Introducing Anamanaguchi: The Band Behind the Soundtrack for the Latest Scott Pilgrim Game and More

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

S
Canadian author and cartoonist Brian Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series,
Scott Pilgrim, weaves a narrative rich with pop culture. It explores the
themes of teenage angst, love, redemption, hubris, and pride, all while
providing a distinctly Canadian perspective on emo, indie rock, and shounen manga.
This coming-of-age tale follows an initially unlikable teen navigating
the 2000s across six graphic novels filled with clever nods to everything
from Japanese manga and Western superheroes to video games and Tintin.
Notably, it has also inspired a hit movie, a Netflix animated series in
2022, and a video game released in 2010, both of which featured music
by Anamanaguchi, an indie rock band based in New York City.

“My favorite scene in the Scott Pilgrim cartoon is when Knives and Kim
are just jamming in a room together and not much happens,” laughs
Peter Berkman, one of the band’s lead songwriters and guitarists.
“It really touched my heart. It’s not a joke.”

Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Sex Bob Omb takes off.
Photo: Album/Alamy

Anamanaguchi first gained recognition for their instrumental music
utilizing video game hardware, solidifying their place as pioneers in the
chiptune genre
while still in college. During their inaugural self-funded tour, Berkman
received an unexpected email from someone at Ubisoft.

“We got an email from someone working at Ubisoft about a video game for
a Universal IP tie-in, but they didn’t elaborate. We thought, ‘Maybe a
new Alien vs. Predator game or something along those lines?’ Regardless of
the particulars, we knew we’d want to take it to the band and say yes.
I’ve always loved game and movie soundtracks.” It turned out to be an
offer to compose music for the first Scott Pilgrim video game, released in 2010.

Currently, Anamanaguchi is experiencing a resurgence. When the game
was re-released as a complete edition in 2022, the band launched the
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Game Soundtrack Tour. Last year, they
composed and performed music for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, a Netflix
spinoff that offers a meta-commentary on Scott’s life. This year,
they supported Hatsune Miku at the Fortnite Festival, showcasing their
long-standing connection to the realms of video games and live music
while releasing their first album in six years, titled Anyway, in August.
This album presents an intriguing alt-rock interpretation of their signature
synth bass sounds, still echoing their 8-bit influences. They are also
in the process of creating the soundtrack for the upcoming Scott Pilgrim
game, another engaging fighting game set to launch next year.

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Peter Berkman of Anamanaguchi performed in 2015.
Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images

One segment of the band is delving into analog sounds and alternative rock angst,
while another group is rejuvenating their connection to Scott Pilgrim.
“Working on the soundtrack for the new game Scott Pilgrim EX revealed how we can adjust
our record world, further embracing the soundtrack style suited for the game,” Berkman shared.

Berkman noted that in the 15 years since their last collaboration, the band has
evolved in how they approach music. They’ve gained experience as producers,
become “listeners of music,” and have an even broader appreciation for the
diverse styles within video game music.

“It’s vital to establish a connection between the player’s experience and the
narrative unfolding at that moment, even as an adversary,” Berkman elaborated.
“If the moment demands something dark, gothic, or industrial, we can deliver it.
The freedom to blend these elements in a way never done before is crucial.
[Scott Pilgrim EX developer Tribute Games] actually let me experiment with audio mixing.
The musical cues we desire are paramount to us. The way the music flows, the rhythm…
with video game soundtracks, it’s where you can truly feel the authorship.”

At the beach at Scott Pilgrim EX.
Photo: Tribute Games Inc.

After experiencing the Scott Pilgrim EX demo, it’s evident that Tribute Games’
trust in the band has paid off. The music is lively and playful, cleverly bending
norms, creating prompts and expectations. The sound effects and motifs meld seamlessly
into the level’s texture. It evokes feelings reminiscent of Sea Power’s contributions
to Disco Elysium, despite the starkly different tones—pixel art, neon colors, and
the spirit of joyful adolescence.

“Tribute Games has afforded us a degree of freedom that is usually only granted
to companies that are still finding their footing,” Berkman chuckles. “Our involvement
in the development process has been refreshing compared to last time. Nightly builds
allow us to ask, ‘Is this stagnant? Do we need to add segments here?'” This level of
collaboration has deepened our understanding of arrangement and atmosphere.
This is the soundtrack we aspired to create.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Report Claims Gen Z Confronts ‘Employment Crisis’ as Global Firms Favor AI over Hiring

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

As young individuals enter the job market, they are encountering what some are calling an “employment apocalypse.” This is due to business leaders opting to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) over new hires, as revealed in a survey of global executives.

A report by the British Standards Institute (BSI) indicated that rather than nurturing junior employees, employers are focusing on AI automation to bridge skill gaps and enable layoffs.

In a study involving over 850 business leaders from seven countries—namely the UK, US, France, Germany, Australia, China, and Japan—41% of respondents reported that AI has facilitated a reduction in their workforce.

Nearly a third (31%) stated their organizations are considering AI solutions before hiring new talent, with two-fifths planning to do so in the next five years.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by Gen Z workers (born from 1997 to 2012) in a cooling labor market, a quarter of executives believe that AI could perform all or most tasks currently handled by entry-level staff.

Susan Taylor-Martin, CEO of BSI, commented: “AI offers significant opportunities for companies worldwide. However, as firms strive for enhanced productivity and efficiency, we must remember that humans ultimately drive progress.

“Our findings show that balancing the benefits of AI with supporting the workforce is a key challenge of this era. Alongside our AI investments, long-term thinking and workforce development are crucial for sustainable and productive employment.”

Additionally, 39% of leaders reported that entry-level roles have already been diminished or eliminated due to the efficiencies gained from AI in tasks like research and administration.

More than half of the respondents expressed relief that they commenced their careers before AI became prevalent, yet 53% felt that the advantages of AI in their organizations outweigh the disruptions to the workforce.

UK businesses are rapidly embracing AI, with 76% of leaders anticipating that new tools will yield tangible benefits within the next year.

Executives noted that the primary motivations behind AI investments are to enhance productivity and efficiency, cut costs, and address skills gaps.

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An analysis from BSI of companies’ annual reports revealed that the term ‘automation’ appeared almost seven times more frequently than ‘upskilling’ or ‘retraining.’

Additionally, a recent poll from the Trades Union Congress found that half of British adults are apprehensive about AI’s impact on their jobs, fearing that AI may displace them.

Recent months have seen the UK’s job market cool, with wage growth decelerating and the unemployment rate rising to 4.7%, the highest in four years. Nevertheless, most economists attribute this not to a surge in AI investments.

Conversely, there are worries that the inflated valuations of AI companies could spark a stock market bubble, potentially leading to a market crash.

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Non-Profit Empowering Aspiring Game Developers Worldwide

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Gamescom is an extraordinary video game convention that takes place each year in Cologne, Germany. Each year, hundreds of thousands of gamers converge to fill large convention spaces, alongside industry professionals who have the chance to distribute games to fans and present their resumes to developers. For companies located outside the United States, this is the premier event of the year. This marks the first year for the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Foundation, and Executive Director Alyssa Walles is eager about the opportunities it presents.

The IGDA Foundation focuses on providing professional development for underrepresented and marginalized individuals seeking to enter the video game industry. This initiative is vital, considering the numerous obstacles faced by aspiring producers, developers, and writers. While Ms. Walles has been with the IGDA Foundation for just three years, she brings a wealth of experience from her long-standing career in the video game industry. She understands the importance of supporting those who do not have the advantages of privilege, those who lack the means to travel globally for competitions, or those without formal training in computer design and coding.

Gamescom will welcome video game enthusiasts and industry professionals. Photo: Imago/Alamy

“I was part of the launch team for PlayStation in Europe, and most of the time I was the only woman in the room,” Wallace recalls. “So I’m thrilled to witness this change.” Nevertheless, she recognizes that more effort is needed.

The IGDA Foundation initially began by sponsoring a select number of individuals to attend the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. This costly endeavor often prevents hundreds of developers from marginalized communities and remote regions from participating. When the COVID-19 pandemic altered the landscape of video gaming events, the IGDA Foundation had to innovate. This led to the creation of Virtual Exchange by former executive director Nika Noor—a six-week online initiative that connects grantees with experienced gaming industry mentors. Each year, the IGDA Foundation reviews hundreds of applications and selects grantees based on three main categories: gaming career professionals aspiring to advance, individuals looking to transition into gaming, and recent graduates.

Alyssa Wallace of the IGDA Foundation. Photo: Provided by IGDA Foundation

Walles shared: “A standout example from our network is a young man from Nigeria who has experience in home building and project management. He constructs houses daily and also programs. He hopes to leverage his project management skills to transition into becoming a video game producer.”

For Wallace and other seasoned industry veterans leading the IGDA Foundation, the mission is about channeling their experiences to foster a robust and diverse future for the industry. “I’m 65 years old and I’m not shy about it…I’m nearing the end of my career, so I’m here to give back,” she states.

However, the IGDA Foundation, like many initiatives aimed at improving equity within the video game and technology sectors, has faced significant hurdles recently. Following rapid growth during the pandemic, the industry saw unprecedented layoffs. Companies inform Wallace that funding for the foundation is nonexistent, a claim she finds hard to believe (“I know you have $5,000”). Although the IGDA Foundation does not receive government support, there have been attacks from the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, compelling organizations to reassess their marketing strategies and donor outreach.

“Some nonprofits in our sector have been forced to shut down, but thankfully, we’re not close to that point. Still, I worry about it constantly,” Wallace confesses. “How can we connect with individuals wanting to earn a substantial income in the gaming world and nurture the upcoming generation?”

The virtual exchange program for 2025 is now operational. Photo: Provided by IGDA Foundation

Yet, under Wallace’s direction, the IGDA Foundation is unafraid to innovate. Last year, she found an article in a newsletter about an independent developer making significant profits from a single downloadable content (DLC) in a Steam bundle. “We reached out to the IDGA Foundation’s alumni network and proposed organizing a Steam event featuring DLC,” she explains. Someone from the network volunteered to run it. This led to the initiation of an event called Download for Charity, held in May, which included 24 participating games and raised $24,000,” says Walles. She also organizes game jams in collaboration with diverse partners and recently launched a porting initiative to assist developers in adapting their games for Android devices.

This relentless pursuit of funding exemplifies Wallace’s commitment to the program and the marginalized communities it supports. Wallace’s aspirations for the IGDA Foundation are straightforward. “We simply want adequate funding to sustain our efforts so we can deliver these programs to individuals in need across the globe.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Age Verification Hacking Firm Possibly Exposes ID Photos of Discord Users | Social Media

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Photos of government IDs belonging to approximately 70,000 global Discord users, a widely used messaging and chat application amongst gamers, might have been exposed following a breach at the firm responsible for conducting age verification procedures.

Along with the ID photos, details such as users’ names, email addresses, other contact information, IP addresses, and interactions with Discord customer support could also have fallen prey to the hackers. The attacker is reportedly demanding a ransom from the company. Fortunately, full credit card information or passwords were not compromised.

The incident was disclosed last week, but news of the potential ID photo leak came to light on Wednesday. A representative from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, which oversees data breaches, stated: “We have received a report from Discord and are assessing the information provided.”

The images in question were submitted by users appealing age-related bans via Discord’s customer service contractors, which is a platform that allows users to communicate through text, voice, and video chat for over a decade.

Some nations, including the UK, mandate age verification for social media and messaging services to protect children. This measure has been in effect in the UK since July under the Online Safety Act. Cybersecurity professionals have cautioned about the potential vulnerability of age verification providers, which may require sensitive government-issued IDs, to hackers aware of the troves of sensitive information.

Discord released a statement acknowledging: “We have recently been made aware of an incident wherein an unauthorized individual accessed one of Discord’s third-party customer service providers. This individual obtained information from a limited number of users who reached out to Discord through our customer support and trust and safety teams… We have identified around 70,000 users with affected accounts globally whose government ID photos might have been disclosed. Our vendors utilized those photos for evaluating age-related appeals.”

Discord requires users seeking to validate their age to upload a photo of their ID along with their Discord username to return to the platform.

Nathan Webb, a principal consultant at the British digital security firm Acumen Cyber, remarked that the breach is “very concerning.”

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“Even if age verification is outsourced, organizations must still ensure the proper handling of that data,” he emphasized. “It is crucial for companies to understand that delegating certain functions does not relieve them of their obligation to uphold data protection and security standards.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

U.S. Regulators Launch Investigation into Tesla’s Self-Driving System Following Multiple Crashes

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

U.S. automotive safety authorities have initiated an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with fully autonomous driving technology due to traffic safety infractions following multiple accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that the electric vehicle manufacturer’s automated driving assistance system, which necessitates driver attention and intervention when required, “caused vehicle actions that contravened traffic safety regulations.”

NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation marks the initial step that could lead to a vehicle recall if deemed a safety risk.

The agency reported incidents of 2.88-metre Teslas disobeying red lights and traveling against oncoming traffic while changing lanes while utilizing the system.

NHTSA indicated that there were six reports of Tesla vehicles in fully autonomous driving (FSD) mode “entering intersections on red, proceeding into intersections against red lights, and subsequently colliding with other vehicles within those intersections.”

The agency highlighted that at least one individual sustained injuries in four of the crashes. Tesla has not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comments.

NHTSA documented 18 complaints and a media report stating that Tesla vehicles operating in FSD mode “failed to adhere to red lights, did not come to a complete stop, or inadequately detected and displayed the appropriate signal conditions on the vehicle interface.”

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Some whistleblowers expressed that the FSD “failed to provide any alerts regarding the system’s operation when approaching a red light.”

Tesla’s FSD is more sophisticated than the Autopilot system and has been under NHTSA scrutiny for a year.

In October 2024, authorities initiated an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD following four accidents under poor visibility conditions, such as sun glare, fog, or airborne dust. One incident in 2023 resulted in a fatality.

According to Tesla’s website, FSD is “designed for fully attentive drivers who maintain their hands on the wheel and are prepared to assume control at any moment. These features are meant to grow more capable over time, but the features currently enabled do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Reuters contributed to this report

Source: www.theguardian.com

Am I an Endangered Composer? Exploring Classical Music’s Future in the Age of AI

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

This hacker mansion blends elements of a startup hub, a luxurious retreat, and a high-tech boutique. Scattered throughout Silicon Valley, these spaces serve as residences for tech founders and visionaries. The most opulent I’ve encountered is in Hillsboro, one of the Bay Area’s affluent neighborhoods just south of San Francisco. Inside, polished marble floors shine beneath high-tech royal portraits affixed with tape. The garden boasts gravel meticulously raked into Zen spirals, and a pond glistens behind well-maintained hedges.

On a sunny June afternoon, I accompanied producer Faye Lomas to capture an interview for a show. BBC Radio 3 documentary discussing the intersection of generative AI and classical music in both San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

We were cheerfully informed that professional creators, including us, would soon be relegated to hobbyists. This wasn’t meant as provocation or sarcasm—just a straightforward reality. At that moment, Faye interjected in the documentary, her voice tinged with agitation: “Does this mean AI is going to take my job?” It was a natural reaction, but it shifted the room’s energy.

When I embarked on making this documentary, I harbored the same curiosity as everyone else. “The cat is out of the bag,” I joked, believing this to be a wise observation. Technology has arrived, and facing it is better than ignoring it.

Silicon Valley composer Tariq O’Regan and BBC producer Faye Lomas. Photo: Joel Cabrita

When I recently spoke with Faye, she recounted the moment vividly. “We swiftly moved from talking about AI’s potential to aid the creative fields to casually mentioning how AI could easily replace every job in the company. The tone was friendly and encouraging, almost as if I should be excited,” she reflected.

This interaction feels pivotal to the narrative. Those small, human moments of awkwardness occur when discussions shift from the theoretical to the tangible.

They contemplated replacing us.

That was back in June. With October now upon us and Oasis on tour in the UK and US, I’ve been reflecting on a different kind of mansion. The band’s concert at Knebworth House in 1996 drew 250,000 attendees over two nights, where people waved lighters instead of phones—one of the last great communal singalongs before everything transformed. Before Napster and MP3s, before cell phones, and before our culture underwent invisible algorithmic reorganization.

Composer Ed Newton Rex plays keyboards and piano while donning a virtual reality headset at his residence in Palo Alto, California. Photo: Marissa Leshnoff/The Guardian

What followed was a subtle yet profound transition from ownership to access. Playlists replaced albums, curated by algorithms rather than musicians, designed to blend seamlessly with our activities. Initially, I believed this was the future of music. Maybe it truly was.

So, long after finishing the documentary, an article like this gave me pause. RBO/Shift is an exciting initiative from the Royal Ballet and Opera, exploring how art interacts with AI. It stems from an institution I deeply respect, run by individuals who have supported me and many others over the years. This initiative is touted as a bold, positive dialogue between technology and creativity, representing a potential compelling partnership. However, what catches my attention isn’t what’s included, but what is glaringly absent.

There is no reference to ethics, training data, consent, environmental impacts, or job security. It’s unimaginable that this technology threatens to significantly undermine the entire ecosystem of artists, crafts, and labor that RBOs have nurtured.

A driverless taxi navigating the streets of San Francisco. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The tone is reminiscent of what we heard at the Hillsboro mansion—always optimistic. Royal Opera Artistic Director Oliver Mears declared, “AI is here to stay” in a recent New York Times interview. “You can bury your head in the sand or embrace the waves.”

However, I find no one I meet in San Francisco, where this technology is innovated and marketed, is simply riding any waves. Embracing a wave suggests succumbing to its force. People here are focused on managing the tides and altering the moon if needed.

I don’t want to dismiss AI. However, my earlier phrase, “the cat is out of the bag,” now feels like a form of moral indifference, suggesting ethics fall by the wayside the moment something novel appears. After spending a summer immersed in machinery, it’s unsettling to witness major institutions handling AI as if it’s the nuclear power of art. It’s attractive, profitable, already causing harm, yet remarkably it carries no warning label.

In this fast-paced environment, our documentary already seems like a piece of history, a snapshot from the last moment when the future ceased asking for permission. That afternoon, with gravel being shoveled and sunlight pouring in, there was a palpable silence in the Hacker mansion, which now feels suspended—an interlude before the surge.

Listening back, I can sense the atmosphere shift—the silence that followed Faye’s question and my nervous chuckle. It’s the sound of tension, the sound of humanity still grounded.

If Knebworth’s Oasis was the last significant singalong before the internet, perhaps this brief moment we chronicled represents the anxious inhalation before the machine begins to produce its own melody.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Are Governments Wasting Billions on Their Own “Sovereign” AI Technology?

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In Singapore, a government-funded artificial intelligence model
Converse in 11 languages spans from Indonesian to Lao. In Malaysia,
ilm chat
developed by a local construction conglomerate, claims it “knows which Georgetown you’re referring to.” Thus, it’s not a private university in the US, but the capital of Penang. Conversely, the Swiss Apertus
announced in September
that it can differentiate when to use “ss” in Swiss German instead of the “ß” used in standard German.

Globally, language models like these are integral to an AI arms race valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
dollars
Much of this is led by a few dominant companies in the US and China. As OpenAI, Meta,
Alibaba, and others invest billions in building more advanced models, middle powers and developing nations are closely monitoring the landscape and often making significant commitments of their own.

These initiatives are part of a movement loosely termed “sovereign AI,” where nations from the UK to India to Canada aim to create their own AI solutions and establish their positioning within this evolving ecosystem.

Yet, with hundreds of billions in play globally, can smaller investments yield substantial returns?

“U.S.-based firms, the U.S. government, and China can practically storm ahead in AI development, making it challenging for smaller nations,” noted Trisha Ray, a senior researcher at the Atlantic Council, a U.S.-based strategic think tank.

“Unless you’re a wealthy government or major corporation, creating a large language model from scratch is a considerable burden.”

