Sam Altman has issued a “code red” for OpenAI to enhance ChatGPT amid strong competition from other chatbots.
In a recent report from the technology news site Information, the CEO of the San Francisco-based startup informed staff in an internal memo: “We are at a critical time for ChatGPT.”
OpenAI is feeling the pressure from the success of Gemini 3, Google’s latest AI model, and is allocating additional resources to improve ChatGPT.
Last month, Altman informed employees that the launch of Gemini 3 had outperformed competitors. According to various benchmarks, this could result in “temporary economic headwinds” for companies. He added, “I expect the global atmosphere to remain stormy for some time.”
While OpenAI’s flagship product boasts 800 million weekly users, Google benefits from a profitable search business along with vast data and financial resources for its AI initiatives.
Sam Altman. Photo: Jose Luis Magaña/AP
Marc Benioff, CEO of the $220bn (£166bn) software company Salesforce, stated last month that he plans to switch to Gemini 3 and “never look back” after testing Google’s newest AI release.
“I’ve been using ChatGPT every day for three years. I just spent two hours on Gemini 3. I’m not going back. The leap is insane. Reasoning, speed, images, video… everything is clearer and faster. I feel like the world has changed again,” he remarked on X.
OpenAI is also scaling back its advertising efforts on ChatGPT as it prioritizes improvements to the chatbot, which recently celebrated its third anniversary.
Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT, marked the anniversary with a post on X, committing to further innovations for the product.
“Our focus now is to further enhance ChatGPT’s capabilities, making it more intuitive and personal while continuing to grow and expand access worldwide. Thank you for an incredible three years. We have much work ahead!”
Despite not having the same cash flow support as rivals like Google, Meta, and Amazon, who fund competitor Anthropic, OpenAI has garnered substantial investments from firms like SoftBank Investment Group and Microsoft. At its latest valuation, OpenAI reached $500 billion, a significant increase from $157 billion last October.
OpenAI is currently operating at a loss but anticipates annual revenue to surpass $20 billion by year’s end, with Altman projecting that it will “grow to hundreds of billions.” The startup plans to allocate $1.4 trillion in data center costs over the next eight years to develop and maintain AI systems, aiming for rapid revenue growth.
“Considering the trends in AI usage and demand, we believe the risk of insufficient computing power at OpenAI is more significant and likely than the risk of excess computing power,” Altman stated last month.
Apple has also reacted to rising competitive pressure in the sector by appointing a new vice president of AI. John Gianandrea will be succeeded by Microsoft executive Amar Subramanya.
The company has been slow to integrate AI features into its products, while competitors like Samsung have been quicker to upgrade their devices with AI capabilities.
Subramanya comes to Apple from Microsoft, where he last served as vice president of AI. He previously spent 16 years at Google, including as head of engineering for the Gemini assistant.
Earlier this year, Apple announced that enhancements to its voice assistant Siri would be postponed until 2026.
Apple’s artificial intelligence lead, John Gianandrea, is departing the company. This decision comes as the Silicon Valley titan trails behind competitors in launching generative AI features, especially regarding the voice assistant Siri. Apple made the announcement on Monday, expressing gratitude for Mr. Gianandrea’s seven years of service.
CEO Tim Cook noted that his fellow executives played a crucial role in “building and advancing the company’s AI initiatives,” paving the way for continual innovation. Amar Subramanya, a seasoned AI researcher, will take over Gianandrea’s role.
In June 2024, Apple launched its significant AI product suite, Apple Intelligence, but it has been slow to integrate generative AI into its offerings compared to rivals like Google. While Apple has added features such as real-time language translation on its new AirPod earbuds—a capability Google introduced in 2017—and an AI-driven fitness app that uses AI-generated voices during workouts, substantial updates are still forthcoming.
The company has been hinting at AI-powered enhancements for Siri for over a year, yet the release has faced multiple delays.
“For Siri, we required additional time to achieve that high quality,” remarked Craig Federighi, Apple’s vice president of software engineering, during the company’s developer conference in June.
In a subsequent earnings call, Cook emphasized that Apple was “on track to create a more personalized Siri” with a launch targeted for the following year.
The appointment of Subramanya indicates a stronger focus on Apple’s AI strategy. Previously, he was Vice President of AI at Microsoft and spent 16 years at Google, where he led engineering for Gemini AI Assistant, recognized as a benchmark in the industry. Subramanya will report to Craig Federighi, who has expanded his involvement in the company’s AI initiatives in recent years.
On Monday, Cook shared that Federighi is “helping us advance our AI efforts, including overseeing our initiatives to deliver a personalized Siri experience to our users starting next year.” In their announcement, Apple stated that this marks a “new chapter” for the company as it “intensifies its efforts” in AI.
Greetings! Welcome to TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery, reaching out from Barcelona where my culinary adventures have, quite humorously, turned half of me into ham.
Who will lead the self-driving car industry?
The global rollout of self-driving cars is on the horizon. Next year, leading companies from the United States and China plan to expand their operations considerably and introduce robotaxis in major cities worldwide. These firms are akin to male birds strutting to attract a mate, setting the stage for upcoming worldwide rivalries.
On the U.S. front, we have Waymo, the autonomous vehicle initiative by Google. Over the last 15 years, it has invested billions into Waymo. After extensive testing, the company launched its robotaxi service for the public in San Francisco in June 2024, and has since expanded significantly. Waymo vehicles are now a common sight in most parts of Los Angeles, with introductions planned for Washington, D.C., New York City, and London next year.
On November 2nd, Chinese tech giant Baidu lodged a complaint against Google. Baidu claimed its autonomous vehicle division, Apollo Go, conducts 250,000 rides weekly, matching Waymo’s performance. Waymo recently hit a major milestone in the spring.
Most electric vehicles in China are priced significantly lower than their American counterparts, even without self-driving capabilities. Experts estimate that a single Waymo vehicle costs hundreds of thousands to manufacture, though exact figures remain unclear. “The hardware costs for our vehicles are much less than Waymo’s,” declared the CFO of Pony AI, a leading Chinese self-driving firm, to the WSJ.
To recoup its billion-dollar investment in Waymo, Google must persuade potential customers of its superior quality.
Google is highlighting transparency as a distinguishing factor. Much less data is accessible regarding Baidu’s vehicles, raising concerns about their safety records. Baidu asserts that its vehicles have amassed millions of miles without “a single major accident.” Google referenced this in a statement, posing a question about the extent to which the success of Chinese self-driving companies has been communicated to U.S. transportation authorities, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.
However, Apollo Go, which has unlocked taxis in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is not Waymo’s only contender, as Gulf nations pursue diverse tech partnerships. Wheels from WeRide, another Chinese autonomous vehicle company, have made their way to the UAE and Singapore. All major players in the Chinese market are pursuing expansion into Europe, according to Reuters. Vehicles built by Momenta and deployed by Uber are slated to begin operations in Germany by 2026. WeRide, Baidu, and Pony AI are also gearing up to introduce robotaxi services in various European locations soon, leading to many more people encountering self-driving cars in their everyday lives.
Initially, the primary question concerning self-driving cars was: can we create a working vehicle? Now, the focus has shifted to: who will dominate the market?
Read more: Driving competition: Chinese automakers race to take over European roads
This Week in AI
Elon Musk’s loyal supporters push his wealth to $1 trillion
Martin Lawson discusses Elon Musk’s new compensation package. Illustration: Martin Rowson/The Guardian
Tesla’s recent performance has been lackluster. The looming end of the U.S. electric vehicle tax credit has resulted in a surge of buyers at dealerships over the past few months, yet the company reported a 37% drop in profits in late October. This decline adds to a series of challenges facing EV manufacturers.
In spite of Tesla’s struggles, shareholders voted in favor of a plan to compensate Elon Musk $1 trillion over the next decade, contingent on his ability to elevate Tesla’s valuation from $1.4 trillion to $8.5 trillion. Should he succeed in this and other objectives, it would mark the largest reward in the company’s history.
The results of the vote were revealed during the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, where more than 75% of investors backed the proposal. Enthusiastic chants of “Elon” filled the room following the announcement.
Musk has been associated with Tesla for a decade through this pay structure, yet his attention has rarely been confined to just one venture. He has remained deeply involved in politics. My colleague Nick Robbins Early details how Musk has aligned himself with the international far-right:
Since his departure from the Trump administration, Musk’s political endeavors have included wielding social media as a platform to influence the New York mayoral election and orchestrating a right-wing, AI-generated alternative to Wikipedia. He has expressed concerns over a “homeless industrial complex” of nonprofits purportedly harming California and declared that “white pride should be acceptable.” On X, he stated that Britain is on the brink of civil war and warned of the collapse of Western civilization.
The social and economic repercussions stemming from Musk’s political stance have not deterred his public support for the far right, and he has increasingly showcased these affiliations, all while maintaining in his characteristic obstinacy that being branded a racist or extremist is of no consequence to him.
Read more: How Tesla shareholders’rewarded Elon Musk towards becoming the world’s first trillionaire
Can you take on the data center?
Google data center located in Santiago. Photo: Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images
The data centers fueling the AI revolution are truly colossal. Their financial scope, physical dimensions, and vast datasets encompass all, making the idea of halting their construction seem counterintuitive amid ongoing developments. Silicon Valley’s leading firms are investing hundreds of billions at a rapid pace.
Yet, as data centers expand, resistance is mounting in the United States, the UK, and Latin America, where these facilities are rising in some of the most arid regions globally. Local opposition typically centers on the environmental repercussions and resource use of such monumental constructions.
Paz Peña, a researcher and fellow at the Mozilla Foundation, focuses on the social and environmental effects of data center technology in Latin America. She shared insights with the Guardian at the Mozilla Festival in Barcelona on how communities in Latin America are filing lawsuits to extract information from governments and corporations that prefer to keep it hidden. This dialogue has been condensed for brevity and clarity.
Read my Q&A with Paz Peña here.
Read more: “Cities that draw the line”: A community in Arizona fights against massive data centers
The artificial intelligence system has outperformed numerous prediction enthusiasts, including a number of experts. A competition focused on event predictions spanned events from the fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk to Kemi Badenok being dismissed as a potential Conservative leader.
The UK-based AI startup, established by former Google DeepMind researchers, ranks among the top 10 in international forecasting competitions, with participants tasked with predicting the probabilities of 60 events occurring over the summer.
Manticai secured 8th place in the Metaculus Cup, operated by a forecasting firm based in San Francisco aiming to predict the futures of investment funds and corporations.
While AI performance still lags behind the top human predictors, some contend that it could surpass human capabilities sooner than anticipated.
“It feels odd to be outperformed by a few bots at this stage,” remarked Ben Sindel, one of the professional predictors who ended up behind the AI during the competition, eventually finishing on Mantic’s team. “We’ve made significant progress compared to a year ago when the best bots were ranked around 300.”
The Metaculus Cup included questions like which party would win the most seats in the Samoan general election, and how many acres of the US would be affected by fires from January to August. Contestants were graded based on their predictions as of September 1st.
“What Munch achieved is remarkable,” stated Degar Turan, CEO of Metaculus.
Turan estimated that AI would perform at par or even surpass top human predictors by 2029, but also acknowledged that “human predictors currently outshine AI predictors.”
In complex predictions reliant on interrelated events, AI systems tend to struggle with logical validation checks when interpreting knowledge into final forecasts.
Mantic effectively dissects prediction challenges into distinct tasks and assigns them to various machine learning models such as OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek based on their capabilities.
Co-founder Toby Shevlane indicated that their achievements mark a significant milestone for the AI community, utilizing large language models for predictive analytics.
“Some argue that LLMs merely replicate training data, but we can’t predict such futures,” he noted. “We require genuine inference. We can assert that our system’s forecasts are more original than those of most human contenders, as individuals often compile average community predictions. AI systems frequently differ from these averages.”
Mantic’s systems deploy a range of AI agents to evaluate current events, conduct historical analyses, simulate scenarios, and make future predictions. The strength of AI prediction lies in its capacity for hard work and endurance, vital for effective forecasting.
AI can simultaneously tackle numerous complex challenges, revisiting each daily to adapt based on evolving information. Human predictors also leverage intuition, but Sindel suggests this may emerge in AI as well.
“Intuition is crucial, but I don’t think it’s inherently human,” he commented.
Top-tier human super forecasters assert their superiority. Philip Tetlock, co-author of the bestseller SuperForecasting, recently published research indicating that, on average, experts continue to outperform the best bots.
Turan reiterated that AI systems face challenges in complex predictions involving interdependent events, struggling to identify logical inconsistencies in output during validation checks.
“We’ve witnessed substantial effort and investment,” remarked Warren Hatch, CEO of Good Judgement, a forecasting firm co-founded by Tetlock. “We anticipate AI excelling in specific question categories, such as monthly inflation.
Or, as Lubos Saloky, the human forecaster who placed third in the Metaculus Cup, expressed, “I’m not retiring. If you can’t beat them, I’ll collaborate with them.”
Feedback presents the latest updates in science and technology from new scientists, highlighting recent developments. Share items that may captivate readers by emailing Feedback@newscientist.com.
Get Ready…
Attention athletics fans, there’s an intriguing new competition to check out: Sperm Race.
It’s been reported that male birth rates are on the decline, with reduced sperm motility (movement speed) being a significant contributing factor. To raise awareness, a teenage founder has introduced sperm racing as a sport. As they say: “We’re creating the first racecourse for sperm: two competitors, two samples, one microscope finish line.”
Their site showcases “microscopic racetracks” that mimic reproductive systems, using “high-resolution cameras” to “track all microscopic movements.” They claim, “It’s all streamed live,” suggesting the phrase choice is deliberate, with the victor being “the first sperm to cross the finish line, confirmed via advanced imaging.”
The inaugural race on April 25th featured entries from two California universities. Readers may question why feedback on this topic emerged slowly. It’s due to a twist in the tale post-event.
Unfortunately for organizers, journalists like River Page, Reporter at Free Press, revealed that “the winner was predetermined. The ‘race’ was computer-generated.”
The issue is that microscopes can’t function that way. To have tracks long enough for sperm to swim competently, tracking them on camera is impractical. In film, a cameraman can follow Tom Cruise sprinting along the roof of a moving train. Yet, focusing a microscope can be challenging, even when the cells are nearly stationary.
The creators apparently ran a real race in a private setting, relying on computer-generated imagery to “depict” sperm racing for paying spectators.
This has led to speculation that a second round of the sperm race is improbable. I can’t help but recall how millions relish completely fabricated “sports entertainment” like wrestling, and outcomes in football often hinge on which teams have the wealthiest billionaires. Perhaps sperm racing could indeed be the next big sensation.
Water-Based Cooking
Feedback loves to explore the latest food trends, from cutting carbs to eating only lean meats, salt, and water! There’s even talk of “Air Protein,” which involves “microbial organisms that harness carbon dioxide.”
Essentially, water-based cooking means utilizing water for cooking whenever possible, in favor of oil. Think boiling, stewing, or steaming over stir-frying or roasting. This method reduces the formation of harmful advanced glycation end products (AGEs) found in the crispy bits of fried foods known to be linked to health complications. Hence, water-based cooking enthusiasts should steer clear of those.
Driving this trend is Michelle Davenport, a UCSF and NYU-trained nutrition scientist and the former founder of Digital Children’s Food Company. She educates followers on Instagram on how to manage metabolic health through water-based cooking inspired by family recipes.
Feedback perceives this might revolve around minor details, but it fits perfectly within wellness culture: if you’re not in peak health, it’s certainly your choice. Regardless, we find ourselves empathetic toward Elle from Bruski, who aptly stated: “It’s just soup. They’re making soup.”
Pizza Insights
We sought examples of “obvious” scientific inquiries that tend to extend far beyond what one might have already guessed. The first query involved research indicating that an SUV poses a greater risk to pedestrians than a compact car.
Send your stories to feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. Past and current feedback can also be found on our website.
A federal judge made a significant ruling last year, declaring Google as a dominant player in the internet search industry. However, during a recent hearing aimed at addressing this issue, the focus shifted towards the rapidly evolving technology of artificial intelligence.
In a U.S. District Court session in Washington last week, a Justice Department attorney contended that Google’s search monopoly could hinder transparency within the company regarding the development of its AI chatbot, Gemini. Rivals in the AI sector also noted that Google’s influence poses a challenge to their success.
On Wednesday, the first critical question was directed at Google CEO Sundar Pichai. AI topics emerged more than 20 times during a 90-minute testimony after he took the stand.
“I consider it one of the most dynamic moments in the industry,” Pichai remarked. “I’ve observed user home screens featuring seven to nine chatbot applications that they’re experimenting with and refining.”
The antitrust lawsuits of the past have essentially morphed into a debate about the future, with both the government and Google suggesting modifications to the tech giant’s business practices that could alter the trajectory of AI development.
For over two decades, Google’s search engine has dominated the online information landscape. Now, federal courts are assessing whether the Silicon Valley behemoths will lead the next phase of how users access information as consumers increasingly turn to new chatbot technologies for answers and solutions.
During the proceedings, government attorneys asserted that Google’s monopolistic search strategies could facilitate the widespread adoption of its Gemini Chatbot. They argue that the burgeoning AI sector should not allow consumers to be deprived of diverse product alternatives.
Google countered by stating that OpenAI’s rapid ascent (the AI startup powering Apple’s products) showcases the existing competition, asserting that intervention from the courts is unnecessary.
Judge Amit P. Mehta, who is overseeing the search-related cases, may reshape this fierce competition and influence technology policy through these AI discussions. Google is already a leading AI entity, with Gemini attracting over 350 million active users monthly. Any measures to curb this endeavor or support competitors will greatly impact the race.
The government has requested the court to mandate Google to divest its Chrome browser and share data with competitors, which includes search results and advertisements, along with other actions.
These government initiatives are inherently forward-looking, aiming to dismantle long-standing monopolistic practices and open the market to new challengers. As John Newman, deputy director of the Competition Bureau during the Biden administration, stated, “You don’t want to spend five years on a case that leads to no substantial action and consumes resources across multiple agencies.”
A spokesperson for Google highlighted John Schmidtlein, the company’s lead counsel, who claimed that the artificial intelligence market is “extremely competitive.” The Department of Justice has opted not to provide comments.
This year’s hearings follow a 2024 ruling that found Google illicitly maintained its monopoly by compensating companies like Apple, Mozilla, and Samsung, ensuring its search engine’s automatic prominence on web browsers and smartphones.
From the start of the hearings, the focus has remained firmly on artificial intelligence.
Professor Gregory Dullett, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Texas, was the first witness, providing Judge Mehta with an overview of AI technologies and their integration into Google’s products.
The government presented documentation indicating that last year, Google contemplated a deal with wireless carriers and smartphone manufacturers for premium placement of Gemini Prime alongside its search engine, reminiscent of a previous arrangement for prominent search engine positioning.
After the judge’s ruling last year regarding search practices, Google opted not to pursue the Gemini initiative with wireless carriers and phone manufacturers. Ultimately, separate agreements were reached with Samsung to feature Gemini on their devices, as documented.
Google executives testified that their partnership with Samsung allowed smartphone makers to collaborate with other AI services. Pichai noted that the company is focused on forming partnerships in alignment with its relief proposals, emphasizing that smartphone manufacturers should have greater autonomy in determining which Google applications to utilize.
Executives from competing AI firms, including OpenAI, shared that proposed changes to Google’s business practices would help facilitate product development and consumer access.
Nicholas Turley, head of product for OpenAI’s ChatGPT, revealed that his company developed a prototype search tool called SearchGPT in July, requesting Google to participate in a transaction for data access. However, an email from OpenAI’s team indicated that Google rejected the request due to its “complexity.”
“Given the competitive nature of our products, we recognized that Google might not be inclined to offer favorable terms,” Turley remarked, adding that if Judge Mehta compels Google to provide greater data access to OpenAI, their company could “develop better products more swiftly.”
OpenAI has also expressed interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if it becomes available for sale, Turley noted.
(The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft regarding copyright infringement related to news content and AI systems, both parties have denied these allegations.)
Dmitry Shevelenko, chief business officer of AI search startup Confusion, testified that his organization sought a deal with a telecom company to source a chatbot, which was already in an arrangement with Google.
He stated, “They really appreciate our assistant and believe it enhances user experience, but we can’t modify the default assistant on our devices due to our obligations to Google.”
Google’s legal team countered that the company has not imposed overly restrictive agreements on smartphone manufacturers concerning Gemini. They reiterated that many AI firms are flourishing, citing data showing that ChatGPT surpasses all other chatbots in usage.
“I believe ChatGPT is performing well without any interventions required in this case,” Schmidtlein stated in his opening remarks. “These companies are thriving independently of the plaintiff’s proposed solutions.”
The United Launch Alliance plans to send 27 Kuiper satellites into low Earth orbit as Amazon begins full-scale deployment of its satellite internet network
Amazon
Kuiper, Amazon’s satellite internet division, plans to launch 27 satellites into orbit today. We dig into the situation.
What is Kuiper?
In short, Kuiper is a network of thousands of satellites with beams of internet traffic around the world. This allows people in remote areas to access the internet without the need for local infrastructure.
This idea is exactly the same as Starlink, a SpaceX-owned company that already offers such services under Elon Musk’s leadership. Project Kuiper is a subsidiary of Amazon, founded in 2019 and owned by another billionaire, Jeff Bezos.
The satellite is carried into orbit by the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Amazon says it will be the heaviest payload ever released in this craft.
United Launch Alliance plans to live stream flights on that websitestarts 20 minutes before startup.
Is this the first release of Kuiper?
Kuiper put two prototype satellites into orbit in October 2023, which is the first release of the final version, and the company has said it is a “significant upgrade.”
It has better solar panels, propulsion systems and communications equipment, but astronomers appreciate it being a dielectric mirror film coating designed to scatter reflected sunlight. Other companies have launched reflective satellites that have serious impact on imaging. Astronomers say it is “truly an existential issue of astronomy.”
Who’s ahead, Starlink or Kuiper?
starlink. In a pretty good way.
Kuiper has been granted permission from the US Federal Communications Commission to operate 3,236 satellites, and will only start renting internet connections to users after the 578 satellites are launched, the company says.
So, if the launch today is successful, the company still has 551 satellites to send into space before generating revenue.
The company says it has secured more than 80 launches at various companies to deploy additional satellites. Ironically, some launches are handled by SpaceX.
Certainly there are many reasons to compensate. Starlink’s lead is big and has the obvious advantage of being owned by a rocket launcher.
Although it is not owned by Amazon, Bezos now has Space Company Blue Origin at your disposal. It helps to fill the gap.
In other areas, Amazon may have advantages. Already there are hundreds of millions of users who shop and stream regularly on the site and may try to add satellite internet through various transactions and seductions.
Plus, there is a market as hundreds of millions of people around the world lack reliable internet connections. Only time can tell if it’s big enough to maintain two major competing satellite operators, let alone small players like partially UK-owned OneWeb.
Some companies are also working on unfiltered solar aircraft that can loiter in high atmospheres for months at a time, potentially reducing satellites at cost.
However, one thing is clear. It certainly is a boon for consumers to bring their competitors to the market.
tHis “comfortable game” is what appeals to one of our two responses, the ones who typically engage in regular video game play. It beckons you with its promise of soothing, resource management-focused gameplay that offers a leisurely pace, providing a gentle escape from the intense action and high-stress adventures. Alternatively, it may repel you – certainly, it repelled me. “Cozy” often serves as a code for a twee aesthetic, avoiding drama in favor of repetitive tasks aimed at creating comfort, reminiscent of resource management sims like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing.
So when I encountered WonderStop, a vibrant game where a fallen warrior transitions to running a tea shop, I felt hesitant. However, this is Davey Wreden’s third project, following the success of Stanley Parable and Beginner’s Guide. If it’s anything like its predecessors, it’s bound to be full of surprises and crafted with meticulous attention to detail and artistic vision. Wreden is an auteur, known for exploring challenging postmodern themes in his work. His creations push the boundaries of what video game mediums can achieve, and luckily, this latest offering is no exception.
Your life… Wonderstop. Photo: Annapurna Interactive
WonderStop excels at blending gameplay with a narrative about the perils of burnout. The game embodies what it preaches – it isn’t merely paying lip service to a serene lifestyle. Instead, it constructs one around the player, whether they embrace it willingly or not.
The protagonist, Alta, the fallen warrior, clearly resists this change. Constantly losing battles, she ends up in the woods, seeking solace under the tutelage of her hero. Boro, a kind gentleman running Wonderstop Tea Shop, takes Alta in and encourages her to brew tea and engage in light chores to aid her recuperation. As players brew tea and tend to the colorful, perilous Ghibli-style garden, characters come and go. Apart from brewing tea, players can care for whimsical creatures, collect items, read books, cultivate plants, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The joy of growing up… Wonderstop. Photo: Annapurna Interactive
This scenario may not be entirely new. Games like Wytchwood, Spiritfarer, Spirittea, and Moonstone Island also involve combining ingredients to fulfill the whims of fantastical creatures. What sets Wonderstop apart is its refusal to focus on progress or resolution. There is no optimization, no ticking clock, no pressure. You won’t “win.” This game resists the gratification of grinding, clicking, and ticking boxes. The manner in which the story unfolds may unravel the game’s enchanting sleight of hand, but suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the narrative’s poignant harmony. Addressing burnout in both its dialogue and storyline is a noteworthy aspect of the game. While it’s easy to extol the virtues of rest, actively showcasing surrender and healing is a whole other level.
From a technical standpoint, WonderStop offers a seamless experience. The controls are user-friendly, the music is soothing, and voice acting, though minimal, is impactful. The game mechanics are finely tuned, with dialogues and incidental texts proving engaging, surprising, and poignant when necessary. There are no arbitrary obstacles hindering the immersive experience.
Completing WonderStop typically takes around 12 hours, but for me, the game beckoned for an immediate replay. I yearned to return to the tea shop’s gardens and uncover as many secrets as possible. It lingers, prompting reflection on the relentless pace that consumes us all. Arguably, the frustration experienced by seasoned resource management enthusiasts due to the game’s slippery and enigmatic nature is precisely the point – play with surrender.
Wanderstop’s cozy and charming facade conceals something far more profound and clever than I’ve encountered in a long while. It’s a disguised masterpiece that offers players a sanctuary worth visiting, lingering in, and engaging with.
Kevin Fitzgerald, managing director of UK Employment Heroes, emphasizes the importance of managers in businesses. He mentions that technology has advanced greatly, especially in the past decade, allowing for the digitization of many administrative tasks. According to Fitzgerald, AI should not be seen as a vague or scary new technology, but rather as a practical way to streamline and automate time-consuming tasks, enabling employees to focus on more valuable and interesting work.
The Employment Hero Survey revealed that 52% of respondents found the platform improved organizational efficiency, with 42% reporting faster processes and 65% using less paper.
By using AI to handle tasks like onboarding and data entry, employees have more time to focus on important aspects like welcoming new recruits and integrating them into the team quickly. Fitzgerald also mentions how AI can help with tasks like organizing employment contracts and setting up new employees in payroll systems swiftly.
Integrating AI into the workplace aligns with the shift towards flexible and hybrid work practices. This approach not only helps manage time effectively but also boosts employee engagement and energy levels.
