
Will AI kill off Captchas?
Given the series has satirised everything from New York City rent controls to multi-level marketing schemes, I originally assumed it must be a joke. But not for the first time the writers had wrong-footed me: it's actually perfectly possible to earn money (around $1 per 1,000) by solving batches of Captchas from the comfort of your own home.
Who pays for these services in the first place? Like many things involving the underlying plumbing of the internet, the answer isn't particularly pleasant. It turns out that the legions of hackers, bot networks and web-scrapers who make money from our data, sometimes with malicious intent, are often willing to pay remote workers in order to help them force entry to websites.
So there you have it. But just one more thing, as Cale's predecessor Columbo used to say: why are Captchas still such a big deal in 2025 anyway, given that artificial intelligence is surely capable of differentiating between photos of motorbikes and fire hydrants?
As much as we might find them annoying, Captchas, which were developed in the early 2000s, still play a vital role in keeping the internet safe, says Matt Bliss, technical director at agency This is Embrace. Though they have got less annoying over the years (apparently), with much of the work happening behind the scenes. 'We think that Captchas are about solving puzzles, but most of the time it's just computers talking to computers,' he tells me over Zoom.
When you try to enter a website, things like your IP address, your browser version, your time zone and even your internet history can help verify that you're a genuine user. Even crossing that ubiquitous tick-box to say you're not a robot isn't without purpose, given that the Captcha can track the way that you moved the mouse. For example, if your clicker travelled in perfectly straight lines at a constant pace, it's more likely you're a bot.
By the time you're asked to complete a puzzle, you've already been flagged as a risky prospect, at which point the system flips the burden of proof on to you to prove your innocence. In theory, the tests it gives you are meant to separate robots from humans (hence the full name for Captchas: 'Completely Automated Public Turing Tests to Tell Computers and Humans Apart'), but is that really the case?
Not quite. Last year, a Zurich-based PhD researcher, Andreas Plesner, developed an AI model to solve the ubiquitous Google Captchas (the ones that use images from Google Maps) with 100 per cent accuracy. 'It was actually just a side project,' he tells me over Zoom from California, estimating that the entire endeavour took him and his colleague around ten hours a week over a single semester.
So will AI mean the end of Captchas? Not necessarily, say cyber security experts. Ironically, some have even suggested that the age of AI could actually make it easier for websites to detect bots on the basis that they will be the ones who solve Captchas the quickest. By contrast, those users who pause or even make small mistakes are much more likely to be genuine (as Alexander Pope put it, 'to err is human').
If Captchas are here to stay, can they at least be improved, so we no longer end up in a loop of repetitive traffic light-based tasks? There are plenty of bright sparks working on that exact question. Researchers at the University of Genoa have devised an alternative test for smartphone users involving simple physical challenges (such as tilting your phone in a certain direction) which bots will find impossible. Meanwhile, programmers at the University of Alberta have suggested 'contextual Captchas' which ask intuitive questions (i.e. 'What do you think happened next?') based on Dilbert-style comic strips. In theory, sussing these kinds of human narratives will be harder for AI-driven bots to crack – at least for now.
In the meantime, it isn't just the writers of Poker Face who are having fun with Captchas. On Reddit, a small community of devotees post screenshots of particularly surreal examples of Captcha. Meanwhile the website World's Hardest Captcha has turned some of the most recognisable formats into a nightmare vortex of endless puzzles, each more difficult than the last.
As for Charlie Cale's side-hustle solving Captchas for beer money, it looks like it's safe for now. So perhaps those poor souls in less prosperous countries making their living toiling away on platforms like 2Captcha and CapSolver can also provide some welcome perspective to the rest of us.
