United News of Bangladesh

Artificial intelligence (AI) is providing blind people with unprecedented access to visual feedback about their own appearance, transforming daily routines and self-perception, though experts caution that the technology may have complex psychological effects. Apps like Be My Eyes and Envision now allow blind users to receive detailed analyses of their faces and bodies through image recognition and AI-powered feedback. The technology can describe skin condition, facial features, and even suggest styling or makeup adjustments, functioning as a “digital mirror” for users who have never been able to see themselves. Lucy Edwards, a blind content creator, described how AI feedback allows her to understand her appearance after years of relying solely on descriptions from others. “Suddenly we have access to all this information about ourselves, about the world, it changes our lives,” she said. Experts warn, however, that such tools can inadvertently reinforce unrealistic beauty standards. Helena Lewis-Smith, a body image researcher at the University of Bristol, noted that AI often compares users against idealized Western beauty norms, which could negatively affect mental health, especially for those who cannot cross-check information visually. Envision CEO Karthik Mahadevan said that while the apps were initially designed for basic tasks like reading text or navigating the world, users increasingly employ them for personal grooming and styling. “Often the first question they ask is how they look,” he said. AI’s growing role as a personal visual assistant raises both empowerment and risk. Users can control how feedback is provided—whether descriptive, poetic, or evaluative—but inaccuracies and algorithmic biases remain a concern. Some services, such as Aira Explorer, offer human verification of AI descriptions to improve reliability. Researchers emphasize that body image is multi-dimensional, influenced by context, social comparison, and personal agency—factors that AI cannot fully capture. Yet for many blind users, the technology offers newfound independence and self-understanding. Edwards said: “Even though we don’t see visual beauty in the same way sighted people do, AI allows us to experience aspects of ourselves we thought we’d lost.” As AI continues to expand into daily life, specialists call for careful study of its emotional and psychological impact on blind communities, balancing empowerment with awareness of potential harms.   With inputs from BBC

A NASA research plane made an emergency landing in Texas on Tuesday after experiencing a malfunction that prevented its landing gear from deploying, officials said. The WB-57 aircraft touched down at Ellington Airport, southeast of Houston, sliding across the runway on its belly. Social media footage showed flames and smoke trailing from beneath the plane as it descended and came to a stop. NASA confirmed that the crew is safe and reported the incident as a "mechanical issue" that will be investigated. Local news outlets captured images of the aircraft stationary on the runway with emergency responders and fire trucks attending to the scene. The WB-57, known for its thin fuselage and two-seat cockpit, has been used in scientific research missions since the 1970s. It is capable of flying at high altitudes above 63,000 feet (19,200 meters) for about six and a half hours. Read More: NASA’s new moon rocket rolls to launch pad ahead of possible February astronaut mission According to NASA, the aircraft remains a valuable tool for atmospheric and space research.  

Meta has announced plans to begin testing a new range of paid subscription services on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, signalling a shift toward offering premium features alongside its free core platforms. The tech giant said the upcoming subscriptions will unlock exclusive tools aimed at enhancing creativity, productivity and artificial intelligence use, while keeping basic services accessible to all users at no cost. Meta said the subscriptions will be introduced gradually over the next few months and will deliver a premium experience tailored to how people interact on each app. Rather than launching a single uniform plan, the company will experiment with different feature bundles across platforms, indicating that the strategy may evolve based on user feedback. A key element of the subscription initiative is the expansion of Manus, an AI agent Meta recently acquired for a reported $2 billion. Meta plans to integrate Manus directly into its apps while also continuing to market it as a standalone product for business users. Industry observers have already noticed early signs of Manus integration, including work on adding a shortcut within Instagram. Also Read: EU probes X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes The company is also exploring ways to monetise its AI-driven creative tools. Vibes, an AI-powered short-form video generator available through the Meta AI app, is currently free and allows users to create and remix AI-generated videos. Under the proposed model, users may receive limited free access, with paid subscriptions offering additional video creation credits each month. While Meta has yet to disclose detailed plans for Facebook and WhatsApp, early indications suggest that Instagram’s paid features could include tools such as unlimited audience lists, insights into followers who do not follow back, and the ability to view Stories anonymously. These features are designed to give users greater control and visibility over their social interactions. Meta clarified that the new subscriptions will be separate from Meta Verified, its existing paid service aimed primarily at creators and businesses. Meta Verified focuses on account verification, impersonation protection and priority support, benefits that are less relevant to everyday users. The new subscription plans are intended to attract a broader audience, including casual users and content creators. Also Read: TikTok’s US operation set to collect precise location data Although subscriptions could open up fresh revenue streams, Meta acknowledged the challenge of subscription fatigue, as users already juggle multiple paid services. However, the company pointed to the success of Snapchat+, which has surpassed 16 million subscribers, as evidence that users are willing to pay for added value. Meta said it will closely track user feedback as it rolls out and tests the new offerings. #With inputs from The Indian Express

