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Revolutionizing Food and Grocery Ordering with AI DoorDash has announced the launch of a new AI chatbot called 'Ask DoorDash,' which allows users to order food and groceries using text prompts and photos. This latest AI push aims to make the ordering process more conversational and personalized. The Capabilities of Ask DoorDash The chatbot enables users to search the app for what they're looking for in their own words, eliminating the need to scroll through restaurants and stores to build a cart. Users can tell the chatbot what they're in the mood for, share a recipe link to find the items, or describe the reservation they're looking for. Personalized Grocery Shopping DoorDash's app can build a grocery cart based on a photo from a cookbook, a picture of a grocery list, or a recipe. The app will then add all the items and their correct quantities to the cart, prompting users to check if they already have staples like sugar and butter. Streamlining Food Ordering For food ordering, users can tell the chatbot that they want a 'filling dinner for a family of 4.' The app will then surface restaurants alongside a personalized blurb explaining why it matches the search. Users can narrow the results further with queries like 'Show me kid-friendly vegetarian spots with mild options.' Reservation and Rollout Details The chatbot is rolling out on iOS in select regions for restaurant search and grocery shopping, and within DoorDash Reservations. It will reach more users across the U.S. in the coming weeks. With Ask DoorDash for Reservations, users can ask the chatbot to find a 'table for two downtown for a date-night dinner around 8 PM.'

The Rise of AI Training in India With a smartphone strapped to her head, Indian housewife Nagireddy Sriramyachandra films herself slicing mangoes to train artificial intelligence-powered robots to take on household tasks in the future. Earning 250 rupees ($2.6) for one hour of video, her mundane recordings are invaluable for global tech companies teaching machines how to move like humans in the real world. The Growing Army of AI Trainers The 25-year-old is one of a growing army of thousands of AI system trainers in the world’s most populous country. “Who else will give you 250 rupees an hour just for doing housework?” asked Sriramyachandra from her kitchen in Chennai, the capital city of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. “I may get a robot myself in the future,” she added. The Importance of Egocentric Data AI chatbots and image generators crunch vast amounts of digital data, but building systems to navigate real-life environments is more challenging. Developers believe that feeding first-person footage, known as egocentric data, into specialised AI models will help robots copy human behaviour. Some AI trainers work at home, others in factories or specialised studios – using video glasses, head-mounted cameras and motion sensors. “It blares ‘hands not detected’ when I’m not recording properly,” said Sriramyachandra, who sends recordings via a special app to an AI data company, which has offices in India and the United States and lists Fortune 500 multinationals among its clients. The Booming Humanoid Robot Market The humanoid robot market is booming, and as per projections, more than one billion will be in use by 2050, mostly for industrial and commercial purposes. India has positioned itself as a global middleman for the creation, processing and annotation of AI data. “It’s likely that these data collection services will increase,” said digital labour expert Aditi Surie, from the Indian Institute for Human Settlements in Bengaluru, the southern city known as India’s Silicon Valley. The Impact on Informal Workers Alongside the technology’s much-hyped benefits, automation also poses risks. Government think tank NITI Aayog said most discussions around AI and labour “focus on white-collar professionals and predict an almost certain loss of jobs in the segment” without urgent action. “Little attention, if any, is paid to how AI can serve India’s 490 million informal workers, the very people who form the backbone of our economy,” it said in a report released in the run-up to a global AI summit in India this year. The Future of Work For the last decade, 55-year-old Ponni has sat by the roadside in Bengaluru, making flower garlands. She, too, has been paid to have a phone strapped to her forehead. “The next generation … who might have to do work similar to mine, they will face a problem,” Ponni said.

