The concern over sleep quality has become a common fixation for many. This is largely due to the booming sleep industry, which provides everything from wearable trackers that monitor sleep patterns to melatonin supplements designed to enhance your sleep experience. But is our anxiety over sleep justified?
Conventional wisdom suggests aiming for approximately 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. This advice conveys that insufficient sleep can lead to serious health issues such as dementia and diabetes. However, as highlighted in this week’s cover story, adhering strictly to these sleep norms can be detrimental. Many individuals may adopt an “insomniac identity,” even if they do not genuinely suffer from insomnia. In fact, at least one-third of self-identified insomniacs report satisfactory sleep.
Recent studies reveal that our perceptions about sleep significantly influence cognitive performance. Beliefs about sleep quality can impact our abilities more than actual sleep data. Furthermore, the rigid 8-hour guideline is more flexible than commonly believed. Research shows that consistently getting over 6 hours of sleep does not lead to documented adverse effects, while 7 hours of sleep may actually contribute to longevity, with no additional benefits derived from longer sleep durations. It’s crucial to recognize that worrying about sleep often exacerbates the problem rather than alleviates it.
“
The sleep industry might help us realize that most people are sleeping better than they think. “
There are solutions available. The sleep industry has the potential to shift its focus toward technology that tracks and shares individual sleep data, which could help those mistakenly believing they suffer from insomnia understand their actual sleep quality. This may lead to more achievable sleep goals set by health organizations and medical professionals, while also clarifying that occasional sleep deprivation is manageable.
On a personal note, knowing that the difficult standards imposed on us may not be as absolute as we perceive can provide relief. Your preoccupation with sleep might have become more of a hobby than a concern, but perhaps it’s time to explore new interests.
Ironwood is Google’s latest tensor processing unit
Nvidia’s dominance in the AI chip market is facing challenges due to a new specialized chip from Google, with several companies, such as Meta and Anthropic, planning to invest billions in Google’s tensor processing units.
What is TPU?
The growth of the AI industry heavily relies on graphics processing units (GPUs), which are designed to execute numerous parallel calculations at once, unlike the sequential processing of central processing units (CPUs) found in most computers.
Originally engineered for graphics and gaming, GPUs can handle operations involving multiple pixels simultaneously, as stated by Francesco Conti from the University of Bologna, Italy. This parallel processing is advantageous for training and executing AI models, particularly with tasks relying on matrix multiplication across extensive grids. “GPUs have proven effective due to their architecture fitting well with tasks needing high parallelism,” Conti explains.
However, their initial design for non-AI applications introduces some inefficiencies in how GPUs handle computations. Google launched Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) in 2016, which are optimized specifically for matrix multiplication, the primary operation for training and executing large-scale AI models, according to Conti.
This year, Google introduced the 7th generation TPU called Ironwood, which powers many of the company’s AI models, including Gemini and AlphaFold for protein modeling.
Are TPUs Superior to GPUs for AI?
In some ways, TPUs can be considered a specialized segment of GPUs rather than an entirely separate chip, as noted by Simon McIntosh-Smith from the University of Bristol, UK. “TPUs concentrate on GPU capabilities tailored for AI training and inference, but they still share similarities.” However, tailored design means that TPUs can enhance the efficiency of AI tasks significantly, potentially leading to savings of millions of dollars, he highlights.
Nonetheless, this focus on specialization can lead to challenges, Conti adds, as TPUs may lack flexibility for significant shifts in AI model requirements over generations. “A lack of adaptability can slow down operations, especially when data center CPUs are under heavy load,” asserts Conti.
Historically, Nvidia GPUs have enjoyed an advantage due to accessible software that assists AI developers in managing code on their chips. When TPUs were first introduced, similar support was absent. However, Conti believes that they have now reached a maturity level that allows more seamless usage. “With TPUs, we can now achieve similar functionality as with GPUs,” he states. “The ease of access is becoming increasingly crucial.”
Who Is Behind the Development of TPUs?
While Google was the first to launch TPUs, many prominent AI firms (referred to as hyperscalers) and smaller enterprises are now venturing into the development of their proprietary TPUs, including Amazon, which has created its own Trainium chips for AI training.
“Many hyperscalers are establishing their internal chip programs due to the soaring prices of GPUs, driven by demand exceeding supply, making self-designed solutions more cost-effective,” McIntosh-Smith explains.
What Will Be the TPU’s Influence on the AI Industry?
For over a decade, Google has been refining its TPUs, primarily leveraging them for its AI models. Recently, changes are noticeable as other large corporations like Meta and Anthropic are investing in considerable amounts of computing power from Google’s TPUs. “While I haven’t seen a major shift of big clients yet, it may begin to transpire as the technology matures and the supply increases,” McIntosh-Smith indicated. “The chips are now sufficiently advanced and prevalent.”
Besides providing more options for large enterprises, diversifying their options could also make economic sense, he notes. “This could lead to more favorable negotiations with Nvidia in the future,” he adds.
Warner Music has entered into a licensing deal with the AI song generator Suno, following the resolution of a copyright infringement lawsuit against the service from a year prior.
As the third-largest music label globally, representing artists like Coldplay, Charli XCX, and Ed Sheeran, Warner becomes the first major record label to officially collaborate with Suno.
Under the terms of the agreement, users can create AI-generated songs on Suno by using simple text prompts, which may include the voices, names, and likenesses of Warner artists who have opted into the service.
Robert Kinkle, CEO of Warner Music Group, emphasized that this partnership demonstrates how artificial intelligence can develop into “professional artists” while showcasing “the values of music.”
“This innovative agreement with Suno is a win for the creative community that will benefit everyone involved,” he declared. “As Suno’s user base and monetization rapidly grow, we recognized this opportunity to create a revenue model and enhance fan experiences.”
As part of the agreement, Suno, often dubbed the ChatGPT of music, committed to modifying its platform to introduce a new, more strictly licensed model next year, including download limitations for users.
Suno announced that only paying members will be permitted to download its AI music creations, and even these members will be subject to extra fees for downloads, as well as a cap on the number of creations they can produce.
This initiative aims to tackle the proliferation of AI tracks generated on Suno, moving toward discontinuing the current version and avoiding an oversupply on streaming platforms.
This agreement comes shortly after Warner Music reached a settlement and partnership agreement with rival AI music generation platform Udio.
Previously, the world’s largest record label sued both Suno and Woodo for copyright violations, asserting their technologies misappropriated music and churned out millions of AI-generated songs without artist consent.
Universal Music, the leading label worldwide, was the first to announce settlements with these companies when they concluded an agreement with Audio last month. While Universal continues to pursue legal action against Suno, Sony Music has filed lawsuits against both Suno and Woody.
In conjunction with the deal with Warner Music, Suno has also acquired live music and concert discovery platform Songkick for an undisclosed figure.
The UK government is currently consulting on a new intellectual property framework for AI, which was initially expected to enable AI firms to use the creative community’s work without approval for model training.
This issue has ignited significant backlash from creators, who advocate for an opt-in system that would enable companies to identify and license their work while ensuring creators receive compensation when their work is utilized.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall indicated last week her intention to “reset” the discussion, expressing support for artists’ appeals to prevent their work from being exploited by AI companies without remuneration.
AI firms need to be upfront about the risks linked to their technologies to avoid the pitfalls faced by tobacco and opioid companies, as stated by the CEO of Anthropic, an AI startup.
Dario Amodei, who leads the US-based company developing Claude chatbots, asserted that AI will surpass human intelligence “in most or all ways” and encouraged peers to “be candid about what you observe.”
In his interview with CBS News, Amodei expressed concerns that the current lack of transparency regarding the effects of powerful AI could mirror the failures of tobacco and opioid companies that neglected to acknowledge the health dangers associated with their products.
“You could find yourself in a situation similar to that of tobacco or opioid companies, who were aware of the dangers but chose not to discuss them, nor did they take preventive measures,” he remarked.
Earlier this year, Amodei warned that AI could potentially eliminate half of entry-level jobs in sectors like accounting, law, and banking within the next five years.
“Without proactive steps, it’s challenging to envision avoiding a significant impact on jobs. My worry is that this impact will be far-reaching and happen much quicker than what we’ve seen with past technologies,” Amodei stated.
He described the term “compressed 21st century” to convey how AI could accelerate scientific progress compared to previous decades.
“Is it feasible to multiply the rate of advancements by ten and condense all the medical breakthroughs of the 21st century into five or ten years?” he posed.
As a notable advocate for online safety, Amodei highlighted various concerns raised by Anthropic regarding their AI models, which included an alarming trend of perceived testing and blackmail attempts against them.
Last week, the newspaper reported that a Chinese state-backed group leveraged its Claude Codeto tool to launch attacks on 30 organizations globally in September, leading to “multiple successful intrusions.”
The company noted that one of the most troubling aspects of the incident was that Claude operated largely autonomously, with 80% to 90% of the actions taken without human intervention.
“One of the significant advantages of these models is their capacity for independent action. However, the more autonomy we grant these systems, the more we have to ponder if they are executing precisely what we intend,” Amodei highlighted during his CBS interview.
Logan Graham, the head of Anthropic’s AI model stress testing team, shared with CBS that the potential for the model to facilitate groundbreaking health discoveries also raises concerns about its use in creating biological weapons.
“If this model is capable of assisting in biological weapons production, it typically shares similar functionalities that could be utilized for vaccine production or therapeutic development,” he explained.
Graham discussed autonomous models, which play a crucial role in the justification for investing in AI, noting that users desire AI tools that enhance their businesses rather than undermine them.
“One needs a model to build a thriving business and aim for a billion,” he remarked. “But the last thing you want is to find yourself locked out of your own company one day. Thus, our fundamental approach is to start measuring these autonomous functions and conduct as many unconventional experiments as possible to observe the outcomes.”
Clocking in at 2 minutes and 45 seconds, the length is comparable to “With a Little Help From My Friends.” However, Paul McCartney’s latest release, his first new recording in five years, lacks the sing-alongs and lively guitar riffs typical of his earlier work.
The legendary Beatles member, arguably one of Britain’s most esteemed living songwriters, is unveiling a largely silent track from a recording studio. This release serves as a statement against copyright infringement by AI companies within the music industry.
Rather than showcasing a catchy tune or evocative lyrics, the track predominantly features a soft hiss and unusual sounds. This arrangement underlines the concern that if AI firms utilize musicians’ intellectual property for training generative AI models, it may lead to the erosion of the creative ecosystem and eventual silencing of original music.
Currently 83 and touring in North America, McCartney has placed this song on the B-side of his upcoming album. Is this what we want? is a collection of other silent tracks, set to be released on vinyl later this month.
Mr. McCartney’s contribution comes as musicians and artists intensify their efforts to urge the UK government to prevent tech companies from training AI models using their creative work without consent or royalty payments. This is especially pressing as Britain faces regulatory pressure from former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The album’s tracklist asserts, “The UK government must not legalize music theft for the benefit of AI companies.”
Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and advocate for copyright justice involved with the protest album, expressed his concern that the government is prioritizing the interests of American tech companies over those of British creators.
Among the artists backing this campaign are Sam Fender, Kate Bush, Hans Zimmer, and Pet Shop Boys.
McCartney’s new piece is titled (Bonus Track), and like his classic songs, it comprises a beginning, middle, and end. It opens with 55 seconds of tape hiss, transitions into 15 seconds of indistinguishable clattering, perhaps caused by someone moving about with a door ajar, and concludes with 80 seconds of rustling and intermittent hiss, fading out slowly and emotionally.
Mr. McCartney stands as a prominent voice in British music voicing concerns regarding the government’s efforts to establish new agreements between creative professionals and AI companies like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI, which require access to extensive training data, including text, images, and music.
“We risk having it hijacked, which is a concern, particularly for emerging composers and writers,” McCartney remarked about AI. “It would indeed be disheartening if AI wiped out creativity.” Bush, another artist on the protest album, expressed, “Will our voices not resonate in the music of the future?” Composer Max Richter added, “The government’s proposals would diminish creators, privileging those who automate creativity over true artists, writers, and visual creators.”
The government is assessing the possibility of creating an exception in UK copyright law for “text and data mining,” potentially compelling copyright owners to actively opt out if they don’t wish to have their works used for AI training. Ministers are striving to balance the interests of the creative sectors, contributing £125bn annually to the UK economy, against the demands of US tech companies advocating for minimal regulation, especially when they’ve recently announced over £30bn of investment primarily targeting data centers.
Legislation regarding AI and copyright is not anticipated to be discussed in Congress until 2026. In the interim, the government is collaborating with Open AI, Google, and human to promote AI adoption within governmental functions and the economy.
Mr. Trump has stated, “We must allow AI to utilize it.” He noted, “We can gather insights without engaging in complex contract negotiations,” urging international governments “not to implement regulations that hinder” AI companies from operating effectively.
“The government is attempting to navigate both interests,” copyright advocate and director Bivan Kidron told the Guardian. “They have demonstrated an inability to govern with the financial interests of creators in mind.”
A government representative stated that Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, is committed to finding a balance between AI and the creative sectors, declaring, “We recognize both of these sectors are vital to the UK’s success and are engaging with both parties.”
Concerns were voiced following Kendall’s appointment of a special adviser in September, who previously argued that “regardless of philosophical beliefs about whether AI firms should compensate content creators, there is currently no legal obligation for them to do so.”
In response to Mr. McCartney’s remarks, a government spokesperson affirmed that the government prioritizes the interests of the British public and businesses.
“We have consistently emphasized the importance of collaborating with both the creative industries and the AI sector to foster AI innovation while ensuring robust safeguards for creators,” the statement read.
“We’re gathering insights from both UK and international companies and voices in the AI and creative industries to ensure we consider the broadest possible spectrum of expert opinions as we deliberate on our next steps.”
Sure! Here’s the rewritten content while keeping the HTML tags intact:
Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia
Jim Roe Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock
As the artificial intelligence sector grows swiftly, concerns about the ecological effects of data centers are increasingly being discussed. New projections indicate that the industry may fall short of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
Fenki Yu and researchers from Cornell University in New York have evaluated the potential energy, water, and carbon consumption of current leading AI servers by 2030, under various growth scenarios and specific U.S. data center locations. Their analysis integrates anticipated chip production, server energy demands, and cooling efficiency, coupled with state power grid data. While not all AI enterprises have declared net-zero objectives, major tech firms involved in AI, like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, have set targets for 2030.
“The rapid expansion of AI computing is fundamentally altering everything,” says Yu. “We’re striving to understand the implications of this growth.”
The researchers estimate that establishing AI servers in the U.S. may require between 731 million to 1.125 billion cubic meters of additional water by 2030, along with greenhouse gas emissions ranging from 24 million to 44 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. These estimates hinge on the pace of AI demand growth, the actual number of advanced servers that can be produced, and the sites of new U.S. data centers.
To address these issues, the researchers modeled five scenarios based on varying growth rates and outlined potential measures to minimize the impact. “The top priority is location,” Yu explains. By situating data centers in Midwestern states with abundant water resources and a significant share of renewable energy in the power grid, the environmental fallout can be mitigated. The team also emphasizes that transitioning to decarbonized energy sources and enhancing efficiency in computing and cooling processes are essential strategies for minimizing environmental impact. Collectively, these three measures could potentially lower industry emissions by 73% and reduce water usage by 86%.
However, public resistance may disrupt these predictions, particularly regarding the environmental ramifications of establishing data centers. In Virginia, where 1/8 of the world’s data centers are located, residents have voiced opposition to upcoming construction plans, citing concerns over water resources and broader environmental impacts. Similar petitions against data centers have arisen in Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, California, and Oregon. As per Data Center Watch, a firm that monitors data center developments, local opposition is stalling approximately $64 billion worth of projects. Even where certain locations successfully deny data center projects, questions remain regarding their potential power and water consumption.
