tech firms accused
| |

Tech firms accused of destroying books after AI scanning

Books are playing a major role in the rapid development of artificial intelligence. However, experts warn that the growing demand for printed books to train AI models is putting valuable knowledge and cultural heritage at risk.

According to a British media report, several technology companies have started buying large collections of old books. The books are scanned using high-speed machines so their contents can be converted into digital data. The material is then used to train advanced artificial intelligence systems.

The report claims that after the scanning process is completed, some companies discard or destroy the original printed copies. This practice has raised concerns among historians, librarians, and preservation experts, who fear that irreplaceable works may disappear forever.

The project reportedly began around two years ago. In February 2024, a leading AI company hired a specialist with the task of collecting as many books as possible from around the world. The goal was to secure a vast collection of written material for AI training.

Experts say the destruction of ordinary books is troubling, but the loss of historical or rare editions would be far more serious. They warn that once an original copy is destroyed, valuable physical features such as handwritten notes, bindings, paper quality, and printing techniques may be lost forever. These details are often important for researchers and historians.

According to the report, AI companies are especially interested in books published before 2022. They believe these books contain mostly human-written content, making them more useful for training AI models. Newer online content is increasingly influenced by AI-generated text, which experts say could reduce the quality of future AI training.

The growing use of books for AI development has also sparked debate over copyright, preservation, and ethics. Critics argue that technological progress should not come at the cost of destroying cultural and historical treasures. They are urging companies to preserve original copies after scanning them and work with libraries and archives to protect valuable collections for future generations.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Role Model reveals how Dakota Johnson joined his new song

    Role Model has revealed that he never intended to involve his girlfriend, Hollywood actress Dakota Johnson, in his music. However, things changed naturally when she visited the recording studio during the making of his latest track, Love I You, from his upcoming album Chuck Timely & The Hourglass. The singer-songwriter, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, recently shared the story behind Johnson’s surprise voice cameo in the song. He explained that the team had been considering different people for the spoken part, but the unexpected opportunity arose when Johnson stopped by the studio. According to Role Model, guitarist and producer Mason Stoops suggested that Johnson should record the dialogue. At first, the singer was hesitant because he preferred to keep his professional work separate from his personal relationship. He admitted that he initially resisted the idea, believing that mixing work and romance was something he wanted to avoid. Despite his concerns, Johnson quickly volunteered to participate. Without hesitation, she stepped into the recording booth and delivered the lines with ease. Her performance exceeded everyone’s expectations, leaving the team impressed by how naturally she fit into the track. Role Model said that once he heard the final recording, he realized it was the perfect addition to the song. He described Johnson’s appearance as an incredible cameo that enhanced the emotional atmosphere of the track. Her spoken dialogue adds a playful and flirtatious element during the bridge, creating a memorable moment that has already caught the attention of fans. The singer also addressed his relationship with the actress, explaining why they prefer to keep their romance away from the public eye. While confirming that they are together, he emphasized that maintaining privacy has become increasingly important. He believes that once personal relationships become the focus of public discussion, attention shifts away from the music itself. Role Model noted that online audiences often analyze every detail of celebrities’ personal lives, turning simple moments into endless speculation. For that reason, he prefers to let his work speak for itself while keeping his relationship as private as possible. Even so, Johnson’s contribution to Love I You has generated significant excitement among fans. Clips featuring the pair’s charming exchange have circulated widely on social media, especially after footage from a live performance appeared on TikTok. The playful interaction has fueled anticipation for the full studio version of the song. Love I You is one of the standout tracks from Role Model’s upcoming album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, which is scheduled for release on August 7. The project explores themes of loneliness, emotional vulnerability, and the desire for meaningful connection. Johnson’s brief but impactful appearance complements those themes, adding warmth and authenticity to the song’s storytelling. As fans eagerly await the album’s release, the unexpected collaboration between Role Model and Dakota Johnson has become one of its biggest talking points. While the couple remains committed to keeping their relationship private, their creative partnership has offered listeners a rare glimpse into their chemistry, making Love I You one of the album’s most anticipated tracks.

