We present a study on how and where personas -- defined by distinct sets of human characteristics, values, and beliefs -- are encoded in the representation space of large language models (LLMs). Using a range of dimension reduction and pattern recognition methods, we first identify the model layers that show the greatest divergence in encoding these representations. We then analyze the activations within a selected layer to examine how specific personas are encoded relative to others, including their shared and distinct embedding spaces. We find that, across multiple pre-trained decoder-only LLMs, the analyzed personas show large differences in representation space only within the final third of the decoder layers. We observe overlapping activations for specific ethical perspectives -- such as moral nihilism and utilitarianism -- suggesting a degree of polysemy. In contrast, political ideologies like conservatism and liberalism appear to be represented in more distinct regions. These findings help to improve our understanding of how LLMs internally represent information and can inform future efforts in refining the modulation of specific human traits in LLM outputs. Warning: This paper includes potentially offensive sample statements.

Stories play a pivotal role in human communication, shaping beliefs and morals, particularly in children. As parents increasingly rely on large language models (LLMs) to craft bedtime stories, the presence of cultural and gender stereotypes in these narratives raises significant concerns. To address this issue, we present Biased Tales, a comprehensive dataset designed to analyze how biases influence protagonists' attributes and story elements in LLM-generated stories. Our analysis uncovers striking disparities. When the protagonist is described as a girl (as compared to a boy), appearance-related attributes increase by 55.26%. Stories featuring non-Western children disproportionately emphasize cultural heritage, tradition, and family themes far more than those for Western children. Our findings highlight the role of sociocultural bias in making creative AI use more equitable and diverse.

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) across industry, government, and education highlights the urgent need for robust frameworks to conceptualise and guide engagement. This paper introduces the Hierarchy of Engagement with AI model, a novel maturity framework inspired by Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The model conceptualises AI adoption as a progression through eight levels, beginning with initial exposure and basic understanding and culminating in ecosystem collaboration and societal impact. Each level integrates technical, organisational, and ethical dimensions, emphasising that AI maturity is not only a matter of infrastructure and capability but also of trust, governance, and responsibility. Initial validation of the model using four diverse case studies (General Motors, the Government of Estonia, the University of Texas System, and the African Union AI Strategy) demonstrate the model's contextual flexibility across various sectors. The model provides scholars with a framework for analysing AI maturity and offers practitioners and policymakers a diagnostic and strategic planning tool to guide responsible and sustainable AI engagement. The proposed model demonstrates that AI maturity progression is multi-dimensional, requiring technological capability, ethical integrity, organisational resilience, and ecosystem collaboration.

What do we know about alleged Trump signature on Epstein letter? A birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein from 2003, allegedly signed by Donald Trump, has been released by US lawmakers. The White House has said, the president did not write this letter, he did not sign this letter, but Democrats believe it is authentic. There has been a particular focus on the signature - BBC Verify's Jake Horton has been examining it, with the help of handwriting experts. The BBC's Tom Bateman spoke with Patrick Scallen who lives near the Annunciation Church and ran towards the sound of gunfire.

London-listed miner Anglo American and Canada's Teck Resources plan to merge, marking the sector's second-biggest mergers and acquisitions deal ever and forging a new global copper-focused heavyweight. Under the proposed deal, which will require regulatory approvals and was announced on Tuesday, Anglo American shareholders will own 62.4 percent of the new company, Anglo Teck, while shareholders in Teck would hold 37.6 percent. The deal to form the world's fifth-largest copper company is also a big bet on copper by Anglo. Glencore's $90bn merger with Xstrata in 2013 remains the largest mining deal in history. Copper, used in the power and construction sectors, is set to benefit from burgeoning demand spurred by electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.

Apple has announced several new products, including its new slimmer iPhone "Air" model with a "high-density battery" and a brand new processor, as well as an iPhone 17, the latest upgrade to its flagship smartphone . The tech giant, based in Cupertino, California in the US, unveiled the iPhone Air model as the star of the annual product launch event on Tuesday, with CEO Tim Cook calling it a "game-changer". The company said the base model iPhone 17 will have a brighter, more scratch-resistant screen. It also said the device will feature a new A19 processor chip, which will be made with three-nanometre (3nm) chipmaking technology and have improved capabilities for on-device artificial intelligence features. Apple said the iPhone 17 will also have a better front-facing camera with a differently shaped sensor to make horizontal selfies look better.

