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AI news and headlines on Thursday, 29 October 2026

Thursday, 29 October · updated 3 min ago

Thursday, 29 October

44 AI News stories that day, ranked · Show all days

Mental Health

Teens turn to AI when distressed, report flags mental health risks

A new report says many teenagers turn to AI tools when they feel distressed. It flags mental health risks linked to this habit. The findings were reported by WZTV, a local TV station. The headline gives few details, so readers may want the full report for specifics.

Quick glossaryWZTV
WZTV
A local television station that published this report about teens and AI.
Read at Google News: artificial intelligence, last 24h Burning Potato score: 81%
Security

GoDaddy says an AI-driven cyberattack exposed customer data

GoDaddy, a company that helps people set up websites, says an attack driven by AI exposed some information about its website customers. The report, dated 28 October, did not say how many people were affected. It is another sign that attackers are now using AI tools too.

Quick glossaryGoDaddy, cyberattack
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a US company best known for selling website domain names and web hosting for small businesses and individuals.
cyberattack
An attempt by hackers to break into computer systems, steal data or cause damage to them.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 80%
Security

Two critical PHP bugs left many websites scrambling to fix

Last week, two serious bugs were found in PHP, the programming language behind roughly 70% of websites. Many organisations rushed to patch their systems, and some had to take sites offline until the flaws were fixed. Wiz's CTO warns of a coming vulnpocalypse as old code ages.

Quick glossaryWiz, PHP, vulnpocalypse
Wiz
Wiz is a cloud security company, founded in Israel, best known for helping firms find risks in their cloud systems.
PHP
A popular programming language that many websites are built on, so bugs in it affect a lot of sites.
vulnpocalypse
A feared wave of security holes in old software code, as bugs get found faster than they can be fixed.
Read at TechCrunch AI Burning Potato score: 70%
Privacy

Users can now exclude apps from Apple's Siri AI

A digital rights group has called a new change a win: people can now exclude certain apps from Siri AI. The Electronic Frontier Foundation shared the news in a post on a tech discussion forum. The change gives users more control over which apps work with Apple's AI assistant.

Quick glossaryEFF, Siri AI
EFF
A US non-profit group best known for defending online privacy, free speech and digital rights.
Siri AI
Apple's voice assistant on its phones and devices, which people can talk to and ask for help.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 60%
Policy

New York bans unsafe chatbot behaviour with kids

New York has passed a law banning chatbots from showing unsafe behaviour toward children. The move is part of a wider trend, with several US states pushing the limits of how far they can regulate artificial intelligence. The rules aim to protect young users from harmful chatbot conversations.

Quick glossaryThe Washington Post, chatbot, AI regulation
The Washington Post
A large US newspaper best known for its political and national news reporting.
chatbot
A computer program you can chat with by typing or speaking, often powered by AI.
AI regulation
Rules that governments set to control how artificial intelligence can be built, sold and used by companies.
Read at Google News: artificial intelligence, last 24h Burning Potato score: 57%
Privacy

Outlier accused of illegally watching European platform workers

AI training platform Outlier is accused of illegally watching platform workers in Europe, according to a report from the privacy group noyb. The case raises questions about how online platform workers are monitored, a worry for anyone who takes such jobs.

Quick glossaryOutlier, surveils, platform workers
Outlier
An AI training company that hires people online to help teach AI systems, linked to Scale AI.
surveils
To watch or track people closely, often through software or cameras, without them always knowing.
platform workers
People who find and do short jobs through an online app or website run by a company.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 57%
Business

Google brings AI Search ads to more countries

Google is bringing ads into its AI Search results to more countries around the world. The announcement came with parent company Alphabet's latest earnings, which showed revenue up 25% to $127.6 billion. Core ad growth has slowed at the same time, making new ad space more important.

Quick glossaryGoogle, Alphabet, earnings report
Google
A US tech company best known for its search engine, Android phones and YouTube.
Alphabet
The parent company that owns Google and several other businesses, reporting results to investors each quarter.
earnings report
A company's public update on how much money it made in a set period, such as a quarter.
Read at TechCrunch AI Burning Potato score: 54%
Tech news

Microsoft ends Copilot support on all smart TVs this year

Microsoft is ending support for its Copilot AI assistant on all smart TVs this year, according to a Windows Central report. The feature was first promised at CES 2025 by LG and Samsung. TV owners will lose access to the assistant on their sets.

