WEBVTT 1 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:10.590 Good afternoon. It's half past two in the afternoon on Wednesday the 7th of October. 2 00:00:10.710 --> 00:00:13.070 This is Not Perfect News. I'm James. 3 00:00:13.190 --> 00:00:14.150 And I'm Julie. 4 00:00:14.270 --> 00:00:16.230 Here are today's main stories. 5 00:00:16.350 --> 00:00:23.150 The international monetary fund warns that artificial intelligence and high debt threaten global economic stability. 6 00:00:23.270 --> 00:00:29.800 Russian missile attacks across several regions of Ukraine have killed at least twenty people today. 7 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:35.430 Royal mail plans to cut up to two thousand five hundred management jobs in a major restructure. 8 00:00:35.550 --> 00:00:43.060 Later, the latest in technology and AI, and today's feature: McDonald's sued over alleged algorithmic pricing tool. 9 00:00:43.180 --> 00:00:48.100 This programme is researched and voiced using AI, and every source is on our website. 10 00:00:48.220 --> 00:00:50.010 Here's Julie with the world news. 11 00:00:50.710 --> 00:01:00.830 Thanks, James. The head of the international monetary fund has warned that global economic stability faces fresh threats from artificial intelligence and rising national debt levels. 12 00:01:00.950 --> 00:01:08.270 At least twenty people have been killed across Ukraine following a wave of heavy Russian missile strikes targeting civilian areas. 13 00:01:08.390 --> 00:01:15.270 France has suspended the police use of specific stun grenades after a student suffered severe injuries during recent protests. 14 00:01:15.390 --> 00:01:17.380 Here's James with the UK news. 15 00:01:18.080 --> 00:01:31.400 Thanks, Julie. Royal Mail has announced plans to cut up to two thousand five hundred head office and support function jobs by the end of twenty twenty-seven, though the exact scale of the restructuring remains subject to conflicting reports. 16 00:01:31.520 --> 00:01:37.790 A husband has appeared in court charged with the murder of a general practitioner following an ongoing police investigation. 17 00:01:37.910 --> 00:01:48.270 Reform UK has cleared its officials over allegations concerning party funding, although Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson has dismissed the internal review as a whitewash. 18 00:01:48.390 --> 00:01:50.950 Here's Julie with the technology and AI news. 19 00:01:51.650 --> 00:02:03.090 Thanks, James. the italian prime minister is seeking to trademark her voice to protect herself from unauthorised deepfakes. giorgia meloni has taken legal steps in rome to register her voice as a trademark. 20 00:02:03.210 --> 00:02:05.240 Here's James with today's feature. 21 00:02:05.940 --> 00:02:16.430 Thanks, Julie. A lawsuit has been filed in a federal court in Chicago against McDonald's over its alleged use of an artificial intelligence tool to determine pricing across independent franchises. 22 00:02:16.550 --> 00:02:22.160 The legal action brings fresh scrutiny to how fast food giants handle technology behind the counter. 23 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:29.480 Back in twenty nineteen, McDonald's acquired an artificial intelligence company called Dynamic Yield. 24 00:02:29.600 --> 00:02:36.040 That purchase sparked long-running industry discussions about where automated pricing might show up next. 25 00:02:36.160 --> 00:02:42.930 For ordinary diners, the core issue is whether automated systems are quietly pushing up the cost of a simple burger and fries. 26 00:02:43.050 --> 00:02:49.780 The lawsuit alleges that the artificial intelligence tool violates antitrust laws and has unfairly inflated menu prices. 27 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:55.870 Plaintiffs argue this happened by facilitating the exchange of nonpublic price and sales data between locations. 28 00:02:55.990 --> 00:02:59.680 On the other side, McDonald's has firmly denied using dynamic pricing. 29 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:04.570 The company also denied using artificial intelligence in setting menu prices. 30 00:03:04.690 --> 00:03:12.790 McDonald's stated that it makes its pricing tool available to United States franchisees to help them set prices at their individual restaurants. 31 00:03:12.910 --> 00:03:19.470 Following the emergence of the lawsuit, shares of McDonald's edged down zero point two five per cent on Tuesday. 32 00:03:19.590 --> 00:03:28.710 The courts will now have to decide whether these behind-the-scenes tools crossed the line from helpful software into anti-competitive behaviour. 33 00:03:28.830 --> 00:03:33.100 It turns out that even the humble Big Mac is not immune to the digital age. 34 00:03:33.220 --> 00:03:37.410 All key points from the brief have already been covered in the earlier part of this report. 35 00:03:37.530 --> 00:03:41.310 The courts will now review the evidence as this legal challenge moves forward. 36 00:03:41.430 --> 00:03:46.640 Just shows you cannot escape algorithms, even when you are just popping out for chips. 37 00:03:46.760 --> 00:03:51.230 Though at least the machine does not judge you for ordering a second portion. 38 00:03:51.930 --> 00:03:55.390 Thanks, James. Before we go, a reminder of today's main stories. 39 00:03:55.510 --> 00:04:03.060 The head of the International Monetary Fund has warned that artificial intelligence and global debt threaten future economic stability. 40 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:09.260 At least twenty people have been killed across Ukraine following a wave of heavy Russian missile attacks. 41 00:04:09.380 --> 00:04:14.730 You'll find all our sources, the transcript and chapters at news.notperfect.biz. 42 00:04:14.850 --> 00:04:19.520 This programme is made with AI, so please check the linked sources for anything important. 43 00:04:19.640 --> 00:04:21.980 That's all from us this afternoon. I'm Julie. 44 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:25.530 And I'm James. Thanks for listening, and goodbye.