s entire electricity consumption. Meta alone plans to invest $65 billion in AI infrastructure in 2025.

The Clinton plant deal also serves as a hedge against the environmental impact of fossil fuels. A 2024 study by the Brattle Group estimated that closing the facility would have led to an additional 34 million metric tons of carbon emissions over two decades. It would also have dealt an annual $765 million blow to Illinois’ GDP.

Constellation, the plant’s operator, said consistent, carbon-free baseload power is essential for the AI-driven future. With its reliability and scale, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as critical to supporting always-on AI systems.

Meanwhile, Meta continues advancing its AI vision. The company plans to fully automate ad creation by late 2026, generating images, videos, and text tailored to user location and timing.

This automation effort has already boosted ad performance, with Q1 2025 results showing a 30% rise in AI-generated ad use, a 10% increase in average ad prices, and $42.31 billion in revenue — a 16% year-over-year jump.

However, the push for AI-generated content has unsettled the advertising industry. Firms like Omnicom Group have seen share prices dip over fears disrupting to traditional creative and production models.

Zuckerberg’s long-term AI vision includes automating marketing and enhancing user experience through AI companions and virtual therapists — part of Meta’s goal to integrate machine learning into everyday life while ensuring its platforms run on clean, scalable energy.

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Netherlands unveils open-architecture quantum computer

The Dutch quantum ecosystem has unveiled Tuna-5, a new open-architecture quantum computer developed as part of the HectoQubit/2 (HQ/2) project.

Unlike the vertically integrated machines offered by some commercial providers, Tuna-5 demonstrates a collaborative model that draws on interoperable hardware and software from across the Netherlands.

Built through a partnership between QuTech, TNO, and four Dutch startups — QuantWare, Qblox, Orange Quantum Systems, and Delft Circuits — Tuna-5 is now accessible via the Quantum Inspire public cloud platform.

The system integrates a superconducting quantum processor with tunable couplers, modular electronics, a user-friendly interface, and a Python-based SDK, all developed using components from the Delft quantum supply chain.

QuTech described the approach as more than simply combining parts from different vendors. It involved extensive testing and iterations to ensure a seamless system, which also helped strengthen the Netherlands’ capability to deliver scalable, interoperable quantum technology.

Hosted in QuTech’s DiCarlo lab and backed by Quantum Delta NL and the National Growth Fund, HQ/2 is designed to reinforce Dutch leadership in superconducting quantum computing.

Tuna-5 marks a step forward for academic and startup collaboration instead of relying solely on centralised industry giants.

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Nigeria launches AI Scaling Hub with Gates Foundation

In partnership with the Gates Foundation, Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, backed by a funding commitment of up to $7.5 million over three years.

Announced during a signing ceremony in Abuja, the initiative will focus on responsibly scaling AI solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and education.

The AI Scaling Hub aims to unite government agencies, tech firms, academia, and development partners to support the nationwide deployment of proven AI innovations.

Rather than developing isolated pilot projects, the hub intends to build a collaborative system that encourages mature AI tools to be applied widely.

The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy stated that the move aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy and broader technology agenda.

Minister Bosun Tijani said the hub would help turn local AI concepts into real-world results by offering innovators mentorship, resources, and support.

The Gates Foundation echoed the sentiment, with Nigeria Country Director Uche Amaonwu stressing the importance of ensuring AI benefits reach underserved communities.

The project also involves Lagos Business School and is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in ethical AI adoption across Africa.

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Cyber attack hits Lee Enterprises staff data

Thousands of current and former employees at Lee Enterprises have had their data exposed following a cyberattack earlier this year.

Hackers accessed to the company’s systems in early February, compromising sensitive information such as names and Social Security numbers before the breach was contained the same day.

Although the media firm, which operates over 70 newspapers across 26 US states, swiftly secured its networks, a three-month investigation involving external cybersecurity experts revealed that attackers accessed databases containing employee details.

The breach potentially affects around 40,000 individuals — far more than the company’s 4,500 current staff — indicating that past employees were also impacted.

The stolen data could be used for identity theft, fraud or phishing attempts. Criminals may even impersonate affected employees to infiltrate deeper into company systems and extract more valuable information.

Lee Enterprises has notified those impacted and filed relevant disclosures with authorities, including the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

Headquartered in Iowa, Lee Enterprises draws over 200 million monthly online page views and generated over $611 million in revenue in 2024. The incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of media organisations to cyber threats, especially when personal employee data is involved.

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Cognitive offloading and the future of the mind in the AI age

AI reshapes work and learning

The rapid advancement of AI is bringing to light a range of emerging phenomena within contemporary human societies.

The integration of AI-driven tools into a broad spectrum of professional tasks has proven beneficial in many respects, particularly in terms of alleviating the cognitive and physical burdens traditionally placed on human labour.

By automating routine processes and enhancing decision-making capabilities, AI has the potential to significantly improve efficiency and productivity across various sectors.

In response to these accelerating technological changes, a growing number of nations are prioritising the integration of AI technologies into their education systems to ensure students are prepared for future societal and workforce transformations.

China advances AI education for youth

China has released two landmark policy documents aimed at integrating AI education systematically into the national curriculum for primary and secondary schools.

The initiative not only reflects the country’s long-term strategic vision for educational transformation but also seeks to position China at the forefront of global AI literacy and talent development.

chinese flag with the city of shanghai in the background and digital letters ai somewhere over the flag

The two guidelines, formally titled the Guidelines for AI General Education in Primary and Secondary Schools and the Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI in Primary and Secondary Schools, represent a scientific and systemic approach to cultivating AI competencies among school-aged children.

Their release marks a milestone in the development of a tiered, progressive AI education system, with carefully delineated age-appropriate objectives and ethical safeguards for both students and educators.

The USA expands AI learning in schools

In April, the US government outlined a structured national policy to integrate AI literacy into every stage of the education system.

By creating a dedicated federal task force, the administration intends to coordinate efforts across departments to promote early and equitable access to AI education.

Instead of isolating AI instruction within specialised fields, the initiative seeks to embed AI concepts across all learning pathways—from primary education to lifelong learning.

The plan includes the creation of a nationwide AI challenge to inspire innovation among students and educators, showcasing how AI can address real-world problems.

The policy also prioritises training teachers to understand and use AI tools, instead of relying solely on traditional teaching methods. It supports professional development so educators can incorporate AI into their lessons and reduce administrative burdens.

The strategy encourages public-private partnerships, using industry expertise and existing federal resources to make AI teaching materials widely accessible.

European Commission supports safe AI use

As AI becomes more common in classrooms around the globe, educators must understand not only how to use it effectively but also how to apply it ethically.

Rather than introducing AI tools without guidance or reflection, the European Commission has provided ethical guidelines to help teachers use AI and data responsibly in education.

european union regulates ai

Published in 2022 and developed with input from educators and AI experts, the EU guidelines are intended primarily for primary and secondary teachers who have little or no prior experience with AI.

Instead of focusing on technical complexity, the guidelines aim to raise awareness about how AI can support teaching and learning, highlight the risks involved, and promote ethical decision-making.

The guidelines explain how AI can be used in schools, encourage safe and informed use by both teachers and students, and help educators consider the ethical foundations of any digital tools they adopt.

Rather than relying on unexamined technology, they support thoughtful implementation by offering practical questions and advice for adapting AI to various educational goals.

AI tools may undermine human thinking

However, technological augmentation is not without drawbacks. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for job displacement, increased dependency on digital systems, and the gradual erosion of certain human skills.

As such, while AI offers promising opportunities for enhancing the modern workplace, it simultaneously introduces complex challenges that must be critically examined and responsibly addressed.

One significant challenge that must be addressed in the context of increasing reliance on AI is the phenomenon known as cognitive offloading. But what exactly does this term entail?

What happens when we offload thinking?

Cognitive offloading refers to the practice of using physical actions or external tools to modify the information processing demands of a task, with the aim of reducing the cognitive load on an individual.

In essence, it involves transferring certain mental functions—such as memory, calculation, or decision-making—to outside resources like digital devices, written notes, or structured frameworks.

digital brain

While this strategy can enhance efficiency and performance, it also raises concerns about long-term cognitive development, dependency on technological aids, and the potential degradation of innate mental capacities.

How AI may be weakening critical thinking

A study, led by Dr Michael Gerlich, Head of the Centre for Strategic Corporate Foresight and Sustainability at SBS Swiss Business School, published in the journal Societies raises serious concerns about the cognitive consequences of AI augmentation in various aspects of life.

The study suggests that frequent use of AI tools may be weakening individuals’ capacity for critical thinking, a skill considered fundamental to independent reasoning, problem-solving, and informed decision-making.