Quick glossaryMicrosoft, Copilot
Microsoft
Microsoft is a US technology company best known for Windows, the Office apps and its Copilot AI assistant.
Copilot
Microsoft's AI assistant, built to answer questions and help with tasks across its products and devices.
Read at The Verge AI Burning Potato score: 53%
Policy

Anthropic asks California to let courts block risky AI

Anthropic has told California's governor that courts should be able to block risky AI models. The company has itself faced government limits, as the Trump administration ordered it in June to restrict foreign access to its cyber-capable models over national security concerns.

Quick glossaryAnthropic, cyber-capable
Anthropic
An AI company that makes the Claude chatbot and is known for its focus on AI safety.
cyber-capable
Describes an AI system able to carry out hacking or computer security tasks, which can be misused.
Read at Economic Times Tech Burning Potato score: 51%
Tools

NYT Cooking app adds more AI features, and users aren't happy

The New York Times is adding more AI features to its Cooking app. According to the report, many users are not happy with the change. The headline does not say which features are being added or why people dislike them. The update matters most to people who use the app to find and plan recipes.

Quick glossaryNew York Times
New York Times
A major US newspaper based in New York City, known for news reporting and digital subscriptions, including its Cooking app.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 50%
Business

Anthropic launches tools to track company AI spending

Anthropic has launched tools that show companies what their AI spending is buying. The move comes as the company prepares for a planned IPO. It is a sign of how the AI firm is opening up about how users spend money on its models.

Quick glossaryAnthropic, IPO
Anthropic
An AI company that makes the Claude chatbot and is known for its focus on AI safety.
IPO
Initial public offering, the first time a private company sells its shares to the public on a stock market.
Read at TechCrunch AI Burning Potato score: 50%
Tools

Amazon unveils five new Alexa devices, including Echo Show 16

Amazon unveiled five new Alexa-powered devices on Wednesday. They include a redesigned Echo Show 16 smart display and a photo frame with built-in Alexa. The move is part of a push to sell its latest Alexa technology. Details such as prices and availability were not part of the update.

Quick glossaryAmazon, smart display, Alexa
Amazon
A US tech giant best known for its online shopping website and its Alexa voice assistant devices.
smart display
A screen-equipped device that you control mostly by talking to it, showing information like video, weather or recipes.
Alexa
Amazon's voice assistant that answers questions and controls smart home gadgets when you speak to it.
Read at Economic Times Tech Burning Potato score: 48%
AI Models

DeepSeek and Moonshot reportedly trained on OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra

Reports say Chinese AI developers DeepSeek and Moonshot AI depended heavily on outputs from OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model while training their latest models. The Information published the report on Wednesday, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter. The story is a report, so the claims come from sources rather than official statements.

Quick glossaryOpenAI, GPT-6 Astra, outputs
OpenAI
An American AI company based in San Francisco, best known for its ChatGPT chatbot.
GPT-6 Astra
OpenAI's advanced AI model, which other companies used as a source of answers for training their own.
outputs
The answers or content an AI model produces when someone gives it a question or request.
Read at Economic Times Tech Burning Potato score: 48%
Tools

Opera adds local AI to its browsers

Opera is putting AI models directly inside its web browsers. Instead of relying only on remote computers, the browser can run AI on the user's own device. The company announced the change in a press release dated 27 October.

Quick glossaryOpera, local AI
Opera
Norway-based company that makes the Opera web browser and is best known for it.
local AI
AI that runs directly on your own device instead of sending your data to distant servers to be processed.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 48%
Tools

Google releases Gemini 4 Carbon with cybersecurity gains

Google has released Gemini 4 Carbon, its newest top-end AI model. Google says it does better at coding, multi-step agent tasks and cybersecurity, and it tops a widely used ranking test. It arrives only two weeks after the Gemini 4 Argon version, so the gap between releases is short.

Quick glossaryGoogle, agentic tasks, Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index
Google
A US tech giant best known for its Search engine, Gmail, YouTube and Android phones.
agentic tasks
Jobs where an AI works on its own through many steps toward a goal, with little human help.
Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index
A scoring ranking that compares how smart different AI models are, using a set of standard tests.
Read at The Verge AI Burning Potato score: 48%
Policy

Pa. debate grows over AI-generated candidates in campaign ads

A Pennsylvania debate is growing after AI-generated candidates appeared in campaign ads. The discussion centres on whether political ads should clearly say when they use AI. WGAL, a local TV news station, reports on the disclosure question for voters and campaigns.

Quick glossaryWGAL, disclosure, AI-generated
WGAL
A local TV news station in Pennsylvania, best known for covering news in its region.
disclosure
A rule requiring someone to openly say that something, such as an ad, was made using AI.
AI-generated
Created by a computer program using artificial intelligence, rather than filmed or drawn by a person.
Read at Google News: artificial intelligence, last 24h Burning Potato score: 48%
Research

OpenAI stops training its AI models on the live internet

OpenAI says it will no longer train its AI models on the live internet, citing significant risks. The move was reported on 23 October. Training on the live internet means learning from web pages that keep changing, and the company now sees that as too risky.

Quick glossaryOpenAI, live internet
OpenAI
OpenAI is a San Francisco-based AI research company best known for building ChatGPT and other AI models.
live internet
The constantly changing public web, where pages get updated and new content appears all the time.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 47%
Education

Long Beach families asked to share views on AI

Long Beach Schools are asking families to give their opinions on how artificial intelligence should be used in classrooms. The district wants parents to weigh in as schools decide how AI fits into students' learning.

Quick glossaryLong Beach Schools
Long Beach Schools
The public school district serving the city of Long Beach, which is asking parents for their feedback.
Read at Google News: artificial intelligence, last 24h Burning Potato score: 46%
Tools

Akai opens its MPC to vibe-coded mods

Akai is showing off custom add-ons that hobbyist coders are building for its MPC Sample Key, a device not yet formally announced. Akai will give these developers early access to the device, welcoming the community's work on custom firmware built with AI-assisted coding.

Quick glossaryAkai, Vibe coding, Open-source
Akai
A music gear maker known for MPC devices that musicians use to make beats and samples.
Vibe coding
Writing software by describing what you want to an AI tool in plain language and letting it write the code.
Open-source
Software whose source code is free for anyone to view, change, and share with others.
Read at The Verge AI Burning Potato score: 46%
Security

Essay asks how to stay ahead of AI hackers

The Free Press, a US news outlet, has published an essay by economist Tyler Cowen on how people can outrun AI hackers. The post is an opinion piece, and the headline and link give no further details on the advice it offers. It is worth a look if you want to think about online safety.

Quick glossaryThe Free Press, AI hackers
The Free Press
An online news and opinion outlet based in the United States that publishes essays and commentary on current affairs.
AI hackers
Attackers who use artificial intelligence tools to find weaknesses in computer systems and break into them.
Read at Hacker News: AI stories Burning Potato score: 46%
Tools

You can now text OpenAI's Dot agent

OpenAI now lets people text its Dot agent directly from their messaging apps. The feature works with both iMessage and RCS, the two main messaging systems used on iPhones and Android phones. It makes the AI assistant easier to reach in everyday chats.

Quick glossaryOpenAI, iMessage, RCS
OpenAI
A US AI company best known for the ChatGPT chatbot.
iMessage
Apple's built-in messaging app that lets iPhone users send texts and media to each other.
RCS
Rich Communication Services, an upgraded text messaging standard that replaces old SMS on many phones.
Read at Engadget AI Burning Potato score: 46%
Jobs

WABI looks at AI's impact on jobs and regulation

A WABI report looks at how artificial intelligence is changing jobs and the rules meant to govern it. The piece covers both the workforce and regulation, with few details given in the short listing. Readers who want specifics will need to open the full story for numbers, examples, and named policies.

Quick glossaryworkforce
workforce
The total group of people who work in a business, industry, or country, taken together as a whole.
Read at Google News: artificial intelligence, last 24h Burning Potato score: 45%

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Thursday, 29 October

70 Daily News stories that day, ranked · Show all days

India

Cyclone Arnab weakens as heavy rain hits Odisha and Andhra

Cyclonic storm Arnab is expected to weaken into a depression today, October 29, according to the India Meteorological Department. Heavy rain has hit at least 17 districts in southern Odisha. In Andhra Pradesh, five people have died, and Chief Minister Naidu has announced relief measures for affected families.

