93 m. ago What kind of chatbot do you want? One that tells you the truth – or that you’re always right? | Chris Stokel

ChatGPT’s embarrassing rollback of a user update was a warning about the dangers of humans placing emotional trust in AINobody likes a suck-up. Too much deference and praise puts off all of us (with one notable presidential exception). We quickly learn as children that hard, honest truths can build respect among our peers. It’s a cornerstone of human interaction and of our emotional intelligence, something we swiftly understand and put into action.ChatGPT, though, hasn’t been so sure lately. The updated model that underpins the AI chatbot and helps inform its answers was rolled out this week – and has quickly been rolled back after users questioned why the interactions were so obsequious. The chatbot was cheering on and validating people even as they suggested they expressed hatred for others. “Seriously, good for you for standing up for yourself and taking control of your own life,” it reportedly said, in response to one user who claimed they had stopped taking their medication and...

Politics

2 h. ago Ukraine’s PM hails ‘good and equal’ minerals deal with US – Europe live

Ukraine to retain ‘full control over resources and infrastructure’ under agreement, says Denys Shmyhal Full report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaUkraine and the US signed a long-awaited minerals deal last night, signaling a major step forward in bilateral relations. But the full text of the agreement, including key details on the contentious small print issues that dragged out negotiations, has yet to be made public.Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal suggested yesterday that the process of ratifying the agreement could start today, with party consultations. Expect more details to emerge. Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago Erin Patterson trial: Estranged husband tells court he was ‘too uncomfortable’ to attend fatal mushroom lunch

Text messages between Simon and Erin Patterson read out in court suggests the accused found his decision not to attend ‘really disappointing’

Events

5 h. ago Ninety percent of people who reach 110 have one simple thing in common

Emerging research suggests the group has a far greater chance of living to 100 and even becoming 'supercentenarians' - but what's the reason behind this?

Politics

5 h. ago The BBC is utterly beholden to the right. Why else would it fear a podcast about heat pumps? | George Monbiot

The broadcaster behaves like Starmer’s government: suppress the left, cave to your critics, and undermine your own survivalIt’s no longer even pretending. Last week, the BBC, already the UK’s most prolific censor, instructed the presenter Evan Davis to drop the podcast he hosted in his own time about heat pumps. It was a gentle, wry look at the machines, with no obvious political content. But the BBC, Davis says, saw it as “steering into areas of public controversy”. It should cease forthwith.So are BBC presenters banned from saying anything controversial? Far from it. Take an article published earlier this year by Justin Webb in the Times. It praised the “political genius” of Donald Trump, suggested that Democrats are now seen as the extremists, and claimed that Trump is widely regarded as “making [America] normal again”. The BBC was fine with that, and complaints about it were rejected. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Author Barbara Pym may have worked for MI5, research suggests

New work says novelist, who was a censor during second world war, may been employed to look for coded messagesIt is an irony that she herself would have revelled in: Barbara Pym, the author who punctured the social strictures of 20th-century Britain, worked as a censor during the second world war.But research suggests that rather than just poring over the private letters that must have helped hone her talent, she may have also been working for MI5. Continue reading...

Culture

8 h. ago Many people ‘stuck in financial habits’ as experts suggest ways to boost budgets

Some people worry they may make a wrong decision, or feel overwhelmed by choice, according to research for new savings app Spring.

Economics

11 h. ago Blow for Keir Starmer as Reform set to sweep to victory in two major mayoral contests

Polling yesterday suggested Nigel Farage's party is on course to have two mayors, in Lincolnshire and Hull, with Labour pushed into third place in both.

Politics

11 h. ago Schools should deliver more ‘relationship violence prevention lessons’ – charity

One in eight secondary school teachers report that a pupil committed sexual assault against another child in the past term, poll suggests.

