Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

The Emergence of Recursive Superintelligence Richard Socher, known for founding You.com and his work on Imagenet, has joined the current generation of research-focused AI startups with Recursive Superintelligence, a San Francisco-based startup that came out of stealth with $650 million in funding. The Vision for Recursive Self-Improvement Socher, along with prominent AI researchers Peter Norvig and Tim Shi, aims to create a recursively self-improving AI model that can autonomously identify its own weaknesses and redesign itself to fix them without human involvement. The Unique Approach: Open-Endedness The startup's unique approach is to use open-endedness to achieve recursive self-improvement. This involves building a system that can automatically generate research ideas, implement, and validate them, potentially leading to a new kind of sense of self-awareness. The Technical Meaning of Open-Endedness Open-endedness refers to the ability of an AI system to create and interact with new concepts, worlds, and agents. Examples include Google DeepMind's Genie 3 and rainbow teaming, where two AIs co-evolve to improve safety. The Future of AI Research and Compute Socher believes that compute will become the only important resource in the future of AI research, and the question will be how much compute humanity wants to spend to solve which problems. The Path to Product Development While Recursive Superintelligence is focused on research, Socher expects the company to develop products that people will love to use, with a positive impact on humanity, in the near future, with timelines potentially being pulled up.

The FA's Search for a New England Manager In 2024, the Football Association tasked itself with finding Gareth Southgate's successor. To do this, they hired two external data companies to build a profile of what successful international managers looked like, then tailored it to mesh with England's player base. The Profiling Process The top 50 coaches in the world were matched against the criteria and a shortlist emerged. The FA's chief executive, Mark Bullingham, joked that the list could have been compiled in a pub in 10 minutes, but the data was valuable in seeing the relative strengths and weaknesses of each coach. The Super-Elite Category Three distinct categories emerged: coaches with high potential, 'elite' coaches achieving top results, and 'super-elite' coaches who had won big and managed top players. The FA focused on the 'super-elite' category, which included Thomas Tuchel. The Meeting with Tuchel The FA's approach to Tuchel was personal, patient, and discreet. John McDermott traveled to Munich for face-to-face discussions, where he was met with enthusiasm from Tuchel. A meeting was organized at a German airport, where the FA hired a private room and McDermott and Bullingham flew in on separate flights. Tuchel's Presentation Tuchel impressed the FA with a PowerPoint presentation on how to put a second star on the England shirt, which was well thought through and detailed. The presentation included plans for the next 18 months, how he would get the best out of players, and how he would maintain relationships.

OpenAI has engaged external counsel to assess a breach‑of‑contract claim against Apple over a lackluster ChatGPT integration that was expected to drive billions in new subscriptions. The move, reported by Bloomberg, comes as the AI firm navigates ongoing litigation with Elon Musk and growing tension with its biggest backer, Microsoft. OpenAI’s Frustration with Apple’s ChatGPT Integration The partnership, announced at Apple’s WWDC in June 2024, embedded ChatGPT into Siri and the iPhone’s Visual Intelligence feature, allowing users to snap photos and query the model. OpenAI executives say the feature was buried in the UI, hard to discover, and far below projected revenue, prompting the company to consider a formal breach notice. Financial Stakes and Missed Revenue Projections Industry watchers had anticipated the tie‑up could funnel billions of dollars in subscriptions to OpenAI and secure premium placement on one of the world’s most‑used mobile platforms. Instead, Bloomberg notes that actual earnings are “nowhere close” to expectations. By contrast, Apple’s recent AI partnership with Google commands roughly $1 billion a year, and the European Commission fined Apple €1.8 billion in March 2024 for App Store practices, underscoring the high financial stakes of platform deals. What Apple’s Partner Policies Mean for the Ecosystem The dispute adds to a long list of strained relationships Apple has had with partners—from Google Maps’ removal in 2012 to Adobe’s Flash ban in 2010 and Spotify’s App Store grievances that led to the EU fine. Apple’s control over its ecosystem means third‑party developers are effectively guests, and any perceived overreach—such as OpenAI’s hardware ambitions led by former Apple design chief Jony Ive—can trigger pushback. Possible Legal Paths and Future Scenarios OpenAI’s counsel may issue a breach‑of‑contract notice without filing a full lawsuit, likely waiting until the Musk trial concludes. If litigation proceeds, outcomes could include renegotiated revenue shares, mandated UI prominence for AI features, or broader industry pressure on Apple to adopt more partner‑friendly policies. Conversely, a settlement could preserve the integration while granting OpenAI clearer performance metrics.

