TikTok may be back but influencers are not
How far will content creators go for fame and money? Ahead of the short-lived TikTok ban, audiences found out with the "one more secret" trend. Credibility on social media has always been a hot topic. While some people trust that the influencers they follow maintain their integrity despite their fame, there...
Current in Tech
Opinion – Life online is losing its appeal
As we review the digital habits of the last few years and question what they might look like going forward, several factors point to a future in which we aren’t quite so wrapped up in the virtual world. Isn’t it strange to recall a time when social media didn’t exist? For...
Are NASA’s Boeing astronauts safe?
Amidst tabloid speculations of the declining health of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, NASA has stepped in to rebut the claims and reassure the public about the good health of the astronauts. 2024 was proven unfruitful for Boeing amidst multiple safety concerns about its planes and ongoing lawsuits. In current...
Does practicing gratitude make you more generous?
It’s long been theorised that giving thanks can cultivate a stronger desire to be giving. Now, there’s neuroscience to back this up, with recent research revealing a link between a grateful brain and an altruistic one. If you’re into mindfulness, then you’ll know how transformative it can be to practice...
Apple sued by Democratic Republic of Congo for illegal mining
The DRC’s lawyers have stated that tech giant Apple has knowingly sourced minerals from conflict zones in East Africa while publicly painting itself as sustainable and ethical. The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed lawsuits in both Paris and Brussels claiming that tech-giant Apple purchased illegal ‘blood minerals’ from...
Does the human brain have a microbiome?
Though it’s long been assumed that bacteria can’t survive in the human brain, neuroscientists have recently been surprised to discover that it may harbour all sorts of micro-organisms. In recent years, gut health has been all the rage. This is because our understanding of the function and importance of the...
Tech companies exploring nuclear energy to power AI
Leading tech companies are exploring the potential of nuclear energy as a sustainable and reliable power source to meet the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence. In recent years, since OpenAI dropped ChatGPT, the world has seen a surge in all things AI. From catalyzing a plethora of research to predictive analysis in data security, the presence of AI in our daily lives has become a norm. Powering this increase in...
Trans youth are turning to TikTok for support
In uncertain political times, America’s young LGBTQIA+ community are using social media as a vital crowdfunding tool. The day after the 2024 US presidential election, thousands of trans youth across the country woke to a sense of a dread. Iris, a 20-year-old Black trans woman living in Texas, was one of them. ‘This changes everything’ she told Wired. ‘If I stay in the state now that going to...
Manchester City launch AI design competition for 2026 third kit
Manchester City have launched a competition where fans can submit AI designs. The winning entry will adorn the club’s third kit in the 2026/2027 season. Is this a good idea, or perhaps worthy of charge 116? It’s safe to say Premier League fans, generally speaking, aren’t totally loving Manchester City at the moment. Between the alleged 115 breaches of Financial Fair Play rules and manager Pep Guardiola’s manic reaction...
Owner of the ‘UK Nightlife’ TikTok account has been arrested
A new era of public exposure has landed us here. A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of stalking and harassment after covertly filming women on nights out and uploading the videos to TikTok and Instagram. The clips, often titled ‘Manchester nightlife’ or ‘Liverpool nightlife’ were uploaded daily, and featured women walking around the city unaware they were being filmed. Despite garnering millions of views, the account remained active for months...