Events

11 h. ago ‘A phenomenon’: Inzaghi hails Lamine Yamal after his star turn against Inter

Inter coach says such a talent only ‘born every 50 years’Hansi Flick calls 17-year-old ‘a genius’ after 100th outingThe Inter head coach, Simone Inzaghi, called Lamine Yamal a phenomenon that only comes along every 50 years after the teenager led Barcelona’s comeback against his team at Montjuïc.Inter led the Champions League semi-final first leg 2-0 after only 21 minutes but, on his 100th professional appearance for the club, the 17-year-old scored an outrageous goal to get Barcelona back in the game and produced a performance that suggests it is not that he will become the best player in the world – he already might be. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Lack of access to antibiotics is driving spread of superbugs, finds research

Focus on overuse contributes to antibiotics reaching less than 7% of people with drug-resistant infections in poorer countries, say researchersLess than 7% of people with severe drug-resistant infections in poorer countries get the antibiotics they need, a new study suggests, with researchers warning that not only is this causing suffering and deaths, but is also likely to be driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR).With AMR forecast to cause 1.9m deaths a year by 2050, they are calling for urgent action, akin to the fight earlier this century to get HIV drugs to Africa’s virus hotspots. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Lamine Yamal dazzles as Barcelona and Inter trade stunning goals in 3

Lamine Yamal had said that he left fear behind in the park in Mataró when he was little and there was certainly no sign of it on an astonishing night up on Montjuïc. Barcelona were a goal down inside the first minute of their first Champions League semi-final in seven years, reminded of the ghosts of their recent past and needing more goals than Inter had conceded in the entire league phase, then they found themselves trailing again on the hour, but the 17-year-old would not back down and nor would his teammates.Instead, there he was gesturing for this Olympic stadium to get on its feet and find its voice and producing a performance that meant they could hardly do anything else. One that suggested it is not that he might become the best player around, but that he already might be, the most outstanding of many outstanding men on a wild and wonderful occasion in which Barcelona twice came from behind to equalise, going from 2-0 to 2-2 and 3-2 to 3-3, but couldn’t quite turn it around ...

Politics

16 h. ago ChatGPT cancels latest update after it became ‘dangerously sycophantic’

Update encouraged users when they suggested potentially harmful behaviour

Politics

17 h. ago BBC harnesses AI to create writing classes given by Agatha Christie

Videos will share the author’s tips on everything from story structure and plot twists to the art of suspenseAspiring crime writers now have the chance to be taught by “Agatha Christie”, thanks to a course of online video lessons by BBC Maestro. The videos “starring” the author, who died in 1976, have been made using AI-enhanced technology, licensed images and carefully restored audio recordings.Videos made using a reconstruction of Christie’s voice will share tips on everything from story structure and plot twists to the art of suspense. The writing advice has been drawn directly from her writings and archival interviews and curated by the leading Christie scholars Dr Mark Aldridge, Michelle Kazmer, Gray Robert Brown and Jamie Bernthal-Hooker. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Scrambled eggs will be tastier in 10 minutes by removing one ingredient

One writer suggests you can achieve "creamier" scrambled eggs by replacing one ingredient

Events

17 h. ago AP PHOTOS: US stocks sink after a weak report on the economy

U.S. stocks are sinking following a discouraging report suggesting the U.S. economy may have shrunk at the start of the year, before most of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announced tariffs could take effect.

Culture

18 h. ago Agatha Christie brought 'back from the dead' in astonishing new BBC venture

The venture to create a virtual version of the world’s best-selling author is part of a 'first of its kind' deal struck between the Agatha Christie Estate and BBC Maestro

Events

19 h. ago Ange Postecoglou rejects Erik ten Hag comparisons as Tottenham eye Europa League

Postecoglou also criticised the suggestion that Spurs would not be ‘worthy’ of the Champions League

Politics

20 h. ago West Lothian Council warning over cost of meeting National Insurance increase

An update on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement and its effects on West Lothian’s finances delivered to councillors at the Executive suggested some of the cost would be met but there was no clarity as to how much.

Events

21 h. ago Heartbroken woman's breakup video sparks flood of suggestions for seeking petty revenge

Lanachka took to TikTok with a 16-second clip that showed her crouched on the floor of her closet as she filled a trash bag with her belongings. And the clip appeared to resonate with viewers.

Events