  • | |

    Makkah pact hailed as boost for regional peace and…

    LAHORE: Senior journalists, defence analysts and experts have described the Makkah Joint Defence Pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a significant step towards strengthening regional peace, collective security and strategic cooperation. The views were expressed during a panel discussion titled “Makkah Pact: Peace, Security and Stability,” organised by the Press Information Department (PID) Lahore. PID Lahore Director General Shafqat Abbas said the agreement was not directed against any particular country but was intended to strengthen peace, stability, mutual confidence and collective security. He stressed that dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation should remain the preferred means of resolving regional disputes. He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye brought different strengths and experiences to the partnership, creating opportunities for closer cooperation in defence, diplomacy, economics and strategic affairs. According to him, modern national power extended beyond military strength and depended equally on a strong economy, quality education, scientific advancement, technology, skilled human resources and effective diplomacy. Shafqat Abbas called for greater efforts to convert Pakistan’s defence capabilities and achievements into economic opportunities through investment in education, research, technology, skills development and exports. He said a combination of strong defence and economic stability could enable Pakistan to play a more influential role internationally. Senior journalist and analyst Mujeebur Rehman Shami highlighted Pakistan’s achievements in defence, diplomacy and foreign relations since independence. He praised Pakistani diplomats for enhancing the country’s international standing despite limited resources and stressed the urgent need to improve education, technical skills, research and scientific development. He also called for higher exports, improved productivity and stronger economic policies, saying that Pakistan’s defence successes should ultimately contribute to broader economic progress. Senior journalist Salman Ghani said the pact combined the unique strengths of its three members, describing Pakistan as a country with significant defence capabilities, Saudi Arabia as a major economic power and Türkiye as an important player in defence technology and military production. He said the partnership could open new avenues for investment, economic cooperation and regional stability. Defence analyst Colonel (retd) Abid said Pakistan’s political and military leadership had played an important role in developing the agreement. He noted that the pact carried implications beyond defence and could influence regional diplomacy, economic relations and strategic cooperation. Former Vice Chancellor of Home Economics University Dr Faleha Afzal said the agreement had further demonstrated Pakistan’s potential role in promoting peace and stability and expressed hope that other Muslim countries would eventually participate in similar cooperative initiatives. Columnist Malik Salman stressed the importance of mutual trust and collective security among Muslim countries, while urging Pakistan to maintain a balance between defence preparedness and economic development. Government College University Lahore Urdu literature professor Dr Farzana Riaz said the pact could create new opportunities for unity and cooperation among Muslim countries and encourage joint efforts to address shared regional challenges. Journalist Noorullah said the agreement could contribute to greater peace and stability in the region, but stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to convert Pakistan’s strategic and defence strengths into tangible economic and diplomatic gains. The participants agreed that closer cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could have wider implications for regional peace, defence coordination, diplomacy and economic development. They called on Muslim countries to overcome differences, focus on common interests and pursue peace, development and collective security through dialogue and coordinated efforts. Concluding the session, Shafqat Abbas thanked the participants and said discussions of this nature were important for increasing public understanding of major national and international developments and encouraging informed debate.

  • | |

    90,000 rubber ducks race through Chicago river in …

    CHICAGO: The Chicago River turned bright yellow on Thursday as around 90,000 rubber ducks were released into the water for the annual Chicago Ducky Derby, a colorful charity event that draws thousands of spectators and raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois. The unusual race began when the huge collection of rubber ducks was dropped into the river from one side of a partially opened bridge. Within moments, the water was covered with thousands of small yellow ducks, creating a striking spectacle for people gathered along both sides of the river. The ducks remained in the water for roughly 15 minutes as they floated and moved with the river’s current. Organizers then retrieved the ducks from the water to determine the winning entries and ensure that the river was cleared of the race participants. Thousands of people attended the event, turning the annual derby into a lively festival. Spectators gathered along the riverbanks to watch the race, take photographs and support the charitable cause. Many participants and visitors also wore colorful T-shirts featuring rubber duck designs. The Ducky Derby is organized to support Special Olympics Illinois, helping raise thousands of dollars for programs and activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. One of the highlights of this year’s event came when 13-year-old Special Olympics athlete and Ducky Derby ambassador Becky Cavanaugh selected the winning duck. Her announcement was met with cheers from enthusiastic crowds gathered along the river. Cavanaugh said one of the things she values most about being involved with the Special Olympics is the opportunity to meet and build friendships with other people. The Chicago Ducky Derby has become a popular annual tradition, combining entertainment, community participation and fundraising. The event gives spectators a memorable experience while contributing to programs designed to support Special Olympics athletes across Illinois.

