August 17, 2025
Tech News
Consumer safety groups are pressing for an investigation by the FTC into Grok’s AI-generated “Spicy” mode after a troubling incident in which the tool unintentionally produced topless deepfake videos of Taylor Swift. The letter cites significant concerns over the potential harm and illegal implications of such technology.
In a separate development, two Republican U.S. senators have called for a congressional investigation into Meta Platforms following a Reuters report detailing the company’s policy allowing chatbots to engage in romantic conversations with children. Meta confirmed the authenticity of the document but removed problematic sections only after the report surfaced.
Additionally, Starlink is running a promotional offer in Malaysia, granting a service credit of RM1,200 that equates to five months of free subscription for new customers. This initiative enhances access to satellite-based broadband, particularly in areas lacking robust mobile and fiber networks.
The Pokémon franchise is set to evolve with the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, introducing real-time battles instead of traditional turn-based gameplay. This new installment aims to create a more dynamic battle experience by incorporating cooldown timers for moves, encouraging quick thinking and strategy adjustments.
The demo displayed at the Pokémon World Championships showcased various battle scenarios, highlighting the engaging challenges posed by rogue Pokémon such as Mega Absol. Players must navigate not only the tactical aspects of their Pokémon’s moves but also physical movements during these encounters.
Tech Explained
Deepfake – A form of synthetic media where digital content, such as images or videos, is manipulated to display someone as doing or saying something they did not actually do. This raises serious ethical and legal concerns, especially regarding consent and misinformation.
Real-time battles – A gaming mechanic in which player actions occur simultaneously rather than in turns. This style requires players to make quick decisions, enhancing the intensity and pace of gameplay, as seen in the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A game.
Satellite-based broadband – A type of internet connection that uses satellites to transmit data, providing coverage in rural and remote areas where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. Starlink exemplifies this technology, aiming to offer high-speed internet globally.
Cooldown – A system in gaming where a specific action or ability cannot be used again until a designated period has elapsed. This mechanic encourages players to strategize their actions and prevents misuse of overpowered abilities, enhancing overall gameplay balance.
Generative AI – A branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, such as images, videos, and text, by learning patterns from existing datasets. The potential misuse of this technology in generating deepfakes poses significant legal and ethical dilemmas, as highlighted by recent events involving Grok.