Defense Concerns

Nonetheless, numerous countries are hesitant to depend on foreign AI for their requirements.

India, the second-largest market for OpenAI, has recorded over 100 million ChatGPT downloads in recent years. However, Abhishek Upperwal, founder of
Socket AI, highlights several instances where U.S.-made AI systems have fallen short. For example, a deployed AI agent intended to educate students in a remote Telangana village communicates in English but with a heavy, nearly incomprehensible American accent, while an Indian legal startup’s effort to adapt Meta’s LLaMa AI model encountered barriers, resulting in a mixed bag of U.S.-Indian legal advice, Upperwal explains.

There are also looming national security concerns. For India’s defense sector, any Chinese deep learning model is considered off-limits, according to Upperwal. “This could encompass untrustworthy training data claiming that Ladakh isn’t a part of India… Utilizing such a model in a defense context is absolutely unacceptable.”

“I’ve spoken with individuals involved in defense,” Upperwal stated. “They want to leverage AI, but they disregard DeepSeek and wish to avoid reliance on it altogether. Using U.S. systems like OpenAI is distinctly problematic since it risks data leaks from the country.”

Socket AI represents one of the few initiatives aimed at constructing a national LLM for India, supported by the IndiaAI Mission, a government-funded project that has invested roughly $1.25 billion in AI advancements. Upperwal envisions a model less resource-intensive than those produced by major American and Chinese tech firms, closely aligning with some from the
French AI company Mistral.

AI researchers have long contended that pushing the technology boundary to reach the often-elusive goal of artificial general intelligence (AGI) will necessitate considerable resources, including chips and computing capabilities. Upperwal emphasizes that India must compensate for its funding gaps with talent.

“In India, spending billions is not an option,” he asserts. “How can we compete against the $100 to $500 billion being invested by the United States? I believe leveraging core expertise and intellect is crucial.”

In Singapore, AI Singapore is a government initiative backing the SEA-LION project. SEA-LION is a suite of language models designed specifically for Southeast Asian languages that are typically underrepresented in U.S. and Chinese LLMs, such as Malay, Thai, Lao, Indonesian, and Khmer among others.

Leslie Teo, Senior Director at
AI Singapore, notes that these models aim to enhance rather than overshadow larger ones. Systems like ChatGPT and Gemini often falter with regional languages and cultural contexts, according to Teo. For instance, they may communicate in excessively formal Khmer or suggest pork-based recipes to users in Malaysia. Creating local language LLMs will empower local governments to code with cultural intricacies or at the very least become “smart consumers” of robust technologies developed abroad.

“I am very cautious with the term sovereignty. Essentially, we want better representation and a clearer understanding of how AI systems operate,” he states.

Multilateral Cooperation

For nations seeking to carve out a niche in an increasingly competitive global arena, collaboration is another option. Researchers tied to
Bennett School of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge have lately suggested forming a public AI enterprise distributed across a consortium of middle-income nations.

They refer to this initiative as
Airbus for AI, alluding to Europe’s successful efforts in establishing a competitor to Boeing in the 1960s. Their proposal envisages creating a public AI company that would unify the resources of AI initiatives from the UK, Spain, Canada, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, France, Switzerland, and Sweden, aiming to forge a formidable rival to the tech giants of the U.S. and China.

Joshua Tan, the lead author of a paper outlining the initiative, mentioned that the idea has garnered interest from AI ministers in at least three nations and several sovereign AI firms. While the emphasis is currently on “powerful middle powers,” developing nations like Mongolia and Rwanda are also reportedly expressing interest.

“There’s certainly less trust in the current U.S. administration’s commitments. Questions are arising about the reliability of this technology and what might occur if they withdraw support,” he remarks.

Tan’s proposal is optimistic about the potential for collaboration among nations. However, critics suggest that even a coordinated multi-country strategy could squander taxpayer resources on initiatives that may not yield fruitful results.

“I hope that those developing this [sovereign] AI model understand how far and how rapidly advancements are progressing,” comments Tzu Kit Chan, an AI strategist advising the Malaysian government.

“What’s the alternative? If governments pursue flawed strategies in crafting their own sovereign AI models, they risk wasting vast amounts of capital.”

According to Chan, a more prudent approach would be for governments like Malaysia’s to allocate these funds toward enhancing AI safety regulations, as opposed to competing with globally dominant products that have already captured the market.

“Walk down the streets of Malaysia, visit Kuala Lumpur, engage with your financial counterparts and inquire about the models they utilize,” he suggests.

“Out of 10, I doubt that more than 2 are employing a sovereign AI model. Most are using ChatGPT or Gemini.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Roadging” Marathon: Has Gen Z Unearthed the Key to Reclaiming Focus? | Young Adults

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Name: Raw dog marathon.

Year: In a therapeutic sense, it’s quite recent.

Exterior: To be fair, it doesn’t really appear that way.

What is it? Initially, raw dogging referred to engaging in sex without a condom.

Is that why there are marathons? However, over time, it has evolved to mean undertaking activities without preparation, protection, or distractions.

What else fits this description? Pretty much everything: Taking an exam unprepared can jeopardize your success. Facing a long flight without entertainment could be challenging. Are you venturing out alone? Or remaining sober? That’s raw dogging.

So, should you run a marathon without any training, a raw marathon? Sometimes, people may interpret it that way, but such behavior is discouraged and not the focus of our discussion.

So, does a raw dog marathon imply doing something for an extended duration? No, it means doing nothing for a prolonged period.

I’m a bit lost. Specifically, it refers to remaining still for long spans while staring into space. Most importantly, avoid using your cell phone.

Can I listen to music? No.

Can I read a magazine? No.

Can I shower or stay in bed? No.

Why not? Because we’re engaging in raw sex!

How long should I do it? That’s up to you. Recently, a “Productivity Influencer” named Rowan filmed himself live with a dog while studying for an hour daily to enhance his focus.

What happened to the footage? He shared it on TikTok.

How can others view what he’s doing on his phone? No need to worry. To prevent boredom, he condensed the hour into a 30-second timelapse.

The irony of that isn’t lost on me. What were the outcomes? He discovered it helped improve concentration and productivity, inspiring many of his followers.

It seems like the TikTok generation has somehow reinvented meditation. This may come off as a bit arrogant, but today’s youth face overwhelming distractions. While older generations learned to endure boredom, this generation must learn to cultivate it.

But who enjoys being bored? Many neuroscientists believe that boredom is beneficial and a vital stimulus for creative thinking.

Remember: “Time spent away from your phone is never wasted.”

Please avoid saying: “Hey, I just completed a raw dog marathon. No headphones, no water, no shoes. I got discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Xbox Game Pass Price Increases: A Discussion on Growing Gaming Expenses | Games

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

IIn the realms of music, television, and film, the emergence of streaming has dramatically revolutionized the traditional business model. Instead of purchasing an album or movie, most of us now opt for a few subscriptions based on our viewing preferences, occasionally supplementing this with unique records or special Blu-ray editions. This shift poses significant challenges for musicians, as they earn roughly $0.004 per play on Spotify. In contrast, Spotify itself has achieved a billion dollars in profit (after years of operating losses). On the television side, customers are increasingly frustrated; in my household, we juggle five different TV subscriptions, based on our series interests, just to manage costs effectively.

This subscription model has not gained the same traction in video games. Apple’s Arcade service provides premium mobile games for £6.99 per month, but the free-to-play model prevails on mobile devices, generating massive profits primarily through advertising and in-game purchases. (Fun fact: approximately 85% of the gaming industry’s total revenue predominantly comes from free-to-play games in regions like China.) While Netflix offers games included in its subscription, user engagement remains low. PlayStation and Nintendo have their own subscription services, but these mainly feature older titles rather than new releases. Xbox Game Pass stands out with over 200 games available, but purchasing new exclusive games still comes with a hefty price tag—until now.

Recently, Microsoft revealed that the price of its Game Pass Ultimate subscription would rise from £14.99 to £22.99 per month. (This tier includes all the latest releases, with more affordable options still available.) Additionally, subscribers in certain countries (primarily Europe) received emails notifying them about a delay in the price increase, while those in the UK and US face the additional cost. Price hikes had long been considered unavoidable given the millions of dollars invested in blockbuster game development, alongside payments to developers for hosting on its services. A Bloomberg estimate indicated that Microsoft spent $300 million on revenue by including Call of Duty in Game Pass.

Does this imply that Game Pass isn’t achieving the success Microsoft anticipated? We consulted Christopher Doling from the Game Business Newsletter, who provided invaluable insight. “Game Pass is profitable,” he noted. “However, it affects premium game sales. Notably, titles like Halo Infinite and Starfield have not performed as well on the charts as anticipated. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $70 billion is under scrutiny by company leaders, including Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood. It’s not just about profitability; it’s about growth. Microsoft expects a significant return from the Xbox division on this investment. This isn’t excessive,” he added, simplifying matters. Thus, Xbox is cutting costs, projects, and even studios, while raising prices across the board.

With sluggish console sales for Xbox in recent years, the company is depending on Game Pass for growth. Microsoft has ceased reporting Xbox migrations, preferring to discuss revenue and engagement. However, sales of the Xbox Series S/X are estimated to be substantially lower than those of the 2013 Xbox One, putting it in a competitive third place behind Nintendo and PlayStation. Xbox executives themselves have acknowledged that console sales are no longer a priority. This is likely why Microsoft has started to release many of its games on PC and PlayStation, while heavily investing in studio acquisitions to create more content for Game Pass.

Call of Duty Warzone promotional images. Photo: Activities

However, the broader question remains: what does the future hold for subscription-based video games? Furthermore, what implications does this have for developers? One potential trajectory may mirror trends seen in the television industry where subscription costs gradually increase, and streaming services proliferate, forcing gamers to pay substantial amounts annually for the latest titles. Meanwhile, developers may feel the impact of decreased direct sales, making it harder for them to financially support ambitious projects, which could stifle the emergence of original art. Despite this, millions of gamers are still willing to spend £70 on games upon release. Titles like Mario Kart World and Assassin’s Creed Shadows were among the top-selling games in Europe the first half of this year. Why then are major companies attempting to undermine this?

“For the [smaller] developers, right now, Game Pass serves as a vital discoverability tool in an industry where that’s genuinely a concern. It also enables players to access games more economically (well, that used to be the case) and is crucial in today’s economic environment. Nonetheless, there are valid worries about what the future may hold.”

Certainly, diverse business models can coexist within the gaming landscape, with video games currently finding a balance between free-to-play and premium formats. These categories cater to different audiences, and data indicates they do not cannibalize one another’s revenue. Some consumers prefer investing in high-end consoles and premium game titles, and the market has remained relatively stable over the past decade. As more casual gamers flock to free-to-play titles, the overall gaming landscape has expanded significantly, leading to enhanced viewership. If managed effectively, subscription services like Game Pass could provide intermediary solutions that do not completely erode traditional industry business models. However, given precedents in other arts sectors and the profit-driven ambitions of large corporations like Microsoft, this may be overly optimistic.

Despite rising costs, Xbox Game Pass continues to deliver substantial value for the most engaged players. “Xbox is asking the most active players to shoulder higher prices. Game Pass Ultimate caters specifically to these individuals,” Dring points out. “Statistics show they receive considerable value, so if they can afford it, a good portion of these players will likely accept the cost. The average Game Pass Ultimate user is expected to play around $550 worth of games annually.”

Editor’s Notes: Due to an editorial oversight, last week’s issue incorrectly referred to the new president of Nintendo of America, Devon Pritchard, using the wrong pronouns despite her being the first woman to hold the position. I apologize to Devon and appreciate those who brought this to my attention.

What to play

Baby Steps. Photo: Devolver Digital

September had a host of exceptional games, and I’m still catching up on them (and engrossed by Silksong). One game I’m particularly excited about is Baby Steps, a surreal slapstick comedy experience I’ve been eagerly anticipating forever. The narrative kicks off with a not-so-promising scenario where a sluggish man and woman, Nate, are dragged from their parents’ basement and plunged into the unforgiving wilderness. Using the triggers to lift your hesitant feet and the control stick to balance, you stumble out of the cave, bound for the camp at the mountain’s base.

However, the ensuing experience is among the most exasperating in gaming history. Expect to slip, stagger, and slide down areas you’ve painstakingly navigated for 20 minutes. I once stumbled Nate’s foot into a wooden beam and plummeted down, necessitating a lengthy trek back to the campsite I had just left an hour prior. Yet, astonishingly, I was glued to the screen until 2 AM, drawn in by its bizarre humor and the persistence required to maneuver Nate’s clumsy body. It truly embodies “painful beauty in art,” and if intriguing challenges appeal to you, give it a whirl.

Available: PS5, PC
Estimated play time: 10 hours

What to read

EA Head Office. Photo: Terry Schmidt/UPI/Shutterstock

For those interested in the ethical implications surrounding Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – as noted last week, EA is set to co-own a part of EA – Euro Gamer highlighted, “This is the Saudi national wealth that should be harnessed to advance the economic and social rights of the Saudi populace. Instead, it’s being directed towards lavish mega projects both domestically and internationally… This appears to be a deliberate tactic to distract from the human rights situations in the country.”
This summer yielded an animated Netflix film, K-POP Demon Hunter (if you know, you know), which has achieved notable popularity taking over Fortnite with new modes and character skins added. This sparked some lively discussions between me and my partner, who believes young kids shouldn’t play Fortnite. I’m more okay with it since it appeals to them. Either way, I will be engaging with it.
Pour one out for Rock Band, the once-famous plastic instrument game and the soundtrack of my college years. Its final installment, Rock Band 4, was delisted last Sunday, marking its 10th anniversary as the music licenses for the songs have expired. If you still own a copy, make sure to beef up your track library before all songs are taken off the market. As for developer Harmonix, they’ve shifted to creating music for Fortnite, thus signaling the end of new Rock Band games.

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What to click

Question Block

“We work in the dark to serve the light.” Photo: UBISOFT

A couple of weeks ago, I asked readers for thoughts on video game quotes that resonate with them. The responses were abundant. In no particular order:

“I’ve always believed if life hands you lemons, don’t just craft lemonade! Return those lemons and get angry! You don’t need those stinking lemons right now! What should I do with this? I’m calling for an emergency meeting with my life advisor!” – Portal 2, Submitted by Helen

“We work in the dark to serve the light” – I resonate with this phrase from Assassin’s Creed. It often echoes in my job as an assistant director in the film and television sector, where I spend a fair amount of time working in both literal and metaphorical darkness as a lighting manager. – Submitted by Stephen

“Please make your determination.” Undertale submitted by Kelly

“‘Comment is never forgotten, so there’s no need to remember it'” – this quote from Breath of the Wild holds a personal significance for me. A non-gamer friend wanted to give me a baby gift, so she printed this quote alongside a baby blanket and sent it to me. I still have it on my fridge. Loving everything her about Zelda, I named my daughter after the game. This line strikes me as particularly poignant during the final battle when Link confronts the dark beast Ganon, and his wise companion encourages him: it captures the essence of our journey as new parents. – Submitted by Kelly

“‘We’re not going to Ravenholm.'” – I often recall this quote from Half Life 2 whenever I am hesitant in my job and personal spheres—iykyk.

“Okay. This won’t cease until I die, but I yearn for pain when that moment comes. As friends depart and when I must let go, even when all hope collapses, I crave to feel it all. It is daunting. I embrace loss. I want to face challenges and rise above until it all concludes. Can I express that? I wish to find light again, even through hardship. Because feeling pain signifies meaning. It confirms my existence.” …at least, at least…” From May Borowski in Night in the Woods, submitted by Keira

If you have inquiries regarding the Question Block or anything related to the newsletter, feel free to reply or email pushbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bank of England Cautions About Heightened Risks of AI Bubble Burst

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Bank of England has issued a warning regarding the growing risk of “sudden corrections” in global markets, raising alarms about the inflated valuations of significant AI technology firms.

Policymakers expressed that a loss of credibility by the Federal Reserve among global investors could result in a potential “sharp re-risk of US dollar assets,” especially as Donald Trump is continuously criticizing the US Central Bank and undermining its independence.

The persistent excitement and positivity surrounding AI technology have driven valuations higher in recent months, with companies like OpenAI valued at $500 million (£37.2 billion), a stark contrast to $157 billion last October. Another entity, Humanity, has nearly tripled in value from $600 billion in March to $170 billion last month.

Nevertheless, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (FPC) warned on Wednesday that: “The risk of sudden market corrections is on the rise.”

“Many indicators suggest that stock market valuations, particularly for tech firms focused on artificial intelligence, are escalating. This makes the stock market highly vulnerable should expectations regarding AI’s impact become overly pessimistic.”

Investors admitted that they have not fully considered these potential risks, cautioning that if any materialize, “a sudden correction could happen,” leading to financial strain for families and businesses alike. The FPC emphasized: “As an open economy with a pivotal financial center, the risk of a global shock affecting the UK financial system is significant.”

Confidence in the AI boom has been shaken recently by research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which revealed that 95% of organizations have gained no returns on their investments in generative AI.

This has sparked worries that stock market valuations may decline if investors become disillusioned with AI technology’s advancement or adoption. The FPC noted this could lead to a reassessment of current expected future revenues.

“The substantial bottlenecks to AI advancement, arising from issues related to power, data, or commodity supply chains, as well as conceptual breakthroughs that alter the necessary AI infrastructure for developing and utilizing powerful AI models, can negatively affect valuations, especially for companies reliant on high levels of AI infrastructure investment where expected revenues are projected.”

The committee further remarked that ongoing threats from the Trump administration towards the US Federal Reserve jeopardize financial stability.

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“In the US, there is ongoing discussion regarding the Federal Reserve’s independence. A sudden or significant shift in the perception of the Federal Reserve’s reliability could result in a rapid re-risking of US dollar assets, including the US sovereign debt market, leading to increased volatility, risk premiums, and global uncertainty.”

They noted that this concern would compound the effects of Trump’s trade war, which the FPC asserted has “not yet fully materialized.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review: New Design, Same Focus on Zoom

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The iPhone 17 Pro marks Apple’s most significant redesign in years, replacing the traditional titanium sides and all-glass back with a sleek aluminum unibody. It features a bold full-width camera bump on the back, offering a vibrant array of colors.

This alone makes the iPhone 17 Pro appealing for those eyeing an upgrade to the latest model. However, the price tag has increased to £1,099 (€1,299/$1,099/$1,999), making it the first of Apple’s smaller Pro phones to breach the £1,000 threshold.

From the front, it resembles a modern iPhone, with a dynamic island that houses a selfie camera situated at the top of its impressively bright and smooth display. This is undoubtedly one of the best screens on any phone, though it’s similar to the upgraded display of the regular iPhone 17 this year.

Higher peak brightness and a new anti-glare coating help reduce reflections in bright light, enhancing outdoor usability. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The aluminum sides feature subtle rounding at the edges, providing a comfortable grip and minimizing slippage. Weighing over 200 grams, the phone leans towards the heavier side for a compact device.

A glass panel, slightly larger than a credit card, is embedded in the aluminum body to accommodate MagSafe or Qi2.2 chargers and accessories. The substantial metal “plateau” at the top houses a camera that surpasses the pixel camera bar in size. While aluminum won’t shatter upon impact like glass, it is prone to scratches, particularly around the edges of the plateau.

iOS 26’s home and lock screens exhibit a glass-like rounded appearance for text and icons. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Powered by iOS 26, the iPhone 17 Pro showcases Apple’s innovative “Liquid Glass” interface design, which generally performs well, although it introduces some transparency effects for buttons and other elements.

