Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

A landmark jury verdict has found Meta and YouTube liable for deliberately designing addictive products that harmed a young user, KGM. The jury ruled that the tech companies were both negligent and failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential dangers of their products.The plaintiff, KGM, testified that she became addicted to YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, which she claimed had deleterious effects on her wellbeing. By age 10, she said she had become depressed and was engaging in self-harm as a result. Her social media use allegedly caused her to have strained relationships with her family and in school.The jury awarded KGM $6m in damages, with Meta to pay 70% and YouTube the remainder. This lawsuit, over social media's alleged harm to young people, was the first of its kind to go to trial.KGM's lawyers argued that the companies' features, such as infinite scrolling and video autoplay, were designed to keep people on the apps and made the products addictive. The plaintiffs' arguments mirrored those brought against big tobacco in the 1990s, focusing on the addictive qualities of social media and the companies' public denial despite knowledge of their products' harms.Meta and YouTube have consistently denied wrongdoing and plan to appeal the verdict. A YouTube spokesperson said the video service was a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site. Meta said KGM's mental health issues were brought on by a difficult home life and social media use was not to blame.This trial is the first in a consolidated group of cases brought in California against Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snap on behalf of more than 1,600 plaintiffs. The next bellwether case is scheduled to go to trial in July.

Amazon Prime's latest action thriller, Pretty Lethal, brings a unique twist to the genre by featuring a group of young ballet dancers who use their skills to take down bad guys in Eastern Europe. The film, directed by Vicky Jewson, offers a fresh take on the action genre with its blend of ballet and combat. The story follows a group of American dancers, including Lana Condor, Maddie Ziegler, and Millicent Simmonds, who are on their way to a competition in Budapest when their bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere. They soon find themselves facing off against a group of ruthless henchmen, led by Uma Thurman's character, Devora. With a runtime of less than 90 minutes, Jewson keeps the action fast-paced and thrilling, making use of the dancers' skills to create a unique and entertaining fight choreography. While the script may feel a bit basic at times, the film's energy and tenacity make up for it. Pretty Lethal is not trying to be a high-brow film, but it does offer a refreshing change of pace from the usual nihilistic and smug action films. The young actors, including Condor, Ziegler, and Simmonds, deliver convincing performances as they learn to fight on the job. Uma Thurman, as the villain Devora, brings a level of hammy humor to the film, but her performance feels somewhat underutilized. Overall, Pretty Lethal is a fun and entertaining action thriller that is worth checking out.

Italy and Northern Ireland are set to clash in a pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifier, with both teams eager to reassert their presence on the global football stage. For Italy, it's about regaining their footing after consecutive World Cup failures in 2018 and 2022, while Northern Ireland aims to return to the tournament for the first time in four decades.Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's coach, emphasized the significance of the match, stating, 'This is the most important game of my coaching career so far.' Italy's players, including Mateo Retegui, are equally determined, with Retegui asserting, 'Now is the time to show everyone exactly who we are.'Northern Ireland's manager, Michael O'Neill, faces challenges with a depleted squad, particularly the absence of Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard. Despite these setbacks, O'Neill remains optimistic, highlighting the team's youthful energy and lack of fear.The match, set to take place at Atalanta's Bergamo Stadium, promises to be intense. Gattuso noted Northern Ireland's direct playing style, saying, 'They typically 'toss the ball into the box' and thrive on latching on to second balls.' A win for Italy would likely seal their spot in the World Cup, while a loss could spell the end of O'Neill's tenure as Northern Ireland's manager.As both teams prepare for the crucial encounter, the pressure is palpable. Italy's four-time World Cup wins and football-crazed nation add to the weight of expectation. Will Italy overcome their recent struggles and secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, or will Northern Ireland pull off a surprise?

