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      Boris Johnson gushes over using ChatGPT while writing books: ‘I love that it calls me clever’

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      Boris Johnson has admitted he “loves” AI and ChatGPT, and revealed that he uses it while writing his books.The former prime minister praised the AI platform for answering his questions, and said he appreciated it calling him “brilliant” and “excellent”.Mr Johnson has had a number of books published since 2001, including his most recent autobiography, Unleashed, which was released in 2024.Speaking to Al Arabiya English, he said: “One thing that really encourages me is AI. I love AI. I love ChatGPT. I love it. ChatGPT is frankly fantastic.”When asked what he uses it for, he said: “I’m writing various books. I just use it. I just ask questions. You know the answer, but ChatGPT always says, ‘Oh, your questions are clever. You’re brilliant. You’re excellent. You have such insight’.“I love it. I see great promise in this technology because we’re all simple. We’re human beings.”Boris Johnson praised the AI platform for answering his questions More

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      The China spy case evidence raises more questions than it answers

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      Sir Keir Starmer has published a series of witness statements given by the deputy national security adviser to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the collapsed China spying case. The prime minister had hoped publishing the evidence would draw a line under the saga, which has dogged his government for weeks.A key allegation was that the government refused, in its evidence to the CPS, to describe Beijing as a threat to Britain’s national security, leading the case against the two alleged spies to collapse. Keir Starmer faces further questions about the collapse of the China spying case More

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      MI5 looking at potential risk from out-of-control AI

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      British spies have begun work on tackling the potential risk posed by rogue artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the head of MI5 said.Sir Ken McCallum said it would be “reckless” to ignore the potential for AI to cause harm.In a speech at the Security Service’s Thames House headquarters, he insisted he was not “forecasting Hollywood movie scenarios” but the intelligence agencies had to consider the risks.He said: “MI5 has spent more than a century doing ingenious things to out-innovate our human – sometimes inhuman – adversaries.“But in 2025, while contending with today’s threats, we also need to scope out the next frontier: potential future risks from non-human, autonomous AI systems which may evade human oversight and control.“Given the risks of hype and scaremongering, I will choose my words carefully: I am not forecasting Hollywood movie scenarios.“I am, on the whole, a tech optimist who sees AI bringing real benefits.“But, as AI capabilities continue to power ahead, you would expect organisations like MI5 and GCHQ and the UK’s ground-breaking AI Security Institute, to be thinking deeply, today, about what defending the realm might need to look like in the years ahead.“Artificial intelligence may never ‘mean’ to cause us harm. But it would be reckless to ignore the potential for it to cause harm.” More

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      ‘You’re in spy territory now’: Bombshell evidence exposes new details of China spy allegations

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      The government has published witness statements in the now-collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China, following an extraordinary row over the saga. Three statements provided by deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins as part of the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) case, which repeatedly describe China as a threat, were published as part of an attempt to draw a line under growing questions about the government’s evidence. The statements came after the CPS dropped the case, deeming the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security.But the evidence also reveals extraordinary new details about the allegations – including that one alleged China spy told another: “You’re in spy territory now.” Mr Collins also alleges in his statement that information was leaked to China about the Tory leadership race. Christopher Berry (left) and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash deny wrongdoing More

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      Voices: ‘Not realistic nor achievable’: Readers slam government’s failed insulation scheme