Iran’s Appeal to BRICS Amid Escalating Middle East ConflictAbbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, used the two‑day BRICS+ foreign ministers’ gathering in New Delhi to call on all member states to explicitly condemn what he described as violations of international law by the United States and Israel. He framed Iran as a “victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering” and urged the bloc to resist “Western hegemony”.Diplomatic Push at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ MeetingThe meeting, hosted by India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, brought together the traditional BRICS five plus new members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Key moments included:Araghchi’s accusation that the UAE was “directly involved in the aggression against my country”.Iran’s recent retaliatory strikes on U.S. military assets in Gulf states, including the UAE.India’s condemnation of an attack on an Indian‑flagged vessel off Oman.While the UAE’s response remained unclear, a senior Iranian diplomat noted that “one member country” had pushed for language condemning Iran, complicating consensus.Energy Market Numbers Highlight Stakes for India and Global Oil FlowThe conflict has amplified volatility in oil and gas markets. Notable figures:India, the world’s third‑largest oil buyer, sources roughly 50% of its crude through the Strait of Hormuz.About 20% of global oil passes the Strait in peacetime, making any disruption a systemic risk.Shipping disruptions and attacks on commercial vessels have already prompted heightened insurance premiums and rerouting costs.These dynamics increase pressure on energy‑importing economies and could tighten global supply if the Strait’s openness is contested.Potential Fractures Within BRICS and Shifts in Global Power BalanceThe call for a joint condemnation tests the bloc’s consensus‑based decision‑making. Divergent interests are evident:Iran seeks a strong anti‑Western stance.The UAE, a U.S. ally, faces accusations of direct involvement in the conflict.India balances its energy security needs with its BRICS chairmanship responsibilities.If BRICS fails to issue a unified statement, it may signal a weakening of the grouping’s diplomatic clout, emboldening Western narratives and affecting future cooperation on security and economic initiatives.What the Next Weeks May Hold for BRICS Unity and Regional StabilityLooking ahead, several scenarios could unfold:A joint BRICS declaration condemning the United States and Israel, reinforcing the bloc’s anti‑hegemony posture.Continued deadlock, leading to a muted statement that underscores internal divisions.Escalation of maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting emergency coordination among BRICS naval forces.The outcome will influence not only the diplomatic landscape of the Middle East but also global energy markets and the strategic relevance of the expanded BRICS alliance.

The LeadSam Kerr will leave Chelsea this summer when her contract expires, ending her six-and-a-half-year spell with the English side. The Australia striker is Chelsea's leading goalscorer in the Women's Super League with 64 goals and has scored 115 times for the Londoners in all competitions.A Chelsea LegacyThe 32-year-old has made 177 appearances for Chelsea, making her the fourth-highest player on their all-time appearance list. She will go into Saturday's final league match of the season, at home to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, just one goal behind Fran Kirby's all-time Chelsea goals record in all competitions.Trophy CollectionDuring her time with Chelsea, Kerr has won five WSL titles, three FA Cups, and three League Cups. Her achievements include winning the WSL's Golden Boot twice and being named as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year twice in succession in 2022 and 2023. She was also the Ballon d'Or runner-up in 2023.Impact on Women's FootballWhen reflecting on her Chelsea career, Kerr stated: "When I reflect on my Chelsea career, I just feel happy. Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could." The club statement thanked Kerr for her "incredible contribution to our success on the pitch and sustained growth off it."What's Next for Kerr and ChelseaThe news comes as Chelsea are understood to be the favourites to secure the signature of the Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw, this season's WSL top scorer. The Guardian revealed earlier in May that Shaw has decided to leave City at the end of her contract this summer, with Chelsea reportedly offering the Jamaica striker a £1m-per-year contract.