Specifications

Screen: 6.3in Super Retina XDR (120Hz OLED) (460ppi)
Processor: Apple A19 Pro
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256, 512GB, or 1TB
Operating System: iOS 26
Camera: 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP 4x zoom, and 18MP front
Connectivity: 5G, WiFi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 6, Thread, USB-C, Satellite, UWB, GNSS
Water Resistance: IP68 (6 meters for 30 minutes)
Size: 150 x 71.9 x 8.75mm
Weight: 204g

Faster, Cooler A19 Pro Chip

The iPhone fully charges via USB-C in 76 minutes, or reaches 70% in 30 minutes with a 40W adapter (not included), and can be charged using a QI2 25W charger in 96 minutes. Belkin Ultracharge 2-in-1. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Equipped with the new Apple A19 Pro chip, the 17 Pro is the first iPhone to feature a steam chamber cooling system. This technology, commonly seen in high-performance Android devices, dissipates heat from the chip throughout the phone, maintaining prolonged peak performance.

Extended gaming sessions lead to improved frame rates and reduced heat buildup, ensuring that the phone remains cooler than its predecessors.

The phone’s battery life is impressive, lasting around 42 hours on a blend of 5G and WiFi, with approximately 6 hours of active screen usage—around 2 hours longer than last year’s model. During heavy usage or gaming, the 17 Pro can still finish the day with roughly 25% battery remaining. Regular users may find they need to charge their phones every couple of days.

Sustainability

The camera plateau prevents the iPhone 17 Pro from wobbling on flat surfaces, unlike its predecessors. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The battery is designed to endure over 1,000 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Should you need a replacement, it costs £109, while a screen repair is priced at £349. Experts rated the phone a seven out of ten regarding repairability.

The device contains over 30% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, steel, tin, and tungsten. Apple is transparent about the environmental impact of its products in its reports. Additionally, the company promotes trade-in and free recycling programs, encompassing non-Apple products.

Camera

The streamlined camera app automates most features, with many functions tucked behind a sliding button. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The rear boasts three 48MP cameras alongside an 18MP selfie camera, enhancing the front-facer with new capabilities.

The main and ultra-wide cameras are largely unchanged from last year, delivering impressive photos across various lighting scenarios, making them especially good for detailed street photography. The main camera provides twice as much crop zoom, yielding excellent detail and color in well-lit settings, though dim lighting may introduce some grain.

A key addition this year is the upgraded telephoto camera, featuring a 4x zoom at 48MP and 5x at 12MP. Much like the main camera, it allows for 8x crop zoom. It performs well in bright conditions, with some detail degradation at higher zoom levels, while remaining functional in indoor lighting as well.

The zoom capability stretches to a maximum of 40x magnification, with noticeable quality loss beyond 15-20x. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Each of the three cameras comes equipped with numerous features, including top-tier video capabilities, and the option to record simultaneously from both the front and rear cameras, creating a picture-in-picture effect. Apple’s automatic portrait mode excels by working with both objects and subjects.

Notably, the selfie camera has received its first significant upgrade in years, featuring an 18MP sensor that incorporates Apple’s Center Stage technology, previously seen in iPads and Macs. It allows for automatic panning and zooming to keep you framed during video calls, and you can widen the shot for landscape selfies while in portrait mode. This clever design addresses the challenge of fitting multiple people into a shot without reorienting the phone.

Price

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at £1,099 (€1,299/$1,099/$1,999) for the model with 256GB of storage.

For context, the iPhone 16E is priced at £599, the iPhone 17 costs £799, the iPhone Air costs £999, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is listed at £1,199, the Google Pixel 10 Pro retails for £999, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is £1,099, and the FairPhone 6 is available for £499.

Verdict

The 17 Pro represents the most distinct iPhone evolution in years, and despite its functional variations from recent models, it is instantly recognizable.

Its new aluminum unibody design feels premium, although it may be more susceptible to scratches than glass. With top-notch performance and display, the battery life is commendable for such a compact device. Overall, it’s an excellent iPhone and a high-quality smartphone.

However, this year it faces competition from the Spotlight Super Susane iPhone Air and the enhanced standard iPhone 17.

The camera stands out as a significant differentiating factor, with the 17 Pro featuring superior camera capabilities, including a newly enhanced telephoto lens. This makes it one of the best camera phones available.

Consequently, for iPhone enthusiasts keen on excellent telephoto capabilities, the 17 Pro is the ideal choice—albeit at a premium price.

Pros: Enhanced 4x/8x telephoto, upgraded selfie camera, impressive display, USB-C, solid battery life, excellent performance, long-term software support, Face ID, and a compact design make it a remarkable camera.

Cons: Premium pricing, heavier than previous models, absence of cutting-edge AI features compared to rivals, and similar screen and size available in more affordable models.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Making Each Moment Count: Japan’s Gen Z Strives for Just 2 Hours of Smartphone Use

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Even while employed full-time in Tokyo, Moriyama Shoki still dedicates eight hours daily to his smartphone.

“You need a mobile device to navigate the information age,” Moriyama states. At just 25, he represents a generation that cannot envision life without continuously scrolling through news, social media, messaging platforms, and casual video clips.

He’s not alone. The excessive use of smartphones is a worldwide trend, yet Japanese officials are stepping in as concerns rise over the physical and mental impacts, particularly affecting children and youth.

Last week, Toyoake, a central city in Japan, implemented measures to restrict smartphone usage for its 69,000 residents to just two hours a day. Authorities state this aims to tackle growing evidence of digital addiction and lack of sleep, although the town council’s ordinance does not impose penalties on those who disregard it.

Moriyama was one of several individuals in their twenties who accepted a challenge from the Guardian to limit smartphone usage to two hours while sharing their experiences.

Results varied from impressive successes to significant failures.

Moriyama Shoki remarked that limiting phone use to two hours daily feels “too little.” Photo: Justin McCurry/Guardian

Moriyama, who regularly checks LINE—a “super app” for messaging, news, and entertainment, along with TikTok, Instagram, and X—admitted that abstaining from these platforms or significantly reducing usage is challenging.

“I typically spend about eight hours on my phone, so two hours is insufficient. I can’t stay current with everything,” he explains. “In the end, I managed to limit my smartphone usage to an hour and 50 minutes, which is a noteworthy decrease from my usual screen time. I used the extra time to read books, study, and hit the gym, so I didn’t waste my day.”

My colleague Hanaoka Tomomi also succeeded in curbing this habit. “I usually spend about three hours on my phone during the week and six to seven hours on weekends, so two hours felt very restrictive. Most people need at least three to four hours,” Hanaoka notes. Previously, avoiding LINE, TikTok, and Instagram felt impossible.

“I adhered to the two-hour limit and spent my free time reading and pursuing other activities.”

University student Saito Akari realized early on that “the more restrictions you impose, the more I want to engage.”

Saito appreciates Toyoake’s initiative as a starting point for broader conversations about smartphone usage, but believes the focus should be on quality of use rather than the quantity of screen time. “However, finding a line between education and entertainment can be tricky.”

Despite his determined efforts, Saito found it tough to limit daily phone use to three or four hours. “I especially struggled to put my phone down while commuting or walking. But using my phone less could make the day feel longer and more significant.”

Yuri* has attempted to limit her smartphone usage before exams by hiding Instagram and implementing password protections.

She uses her phone for checking social media, searching recipes, texting, and accessing educational materials, yet too much screen time often leads to headaches and eye strain.

“I wonder why the ordinance explicitly recommends limiting smartphone usage. If the goal is to encourage people to reconsider their usage, they should foster individual rules,” she contends.

“Overall, I’m supportive of the proposed methods for smartphone use, as I don’t rely on it for hobbies. Nonetheless, such measures could be unacceptable for those who primarily use smartphones for entertainment and stress relief.”

A man uses his smartphone to take pictures in Suzuka city. Photo: Anadoll/Getty Images

Mayor Koki Masafumi of Toyoake has defended the new regulations despite receiving numerous complaints from residents about government interference in their personal lives.

Kouki mentioned that while he frequently uses his smartphone to check baseball scores and navigate, he sets it aside during meal times and expressed concern that children and young individuals are compromising sleep and family interactions due to excessive scrolling, emailing, and posting.

In response to the criticism online, including misinformation suggesting strict enforcement of the two-hour rule, he explained to the Mainichi Shimbun, “When you hear ‘two hours,’ it prompts you to reflect on your actual usage. That’s significant.”

A recent survey from the Children and Family Agency indicates that Japanese youth spend an average of just over five hours online on weekdays.

Aya* exceeds the national average, typically logging around eight hours each day.

“We couldn’t restrict ourselves to two hours, but just being aware of the challenge made a difference. Ultimately, we managed to reduce our standard smartphone usage by approximately 60%, which was substantial,” the university student reported, acknowledging that she still consulted a travel planner and checked emails and messages.

She expressed support for Toyoake City’s initiative and speculated that the absence of penalties could be its greatest strength.

“That’s what makes it sensible… establishing personal rules is crucial. It’s an invaluable chance to reflect on daily habits, rather than just thinking abstractly.”

She mentioned she often spent time “scrolling aimlessly.”

“I found it easier to engage in conversations and pay more attention to my surroundings, which enriched my day.”

This will surely resonate with Koki. On the eve of his town’s controversial social engineering experiment, the mayor stated he believes it’s worthwhile. “It’s about sleep, family, and health,” he asserts. “This ordinance will encourage more people to pause and discuss their habits, even briefly, and it will prove effective.”

*Names have been changed upon request.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Zelda Williams Responds to AI-Generated Video of Her Late Father: “Stop This” | Robin Williams

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, has voiced her opposition to AI-generated content featuring her father.

“Please, stop sending videos of dad generated by AI,” Zelda posted on my Instagram story on Monday. “Stop assuming that I want to see it or that I’m interested; I don’t, I really don’t. If you’re just trying to annoy me, I encounter something worse, I block it and move on.”

“To reduce the legacy of real individuals to something like, ‘Just this vague appearance and sound, that’s sufficient,’ is disheartening.”

“You’re not creating art; you’re producing grotesque, over-processed versions of human life, derived from art and musical history.”

“And for heaven’s sake, stop referring to it as the ‘future’; AI is merely a mishmash of recycled content that badly reflects the past. It’s integrating superficial human content.”

Robin Williams with Zelda at the premiere of his film RV in 2006. Photo: Mario Anzuni/Reuters

This isn’t the first instance where Zelda Williams, an actor and filmmaker who directed the 2024 horror-comedy Lisa Frankenstein, has addressed the recreation of her father, who passed away at 63 in 2014. The potential for realism is concerning.

“I’ve encountered AI imitating his ‘voice’ and saying what people want to hear. While I find this intrusive personally, the implications extend far beyond my own sentiments.”

“These recreations are inferior imitations of great individuals and, at their worst, resemble horrifying Frankenstein-like constructs formed from the industry’s lowest points.”

Zelda’s recent commentary arrives amidst a surge of celebrity deepfakes on social media, which span various themes, including adult content, political messages, scams, and advertisements.

In January, actress Scarlett Johansson highlighted the “immediate dangers of AI” following her condemnation of Kanye West’s anti-Semitic comments, after deepfake videos surfaced featuring other prominent Jewish celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Drake, and Adam Sandler.

A fraudulent advertisement featuring Deepfark in August was falsely attributed to Crowded House frontman Neil Finn, who stated he was incorrectly represented discussing erectile dysfunction, prompting the band to issue a disclaimer.

The deepfakes of Robin Williams are part of a larger trend in AI-generated content, fueled by the rapid proliferation of low-quality material produced by entertainment-free generation AI applications.

The recent TikTok video featuring Robin Williams appears to have been created using Sora 2, OpenAI’s new video generation app, and includes a simulated interaction between the comedian and the late Betty White.

Within days of launch, Sora’s feed was inundated with videos featuring copyrighted characters from series like SpongeBob SquarePants, South Park, Pokémon, and Rick and Morty.

OpenAI informed the Guardian that content owners can report copyright violations through a “copyright dispute form,” although individual artists and studios cannot opt out broadly. Varun Shetty, Head of Media Partnerships at OpenAI, commented:

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cold War Tactics: The Stasi’s Involvement in a Video Game | Games

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In 2019, researchers at the Berlin Computer Game Museum uncovered a remarkable find made from salvaged electronic gear for joysticks and plastic containers. The beige rectangular tupperware, containing wires, will display a functional version of Pon when connected to a TV.

Arcade Fire… A notable attraction from Cold Wargames in East Germany. Photo: Dora Csala/Alliiertenmuseum

Initially, they believed that these homemade devices were an isolated testament to creativity behind the iron curtain. However, earlier this year, they stumbled upon something else: seifendosen-pong (“Soapbox Pon”), accompanied by a national magazine called Funkamateur, featuring various DIY diagrams for Atari’s 1970s gaming hits.

This discovery contradicted the notion that the emergence of computer games was merely tolerated or heavily suppressed by socialist East Germany. Evidence arose suggesting that gaming received a degree of official backing from the regime’s notorious Secret Service.

A new collaborative exhibition from the Union Museum and the Computer Games Museum in Berlin aims to uncover the intrigue surrounding Cold War-era games from both sides of the iron curtain. This includes East Germany’s sole arcade cabinet, Polyplay, which visitors can experience. Featuring honey-colored wooden panels and vibrant signage, only 2,000 machines were produced. In the late ’80s, youth flocked to these cabinets in clubs and holiday retreats, enjoying games that were largely clones of Western originals.

However, Polyplay was developed “with assistance from national security,” explains Veit Lehmann of the Alliance Museum. Due to a lack of programming expertise, the manufacturer Veb Polytechnick turned to the Stasi, who provided personnel “with expertise and computing capabilities” to code games.

PAC – In place of Man, there was Hase und Wolf – a rabbit dodging a dog, while Namco’s infamous ghost from Pac-Man was replaced. Games included Hirschjagd (“Deer Hunt”), a reimagined version of the sci-fi shooter Robotron: 2084, and Schießbude, a carnival shooting game, along with titles like Schmetterling (butterfly collecting), memory puzzles, skiing games, and other racing contests.

Tame… Game featuring rabbits and wolves. Photo: Veb Polytechnik Karl-Marx-Stadt

For many in East Germany, Polyplay marked their first exposure to computing, “opening up an entirely different world,” states Regina Sewald of the University of Birmingham. “It was seen as a family-oriented machine.” Families would spend weekends enjoying leisure activities together. While perceived as innocent entertainment, it subtly encouraged technical skill development.

However, Polyplay eliminated themes of violence, contrasting with Western arcades that showcased tanks in combat scenarios and dragons targeting players propelled by jetpacks. The GDR aimed to present itself as a peaceful nation, viewing media law as a means to suppress any portrayal of violence. “The GDR’s approach to technology reflected a desire for a harmonious self-image, coupled with a fear of the unknown,” remarks Seiwald.

Despite the family-friendly concept of Polyplay, self-proclaimed “freaks” gathered at computer clubs to challenge the regime’s limits. East Germany identified technology as a critical economic focus by the late 1970s, but Western tech was often smuggled into the country as trade embargoes restricted access, with devices like the ZX Spectrum being disguised in car seats or hidden inside chocolate boxes for cross-border smuggling.

Long arms of the state… Displayed at coldwargames. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

State-run factories produced some of their own gaming devices, including the Bildschirmspiel 01 Pong clone and the Veb Robotron series of microcomputers, but accessibility was limited. High costs made it difficult for most citizens to obtain them.

As early enthusiasts began forming clubs at universities and youth centers across cities like Berlin, Dresden, and Leipzig, officials speculated whether this youthful engagement would help mitigate technical challenges. “They believed that if young people engaged with games and computers, it could lead to better outcomes,” notes Lehmann. Perhaps the regime hoped this interest would nurture a new generation skilled in microelectronics, ultimately developing a necessary homegrown industry.

A phrase often echoed among GDR officials was expressed by Martin Görlich, managing director of the Computer Games Museum: “Learning from the Soviet Union means learning how to win.” Thus, computing was embraced as mirroring Soviet dynamics, blending physical action with screen engagement in arcade games.

Eastern block…coldwargames. Photo: Dora Csala/Alliiertenmuseum

The Soviet Union also birthed Tetris, a dynamic puzzle game created by software engineer Alexey Pajitnov to test computer performance. Initially exchanged among engineers, it led to fierce competition for distribution rights involving Dutch game designer Henrogers and Kevin Maxwell, son of the disgraced media tycoon Robert Maxwell.

In East Germany, citizens often depended on bootleg versions to bypass restrictions and shortages. Fashion enthusiasts crafted their garments, musicians repurposed audio gear, and underground board games like a twist on Monopoly flourished in exchange for communist-themed titles.

This DIY ethos aligned with the state’s self-reliance policy, encouraging citizens to craft, build, and repair. Official publications such as Funkamateur and Jugend Und Technik advocated for “computer sports” and published programming guides. “The GDR was acutely aware of technological constraints,” affirms Sewald. “People became proactive in educating themselves and pushing the boundaries of available technology.”

For young enthusiasts, some clubs boasted advanced computing systems like the Commodore 64, far superior to state alternatives. Most members were young males, their primary interest often lying in gaming.

Some learned to program their own games on machines like the KC 85 from Veb Mikroelektronik, while others like René Meyer, who joined the Computer Club at the University of Leipzig at 16, explored this new digital realm.

“GDR’s home computers were compatible with various systems and cultivated a unique computing ecosystem in the East,” recalls Meyer, particularly one game called Bennion Geppy, which involved navigating dungeons while avoiding monsters and collecting keys.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/754XidRqTnI?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="BENNION GEPPY FROM VEB MIKROELEKTRONIK COMPUTER KC 85 3 4 5 FROM SITE ‘‘LANALE DE’’ ONLINE EMULATOR" height="480" width="640" allowfullscreen="

Paradoxically, while the state seemed to endorse these groups, club members often found themselves under the close scrutiny of Stasi informants, and their computing activities were frequently viewed with suspicion. One Stasi report detailed the games circulating in Young Talent’s House, highlighting acceptable choices like Super Bowl and Samantha Fox Strip Poker, alongside more controversial titles reflecting violent themes.

As internal tensions within East German society escalated, Stasi grew increasingly paranoid about war-related themes in software, computer viruses, and anti-socialist messages. Their fears may have been exaggerated. Notably, in neighboring Czechoslovakia, underground game developers created titles like the Adventures of Indiana Jones, a text adventure where a fedora-clad hero could face peril from bloodthirsty authorities.

East Germany’s relationship with technology was complex. In 1984, West Germany penalized children for playing arcade games, viewing them as gambling hazards. Consequently, they imposed stringent age restrictions on violent games like Activision’s River Raid. This skepticism extended into the 21st century, with publishers altering titles to sidestep censorship, as seen in the German version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, where players faced penalties for actions during the controversial “No Russian” mission.

While East Germany advocated for decentralized computing, the state maintained strict control over communications, criminalizing home networking and hacking activities. In response, activists in West Germany founded the Chaos Computer Club, still active today, known for crafting DIY modems as a form of protest, referred to as Datenklo (“Dataloo”).

“The West has been very harsh on hackers and crackers,” observes Seiwald. “It surprised many to find that the GDR exhibited a degree of surprising tolerance.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Experts Discuss Addressing News Violence with Children: ‘No Topic Is Off-Limits'” | Parenting Insights

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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Last month, right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk was killed, and videos of his shooting quickly circulated on social media. Nowadays, anyone with a smartphone can access distressing videos, images, and a significant amount of misinformation. While experts have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of smartphones on children’s and teenagers’ mental health, many young individuals still have unrestricted access to their devices.

The Guardian consulted seven experts on how to effectively discuss troubling news with children, including the appropriate age to start these conversations and what should be avoided.

Expert Panel:

Anya Kamenetz, Journalist and Publisher Golden Hour Newsletter
Psychiatrist and Executive Director, Clay Center for Young Health Mind, Massachusetts General Hospital
Tara Conley, Assistant Professor of Media and Journalism at Kent State University.
Dr. Tricordino, Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Ohio
Jill Murphy, Chief Content Officer, Common Sense Media
Ashley Rogers Burner, Professor at Johns Hopkins University
Holly Korbey, Author of Building Better Citizens

What is the best way to discuss bad news with children? Or issues related to climate disasters?