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk-owned social media platform X over concerns that its AI chatbot Grok was used to generate sexually explicit deepfake images of real individuals. The probe follows a similar move by the UK communications regulator Ofcom in January and focuses on whether X has breached its obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). If violations are confirmed, the company could face fines of up to 6 percent of its global annual revenue. X previously said it had blocked Grok from digitally altering images of people to remove clothing in regions where such content is illegal. Regina Doherty, an Irish member of the European Parliament, said the Commission would examine whether manipulated sexually explicit images were shown to users within the EU. Campaigners and victims have criticised the technology, saying it should never have been allowed to generate such content. The Commission said it could impose interim measures if X fails to introduce meaningful safeguards. It has also expanded an ongoing investigation launched in December 2023 into risks linked to X’s content recommendation algorithms. Despite the growing scrutiny, Musk has publicly mocked new restrictions around Grok and previously accused regulators, including the UK government, of using the issue as a pretext for censorship. X recently claimed Grok generated more than 5.5 billion images within a 30-day period. Other countries, including Australia, France and Germany, are also examining the chatbot. Grok was temporarily banned in Indonesia and Malaysia, though Malaysia has since lifted its restriction. Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice-president for technology, described AI-generated sexual deepfakes as a harmful and degrading practice, saying the investigation would determine whether X has upheld its legal responsibilities and protected users, particularly women and children. The move comes weeks after the EU fined X €120 million over concerns that its blue tick verification system misled users. Meanwhile, US officials have criticised the EU’s actions, accusing European regulators of targeting American technology companies. Musk echoed those claims in posts on X.   With inputs from BBC

A singer named Sienna Rose has gained almost three million monthly Spotify listeners with jazz-infused soul tracks, but growing evidence suggests she may be entirely computer-generated. Her song Into the Blue alone has over five million streams, and several of her tracks feature on Spotify’s Viral Top 50. Deezer, a music streaming service, flagged many of her songs as AI-generated. Experts point to anomalies such as continuous hissing sounds, inconsistent drum patterns, generic lyrics, and flawless vocals—hallmarks of AI music. Rose has no social media presence, has never performed live, and uploaded at least 45 tracks in just over two months, a pace unusual even for prolific human artists. Her Instagram featured AI-style images, now deactivated. Despite doubts, pop star Selena Gomez used one of Rose’s tracks in an Instagram post, highlighting the reach of her music. Listeners have expressed both fascination and disappointment upon learning she may not exist. Deezer reports that 34% of daily uploads are AI-generated, up sharply from 5–6% eighteen months ago. Industry voices, including pop star Raye, stress that audiences prefer authentic, soulful music over algorithmically produced tracks. The Sienna Rose phenomenon raises broader questions for the music industry as AI-generated artists compete with real musicians, earning royalties while bypassing the traditional costs and effort involved in launching a music career.   With inputs from BBC

TikTok’s newly established US joint venture has updated its privacy policy to expand the scope of location data it can collect from its nearly 200 million users in the United States. The revised policy was released after investors finalised a deal on Thursday with TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance to oversee the short-form video platform’s US operations. According to the updated privacy terms, the joint venture may now “collect precise location data, depending on your settings”, replacing the earlier policy that permitted only the collection of “approximate” location information. TikTok did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment on the change. The policy states that sensitive personal information will be handled “in accordance with applicable law” and notes that users can disable location services at any time through their device settings. Even before the creation of the new venture, TikTok gathered location data using a user’s SIM card or IP address, or both. However, a 2024 version of its privacy policy indicated that the company did not collect even approximate GPS data from American users running the latest version of the app. Read More: Meta secures large nuclear energy supply to power AI data centers Precise location sharing has not yet been activated in the United States. It is expected to remain optional and turned off by default, requiring users to opt in through a pop-up message. TikTok has not specified when the update will be introduced for US users. The platform already collects similar information from users in the UK and Europe through its “Nearby Feed” feature. The US joint venture is also expanding permissions to gather data related to user interactions with TikTok’s artificial intelligence tools, including prompts, questions and details on how, when and where AI content is created. TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC includes managing investors such as cloud computing firm Oracle, which will oversee the retraining of TikTok’s recommendation algorithm and ensure it is secured in Oracle’s US cloud environment. ByteDance will retain a minority stake just under 20 percent, while other investors include Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Concerns remain in Washington over ByteDance’s continued involvement, with lawmakers questioning whether the deal fully safeguards US user data. With inputs from BBC

