Technology

Google inks $3bn US hydropower deal as it expands energy-hungry datacenters
Posted on Wednesday July 16, 2025

The tech giant will buy 3GW of US hydropower in deal to fuel AI and data center growth across eastern statesGoogle has agreed to secure as much as 3GW of US hydropower in the world’s largest corporate clean power pact for hydroelectricity, the company said on Tuesday, as big tech pursues the expansion of energy-hungry datacenters.The deal between Google and Brookfield Asset Management includes initial 20-year power purchase agreements, totaling $3bn, for electricity generated from two hydropower facilities in Pennsylvania. Continue reading...

WeTransfer says user content will not be used to train AI after backlash
Posted on Wednesday July 16, 2025

Firm revises new terms of service that had suggested uploaded files could be used to ‘improve machine learning models’The popular filesharing service WeTransfer has said user content will not be used to train artificial intelligence after a change in its service terms had triggered a public backlash.The company, which is regularly used by creative professionals to transfer their work online, had suggested in new terms that uploaded files could be used to “improve machine learning models”. Continue reading...

Nothing Phone 3 review: a quirky, slick Android alternative
Posted on Wednesday July 16, 2025

Novel design and cool software proves phones can still be fun, but this one struggles to beat flagship rivalsThe Phone 3 is London-based Nothing’s latest attempt to get people to ditch Samsung or Apple phones for something a bit different, a little quirky and more fun.As the firm’s first high-end Android in several years, it has most of what you’d expect a flagship phone to have. But where it tries to set itself apart is with slick, dot-matrix-inspired software and a design on the back that includes a small, unique LED screen. Continue reading...

Apple inks $500m deal for rare earth magnets with US mining firm
Posted on Wednesday July 16, 2025

China supplies most rare earth magnets to electronics manufacturers, but curbed exports earlier this yearApple has signed a $500m deal with a US firm for rare earth magnets, essential for manufacturing electronics, after China curbed exports of the scarce, vital materials.The backing from one of the world’s most valuable companies comes after MP Materials, which operates the only US rare earths mine, last week agreed to a multibillion-dollar deal with the US Department of Defense that will see the Pentagon become its largest shareholder. Both deals are aimed at mitigating supply chain risks after China limited the outgoing supply of rare earths earlier this year in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Continue reading...

Tribunal hearing comes days after Elon Musk’s xAI apologised for antisemitic comments made by its Grok botGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe chatbot embedded in Elon Musk’s X that referred to itself as “MechaHitler” and made antisemitic comments last week could be considered terrorism or violent extremism content, an Australian tribunal has heard.But an expert witness for X has argued a large language model cannot be ascribed intent, only the user.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot melts down – and then wins a military contract
Posted on Tuesday July 15, 2025

It was a week of lows and highs for the tech billionaire after the CEO of X resigned and its AI chatbot declared itself a super-Nazi – followed by scoring a contract of up to $200mHello, and welcome to TechScape. This week, Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, saw its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok go Nazi. Then its CEO resigned. In the past three years of Musk’s ownership of the social network, it feels like X has weathered at least one public crisis per week, more often multiple. Continue reading...

Elmo’s X account posts racist and antisemitic messages after being hacked
Posted on Monday July 14, 2025

Hackers also demanded the US government release more information on the sex trafficker Jeffrey EpsteinHackers gained access to the X account of the puppet Elmo over the weekend and used it to post racist and antisemitic threats as well as make profane references to Jeffrey Epstein. Sesame Workshop was still trying to regain full control on Monday over the red character’s account.“Elmo’s X account was compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts. We are working to restore full control of the account,” a Sesame Workshop spokesperson said on Monday. Sesame Workshop is the non-profit behind Sesame Street and Elmo. Continue reading...

Tasting the good and the bad for the Filter; summer spritzes for aperitivo hour; and the perfect fans for keeping cool• Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereMy favourite scene in the film Ratatouille is when Remy the rat tastes strawberries and cheese. Closing his eyes, he takes a bite … and it’s fireworks. Like Remy, I’m a food lover: I’m a chef and recipe developer, writer and campaigner for a better food system, and have worked on farms and in kitchens, from River Cottage to Noma, for 25 years.Recently, I’ve been testing different supermarket staples for the food filter. Tasting 10 of each, I’ve rated everything from kimchi (as an avid fermenter, my favourite so far) to mayonnaise – 70 products in all. Vanilla ice-cream (coming up next week) was my least favourite: at least 50% of it was ultra-processed rubbish not even worthy of the name. It gave me stomach ache.The best men’s suits under £400: 14 favourites for every occasion (and how to style them)The best period pants, tried and tested for comfort, style and absorbencyPanda Hybrid Bamboo mattress review: a stylish, supportive hybrid that keeps cool on balmy nightsThe best camping stoves for cooking like a pro in the wild, tested Continue reading...