The Lead: Canada's Digital Protection InitiativeThe Canadian government has introduced a groundbreaking digital safety bill that would prohibit social media access for children under 16, while allowing platforms that meet specific safety requirements to operate. This comprehensive legislation also addresses emerging challenges in artificial intelligence by establishing a digital regulator to set safety standards for AI chatbots and other digital services.The Legislative Framework: Bill C-34The proposed legislation, known as Bill C-34, represents a significant shift in Canada's approach to digital safety. The bill mandates that social media services and AI platforms must identify potential risks of harm on their platforms, implement measures to address these risks, and adopt safety-focused design features appropriate for different age groups.Government officials highlighted that online harms are not just the result of individual behavior but are significantly influenced by how digital services are designed and operated. Features such as algorithmic recommendation systems, engagement-based feeds, autoplay, and endless scrolling can amplify harmful content and increase exposure, particularly for young users.Global Regulatory Trends: Following Australia's LeadCanada's legislative move follows Australia's implementation of the world's first social media ban for children under 16 in December 2025. Since Australia's law took effect, social media companies have deactivated nearly 5 million teenager accounts.Canada is not alone in this regulatory approach. Several European countries, including France, Denmark, and Poland, are also considering tightening rules around social media use for children. Greece has already announced plans to ban social media access for those under 15 starting January 2027.Implementation Timeline: A Gradual RolloutAccording to Canadian government officials in a technical briefing, the bill could take approximately one year to pass through Parliament. Following its passage, it would take an additional 18 months to establish and operationalize the digital regulator responsible for enforcing the new safety standards.The timing of this legislation is particularly notable as Prime Minister Mark Carney holds a slim majority in Parliament, which is scheduled to break for summer recess soon. This political context may influence the bill's progress and potential amendments.Digital Safety Requirements: Platform AccountabilityThe bill imposes several specific requirements on digital platforms operating in Canada. Companies must:Identify risks of harm on their platformsImplement measures to address specific risksAdopt safety-focused and age-appropriate design featuresMake user guidelines publicly availableProvide user tools such as blocking and flagging capabilitiesSubmit publicly disclosed digital safety plansAdditionally, platforms would be required to remove content that "sexually victimizes a child" or includes non-consensual sharing of intimate images within 24 hours of being flagged. This rapid response requirement addresses concerns about the proliferation of harmful content.Future Implications: A New Digital LandscapeThe introduction of Bill C-34 signals a growing global recognition of the need to protect children from online harms while acknowledging the benefits of digital connectivity. The legislation reflects a shift from voluntary industry self-regulation to mandatory government oversight in the digital space.As digital platforms adapt to these new requirements, we may see significant changes in how social media and AI services are designed, particularly for younger users. The establishment of a dedicated digital regulator also positions Canada at the forefront of digital governance, potentially influencing regulatory approaches in other countries.

The Lead Former xAI engineer Devin Kim has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's AI company and its parent SpaceX, alleging he was terminated for raising concerns about safety issues with Grok, xAI's AI chatbot. The lawsuit, filed in a California state court on Tuesday, comes days before SpaceX's planned IPO, which is expected to be the largest in history. Whistleblower Allegations Against xAI According to the lawsuit, which was viewed by TechCrunch, Kim became a prominent advocate for AI safety while working on Grok. He repeatedly expressed concerns about xAI's failure to prioritize safety in the chatbot's development, particularly regarding the potential for discrimination and the spread of information about weapons of mass destruction. "Grok, of course, proved Mr. Kim right by engaging in spectacular displays of online hatred and vitriol, with the model likening itself to Hitler ('MechaHitler')," the lawsuit states. Following this incident, Kim worked to re-evaluate Grok's political bias and discriminatory tendencies. Kim's concerns were validated when Grok later made headlines for being used to flood X (Musk's social media platform) with nonconsensual sexual imagery. Background in AI Safety Kim's focus on AI safety predates his time at xAI. While working at Scale AI, he led projects that produced training data for AI systems to detect harmful content and comply with governance policies. Last week, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety named Kim as its president, further establishing his credentials in the field of AI safety. Management Response to Safety Concerns Interestingly, the lawsuit does not directly implicate Elon Musk as responsible for the lack of safety measures. Instead, Kim's lawyers describe Musk as having directed xAI to follow the law and implement appropriate safety protocols. The claim targets Kim's supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba, who allegedly ignored Musk's directives and retaliated against Kim for pushing for safeguards. The lawsuit portrays Ba as vehemently opposed to AI safety measures, allegedly telling Kim "AI will kill us all anyway" and prioritizing speed over safety. "In one instance in or around August 2025, Mr. Ba attempted to thwart EU safety regulations during the release of Grok Code 1, misrepresenting aspects of the model in order to avoid legally required testing," the complaint states. "Mr. Ba indicated that he would rather release an unsafe model than a poor-performing one." Termination and Legal Action According to the lawsuit, Kim had planned to present his findings the week of September 15, 2025, but Ba called him into a meeting and told him they should "go [their] separate ways" without providing a satisfactory reason. Kim was terminated in September 2025. The lawsuit also positions Kim as a whistleblower who was concerned about xAI's alleged disregard for AI safety as potentially unlawful in areas such as internet regulation, consumer protection, and arms and explosives regulation. Kim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory judgment that xAI and SpaceX's conduct was unlawful. Implications for AI Industry This case highlights growing tensions between AI development speed and safety considerations in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape. As companies race to develop more advanced AI systems, the balance between innovation and safety continues to be a critical issue. The outcome of this lawsuit could set important precedents for how AI companies handle internal safety concerns and whistleblower protections in the tech industry.

