AI Frenzy: Tech Firms Push 72-Hour Weeks

Discord will soon require users worldwide to verify their age with a face scan or ID to access adult content, according to BBC Technology. The online chat service, which boasts over 200 million monthly users, will roll out these age checks globally from early March. This move is part of Discord's efforts to ensure a teen-appropriate experience by default.

The EU has also taken action, telling Meta that it breached its rules by blocking rival AI firms' chatbots from WhatsApp, as reported by BBC Technology. The European Commission stated that WhatsApp is an "important entry point" for AI chatbots, accusing Meta of abusing its dominant position. Meta, however, claims the EU has "no reason" to intervene.

Meanwhile, a study from the University of Oxford, also covered by BBC Technology, suggests that AI chatbots give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice, potentially posing risks to users. Researchers found that people using AI for healthcare advice received a mix of good and bad responses, making it difficult to trust the advice. Dr. Rebecca Payne, lead medical practitioner on the study, stated it could be "dangerous" for users to ask chatbots about their symptoms.

In other tech news, the global economy is still battling food fraud, despite technological advancements, according to BBC Technology. Food crime, which includes diluting or substituting ingredients, costs the global economy around $81 billion a year. Honey, dairy, olive oil, alcohol, seafood, and edible oils are frequently targeted by fraudsters.

Finally, the AI gold rush is leading some tech firms to embrace extreme work hours. BBC Business reported that some companies are advertising 70-hour work weeks, promising perks like free meals and gym memberships. One New York-based tech business, Rilla, includes a warning in its job ads: "Please don't join if you're not excited about working 70 hrs/week in person with some of the most ambitious people in NYC."