Driverless Taxis Could Launch in UK by September
Waymo, the US driverless car company owned by Google-parent Alphabet, announced plans to potentially launch a robotaxi service in London as early as September. This development comes as the UK government intends to amend regulations in the latter half of 2026 to accommodate driverless taxis in the city, though a specific date has not been set.
According to Waymo, a pilot service is scheduled to begin in April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated, "We're supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads."
Water Bills in England and Wales to Increase
In other news, water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by an average of £2.70 per month starting in April. This increase follows previous significant increases for households in many areas. The average annual bill is expected to rise by £33 to £639.
The industry trade body, Water UK, explained that the bill increases are necessary to fund essential upgrades to the system and address spillages that have caused public concern. However, the increase has prompted calls for a "stronger safety net" for those who are unable to afford the higher costs. The size of the increase and the average bill cost vary significantly across different regions, with one water-only supplier raising prices by 13%.
Government Launches Free AI Training for UK Adults
The UK government has introduced a series of free AI training courses aimed at helping adults learn how to use the technology in the workplace. The online lessons provide guidance on topics such as prompting chatbots and using them for administrative tasks.
The government aims to reach 10 million workers by 2030 through this initiative, which they are calling the most ambitious training scheme since the launch of the Open University in 1971. While many courses are free, others are subsidized. However, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) cautioned that workers will need more than just basic chatbot prompting skills as the workforce adapts to the growth of AI.
Iran's Internet Access Gradually Restored, but Restrictions Remain
After nearly three weeks of an extreme internet shutdown, some of Iran's 92 million citizens are beginning to regain internet access. The country initially cut off internet access on January 8, a move widely seen as an attempt to control the flow of information regarding a government crackdown on protesters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the internet was blocked in response to what he described as "terrorist operations." While some internet access has been restored, independent analysis suggests that much of the country remains effectively cut off from the outside world.
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