The Irish government plans to fast-track laws allowing heavy fines for AI abuse. The move follows controversy involving misuse of image generation tools.
Ministers will transpose an existing EU AI Act into Irish law. The framework defines eight harmful uses breaching rights and public decency.
Penalties could reach €35 million or seven percent of global annual turnover. AI systems would be graded by risk under the enforcement regime.
A dedicated AI office is expected to launch by August to oversee compliance. Irish and UK leaders have pressed platforms to curb harmful AI features.
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A UK public sector cyberattack on Kensington and Chelsea Council has exposed the growing vulnerability of government organisations to data breaches. The council stated that personal details linked to hundreds of thousands of residents may have been compromised after attackers targeted the shared IT infrastructure.
Security experts warn that interconnected systems, while cost-efficient, create systemic risks. Dray Agha, senior manager of security operations at Huntress, said a single breach can quickly spread across partner organisations, disrupting essential services and exposing sensitive information.
Public sector bodies remain attractive targets due to ageing infrastructure and the volume of personal data they hold. Records such as names, addresses, national ID numbers, health information, and login credentials can be exploited for fraud, identity theft, and large-scale scams.
Gregg Hardie, public sector regional vice president at SailPoint, noted that attackers often employ simple, high-volume tactics rather than sophisticated techniques. Compromised credentials allow criminals to blend into regular activity and remain undetected for long periods before launching disruptive attacks.
Hardie said stronger identity security and continuous monitoring are essential to prevent minor intrusions from escalating. Investing in resilient, segmented systems could help reduce the impact of future UK public sector cyberattack incidents and protect critical operations.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is consulting Canada and Australia on a coordinated response to concerns surrounding social media platform X, after its AI assistant Grok was used to generate sexualised deepfake images of women and children.
The discussions focus on shared regulatory approaches rather than immediate bans.
X acknowledged weaknesses in its AI safeguards and limited image generation to paying users. Lawmakers in several countries have stated that further regulatory scrutiny may be required, while Canada has clarified that no prohibition is currently under consideration, despite concerns over platform responsibility.
In the UK, media regulator Ofcom is examining potential breaches of online safety obligations. Technology secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that enforcement mechanisms remain available if legal requirements are not met.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also raised broader concerns about social responsibility in the use of generative AI.
X owner Elon Musk rejected accusations of non-compliance, describing potential restrictions as censorship and suppression of free speech.
European authorities requested the preservation of internal records for possible investigations, while Indonesia and Malaysia have already blocked access to the platform.
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A GP practice in North Lincolnshire, UK, has introduced an AI receptionist named Emma to reduce long wait times on calls. Emma collects patient details and prioritises appointments for doctors to review.
Doctors say the system has improved efficiency, with most patients contacted within hours. Dr Satpal Shekhawat explained that the information from Emma helps identify clinical priorities effectively.
Some patients reported issues, including mistakes with dates of birth and difficulties explaining health problems. The practice reassured patients that human receptionists remain available and that the AI supports staff rather than replacing them.
The technology has drawn attention from other practices in the region. NHS officials are monitoring feedback to refine the system and improve patient experience.
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The UK government has announced new measures to strengthen the security and resilience of online public services as more interactions with the state move online. Ministers say public confidence is essential as citizens increasingly rely on digital systems for everyday services.
Backed by more than £210 million, the UK Government Cyber Action Plan outlines how cyber defences and digital resilience will be improved across the public sector. A new Government Cyber Unit will coordinate risk identification, incident response, and action on complex threats spanning multiple departments.
The plan underpins wider efforts to digitise public services, including benefits applications, tax payments, and healthcare access. Officials argue that secure systems can reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency, but only if users trust that their data is protected.
The announcement coincides with parliamentary debate on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which sets clearer expectations for companies supplying services to the government. The legislation is intended to strengthen cyber resilience across critical supply chains.
Ministers also highlighted new steps to address software supply chain risks, including a Software Security Ambassador Scheme promoting basic security practices. The government says stronger cyber resilience is essential to protect public services and maintain public trust.
