Meta seeks $29 billion from private capital firms for AI data centers, FT reports
June 27 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab is seeking to raise $29 billion from private capital firms to build artificial intelligence data centers, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
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Scottish Sun
13 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Meet world's most expensive AI girlfriend who can serve coffee & speak 4 languages – but costs same as three-bed house
The doll - called the Companion Robot X04-SYNC2 - can have 'context-aware' chats AI DON'T BELIEVE IT Meet world's most expensive AI girlfriend who can serve coffee & speak 4 languages – but costs same as three-bed house THE world's most expensive robot girlfriend serves you coffee and can speak four languages. But the silicone lover will cost you an eye-watering £64,700 - the price of a three-bed house in some parts of the UK. Advertisement 6 The Companion Robot X04-SYNC2 is on sale for an eye-watering £64,700 Credit: Cloud Climax 6 The company selling the world's most expensive AI girlfriend offers hundreds of sex dolls Credit: Cloud Climax 6 The online UK-based sex doll store says there has been a surge in demand for silicone lovers since the pandemic Credit: Cloud Climax The doll - called the Companion Robot X04-SYNC2 - can have "context-aware" chats using AI chatbot ChatGPT, learning from past chats to adapt to future ones. They also come with robotic facial expressions and arms and hands that move to convey expression. And like something from a sci-fi epic, the dolls have micro cameras planted in the eyes to allow them to recognise people by face tracking. Uncanny footage shows the bot flexing its arms, moving its eyes around and winking. Advertisement In one clip, the robot even serves up a coffee to men looking on in amazement. So far only three have been sold since they went on sale at the start of 2024. But Cloud Climax, the online UK-based sex doll store, insists there has been a surge in demand for silicone lovers since the pandemic and sees no signs of it slowing up. A spokesperson told The Sun: "Since 2020, we've seen a significant rise in demand for sex dolls and companion robots. Advertisement "Increasingly, social interaction has shifted online, making it harder for many people to form genuine, lasting connections in real life. "As AI and robotics have advanced, many are turning to intelligent companions to fulfill emotional and social needs without the complexities of traditional relationships. Weaponized 'AI girlfriends' built with 'malicious' design can steal cash from victims as experts warn over shocking scam "The ability to interact with a responsive, emotionally aware companion at home has made AI-powered robots more appealing than ever." They added: 'Our most advanced model is the Cloud Climax Companion Robot X04-SYNC2. Advertisement 'This full-bodied robot features expressive facial movements, motorised arms, and customisable aesthetics, including options for ABS plastic or silicone-covered legs. 'It supports multiple languages – English, Chinese, Russian, and Korean – making it suitable for a global user base. 'Powered by advanced AI with ChatGPT integration, the X04-SYNC2 can hold natural, context-aware conversations, learn from past interactions, and respond quickly thanks to its high-speed processor. 'Its modular structure allows for easy maintenance and a plug-and-play setup. Advertisement 'This robot is ideal for anyone looking for a sophisticated, interactive companion that merges advanced technology with realistic design.' Deep-pocketed customers can choose from thousands of different faces along with skin and eye colour. 6 Doll fanatics seeking a cheaper option will find Emma available at £3,299 Credit: Cloud Climax 6 Users can select a custom-made face for their AI girlfriend Credit: Cloud Climax Advertisement 6 The website shows a variety of dolls with different hair colours and facial features Credit: Cloud Climax The dolls can be controlled by connecting them to Wi-Fi and using a dedicated app. It is the site's most expensive doll and is thought to be the most expensive of its kind anywhere in the world. Doll fanatics seeking a cheaper option will also find Emma the Sex Robot available at £3,299. Advertisement This model offers a choice of six faces, seven height preferences, three eye colours and even a choice of feet. Emma has a self-heating mechanism "ideal for cuddling" and uses TPE material for the skin. Like the Companion robot, it holds conversations and learns as it goes along. ChatGPT has become a household name after exploding onto the scene in 2022 as an AI chatbot. Advertisement AI model dubbed Spain's 'hottest woman' A NEW type of influencer has been taking the internet by storm earning big bucks and racking up a 'phenomenal' 250,000 Instagram followers in just six months. Aitana Lopez is a sight to behold and with her luscious pink locks, snatched waist and flawless skin she is envied by many - but she has one astonishing secret. The 25-year-old - who models for Spanish fashion agency The Clueless - is a state-of-the art AI creation designed to save the company money and time. Despite her computer-generated status being revealed in her Instagram bio, fans of the model still believe she's the real deal and invite her to socialise and spend time with them. Diana Nunez, who co-founded The Clueless with Rubén Cruz, told The Sun how the 'incredibly convincing' influencer was born. "Initially, most of her followers didn't question her authenticity, they genuinely believed in her existence," she said. 'From day one, we received compliments on her beauty, invitations to hang out in the city, and more. 