Wales coach Craig Bellamy has urged his team to stay calm and focused ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt's approach to high-pressure situations, Bellamy emphasized the need for his players to remain relaxed and composed under pressure.Bellamy, who has been in charge of Wales for nearly two years, believes that his team has the ability to perform at their best when they are calm and focused. He cited their seventh-ranked possession statistics in European countries since he took over, highlighting their ability to control games. The team has also shown resilience, with Ethan Ampadu deputizing for injured captain Ben Davies.The prize for success in the playoff is a spot at successive World Cups, which would not only bring prestige but also a significant financial boost and a positive impact on grassroots football in Wales. Bellamy is aware of the challenges posed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, having researched their background, culture, and squad composition. He noted that 11 of their 35-man squad were born in Bosnia, while the others come from the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.Bellamy expressed his confidence in his team's abilities, stating that “there won't be any regrets” regardless of the outcome. He emphasized that his team will give their all and that he is prepared for all possible outcomes. The coach also highlighted the importance of enjoying the experience and not letting pressure get to them, saying, “If you can't enjoy this and you only feel pressure, you ain't made for elite sport.”Wales' last experience in a playoff ended in pain, with Wojciech Szczesny being Poland's hero. However, Bellamy is determined to build a team capable of competing for top spot in qualifying and avoiding the need for playoffs in the future.

Martin Dohrn, a veteran wildlife photographer, has created a joyous film that explores the fascinating world of bees in his urban Bristol garden. The documentary, 'My Garden of a Thousand Bees', features over 60 species of bees and showcases their unique characteristics and behaviors.Dohrn's enthusiasm for bees is palpable as he shares his experiences with the audience. He notes that bees live in a 'completely different dimension' and that his approach to filmmaking is 'time-stretching', resulting in breathtaking detail and a soundtrack that immerses the viewer in the world of bees.The film features a range of bee species, including the wool carder bee, the ashy mining bee, and the red-tailed mason bee. Each species is showcased in its natural habitat, highlighting their unique characteristics and behaviors. Dohrn's interactions with the bees are both fascinating and heartwarming, particularly his bond with a leafcutter bee named Nicky.The film's themes of companionship and appreciation for nature are woven throughout the narrative, making it a delightful and educational watch. Dohrn's passion for bees is infectious, and the film encourages viewers to appreciate the importance of these vital pollinators.The documentary also touches on the decline of bee populations worldwide, with Dohrn noting that 'all over the world, bees are declining'. However, the film's focus is on the beauty and wonder of bees, rather than the doom and gloom of their decline.The film's message is clear: let's appreciate and protect these incredible creatures. As Dohrn says, 'It's changed my view of bees. It's changed my view of the world.''My Garden of a Thousand Bees' is available to watch on BBC Four and iPlayer.

The UK government is set to trial social media curbs for teenagers in a major study aimed at understanding the impact of reduced social media use on young people's lives. Hundreds of UK teenagers will participate in the six-week pilot, which will test different restrictions on social media use, including bans, digital curfews, and time limits on popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.The trial, led by the UK government, will involve 300 teens across all four nations of the UK, with some participants having their social apps disabled, while others will have access blocked overnight or capped to one hour's use. The goal is to gather evidence on how different restrictions affect young people's day-to-day lives.Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the importance of testing different options in the real world, stating that the pilots will provide the evidence needed to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves.The pilot is part of a broader effort to address concerns about the mental health risks associated with unfettered internet access. Nearly 30,000 parents and children have responded to the government's digital wellbeing consultation, which closes on May 26. An independent study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, will also examine the impact of reducing social media use among adolescents.The study, involving about 4,000 students between the ages of 12 and 15 from 10 Bradford secondary schools, will investigate changes in anxiety and sleep quality, time spent with friends and family, wellbeing, body image, social comparison, school absences, and bullying.The UK government faces pressure to follow Australia's move to ban access to social media sites for under-16s, with France, Spain, and Indonesia also considering similar bans. The European parliament has passed a resolution on age restrictions, although it is not legally binding.Critics argue that the pilot is a half-measure that puts pressure on parents rather than holding big tech accountable for the harm caused by social media. Bereaved parents have written to parliamentarians, urging them to support a ban and expressing concern about the consultation process.

