Airbnb guest says images were altered in false £12,000 damage claim ↗
A London academic booked a Manhattan Airbnb for 2½ months but left early over safety fears. Her host then claimed over £12,000 in damages, submitting photos that appeared AI-manipulated to show a cracked coffee table and other damage. Airbnb initially demanded £5,314 from her, but after she appealed—and following Guardian inquiries—the company apologized, refunded nearly £4,300, removed a negative review and launched an internal review. The case highlights how easily AI tools can be misused to fabricate evidence in disputes.
Enough of the billionaires and their big tech. ‘Frugal tech’ will build us all a better world | Eleanor Drage ↗
The article argues that real innovation isn't driven by billionaire-backed, resource-heavy projects but by “frugal tech”: affordable, open-source solutions built by and for communities. Examples include software-defined radios enabling local internet in low-resource areas, 3D-printed microscopes for affordable diagnostics, and DIY solar sensors. These grassroots technologies bridge digital divides, empower users, influence policy, and demonstrate that collaborative, needs-driven innovation can spark systemic change and a more inclusive tech future.