Anya Kamenetz: First, ascertain what they already know or have heard. Children often get snippets from school and social media, so it’s essential to gauge their understanding. Providing a few clear facts can clarify misconceptions. Watch content together online and demonstrate balanced information consumption. Once you’ve covered the basics, ask if they have any questions and inquire about their feelings on the matter.

Eugene Belesin: Children of all ages typically have three primary concerns: Am I safe? Are you taking care of me? How does this impact my life? Therefore, I want to ensure I listen to their worries, validate their feelings, and encourage them to express those concerns.

Tara Conley: Establishing practical channels for communication is essential when discussing upsetting news with children. Consider creating a family group chat or dedicated online and offline spaces where young people feel connected and supported.

What is the best approach to talk to children about graphic content, like the videos involving Charlie Kirk?

Tricordino: I know numerous teenagers, and I’ve been truly surprised by their reactions. Particularly among younger children, there may be a sense of confusion, feeling that “I shouldn’t have watched that, so I can’t even discuss it with my parents.” It’s critical that they feel comfortable discussing these experiences with trusted adults. It’s important to convey that continuously seeking out such videos can have lasting effects.

Ashley Rogers Burner: When children learn about acts of violence, it’s crucial to be honest with them. Parents should reinforce democratic values, emphasizing peaceful conflict resolution without resorting to violence. Additionally, reassure them that responsible authorities deal with violent acts, and such events are relatively rare.

How can parents help children navigate misinformation?

Holly Korbey: Parents must understand that when their children are on their phones, they are exposed to relentless streams of distressing news. Moreover, the mixed messages from political figures, telling them “Don’t trust the news,” can create confusion.

Parents need to encourage fact-checking. If children encounter something particularly frightening, guide them towards reliable journalistic sources to verify its accuracy.

Cordino: Children are drawn to phones since it’s a key communication tool with their peers and a means of understanding their world. Rather than simply sidelining the device, we should focus on establishing positive technology habits early on. It’s important to frame guidelines around device usage and allow appropriate access.

While a one-size-fits-all strategy won’t work, generally, limiting access initially for younger users is advisable (fewer social media apps, stricter time limits). For all children, it’s beneficial to avoid having devices in bedrooms overnight or allowing unsupervised use behind closed doors. I highly recommend Common Sense Media for families seeking resources on this issue.

Conley: Instilling critical media literacy skills early will help children comprehend how media and technology shape social behavior and interactions. Here are some resources for parents/caregivers: Tips for Adults to Support Children Consuming Scary News. The American Academy of Pediatrics also offers insights on Creating a Family Media Plan.

With the current political landscape being highly polarized and violent, how should such discussions be approached?

Korbey: I believe no topic should be off-limits. Students need exposure to controversial subjects to become politically active. Engaging in discussions at the dinner table is perfectly acceptable.

Jill Murphy: Children and teenagers are bound to have numerous questions, which can serve as a springboard for deeper discussions regarding political or cultural matters. Parents should reaffirm their values and perspectives, while actively listening to their children’s curiosities and concerns.

What pitfalls should parents and caregivers avoid when discussing news with children?

Kamenetz: Avoid having TV news playing in the background. Although I understand the tendency because of my background in journalism, depending on how a story unfolds, it might be wise to minimize that exposure as well. Depending on the child’s age, there’s often no need to volunteer excessive information unless it’s explicitly asked for. Children process information at different paces, and their developmental needs can vary significantly.

Conley: It may also be prudent not to pretend to have all the answers. Children can sense when we do, and it’s essential to be humble about what we don’t know.

How do you reassure children when faced with significant risks to safety, such as climate change, school shootings, or police violence?

Conley: I recall my college years, when numerous global incidents unfolded, from September 11 to Hurricane Katrina. My father occasionally wrote me letters offering guidance or encouragement. I cherish those letters as reminders of our shared humanity.

Thus, I encourage parents and educators to consider practical activities like Letter Writing Activities. Simply writing to the young people in your life can be tremendously impactful.

Cordino: During instances like school shootings, we shouldn’t exacerbate children’s distress. Instead, we aim to ensure they take school safety drills seriously and follow the guidance provided by their educational institutions.

As a parent, how do you provide reassurance to your child while navigating your own concerns about the news?

Kamenetz: It’s crucial for parents to establish a supportive network; you must tend to your own well-being first, which includes voicing your concerns. Model healthy news consumption habits by avoiding distressing content before bedtime and fostering family routines that serve as news-free zones.

Conley: I encourage both young people and adults to seek out helpers—echoing the wisdom of Fred Rogers. Be a helper. Recent research shows that providing support, such as through volunteering, can help us manage certain stressors more effectively. Helping others often improves our own well-being.

When is the right age to initiate these important conversations?

Murphy: Given the rapid exposure of children and teens to news, often through influencers, it’s best for parents to communicate age-appropriate information and begin conversations early.

Kamenetz: Often, we don’t have a choice in these matters. I never intended to explain to my three-year-old that she was in lockdown due to a global pandemic, but reality prevailed, and today she’s a happy and healthy eight-year-old.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police Encounter Confused Gang Suspected of International Smuggling Linked to UK’s “Large” Phone Heist

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Police have disrupted an international network believed to be smuggling tens of thousands of stolen phones from the UK, marking their most significant effort against phone theft in London, according to law enforcement officials.

The criminal organization is thought to have smuggled as many as 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China in the past year, claiming that up to 40% of all mobile phones stolen in the capital were involved.

The police initiated Operation Echosteep in December 2024 after intercepting a shipment containing about 1,000 iPhones destined for Hong Kong at a warehouse located near Heathrow Airport.

According to police, nearly all the recovered phones had been reported stolen.

Authorities intercepted additional shipments and utilized forensic evidence from the packages to identify suspects.

After apprehending a man with 10 stolen mobile phones at Heathrow on September 20, he was charged with possession of stolen goods, the police unit reported.

During the investigation, officers also found two iPads, two laptops, and two Rolex watches.

Further investigation indicated that the same individual had made over 200 trips between London and Algeria in the past two years, according to police.

Three days later, two other men in their 30s were arrested in northeast London on suspicion of possessing stolen property.

Numerous mobile phones were discovered in vehicles, with approximately 2,000 additional devices located at properties linked to the suspects.

These individuals were subsequently charged and detained, police confirmed.

Additionally, two more men in their 30s were arrested on September 25 on allegations of money laundering and handling stolen goods.

Officers also seized several stolen devices during their search operations.

Police mentioned that one man had indicated that further investigations were ongoing.

In total, officers have arrested 46 individuals over two weeks, including 11 arrests related to a criminal gang involved in the theft of new iPhone 17 delivery vans.

An additional 15 arrests were made last week on suspicions of theft, handling stolen goods, and conspiracy to commit theft, according to the Metropolitan Police.

More than 30 suspicious devices were also uncovered while searching 28 locations in London and Hertfordshire.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed gratitude to the police for “addressing concerns in London,” noting a 13% and 14% decrease in crime rates this year.

“This operation is undeniably the largest of its kind in British history, and it was humbling to witness the Met’s efforts in targeting leaders of international smuggling operations as well as street-level robbers,” Khan commented.

However, he urged the mobile phone industry to collaborate with law enforcement to make it challenging for smugglers to utilize stolen devices.

“Criminals are profiting millions by reusing stolen mobile phones and selling them abroad, granting others access to cloud services,” he remarked. “The current situation is simply too simple and too lucrative.

“We will persist in urging the mobile phone industry to take rapid action to prevent this crime by making it impossible to use stolen devices.”

“To effectively combat this issue and create a safer London for all, we require coordinated global action.”

“We are pleased to report that we have made significant progress in understanding the importance of these efforts,” stated Det Insp Mark Gavin, Senior Investigation Officer at Operation Echosteep.

Gavin highlighted that smugglers are particularly targeting Apple products due to their high profitability overseas, with handsets fetching up to £300 and stolen devices selling for as much as $5,000 (£3,710) in China.

This increase in phone theft is mirrored in numerous cities globally, with around 80,000 devices reported stolen in London last year, according to the Met.

Commander Andrew Featherstone, the Met’s lead on phone theft, stated:

Source: www.theguardian.com

AirPods Pro 3 Review: Enhanced Battery, Superior Noise Cancellation, and Improved Sound Quality | Apple

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Apple’s highly acclaimed AirPods Pro Bluetooth earphones have returned in their third generation, featuring an improved fit, extended battery life, built-in heart rate sensors, and enhanced noise cancellation, all while maintaining a look similar to their predecessors.

Although three years have elapsed since the previous version, these earphones remain exclusively white. The differences between them and earlier generations are subtle and require close inspection.

Priced at £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429), the AirPods Pro 3 is £30 less expensive in the UK than its predecessor at launch and features compatibility with AirPods 4.

The earphones have undergone slight shape refinements to enhance comfort, especially during prolonged listening sessions exceeding three hours. The package includes five sizes of tips, but if you prefer non-silicone earphones, these won’t offer much difference.

The stems maintain their previous length, but the earphones’ shape has been optimized to better align the tips with the ear canal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Most functions are standard for modern earphones. Squeeze the stems for playback controls, swipe for volume adjustment, or remove them to pause music. They support features introduced with older Apple earphones, like the Shutter Remote Camera app and live translation using the translation app on your iPhone. The latter currently supports only English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish but works surprisingly well for casual conversations.

A notable drawback is that others still need to read translated speeches from their iPhones. This feature proves most useful for announcements and audio guides, especially for singular language translations in transportation hubs and museums.

One of the standout hardware features is heart rate monitoring through the sensors on the earbuds, similar to Apple’s PowerBeats Pro 2 fitness band. This can be utilized with over 50 workout tracking options via the Fitness app or select third-party apps on your iPhone. Its readings align closely with those from a Garmin Forerunner 970 or an Apple Watch during activities like walking and running. Additionally, the earphones boast an IP57 water resistance rating, making them more resilient to rain and sweat than previous models.

Battery life has improved, extending to at least 8 hours of playback, along with competitive noise cancellation on every charge, making them suitable for most listening durations.

The compact flip-top case provides two full charges for a combined playback time of 24 hours (6 hours shorter than the previous generation), with just 5 minutes of charging offering an hour of listening time. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Specifications

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, UWB
Battery life: 8 hours of ANC playback (24 hours in case)
Water resistance: IP57 (buds and case)
Earphone dimensions: 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0mm
Earphone weight: 5.6g each
Charging case dimensions: 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8mm
Charging case weight: 44g
Case charging: USB-C, QI Wireless/Magsafe, Apple Watch

Richer Sound and Exceptional Noise Cancellation

The silicone tips are designed to slightly expand for a better seal, enhancing both music quality and noise cancellation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The audio experience with the third-generation AirPods Pro is impressive, offering louder playback with an expansive soundscape. They maintain powerful, well-regulated bass while enhancing the spaciousness of larger tracks. The sound is detailed and balanced, catering to various genres, with ample power when needed. However, like other Apple headphones, they can occasionally feel a tad clinical, lacking warmth and rawness in some tracks, which may lessen the impact of deep bass notes. Nevertheless, few earphones can outshine these in terms of price and size.

Apple’s implementation of spatial audio for movies is unrivaled, and while its efficacy in spatial music remains mixed, it provides an immersive experience with compatible devices and services.

The AirPods Pro offers the ideal blend of earphones and compact carrier, easily portable in your pocket. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Enhanced noise cancellation is arguably the most significant upgrade. Apple claims it’s twice as effective as the already excellent AirPods Pro 2. In direct comparisons, the AirPods Pro 3 effectively mitigates street noise, including traffic sounds and engine roars. It stands up impressively against the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM6, renowned for their over-ear design.

They also excel in dampening disruptive high frequencies, such as keyboard clicks and conversations, making them well-suited for commuting and office environments.

Apple’s leading transparency mode is equally outstanding, allowing for natural sound experiences, as if the earbuds aren’t being worn at all. Sudden loud noises can be managed, making them handy in busy streets and while using hearing aids.

Call quality is superb, with my voice sounding clear and natural, whether in quiet settings or bustling environments, with only minimal ambient sounds noticeable during calls.

Sustainability

The charging case supports USB-C, Magsafe, QI, or Apple Watch charging, and includes new features like Limit Charging to prolong battery life. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Apple does not specify the expected battery lifespan. Typically, similar devices retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. The earphones are not repairable, but Apple provides battery servicing for £49 per earphone or case, with replacement for lost or damaged items starting from £79. Repair specialist iFixit graded these earphones a 0 out of 10 for serviceability.

Both the AirPods and their cases include 40% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Apple offers trade-in and recycling programs, detailing the environmental impact of its earphones in their reports.

Price

The price for the AirPods Pro 3 is £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429).

For context, AirPods 4 starts at £119, while Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are priced at £250. The Sennheiser Momentum TW4 retails for £199, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost £219, Sony WF-1000XM5 is available for £219, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are priced at £300.

Verdict

AirPods Pro 3 takes an already impressive second-generation model and enhances virtually every aspect.

A longer battery life and a more comfortable fit for extended listening sessions are welcome improvements. Additionally, proper water resistance and integrated heart rate monitoring cater well to fitness enthusiasts, particularly for activities like powerlifting where wearing a watch may not be practical. The live translation feature performs better than anticipated, despite its conversational limitations.

The standout element is the remarkably effective noise cancellation, comparable to top-tier over-ear headphones, while being much easier to transport.

Audiophiles may notice a slightly clinical sound profile, and full functionality requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Compatibility with Bluetooth devices like Android phones, PCs, and gaming consoles may not offer the same features. However, the significant drawback remains its difficult repairability, a common issue for true wireless earbuds, diminishing its rating.

Pros: Highly effective noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, industry-leading transparency, water resistance, integrated HR monitoring, seamless controls, advanced features when paired with Apple devices like spatial audio, remarkable comfort, and a premium case with excellent call quality.

Cons: Challenging to repair, premium price, lacks high-resolution audio support, minimal functionality with Android/Windows, similar appearance to its predecessor, and only available in white.

The AirPods Pro 3 is among the finest earphones available, especially for iPhone users. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Leaked Age Verification IDs from Discord Data Breaches | Gaming News

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Discord, the popular video game chat platform, has informed users about a data breach that has potentially compromised the personal information required for age verification.

Last week, the company reported that unauthorized individuals accessed one of Discord’s third-party customer service providers, impacting “a limited number of users” who interacted with customer service or the trust and safety teams.

Compromised data could encompass usernames, email addresses, billing details, the last four digits of credit card numbers, IP addresses, and messages exchanged with customer support.

According to Discord, the alleged attackers “gained access to a small number of government ID images (e.g., driver’s licenses, passports, etc.) from users who submitted appeals regarding their age verification.

The affected users were informed as of last week.

“If any ID is accessed, it will be explicitly mentioned in the email you receive,” Discord stated.

The support system was reportedly exploited to retrieve user data in an attempt to extort a financial ransom from Discord, the company clarified.

Discord mentioned that the third-party provider has since revoked access to the ticketing system and has initiated an internal investigation in collaboration with law enforcement.

Users who received the notification indicated that the attack likely occurred on September 20th.

With over 200 million active users each month, Discord continues to grow.

Earlier this year, Discord began verifying user ages in the UK and Australia using facial age verification tools. The company stated that age verification face and ID images are “deleted immediately afterwards,” but according to their website, users can reach out to the trust and safety team for a manual review if verification fails.

Under the upcoming social media ban for users under 16, effective December 10, the Australian government specified that platforms like Discord will have various ways to verify user ages and hopes to address unfavorable decisions swiftly.

As part of the age verification scheme, the platform can request an ID document, though it is not the sole method of age verification available under their policy.

Australia’s Privacy Committee has confirmed that it has been notified of the breach involving Discord.

Discord has been contacted for further comments.

Source: www.theguardian.com

OpenAI Guarantees Enhanced “Granular Control” for Copyright Holders Following Sora 2’s Video Creations of Popular Characters

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

OpenAI is dedicated to providing copyright holders with “greater control” over character generation following the recent release of the Sora 2 app, which has overwhelmed platforms with videos featuring copyrighted characters.

Sora 2, an AI-driven video creation tool, was launched last week by invitation only. This application enables users to produce short videos from text prompts. A review by the Guardian of the AI-generated content revealed instances of copyrighted characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, South Park, Pokémon, and Rick and Morty.

According to the Wall Street Journal, prior to releasing Sora 2, OpenAI informed talent agencies and studios that they would need to opt out if they wished to prevent the unlicensed use of their material by video generators.

OpenAI stated that those who own Guardian content can utilize a “copyright dispute form” to report copyright violations, though individual artists and studios cannot opt out of blanket agreements. Varun Shetty, OpenAI’s Head of Media Partnerships, remarked:

OpenAI Sora 2 Generated Video 1

On Saturday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated in a blog post that the company has received “feedback” from users, rights holders, and various groups, leading to modifications.

He mentioned that rights holders will gain more “detailed control” as well as enhanced options regarding how their likenesses can be used within the application.

“We’ve heard from numerous rights holders who are thrilled about this new form of ‘interactive fan fiction’ and are confident that this level of engagement will be beneficial for them; however, we want to ensure that they can specify the manner in which the characters are utilized.”

Altman noted that OpenAI will “work with rights holders to determine the way forward,” adding that certain “generation edge cases” will undergo scrutiny within the platform’s guidelines.

He emphasized that the company needs to find a sustainable revenue model from video generation and that user engagement is exceeding initial expectations. This could lead to compensating rights holders for the authorized use of their characters.

“Creating an accurate model requires some trial and error, but we plan to start soon,” Altman said. “Our aim is for this new type of engagement to be even more valuable than revenue sharing, and we hope it’s worth it for everyone involved.”

He remarked on the rapid evolution of the project, reminiscent of the early days of ChatGPT, acknowledging both successful decisions and mistakes made along the way.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Workers in Amazon Warehouses in Saudi Arabia Await Financial Relief: ‘We Demand Justice’

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Asian warehouse employees report that Amazon, recognized as the world’s second-largest employer, has failed to fulfill its commitment to compensate them for financial exploitation tied to the operations of Saudi online retailers.

In 2023, Amazon announced it would refund recruitment fees to Asian contract workers who were compelled to pay substantial amounts to secure jobs in the warehouses of Saudi companies. Since then, the company has disbursed over $2.6 million in compensation to approximately 950 workers from various nations.

However, two years later, numerous immigrants are still awaiting reimbursement of their recruitment fees, with uncertain prospects for financial relief. Of the 67 workers interviewed by the Guardian, 36 indicated they had yet to receive payments from Amazon, despite having paid significant fees to gain employment in the company’s Saudi Arabian operations.

“I want to tell Amazon: If you intend to repay your debt, do it now,” stated Rameshwar Sharma, a worker from Nepal, who reported not having received any compensation. “Don’t treat us like fools. We are not begging. We seek justice.”

In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan remarked that the company was “working swiftly and diligently to identify individuals entitled to reimbursement for employment costs incurred at third-party vendors that violated supply chain standards.”

She further noted that “we are aware that our work is not complete,” and that Amazon will “persist in issuing refunds as swiftly as possible.”

Labor rights advocates from Amnesty International, a human rights organization that scrutinized Amazon’s labor practices in Saudi Arabia, condemned the delays in processing worker payments as unacceptable.

“Too many individuals are still in limbo, and every delay prolongs their suffering,” commented Ella Knight from Amnesty International. “For one of the wealthiest companies globally, the sum involved is a mere drop in the ocean. However, for workers, timely justice can transform lives.”

Amazon, she insisted, “must act promptly to uphold its full human rights responsibilities.”

Some of the workers interviewed expressed concerns that the issue extends beyond mere delays. They reported being deemed ineligible for payments despite having paid substantial recruitment fees and having worked in Amazon’s Saudi Arabian operations.

