Technology

Summary: A backlash has erupted in the UK over the ability of Elon Musk’s Grok AI to generate image edits that effectively “undress” people. After criticism, X limited the feature so that only paying users can use it. UK ministers called the move “insulting” to victims of misogyny and sexual violence. This isn’t a niche […]

Summary: Jeff Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin says it will launch more than 5,400 satellites to build a global communications network called TeraWave—positioned as a rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Unlike Starlink’s consumer-heavy pitch, Blue Origin is framing TeraWave around data centres, businesses, and governments, with headline throughput claims of up to 6 terabits per

In brief: The technology show CES is back for another year in Las Vegas in America. What’s being shown CES is packed with flashy prototypes, but the most interesting stuff is usually: new form factors (foldables, wearables, mixed reality) practical AI (features users will actually touch) smart-home upgrades (standards, sensors, energy monitoring) How to read

Summary: The BBC World Service podcast Tech Life looked back at 2025, highlighting a mix of optimistic and unsettling themes: ambitious science (including “de-extinction” projects), the spread of AI into unexpected places, and the small everyday technologies that genuinely improved people’s lives. A year-in-review sounds fluffy, but it’s useful because it reveals what actually stuck—what

Summary: Denmark’s Greensand Future project plans to inject large volumes of CO₂ into a depleted North Sea oilfield, turning old fossil infrastructure into a storage site for greenhouse gases. Supporters say carbon capture and storage (CCS) is necessary for “hard-to-abate” emissions. Critics warn it can be expensive, divert attention from cutting emissions directly, and create

Summary: Farms are becoming “tech dense”: fewer farms overall, but more technology per farm—sensors, precision spraying, satellite imagery, farm-management software, and AI-driven advice. Supporters say this boosts yields, reduces pesticide use, and helps farms survive climate volatility. Skeptics worry about cost, complexity, and whether the benefits accrue mainly to large operators. The reality is that

Summary: Smoke detectors save lives, but modern homes and modern hazards are changing what “a fire” looks like—especially with lithium-ion battery incidents that can escalate extremely quickly. The industry is responding with smarter, connected alarms and new sensing approaches (including camera-based AI detection), while also trying to reduce false alarms that cause people to disable

Summary: While tech giants continue to build enormous “AI factory” data centres, a counter-trend is gaining attention: smaller data centres closer to users (“edge” compute), on-device AI, and even reusing waste heat for buildings. The argument is not that hyperscale data centres vanish overnight, but that the default architecture of computing may shift from “everything

Summary: A small but growing number of companies are experimenting with co-CEO leadership structures—splitting the top job between two people. Supporters say it reduces hubris, shares the workload, and lets leaders specialise. Critics say it can create confusion, power struggles, and unclear accountability. This is not just a corporate curiosity. It reflects a world where

Summary: Excel is 40 years old and still everywhere—even as organisations talk about modern data platforms and AI. The reason isn’t that Excel is “best practice.” It’s that Excel is a universal interface: flexible, teachable, and fast for small analyses. The danger is when spreadsheets quietly become production systems—undocumented macros, fragile workflows, and critical decisions