After all, if you think having to identify images of tractors when you use a new wifi network is a pain in the neck, then imagine having to do it all day for a job. Forget 'I am not a robot': after eight hours of Captchas, you may feel like you might as well be.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
'I lost both eyes and my guide dog in one year - then stand-up comedy saved me'
Sydney May hates X-Factor style sob stories. She also doesn't want any kind of admiration for putting her shoes on the right feet. So if you've come here for that, please gently leave. What she can say, proudly, is that she's done something many able-bodied people wouldn't allow themselves: stand up on stage and very successfully make people laugh. So well, in fact, that she's won two gongs this year – including the Comedy Bloomers' LGBTQ new comedian of the year award. That's a huge achievement for anyone: not just for a blind person. 'People are always like, 'Oh, my God, you're amazing. How do you do that? I couldn't put toast in the toaster if I couldn't see,'' Sydney tells Metro over Zoom. 'I'm like, 'Of course you could..' So it's really nice to be admired for being good at something, and not just good despite the fact that you can't see.' As a baby, Sydney had retinoblastoma, which is a form of retinal cancer. 'My mum kept saying, 'Something's wrong. She's squinting.' They said, 'Babies always squint'.' While Sydney had some sight as a baby, she has no memory of being able to see as the cancer quickly took hold. But it's not all doom and gloom. 'In many ways, I count myself lucky,' Sydney says. 'I had cancer, and the only thing it took was my eyes. 'Some people find the concept of me saying I'm lucky to be a hard one, but I'd say it could have been a hell of a lot worse.' As per the NHS, Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that can affect young children. It affects the retina, which is at the back of the eye. Retinoblastoma can affect 1 or both eyes. The main symptom is a white glow or white reflection in the centre of the eye (pupil). You may be able to see it from just looking at the eye, or you may see it in low light or in photos where a flash has been used. Other symptoms of retinoblastoma can include: the eyes pointing in a different direction (squint) the coloured part of the eye (iris) changing colour swelling around the eye uncontrolled eye movements vision problems pain in 1 or both eyes Your child may otherwise seem well. Treatment aims to get rid of the cancer, but there is a high chance your child may lose some, or all, of their vision in the affected eye. But life is not without its struggles, as Sydney experienced a few years ago. While her eyes did not work, Sydney still had them. But when they began to deteriorate and die, she made the decision to have them removed in what ended up being an 'incredibly painful' post-operation recovery. She then lost her guide dog of eight years (and she's now three years into a waiting list to get a new one). This all happened within a 12-month period. 'I'm harder against physical pain than I used to be before,' she says. 'But the emotional stuff I've been through as well has not been fun, and comedy really came at a time when I needed something. 'I didn't know what it was. I just needed something new, and I found it.' As a blind comedian, Sydney can feel everything on stage. Her senses are heightened to pick up on the atmosphere. 'It's really important that people laugh. I always say it's no good smiling,' Sydney chuckles. Sydney thinks it was an advantage in the Comedy Bloomers final that she couldn't see the audiences' faces, which were lit up alarmingly bright for the comedians. 'In a way I think it can be an advantage that I don't have to see the audience, but it does mean I need to feel them,' she says. 'I need to hear them. I guess I'm sensitive to the energy in the room. I need to feel that energy.' Sydney's favourite rooms are small, intimate venues, where chuckles spread like contagion. 'If it's a big room and they're really far away, you just feel like you're working a bit harder for the laughs,' she says. If people are disrespectful and talk through shows, that's doubly distracting for Sydney. 'I probably am sensitive to that, but I think all comedians live in fear of the silences and talking. That's everyone, I think,' she says. What's certain is that while Sydney has only been doing comedy for a year and a half, she's got the on-stage confidence of a veteran. One question… How? 'I don't get particularly nervous. I just really love it. I just enjoy it. I get massive adrenaline rushes and a huge buzz from doing it,' she says. While many comedians are guilty of endlessly seeking social validation, it's possible Sydney is made of tougher stuff. Generally speaking. 'I'm not going to say it's more difficult for me than anybody, because everyone has struggles and challenges in life, but I think I've had to develop a fairly thick skin,' she admits. More Trending Next year, Sydney's goal is Edinburgh. But first she needs to expand her five-minute set. 'There's a lot of comedy related to my blindness, because that's just how life works. But I'm also very, very determined that it will not be the only thing I talk about,' Sydney says. 'There are more aspects to life, and to my life. It's not the only thing to me.' The Comedy Bloomers' LGBTQ New Comedian of the Year grand final will be broadcast on streaming channel OUTFlix on July 31. Follow Sydney on social media here. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'My 3-day childbirth hell turned me into a leaking, traumatised animal' MORE: 'Nobody's got $4,500,000': The moment a Beatles legend saved Monty Python MORE: 'Epic' sci-fi series returns to streaming — and four more shows to binge this month


Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Danny Jones and wife Georgia put on loved-up display at Oasis gig in first public outing since drunken Maura kiss