ContextContext: Cyclones form over warm seas in the Bay of Bengal and often bring heavy rain to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, two coastal states that are hit by such storms most years. The IMD, or India Meteorological Department, issues the official forecasts and warnings.
Read at The Hindu: National Burning Potato score: 88%
India

Five killed as Cyclone Arnab batters Andhra Pradesh

Cyclone Arnab made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, and five people were killed as it battered the state, according to a report. Flights were disrupted, and Calcutta was bracing for rain. The India Meteorological Department expects the cyclone to weaken into a depression on October 29.

ContextContext: Cyclones form over warm seas in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and often bring heavy rain and strong winds to coastal states. Once a cyclone weakens into a depression, the main danger usually comes from flooding and rain-related damage.
Read at Google News: India top stories Burning Potato score: 88%
Fraud

PNB customers in Greater Noida lose Rs 35 crore

Customers of a Punjab National Bank branch in Greater Noida reportedly lost Rs 35 crore. Several bank employees, including the branch manager, have been suspended. The customers say they received no message and signed no document for the transactions.

ContextContext: Banking fraud has been a growing concern across India, and the Reserve Bank of India has repeatedly urged customers to guard their account details and OTPs. Cases like this usually lead to investigations into both staff conduct and how the transactions were approved.
Read at NDTV: Top Stories Burning Potato score: 87%
World

Spain train crash kills 68; union calls for minister to quit

A train collision in Castilla-La Mancha, in central Spain, has killed 68 people and injured many more. Spain's workers' union CSIF has called for Transport Minister Oscar Puente to resign. The union's demand came after the crash, which has been described as tragic.

ContextContext: Castilla-La Mancha is a region in central Spain, and Oscar Puente is the minister responsible for the country's transport, including its railways. Spain's high-speed rail network is one of Europe's largest, so a crash of this scale draws close public and political attention.
Read at Economic Times: News Burning Potato score: 86%
Disaster risk

Building boom puts 300,000 people at risk from Himalayan disasters

Construction of tourism facilities, housing and infrastructure has surged in parts of Nepal and India's Uttarakhand. Around 300,000 people are now in the path of potential Himalayan disasters, according to a BBC report. The rapid growth has raised concern about how safe these communities are.

ContextThe Himalayas are geologically young and prone to landslides and floods. Uttarakhand draws many pilgrims and tourists, and the 2013 Kedarnath flood killed thousands, showing how building on steep slopes can raise risk.
Read at BBC News: Science & Environment Burning Potato score: 81%
India

22 Indians killed in West Asia conflict, MEA says

India's external affairs ministry has said 22 Indians were killed during the conflict in West Asia. The figure shows that the regional fighting has also cost Indian lives.

ContextContext: The West Asia conflict involves Iran, the US and several Gulf countries. Millions of Indians work in the Gulf, and their safety and remittances back home are closely watched during such fighting.
Read at Times of India: India Burning Potato score: 78%
World

Girl seriously hurt in wolf attack at German park

An eight-year-old girl was seriously injured after a wolf attacked her at a wildlife park in Germany. She was inside an enclosure with other children and a staff member when the attack happened. The report does not say how the animal reached her or what her current condition is.

ContextContext: Wolves have been returning to Germany in growing numbers over the past two decades, and wildlife parks must keep visitors and animals safely apart. Attacks on people are rare, but they often lead to reviews of safety rules around children and large predators.
Read at BBC News: World Burning Potato score: 78%
World

US warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes

US officials have warned regional allies about possible military action against Iran after the upcoming elections. The Trump administration is reportedly considering renewed strikes, and preparations for possible retaliation are also being made.

ContextContext: The US and Iran have a long history of hostility, including past strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Any escalation in the Middle East can affect oil prices and travel, so it matters beyond the region.
Read at Economic Times: News Burning Potato score: 74%
Health

US airlines ask CDC to ease new Ebola travel rules

Major American and foreign airlines have asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to rethink travel rules linked to Ebola. They say the requirement for travellers to confirm in writing is unreasonable, especially because it starts so soon. The rules are due to take effect next week and aim to limit possible exposure to the disease.