Dark'race' element to Ukrainian refugee's death... as horrific way she died revealed by FBI: 'She loved America' Texas announces ban on Sharia Law after Muslim'patrols' tried to ban alcohol and pork Mindy Kaling's rumored baby daddy BJ Novak is'unconnected, distanced and reluctant' in the relationship And a warped web of'lies'. As notorious Trump schmoozer's life falls apart... another explosive twist rocks the case'I'd like to see my Platinum Jubilee. Can you keep me alive for that?' Inside late Queen's cancer battle, as PAUL BURRELL describes her final days, what happened when Harry arrived after her death - and why Meghan was not welcome Why humble Hailee Steinfeld is hardly ever shown on TV watching NFL husband Josh Allen... despite being at most of his games Canada's'dirty doctor': Shocking sex claims engulf top physician as lurid details of her'erotic examinations' are laid bare Houthis strike BACK after Israel bombed building in Qatar as Hamas says six people were killed... and that they blame the US Sweater weather starts here - the cozy, chic pieces from Soft Surroundings you'll actually wear all season Mystery over Burning Man homicide deepens as drivers describe chilling encounter with'woman in red' Epstein bombshell as big shot executor of pedophile's will is revealed after six years Inside the terrifying arsenal lair of boy, 13, planning school massacre...fit with dozens of guns and chilling manifesto Bombshell new video shows US military's direct hit on glowing UFO with hellfire missile Jannik Sinner's ex girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya names and shames'desperate' top-20 male player who slid in her DMs TEN times begging for a date Company offers huge payout to'Phillies Karen' if she returns infamous home run ball... but with one condition The woke masses fled Trump's America in a blind panic. I know the real reason he visited the Queen's grave - do not be taken in by his act: AMANDA PLATELL World-first: Apple Watch can now detect high blood pressure, 'silent killer' behind millions of heart attacks Horror as dead body is found inside trunk of singer D4vd's impounded Tesla Selena Gomez opens up on'weight loss issues' ahead of wedding after facing Ozempic rumors Apple has finally unveiled its latest range of devices at the company's'awe dropping' event in Cupertino, California . While the new iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air might have been the centre of attention, Apple has also unveiled two brand new smartwatches.

'Great Migration' involves far fewer wildebeest than we had thought An estimate that as many as 1.3 million wildebeest move across the Serengeti Mara landscape each year has been cut down to size using AI East Africa's "Great Migration" is generally estimated to involve as many as 1.3 million wildebeest. But in reality, fewer than 600,000 of the animals might move across the Serengeti Mara landscape each year, according to an AI analysis of satellite images. The Great Migration sees wildebeest, zebra and antelopes move between feeding and breeding grounds in Kenya and Tanzania, while also trying to dodge predators including lions, crocodiles and hyenas. Lions' record-breaking swim across channel captured by drone camera Assessing the number of animals involved is a tough task, traditionally achieved using crewed aerial surveys. Researchers can only survey a small area at a time, however, so they use statistical models to extrapolate densities across unsurveyed regions, which can introduce errors given herds are unevenly distributed and constantly on the move.

Is Chicago the violent crime capital of the US? Why did India-US relations decline so fast? Why is the US expanding in the Caribbean? The United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new measures aimed at speeding construction of infrastructure needed for the rapid buildup of data centres for artificial intelligence that would enable companies to start building before obtaining air permits. The EPA announced its new proposal on Tuesday.

What we know about Gaza flotilla'drone attack' NewsFeed What we know about Gaza flotilla'drone attack' Activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza say their main vessel was hit by a drone attack in Tunisia. Tunisian authorities said it was an accidental fire. Here's what we know so far. Gaza City residents react to Israel's forced expulsion orders