Technology

OpenAI has launched the latest incarnation of its wildly successful online chatbot ChatGPT. Dubbed GPT-4 (ChatGPT is powered by GPT-3.5), the headline feature of the new model is its ability to recognise and explain images. For example, the chatbot could come up with recipes based on a picture of the inside of a fridge, so

Melted meteorites were not the source of the Earth’s huge quantities of water, researchers have found. Previous studies had suggested that the once-liquid space rocks were a source of the planet’s H20. But new findings show that they actually have extremely low water content; in fact, they are among the driest extraterrestrial objects ever measured.

Robots can improve mental wellbeing in the workplace, but only if they look right, research suggests. A study by the University of Cambridge found that people who interacted with robots that were more toy-like, felt a greater connection compared to human-like robots. Over four weeks, 26 employees took part in the weekly robot-led wellbeing sessions.

UK security minister Tom Tugendhat has asked the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to look into TikTok after governments around the world have begun banning it from their work phones. The Chinese-owned video sharing app is increasingly under the European and US microscope over security and data privacy, with concerns it could be used to

Great apes deliberately spin around to make themselves dizzy, researchers believe. The study by the universities of Warwick and Birmingham could provide clues about humans evolving the desire to seek altered mental states and actively manipulate their mood and perception of reality. Researchers observed online videos in which great apes – gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and

Spotify is preparing to roll out what it’s hailed as the “biggest evolution” to its popular music streaming app to date. Announced at its Stream On event this week and set to roll out over the coming months, its 500 million users will see their home screen get a substantial makeover that founder Daniel Ek

A wrist device for people with Tourette’s syndrome has been described as “life-changing”. The Neupulse aims to reduce the symptoms by delivering electrical stimulation directly into nerves in the wrist. Singer Lewis Capaldi was among the 121 people who trialled the device, developed at the University of Nottingham, after recently sharing his own Tourette’s diagnosis.

From the Indiana Jones-esque adventures of Lara Croft to the increasingly Pixar-quality cartoon visuals of Super Mario, video games have long looked to Hollywood for inspiration. But recent years have showed that the relationship is becoming increasingly transactional. While you don’t have to look far these days for a film or series based on a

Meta has revealed it is working on a new social network solely designed for sharing text updates. The app would appear to be a direct competitor to Twitter, with a company spokesperson confirming it will be a “decentralised” platform similar to other alternatives that grew in popularity after Elon Musk‘s takeover. “We’re exploring a standalone

Millions of rats living across New York City are susceptible to COVID-19, researchers have found. Like humans, the rodents have proved vulnerable to multiple variants of the virus, from the original to Omicron, including high levels of infection in their upper and lower airways. A World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2021 concluded that the

China has criticised a Dutch plan to restrict the export of semiconductor equipment – a vital part of the high-tech supply chain. The Netherlands‘ government announced on Wednesday it would introduce limits to “protect national security”, following similar measures brought by the US last year. For the American curbs to be effective, other key suppliers

The Chinese government could use TikTok to control the data of millions of American users, according to the FBI. Addressing a US Senate hearing on Wednesday, FBI director Christopher Wray said the Chinese-owned video app “screams” of security concerns. He told a Senate Intelligence Committee on worldwide threats to US security that China’s government could

A “game changer” weight loss injection used by celebrities including Twitter boss Elon Musk is to be made available through the NHS amid warnings that the drug is not a “quick fix”. In a “pivotal moment”, thousands of people living with obesity in England are set to be offered Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, on

The decision to make a potentially “game-changing” weight loss injection available on the NHS puts diabetes patients at risk, senior doctors have told Sky News. Thousands of people living with obesity in England are set to be offered Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, on prescription after health officials approved its use for weight loss. But

A British scientist known for her work with the largest space telescope ever made has been honoured with her own Barbie doll. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock has been immortalised as a one-of-a-kind plastic toy in her likeness in recognition of her achievements making space and science accessible to girls. The 54-year-old, recently appointed chancellor of the

Will robots rule the world? Maybe. But right now I’m watching one carry out orthopaedic surgery, and it’s not frightening – it’s fascinating. Scrubbed in and masked up, Sky News was invited to see a robotic arm assist with a full knee replacement at Walsall Manor Hospital. It’s the first time that this type of