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UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has urged Elon Musk’s X to act urgently after reports that its AI chatbot Grok was used to generate non-consensual sexualised deepfake images of women and girls.
The BBC identified multiple examples on X where users prompted Grok to digitally alter images, including requests to make people appear undressed or place them in sexualised scenarios without consent.
Kendall described the content as ‘absolutely appalling’ and said the government would not allow the spread of degrading images. She added that Ofcom had her full backing to take enforcement action where necessary.
The UK media regulator confirmed it had made urgent contact with xAI and was investigating concerns that Grok had produced undressed images of individuals. X has been approached for comment.
Kendall said the issue was about enforcing the law rather than limiting speech, noting that intimate image abuse, including AI-generated content, is now a priority offence under the Online Safety Act.
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In the UK, Reddit has quietly overtaken TikTok to become Britain’s fourth most-visited social media platform, marking a major shift in how people search for information and share opinions online.
Use of the platform among UK internet users has risen sharply over the past two years, driven strongly by younger audiences who are increasingly drawn to open discussion instead of polished influencer content.
Google’s algorithm changes have helped accelerate Reddit’s rise by prioritising forum-based conversations in search results. Partnership deals with major AI companies have reinforced visibility further, as AI tools increasingly cite Reddit threads.
Younger users in the UK appear to value unfiltered and experience-based conversations, creating strong growth across lifestyle, beauty, parenting and relationship communities, alongside major expansion in football-related discussion.
Women now make up more than half of Reddit’s UK audience, signalling a major demographic shift for a platform once associated mainly with male users. Government departments, including ministers, are also using Reddit for direct engagement through public Q&A sessions.
Tension remains part of the platform’s culture, yet company leaders argue that community moderation and voting systems help manage behaviour.
Reddit is now encouraging users to visit directly instead of arriving via search or AI summaries, positioning the platform as a human alternative to automated answers.
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Space Forge, a UK company, has successfully activated a compact factory in orbit, proving its onboard furnace can operate at temperatures of around 1,000C. The breakthrough represents a major advance for space-based manufacturing.
The microwave-sized satellite was launched earlier this year and is operated remotely from mission control in Cardiff. Engineers have been monitoring its systems to validate manufacturing processes in space conditions.
Microgravity and vacuum environments allow semiconductor atoms to align more precisely than on Earth. These conditions produce significantly purer materials for electronics used in networks, electric vehicles and aerospace systems.
The company plans to build a larger orbital factory capable of producing materials for thousands of chips. Future missions will also test a heat shield designed to return manufactured products safely to Earth.
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Apple has filed an appeal of a major UK antitrust ruling that could result in billions of dollars in compensation for App Store users. The move would escalate the case from the Competition Appeal Tribunal to the UK Court of Appeal.
The application follows an October ruling in which the tribunal found Apple had abused its dominant market position by charging excessive App Store fees. The decision set a £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) compensation figure, which Apple previously signalled it would challenge.
After the tribunal declined to grant permission to appeal, Apple sought to appeal to a higher court. The company has not commented publicly on the latest filing but continues to dispute the tribunal’s assessment of competition in the app economy.
Central to the case is the tribunal’s proposed developer commission rate of 15-20 per cent, lower than Apple’s longstanding 30 per cent fee. The rate was determined using what the court described as informed estimates.
If upheld, the compensation would be distributed among UK App Store users who made purchases between 2015 and 2024. The case is being closely watched as a test of antitrust enforcement against major digital platforms.
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In the UK, a historic Surrey manor made famous by the BBC sitcom Ghosts has been digitally mapped. Engineers completed a detailed 3D survey of West Horsley Place.
The year long project used laser scanners to capture millions of measurements. Researchers from University of Surrey documented every room and structural feature.
The digital model reveals hidden deterioration and supports long term conservation planning. Future phases may add sensors to track temperature, humidity, and structural movement.
British researchers say the work could enhance preservation and visitor engagement. Virtual tours and augmented storytelling may deepen understanding of the estate’s history.
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