The Final Plea for Reading as a RightFrank Cottrell-Boyce has urged policymakers to treat children's reading as a "right" rather than a parental duty, warning that Britain is failing to understand the emotional and social value of reading, as new research shows a sharp decline in daily shared reading at home.Speaking at the Royal Institution in his final laureate lecture, The Kids Are Not Alright, the children's laureate linked falling shared reading rates to poverty, housing insecurity and social media.The Laureate's Final Lecture and National Reading Initiative"Our children have been at the sharp end of two great crises: Covid, and just as damagingly, austerity," Cottrell-Boyce said in his lecture. "We can talk all we like about [the importance of] bedtime stories … but what does that mean to a child with no bed? Or no space for a bed?"He said that this "furniture poverty", alongside housing insecurity, means that children are unable to build stable routines around reading. "You're not going to Narnia because you haven't got a wardrobe," he said "Your clothes are stored in bin bags ready for the next move."The UK is celebrating the National Year of Reading, a government-led initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust to combat declining reading-for-pleasure rates. The campaign includes launching the first Children's Booker prize, with a judging panel chaired by Cottrell-Boyce. Three children aged 8-12 will be recruited to help adjudicate. The campaign also involves distributing 72,000 books to children in need, and fostering a "national mission" to make reading a daily habit.Declining Shared Reading StatisticsNew figures from BookTrust, released to coincide with the lecture, show that daily shared reading among families with children aged eight and under has fallen from 60% in 2021 to 49% in 2025. Yet the proportion of children who "like or love reading" has risen from 66% to 80% over the same period, suggesting that enthusiasm for books remains strong.Social and Economic Barriers to ReadingAlongside economic pressures, Cottrell-Boyce told the Guardian about the impact of screens and social media on children's attention. He said concerns about "addictive" tech platforms were now unavoidable, arguing that children's attention is being captured by systems designed to maximise engagement."These kids are working for big tech," he said. "We all are. But you're working for someone who doesn't love you, who is not going to pay you and doesn't care how many hours you work. It's a shocking situation we've got ourselves into."Referring to the growing legal and political scrutiny of technology companies, he added: "These platforms should bear total responsibility. I think these trials are a bit like the big tobacco moment."Reframing Reading's Value and Future OutlookHe added that we have failed to communicate what reading offers beyond literacy outcomes. "Reading has become so bound up with attainment and literacy, that we've failed to get across the emotional benefits, the fact that it is fun and should be done for pleasure," he said.Despite the scale of the challenges, Cottrell-Boyce said he remains optimistic about children's reading habits and the work already being done in communities. "Pessimism is a luxury that we can't afford," he said. "I do feel optimistic. I've met amazing people and seen amazing practice that costs next to nothing."Cottrell-Boyce has used his two-year tenure as children's laureate to promote his Reading Rights campaign, which argues that shared reading should be embedded in early years support, from health visitors to family hubs. The new children's laureate will be announced in July.

Dentist and lecturer Liz Crake has been added to England’s bench for the Six Nations grand‑slam decider against France after injuries forced multiple changes to the starting XV. Dentist‑turned‑prop Liz Crake Joins England’s Grand Slam Bench Crake, 31, earned her second cap this season and was called up after Kelsey Clifford suffered a leg injury against Italy and Hannah Botterman missed the tournament with an ankle problem. With John Mitchell having to make 20 player changes across the campaign due to pregnancy and injury, the squad’s depth is being tested. Contract Landscape and Player Statistics England currently hold 32 full‑time contracts for Red Roses players. Non‑contracted players receive camp allowances and a match‑day fee. Crake has 2 caps for England; she previously held a contract for the 2024‑25 season. Captain Meg Jones remains the tournament’s top try‑scorer with 7 tries. Other part‑time professionals include Christiana Balogun, a recruitment consultant who also featured off the bench. What Crake’s Inclusion Says About England’s Squad Depth The selection underscores the Red Roses’ reliance on part‑time professionals who balance full‑time careers with elite sport. Coach Mitchell’s willingness to rotate players like Crake and Balogun reflects a broader strategy to maintain performance levels despite a limited pool of full‑time talent. England’s Chances in the Grand Slam Decider With returning stars Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives Campion and Maddie Feaunati added to the lineup, Mitchell has reshaped the starting XV for the Bordeaux clash. The changes aim to preserve the momentum that has carried England to a potential eighth consecutive Six Nations title, but the loss of seasoned front‑row players could test the team’s cohesion against a strong French side.