Belfast City Council is set to suspend its use of social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, amid concerns over the misuse of its AI tool Grok to create sexualised deepfake images. The council’s strategic and resources committee decided on Friday to halt posting on its X account and instead direct followers to other social media platforms. The move will require final approval at a full council meeting scheduled for Feb 2. The decision comes as UK media regulator Ofcom investigates X following widespread concern that Grok was being used to produce non-consensual explicit images. X later said it had introduced technological measures to block such activity in places where it is illegal. Some Northern Ireland Executive departments said they are reviewing their use of X. Seven of the nine Stormont departments confirmed they currently hold paid subscriptions to the platform, costing more than £1,300 a year in total. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the creation of explicit AI-generated images without consent was deeply concerning and confirmed that social media use remains under review across departments. Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said the proposal was made to protect public safety. He said the council would suspend its use rather than deactivate the account to prevent impersonation risks. The proposal was passed by 15 votes to four, with the Democratic Unionist Party voting against it. The DUP said it opposed the move as it would reduce the council’s ability to engage with residents and argued that AI concerns extend beyond a single platform. X earlier announced that Grok would no longer allow editing images of real people into revealing clothing in jurisdictions where such content is illegal and said only paid users would have access to image editing features.   With inputs from BBC

Meta has announced it is suspending teenagers’ access to its artificial intelligence characters, at least for now, according to a blog post released Friday. The company, which owns Instagram and WhatsApp, said that in the coming weeks, teens will no longer be able to use AI characters while Meta works on an updated version of the experience. The restriction applies to users who have listed their age as under 18, as well as those who say they are adults but are believed to be minors based on Meta’s age-detection technology. Teens will still be able to use Meta’s AI assistant, but access to AI characters will be removed. The decision comes just days before Meta, along with TikTok and Google’s YouTube, is set to face trial in Los Angeles over allegations that their platforms harm children. Read More: UK to consult on possible social media ban for under-16s Meta’s move follows similar actions by other tech companies amid rising concerns about how AI-driven interactions may affect young users. Character.AI imposed a ban on teen access last fall and is currently facing multiple lawsuits related to child safety, including a case brought by the mother of a teenager who claims the company’s chatbots encouraged her son to take his own life.

TikTok has finalized an agreement to create a new American entity, easing years of uncertainty and sidestepping the prospect of a US ban on the short-video platform used by more than 200 million Americans. In a statement issued Thursday, the company said it has signed deals with major investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX, to form a TikTok US joint venture. TikTok said the new version will operate with “defined safeguards” aimed at protecting US national security, including strengthened data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for American users. The company said users in the United States will continue using the same app. President Donald Trump welcomed the announcement in a post on Truth Social, publicly thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping and saying he hoped TikTok users would remember him for keeping the platform available. Snap settles social media addiction lawsuit ahead of trial China has not publicly commented on TikTok’s announcement. Earlier on Thursday, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said Beijing’s position on TikTok remained “consistent and clear.” TikTok said the new US venture will be led by Adam Presser, a former top executive who previously oversaw operations and trust and safety. The entity will have a seven-member board that the company said will be majority American, and it will include TikTok CEO Shou Chew. The deal follows years of political and regulatory pressure in Washington over national security concerns tied to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. A law passed by large bipartisan majorities in Congress and signed by then-President Joe Biden required TikTok to change ownership or face a US ban by January 2025. TikTok briefly went offline ahead of the deadline, but Trump later signed an executive order on his first day in office to keep the service running while negotiations continued. TikTok said US user data will be stored locally through a system run by Oracle, while the new joint venture will also focus on the platform’s content recommendation algorithm. Under the plan, the algorithm will be retrained, tested and updated using US user data. The algorithm has been central to the debate, with China previously insisting it must remain under Chinese control. The US law, however, said any divestment must sever ties with ByteDance, particularly regarding the algorithm. Under the new arrangement, ByteDance would license the algorithm to the US entity for retraining, raising questions about how the plan aligns with the law’s ban on “any cooperation” involving the operation of a content recommendation algorithm between ByteDance and a new US ownership group. UK to consult on possible social media ban for under-16s “Who controls TikTok in the U.S. has a lot of sway over what Americans see on the app,” Georgetown University law and technology professor Anupam Chander was quoted as saying. Under the disclosed ownership structure, Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX will serve as the three managing investors, each taking a 15% stake. Other investors include the investment firm of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell. ByteDance will retain 19.9% of the joint venture. 

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, Blue Origin, plans to launch over 5,400 satellites to build a new global internet network named TeraWave. The network will provide continuous internet access worldwide and transfer large amounts of data faster than rival services. Blue Origin said TeraWave will focus on businesses, data centres, and governments, unlike Elon Musk’s Starlink, which serves individual customers. At its fastest, TeraWave will offer upload and download speeds up to 6 terabits per second, far exceeding current commercial satellite services. Blue Origin aims to start launching the satellites by the end of 2027. The company has previously achieved a rocket booster landing on a floating platform and conducted an 11-minute all-female space flight. Amazon also runs a satellite project called Leo, with around 180 satellites in orbit. Leo focuses more on public internet access and plans to launch over 3,000 satellites eventually. The TeraWave project will compete with Starlink and Amazon Leo in the growing satellite internet market.   With inputs from BBC