Mithra Lal Sapkota, a Nepali worker, mentioned that he was informed he would not be refunded because his employment with Amazon ended in October 2023. Impactt staff, acting as Amazon’s intermediaries for compensation, left messages for Nepali workers stating that payments were only for those who ended their employment with Amazon in 2023 or later.

“Why are dates so crucial to them?” questioned Mithra Lal Sapkota. Impactt informed him that his job at Amazon ended in 2022, making him ineligible for a refund of his recruitment fees.

“What Amazon is doing feels disingenuous,” he remarked.

Amazon did not respond to inquiries regarding whether October 2023 was a cutoff date for payment eligibility, nor did they clarify the criteria for determining payment recipients.

Concerns about the treatment of vulnerable workers in Amazon’s Saudi warehouses gained significant attention following a survey released on October 10, 2023, by the Guardian, NBC News, and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists along with the Arab Reporter for Investigative Journalism. The reporting revealed that workers were charged recruitment fees ranging from approximately $830 to $2,300 to secure jobs in Amazon’s Saudi warehouses, violating Supply Chain Standards.

In response to media inquiries and an investigation by Amnesty International, Amazon committed to enhancing its labor practices and reimbursing recruitment fees for workers involved with its Saudi Arabian operations.

By February 2024, Amazon had compensated over 700 workers with approximately $1.9 million. Nevertheless, the pace of payments has since dwindled, with numerous workers claiming they remain excluded. Among the 44 current and former Amazon contract workers interviewed for the Guardian’s report in December 2024, 33 stated they had yet to receive any refund from the company. “These are intricate and prolonged processes, and we do our utmost to expedite refunds,” Amazon explained at the time.

Since the follow-up report, Amazon has distributed over $330,000 in compensation to roughly 100 workers.

The migrant workers involved in this story hail from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Kenya.

Bangladeshi worker MD Foisal Mia reported paying a recruitment company over $3,500 for a contract position in Amazon’s Saudi operations. He mentioned he has yet to receive any indication of compensation from Amazon or Impactt. He hopes that a refund for his recruitment fees would significantly impact his family’s circumstances.

“My family is in need. It’s challenging to manage a household,” stated Mia, who currently works at a vegetable store in Kuwait. “Please return my fee. This money means little to you, but it is everything to me.”

Nepali worker Sonu Kumar Mandal sought employment in the Amazon warehouse in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in 2021. To afford the costs, he secured a loan from a local moneylender with an exorbitant annual interest rate of 36%.

However, he was unable to meet his repayment obligations as his earnings were directed towards supporting his financially struggling family.

“I don’t have the funds to pay interest at present. I’m unemployed,” he lamented. “If Amazon were to refund the money, I would be able to settle the loan.”

Several workers denied compensation expressed that if Amazon genuinely wanted to reimburse them, they could have informed them about the refund process.

“Amazon has my phone number, my email, my passport, everything,” said Kishor Kumar Chaudhary, another Nepali worker. “If they wanted to reach me, they could easily do so. But why haven’t they?”

Pradip Kumar Mahato, a former Amazon employee from Nepal, filled out an online compensation form and sent a voice message to Impactt staff in July. In a reply, the staff conveyed: “[money] Very slim…we’re trying, but there’s no guarantee.”

Callahan, the Amazon spokesperson, expressed that the company is establishing a comprehensive complaint resolution mechanism for workers to voice their concerns. Amazon provides a web page where individuals, including former employees, can file complaints in various languages regarding the company’s employment and environmental practices.

Source: www.theguardian.com

OpenAI Secures Billion-Dollar Chip Partnership with AMD Technology

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

On Monday, OpenAI and semiconductor manufacturer AMD revealed that they have entered into a multi-billion dollar agreement concerning chips, which will allow the creators of ChatGPT to purchase significant equity stakes in the chipmaker.

This arrangement provides OpenAI the chance to acquire 10% of AMD, reflecting substantial confidence in the company’s AI chips and software. Following the announcement, AMD’s stock soared by over 30%, contributing approximately $800 billion to its market capitalization.

“We are excited to announce our dedication to delivering a variety of services to our clientele,” stated Forest Norod, AMD’s Executive Vice President.

These recent investment commitments underscore OpenAI’s significance, as the increasing demands of the AI sector drive companies to advance AI technologies that rival or surpass human intelligence. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, pointed out that the primary limitation on the company’s expansion is access to computing resources, particularly extensive data centers equipped with advanced semiconductor chips. Last week, Nvidia declared a $100 billion investment in OpenAI, further solidifying the collaboration between these leading AI firms.

The agreement announced on Monday encompasses the deployment of hundreds of thousands of AMD AI chips or graphics processing units (GPUs) totaling 6 gigawatts over several years, starting in the latter half of 2026. AMD confirmed that OpenAI will establish a 1 Gigawatt facility utilizing the MI450 series chips beginning next year.

Additionally, AMD issued a warrant that enables OpenAI to purchase up to 160 million shares of AMD at just one cent each during the course of the chip trading.

AMD’s executives anticipate that this transaction will result in tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue. Due to the expected ripple effects of this contract, AMD has projected more than $100 million in new revenue over four years from OpenAI and other clientele.

“This marks a trailblazing initiative in an industry poised to significantly influence broader ecosystems, attracting others to join,” remarked Matt Hein, AMD’s Head of Strategy.

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This agreement with AMD is expected to significantly bolster OpenAI’s infrastructure to fulfill its operational requirements, Altman confirmed in a statement.

However, it remains unclear how OpenAI plans to finance this substantial deal with AMD. According to media reports, the deal is estimated to be worth around $500 million, yielding approximately $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025 while burning through $2.5 billion in cash.

Source: www.theguardian.com

12 Favorites I Discovered and Purchased in September: From Non-Toxic Frying Pans to Letterbox Cheese | Life and Style

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

WThe temperatures are plummeting, and we all crave a bit more comfort. For some, it’s about getting a plush bed with a fresh memory foam mattress topper or an ergonomic office chair. For others, it’s a chic waterproof hooded scarf to style your wet hair, or a hair dryer that’s ready to return to action.

And for some of you, that might just mean a fringe party skirt and a cheese box arriving in the mail. Who are we to judge? These are your top picks for the month.

Sleep Improvement Masks

My Halos Eye Mask

£14.99 at MyHalos

£9.99 on Amazon

When Jane Hoskin, an insomnia sufferer and filter reviewer, experimented with the best (and odd) sleep aids, she didn’t expect a simple sub-£10 eye mask to afford her a solid 9-hour slumber. “The best masks truly obstruct all light without feeling flat or too tight on your eyes,” she shares, calling MyHalos her “ideal match.”

Bargain Beauty Calendar

W7 Advent Calendar

£19.95 at W7

£19.95 on Amazon

If you’re astonished to find an advent calendar among your favorite products for September, it seems the beauty advent calendar craze has evaded you. People shell out extensively for a selection of these products, which promise significant savings on their contents. Your top choice is, unsurprisingly, the “shockingly affordable” W7 calendar. Reviewer Sarah Matthews noted that the included items “stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the industry’s finest,” albeit they are mostly miniatures.

Office Chair Upgrade

Slouching Task 1

£289 on Slouch

If you’re still working from home on a dining chair, it’s time for a change. Your work chair needs to be as supportive and comfy as your most-used pieces of furniture, like your mattress.

Reviewer Stuart Andrews spends extended hours at his desk, and he was the right person to evaluate the best office chairs. The Slouching Task 1 emerged as his top choice, providing him “everything you desire from a work chair.”

Eco-Friendly Scourers

Non-Kilo Scourers

£13.47 on eBay

£3.75 on Amazon

Cotton scourers serve as an excellent way to cut down on plastic waste in your kitchen. “These are amazing for cleaning,” says Maggie, a filter reader and Sustainable Swaps guide. “They’re not packed with food like typical sponge scourers, and I toss them in the wash weekly to keep them fresh.”

Chic Rain Cover

Waterproof Hooded Scarf

£39.15 on Etsy

Looking stylish in the rain can be challenging. However, our fashion writer, Charlotte Gornoll, has crafted the ultimate guide to staying fashionable in wet weather. Your top styling tip was this waterproof hooded scarf. “If your jacket lacks a hood, why not complement it?” Charlotte suggested, likening it to “the late Queen Elizabeth’s stylish touch.”

Letterbox Cheese Board

Perfect British Cheese Board

£10 at Butlers

Of all the gifts that fit through a letterbox, is there anything better than a quality cheese board? A standout from our guide features three exquisite cheeses (Blacksticks Blue, Button Mill, Sunday Best) accompanied by track-reading figure relish and Peter’s yard crackers.

Top Budget Hair Dryer

Babyliss Hydro-Fusion

£60 on Look Fantastic

£31.99 on Amazon

“In my years of reviewing beauty products, upgrading my hair dryer brought the most significant change to my routine,” stated Sarah Matthews in his guide to the finest hair dryers. “Modern hair dryers have changed the game.” Sarah’s favored budget option, Babyliss Hydro Fusion, is “sturdy and powerful,” and is currently priced at £31.99 on Amazon.

Mattress Toppers

Panda Bamboo Topper, Double

£139.95 for Panda

“A mattress topper is like the cheese slice on a burger,” wrote reviewer Jane Hoskin. “While not essential, it can be a game changer, particularly if your mattress feels worn out.” Jane found the Panda bamboo topper to be the coolest option in her mattress topper tests despite being memory foam based. Clearly, many of you were drawn to the idea of “not feeling your restless partner’s movements.”

Party Skirt

Fringe Detail Mini

£50 on M&S

“This M&S skirt is an absolute winner,” noted Jess Cartner Morley in the style essentials for September. “I mean, look at it. All the tassels, perfectly cheeky (short but not too short), in chic off-white colors.” Clearly, many shared this sentiment, as this stylish party skirt emerged as a favorite.

Quick Clothing Steamer

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie

£28 at John Lewis

“I determined to be an ironed-clothes kind of woman,” writes Kate McCusker in the Green to the Grand Style Guide for All Ages. “Yet, I’m still waiting for that transformation, so I rely on this steamer in the morning to prevent my clothes from looking like I just rolled out of bed.” It appears many filter readers are still on that journey.

Ceramic Frying Pan

Procook Elite Tri-Ply

£48 on Procook

Trendy kitchen gadgets come and go, yet a dependable frying pan remains an essential kitchen item. We look for durability, easy cleaning, and hopefully no harmful chemical coatings. Is that too much to wish for? Dale Berning Sawa examined twelve premier frying pans under rigorous conditions. Your top pick was this Procook ceramic frying pan, praised for its impressive quality and reasonable price.

MP3 Player – Seriously

Snowsky Echo Mini

£66.99 on eBay

If you thought you’d stepped into a time machine upon seeing the advent calendar, wait until you come across an MP3 player (especially one with a cassette tape design). Yet, digital audio players are staging a comeback, appealing to those who want to unplug from streaming services while taking control of their music. This economical pick from the sub-brand Snowsky offers a “nostalgic vibe” while Alan Martin noted in his review, “delivers a much richer sound compared to other budget gadgets I’ve tested.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Consume Me Review: A Game That Offers More Than Just Empty Calories

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

IIf you accept the notion that the Game Awards serve as an interactive industry Oscar, then it’s reasonable to liken the Independent Game Festival to Cannes, with the Sumas MacNary Grand Prize being the equivalent of Parmedollar. Hence, one might expect that this year’s winner would receive significant attention upon release. Surprisingly, that’s not the case. Apparently, it’s an overwhelmingly early sale and I’m astonished by the absence of reviews. This highlights ongoing challenges regarding discoverability and the issues faced by critics during the busy fall season, rather than focusing on the game itself. Truly, it’s an absolute delight.

It’s certainly easy to sound like you should play this game rather than expressing a desire to want to play it. Crafted over a decade by Jenny Ziao Fusia in collaboration with Ap Thomson, Jie en Lee, Violet WP, and Ken Snyder, this semi-autobiographical narrative follows an Asian American high school student navigating weight loss amid the challenges of adolescence. It’s infused with effective energy and time management mechanics. Content notifications inform players of themes such as bullying, fat phobia, and dietary restrictions. Notably, it’s also one of the most humorous games of 2025.

The pizza date leads to watching her eat for the rest of the week… consuming me. Photo: 66

Consumes adeptly navigates a complex emotional landscape. The main character, Jenny, experiences meal times interpreted as puzzles. Reminiscent of Leon’s attachment case in Resident Evil 4, groceries shaped like Tetris blocks must fit into a grid symbolizing Jenny’s stomach. L-shaped kale and S-shaped tomatoes help her stay within her daily targets (notably, she focuses on “bites” instead of calories). Junk food, with its appealing form, can lead to regret as filling it results in precious time being consumed and potentially using up one of her limited cheat days. Any gaps in her stomach notification mean she might need a snack later.

Beyond merely managing her hunger, Jenny must also oversee her energy and mood levels, which is initially simple. Participating in chores, studying, and applying makeup turns into an enjoyable mini-game akin to Nintendo’s Warioware series, though it rarely presents a challenge. Items created or purchased with in-game currency help maintain Jenny’s happiness and health. However, time is relentless, making it increasingly tough to balance needs against wants. For example, reliance on energy drinks often leads to caffeine headaches. This creates unhappiness during activities other than resting.

A contest on the sinkside with an overwhelming mother… consumes me. Photo: 66

Regardless of whether things are going smoothly or not, the observations are artfully portrayed. The foreboding music accompanies weekly weigh-ins, physically pulling Jenny towards the scale. After cleaning the bathroom, her critically evaluating mother is there to inspect her work, even pressing a finger on the sink to confirm cleanliness. When Jenny first meets Oliver’s affluent parents, even the simple introduction of anxiety meters raises the heart rate, especially as she imagines her own mother as a detective in a trench coat. During their first outing, their awkwardness on-screen guides players toward a sweet kiss.

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Love quickly transforms into another responsibility, creating tension that evolves in each chapter. Jenny must prioritize potential dates in her calendar, yet a visit to a pizzeria forces her to strictly monitor her meals for the week ahead. As Oliver heads off to college, their long-distance relationship means that every night brings the potential for “poison damage” as she struggles to prioritize valuable text messages or video calls. (By night, she presses her face against the glass, tearfully observing the rose petals falling from inside, brilliantly encapsulating the path of all adolescents during such times.)

Although it’s a game centered on routines, the continual repetition never makes me feel fully settled. It continually finds creative ways to utilize the system to convey themes without sacrificing humor. If you grapple with food-related issues or fitness, there are moments that resonate deeply. It’s about more than just what you consume or how much you exercise; life’s essentials often take precedence over personal desires.

Again, I’m cautious about framing this as a mere obligation to consume. This thought-provoking, engaging, and boldly original game provided an evening filled with laughter and tears, leaving me with lasting memories.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Uncertain Yet Submissive: The Troubling Rise of AI Girlfriends | Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

eLeanor, 24, is a historian from Poland and a university lecturer in Warsaw. Isabel, 25, works as a detective for the NYPD. Brooke, 39, is an American homemaker who enjoys the vibrant Miami lifestyle, supported by her often-absent husband.

All three women engage in unfaithfulness and exchange nude photos and explicit videos via the growing number of adult dating sites that present an increasingly realistic array of AI companions for subscribers willing to pay a monthly fee.

At the TES Adult Industry Conference held in Prague last month, the attendees noted a surge in new platforms allowing users to form relationships with AI-generated girlfriends, who strip in exchange for tokens bought through bank transfers.

The creators of this new venture assert that it marks an advancement over webcam services, where real women remove clothing and converse with men, potentially leading to exploitation in certain sectors of the industry. They also contend that AI performers do not suffer illnesses, do not require breaks, are not exhausted at the end of their shifts, nor do they experience humiliation from client demands.

“Would you rather choose porn rife with abuse and human trafficking, or interact with AI?” asked Steve Jones, who operates an AI porn site. “We’ve heard about human trafficking where girls are forced to be on camera for 10 hours a day. There’s never an AI girl that’s trafficked. There’s never an AI girl forced or humiliated in a scene.”

“Would you rather choose porn rife with abuse and trafficking, or interact with AI?” says Steve Jones. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos

Most websites feature a ready-made girlfriend option, typically depicting smiling, young, white women, but also grant subscribers the chance to craft their own ideal online companion. This option reveals developers’ perspectives on the ideal female archetype. One site offers options ranging from film stars and yoga instructors to florists and lawyers. Personality traits include “Obliging: Submissive, Eager to Please,” “Innocent: See a Cheerful, Naive World,” and “Career-oriented: Nurturing, Protective, Always Comforting.” Users can specify age and even request a teenage model, along with choices for hair, eye color, skin tone, and breast size.

The increasing appeal of AI girlfriends has generated concern among women’s rights activists, who argue that they reinforce harmful stereotypes. In her book, The New Age of Fascism, Laura Bates notes that AI companions are “programmed to be charming, gentle, and subservient, always telling you what you want to hear.”

Amid rising worries regarding AI-generated images of child sexual abuse, the Prague conference developers spoke about an integrated moderation system that prevents users from creating illegal content by flagging keywords and phrases like “children” and “sister.” However, many platforms permit users to dress their AI girlfriends in school uniforms.

Products showcased at the TES conference in Prague. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos

A representative from Candy.ai, one of the new AI dating platforms exhibited at the conference, mentioned that their AI girlfriends offer diverse services. “If you seek an adult-oriented relationship similar to porn, that option exists. Or if you prefer deep discussions, that’s available too. It all depends on the user’s wants,” he explained. While the majority of users are heterosexual men, AI boyfriends are also on offer. Some pre-made AI girlfriends are designed to undress quickly. “Others may say: ‘No, I don’t know you.’ Thus, you need to cultivate your relationship with them for something like that.”

The growth of AI girlfriend platforms has been fueled by advancements in large-scale language models, enabling more lifelike interactions with chatbots and rapid innovations in AI image generation. Most sites continue to focus on text and images, yet brief AI-generated videos are increasingly common. Demand is particularly high among users aged 18-24, many of whom are gamers familiar with avatar customization.

Over the past year, new startups entering the sector have surged dramatically. “AI products are emerging like mushrooms, dynamic and ephemeral. They appear, fizzle out, and then are replaced by another wave,” commented Alina Mitt of Joi Ai, a site dedicated to “AI-Lationships.” “To survive in this market, you need to be bold and resilient. It’s like a fierce battle.”

The developers presented rapid advancements in the realism of AI-generated pornographic images and the transition to engaging AI video clips. Daniel Keating, the CEO of a company providing AI girlfriend experiences, showcased the distinctions between mediocre and high-quality AI companions. His platform offers users numerous AI-generated women in their lingerie, stressing that inferior quality AI tends to exhibit “overly polished plastic smoothness” on the skin, while high-quality AI girlfriends incorporate “natural skin textures, imperfections, moles, freckles, and slight asymmetries that appear much more authentic.”

UK regulator Ofcom highlights updates to the UK’s online safety laws at TES Prague. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos

His company managed to license the images of established adult stars to produce AI replicas, generating continuous income streams. “It’s profitable and cost-effective. Creators love this because they are relieved from the need to dress up and shoot content,” he noted.

An advertising executive from Ashley Madison expressed interest in the rapid expansion of a site focused on AI relationships, which caters to individuals seeking discreet connections. “AI dating is brand new territory for us. How do you compete against those who can mold their own fantasies instead of pursuing real relationships with women?” she inquired, requesting anonymity. “Some people wish to create something appealing in their minds, thus avoiding genuine connections.”

“You don’t need to go out on dates, acquire girlfriends, or build romantic relationships. AI serves as a safe space for young people to hone their social skills,” explained Jones, adding that AI allows for unfettered behavior without repercussions. “People might say things to AI that they wouldn’t dare convey to real individuals. ‘Oh silly girl, what’s the matter?’ In fantasy role-playing games, participants often prefer experiences distinct from reality.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Apple Watch Series 11 Review: Extended Battery Life Lets You Push Your Limits without Worry

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Apple Watch Series 11 introduces a highly requested feature: extended battery life.

Aside from that, the new model serves as a direct successor to the Series 10, retaining its design, dimensions, and features. Most enhancements are software-based, solidifying its position as one of the top smartwatches available, despite limited physical changes.

Starting at just 369 pounds in the UK (449 euros/$399/$679), the Series 11 sits below the watch SE at the low end and 749 pounds Ultra 3 at the high end.

The Series 11 is available in Space Gray, a hue first seen with the iPhone 5s in 2013. Old trends make a comeback. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Similar to last year’s Series 10, this new version is only 9.7mm thick, making it comfortable to wear at night and easily tucked under cuffs. It’s lightweight and user-friendly.

The vibrant 2,000 knit OLED display is bright for indoor and outdoor use, and remains legible from various angles. The glass is reportedly twice as scratch-resistant as its predecessors, though it doesn’t quite match the hardness of the sapphire used in more expensive titanium models.

The new watch incorporates the same S10 chip as previous versions, now with optional 5G connectivity, ensuring strong reception for outdoor activities. Battery capacity has increased by 9% for 42mm models and 11% for 46mm models.

In sleep tracking tests without exercise, the 46mm version lasted two days. Most users can expect around two days and nights before needing a recharge, which takes 66 minutes with a power adapter over 20W (not included), reaching about 70% in just 30 minutes. During a run, it tracks for roughly eight hours—enough for one or two marathons.

Specifications

Case Size: 42 or 46mm
Case Thickness: 9.7mm
Weight: Approximately 30g or 37g
Processor: S10
Storage: 64GB
Operating System: WatchOS 26
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5 ATM)
Sensors: HR, ECG, SpO2, Temperature, Depth, Microphone, Speaker, NFC, GNSS, Compass, Altimeter
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 4, NFC, UWB, Optional 5G

WatchOS 26

The Flow Watch face is engaging, though reading the time at a glance can be challenging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Series 11 ships with WatchOS 26, compatible with all models from the Series 6 onward. A new liquid glass design introduces semi-transparent elements and two additional monitoring interfaces: a large digital face called Flow that reacts to movement, and an Analog Face that segments hours, minutes, and seconds into custom dials.

One of the standout features is the wrist flick gesture. This allows you to quickly twist your wrist to dismiss notifications and return to the watch face without lifting your wrist to look at it, enabling you to silence alarms with a satisfying motion.

Hypertension, Sleep, and AI Workouts

Hypertension alerts utilize the optical sensor located on the back, the same one used for heart rate and blood oxygen readings; no pressure cuffs needed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Apple Watch retains the extensive health monitoring tools of its predecessor while introducing new features and a revamped training app.

Hypertension alerts now observe potential high blood pressure over 30 days, notifying users if heart rate data indicates possible hidden issues.

The updated sleep score metric simplifies Apple’s sleep tracking, akin to offerings from competitors like Google and Samsung. Each morning, users receive a score out of 100 based on factors such as duration, bedtime, and interruptions, all easily understood within the iPhone health app.

A sleep score helps you gauge sleep quality, allowing for detailed assessments as needed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Workout Buddy acts as an AI coach, leveraging past training data to offer motivational talk before and after workouts. It tracks your training frequency and effort level, providing audible updates during your exercise, including alerts for milestones like pace, heart rate, distance, and time.

Three voice options deliver updates through Bluetooth headphones in any of the 12 supported activities, including walking, running, and cycling. However, functionality may depend on being in proximity to an iPhone 15 Pro or later to avoid interruptions while training.

Sustainability

The recycled aluminum frame offers a premium, slim, and comfortable fit. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Apple states that the battery should last for 1,000 or more charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity, and can be replaced for £95. Repair costs range from between £295 and £389, depending on the model.

The watch comprises over 40% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, among others. Apple provides trade-in options and free recycling of devices, addressing the environmental impact of its products.

Price

The Series 11 is available in two sizes (42 and 46mm) with options for materials and 5G support, which necessitates a compatible phone plan for eSIM. Prices start at £369 (€449/$399/$679), with the 5G model requiring an additional £100 (€120/$100/$170).

For reference, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 retails at £749, while the Apple Watch SE 3 starts at £219, and the Google Pixel Watch 4 is priced at £349. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is available for £294.

Verdict

The Series 11 keeps the successful Apple Watch formula intact, enhancing it with improved glass and longer battery life.

With its slim profile, quick charging, and two-day battery life, it proves convenient for sleep tracking and silent alarms. The wrist flick gesture stands out as a feature every watch should embrace, and compatibility with earlier Apple Watch straps and chargers is a significant advantage. Price drops in the UK are also appreciated.

Users may need time to adjust to the glass-like appearance of WatchOS 26, but the software operates similarly while introducing valuable additions like hypertension alerts. The Workout Buddy proves particularly useful, offering positive experiences though reliant on mobile exercise.

Overall, the Series 11 ranks among the finest smartwatches for iPhone users. Those with older models, like the Series 6, can expect a substantial upgrade. However, this year, it faces competition from the revamped Watch SE 3, which serves as a compelling alternative.

Pros: Exceptional screen visibility, sleek design, double tap and wrist flick gestures, top-notch health monitoring, impressive activity tracking, AI coaching via Workout Buddy, 50m water resistance, two-day battery life, optional 5G connectivity, long software support, eco-friendly materials, and backward compatibility with previous Apple Watch straps.

Cons: Premium pricing, limited to iPhone users, lacks customizable faces for third-party watches, and maintains a similar aesthetic to prior models.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Holiday Horror: Airbnb and Booking.com Users Battle for Refunds Over Wrong Accommodations

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The century-old oak crashed down on the very first day of his vacation. James and his partner Andrew had just finished breakfast moments earlier, causing a ruckus with tables and chairs that ended up damaging the windshield of a rental car on the terrace.

Their Airbnb cottage in Provence, France, was entangled in branches that shattered the living room windows and breached the roof. “I was convinced there was a ceiling above us,” James remarked. “If it had fallen moments earlier, we could have been seriously hurt or killed.”

A day was needed for the host to clear the tree from the cottage and make temporary repairs, but the shaken couple opted to book a hotel for the remainder of their vacation, concerned that their accommodation might be structurally compromised.

Airbnb showed little concern. “I understand this has caused you inconvenience,” was the start of countless identical AI-generated replies before the comical, unresolved case was ultimately labeled as “keep safe.”

The host also seemed unbothered. “All that happened was you heard a loud noise and saw the tree on the terrace,” she responded to their refund request. “You chose to remember worries and trauma instead of celebrating unique experiences.”

Now that summer has passed, the tale of Holiday Horror Story is overflowing on Guardian Money.

Unfortunate travelers report being stuck or locked out of accommodations—whether real or not—and facing issues during mysterious nights in unknown cities. Accounts of dirty rooms, unsafe items, and illegal sublets abound. A common binding factor for these ruined trips is that they were booked via online platforms that deny refunds.

The rise of services like Airbnb and Booking.com has encouraged travelers to plan multiple getaways. These companies showcase their expansive global real estate in efforts to fulfill wanderlust on a budget.

However, consumer protections have not adapted alongside this growing industry.

The 100-year-old oak, which struck during James and Andrew’s stay in Provence.

Package deal customers have legal protections for travel nightmares as outlined in Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements; however, those booking accommodations through third-party sites often find themselves at the mercy of the host.

While some platforms promote extra protections, your agreement lies with the accommodation provider.

James and Andrew had spent £931 for a week at Proven Zal Cottage. Feeling unsafe upon returning, he switched to a hotel. They remain unsure if the damaged rental car liability falls on them. Nonetheless, Airbnb’s Air Cover pledge to refund customers in the event of serious rental issues, indicated that it was up to the host to grant any refunds, according to the host who insisted that Airbnb made the decision.

After 10 weeks of automated responses to James’ complaints, Airbnb decided to close the case, stating that the matter had dragged on for far too long. The host concluded that repairs totaled 5,000 euros (£4,350) and offered no reimbursements. Instead, she suggested the couple should celebrate their survival and “turn the event into a beautiful story.”

Eventually, Airbnb issued a full refund along with a £500 voucher after scrutiny of its health and safety policies. A spokesperson expressed, “We apologize for the initial handling of this case, which did not meet our usual high standards. We will conduct an internal review.”

The sightseeing time for one Booking.com customer was cut short due to a broken lock. Photo: Alejandro García/EPA

I was trapped

Kim Pocock booked a flat through Booking.com for a two-night stay in Barcelona. She and her daughter found themselves locked inside for almost the entire duration of their only day in the city due to a malfunctioning front door security lock.

“The host sent a maintenance man, but he couldn’t assist,” she recalled. “Eventually, a locksmith arrived, attempting to access the lock from the outside. He even had to purchase rope, which he used to hoist tools up to our window.”

Pocock sought a full refund for the stress and ruined trip. Booking.com informed her that it was up to the host to decide. Not only did the host refuse, but they also deducted a deposit of 250 euros to cover the replacement lock. Although that sum was eventually returned by Booking.com, Pocock felt the burden of the 446 euro rental fee.

“Had there been an emergency during our confinement, our lives would have been at significant risk, yet the hosts blamed us for using the lock,” she lamented.

Another Booking.com customer, Philip (name withheld), found himself locked out of a London flat he had booked for £70 just as he was about to check in. The owner informed him that he was abroad and suggested Philip find alternate accommodations for the night. Consequently, he spent an additional £123 at a hotel, only to face four months of futile efforts to obtain a refund.

“Booking.com essentially claims there’s nothing they can do because the owners are unresponsive,” he remarked. “I can’t comprehend how businesses can function this way without any accountability. The additional twist is that the property is still listed on the platform.”

Following intervention from Guardian Money, Booking.com refunded both customers. The platform confirmed that the host who had locked Philip out of the rental could not be reached. When questioned about why problematic accommodations are not delisted, the response was that they rely on guest feedback to ensure property suitability.

Reviews do not always tell the complete story. A consumer group reported last year that Booking.com’s default system shown reviews classified as “relevant,” which makes it easy for users to miss a surge of recent reviews that indicate a listing might be a scam or unavailable.

Booking.com responded by stating that it allows customers to sort reviews by newest or lowest ratings to facilitate informed decisions about the property.

Is it the same? The report noted that listings frequently flagged as fraud were still present. Booking.com responded by affirming that it relies on hosts to adhere to their terms of service and maintain up-to-date availability.

Booking.com insists that customers must review guest feedback to ensure the property is “suitable.” Photo: Dado Ruvić/Reuters

Grey Area

The issue for travelers who receive substandard services is that their contracts are with the accommodation providers rather than the booking platforms.

Both Airbnb and Booking.com claim they will assist in finding alternative housing during emergencies, but securing compensation for a problematic stay is a more complicated battle. Both platforms generally rely on hosts to act responsibly.

Consumer advocate and journalist Martin James argues that the sector requires stricter regulations. “With online platforms essentially policing themselves, if a dispute isn’t resolved, your only option is legal action,” James explains. “But who would pursue that? There’s a contract between you and the host, meaning you need to initiate legal steps in your own country.”

He adds, “You might contend that the online marketplace has failed to manage your complaints adequately, but pursuing this is a legally ambiguous matter. Both companies are registered abroad and have substantial resources.”

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act, which came into effect in April, mandates online platforms to “exercise professional diligence” concerning consumer transactions promoted or conducted on their platforms.

A DBT spokesperson stated: “This government supports consumers and has implemented stringent new financial penalties for breaches of consumer law to safeguard people’s money.”

They further stated: “Companies providing services to UK consumers must adhere to UK legislation. We have strengthened their competitive stance and market power to ensure they face significant penalties for non-compliance.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

60% of British Secondary Schools Targeted by Cyberattacks in the Past Year | Cybercrime

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Last month, when hackers targeted UK nursery schools and leaked child data online, they faced accusations of reaching a new low.

Nonetheless, the wider education sector is more familiar with being a target.

As per the British Government Survey, educational institutions are at a higher risk of cyberattacks or security breaches than private businesses.

Over the past year, six out of ten middle schools have experienced attacks or breaches, while more than 80% of universities and 90% of higher education institutions have faced similar issues. In contrast, only four out of ten companies reported violations or breaches, a statistic comparable to elementary schools.

Toby Lewis, global threat analysis director at cybersecurity firm Darktrace, notes that the UK education sector isn’t necessarily a specific target. “They are caught in the dragnet of cybercrime,” he explained, mentioning the “element of randomness and opportunism” involved in cybercrime victim selection.

Last week, the BBC highlighted that Kido, a nursery business targeted by hacking groups identified as Shinekase, had its system compromised after “early access brokers” sold access to Kido’s system, a scenario common in cybercrime circles.

Data from the annual Cybersecurity Violation Survey is derived from over 30 higher education institutions, almost 300 secondary and elementary schools in the UK, and various universities. The survey defines a cyberattack as an “attempt” to breach a target IT system, which includes sending “phishing” emails designed to deceive recipients into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords.

Phishing emails constitute the most prevalent type of attacks on universities and schools.

Ransomware attacks have become widely recognized forms of cybercrime in the UK, wherein attackers encrypt IT systems to steal data and demand Bitcoin payments for decryption and the return of data.

The West Lothian Council’s education network has encountered ransomware attacks this year, resulting in data being obtained from several schools, with recent attacks also reported at Newcastle University, Manchester University, and Wolverhampton University.

Lewis suggests that state schools might be more susceptible due to funding pressures and a lack of expertise, while universities also face risks because they contain thousands of young students who may not be cybersecurity-savvy, along with computer networks designed to facilitate academic collaboration.

Colleges appear to be a favored target, and higher education institutions are reportedly the most frequently affected, with three in ten experiencing violations or attacks weekly, according to government data. Nonetheless, the education sector may be more conscious of government initiatives on cybercrime prevention than businesses and charities.

Pepe Dilacio, general secretary of the British Schools Association and the Association of University Leaders, remarked that ransomware attacks pose a “major risk” and emphasized the ongoing efforts to safeguard systems and data.

James Bowen, assistant secretary at the National Association of Principals, welcomed additional government funding to assist school leaders in identifying and responding to cyber threats.

The Ministry of Education stated that the school’s support includes a dedicated team to handle cyber incidents and collaborate closely with the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre to provide complimentary training for school staff. “We take cybersecurity in schools seriously and understand the significant disruption attacks can cause, and we offer a wide range of support to schools,” said a spokesperson.

Following backlash from the hack, Kido hackers have deleted data obtained from the company, including child profiles.

However, government data indicates that the education sector continues to be a target. Ministers are preparing schools, the NHS, and local councils to potentially pay ransoms under government proposals aimed at combating hackers. In the meantime, attacks continue.

Source: www.theguardian.com

OpenAI Video App Faces Backlash Over Violent and Racist Content: Sora Claims “Guardrails Are Not Real”

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

On Tuesday, OpenAI unveiled its latest version of AI-driven video generators, incorporating a social feed that enables users to share lifelike videos.

However, mere hours after Sora 2’s release, many videos shared on feeds and older social platforms depicted copyrighted characters in troubling contexts, featuring graphic violence and racist scenes. Sora’s usage of OpenAI’s services and ChatGPT for image or text generation explicitly bans content that “promotes violence” or otherwise “causes harm.”

According to prompts and clips reviewed by the Guardian, Sora generated several videos illustrating the horrors of bombings and mass shootings, with panicked individuals fleeing university campuses and crowded locations like Grand Central Station in New York. Other prompts created scenes reminiscent of war zones in Gaza and Myanmar, where AI-generated children described their homes being torched. One video, labeled as “Ethiopian Footage Civil War News Style,” showcased a bulletproof-vested reporter speaking into a microphone about government and rebel gunfire in civilian areas. Another clip, prompted by “Charlottesville Rally,” depicted Black protesters in gas masks, helmets, and goggles screaming in distress.

Currently, video generators are only accessible through invitations and have not been released to the public. Yet, within three days of a restricted debut, it skyrocketed to the top of Apple’s App Store, surpassing even OpenAI’s own ChatGPT.

“So far, it’s been amazing to witness what collective human creativity can achieve,” stated Sora’s director Bill Peebles in a Friday post on X. “We will be sending out more invitation codes soon, I assure you!”

The SORA app provides a glimpse into a future where distinguishing truth from fiction may become increasingly challenging. Researchers in misinformation warn that such realistic content could obscure reality and create scenarios wherein these AI-generated videos may be employed for fraud, harassment, and extortion.

“It doesn’t hold to historical truth and is far removed from reality,” remarked Joan Donovan, an assistant professor at Boston University focusing on media manipulation and misinformation. “When malicious individuals gain access to these tools, they use them for hate, harassment, and incitement.”

Slop Engine or “ChatGPT for Creativity”?

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the launch of Sora 2 as “truly remarkable,” and in a blog post, stated it “feels like a ‘chat for creativity’ moment for many of us, embodying a sense of fun and novelty.”

Altman acknowledged the addictive tendencies of social media linked to bullying, noting that AI video generation can lead to what is known as “slops,” producing repetitive, low-quality videos that might overwhelm the platform.

“The team was very careful and considerate in trying to create an enjoyable product that avoids falling into that pitfall,” Altman wrote. He stated that OpenAI has taken steps to prevent misuse of someone’s likeness and to guard against illegal content. For instance, the app declined to generate a video featuring Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin sharing cotton candy.

Nonetheless, within the three days following SORA’s launch, numerous videos had already disseminated online. Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell created a video depicting Altman as a military leader in World War II and also produced a video featuring “Ragebait, fake crime, women splattered on white geese.”

Sora’s feeds include numerous videos featuring copyrighted characters from series such as Spongebob Squarepants, South Park, and Rick and Morty. The app seamlessly generated videos of Pikachu imposing tariffs in China, pilfering roses from the White House Rose Garden, and partaking in a Black Lives Matter protest alongside SpongeBob. One video documented by 404 Media showed SpongeBob dressed as Adolf Hitler.

Neither Paramount, Warner Bros, nor Pokémon Co responded to requests for comment.

David Karpf, an associate professor at George Washington University’s Media Affiliated Fairs School, noted he observed a video featuring copyrighted characters promoting cryptocurrency fraud, asserting that OpenAI’s safety measures regarding SORA are evident.

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“Guardrails aren’t effective when individuals construct copyrighted characters that foster fraudulent schemes,” stated Karpf. “In 2022, tech companies made significant efforts to hire content moderators; however, in 2025, it appears they have chosen to disregard these responsibilities.”

Copyright, Imitation

Just before the release of SORA 2, OpenAI contacted talent agencies and studios to inform them they could opt-out if they wished to prevent the replication of their copyrighted materials by video generators. The Wall Street Journal reports.

OpenAI informed the Guardian that content owners can report copyright violations through the “copyright dispute form,” but individual artists and studios cannot opt-out comprehensively. Varun Shetty, OpenAI’s Head of Media Partnerships, commented:

Emily Bender, a professor at the University of Washington and author of the book “The AI Con,” expressed that Sora creates a perilous environment where “distinguishing reliable sources is challenging, and trust wanes once one is found.”

“Whether they generate text, images, or videos, synthetic media machines represent a tragic facet of the information ecosystem,” the vendor observed. “Their output interacts with technological and social structures in ways that weaken and erode trust.”

Nick Robbins contributed to this report

Source: www.theguardian.com

Delivery Robots Are on the Horizon: Insights from Skype Co-Founder on His Fastest Venture, Starship

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

cResidents globally have adapted to take-out food and speedy grocery deliveries. However, many are still getting accustomed to seeing a robot arrive at their doorstep. Ahti Heinla, co-founder of Skype, is determined to change that with his new endeavor.

