Digital World Rocked: TikTok Crashes Amid Ownership Shake-Up as AI Unleashes New Fears and Capabilities

The digital world is reeling this morning from a series of shocking developments. Millions across the US woke up yesterday to a major TikTok outage, plunging users into an unexpected silence. This disruption follows a high-stakes ownership transfer, stirring fresh anxieties about digital control. Meanwhile, global alarm bells are ringing louder over the darker side of artificial intelligence. The UN just issued a dire warning regarding escalating AI threats to children, citing deepfakes and online grooming. This concern is magnified by the viral rise of "Amelia," an AI-generated British schoolgirl now a far-right social media figure. Compounding the week's revelations, a groundbreaking study reveals AI can now outperform humans in creativity tests.

TikTok's Tumultuous Day

January 25, 2026, marked a day of frustration for countless Americans. TikTok, the immensely popular short-form video application, suffered a significant outage. Over 35,000 users reported issues overnight, peaking during a major snowstorm across the country. Downdetector, a platform tracking service disruptions, highlighted the widespread impact.

Reports flooded social media. 65% of users found the app completely unresponsive, while 23% experienced a total outage. Another 13% faced critical issues with their TikTok feeds. Videos failed to post, many showed zero views, and the coveted "For You" page malfunctioned. Users flocked to other platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the widespread problem.

This technical meltdown occurred just days after TikTok finalized a landmark ownership deal. The platform's US operations transferred majority ownership to American and international investors, including Oracle, MGX, and Silver Lake. This move aimed to sever ties with China and address national security concerns. The outage now casts a shadow over this controversial, high-stakes agreement.

The Dark Side of Digital AI: A Global Alarm

The sudden TikTok silence highlights our reliance on digital platforms. But a more sinister side of digital innovation is drawing urgent global attention: AI's misuse. The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the escalating threats AI poses to children. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the ITU, detailed the dangers. He cited a "dizzying array" of threats, from grooming and deepfakes to cyberbullying and inappropriate content. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children... were abused online," Zavazava stated, noting that "in many cases, that translated to physical harm".

Advocacy organizations report predators use AI to analyze a child's online behavior, emotions, and interests. This allows them to tailor grooming strategies. AI also enables the generation of explicit fake images of real children, creating new forms of sexual extortion.

In response, governments are acting. The British government is now considering banning young teenagers from social media. They also plan to tighten laws protecting children from harmful content. France's President Emmanuel Macron urged fast-tracking similar legislation for children under 15. Australia already led the way, banning social media for children younger than 16 in December. Egypt is also exploring restrictions on children's social media use to combat "digital chaos".

"Amelia": An AI-Generated Far-Right Phenomenon

Adding a shocking layer to AI's concerning impact on youth is the emergence of "Amelia." She is an AI-generated British schoolgirl, complete with purple hair and a mini Union Jack. Ironically, Amelia's initial iteration appeared in a UK Home Office-funded game designed to deter youth from far-right extremism.

Now, Amelia has been subverted into a viral far-right social media star. Videos show her walking through London, declaring love for England, and warning against "militant Muslims" or "third-world migrants". In one clip, a bearded man in Islamic attire harasses her for eating a pork sausage, reinforcing far-right narratives. Her AI nature makes her "endlessly adaptable," allowing anyone with a mainstream chatbot to create new memes. Users of X (formerly Twitter) have utilized its Grok AI tool to generate countless "Amelia" memes, pushing her beyond niche online groups.

AI's Unsettling Creative Leap

Beyond the controversies, AI continues its rapid advancement, reaching new, almost unsettling milestones. A massive new study reveals a shocking truth about generative AI. Researchers compared the performance of over 100,000 people with today's most advanced AI systems. The result? Generative AI can now beat the average human on certain creativity tests. Models like GPT-4 demonstrated "strong performance". This breakthrough signals a profound shift in creative industries.

This scientific leap has vast implications. It challenges our understanding of human ingenuity and raises questions about future roles in fields like art, music, and writing. The very definition of "creativity" is being redefined by machines.

Innovation Still Drives Digital Entertainment

Despite the challenges, innovation in digital entertainment continues at breakneck speed. Companies are actively integrating AI for enhanced user experiences.

• AI-First Sports Entertainment: VIP Play, Inc., a sports entertainment and fan engagement company, announced a "comprehensive technology upgrade". They are now an AI-first company, enhancing payment processing, digital infrastructure, and customer engagement capabilities. Executive directors from Black Fire Innovation, a top gaming research center, recently joined VIP Play, Inc., bringing expertise to this AI transformation.

• Smart Retail Media: Rokt, an e-commerce technology firm using machine learning and AI, partnered with Cineplex. This allows Cineplex to deliver "relevant, non-endemic offers" to guests during checkout in real-time. Kristie Painting, Executive Vice President, Cineplex Media, stated this partnership helps "deliver more relevant messages to our moviegoers while unlocking new revenue opportunities".

• Virtual Try-Ons: Fashion brand Goddiva is launching an AI virtual try-on experience.

• Responsible iGaming: The iGaming industry, projected to hit $98-100 billion by year-end 2026, sees AI as "central to responsible gambling". This signals a commitment to ethical AI use in a rapidly growing sector.

• UK AI Superpower: The UK government invested £36 million to expand the University of Cambridge's DAWN supercomputer, boosting its AI research capacity sixfold. This aims to solidify the UK's position in developing next-generation AI and data technologies.

What's Next

The coming months will be critical. Regulators worldwide are scrambling to catch up with AI's rapid evolution. Debates around social media restrictions for minors will intensify, with the UK set to decide on new bans. Tech giants face increasing pressure to design AI responsibly, prioritizing child well-being. The future of content creation will shift as AI's creative abilities expand. Meanwhile, the aftermath of TikTok's ownership change and its service stability will be closely watched. This period marks a profound reshaping of our digital lives, with both immense promise and unsettling challenges.