Anthropic has released blueprints for AI agents that can search, compare and purchase products on a customer’s behalf. While the technology is advancing quickly, consumer adoption depends on resolving fundamental questions around privacy, fair pricing, authority, fraud and accountability. The challenge is no longer simply whether AI agents can transact, but whether everyone involved can trust them.

A rising tide of complaints written with the help of AI is substantially increasing the workload of schools, local councils and other public bodies, the BBC has been told.

Chatbots can produce complex arguments, often quoting regulations or acts of Parliament, with documents running to dozens of pages long.

Lidl's new loyalty scheme less generous, shoppers say. Upset Lidl shoppers have complained on social media the supermarket chain's updated loyalty scheme is less generous than before. Under changes to the programme which came into force on Tuesday, customers collect points rather than reward coupons, with £1 spent equalling one point.