Starmer Pledges Crackdown on AI, ByteDance to Curb AI App, and Royal Mail Faces Delivery Delays
LONDON - Several major stories are developing across the UK, including government action on artificial intelligence, a tech company's response to legal threats, and operational challenges faced by Royal Mail.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to tighten regulations around AI, specifically targeting loopholes in laws designed to protect children online. According to BBC Technology, Starmer stated the government would "respond more quickly to close loopholes" and address AI chatbots, mirroring their response to X (formerly Twitter) regarding its AI assistant Grok. The government's proposals include requiring tech giants to preserve data on a child's phone if they die.
Meanwhile, Chinese tech giant ByteDance is taking action to curb its AI video-making tool, Seedance, following a legal threat from Disney and complaints from other entertainment companies. BBC Technology reported that Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, accusing the company of copyright infringement. Videos created using Seedance have gained popularity online, but have also raised concerns among Hollywood studios.
In other news, Royal Mail is facing operational challenges, with postal workers reporting significant delays in letter delivery. BBC Business reported that staff from various delivery offices claim that parcels are being prioritized over letters, leading to letters sitting undelivered for weeks. The union representing postal workers described Royal Mail as "a company in crisis." Hundreds of people have contacted BBC Your Voice to express frustration over the delays, citing issues such as missed hospital appointments. Royal Mail responded by stating they want to reassure customers that the vast majority of mail is delivered on time.
In the business sector, Lloyds Banking Group is facing scrutiny over its use of staff data in pay negotiations. BBC Business reported that the bank's chief executive, Charlie Nunn, acknowledged concerns over the use of employee bank account information as part of pay negotiations. The bank had compared employees' spending habits to the wider public to assess their financial well-being during the cost-of-living crisis. Nunn stated, "we have definitely listened."
Finally, Brewdog employees are expressing concern over potential sale plans. BBC Business reported that the craft beer giant has brought in financial experts to attract new investors, a move that could lead to the company being broken up. The Unite union stated that staff are "really concerned" and that some employees only learned about the potential sale through press reports. Brewdog stated that the decision was a "normal and prudent step."
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