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      A government-backed scheme to fit homes with external wall insulation has left thousands of households worse off, with many experiencing damp, mould, and other serious issues.The National Audit Office found almost all homes fitted under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme – which was launched under the previous Tory government – are facing major issues and need major repairs due to poor oversight.Independent readers criticised the scheme, arguing that older UK housing is often unsuitable for such retrofits. Some even suggested the country needs a complete refresh of its housing stock rather than doubling down on “dangerous” modifications.While some acknowledged that new builds now meet higher insulation standards, others argued Britain overvalues older properties at the expense of safety and efficiency. Many emphasised that insulation alone cannot solve issues such as condensation, urging households to combine ventilation, heating, and lifestyle changes.Many also felt that the inadequate work backed by the scheme was an inevitable consequence of favouring large, distant contractors over local tradesmen, leaving smaller firms excluded and households with limited support if problems arise. Several readers blamed civil service incompetence, saying officials must be held accountable to prevent repeated failures.Here’s what you had to say:Condensation requires more than insulationInsulation on its own is not the answer. To avoid condensation and mould growth, adequate heating and ventilation must be provided too, along with a change in lifestyle. Windows must be opened when bathing, showering, or cooking. Clothes should not be dried indoors, and the home should be properly aired once a day. I know this always results in long faces and excuses from householders, but it is the only way to combat condensation and mould growth in homes. Fur-QThe structure of the schemes need to be changedThis scheme, like most government schemes of the sort, cannot be accessed by the smaller (and therefore more local) tradesmen. This is probably not important in London, where most civil servants believe the population lives, but out in the sticks it means that anyone in Cumbria, Durham, or Northumberland can only be serviced by firms based in Newcastle. If I were spending my own money, I would never use such a company, whatever their reputation, because it is more important to have a local base to contact in case of trouble. The structure of the schemes needs to be fundamentally changed to be fully supportive of the local building industry. MorphanielGoals not realisticThis is a result of the desired result not being realistic nor achievable. Just because old housing is not suited to heat-loss reduction doesn’t mean it can be retro-adapted. A lack of awareness on the part of those who set these goals. They should be publicly named as an example to future governments. McCluskey seems to have put his head on the block. Geoff AllibonePerhaps we need new housingHonestly, if so many homes have been made worse or dangerous because of these works, instead of assuming every installer is an incompetent cowboy, maybe UK homes just do not work with this type of work and should be pulled down and replaced with new housing. Obviously, this could not happen overnight, but plans should be put in place immediately to refresh our housing stock. daysocksCivil service incompetenceAnother example of civil service incompetence. We really need a fundamental change that enables prosecution of officials as they do in the US. All that will happen is another enquiry where lawyers get rich, and no one is held accountable. From Grenfell to grooming gangs to the Post Office again and again, we are let down and lives ruined by public officials. JSMill88What a mess. I know people who’re still waiting on problems caused by cavity wall insulation being remedied. So God knows how long this mess will take to rectify. Works are not being properly supervised or inspected. SweetswingNew buildsWe have neglected installing proper insulation for far too long. It should surely be installed as standard on all new builds, and we should install solar panels on all south-facing roofs in new houses. 49ninerLevel older propertiesWe do have decent insulation standards on new builds, and solar panels must be fitted on all new build homes by 2027. Part of Britain’s problem is that we fetishise older properties on spurious “heritage” grounds when we should be levelling them and starting over. Once upon a time, “slum clearance” was seen as a desirable objective. SteveHillSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

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      China accused of ‘large-scale espionage’ against UK in witness statements on collapsed spy case

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      The government’s deputy national security adviser repeatedly described the “threat” posed by China in witness statements Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to publish as part of an extraordinary row over a collapsed spying case. Matt Collins said Chinese intelligence services were “highly capable and conduct large scale espionage operations” against the UK, which “threaten the UK’s economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions”.But he added that the government was “committed to pursuing a positive relationship” with Beijing. In the three witness statements, he also told prosecutors it was his assessment that the two men accused of spying for China acted in a way that was a danger to the “safety” and “interests” of the UK, handing over material that would be “useful” to the Chinese state. They deny any wrongdoing. The documents said ‘Chinese espionage operations threaten the UK’s economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions.’ More

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      Higher taxes for the wealthy will be ‘part of the story’, says Reeves ahead of Budget

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      Rachel Reeves has suggested higher taxes on the wealthy will be part of her Budget next month. The Chancellor was speaking in Washington on Wednesday, when she acknowledged she was looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a hole in her Budget which she said was partly due to the lingering impact of Brexit. It came amid speculation on the measures she will take to fill the estimated £50m blackhole, with a cut to the cash ISA allowance for savers reportedly among the ideas. When asked whether higher taxes on the wealthy would feature as part of her November 26 statement, Ms Reeves, who was in the US for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting, said: “That will be part of the story. “In the budget next month, there won’t be a return to austerity. We know that we face a changing global environment in terms of the economy at the moment.”The autumn budget is scheduled for 26 November More

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      ‘Tinkering around edges’ at Budget risks another year of economic pain, IFS warns Reeves

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      Tinkering around the edges at the next Budget risks another year of economic pain, a leading think tank has warned, urging the chancellor to take “bold action” in November. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said it expects Rachel Reeves will need to find at least £22bn next month, thanks to rising borrowing costs, weaker growth forecasts and spending commitments made since spring. But the IFS said there was a “strong case” for the chancellor to go further, arguing that a £10bn buffer – the amount of headroom Ms Reeves previously left herself against her self-imposed debt rules – was not enough to ensure stability and would leave her “limping from one forecast to the next”. This funding, the think tank said, is likely to have to come from tax rises. While the think tank didn’t rule out spending cuts entirely, they said they would “pose challenges” due to a lack of parliamentary support for welfare cuts and the fact that departmental budgets were only agreed in June. Rachel Reeves is facing a ‘groundhog day’ Budget More