Generative AI

A widely quoted art therapist featured in articles by Vice, Forbes and other outlets has been revealed as an AI-generated persona that does not exist. The discovery raises fresh concerns about journalists' reliance on unverified expert sources and how easily fabricated credentials can pass through editorial checks at major publications.

A Financial Times report says AI chatbots give incorrect answers to financial questions 'most of the time', raising fresh concerns about relying on generative AI for money advice. Readers are debating the accuracy of chatbots like ChatGPT on financial topics and what the findings mean for consumers and firms using AI assistants.

A report by The Verge argues that OpenAI and Microsoft were aware that training AI models on web content, including material from The New York Times, would set off a 'doom loop' for the internet, where AI-generated output floods and degrades the web that future models rely on. Discussion is centering on whether the companies knowingly accepted this damage, with comparisons drawn to Google's earlier role in reshaping the web.

Stanford University altered a promotional photograph to change students' apparent race, an internal review found the edit breached the university's own generative AI policy. The Chronicle reported the incident, drawing criticism that an institution shaping AI ethics rules failed to follow them in its own marketing. Critics call it a transparency failure; Stanford has acknowledged the violation.

Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, has publicly condemned fans using artificial intelligence to create videos featuring her father, telling them to "have some shame." She has long been an outspoken critic of AI recreations of deceased performers, arguing they exploit grieving families and misrepresent the dead. Her comments have reignited debate over the ethics of AI-generated likenesses of celebrities who can no longer consent.

A mural created using artificial intelligence in Bedminster, Bristol, has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and artists, who have described it as an insult to the artistic community. The backlash reflects ongoing anger over AI-generated work replacing human creativity in public art spaces. Critics argue the piece undermines the skills and livelihoods of traditional mural painters.

The Times of India reports that low-quality, AI-generated content — so-called 'AI slop' — is increasingly appearing in children's social media and video feeds. Parents are being warned that algorithmically produced junk content is harder to spot and may expose kids to confusing or misleading material, reigniting debate about platform moderation and screen-time safeguards for young users.

Restaurants are increasingly using AI image generators to create advertisements for their food, and the results are putting customers off. Reports say AI-generated images of dishes look unnatural and unappetising, with diners expressing disgust at glossy, distorted portrayals of meals. The Wall Street Journal covers the trend, noting a backlash as businesses trade authentic food photography for cheaper automated imagery, alienating the very customers the ads are meant to attract.