More specifically, Dr Gerlich adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 666 participants with qualitative interviews involving 50 individuals.

Participants were drawn from diverse age groups and educational backgrounds and were assessed on their frequency of AI tool use, their tendency to offload cognitive tasks, and their critical thinking performance.

The study employed both self-reported and performance-based measures of critical thinking, alongside statistical analyses and machine learning models, such as random forest regression, to identify key factors influencing cognitive performance.

Younger users, who rely more on AI, think less critically

The findings revealed a strong negative correlation between frequent AI use and critical thinking abilities. Individuals who reported heavy reliance on AI tools—whether for quick answers, summarised explanations, or algorithmic recommendations—scored lower on assessments of critical thinking.

The effect was particularly pronounced among younger users aged 17 to 25, who reported the highest levels of cognitive offloading and showed the weakest performance in critical thinking tasks.

In contrast, older participants (aged 46 and above) demonstrated stronger critical thinking skills and were less inclined to delegate mental effort to AI.

Higher education strengthens critical thinking

The data also indicated that educational attainment served as a protective factor: those with higher education levels consistently exhibited more robust critical thinking abilities, regardless of their AI usage levels.

These findings suggest that formal education may equip individuals with better tools for critically engaging with digital information rather than uncritically accepting AI-generated responses.

Now, we must understand that while the study does not establish direct causation, the strength of the correlations and the consistency across quantitative and qualitative data suggest that AI usage may indeed be contributing to a gradual decline in cognitive independence.

However, in his study, Gerlich also notes the possibility of reverse causality—individuals with weaker critical thinking skills may be more inclined to rely on AI tools in the first place.

Offloading also reduces information retention

While cognitive offloading can enhance immediate task performance, it often comes at the cost of reduced long-term memory retention, as other studies show.

The trade-off has been most prominently illustrated in experimental tasks such as the Pattern Copy Task, where participants tasked with reproducing a pattern typically choose to repeatedly refer to the original rather than commit it to memory.

Even when such behaviours introduce additional time or effort (e.g., physically moving between stations), the majority of participants opt to offload, suggesting a strong preference for minimising cognitive strain.

These findings underscore the human tendency to prioritise efficiency over internalisation, especially under conditions of high cognitive demand.

The tendency to offload raises crucial questions about the cognitive and educational consequences of extended reliance on external aids. On the one hand, offloading can free up mental resources, allowing individuals to focus on higher-order problem-solving or multitasking.

On the other hand, it may foster a kind of cognitive dependency, weakening internal memory traces and diminishing opportunities for deep engagement with information.

Within the framework, cognitive offloading is not a failure of memory or attention but a reconfiguration of cognitive architecture—a process that may be adaptive rather than detrimental.

However, the perspective remains controversial, especially in light of findings that frequent offloading can impair retention, transfer of learning, and critical thinking, as Gerlich’s study argues.

If students, for example, continually rely on digital devices to recall facts or solve problems, they may fail to develop the robust mental models necessary for flexible reasoning and conceptual understanding.

The mind may extend beyond the brain

The tension has also sparked debate among cognitive scientists and philosophers, particularly in light of the extended mind hypothesis.

Contrary to the traditional view that cognition is confined to the brain, the extended mind theory argues that cognitive processes often rely on, and are distributed across, tools, environments, and social structures.

digital brain spin

As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in daily life, this hypothesis raises profound questions about human identity, cognition, and agency.

At the core of the extended mind thesis lies a deceptively simple question: Where does the mind stop, and the rest of the world begin?

Drawing an analogy to prosthetics—external objects that functionally become part of the body—Clark and Chalmers argue that cognitive tools such as notebooks, smartphones, and sketchpads can become integrated components of our mental system.

These tools do not merely support cognition; they constitute it when used in a seamless, functionally integrated manner. This conceptual shift has redefined thinking not as a brain-bound process but as a dynamic interaction between mind, body, and world.

Balancing AI and human intelligence

In conclusion, cognitive offloading represents a powerful mechanism of modern cognition, one that allows individuals to adapt to complex environments by distributing mental load.

However, its long-term effects on memory, learning, and problem-solving remain a subject of active investigation. Rather than treating offloading as inherently beneficial or harmful, future research and practice should seek to balance its use, leveraging its strengths while mitigating its costs.

