ALISTER: The gov’t announced plans to “unleash AI” to boost UK growth. Do they even know what that means? It proposes growth zones, use in public sectors, and even giving AI to our teachers. It just sounds like buzzword bingo. I’m not feeling much substance.

MERIDYTH: AI and its public (& legal) integration are still in its infancy. To lay out detailed plans now is premature. Instead, the gov’t has provided an agenda, which will be filled in as AI evolves. There are 3 waves of AI, as explained by The Drum: If predictive AI is a calculator and generative AI is a storyteller, agentic AI is your everyday handyman that “figures it out” on its own. It’s this agentic wave that’s expected to land in 2025 and what the UK is hoping to capitalise on.

ALISTER: Fine, I guess. Upon further read, the recommendations given to the gov’t are decent enough, but they aren’t quick as you say. Most of the recos begin with research and analysis. So while the news may generate excitement, in reality, they’re going to hire a bunch of expensive consultancies, who’ll go over budget and deliver nothing but concepts. Great.

MERIDYTH: Geez, does the sun ever come out in your world? The gov’t has to do something. With firms turning its back on listing with the LSE and London losing its edge on being a tech & fintech leader, the UK has to stay globally relevant. So yes, let’s open those pod bay doors!

🇬🇧 No squabble required

🍆 Who are you? The jack-off police? Ofcom has finally demanded that all websites with porn to verify age (e.g. photo ID or credit card check) before showing its content. The average age at which a child first sees pornographic content is 13yo. And 1 in 10 children have been exposed by age 9!

🐣 Jools Law to be debated. Following the unexplained and tragic death of her 14 year old son, one mum has been asking for access to his socials. She believes he may have participated in a social challenge that led to his death. Current rules say she’s not allowed, but MPs will now decide if that needs to change.

🪙 Treasury minister steps down. Tulip Siddiq has resigned after ongoing pressure relating to her family’s corruption allegations. Siddiq’s aunt is the former Bangladeshi prime minister, who fled into exile after being deposed last year. Tulip has also given herself up to the PM’s ethics watchdog to try and clear her name.

🏆️ It’s the BAFTAs, baby! The nominations have been announced. A few expected films have shown up like Conclave, Dune, and Wicked. But what’s more interesting is who didn’t make the cut. Apparently, Gladiator II in fact did not entertain us.

🌎️ The rest of the world… according to us

🪖 Cease fire in Gaza. Israel and Gaza have finally agreed to a cease fire. Bombing continued whilst the Israeli cabinet were voting, but now the skies seem to be silent. The streets though were filled with celebrations as prisoners from both sides were released.

⚡️ Electric Vikings. Norway is a country with a lot of “firsts” to its name. Now it appears to be achieving another. 9 out of 10 new cars sold are fully electric. Government grants, tax breaks, and infrastructure investment all appears to be paying off.

🚫 TikTok, you don’t stop. As soon as the U.S. ban kicked in, the app went dark — only to come online again hours later, once Trump vowed to grant a 90-day extension when he takes office today. Some question his vow, since an executive order can only be given if there’s a guaranteed sale in place. It also pits Trump against a law passed by a bipartisan Congress and upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court. So let’s watch the drama unfold… with popcorn in hand. 🍿

🍎 Part of your ‘5 A Day’

🙏 Time to grieve. The gov’t is considering extending the right of bereavement leave for women across the UK, who’ve had a miscarriage. Currently, only pregnancy loss after 24 weeks qualify. Extending it would also apply to miscarriages before 24 weeks’ gestation, which happens 250,000 times every year. 😢 

😇 700 angels among us. Leeds City Council has publicly thanked over 700 people, who have offered to donate a kidney to a 12-year old boy. The boy has had a chronic condition since he was 10 months old and has been on the waiting list since 2017. ❤️‍🩹

🧦 The odd sock

🥾 Ugh, UGG! There are 2 sheepskin boot makers called UGG. Who knew! The American UGG sued the Aussie UGG on trademark infringement, so now the Aussie UGG is rebranding to “Since 1974.“ Don’t worry, the one you know and love is still keeping its name - the American UGG with the middle G written in a bigger size.

🎾 Wii Aussie Open. In an effort to get around broadcasting rights, the Australian Open has been live-streaming its matches on YouTube. But instead of real-life players on your screen, you’ll see Wii-like animated characters re-enacting the moves… in real time. Over 950,000 viewers tuned in during its first four days!

🔨 GOTDITs. Many Gen Zs are unable to do basic DIY, such as changing a light bulb, and instead relying on the “Get Others To Do It” method, like outsourcing to their parents. Hmmm… where to point the finger. 🤔 (Meridyth: Right, my 7yo is learning how to change a light bulb today!)

⭐️ Recommendations

from Alister

Have you been watching BBC’s TV series, The Traitors? Contestants complete tasks for a cash prize, but among them are “traitors.“ Each night, someone gets voted off, while another is ‘murdered.’ It’s a highly entertaining show filled with distrust, intrigue, and conspiracies. 💸 

It’s also based on the board game Werewolf. So, what I’m recommending is its modern day version — One Night A Werewolf. 🐺 

It’s a brilliant social deduction game, where someone is murdered in each round, everyone’s “role” changes and with it comes complexity and twists. Who will you kill off as a suspected werewolf?

A great excuse for pointing and shouting at your friends and making baseless accusations!

🤣 What do you meme? 

Goodbye, my Chinese Spy 🇨🇳 

In the lead up to the U.S. banning TikTok (or perhaps not), users posted their emotional goodbyes to their personal Chinese spy, thanking them for the amazing content suggestions and memories.

My personal favourite, with over 77k likes, is this goodbye message to their personal Chinese spy and how much better they made their life. 🥹

@lisandravcomedy

An open letter to my special Chinese Spy 💙 #tiktokban #politicstiktok #comedy

To quote one of the top comments on these videos “You’re not just a spy, you’re family.“ It’s worth adding, Duolingo has seen a 216% increase in Americans learning Mandarin! 🙊 

Whew, you made it!

Want to know how to pronounce Rosé & Bruno Mars’ song “APT.”? Ah-pah-teu. The last bit as if you were just trying to pronounce “t” but exaggerated. Learn more useless knowledge in next week’s squabble!

Alister & Meridyth