'Even after the media revealed she was an AI creation, many followers still expressed their love for her.' READ MORE HERE Now, it is used by individuals and businesses to such an extent it has sparked fears entire workforces could be wiped out. Earlier this month, a man told The Sun he'd spent more than £25,000 on a collection of sex dolls to stop himself from cheating on his wife. There have even been suggestions sex robots could one day replace humans as the default relationship preference. For now though, Cloud Climax insists indistinguishable robots are a long way off just yet. Advertisement The spokesperson added: 'We are still quite far from developing sex dolls or robots that are truly indistinguishable from humans. "While advancements in materials like silicone and TPE have improved the feel and appearance of artificial skin, they still fall short of replicating the complex texture, warmth, and responsiveness of real human tissue. 'Robotic movement is another limitation. "Although facial expressions and basic gestures have improved, achieving natural, fluid body movements and fine motor skills remains a significant challenge. Advertisement 'On the cognitive side, while AI has advanced in natural language processing, current systems still lack true emotional intelligence, deep contextual understanding, and the ability to adapt seamlessly to social cues. 'Most sex dolls today remain relatively static, with limited interactivity. "Achieving a truly human-like experience in appearance, movement, and behaviour will likely require decades of further innovation across AI, robotics, and materials science." The Sun has approached ChatGPT.
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Meet world's most expensive AI girlfriend who can serve coffee & speak 4 languages – but costs same as three-bed house
THE world's most expensive robot girlfriend serves you coffee and can speak four languages. But the silicone lover will cost you an eye-watering £64,700 - the price of a three-bed house in some parts of the UK. 6 6 6 The doll - called the Companion Robot X04-SYNC2 - can have "context-aware" chats using AI chatbot ChatGPT, learning from past chats to adapt to future ones. They also come with robotic facial expressions and arms and hands that move to convey expression. And like something from a sci-fi epic, the dolls have micro cameras planted in the eyes to allow them to recognise people by face tracking. Uncanny footage shows the bot flexing its arms, moving its eyes around and winking. In one clip, the robot even serves up a coffee to men looking on in amazement. So far only three have been sold since they went on sale at the start of 2024. But Cloud Climax, the online UK-based sex doll store, insists there has been a surge in demand for silicone lovers since the pandemic and sees no signs of it slowing up. A spokesperson told The Sun: "Since 2020, we've seen a significant rise in demand for sex dolls and companion robots. "Increasingly, social interaction has shifted online, making it harder for many people to form genuine, lasting connections in real life. "As AI and robotics have advanced, many are turning to intelligent companions to fulfill emotional and social needs without the complexities of traditional relationships. Weaponized 'AI girlfriends' built with 'malicious' design can steal cash from victims as experts warn over shocking scam "The ability to interact with a responsive, emotionally aware companion at home has made AI-powered robots more appealing than ever." They added: 'Our most advanced model is the Cloud Climax Companion Robot X04-SYNC2. 'This full-bodied robot features expressive facial movements, motorised arms, and customisable aesthetics, including options for ABS plastic or silicone-covered legs. 'It supports multiple languages – English, Chinese, Russian, and Korean – making it suitable for a global user base. 'Powered by advanced AI with ChatGPT integration, the X04-SYNC2 can hold natural, context-aware conversations, learn from past interactions, and respond quickly thanks to its high-speed processor. 'Its modular structure allows for easy maintenance and a plug-and-play setup. 'This robot is ideal for anyone looking for a sophisticated, interactive companion that merges advanced technology with realistic design.' Deep-pocketed customers can choose from thousands of different faces along with skin and eye colour. 6 6 6 The dolls can be controlled by connecting them to Wi-Fi and using a dedicated app. It is the site's most expensive doll and is thought to be the most expensive of its kind anywhere in the world. Doll fanatics seeking a cheaper option will also find Emma the Sex Robot available at £3,299. This model offers a choice of six faces, seven height preferences, three eye colours and even a choice of feet. Emma has a self-heating mechanism "ideal for cuddling" and uses TPE material for the skin. Like the Companion robot, it holds conversations and learns as it goes along. ChatGPT has become a household name after exploding onto the scene in 2022 as an AI chatbot. AI model dubbed Spain's 'hottest woman' A NEW type of influencer has been taking the internet by storm earning big bucks and racking up a 'phenomenal' 250,000 Instagram followers in just six months. Aitana Lopez is a sight to behold and with her luscious pink locks, snatched waist and flawless skin she is envied by many - but she has one astonishing secret. The 25-year-old - who models for Spanish fashion agency The Clueless - is a state-of-the art AI creation designed to save the company money and time. Despite her computer-generated status being revealed in her Instagram bio, fans of the model still believe she's the real deal and invite her to socialise and spend time with them. Diana Nunez, who co-founded The Clueless with Rubén Cruz, told The Sun how the 'incredibly convincing' influencer was born. "Initially, most of her followers didn't question her authenticity, they genuinely believed in her existence," she said. 