Human VS Ai Background Brain and heart hd background 1024x576 1

Ultimately, we -as educators, policymakers, and technologists- have to shape the future of learning, work and confront a central tension: how to harness the benefits of AI without compromising the very faculties—critical thought, memory, and independent judgment—that define human intelligence.

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Eminem sues Meta over copyright violations

Eminem has filed a major lawsuit against Meta, accusing the tech giant of knowingly enabling widespread copyright infringement across its platforms. The rapper’s publishing company, Eight Mile Style, is seeking £80.6 million in damages, claiming 243 of his songs were used without authorisation.

The lawsuit argues that Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, allowed tools such as Original Audio and Reels to encourage unauthorised reproduction and use of Eminem’s music.

The filing claims it occurred without proper licensing or attribution, significantly diminishing the value of his copyrights.

Eminem’s legal team contends that Meta profited from the infringement instead of ensuring his works were protected. If a settlement cannot be reached, the artist is demanding the maximum statutory damages — $150,000 per song — which would amount to over $109 million.

Meta has faced similar lawsuits before, including a high-profile case in 2022 brought by Epidemic Sound, which alleged the unauthorised use of thousands of its tracks. The latest claim adds to growing pressure on social media platforms to address copyright violations more effectively.

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Cyber attacks and ransomware rise globally in early 2025

Cyber attacks have surged by 47% globally in the first quarter of 2025, with organisations facing an average of 1,925 attacks each week.

Check Point Software, a cybersecurity firm, warns that attackers are growing more sophisticated and persistent, targeting critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and technology with increasing intensity.

Ransomware activity alone has soared by 126% compared to last year. Attackers are no longer just encrypting files but now also threaten to leak sensitive data unless paid — a tactic known as dual extortion.

Instead of operating as large, centralised gangs, modern ransomware groups are smaller and more agile, often coordinating through dark web forums, making them harder to trace.

The report also notes that cybercriminals are using AI to automate phishing attacks and scan systems for vulnerabilities, allowing them to strike with greater accuracy. Emerging markets remain particularly vulnerable, as they often lack advanced cybersecurity infrastructure.

Check Point urges companies to act decisively by adopting proactive security measures, investing in threat detection and employee training, and implementing real-time monitoring. Waiting for an attack instead of preparing in advance could leave organisations dangerously exposed.

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OpenAI turns ChatGPT into AI gateway

OpenAI plans to reinvent ChatGPT as an all-in-one ‘super assistant’ that knows its users and becomes their primary gateway to the internet.

Details emerged from a partly redacted internal strategy document shared during the US government’s antitrust case against Google.

Rather than limiting ChatGPT to existing apps and websites, OpenAI envisions a future where the assistant supports everyday life—from suggesting recipes at home to taking notes at work or guiding users while travelling.

The company says the AI should evolve into a reliable, emotionally intelligent helper capable of handling a various personal and professional tasks.

OpenAI also believes hardware will be key to this transformation. It recently acquired io, a start-up founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, for $6.4 billion to develop AI-powered devices.

The company’s strategy outlines how upcoming models like o2 and o3, alongside tools like multimodality and generative user interfaces, could make ChatGPT capable of taking meaningful action instead of simply offering responses.

The document also reveals OpenAI’s intention to back a regulation requiring tech platforms to allow users to set ChatGPT as their default assistant. Confident in its fast growth, research lead, and independence from ads, the company aims to maintain its advantage through bold decisions, speed, and self-disruption.

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WhatsApp fixes deleted message privacy gap

WhatsApp is rolling out a privacy improvement that ensures deleted messages no longer linger in quoted replies, addressing a long-standing issue that exposed partial content users had intended to remove.

The update applies automatically, with no toggle required, and has begun reaching iOS users through version 25.12.73, with wider availability expected soon.

Until now, deleting a message for everyone in a chat has not removed it from quoted replies. That allowed fragments of deleted content to remain visible, undermining the purpose of deletion.

WhatsApp removes the associated quoted message entirely instead of keeping it in conversation threads, even in group or community chats.

WABetaInfo, which first spotted the update, noted that users delete messages for privacy or personal reasons, and leave behind quoted traces conflicted with those intentions.

The change ensures conversations reflect user expectations by entirely erasing deleted content, not only from the original message but also from any references.

Meta continues to develop new features for WhatsApp. Recent additions include voice chat in groups and a native interface for iPad. The company is also testing tools like AI-generated wallpapers, message summaries, and more refined privacy settings to enhance user control and experience further.

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