The latest flagship from Samsung tries to turn privacy into a selling point, embedding a privacy‑mode display into its massive 6.9‑inch screen while layering generative AI across the user experience.The Ultra’s New Privacy Display Aims to Stop Shoulder SurfingSamsung’s first‑of‑its‑kind privacy screen reduces side‑viewing angles, making text and images unreadable unless viewed straight on. Users can toggle the feature in quick settings, choose between two intensity levels, or apply it selectively to banking apps, lock‑screen entry, or notification panels.Pricing, Specs and the Cost of Cutting‑Edge FeaturesPrice: £1,279 (€1,449 / $1,299 / A$2,199)Display: 6.9‑in QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 500 ppi, 120 HzProcessor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyRAM: 12 GB or 16 GBStorage: 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TBCamera: 200 MP main + 50 MP 0.6× + 10 MP 3× + 50 MP 5×; 12 MP frontBattery: 5,000 mAh with fast charging, wireless charging and reverse‑wirelessSoftware: One UI 8.5 (Android 16) with built‑in generative AISupport: Software updates through 28 February 2033How the Privacy Screen Shifts Smartphone Security LandscapeBy integrating privacy at the panel level, Samsung moves beyond software overlays and third‑party screen films. This hardware approach mirrors business‑laptop privacy modes, potentially setting a new benchmark for consumer devices where visual eavesdropping is a concern.While the feature does not stop a person directly behind you, it blocks side‑viewers, addressing a common vulnerability for mobile banking, password entry, and confidential messaging.Future Outlook: AI Integration and Long‑Term SupportThe S26 Ultra bundles three AI chatbots—Google’s Gemini, Samsung’s revamped Bixby, and Perplexity—plus a “Now Nudge” suggestion bar that mimics Google’s Magic Cue. Although the AI tools are functional, reviewers note they lag behind Pixel’s implementations.With nine years of OS updates, the device could remain secure and feature‑rich well into the 2030s, encouraging competitors to extend their support windows and possibly accelerating the adoption of privacy‑first hardware designs.

The Lead Author Olivia Laing has spoken about the weaponisation of loneliness by far-right groups and the impact of social media on mental health. Laing's book, 'The Lonely City', explores her experience of loneliness and its consequences. The Event Details Laing first had the idea of writing about loneliness in 2012 after experiencing isolation and misery in New York City. She realised that loneliness was not just a personal issue but also a social problem that affects many people. The book discusses how loneliness can be a consequence of larger social forces such as stigma and exclusion. The Data Analysis According to the 2024 Health Survey for England, 22% of the adult population felt lonely at least some of the time, with 6% – around 4 million people – feeling lonely often or always. The 2025 World Health Organization report on social connection found that one in six people around the globe are lonely. The Impact Analysis Laing argues that loneliness is often contingent on circumstances such as new motherhood, house moves, loss or bereavement. She also notes that the internet and social media have played a significant role in the rise of loneliness, facilitating the spread of hatred and division. Far-right groups prey on loneliness, using feelings of isolation and disregard as a recruitment tool. The Prediction Laing believes that the solution to loneliness lies not in romantic partners or AI chatbots but in community assets such as transport, green space, social centres, and activities. She argues that by focusing on loneliness as an underlying wound, we can sidestep the relentless polarisation of issue-based positions and resist the growing wave of violence and mistrust.

