Latest news with #DameJudiDench
News18
04-08-2025
- News18
WhatsApp Once Again Testing Meta AI Voice Chat Support For Android Users
Last Updated: WhatsApp Meta AI voice support has been in the works for a while and the Android beta users are getting a new version this week. WhatsApp is testing voice chat with Meta AI for Android users. The platform has gone through multiple phases of tests earlier, and it seems the availability could be back on the agenda for the company. We first reported about the Meta AI voice support working with the Llama 3.2 AI model which already lets you summarise text, create images and even plan for your next vacation. The Meta AI chatbot will have a dynamic halo icon similar to Siri and answer your queries with the text given on the screen. The AI chatbot will also cite the source for its response which is critical for the credibility of the platform in the long run. The voice support on Meta AI has been tested with the WhatsApp beta version and it is easy to enable the feature. WhatsApp keeps it disabled by default and you can tap on the Meta AI icon next to the compose chat tab on the bottom-right of the feed. Meta AI will seek your permission to access the microphone and speaker on the phone so that the AI chatbot can hear and speak to you for commands. WhatsApp will even let you run the voice mode in the background so that you can open other apps and continue having the conversation. This also suggests WhatsApp could bring camera support like Gemini Live screen to let the Meta AI model see everything on your screen. The platform will let you mute the microphone, which you will know when the green indicator lights up at the top of the screen. If you want a more personalised voice chat, how about talking to the AI in the voices of John Cena, Dame Judi Dench or Kristen Bell? We had heard reports of Meta taking this route for the voice feature and it was finally made official at the Meta Connect 2024 event last year. view comments First Published: August 04, 2025, 17:23 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Independent
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
First female chief to take reins of secret service MI6
The first ever female head of MI6 has been announced by Sir Keir Starmer to lead Britain's secret service in the face of an 'unprecedented scale' of threats faced by the UK. Blaise Metreweli, a career intelligence officer who currently serves as director of technology at the organisation, will become the 18th chief in the organisation's 116-year history. She will take over from Sir Richard Moore, a senior civil servant who will step down in the autumn after five years in the role. Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Despite Dame Judi Dench playing M, the fictional head of the secret service in the James Bond films, there has never been a woman in charge of the organisation in real life. Earlier this year, Sir Richard, who was the first member of MI6 to openly use X, formerly Twitter, suggested a female candidate could replace him. 'We have yet to have a woman as chief so there's still a glass ceiling to shatter. #AccelerateAction,' he wrote in a post on the social media site. Ms Metreweli first joined the service as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. In her new post, she will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary. The Prime Minister said: 'The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital. 'The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale, be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services. 'I'd like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our county and keep our people safe – the foundation of my Plan for Change.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'I am delighted to appoint Blaise Metreweli as the next chief of MI6. 'With a wealth of experience from across our national security community, Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future. 'At a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together, Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad. 'Every day, our intelligence services work behind the scenes to protect our national security and compete with our adversaries. 'That's why I am proud that we are investing an extra £600 million in our intelligence community so they can continue to defend our way of life. 'I would also like to pay tribute to Sir Richard Moore for his service and leadership. 'I have worked closely with him over the past year and thank him for his valuable contribution enhancing our national security and protecting the British public.' Ms Metreweli said: 'I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my service. 'MI6 plays a vital role, with MI5 and GCHQ, in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas. 'I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.' Outgoing chief Sir Richard said: 'I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague, Blaise Metreweli to succeed me as 'C'. 'Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. 'I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6.'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Career spy Blaise Metreweli to become first woman to head MI6
A career spy called Blaise Metreweli will become the first woman to head MI6 in a "historic appointment", the prime minister has announced. She will take over from Sir Richard Moore as the 18th Chief, also known as "C", when he steps down in the autumn. "The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital," Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement released on Sunday night. "The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale - be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services." Of the other main spy agencies, is also under female command for the first time. Anne Keast-Butler took on the role in 2023, while MI5 has previously twice been led by a woman. Until now, a female spy chief had only headed - also known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) - in the James Bond movies. Dame Judi Dench held the fictional role - called "M" in the films instead of "C" - between 1995 and 2015. Ms Metreweli currently serves as "Q", one of four director generals inside MI6. The position - also made famous by the James Bond films, with the fictional "Q" producing an array of spy gadgets - means she is responsible for technology and innovation. Ms Metreweli, a Cambridge graduate, joined MI6 in 1999. Unlike the outgoing chief, who spent some of his service as a regular diplomat in the foreign office, including as ambassador to Turkey, she has spent her entire career as an intelligence officer. Much of that time was dedicated to operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. Ms Metreweli, who is highly regarded by colleagues, also worked as a director at MI5. Read more: In a statement, she said she was "proud and honoured to be asked to lead my service". "MI6 plays a vital role - with MI5 and GCHQ - in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas," she said. "I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners." Sir Richard said: "Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6."
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
First female chief to take reins of secret service MI6
The first ever female head of MI6 has been announced by Sir Keir Starmer to lead Britain's secret service in the face of an 'unprecedented scale' of threats faced by the UK. Blaise Metreweli, a career intelligence officer who currently serves as director of technology at the organisation, will become the 18th chief in the organisation's 116-year history. She will take over from Sir Richard Moore, a senior civil servant who will step down in the autumn after five years in the role. Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Despite Dame Judi Dench playing M, the fictional head of the secret service in the James Bond films, there has never been a woman in charge of the organisation in real life. Earlier this year, Sir Richard, who was the first member of MI6 to openly use X, formerly Twitter, suggested a female candidate could replace him. 'We have yet to have a woman as chief so there's still a glass ceiling to shatter. #AccelerateAction,' he wrote in a post on the social media site. Ms Metreweli first joined the service as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. In her new post, she will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary. The Prime Minister said: 'The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital. 'The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale, be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services. 'I'd like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our county and keep our people safe – the foundation of my Plan for Change.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'I am delighted to appoint Blaise Metreweli as the next chief of MI6. 'With a wealth of experience from across our national security community, Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future. 'At a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together, Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad. 'Every day, our intelligence services work behind the scenes to protect our national security and compete with our adversaries. 'That's why I am proud that we are investing an extra £600 million in our intelligence community so they can continue to defend our way of life. 'I would also like to pay tribute to Sir Richard Moore for his service and leadership. 'I have worked closely with him over the past year and thank him for his valuable contribution enhancing our national security and protecting the British public.' Ms Metreweli said: 'I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my service. 'MI6 plays a vital role, with MI5 and GCHQ, in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas. 'I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.' Outgoing chief Sir Richard said: 'I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague, Blaise Metreweli to succeed me as 'C'. 'Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. 'I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6.'
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
MI6 to get first female chief 30 years after Dame Judi Dench landed role in Bond movies
MI6 is to get its first female chief — three decades after Dame Judi Dench landed the role in the 007 movies. Blaise Metreweli will lead the fight against rogue states such as Russia and China. 2 She begins in the autumn, having joined the intelligence services as a case officer in 1999. The top job was portrayed by Dame Judi as 'M' in the James Bond films from 1995. But the new chief will use the title 'C', as is service tradition. The Cambridge-educated spook is currently MI6 director general for technology — known as 'Q' in the Bond films and real life. MI6 is the UK's foreign intelligence service. Ms Metreweli, who becomes its 18th chief, has also held roles in MI5, which deals with domestic security. Only MI6's chief is ever publicly identified. She said last night: 'I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my service.' She replaces Sir Richard Moore, who leaves after five years. Ms Metreweli has spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. She said Russia poses an acute threat to the UK and described China as 'chronic'.