  • |

    Indian actress brutally murdered; body found in pieces, head still missing

    CHENNAI, August 7, 2026: A shocking murder case in the Indian city of Chennai has led police to identify the victim as Sindhya, an emerging Tamil actress, after her dismembered remains were recovered from different locations. According to Indian media reports, residents alerted police after noticing human fingers protruding from a plastic bag near a garbage dump in Chennai. When police opened the bag, they found a severed hand and legs inside. More plastic bags were later discovered in different parts of the city. The bags contained human bones, body parts and other remains. A post-mortem examination determined that the remains belonged to the same woman. Police said the victim had been killed and her body was allegedly cut into pieces using a sharp weapon. However, her head and left hand remained missing, making identification difficult. During the investigation, police noticed two distinctive tattoos on the victim’s right hand. One tattoo depicted the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati, while the other featured a dragon. Meanwhile, a woman approached a police station to report her daughter missing. She told investigators that her 37-year-old daughter, Sindhya, was an aspiring Tamil actress who lived in Chennai with her husband and two children. Sindhya’s mother reportedly told police that her son-in-law had claimed Sindhya had gone out of the house but had not returned. Police later showed the recovered remains and identifying marks to Sindhya’s family. Her mother identified her daughter based on the tattoos and other features. A subsequent DNA test also confirmed that the recovered remains belonged to Sindhya. Following the identification, police questioned Sindhya’s husband, Balakrishnan. He initially claimed that his wife had left home and never returned. However, investigators reportedly found inconsistencies in his statements. Police later claimed that Balakrishnan confessed to the killing during questioning. According to investigators, Sindhya and Balakrishnan had an argument before the incident. Police alleged that Balakrishnan attacked Sindhya with an axe, killing her before dismembering her body and placing the remains in plastic bags, which he allegedly dumped at different locations.

  • | |

    Committee formed to investigate HIV Cases at Landh…

      The authorities have established an inquiry committee to investigate the recent HIV cases reported at the Social Security Hospital in Landhi, Karachi. The decision comes after concerns were raised following the confirmation of 10 HIV cases at the hospital, prompting officials to initiate a detailed investigation into the matter. According to an official notification, a five-member inquiry committee has been constituted under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Naila Zaheer. The committee has been assigned the responsibility of conducting a comprehensive investigation into the reported HIV cases and identifying any possible shortcomings in hospital practices that may have contributed to the situation. As part of its mandate, the committee will verify the total number of HIV cases reported at the hospital. It will also confirm the identities of the affected patients and examine laboratory reports to ensure the accuracy of the diagnoses. This verification process is considered essential to establish the exact scope of the issue before any conclusions are drawn. The inquiry will also focus on identifying the possible sources of HIV transmission. Investigators will carefully review medical procedures carried out at the hospital, particularly the use of injections and disposable syringes. The committee will examine whether proper infection prevention and control protocols were followed and whether single-use syringes and other disposable medical equipment were used appropriately. Any evidence of negligence or unsafe medical practices will be documented as part of the investigation. In addition, the committee has been directed to investigate the procurement, availability, and utilization of medicines and disposable medical supplies within the hospital. This includes reviewing purchasing procedures, stock management, and the distribution of medical equipment to determine whether any irregularities or shortages may have affected patient safety. The notification further states that the committee will compile complete records of the affected children and their parents. This data collection aims to provide a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding each reported case and assist in determining whether there are any common factors linking the infections. The information gathered will also help health authorities provide appropriate medical care and follow-up support to the affected families. Another important responsibility assigned to the committee is identifying any individuals or departments found responsible for lapses in hospital procedures, if such lapses are confirmed during the inquiry. The final report will include recommendations aimed at improving hospital management, strengthening infection control measures, enhancing patient safety, and preventing similar incidents in the future. The formation of the inquiry committee reflects the authorities’ effort to thoroughly investigate the reported HIV cases and ensure transparency in the process. Health officials are expected to review the committee’s findings once the investigation is completed and take tappropriate action based on its recommendations. It is worth noting that 10 HIV cases have been reported at the Social Security Hospital in Landhi, leading to growing public concern and the launch of this formal investigation. The outcome of the inquiry will play an important role in determining the cause of the reported infections and in reinforcing public confidence in healthcare services by ensuring accountability and improved safety standards.

  • |

    Romanian forces execute controlled detonation on Danube to safeguard nuclear energy supply

    Romanian naval forces detonated 180 kilogrammes of explosives to clear a massive rock obstruction in the drought-stricken Danube River, attempting to channel essential cooling water towards the country’s sole remaining functional nuclear reactor at Cernavoda. The blast was designed to clear the riverbed and facilitate the construction of a temporary dam to boost water volume heading to the facility. The intervention follows Romania’s declaration of a nationwide state of emergency for August after record-low water levels forced one reactor to shut down entirely. Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta defended the costs of the operation, emphasising that maintaining operational capacity at the facility even for a few additional days far outweighs the financial expenditure. Regional energy strains are mounting simultaneously in neighbouring Hungary, where severe water depletion at the Paks nuclear power station has drastically cut output. Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned that a complete plant shutdown could occur next week without weather relief, urging regional coordination and energy restraint to avoid a wider crisis as low rainfall continues across Eastern Europe.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *