The AI blob opera and other technology news

BBC Click's Jen Copestake looks at some of the week's best technology stories including;

See more at Click's website and @BBCClick

18 December 2020

Composite image showing red hair girl on the left wearing school uniform and a boy with short hair on the right

'Positive' or 'unnecessary'? UK teens on social media ban

The prime minister announced that under-16s will be banned from social media by spring 2027.

Technology

A young child looking at a tablet in a protective case

How much screen time is too much for under fives?

The BBC's Vanessa Clarke talks through the government's new advice for children using screens.

Technology

BBC reporter wearing blue shirt and grabbing bar of chocolate on supermarket shelf

Watch: BBC reporter tests AI anti-shoplifting tech

Some major retailers and independent stores have introduced AI body scans, CCTV or facial recognition equipment to identify crimes like shoplifting.

Technology

BBC correspondent Suranjana Tewari standing outside on street

What does TikTok's deal mean for America's users?

The BBC's Asia business correspondent says it is still unclear what sort of experience TikTok users in the US will get.

Technology

Screenshot of four characters from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur sweeps The Game Awards with nine wins

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been named game of the year at this year's Game Awards.

Technology

A young woman with long hair stands holding a microphone

Tallulah Metcalfe's four tips for dealing with online trolls

Influencer Tallulah Metcalfe took part in the BBC Teen Summit in Bradford, and gave us her best tips.

Technology

Dr Kaitlyn Regehr looking inquisitive, with her eyes and mouth open and wearing a brown and blue jumper against a plain brown background

Three tips on how to use your phone less

Dr Kaitlyn Regehr has this advice to help you stop looking at your phone and go on a digital detox.

Technology

A giant orange and red plume rises from the ground in an explosion.

Moment SpaceX rocket explodes into massive fireball

A live stream has captured the moment a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded when preparing for a flight test in Texas on Wednesday.

Technology

Donald Trump wears a blue suit and Elon Musk a black blazer and baseball cap as they sit inside a red Tesla vehicle.

Watch: What's happening with Trump's Tesla parked at White House?

The US president is considering selling his Tesla car - which he says he purchased when he was trying to help Musk promote his company.

Technology

Billboard displaying advert for Nintendo Switch 2 with silhouettes of people queueing, in Paris

Fans queue overnight for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo's long-awaited Switch 2 has been released worldwide.

Technology

How Karen Dunbar helped craft her Bafta-winning video game character

The comedian won best supporting actor for her role as Finlay in Still Wakes the Deep.

Technology

Pupils studying esports in Scottish Borders school

The esports course serves as a starting point for learners who want a career in the sector.

Technology

A black car flying over an SUV in a field

Watch: A real-life flying car takes to the skies

From science-fiction to the real world, flying cars are here - but could the concept actually take off?

Technology

Jesse Eisenberg wearing red cap and headphones speaking into a mic in radio studio

Jesse Eisenberg scorns association with Zuckerberg

The actor, who played the Facebook boss, says he is making vulnerable people "feel threatened".

Technology

Watch DeepSeek AI bot respond to question about China

The BBC tests out the tool to see what type of answers it can and will give.

Technology

BBC's AI correspondent explains why DeepSeek has caused shockwaves

The Chinese-based large language model is disrupting the AI industry and the stock market.

Technology

Trump supporter Elon Musk gestures at a post-inauguration rally.

Elon Musk's gesture at Trump rally draws scrutiny

He made the gesture while thanking supporters for contributing to Trump's victory.

Technology

The BBC's Lily Jamali is on the left of a split screen with a driverless Tesla taxi on the right

Musk promises self-driving Tesla taxis, but are they safe?

BBC Tech Correspondent Lily Jamali analyses the 'robocabs' and if their technology is up to par.

Technology

AI Clone of BBC Cyber Correspondent Joe Tidy

Watch: Can BBC reporter's AI clone fool his colleagues?

Cyber Correspondent Joe Tidy has an AI clone of himself built to see how sophisticated they can be.

Technology

Rows of cars line a car park at night with red lights on and some in a queue

Driverless cars wake residents with nighttime honking

The robotaxis were stationed in a San Francisco parking lot when a feature to avoid crashes set off the noise.

Technology