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DANNY Jones enjoyed a loved-up night with wife Georgia Horsley at Oasis' Wembley gig as they appeared to patch things up after their recent troubles. They were all smiles as they stepped out for the Manchester-based band's first London comeback show alongside Danny's mum. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Danny Jones flashed a loving gaze at wife Georgia Horsley as they headed to see Oasis at Wembley Stadium Credit: dannyjonesofficial/Instagram 6 Mum of one Georgia looked stylish in Adidas shorts and a matching top Credit: Instagram 6 The pair are matching things up after Maura Higgins and Danny's drunk kiss at The Brits this year Credit: The Sun It was a positive show of solidarity from the pair, who were this week seen beaming as they teamed up for a celebration with Georgia's family. Just last month, Danny, 39, also uploaded the first picture of his partner to social media since his kiss scandal broke. Mum-of-one Georgia, 38, has endured a tough year sparked by Danny's drunken kiss with I'm A Celeb co-star Maura Higgins at a BRITs after-party, which The Sun was first to reveal in March. The incident plunged their marriage into crisis and the podcast host was reportedly "furious" at the way the Star Girl singer handled the aftermath of the debacle. Now they have put on a united front at the Wonderwall hitmakers' comeback show. An image posted to Danny's Instagram Stories showed the couple, who share son Cooper, flashing a loving look at each other after Oasis' mammoth setlist. They looked adoringly at each other in the black and white image, with Danny's parent in between them. The McFly boyband star wrote in his caption: "Oasis day one that was f***ing incredible." On her page, mum of one Georgia posted a snapshot of her Adidas outfit, with red shorts and a white top. At the gig, Oasis paid an emotional tribute to rocker Ozzy Osbourne who passed away this week, aged 76. Danny Jones' wife Georgia breaks down in tears live on This Morning saying 'I felt like a failure' PRESSING AHEAD Georgia's heart-warming upload came after a rough few months for the influencer and her family. Pals previously said she was keen to press ahead with her career and did not want to be "seen as a victim" after Danny's kiss was exposed. An insider said: 'Georgia has her head back in work and this year is already shaping up to be very exciting. 'She has got a fresh deal with Omaze to record social media ads. McFly's Danny Jones and wife Georgia Horsley - Love Story MCFLY singer Danny Jones and his wife Georgia Horsley's romance is at the centre of attention after his drunken kiss with Love Island alum Maura Higgins. Yet when did they meet? Danny began a relationship with model Georgia back in 2010. He had been going out with his now-wife for four years when he proposed to her in Cyprus in 2013. They married the following August in her hometown of Malton, North Yorks, in a ceremony which featured musical performances by McBusted and Ellie Goulding. Danny and Georgia welcomed a baby boy called Cooper Alf Jones on January 27, 2018. 'Georgia is refusing to be seen as a victim and after everything that happened she wants to crack on and get back out there. 'She has already done some filming for them and couldn't be more excited about what doors this job could open.' Previously, The Sun was first to report a huge reality TV series was eyeing up Georgia after Danny's drunken kiss. DANNY'S APOLOGY The boyband star previously made a public apology to his wife following the kiss. In a statement online, he said: 'Hello everyone. Sorry it's taken me a while to post this but I've taken some time out to be with those closest to me. "I want to deeply apologise to my wife and family for putting them in this situation. "I love them so much and we'll continue to deal with this privately. Danny continued: "I love you guys, thank you for your patience, understanding and support. "See you all soon, Danny." 6 Manchester rockers Oasis played Wembley stadium in their first reunion gig in London on Friday Credit: SWNS 6 Georgia has vowed not to be seen as a 'victim' during the past few months Credit: Getty - Contributor


Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I found cheaper alternatives to Molly-Mae's earring stack and saved hundreds of pounds'
Molly-Mae Hague has a very expensive taste in jewellery, but you can copy the former Love Island's star's jewellery look for much less - here's how The fashion for small, chic, luxury-looking jewellery – particularly the trend of wearing multiple delicate stud or hoop earrings – has been popular for several years now and is a favourite amongst celebrities. So when I spotted a detailed image of Molly-Mae Hague's earring collection, it inspired me to expand my own collection of piercings and indulge in some new jewellery to emulate her style. The former Love Island contestant had previously revealed that many of her tiny studs and hoops are from the fashionable London-based jewellery brand and piercing studio Maria Tash. This high-end brand is a hit with celebrities and fashion fans alike, but their designs often come with a hefty price tag, often exceeding £1,000 for a single earring. However, without Molly-Mae's reported net worth of £6 million, I set out to find more affordable alternatives – and discovered some fantastic pieces that I adore and now wear daily. Astrid and Miyu I visited Astrid and Miyu to have a third hole pierced in my lobes and was thoroughly impressed with the service – swift, painless and friendly, with excellent advice – a vast improvement on previous piercing experiences, reports OK!. I chose Astrid and Miyu's Triple Topaz Piercing Stud 6mm for my new piercings. As all their piercings are made with solid metals, they aren't cheap – the pair cost me £320. However, they're designed to last a lifetime, I'll likely never remove mine, and I know they're the best material for my ears. While I was shopping, I also snagged these little Cosmic Star Charm Huggies in Gold for a much more affordable £65, which I absolutely adore, and resemble Molly-Mae's jewellery. Abbott Lyon Another brand I've been buying from recently is Abbott Lyon, a hit with celebrities such as Olivia Attwood and Stacey Solomon. Nearly every day, I round off my earring trio with the Sterling Silver Mini Starburst Crystal Earrings (Gold), priced at £69, which I reckon bear a striking resemblance to Maria Tash's designs. If I'm after a bit more of a statement earring look, I'll swap these out for either the Mini Organic Hoops (Gold), £39, or the Ribbed Hoops (Gold), £55,. Abbott Lyon's Strike Twice Lightning Bolt Earrings, retailing at £49, also bear a strong likeness to Molly-Mae's lightning bolt studs. Lily & Roo One jewellery retailer I haven't yet shopped but am eager to is Lily & Roo, whose designs are reminiscent of pieces frequently donned by the Princess of Wales. Lily & Roo's jewellery leans more towards timeless elegance rather than being trend-driven, ensuring they'll be cherished for a lifetime. I think these Gold Marquise Diamond Drop Hoop Earrings, £89, and Gold Curved Diamond Style Huggie Hoop Earrings, £79, appear far pricier than their actual cost. Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.