Heinla is the CEO of Starship Technologies, a startup he asserts is more cost-effective than using human delivery drivers, particularly in smaller towns and villages where delivery had previously been impractical.

“We addressed every challenge that existed,” Heinla remarked while having lunch at a London hotel. “You can mark the year and the months, but it’s clear: this will happen.”

Residents in Manchester, Leeds, Cambridge, and Milton Keynes in the UK, along with those in Estonia and Finland, have already begun receiving their food and groceries via these robots. They are becoming increasingly mainstream, even attending garden parties at 10 Downing Street and featuring in episodes of popular shows. Starship has executed 8 million deliveries with just 200 employees, aiming to expand significantly.

Heinla, having already made substantial profit from co-founding a company that became a household name, speaks of his ambition with enthusiasm.

In 2000, Heinla worked with Niklas Zennström, a video game developer and Skype co-founder, and fellow Estonian Jaan Tallin, to swiftly develop new coding. This effort led to the creation of the file-sharing software Kazaa, followed by similar techniques used for Skype. The six-member founding team sold Skype to eBay in 2005 for $3.1 billion (£2.3 billion).

Reflecting on the era of emerging tech, Heinla mentioned that Skype’s closure this year brought back memories. While he didn’t disclose his earnings, he indicated that he could travel in a private jet if he so desired.

Ahti Heinla believes robotics can “enhance everyone’s lives” through autonomous delivery. Photo: None

Yet, he insists, “Even if they’re capable, I’m not just chasing after money. I don’t need more wealth. Why should I want a palace? What’s the purpose?”

Instead, Heinla emphasized that achieving effective autonomous driving is a key way robotics can “integrate into everyone’s lives.”

After departing from Skype, Heinla explored various ventures, including attempts at social networking. In 2014, he entered a NASA contest to design an affordable Mars rover. Although NASA didn’t select his design, it was capable of traversing both extraterrestrial and urban terrains using radar, cameras, and ultrasound sensors that learned from their experiences.

By 2017, the robot was navigating in Estonia, accompanied by a model referred to as the “Safety Walker.” Heinla boasts that it became the first unsupervised robot operating autonomously in public settings. In 2018, the company commenced a pilot commercial service on the predictable roads of Milton Keynes, collaborating with Estonia’s high-tech company Bolt, and UK co-op supermarket chains along with US food delivery companies like Grubhub.

A robotics delivery vehicle in Milton Keynes, UK. Photo: Justin Long/Aramie

Starship may boast the world’s largest fleet of self-driving vehicles; however, as technology progresses, competition intensifies. Rival companies include the Saudi Arabia-backed Noon, and US startups like Nuro. Additionally, there’s stiff competition from numerous firms developing autonomous vehicles, including Tesla and Baidu.

A compelling competitor is Manna Aero from Dublin, a startup already utilizing flying drones for deliveries like coffee and pizza. Amazon and Google’s sister company, Wing, have also ventured into drone-based services.

A recurring issue for many of these businesses is encountering inconsistent regulations. Starship has had to negotiate with various UK councils, while in Finland, they service one million residents under national laws established for robot use on sidewalks, serving a population of 5.6 million. Meanwhile, the UK has far fewer robots catering to its 69 million population.

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“We’re ready to invest in the UK for large-scale expansion, but we require regulatory clarity,” Heinla stated. “The number of robots in the UK is lower than in Finland, but there’s potential for growth. Many more robots could operate here.”

He highlighted a potential client in the UK that initially plans to deploy robots at 200 locations, with aspirations to expand to 800 sites, including areas beyond major towns and cities.

Testing a Starship Technology robot crossing the road in Northampton, UK. Photo: Brian Tomlinson/Starship Technologies

“That’s the unique capability of a robot,” Heinla stated. “Our goal is to introduce delivery services to small towns in the UK. We are prepared to invest in scaling these operations.”

While many economists and futurists warn about robots replacing human jobs, Heinla contends that Starship robots are addressing the growing demand for deliveries, allowing humans to focus on longer and more complex tasks. He further asserts that these robots help smaller businesses “thrive economically and compete against larger establishments,” enhancing overall capabilities.

Starship has raised just 200 million euros (£175 million) in funding, a modest sum compared to the billions amassed recently by rapid delivery companies that still rely on human workers. Many of these companies have fizzled out after initially attracting substantial investments, such as Getir and Gorillas.

The initial investment in a robot is relatively high—thousands of pounds, though not exceeding 10,000 euros, according to Heinla. However, the cost per delivery can compete with traditional human services. He declined to provide precise figures but stated that the Starship delivery model is cash-generative.

“While we’re not fully profitable yet, we are confident,” he clarified.

Some retailers question whether robots can outperform human delivery services offered by companies like Recrioo and Uber Eats. Nonetheless, Heinla argues that robots eliminate costs associated with downtime, making them viable options for urban restaurants and retailers in low-density areas.

“Almost every delivery service could benefit from this,” he asserted. “At a certain point, using robots becomes significantly cheaper, making it the obvious choice.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Home Care Chatbots in Australian Health Systems: AI Tools Revolutionizing Patient Support

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Petalol looked forward to Aida’s call each morning at 10 AM.

While daily check-in calls from the AI Voice bot weren’t part of the expected service package when she enrolled in St. Vincent’s home care, the 79-year-old agreed to participate in the trial four months ago to assist with the initiative. However, realistically, her expectations were modest.

Yet, when the call comes in, she remarks: “I was taken aback by how responsive she is. It’s impressive for a robot.”

“She always asks, ‘How are you today?’ allowing you to express if you’re feeling unwell.”

“She then follows up with, ‘Did you get a chance to go outside today?’

Aida also inquires about what tasks she has planned for the day, stating, “I’ll manage it well.”

“If I say I’m going shopping, will she clarify if it’s for groceries or something else? I found that fascinating.”

Bots that alleviate administrative pressure

Currently, the trial, which is nearing the end of its initial phase, exemplifies how advancements in artificial intelligence are impacting healthcare.

The Digital Health Company collaborated with St. Vincent’s health to trial its generative AI technology aimed at enhancing social interaction, enabling home care clients to follow up with staff regarding any health concerns.

Dean Jones, the national director at St. Vincent’s, emphasizes that this service is not intended to replace face-to-face interactions.

“Clients still have weekly in-person meetings, but during these sessions… [AI] the system facilitates daily check-ins and highlights potential issues to the team or the client’s family,” Jones explains.

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Dr. Tina Campbell, Health Managing Director, states no negative incidents have been reported from the St. Vincent trial.

The company employs open AI “with clearly defined guardrails and prompts” to ensure conversations remain safe and can promptly address serious health concerns, according to Campbell. For instance, if a client experiences chest pain, the care team is alerted, and the call is terminated, allowing the individual to call emergency services.

Campbell believes that AI is pivotal in addressing significant workforce challenges within the healthcare sector.

“With this technology, we can lessen the burden on workforce management, allowing qualified health professionals to focus on their duties,” she states.

AI isn’t as novel as you think

Professor Enrico Coyera, founder of the Australian Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, notes that older AI systems have been integral to healthcare in “back-office services,” including medical imaging and pathology report interpretations.

Coyera, who directs the Center for Health Information at Macquarie University, explains:

“In departments like Imaging and Radiology, machines already perform these tasks.”

Over the past decade, a newer AI method called “deep learning” has been employed to analyze medical images and enhance diagnoses, Coyera adds.

In November, New South Wales became the first in Australia to implement mechanical measurement technology in population-based screening programs to aid radiologists with the interpretation of mammographic images.

These tools remain specialized and require expert interpretation, and ultimately, responsibility for medical decisions rests with practitioners, Coyera stresses.

The role of AI in early disease identification

The Murdoch Children’s Institute in Melbourne, in partnership with researchers at UCL London, has developed an AI method to identify brain abnormalities in epilepsy, specifically local cortical dysplasia in MRI scans.

These lesions can cause seizures that are resistant to medication, making surgery the only treatment option. However, successful surgery depends on the ability to identify the abnormal tissue.

In a study published this week in Epilepsia, a team led by neurologist Emma McDonald Rouse demonstrated that “AI epilepsy detectors” can identify lesions in up to 94% of MRI and PET scans, even detecting a subtype of lesions that are often missed by over 60%.

This AI was trained using scans from 54 patients and was tested on 17 children and 12 adults. Of the 17 children, 12 underwent surgery, and 11 are currently seizure-free.

This tool employs a neural network classifier, similar to breast cancer screening, to highlight abnormalities that experts still need to review, emphasizing a much faster path to diagnosis.

She underlines that researchers remain in the “early stages” of development, and further study is necessary to advance the technology for clinical use.

Professor Mark Cook, a neurologist not associated with the research, states that MRI scans yield vast amounts of high-resolution data that are challenging for humans to analyze. Thus, locating these lesions is akin to “finding needles in a haystack.”

“This exemplifies how AI can assist clinicians by providing quicker and more precise diagnoses, potentially enhancing surgical access and outcomes for children with otherwise severe epilepsy,” Cook affirms.

Prospects for disease detection

Dr. Stefan Buttigieg, vice-president of the Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence section at the European Association of Public Health, notes that deep neural networks are integral to monitoring and forecasting disease outbreaks.

At the Australian Public Health Conference in Wollongong last month, Buttigieg referenced the early detection of the Covid-19 outbreak by Blue Dot, a firm established by infectious disease specialists.

Generative AI represents a subset of deep learning, allowing technology to create new content based on its training data. Applications in healthcare include programs like Healthyly’s AI Voice Bot and AI Scribes for doctors.

Dr. Michael Wright, president of the Royal Australian GPS College, mentions that GPs are embracing AI Scribes, which transform consultations into notes for patient records.

Wright highlights that the primary benefit of scribes is to enhance the quality of interactions between physicians and patients.

Dr. Daniel McMullen, president of the Australian Medical Association, concurs, stating that scribes assist doctors in optimizing their time and that AI could help prevent redundant testing for patients. The promised digitization of health records remains a challenge.

Buttigieg argues that one of AI’s greatest potential is in delivering increasingly personalized healthcare.

“For years, healthcare has relied on generic tools and solutions. Now, we are moving towards a future with more sophisticated solutions, where AI fulfills the same roles,” Buttigieg concludes.

Researchers can utilize AI to analyze MRI data to aid in identifying brain lesions. Photo: Karly Earl/Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

TikTok ‘Leads Child Accounts to Adult Content with Just a Few Clicks’ | TikTok

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A report from the Campaign Group reveals that TikTok is guiding child accounts towards pornographic content within just a few clicks.

Global Witness activists created fake accounts using a birth date of 13 and activated the app’s “limited mode,” designed to reduce visibility to “sexually suggestive” material.

Researchers discovered that TikTok suggested sexual and explicit search phrases for seven test accounts established on new mobile devices with no prior search history.

The suggested terms under the “You May Want” feature included “very rude and revealing attire” and “very rude babe,” escalating to phrases like “hardcore porn clip.” Sexual search suggestions appeared instantly for three of the accounts.

After just “a few clicks,” researchers encountered pornographic material ranging from depictions of women to explicit sexual acts. Global Witness indicated that some content tried to evade moderation by appearing as innocuous photos or videos. For one account, access to explicit content required only two clicks: one on the search bar and another on a suggested search term.

Global Witness, an organization focused on climate issues and the implications of Big Tech on human rights, conducted two rounds of testing on July 25, one before and one after the Child Protection Regulation (OSA) was enacted in the UK.

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Two videos featuring individuals who appeared under 16 were reported to the Internet Watch Foundation, tasked with monitoring online child sexual abuse material.

Global Witness accused TikTok of breaching the OSA, which mandates tech companies to shield children from harmful content, including pornography.

A spokesperson for the UK Communications Regulatory Authority, Ofcom, stated they would “support the study’s findings and evaluate the results.”

OFCOM’s compliance code stipulates that media promoting harmful content or high-risk tech companies must “design their algorithms to eliminate harmful material from child feeds.” TikTok’s content guidelines expressly prohibit pornographic material.

In response to Global Witness’s concerns, TikTok confirmed the removal of troubling content and modifications to its search recommendations.

“Upon recognizing these issues, we promptly initiated an investigation, eliminated content that breached our policies, and began enhancing our search proposal features,” stated a spokesperson.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk Sparks Right-Wing Backlash Over Child Characters: ‘Cancel Netflix’

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Elon Musk, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist,” has recently attracted attention for urging people to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, citing concerns over LGBTQ+ characters.

Musk, the richest man in the world with an estimated net worth of around $500 million, has encouraged his 227 million followers on X, the platform he oversees, to cancel their Netflix subscriptions. In just the past three days, he has posted or shared calls to cancel Netflix at least 26 times.

The backlash against Netflix began on Tuesday when Musk tweeted, “This isn’t okay.”

He referred to the Netflix show Dead End Paranormal Park as “pro-transgender for kids,” noting that it is rated TV-Y7, which signifies suitability for children aged 7 and over. The show aired 20 episodes in 2022 before being canceled by Netflix the following year, and it is currently not being promoted by the company.

Zack Barack, the voice of Barney and the first openly trans actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, quickly rebutted Musk’s claims on X, stating, “You can be afraid of everything you want, but my kids and parents told me it saved their lives!!”

Since then, Musk has shared several tweets from users who claim to have canceled their subscriptions in protest of what they believe to be a children’s brainwashing agenda involving LGBTQ+ content.

“Cancel Netflix for your child’s health,” Musk tweeted on Wednesday, quoting a meme that depicted Netflix’s “Transgender Woke Agenda” as a Trojan horse sneaking into a castle labeled “Your Child.”

On Thursday, he shared another user’s tweet stating, “Transgender propaganda isn’t just quietly hiding in the Netflix background. They’re actively pushing it,” linking to an article titled “Celebrating Trans Visibility in These 16 Movies and Shows” on Netflix’s Tudum Media site.

Musk also highlighted themes of pro-trans content in shows like Babysitters Club and Cocomelon, while sharing debunked claims linking Netflix to an “anti-white” hiring policy and calling out political donations from Netflix employees exclusively to Democrats for the 2024 election.

Additionally, Musk commented “Netflix Cancel” on a TikTok post referencing Netflix’s 2023 report on Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives.

Musk’s daughter, Vivian Wilson, who is transgender, has publicly criticized his anti-trans rhetoric. In a 2022 petition to legally change her name and gender, Wilson expressed:

Musk has since stated that he “essentially lost my son,” claiming he was “deceived” regarding gender-affirming care for Wilson, whom he referred to as “dead and killed by a woke mind virus.” He elaborated on these sentiments further.

Netflix has often championed free speech when it faced backlash over its content, yet has remained silent in response to Musk’s provocations. This isn’t the first time the company faced criticism from the right; in 2020, the release of the film Cuties, which dealt with a minor actress performing a sexual dance routine, sparked outrage leading to a significant increase in subscription cancellations in the U.S.

In 2021, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos defended comedian Dave Chappelle based on free speech principles, backing the company’s decision to commission specials from right-leaning comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, despite Hinchcliffe’s controversial remarks.

Musk’s calls for mass cancellations come amid Hollywood’s own free speech controversy triggered by the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, which faced backlash during the Trump administration. Following similar reactions from celebrities and Disney+ subscribers, the company reinstated Kimmel.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Family of California Teenager Files Lawsuit Against Tesla Following Fatal Cybertruck Crash | US News

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The parents of a teenager, who tragically lost her life in a crash involving a Cybertruck last fall, are suing Tesla. Court documents indicate the incident occurred in a serene town in the California Bay Area, where the vehicle, carrying four passengers, crashed into a tree and ignited.

Only one of the passengers survived the crash.

The lawsuit, lodged on Thursday in Alameda County Superior Court, is brought forth by the family of a 19-year-old college student who was home visiting for Thanksgiving in Piedmont, California, at the time of the accident. The crash happened late on the night of November 27, 2024, as the Cybertruck was speeding, collided with a tree, and burst into flames. The California Highway Patrol Report states that the truck’s electric doors became inoperable during the fire, leaving the four passengers trapped inside.

The lawsuit claims that the design of the Cybertruck’s door handles contributed to the teen’s death. When the power was cut off, the only way to exit through the rear door was to pull a cable located beneath the pocket liner in the door compartment. According to a Bloomberg report, the doors remained locked from outside, making it difficult for rescuers to assist in a timely manner.

Tesla has not responded to requests for comments on the matter.

Roger Dreyer, an attorney representing the family, stated, “The design of this vehicle ultimately failed Christa. There was no accessible manual override or emergency release for her to escape.”

Tesla’s door handles are a signature feature and a source of pride for CEO Elon Musk. As the first production vehicles with such electric handles, they are designed to enhance the car’s sleek appearance. However, this design has drawn criticism from car safety experts and is currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The lawsuit alleges that Tesla’s reliance on electric door mechanisms has created a significant risk of entrapment. “There have been documented instances where occupants survived the initial crash impact but were unable to escape when the power failed and a fire ensued,” the suit asserts.

Despite receiving a high safety rating in crash tests, the Cybertruck has faced eight recalls since its launch two years ago. Tesla is also embroiled in other lawsuits regarding vehicle safety, including one in Florida, where a judge ordered the company to pay $243 million for issues related to its driver assistance system, Autopilot.

The Tsukahara family’s case is particularly notable as the driver, Soren Dixon, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and amphetamines during the accident, according to the Alameda County Coroner. Dixon also died in the crash.

On the night of the accident, a friend who was pursuing the Cybertruck in another vehicle witnessed the incident. He rushed to assist and broke the windows of the Cybertruck, managing to rescue one passenger before the flames made it impossible to save Christa.

The lawsuit contends that while Christa did not suffer physical injuries from the impact of the crash, she succumbed to smoke inhalation and burns due to her inability to escape the vehicle.

“Her death was preventable,” stated her parents, Carl and Noel Tsukahara, in a statement. “She was alive after the crash, calling for help, yet she could not get out.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK Government to Renew Dispute with Apple Over Access to User Data | Data Protection

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The UK government has accessed customer information and intensified its dispute with Apple by requesting a backdoor to the cloud storage services of high-tech companies.

Previously, the Home Office sought access to data tied to Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) services uploaded by users globally, leading to tensions with the White House.

On Wednesday, The Financial Times reported that the government has introduced a new access order known as the Technical Capacity Notice (TCN), which aims to gain access to encrypted cloud backups for UK citizens.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs noted that the department does not comment on operational matters such as “confirming or denying the presence of such notices.” The spokesperson added: “We will always take all necessary actions at the national level to ensure the safety of our British citizens.”

In February, Apple withdrew ADP for new UK users, advising that existing users would need to deactivate security features in the future. Messaging services such as iMessage and FaceTime continue to be end-to-end encrypted by default.

Tulsi Gabbard, director of US national intelligence, mentioned that the UK had backed down in August by insisting on access to US customer data. Donald Trump characterized the demand for access as “what you hear is China.”

While Apple did not directly address the FT report, it expressed regret over its inability to provide ADP (an optional additional layer) to UK customers, stating it would “never” implement backdoors in its products.

“Apple remains dedicated to delivering the highest level of security for personal data, and we hope to achieve this in the UK in the future. As I’ve reiterated many times, we’ve never created a backdoor or a master key for any product or service.”

Apple has challenged the initial TCN via the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, questioning whether the national intelligence agency acted unlawfully. The Home Office had attempted to keep the case’s details confidential, but after a ruling in April, it was confirmed that Apple’s appeal resulted in some information being released for the first time.

However, the specifics of the TCN remain undisclosed, and recipients of such notices are prohibited from revealing their existence under investigatory rights. The FT indicates that the original TCN is “not limited to” data stored under the ADP, suggesting the UK government seeks access to fundamental and widespread iCloud services.

The ADP service employs end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only account holders can decrypt files like documents and photos, leaving no one else, including Apple, with that capability.