The Prisoner Exchange Agreement Yemen's internationally recognised government and the Houthi group have signed a United Nations-backed agreement in Jordan to exchange more than 1,600 detainees, marking the largest prisoner exchange since the country's civil war began in September 2014. Details of the Agreement Under the accord, the Houthis will release 580 prisoners, including seven Saudis and 20 Sudanese, while the government will release 1,100 Houthi prisoners, Houthi official Abdulqader al-Mortada said in a post on social media on Thursday. The Houthis will release 580 prisoners. The government will release 1,100 Houthi prisoners. The Data Analysis Nearly 1,728 detainees from both sides will be released as part of what Yahya Kazman, the deputy head of the government negotiating team, called the “largest” agreement of its kind. The Impact Analysis The deal follows more than three months of negotiations held in the Jordanian capital Amman in line with an agreement reached by both parties in December after UN-facilitated consultations in the Omani capital Muscat. The two sides agreed to hold further talks on additional releases and allow mutual visits to detention facilities. They also agreed on an implementation plan with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to move forward with the release operation. The Prediction “The agreement includes the release of a number of coalition forces personnel, members of the armed forces and security services, fighters from various military formations and the popular resistance, as well as politicians and journalists who spent years in Houthi detention,” Kazman said on social media. The ICRC also said it “welcomed” the agreement between the two parties, saying in a statement that it “represents a crucial step forward”.

The Legal Battle Over Palestinian Abuse AllegationsThe Israeli government has announced it is taking the extraordinary step of suing The New York Times after the newspaper published an article detailing rape allegations by Palestinian detainees against Israeli forces. The Prime Minister's Office made the announcement three days after the release of the article by longtime New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, which was based on accounts from 14 male and female Palestinian victims.Israel's Response to the Controversial ArticleIsrael had previously condemned The New York Times report as "blood libel," but went further on Thursday, stating that Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar "have instructed the initiation of a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times." The government called the report "the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the State of Israel in the modern press, which also received the backing of the newspaper."Media Standards and Double StandardsThe New York Times has faced criticism for potentially applying different standards to allegations of sexual abuse by different parties. Critics have questioned why Kristof's article was published under the "opinion" section, while stories on alleged abuses against Israelis have been published as "news." This includes a December 28, 2023, report detailing allegations of sexual abuse during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on southern Israel, whose integrity has been heavily questioned.Evidence Supporting the Abuse ClaimsThe article cited multiple sources supporting the allegations of systematic sexual abuse. These included a UN report that found Israel's security apparatus had become a system under which sexual violence is "standard operating procedures" and "a major element in the ill treatment of Palestinians." A Committee to Protect Journalists report found nearly a third of Palestinian journalists detained by Israel had faced sexual violence. Specific accounts included that of Sami al-Sai, a Palestinian journalist who said he was sexually assaulted with a rubber baton and carrot while in Israeli detention.International Implications of the Legal ActionWhile a foreign government can technically sue a US media company, the prospect raises several legal questions, particularly over jurisdiction. If the suit is brought in a US court, it is likely to face a steep legal climb due to US media's broad constitutional protections, particularly when challenged by government authorities. The Israeli government's planned lawsuit represents an escalation in its efforts to counter negative international media coverage.Future Outlook for Media Coverage of the ConflictThe lawsuit signals a continued hardening of positions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides increasingly using legal and media channels to advance their narratives. Netanyahu has stated he wants the lawsuit to send a message beyond its legal scope, saying "Under my leadership, Israel will not be silent. We will fight these lies in the court of public opinion and in the court of law." This approach may lead to further polarization in media coverage and potentially impact press freedom in reporting on the conflict.