Using AI for tasks such as payroll and HR automation is part of a long-term trend in digital transformation. Small and medium-sized businesses can now access tools like the Employment Operating System for Employment Heroes, consolidating multiple functions onto one platform for efficiency and cost savings.
AI’s ability to automate routine tasks and handle complex data processing makes it an invaluable tool in enhancing productivity and job satisfaction. By freeing up time and minimizing distractions, employees can engage in deep work, leading to improved efficiency and overall satisfaction.
Fitzgerald emphasizes that AI is user-friendly and embedded in platforms like Employment Heroes, providing powerful tools for staff to enhance their work. Embracing AI not only accelerates productivity but also empowers employees to work smarter, fostering a positive work environment.
Rethink what is possible with Employment Hero and revolutionize the way you work.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, saw a drop of over 6% following the release of its quarterly results on Tuesday. The company reported revenue of $96.5 billion, slightly below analysts’ expectations of $96.67 billion. While Alphabet exceeded investors’ earnings per share (EPS) expectation of $2.13 by reporting $2.15, the company highlighted a strong fourth quarter led by AI advancements and overall business momentum.
Revenue breakdown included $84 billion from Google Search and services, with $12 billion from YouTube advertising and cloud revenue. Analysts are closely watching Alphabet’s competitive position in AI search and cloud revenues amidst growing competition from players like Chinese DeepSeek and OpenAI.
The company’s deceleration reflects a challenging year for Google, raising concerns about its future competitiveness. Alphabet plans to invest $750 billion in capital spending in the coming year to further develop AI and infrastructure.
Despite ongoing AI development efforts across the industry, Alphabet remains focused on AI innovation with a significant investment plan. The company aims to leverage its AI capabilities for monetization in the coming years.
Concerns about rising AI costs and their impact on Alphabet’s AI advertising strategy have emerged in light of recent developments. Analysts are closely monitoring how these developments will shape Alphabet’s future AI initiatives and competitiveness.
Additionally, Alphabet remains committed to responsible AI development practices, emphasizing the importance of democracy, human rights, and global cooperation in AI leadership. The company reaffirms its commitment to using AI for positive impact and national security.
Legal challenges, including antitrust investigations, pose further uncertainties for Alphabet’s future. The Ministry of Justice’s case against a major search company raises concerns about potential regulatory actions that could affect the tech industry.
In light of geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, Alphabet faces additional challenges as regulatory scrutiny intensifies. China’s response to tariff announcements and antitrust investigations adds to the uncertain outlook for Google.
The UK’s competition watchdog is set to investigate the impact of Apple and Google’s mobile platforms on consumers and businesses, following criticism over the appointment of a former tech executive as its new chair.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will look into the tech giants’ mobile operating systems, app stores, and browsers to determine if specific guidelines are needed to regulate their behavior.
This inquiry comes after Doug Gurr, a former Amazon UK country manager, was appointed as the CMA chair, with the government denying any bias towards big tech companies.
The investigation will focus on how Google and Apple’s mobile platforms impact consumers, businesses, and app developers, as most smartphones in the UK come with pre-installed iOS or Android operating systems.
The CMA will assess whether Google and Apple should be classified as companies with “strategic market positions” under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC). If designated as such, the CMA could impose regulatory requirements or mandate changes to promote competition on their platforms.
Sara Cardel, CEO of the CMA, emphasized the importance of mobile platforms as gateways to the digital world and highlighted the potential for a more competitive ecosystem to drive innovation and growth.
The CMA aims to complete its investigation by October 22nd, in line with its focus on ensuring consistent regulations that support economic growth and competition.
Both Apple and Google have expressed readiness to cooperate with the CMA and reiterated their commitment to fostering choice and opportunity for consumers and businesses while complying with regulations.
Trade unions and consumer activists have criticized the appointment of Amazon’s former chief executive as the head of Britain’s competition watchdog, calling it a “slap in the face to workers” and “Trumpian.” The government hired Doug Gurr, former Amazon UK and China boss, to chair the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), leading to accusations of favoritism towards big tech.
Business Secretary Justin Madders defended the decision, stating that it was aimed at boosting economic growth. Gurr replaces Markus Bockelink and will serve as interim chair for up to 18 months. The CMA will focus on investigating technology companies under the new digital market competition regime to increase competition.
Critics like GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast and campaigner Rob Harrison have raised concerns about Gurr’s ties to Amazon and the potential bias in regulating technology monopolies. However, government officials maintain that the CMA will uphold its operational independence and protect consumer interests.
Amazon, known for its dominance in online sales, has faced criticism for its treatment of workers and market practices. The company has pledged to ensure worker rights and dignity. The appointment of Gurr has sparked debates over conflict of interest and regulatory oversight of tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook.
Antitrust watchdogs and consumer groups have expressed concerns about the impact of Gurr’s appointment on economic growth and innovation. The Open Market Institute (OMI) criticized the move as a strategic failure that could harm UK’s competitiveness in the tech sector.
Despite the backlash, government officials defend the decision, stating that it is necessary to balance consumer protection and growth. Gurr’s background as an Amazon executive has raised questions about his ability to regulate the tech industry effectively.
Gurr’s appointment comes after disagreements over the CMA’s approach to growth, leading to the replacement of Bockelink. Regulators like Nikhil Rati of the Financial Conduct Authority have emphasized that they are acting on government directives to ensure compliance and customer protection.
The CMA and Gurr have been approached for comment on the matter. Additional reporting by Kalyeena Makortoff and Sarah Butler.
OpenAI is currently testing a new search engine that utilizes generative artificial intelligence to generate search results, potentially posing a challenge to Google’s dominance in the online search market. The company announced that SearchGPT will initially launch with limited users and publishers before expanding further. OpenAI plans to integrate search capabilities into ChatGPT and offer it as a standalone product in the future.
