
OpenAI and UK sign new AI agreement to boost security, infrastructure
The Microsoft-backed AI startup will also expand its London office, building up its research and engineering teams at OpenAI's first international location opened two years ago, according to a statement.
As part of the agreement, OpenAI will share technical information with the UK AI Security Institute to deepen the government's knowledge of AI capabilities and security risks.
"The partnership will explore where it can deploy AI in areas such as justice, defence and security, and education technology in line with UK standards and guidelines to demonstrate the opportunity to make taxpayer funded services more efficient and effective," the statement said.

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Commentary: More people are considering AI lovers, and we shouldn't judge
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There is little data to support either side of the debate, though we can do our best to make sense of more short-term studies and other pieces of available evidence. There are certain risks that we do know about already, and we should take them seriously. For instance, we know that AI companion apps have terrible privacy policies. Chatbots can encourage destructive behaviours. Tragically, one may have played a role in a teenager's suicide. The companies that provide these apps can go out of business, or they can change their terms of service without warning. This can suddenly deprive users of access to technology that they've become emotionally attached, with no recourse or support. RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE MESSY AND COMPLEX In assessing the dangers of relationships with AI, however, we should remember that human relationships are not exactly risk-free. 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However, there is some (admittedly very preliminary data) to suggest that many of the people who form connections with chatbots are not just trying to escape loneliness. In a recent study (which has not yet been peer reviewed), researchers found that feelings of loneliness did not play a measurable role in someone's desire to form a relationship with an AI. Instead, the key predictor seemed to be a desire to explore romantic fantasies in a safe environment. SUPPORT AND SAFETY We should be willing to accept AI-human relationships without judging the people who form them. This follows a general moral principle that most of us already accept: We should respect the choices people make about their intimate lives when those choices don't harm anyone else. However, we can also take steps to ensure that these relationships are as safe and satisfying as possible. First of all, governments should implement regulations to address the risks we know about already. 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'Perhaps the destination is a country that the couple had their first trip to, or a place with deep cultural or familial roots. We're also seeing that more guests are willing to spend on destination weddings, especially since the pandemic may have scuppered previous plans,' she added. Where you get married is a deeply personal choice and increasingly luxury weddings are leaning more into subtlety and forging human connections. 'Our clients tend to seek intimacy over extravagance when it comes to planning a destination wedding. It's less about 'showmanship' and more about shared moments,' said Dalila Calabrese, a travel advisor at Fora, a global collective of travel experts. The rise of purposeful travel is also shaping how people celebrate unions. 'Across our markets, destination weddings are becoming less about scale and more about significance. 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It's the first ultra-luxury superyacht to sail the extraordinary Galapagos Islands, which I liken it to a floating sanctuary. I envision it as a gorgeous space for a wedding: Daytime excursions to the many biodiverse islands in the archipelago, drinks at the aperitif lounge on the upper deck while soaking views of the Pacific Ocean, and the exchanging of vows on the panoramic deck against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset. — Jean Tay, Scott Dunn Private The Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru Imagine saying 'I do' while crossing Peru and discovering marvel after marvel, from Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca. With glorious food, incredible cabins and a constant live music show, this train is just perfect for a wedding. It's so rare, it almost doesn't seem real. — Dalila Calabrese, Fora Advisor TIP 3: GO FOR DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES, NOT THE DRAMA Let nature do the talking — say 'I do' in places as rare as your soulmate. Octola, Finnish Lapland For guests that love dramatic landscapes, Octola in the Finnish Lapland is hard to top. This 10-bedroom lodge is set on a peak in a 300-hectare private wilderness reserve, allowing you to see in any direction — from the snow-covered forest to the winding river below. In the winter, everything is blanketed in pristine snow, and because it's so remote and far from urban pollution, the Northern Lights often show up extremely clearly at night. Octola also boasts a reputation of being the first luxury accommodation in the Arctic and Nordics with a negative carbon footprint, and makes a concerted effort to promote Lappish and indigenous Sami culture through mindful and meaningful cultural interactions. The property is full-board and boasts its own private chef and butlers, so the bridal party will be extremely well looked after. For the wedding couple, I recommend one of the standalone glass igloo suites, which has amazing views of the Northern Lights whether you're in the bedroom or in the outdoor hot tub. It really has that wow factor! — Jean Tay, Scott Dunn Private Eleven Deplar Farm, Arctic Circle On a remote peninsula at the edge of the Arctic Circle, isolated by untouched rivers and rocky mountains, lies Deplar Farm. It is an ultra-luxurious property with 13 suites, perfectly set in the untouched, raw beauty of Iceland. This is a destination for the brave, for those looking for something unique. Whether it's a ceremony under the dancing Northern Lights or a reception under the Midnight sun, this place is undeniably one-of-a-kind, and a wedding here will be simply unforgettable. — Dalila Calabrese, Fora Advisor Garonga, South Africa Africa has always been a popular place for high-net-worth honeymooners, which is perfect if the couple wants a celebration that flows naturally into their honeymoon. Garonga in South Africa is a collection of three unique camps located in the 26,000 hectare Greater Makalali Private Nature Reserve, which boasts the presence of the Big Five and is also home to cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife. Each of the three camps has its own distinct atmosphere and is located a short drive away from one another. They can be bought out individually (or in combination), which makes it easy to accommodate wedding parties of different sizes. What I think makes Garonga special is its holistic philosophy and its focus on offering a 'safari for the soul'. There's no rush to tick boxes here: Guests can set their own pace and choose from a range of activities that include twice daily game drives, walking safaris, wine tastings at a communal table set under the stars, and lovely spa treatments. I personally recommend the Sleep Out Deck, which is perched above the treetops and commands sweeping views of the land and a nearby waterhole… the sunset views are stunning.