The AI Giant's IPO Filing Artificial intelligence (AI) giant Anthropic has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States, teeing up what could become a watershed moment for Wall Street’s AI frenzy. Investor Appetite for AI The move, announced on Monday, sets up a high-stakes test of whether investor appetite for the AI revolution that has reshaped white-collar work around the world can match the sky-high expectations surrounding the booming sector. IPO Details and Valuation Anthropic, which operates AI chatbot Claude, did not disclose the size or the terms of the offering. Confidential submissions let companies advance IPO preparations while shielding sensitive financial details from rivals and the public. Anthropic last raised $65bn in late May and was valued at $965bn, putting it ahead of rival OpenAI. The company said at the time that it was making annualised revenue of $47bn from selling its technology to people and organisations using Claude to write code and do other work and personal tasks on their behalf. The Impact on the Market The crucial step towards a listing comes on the heels of SpaceX’s mega-IPO, which is on course to rewrite the record books as the Elon Musk-led company pursues a $75bn offering at a $1.75 trillion valuation. Anthropic was formed in 2021 by ex-OpenAI leaders, and now both AI firms, along with Elon Musk’s rocket and AI company SpaceX, are expected to become publicly traded. All three are also still losing more money than they make, fuelling concerns of an AI bubble. The Future Outlook “One of the biggest significances is how quickly Anthropic has overtaken OpenAI in a matter of 12 to 14 months,” Scott Stevens, founder and CEO of Gray Peak Financial, a New York-based investment firm, told Al Jazeera. “OpenAI was the poster child for growth, innovation, and leadership in the industry, and now you’ve seen Anthropic, for the first time, raise capital at a higher valuation than OpenAI, and their growth rate is much, much higher. “OpenAI and Anthropic are in a race to go public before capital runs out,” said analyst Gil Luria from the investment firm DA Davidson.

The British government will announce an under‑16 social‑media ban next week, reaffirming its commitment to protect young people despite a formal objection from the US embassy in London.Government's Resolve to Enforce Under‑16 Social Media RestrictionsLiz Kendall, the UK technology secretary, told the Guardian she is "not concerned in the slightest" by the Trump administration’s intervention. She said the priority is "British young people" and that the upcoming announcement will include limits on stranger‑chat on gaming platforms and possible restrictions on AI chatbot use.Poll Numbers Reveal Strong Public BackingThree‑quarters of respondents to a government poll support an under‑16 ban.Nine out of ten parents surveyed back the ban.Transatlantic Tension Over Online Safety RegulationsThe US embassy’s notice warned that age‑gating for 13‑ to 16‑year‑olds "would not work" and cautioned against "one‑size‑fits‑all" restrictions that could impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies. The notice also suggested the UK give parents "robust tools" rather than impose outright bans. The Online Safety Act (OSA) has already attracted criticism in the US, with senior Republican figures labeling it an "online censorship law".What the Next Week May Bring for UK Tech FirmsMeta has already launched a legal challenge against Ofcom over the OSA’s fines regime, and the UK’s swift rollout of the ban could prompt further judicial reviews. If the ban proceeds, platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat will face immediate access restrictions for users under 16, mirroring Australia’s recent blanket ban.

The Proposed Social Media Ban A rushed under-16s social media ban in the UK could unravel and families would be left to count the cost, a leading child safety charity has warned. The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) said an age limit on the use of tech platforms could unravel, after it was reported that the prime minister, Keir Starmer, would announce a ban on under-16s accessing “harmful” social media apps. The Concerns Over Effective Implementation MRF, founded by the family of Molly Russell, a British teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful online content on Instagram and Pinterest, said a ban would fail to make children safer because they would circumvent age checks and could move to less regulated areas such as gaming. Andy Burrows, the MRF chief executive, said a “rushed” ban would “quickly unravel” and was not supported by the evidence. The Data Analysis The government is planning to announce a ban before the Makerfield byelection on 18 June. A consultation on children’s online safety, including whether there should be a ban for under-16s, closed only last week. The Impact Analysis The UK government is also consulting on other safety matters including whether there should be age restrictions on a range of app features, such as infinite scrolling, and limitations on the use of AI chatbots. Beeban Kidron, the crossbench peer and a leading online safety advocate, said the reported government proposal was a “non-ban ban”. Lady Kidron accused ministers of soft-pedalling safety measures. The Prediction The government has pledged to move fast on implementing the safety consultation’s findings. “We’ve been clear we are determined to act quickly, but we will do so in a way that is effective, enforceable and genuinely keeps children safe,” said a government spokesperson.