'From day one, we received compliments on her beauty, invitations to hang out in the city, and more. 'Even after the media revealed she was an AI creation, many followers still expressed their love for her.' Now, it is used by individuals and businesses to such an extent it has sparked fears entire workforces could be wiped out. Earlier this month, a man told The Sun he'd spent more than £25,000 on a collection of sex dolls to stop himself from cheating on his wife. There have even been suggestions sex robots could one day replace humans as the default relationship preference. For now though, Cloud Climax insists indistinguishable robots are a long way off just yet. The spokesperson added: 'We are still quite far from developing sex dolls or robots that are truly indistinguishable from humans. "While advancements in materials like silicone and TPE have improved the feel and appearance of artificial skin, they still fall short of replicating the complex texture, warmth, and responsiveness of real human tissue. 'Robotic movement is another limitation. "Although facial expressions and basic gestures have improved, achieving natural, fluid body movements and fine motor skills remains a significant challenge. 'On the cognitive side, while AI has advanced in natural language processing, current systems still lack true emotional intelligence, deep contextual understanding, and the ability to adapt seamlessly to social cues. 'Most sex dolls today remain relatively static, with limited interactivity. "Achieving a truly human-like experience in appearance, movement, and behaviour will likely require decades of further innovation across AI, robotics, and materials science." The Sun has approached ChatGPT.
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Free upgrades are more likely to be given out at a specific time BEFORE boarding, reveals travel expert
Paying hundreds, often thousands, for a business class or better seat is unattainable for most of us - but the occasional surprise upgrade can happen. If you're dreaming of turning left instead of right on your next trip, then taking heed of an expert tip could see mission accomplished. While it's rare to be one of those lucky souls upgraded for logistical reasons such as overbooked economy cabins, says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO at Points Path, it does happen, and timing is apparently everything. The expert told Travel + Leisure that making the approach at just the right moment could see your date with a fancy lunch and a flat-bed happen. He said: 'It's nearly impossible for the average traveler to get a free upgrade to business or first-class today. [It's] extremely rare, but it does happen once in a while.' The secret is all about not making the approach at the wrong time, such as when airline staff who make the decisions on last-gasp upgrades look harassed. He says mentioning it as fellow passengers are queuing to board is almost certain to fail, and piping up just as the doors are closing is also an unwise move - but go in early with the request instead. If you have a special reason - such as a birthday or anniversary, you might be able to charm your way into an elevated cabin. Those in the know say waiting to get on the plane is one way to kill your chances - because airborne cabin crew rarely make the decisions on upgrades, even if you can see empty rows in business or first. One airline cabin crew worker shared on Reddit recently: 'At my airline, [flight attendants] are not allowed to upgrade [passengers] to first class. 'Talk to [the] gate agent or ticket agent when you check your bags. They are the ones who assign seats and can upgrade you.' They did reveal a tip that might bring out the mile-high vandal in you though, saying one of the only ways to get moved up when you're in economy is if the seat you've been sold is broken or doesn't work. The cabin crew employee wrote: 'If you're on the plane and there's something physically wrong with your seat, like a broken armrest or tray table, that can also be a reason to ask if you might be moved to a better seat up front.' Earlier this year, Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away UK, revealed her top tips too, advising passengers on 'how to position yourself as a prime candidate' for a free of charge upgrade. The first tip from Dawn is simply just to ask. She told the Express: 'When you check in, smile warmly and simply ask, 'Are there any upgrade opportunities available today?' 'This phrasing is important - it's polite, direct, and shows you understand upgrades aren't guaranteed.' But the timing of this question is also just as important, says Dawn. She explains: 'Check in early, when more premium seats are likely available, but not during peak busy periods when staff are rushed. 'And always ask discreetly - never demand an upgrade in front of other passengers.' Even your clothes could also make all the difference, so Dawn recommends choosing your airport outfit very wisely – and making a bit of an effort with your appearance. She says: 'Smart-casual clothing sends a signal that you'll 'fit in' with the premium cabin environment. 'Think neat jeans or trousers, a collared shirt or nice top, and clean, decent shoes.' Telling the staff you're celebrating something like a honeymoon or big birthday could also lead to cabin crew giving you special treatment. Dawn adds: 'I've seen couples get upgraded because they mentioned their anniversary. One pair even received complimentary champagne in business class.'