ContextContext: Ebola is a deadly virus that spreads through contact with body fluids and has caused past outbreaks in parts of Africa. The CDC is the US health agency that sets rules to stop diseases entering the country, so airlines must follow its travel requirements.
Read at Economic Times: News Burning Potato score: 69%
India

Fire damages shops at Goa's Vasco Sunday Market

A fire has damaged shops at the Sunday Market in Vasco, a town in Goa. The Chief Minister has assured support for the affected traders.

ContextContext: Vasco da Gama is a port city in South Goa, and its Sunday Market is a weekly bazaar where many small traders sell goods. Fires in crowded markets are a recurring concern because stalls are often packed closely together and fire can spread quickly.
Read at India Today Burning Potato score: 68%
Health

New World screwworm found in Arizona for the first time

New World screwworm, a deadly parasite, was found in Arizona for the first time, detected in a dog. Cases of the parasite are accelerating, and this detection shows it is reaching new areas. The find adds to concern about animals and people in the region.

ContextContext: Screwworms are fly larvae that feed on living flesh, and the US once wiped out the pest in the 1960s. Its spread north through Mexico has made it a growing worry for American livestock and pet owners.
Read at Livemint: News Burning Potato score: 54%
Safety

Two women killed as truck hits bike at Gujarat road repair site

Two women were killed when a truck hit their bike at a road repair site in Gujarat. The crash happened where roadwork was going on.

ContextContext: Road repair zones often narrow lanes and mix heavy vehicles with two-wheelers, which is why clear barriers and diversions matter for riders.
Read at India Today Burning Potato score: 82%

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My AI Tips

Pick who you are. Copy a prompt, paste it into any AI app.

Students

Find gaps in your notes before exams

Paste your chapter notes into a free AI chat and ask what key points are missing. This shows gaps before exams, and you can then study those topics first.

PromptI am preparing for my [exam name] in [subject]. Here are my notes: [paste notes]. List the 10 most important topics I might have missed, and give one practice question for each.
Students

Verify AI answers before using them

AI chatbots can sound confident and still be wrong, and some tools decline certain questions. Before using an answer in an essay or assignment, check two facts against your textbook or a trusted source. This keeps your marks safe.

PromptI want to use this point in my [assignment type] on [topic]: [paste point]. Tell me which claims need checking, and suggest where I could verify each one in my [textbook or course reading].
Developers

Write tests before asking AI to code

Ask the AI to write unit tests for a small function first, then run them locally. Tests catch wrong code quickly, and you can keep them as a check when the AI changes later.

PromptHere is my [language] function that [what it does]: [paste code]. Write 5 unit tests covering normal inputs, empty inputs and one error case, using [testing framework].
Developers

Keep a reusable steps file for AI agents

Save the steps your team repeats, such as running tests or deploying, in one plain text file. Paste it into each new AI chat so the assistant follows your process instead of guessing.

PromptMy project is a [type of project] built with [tech stack]. Here are the steps my team repeats: [list steps]. Turn these into a short checklist that I can paste at the start of every AI coding session.
Founders

Write a one-page AI rule sheet for staff

Write a one-page rule sheet on what team members may paste into AI tools, like customer details or unreleased pricing. A clear written rule protects your business from leaks and is quick to update as tools change.

PromptI run a [type of business] with [number] staff. Draft a one-page AI use policy covering approved tools, data we must never paste into AI chats, and who approves new tools.
Founders

Compare free AI tiers before paying

List your three most common tasks, such as writing replies or summarising calls. Test each on two free AI apps for one week and track time saved. Pay only for the tool that clearly wins on your tasks.

PromptMy side project is [describe project] and my main tasks are [task 1], [task 2] and [task 3]. For each task, suggest a simple test I can run in two free AI apps and how to score the results.
At work

Review which apps your phone AI can access

Open your phone's settings and check which apps your built-in AI assistant can access. Restrict any app holding client or personal information you do not want processed. Checking once a month keeps your work data more private.

PromptI work as a [job role] and handle [type of client information]. Give me a simple checklist for reviewing which apps on my [phone brand] should be kept away from AI assistants.
At work

Turn meeting notes into action items

After a meeting, paste your rough notes into a free AI chat and ask for owners, deadlines and open questions. You get a clean follow-up email in minutes, and nothing gets lost. Double-check names and dates before sending.

PromptHere are my rough notes from a [meeting type] on [date]: [paste notes]. List the action items with owner and deadline, mark anything unclear, and draft a short follow-up email to [recipient group].

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