Privacy International, the organization that initiated a legal challenge against the first TCN, remarked that this new order “may pose as significant a threat as the previous ones.” It noted that if Apple is compelled to compromise end-to-end encryption in the UK, it would create vulnerabilities affecting all users by undermining the entire system.

“Such vulnerabilities could be exploited by hostile states, criminals, and other malevolent entities across the globe,” the organization stated.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Kido Nursery Hackers Claim to Have Removed Stolen Data | Cybercrime

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Cybercriminals who compromised the personal information and photos of thousands of nursery children have since removed the data following a public outcry.

The group responsible for the breach has erased details of children from the UK-based Kido nursery network.

Screenshots reviewed by the Guardian show that the child’s profile from the breach is no longer visible. Currently, the Kido logo is displayed with “More” under “More,” but sources in cybersecurity report that the link is non-functional, indicating that the data has been removed.

A spokesperson for Kido confirmed that the attacker had indeed deleted the previously exposed information.

The spokesman stated: “We are adhering to guidance from authorities regarding ransom payments to prevent incentivizing further criminal activities. We are collaborating closely with families, regulatory bodies, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts to ensure our data is permanently removed.”

The BBC first reported on the data deletion and mentioned a hacker who expressed remorse, stating, “I’m sorry for hurting the child.”

Targeting children has drawn widespread condemnation, with cybersecurity experts labeling the breach as “crossing a line” and “testing ethical boundaries.” A parent of a child at Kido in London remarked that the hackers were “sinking to new lows.”

The Guardian has also found indications of notorious gang members in underground cybercrime forums being advised by their peers to avoid attacking minors.

On Wednesday, members of Nova, a faction that offers hacking services to other criminals, cautioned a persona named Radiant on an anonymous Russian forum, saying, “reputation matters, so do not target children.” Radiant responded, “We have not been allowed to cease any operations concerning them,” adding, “data of those under 19 who attended has been deleted.”

The leak site and forum posts were documented by analysts at the cybersecurity firm Sophos.

Hacking teams are acutely aware of the impact of negative publicity, which can lead to increased scrutiny from law enforcement and disrupt internal relationships within the hacking community.

Sophos researcher Rebecca Taylor noted: “Even criminals understand that there are lines they shouldn’t cross. We have discovered that stealing data from minors not only draws attention but also damages credibility.”

Taylor emphasized, “credibility is crucial” for groups that demand ransoms for stolen information. The BBC reported that Radiant had sought £600,000 in Bitcoin from Kido for the return of the data, but Kido refused to comply.

“The deletion of data was not an act of benevolence, but rather a move for damage control. This was an unusual instance where morality and self-interest briefly aligned,” Taylor remarked.

However, the revamped Radiant Leak site, a portal for such data, appears to be more user-friendly, featuring a search bar to locate companies targeted by the group and contact information through TOX, an encrypted messaging platform.

Radiant demonstrates proficient English in communication, but analysts suspect this group may not be Western-based. Most ransomware groups originate from former Soviet states. Analysts believe that Radiant may represent a new entity in the cybercrime landscape.

Before the data was deleted, one woman informed the BBC that she received a threatening call from a hacker who claimed they would publish information about her child online unless she pressured her child to comply with ransom demands. Kido operates 18 locations in London, along with nurseries in the US, India, and China.

Radiant boasted about having sensitive information on over 8,000 children and their families, including incident reports, protection records, and billing information. All Kido nursery locations in the UK reported being affected by the breach.

One cybercriminal told the BBC: “All child data has been removed. There is nothing left, and this should reassure parents.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk Poised to Become the First Individual with a $500 Billion Net Worth

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Elon Musk was the first individual to achieve a net worth of $500 billion, placing Tesla’s CEO halfway in the wealth rankings.

Musk’s fortune dipped to $49.9 billion after briefly exceeding the $50 trillion mark on Wednesday. Forbes Billionaire List.

Owning 12% of Tesla, which is valued at over $1.5 trillion, Musk’s wealth has been positively impacted this year by a significant increase in the electric vehicle maker’s stock price.

Besides Tesla, the 54-year-old is also involved with SpaceX, the rocket company, where he holds a 42% ownership according to Pitchbook data.

Earlier this year, Tesla’s stock experienced a decline, affected by concerns regarding Musk’s focus amidst rising competition from Chinese manufacturers, falling sales, distractions from his other ventures, and a tumultuous relationship with Donald Trump. Analysts noted that Musk’s vocal support for Trump on X (the social media platform he owns) resonated with right-wing political sentiments.

However, Tesla’s stock has surged by 70% over the past six months as investor confidence improved and Musk redirected his attention back to the company. Since its inception in 2025, it has soared by 13%.

Last month, Tesla’s board president, Robin Denholm, remarked that Musk had returned to a “front and center” role in the company after months of distractions.

Shortly thereafter, Musk revealed he had acquired approximately $1 billion in shares, showcasing a strong belief in Tesla’s future as it transitions from a traditional automaker to a leader in AI and robotics.

The Tesla Board also proposed a $10 billion compensation plan for Musk last month, addressing his request for a larger stake while setting high financial and operational goals for the CEO.

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Despite this, Musk’s standing in the wealth rankings has been fluctuating. In September, Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, briefly surpassed Musk as the world’s richest person, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.

Currently, Bloomberg lists Musk ahead of Ellison but estimates Musk’s wealth at $470 billion compared to Ellison’s $349 billion.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ghost of Yōtei Review: A Stunningly Brutal Samurai Revenge Quest | Gaming

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

m
The Ghost horse of Yotei, named Mokizuki, translates to the traditional Japanese term for “full moon.” I truly believe she is the most unfortunate creature in all of the North. The button needed to summon her is alarmingly close to the one used to heal my samurai during combat, leading to frequent mishaps where I inadvertently call her into a Koittic 7-on-1 skirmish. Mochizuki often intercepts arrows with her fur and deflects sword strikes from my outlaw adversaries to keep them at bay. At times, she simply stands at the fringes of the conflict, quietly waiting to steady my nerves so that I can dispatch the villains and return to picturesque escapades in the Ezo region.

Ghost of Yotei serves as a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, a revered samurai action game from the American studio Punch released in 2020. Visually, it consistently impresses, regardless of your undertaking. Yet, the majestic framing typical of open-world titles can appear somewhat absurd when you accidentally summon horses for battle or ignite flames, as they don’t quite mesh with the whimsical nature of players.

For the ride… Yotei’s ghost. Photo: Sony Interactive Entertainment

I realized that the ghosts of Tsushima were not only breathtaking but also peculiarly superficial. Their protagonist, Jin, frequently expressed his discomfort with the act of stealthily taking down Mongol invaders to save his island. In contrast, the heroine of Yotei, Ats, embraces her role as the vengeful specter much more comfortably. The narrative isn’t particularly groundbreaking; Ats’ family falls victim to a group of masked outlaws known as the Yotei Six, prompting her to hunt them down for vengeance. Star Erika Ishii delivers a stellar performance as a stoic killer, making me completely invested in Atsu’s quest for blood. Despite several other characters serving as reminders of retribution, she relentlessly eliminates her foes, giving off an impression that she relishes in it.

Honestly, I find it enjoyable. Yotei’s ghostly battles are both exquisite and brutal. You quickly grasp the mechanics of evasion, substitution, and timing while exploring Ezo, equipping yourself with dual katana, a spear, a bow, and the massive Yamato sword for more engaging fights. The setup for confrontations maintains a consistent level of challenge. Atsu faces opponents often twice her size, with some strikes sufficient to end her battles. I enjoy numerous challenging action games, from Monster Hunter to Elden Ring, yet despite over 20 hours of dueling and exploration, I still feel my enemies succumb to me with minimal effort, thus keeping the experience fresh.

Comfortable battle… Yotei’s ghost. Photo: Sony/Sucker Punch

Among this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows, also set in historical Japan, Yotei’s Ghost ranks as one of the most visually stunning games I’ve encountered. The stunning natural beauty of Japan, with its ginkgo trees, distant mountains, and fish-filled rivers, is digitally honored (you can spear them for dinner). It is a world crafted for admiration. Navigate with your senses rather than the map on your screen; the wind guides you on where to go next in the story, enabling leisurely exploration. Intriguingly, with your PS5 controller, you can roast fish over a fire, strum a Shamisen, or dab ink onto a canvas. Revisiting Atsu’s memories in familiar places allows for a reflection on her life before it spiraled into violence.

The blend of traditional Japanese instruments with old Western rhythms marks the game as set in 1600s Japan through an American lens. While it may feature more action, blood, and death-defying climbs than typical samurai movies, is that truly a downside? If anything, Tsushima’s ghosts were hampered by a rigid adherence to a somber tone that conflicted with the game’s high body count. Yotei doesn’t complicate matters as the assassin’s creed does, making it fairly straightforward and enjoyable. Whenever I grew weary of pursuing one target, it was easy to find another.

Part of the landscape… the ghost of Yotei. Photo: Sony/Sucker Punch

As Atsu’s legend amplifies, the Ezo populace begins to leave offerings for the vengeful onryō (Bloodthirsty Ghost), seeking to rid the land of its oppressors. As you traverse Ezo, you truly start to feel a connection to it; Atsu engages in battles alongside wolves and chases elusive foxes to discover hidden places in nature. Once her quest for vengeance concluded, I found myself pondering what lay ahead for Ats. She struggles to envision a life beyond this path.

While the story may be simple at its core, it captivated me more than any other historical action game. Even after countless hours, I still feel a rush of excitement as Atsu deliberately unsheathes her sword at the onset of battle. The conclusion would be bittersweet.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Prevention League Triumphs in Extremism Research as Musk Champions Right-Wing Opposition

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Prevention League, a leading Jewish advocacy and anti-hate organization in the nation, has removed over 1,000 pages of extremism research from its website after facing significant backlash from right-wing influencers and Elon Musk on Tuesday night.

The now-deleted “extremist glossary” from the ADL included more than 1,000 entries offering background information on various groups and ideologies associated with racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of hate. The section dedicated to neo-Nazi groups, militias, and anti-Semitic conspiracies has been redirected to a landing page featuring its extremism research.

Musk and various right-wing accounts on X have recently targeted the ADL over this glossary, which included references to Turning Point USA, associated with the late far-right activist Charlie Kirk. Musk responded to a post on X, criticizing the group for its entries on Christian identity and mistakenly conflating the militant movement with Christianity as a whole. In truth, the term refers to a faction that advocates for racial jihadism against Jews and other minorities.

The ADL did not directly address the backlash in its statements regarding this decision, instead arguing that removing the glossary would enable organizations to “explore new strategies and creative approaches to present data and research more effectively.”

“With over 1,000 entries compiled over the years, the extremist glossary has been a valuable resource for high-level information across a broad array of topics. However, the increase in entries has rendered many outdated,” stated the ADL. “We have observed many entries that have been intentionally misrepresented and misused. Furthermore, experts continue to develop more comprehensive resources and innovative means to convey information on anti-Semitism, extremism, and hatred.”

The decision to remove the glossary comes amid intense criticism faced by the ADL from staff and researchers, particularly concerning Israeli policies and its narrow focus on Musk’s repeated defenses. The organization lost a donor, and a prominent executive resigned following a statement by CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who has praised Musk.

The ADL has not addressed inquiries regarding the comprehensive resources mentioned in its statement. The glossary was launched in 2022 and marketed as the first database designed to aid the media, the public, and law enforcement in understanding extremist groups and their ideologies.

“We consider it the most extensive and user-friendly resource for extremist speech currently accessible to the public,” noted Oren Segal, senior vice president of the ADL Center, in a prior statement. “We believe an informed public is crucial for the defense of democracy.”

ADL pages that contained the 2022 press release now display a message stating, “You are not permitted to access this page.”

Musk has long targeted the ADL, previously threatening to sue the organization for its research documenting the rise of anti-Semitic content on social media platforms. However, the ADL and Greenblatt defended him earlier this year, but after other Jewish groups and lawmakers condemned Musk for a fascist-style salute following Donald Trump’s inauguration. The ADL referred to it as “an unfortunate gesture amid moments of enthusiasm.”

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Musk has consistently tweeted about the glossary’s ADL entries, including those related to Kirk’s TPUSA, labeling the ADL a “hate group” and insinuating that it incites murder. The TPUSA entry did not label the organization as extremist but included a list of its leadership and activists linked to extremists or who have made “racist or biased statements.”

On Wednesday, Musk continued to focus on the ADL, reiterating his classification of it as a “hate group.” He also aligned with another right-wing pressure effort, making a call to boycott Netflix due to a show featuring trans characters.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Historians Utilize AI to Identify Nazis in Notorious Holocaust Images | World War II

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

IThe T image is among the most chilling representations of the Holocaust. A Nazi soldier with glasses points a gun at the head of a resigned man in a suit, kneeling before a pit filled with corpses, surrounded by German troops.

Photos from present-day Ukraine have long been incorrectly associated with the last Jew of Vinica, remaining cloaked in mystery for decades.

Jürgen Matthäus, a German historian based in the U.S., has meticulously pieced together this puzzle for years. With the aid of artificial intelligence, he believes he has successfully identified the perpetrator.

His findings are now published in the esteemed Zeitschrift für geschichtswissenschaft (Journal of Historical Studies), detailing a massacre conducted by the SS on July 28, 1941, likely in the afternoon, at the Berdychiv fortress.

For centuries, Berdychiv has been a vibrant center of Jewish life, located 150 km southwest of Kyiv and about 90 km north of what is now Vinnizzia in English.

One of several mobile units deployed in the newly occupied Soviet Union, the Einsatzgruppe C Commando, was tasked with eliminating “Jews and Partisans” just days before Adolf Hitler’s visit.

Among those involved was Jacobs Onnen, a teacher of French and English, born in the village of Tichelwarf, Germany, near the Dutch border in 1906.

Matthäus described the “incremental process” involving traditional excavations of dusty archives, fortuitous discoveries, peer consultations, and the innovative contributions of volunteers from the open-source journalism group BellingCat.

“This match has a remarkably high confidence level based on the algorithm’s outputs, according to experts,” Matthäus stated.

A preliminary investigation released last year uncovered critical details about the dates, locations, and units involved in the mass shooting, leading to media coverage in Germany.

“The rise of digital tools in the humanities is remarkable, yet most are focused on processing mass data rather than qualitative analysis,” Matthäus commented, reflecting on the potential for AI in his field. Photo: Metropole

Readers have stepped forward, suggesting that communications from Onnen’s family era indicate the shooter could be Jacobs Onnen, his wife’s uncle.

Letters from Onnen from the Eastern Front were destroyed by relatives in the 1990s, but they retained his photographs, which BellingCat volunteers can utilize for AI image analysis.

“Experts explain that achieving a match of 98 or 99.9% in historic photographs is challenging,” said Matthäus. “This often results in forensic discussions.”

Nevertheless, his strong likeness combined with circumstantial evidence provides sufficient credibility for public consideration.

“The growth of digital tools in the humanities is substantial, typically for mass data handling rather than in-depth analysis,” he remarked regarding AI’s application in research.

“It’s clearly not a magic solution; it’s just one of many tools, and human elements remain critical.”

Onnen, who aligned with the Nazi Party prior to Hitler’s ascension in 1933, was raised in an educated family and was fond of “travel and study” in his youth, Matthäus noted.

“Then his trajectory moves eastward, and here he stands,” he added. “Understanding his motivation is one of the toughest questions, as it raises emotional considerations about his posing and self-representation in that context.”

Onnen never advanced beyond a lower rank and was killed in action in August 1943.

“Being involved in such murders is undeniable, and it doesn’t earn you any merits when assigned to these execution units,” Matthäus remarked.

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He expressed regret that a letter possibly revealing Onnen’s ideological stance was lost from the front. Relatives who recalled reading the letters described them as “mediocre.”

Until this spring, Matthäus served as the director of research at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, where he has been active since 1994.

His latest work, *Gerahmte Gewalt* (Framed Violence), explores photo albums curated by Germans on the Eastern Front during World War II.

He noted that it is “highly likely” that the photograph depicting the Berdychiv genocide was taken by fellow soldiers, who often viewed such snapshots as “trophies” of civilian carnage.

Of the estimated 20,000 Jews in Berdychiv at the time of the German invasion in 1941, only 15 remained by early 1944, as reported by Del Spiegel in relation to the new study.

“These extensive executions persisted until the final day of German dominance in the East,” Matthäus observed.

“I believe this image should hold as much significance as the image of Auschwitz’s Gate, as it illustrates the tangible confrontation between the executioner and the victim.”

Jacobs Onnen, who enrolled in the Nazi Party prior to Hitler’s rise in 1933, hailed from a well-educated background. Photo: Metropole

He emphasized that comprehensive visual and written accounts circulated by German soldiers dismantle the myth of the civilian populace being unaware of the genocide perpetuated in their name.

Matthäus’s project also involves uncovering the identity of the victim in the photograph of Berdychiv. He collaborates with his Ukrainian colleague Andrii Mahaletskyi, utilizing Soviet-era records from the local community.

AI may also assist in this investigative endeavor, especially if equivalent images of men in suits can be identified.

He recognized the complexity of the mission, pointing out that while names of deported individuals from Western Europe were meticulously documented, the identities of most victims exterminated in the east remained unknown for over 80 years.

“The occupied Soviet Union witnessed over a million casualties,” he stated. “The majority remain anonymous, as intended by the perpetrators.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘It Felt Like Traveling Back in Time’: Afghans Share Their Relief as Internet Service is Restored

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

As the sun set on Wednesday, the streets surrounding Kabul, the Afghan capital, suddenly became bustling with activity.

With phones firmly pressed to their ears, Afghans spilled into the streets of Kabul, eager to see if others were online.

“Great news, the internet is back!” shouted a driver, as children received balloons and parents bought sweets to celebrate, gathering at nearby restaurants.

For 48 hours, the Afghan population had been cut off from mobile and internet services due to unexpected telecommunications shutdowns ordered by the authorities.

“It felt like we were transported back in time, contemplating sending letters to stay connected with family,” shared Mohammad Rafi, 33, a mobile phone store owner.

“The streets were deserted, resembling a holiday atmosphere, even during weekdays. But now, they’re lively again, even in the evening.”

Men attempt to connect their smart TV to the internet. Photo: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Sohrab Ahmadi, a 26-year-old delivery driver, struggled for two days without being able to reach his clients through the app he relies on.

Now, bikes line the streets, picking up orders from restaurants adorned with bright neon signs and juice vendors playing music. “It feels like Eid al-Adah, like preparing for prayer,” he remarked.

The communications tower is slowly restoring its services after nearly three days offline. Photo: Samiullah Popal/EPA

The streets also saw a noticeable rise in the number of women facing severe limitations imposed by the Taliban regime, including a prohibition on education beyond primary school.

“I can’t describe how relieved I am. I’m finally able to breathe again,” said a young woman attending online classes, who requested anonymity. “These online lessons are our last hope.”

The UN has warned that the disruption in connectivity poses risks to economic stability, worsening one of the most dire humanitarian crises globally.

The Taliban government has yet to address the issue of the internet blackout.

An Afghan woman walks past a beauty salon in the capital. Photo: Ali Kara/Reuters

This suspension occurred shortly after the government announced plans to cut high-speed internet in certain regions to curb “immorality.”

Attaura Zaid, a spokesman for Balkh province, confirmed that the ban was initiated by Taliban shadow leader Hibatura Ahnzada.

During the Taliban’s initial rule from 1996 to 2001, the internet was still a relatively new and developing technology.

Kabul street vendors will communicate via phone once services resume. Photo: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

However, in recent years, the economy has increasingly depended on internet access. Even in rural areas, many Afghans utilize their mobile phones for business transactions.

“The world has moved forward. This isn’t like thirty years ago,” remarked Ghulam Rabbani, a mobile credit vendor who was surrounded by shops on Wednesday night. “We anticipated the internet’s return. The outage affected everyone, including the government.”

Source: www.theguardian.com