Starmer Pledges Crackdown on AI, Royal Mail Faces Delivery Delays, and Other Business News
LONDON - In a week of significant developments, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to tighten regulations on artificial intelligence, while Royal Mail grapples with delivery delays, and several businesses faced challenges related to trademarks and data usage. These stories, along with other business news, dominated headlines.
Starmer's pledge, according to BBC Technology, focuses on closing loopholes in laws designed to protect children online. The Prime Minister stated the government would address AI chatbots, similar to their response to X (formerly Twitter) regarding its AI assistant Grok. The government's proposals include measures requiring tech giants to preserve data on a child's phone if they die.
Meanwhile, Royal Mail is facing scrutiny over delivery delays. BBC Business reported that postal staff claimed letters were sitting undelivered for weeks as parcels were prioritized. Staff from various delivery offices reported missed rounds daily due to being stretched beyond capacity. The postal workers' union described Royal Mail as "a company in crisis." Hundreds of people have contacted BBC Your Voice to express frustration over delayed mail, citing missed hospital appointments as one consequence.
In other business news, Lloyds Banking Group's chief executive, Charlie Nunn, acknowledged concerns over the use of staff data in pay negotiations. BBC Business reported that the bank was criticized for comparing 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" after the criticism.
ByteDance, the Chinese technology giant, also faced challenges. Following legal threats from Disney and complaints from other entertainment giants, ByteDance pledged to curb its AI video-making tool, Seedance. According to BBC Business, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter, accusing the platform of copyright infringement. Videos made using Seedance had proliferated online, sparking alarm among Hollywood studios.
Finally, a bedding firm withdrew its trademark application for "Swift Home" after an appeal from pop star Taylor Swift. BBC Business reported that Cathay Home, the company behind the bid, decided to withdraw the application because the disputed mark was not "essential to its business." Swift's team argued that similarities between the singer's trademarked designs and the company's mark could mislead consumers.
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