Apple has introduced a new requirement for UK iPhone users, mandating them to confirm they are 18 or older to use certain services. This move, believed to be a first for a European market, comes as part of a broader effort to protect children online. The age verification process can be completed by uploading a credit card or scanning an ID, such as a driving license or national ID. Ofcom, the online regulator, has welcomed the change, calling it “a real win for children and families” and part of a wider drive to “keep young people away from harmful content”. The update is part of a software update and aims to restrict access to certain services and features for users under 18. However, some users have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of uploading personal information for age verification. Apple has assured users that if they already have an account, they can confirm their age with a payment method on file or other eligible methods. The company was unable to immediately specify which services, features, or actions would be inaccessible without age confirmation. This development follows the introduction of age verification gates on many web services, including pornography websites, to comply with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom noted that Apple’s decision makes the UK one of the first countries to receive new child safety protections on devices. The watchdog plans to report on the use of app stores by children and evaluate the effectiveness of age assurance by app store providers.

Classical music has long struggled to find relevance and impact in modern times, but a surprising solution may have been found in the form of a blue heeler puppy. Bluey, the Australian cartoon for children of all ages, has become a global phenomenon with over 45 billion minutes watched in the US alone and over 1 billion streams of its albums and soundtracks. The show's music, composed by Joff Bush, is a key factor in its success. Bush's soundtrack is remarkably diverse, incorporating a wide range of genres, including classical music. He seamlessly weaves in classical pieces from renowned composers like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Holst, making them an integral part of the show's narrative. One notable example is the use of Mozart's Rondo alla Turca in the show's first episode, Magic Xylophone. This introduction to classical music is not done in a forced or condescending way; instead, Bush uses these pieces to enhance the emotional impact of each scene. For instance, Holst's Jupiter from The Planets is used in the Sleepytime episode to create a cosmic journey for Bingo. The new Bluey album, Up Here, continues this trend, featuring a three-and-a-half-minute orchestral tone-poem on the Bluey theme tune. This piece serves as a Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra for 2026, introducing listeners to various musical sections and instruments. The album also includes quotes and transformations of famous classical pieces, such as Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Vivaldi's Spring from The Four Seasons. Bush's approach to incorporating classical music into Bluey is refreshing and effective. Unlike previous cartoons that used classical music to parody or mock its elitist pretensions, Bluey presents these pieces in a joyful and organic way. This approach has the potential to introduce classical music to billions of listeners worldwide, making it a significant development in the classical music landscape.

The Iranian people's determination for freedom and democracy remains unshaken, even in the face of extreme hardship and oppression. Thousands have died and many more are suffering under the current regime, which continues to patrol streets with guns, beating and arresting citizens. In recent times, the situation has worsened with the outbreak of the US-Israeli war, which has restricted internet access, led to the appearance of checkpoints, and filled Tehran's prisons to capacity. Despite these challenges, the Iranian people's fight for freedom persists. Azar Nafisi, an Iranian-American writer, reflects on her experiences and the resilience of the Iranian people. She recalls the 1979 revolution and the mandatory veil imposed by Ayatollah Khomeini, which led to thousands of women protesting in the streets, chanting 'Freedom is neither eastern nor western. Freedom is universal.' Nafisi emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage in preserving Iranian identity and humanity. Truck drivers across Iran display bumper stickers with poems by Hafez, Saadi, or Ferdowsi, demonstrating the enduring power of literature and art. The writer also remembers her former students in Tehran, particularly Razieh, a young Muslim girl who was imprisoned and executed for her love of literature and independence. Razieh's story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom. Nafisi concludes that even in the midst of war and oppression, there can be hope. The Iranian people's struggle for freedom is a universal fight that can benefit people worldwide, from the UK to Sudan. The preservation of freedom and democracy requires constant vigilance and a willingness to challenge oppression.