2 h. ago Governments are spending billions on their own ‘sovereign’ AI technologies – is it a big waste of money?

Many US-built AI systems fall short but competing against tech giants neither easy nor cheapIn Singapore, a government-funded artificial intelligence model can converse in 11 languages, from Bahasa Indonesia to Lao. In Malaysia, ILMUchat, built by a local construction conglomerate, boasts that it “knows which Georgetown you’re referring to” – that is, the capital of Penang and not the private university in the US. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Apertus, unveiled in September, understands when to use the Swiss German “ss” and not the German-language character “ß”.Around the world, language models like these are part of an AI arms race worth hundreds of billions of dollars mostly driven by a few powerful companies in the US and China. As giants such as OpenAI, Meta and Alibaba plough vast sums into developing increasingly powerful models, middle powers and developing countries are watching the landscape carefully, and sometimes placing their own, expensive bets. Continue reading...

Economics

3 h. ago Trust level in Scottish Government revealed as NHS satisfaction plummets to record low

Public satisfaction with the NHS in Scotland has also fallen to an all-time low

Politics

3 h. ago Home buyer demand weakens for third month in a row as sales fall – surveyors

Uncertainty around potential measures in the Budget is likely adding to cautious sentiment, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.

Economics

3 h. ago Victoria Beckham: It is fact that my fashion business has struggled

The fashion designer said she has worked hard to restructure her business.

Politics

4 h. ago How panicking Traitors stars' PRs are trying to save their clients' reputations: As the backstabbing begins, the behind

It is the ultimate game of deception, treachery and betrayal and, with a £100,000 prize pot at stake, The Traitors never fails to bring out its contestants' ugly side.

Politics

5 h. ago Claudia Winkleman explains picking the three Traitors in The Celebrity Traitors

The BBC's celebrity edition of The Traitors sees 19 of the UK's biggest stars battle it out in the ultimate game of deception, betrayal and trust

Politics

5 h. ago Girl, 4, suffers traumatic brain injury after falling off wall at popular holiday park as mother takes fight to court

THE family of a four-year-old girl who suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling off a wall at a popular holiday park is now taking their fight to court. The young girl's mother has launched a High Court claim for more than £1million against the park's owners. The claim is on behalf of her now...

Events

5 h. ago Lenders betray public trust: Car finance scandal victims deserve their compensation, says ALEX BRUMMER

The gravitational pull of Generation Y towards fintech sites such as Revolut, Wise and Monzo, is often attributed to their tech-savvy skills.

Events

6 h. ago ‘I want the miracle SO desperately’: Family heartbreakingly celebrates Christmas early as 9

Brie Bird, the 9-year-old whose battle with cancer has touched nearly one million people online, celebrated Christmas with her family one final time at her home

Politics

6 h. ago Why Anna Kournikova swapped fame for family as tennis sex symbol falls pregnant with fourth child at age 44

She was once the most Googled woman on earth, but these days former tennis pro Anna Kournikova leads a quiet life away from the spotlight.

Society

7 h. ago Scientists track ‘dust devils’ bouncing around on surface of Mars

Tornado-like whirlwinds shows that winds can rage at up to 160 kilometres per hour

Politics

8 h. ago Kate McCann tells court of stress caused by alleged stalker calling her ‘Mum’

Julia Wandelt is on trial accused of targeting the McCann family with a two-and-a-half-year harassment campaignKate McCann has said it was hard to hear an alleged stalker refer to her as “Mum”, as she gave evidence in the trial of a woman who claimed to be her missing daughter.Speaking from behind a screen, McCann told Leicester crown court she was left frightened and distressed by the actions of Julia Wandelt, 24, who is accused of a two-and-a-half-year harassment campaign. Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago Starbucks brings back fall favorite drink early to appease desperate fans

The fall flavor returns days after Starbucks announced its holiday menu

Sport

10 h. ago Andy Murray's private claim about what he did wrong as tennis career came to an end

Andy Murray has been a standout in the golf world since retiring from professional tennis and has opened up about the final years of his tennis career

Politics

10 h. ago Strictly's Jowita Przystal says 'let's make it happen' in Pete Wicks show of support after gushing comment

They've remained close after almost making it to the final of Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 series

Politics

10 h. ago Butcher shares secrets to slow cooker beef that 'truly falls apart'

A bowl of beef stew at this time of year is a common choice for a hearty and warming dinner and one butcher has shared how to cook it to tender perfection

Society

10 h. ago Bombshells from 'fake' Maddie McCann's trial – Kate's 'final straw' and 'aggressive' meeting

Prosecutors allege Julia Wandelt "peddled the myth" that she was Madeleine while stalking the missing girl’s parents by sending emails, making phone calls and turning up at their home

Events

11 h. ago ‘Raw dogging’ marathons: has gen Z discovered the secret to reclaiming our focus?

In a world of distraction, it’s easy to jump from one interruption to another. Could sitting doing nothing for an hour help us cope – or is it just meditation by another name?Name: Rawdogging marathons.Age: In its therapeutic sense, brand new. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago ‘Rawdogging’ marathons: has gen Z discovered the secret to reclaiming our focus?

In a world of distraction, it’s easy to jump from one interruption to another. Could sitting doing nothing for an hour help us cope – or is it just meditation by another name?Name: Rawdogging marathons.Age: In its therapeutic sense, brand new. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago 'I love Greggs but one thing stops me from buying sandwiches there'

Greggs always boasts enormous queues at lunch, with people lining up to buy a sandwich or a hot pastry, but even die-hard fans have claimed one ingredient is putting them off certain items

Politics