SearchGPT is described as a preliminary prototype that combines AI models (such as ChatGPT) with internet search abilities to provide search results in a conversational format with real-time information and relevant source links. This feature positions OpenAI as a direct competitor to major search engines like Google and Bing, owned by Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor.
Integrating generative AI into search engines has become a trend among technology companies, despite concerns about accuracy and copyright issues. OpenAI aims to make searching on the web quicker and easier by enhancing its models with real-time information from the internet.
There is a potential risk of backlash from publishers over how OpenAI uses their content in SearchGPT. Some news outlets have already filed lawsuits against the company for alleged copyright infringement, claiming that their published work was used without permission.
OpenAI denies these claims, stating that their use of copyrighted data falls under the “fair use” doctrine. Other companies have faced similar backlash from users and publishers for AI-generated search features.
OpenAI is collaborating with publishers to give them control over how their content appears in search results and promoting trusted sources of information. The company’s press release includes statements from industry leaders, endorsing AI-powered search as the future of the internet.
This development comes at a time when Google is facing an antitrust lawsuit alleging illegal monopolization of the internet search industry. The lawsuit claims that Google signed deals with major companies to make it the default browser on their devices, further solidifying its dominance.
Apple has been found to be in violation of new EU laws designed to promote competition among smaller companies and help consumers find more affordable alternative apps in tech companies’ app stores.
The European Commission, acting as both the EU’s antitrust and technology regulator, has informed Apple of preliminary findings after launching an investigation in March.
The Commission’s preliminary findings, which Apple can appeal, state that Apple’s conduct rules do not comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as they restrict app developers from freely directing consumers to other platforms for offers and content.
The Commission has also initiated new non-compliance proceedings against Apple over concerns that its new contract terms for third-party app developers do not meet DMA requirements.
This marks the third non-compliance investigation launched by the Commission since the DMA took effect last year.
As part of the investigation, the committee is examining the “core technology fee,” a charge that Apple imposes on developers each time their app is installed on a phone.
The allegations against Apple for violating EU law represent the first case against a tech company under the DMA, significant legislation introduced last August to ensure fair competition among six designated “very large online platforms,” including Google, Amazon, Meta, and ByteDance (TikTok).
The investigation comes after the committee’s initial inquiry into Apple’s treatment of mobile app suppliers three months ago.
Previous findings from an earlier investigation reiterated that Apple must allow developers to inform customers about alternative, cheaper purchasing methods, guide them to these options, and enable them to make purchases free of charge, as required by new digital laws.
The investigation found that Apple’s terms of business did not allow developers to direct customers to more affordable alternatives or provide pricing information within the app.
Moreover, Apple made it challenging for customers to access pricing information and required links to external web pages for contract details.
Ultimately, the Commission determined that the fees charged by the App Store were excessive and not strictly necessary.
The Commission stated that if Apple’s alleged violations are confirmed, all three of its terms and conditions would violate Article 5(4) of the DMA, mandating gatekeepers to allow developers to direct consumers to external offers free of charge. A non-compliance decision will be issued within 12 months of the proceedings’ start on March 25, 2024.
Apple has responded by making several changes in recent months to comply with the DMA based on feedback from developers and the European Commission.
The company believes its adjustments align with the law and estimates that under the new terms, over 99% of developers will pay the same or lower fees to Apple.
All EU-based developers on the App Store now have access to features like directing app users to the web for purchases at competitive prices, reflecting Apple’s commitment to address the European Commission’s concerns.
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The program targets Web3 startups in the Defi, Infrastructure, Security, Gaming, and RWA categories, covering both B2B and B2C applications. Applications can be registered for Permissionless Opportunities from April 10th to May 1st. The program promises to shine a light on the next generation of his Web3 companies while giving the best applicants everything they need to optimize their prospects for success.
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Traditionally, climate has been thought to be the cause of the emergence and extinction of human species. However, interspecific competition is known to play an important role in most vertebrates. A new study shows for the first time that competition has been the basis of speciation (the rate at which new species emerge) over five million years of human evolution.It also means that our speciation patterns homo The pedigree was different from most others.
a homo heidelbergensis, Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons. Image credit: SINC / Jose Antonio Peñas.
“We have ignored how competition between species has shaped our own evolutionary tree,” says Dr Laura van Holstein, an anthropologist at the University of Cambridge.
“The effects of climate on the human species are only part of the story.”
“In other vertebrates, species form to fill ecological niches. Darwin's finches, for example, have evolved large beaks for cracking nuts, while others have evolved large beaks for eating certain insects. Some have evolved small beaks to accommodate them. Once their respective resource niches are filled, competition ensues, no new finches emerge, and extinction takes over.”
Dr Van Holstein and Professor Robert Foley from the University of Cambridge used Bayesian modeling and phylogenetic analysis to show that, like other vertebrates, most species of humans formed when competition for resources and space was low. It was shown that
“The pattern seen in many early humans is similar to all other mammals,” van Holstein says.
“The speciation rate increases, then levels off, at which point the extinction rate begins to increase. This suggests that competition between species was a major evolutionary factor.”
However, when the authors analyzed our group, homothe findings were “bizarre.”
for homo The pattern of evolution of the lineage leading to modern humans suggests that interspecific competition actually led to the emergence of even newer species, a complete departure from trends seen in almost all other vertebrates. It's a reversal.
“The more types there are, the more homo The more there are, the higher the rate of speciation,” Dr. van Holstein said.
“So once those niches were filled, something caused more species to emerge. This is almost unprecedented in evolutionary science.”
The closest comparison she found was a species of beetle that lives on the island. On islands, confined ecosystems can produce unusual evolutionary trends.
“The evolutionary patterns we see across species are homo “The direct link to modern humans is more closely related to island beetles than to other primates or other mammals,” Dr van Holstein said.
Pierre Maslow, a statistician at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, stated that Paris is considered the highest risk city among all European capitals. Heat exposure concerns in 854 European cities.
The Olympic Village in Paris will feature a wildlife-friendly rooftop, environmentally-friendly building materials, and green spaces including a public park.
However, as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the event, no air conditioning will be installed in the players’ rooms. Instead, the complex will rely on natural airflow cooling and groundwater cooling systems. Organizers mentioned that even in the heat, nighttime temperatures do not exceed 79 degrees. Read more here.
A study in Nature Climate and Atmospheric Science suggests that heatwave temperatures are on the rise in comparison to 2003. Temperatures could now reach up to 7 degrees F higher than during the 2003 heatwave.
During the last Summer Olympics in Tokyo, extreme heat affected many athletes, leading to rescheduling of events. About 110 athletes suffered heatstroke during the Tokyo Games due to high temperatures. Endurance events were moved to Sapporo to deal with the heat.
The absence of spectators at the Tokyo Games helped reduce the burden on medical staff, according to Shota Tanaka, a part-time researcher at Kokushikan University. However, this is an issue that Paris must consider as the number of heatstroke cases is expected to be high.
Tanaka added, “Holding the Olympics in August is fundamentally a risky idea from a heatstroke perspective.” Athletes typically prepare for the heat several weeks before the games.
Ever wanted to visit another world? Mars, one of our closest celestial neighbors, is an astonishing 225 million kilometers from Earth, a distance that would take over 1,000 years to walk.
But guess what? Many things on Earth look exactly like Mars; that’s what this year’s winner of the Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition proved. Although this photo looks like a snapshot of an extraterrestrial plant, it actually shows a group of Smile mold growing in a lush garden in the UK.
But the other pictures in the collection are equally amazing. From a crystal forest to a temporary rift and jellyfish elevator, the images capture strange scientific phenomena.
Ecology Category Runner-Up – Postwar Chamois
The image shows an Alps chamois (Lupikapra Lupikapra) Licking the walls of a World War II air raid shelter in the mountains of Val Valaita in the Western Alps. Photo credit: Filippo Calgati
Micro-imaging category runner-up – Crystal lighthouse in the wild forest
The image shows microcrystals of beta-alanine and L-glutamine, showing the evolution of the crystal pattern during the crystallization process. Photo credit: Shyam Ulhas
Astronomy Category Winner – Western Veil Nebula
The Veil Nebula, a spectacular supernova remnant, discovered in the constellation Cygnus, about 10,000 to 20,000 years ago, has gained attention. The horn of the nebula in our sky is several times the size of the Moon. Photo provided by Imran Sultan
Overall Winner – Mars Landscape
The photo shows a specimen lamproderma scintillance, a microorganism that grows on the autumn leaves of Somerset, England. The slime mold exhibits a range of hues, from earthy browns to glossy bronzes to steel-blue iridescent hues of the surrounding deciduous trees. Photo credit: Irina Petrova Adamatsky
Semiconductors have become a focus of U.S. efforts to thwart China’s technological advances in recent years. Washington is now turning its attention to another hot technology area where China is making significant progress: electric vehicle batteries.
Earlier this month, the Treasury and Energy Departments was suggested Joe Biden approved a rule last year that would limit electric vehicle buyers from claiming tax credits if their cars contain battery materials from China or other countries deemed “hostile” to the United States. Under the president’s flagship climate change law, consumers are entitled to up to $7,500 in subsidies for electric vehicles. Purchasing EVs manufactured in the U.S. using primarily domestic materials.
In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce counterattacked Last week, it said the U.S. rules “discriminate against Chinese companies and violate WTO rules.” Excluding Chinese suppliers from U.S. tax incentives is “typical of non-market-oriented policies and practices,” the department said.
The rule, aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains in a new era of decoupling, comes as part of the president’s plan to cut global warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. This is likely to hinder Biden’s efforts to boost sales of EVs.
Also at stake is America’s aim to curb China’s dominance in a field that is booming as countries transition to electric vehicles. China’s two largest battery manufacturers, CATL and BYD, together accounted for about 53% of global EV battery usage in the first 10 months of this year, according to data from China. SNE Research.
According to the research firm, as of the third quarter of this year, China was the world’s largest EV market with a 58% share, followed by the United States and Germany. counterpoint.
Major South Korean companies such as LG, Samsung, and SK On offer competitive alternatives to China’s cheap and advanced batteries and are most likely to benefit from deteriorating US-China relations. . But even the South Korean company is reeling from new geopolitical complications.
Even though SK-on has been approached by both Ford and Hyundai to launch battery projects in the United States, Choi Tae-won, president of parent company SK Group, recently said, blamed The US keeps battery costs high. The artillery division of South Korean conglomerates is now forced to look elsewhere for materials outside of China.China Owns the majority of the global supply chain for EV batteriesfrom mining rare minerals to refining and cell production.
To maintain cost appeal, Chinese battery companies are setting up factories in the U.S. and requiring buyers to continue to qualify for the EV tax credit. Industry giants like Gotion, BYD, and CATL have strategic plans to manufacture in the United States, but the path is not without obstacles. Ford, for example, suspended plans to build a $3.5 billion EV battery factory with CATL in Michigan as U.S. politicians scrutinize its contract with the Chinese company.
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