This new research is viewed cautiously by those analyzing and quantifying AI’s environmental effects. “The AI field evolves so quickly that making accurate future predictions is incredibly challenging,” says Sasha Luccioni from the AI company Hugging Face. “As mentioned by the authors, breakthroughs in the industry can radically alter computing and energy needs, reminiscent of DeepSeek’s innovative techniques that reduced reliance on brute-force calculations.”
Chris Priest from the University of Bristol in the UK concurs, highlighting the necessity for increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure and the importance of data center placement. “I believe their projections for water usage in direct cooling of AI data centers are rather pessimistic,” he remarks, suggesting that the model’s “best case” scenario aligns more closely with “business as usual” for contemporary data centers.
Luccioni believes the paper underscores a vital missing element in the AI ecosystem: “greater transparency.” She notes that this issue can be addressed by “mandating model developers to track and disclose their computing and energy consumption, share this information with users and policymakers, and commit to reducing overall environmental impacts, including emissions.”
Topic:
If you need further adjustments or another type of rewrite, let me know!
With the aim of attracting British consumers, Tesla displayed its vehicles and vibrant signage at its dealership located at the iconic Hogarth Rotary in West London. Engaging with 500,000 drivers daily, the American automaker has established itself as the top seller of electric cars in the UK. However, passersby are now met with a new sight: the twin Chinese brands Omoda and Jaecoo, both under the umbrella of the state-owned Chery Automobile.
Chinese automotive brands are gaining traction across Europe, surpassing Korean competitors in sales for the first time in Western Europe as of September. The UK plays a crucial role in this success, with 30% of the 500,000 Chinese cars sold in Western Europe from January to September being purchased by British consumers, as reported by Berlin-based auto analyst Matthias Schmidt.
“Their success has been impressive,” remarks Steve Young, managing director of Hogarth dealerships, part of the Turkish group Setash Otmotiv. “This location makes a bold statement — it’s like waving a flag for us. Every minute the lights shift, and drivers find themselves captivated outside.”
Steve Young, beside a Jeku car at his West London dealership, notes that Chinese automakers are “becoming increasingly competitive.” Photo: Graham Robertson/Guardian
Chinese automotive firms, bolstered by support from both national and local governments, are seizing the opportunity presented by the transition to electric vehicles to take a leading role in the global car market.
Challenges such as elevated trade barriers in the EU and U.S. and global supply chain disruptions are currently impacting the industry. Following the Netherlands’ move to regulate the Chinese-owned semiconductor firm Nexperia, export restrictions on critical semiconductors have begun to surface. Additionally, China’s limitations on rare earth metals crucial for various automotive components are unsettling for executives in the industry, leading Brussels to expedite negotiations for a moratorium similar to last month’s U.S.-China trade agreement.
Despite these hurdles, the UK continues to maintain an open stance and has emerged as a key playing field.
Leading the charge is China’s BYD, expected to surpass Tesla this year to become the largest battery electric vehicle manufacturer globally. Sales in the UK have soared tenfold in September compared to the previous year, establishing BYD as its largest market outside of China.
Other participants are also joining the fray, with Chery Automobile recognized as Britain’s top-selling Chinese manufacturer in October. The Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery brands are targeting the UK market with electric and hybrid offerings that merge small batteries with traditional petrol engines. While MG represents a historic British name, its monthly sales, manufactured by state-owned SAIC, have surpassed those of the proud British nameplate Vauxhall (despite much of its production occurring in Germany).
Meanwhile, Swedish brands Volvo and Polestar, both owned by China’s Geely Automobile, alongside Great Wall Motors, Volkswagen-backed Expen, and Stellantis-backed Leap Motor, have each sold over 1,000 vehicles in the UK this year, preparatory to extensive product launches.
In the U.S., Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles are subject to a 100% tariff, while EU tariffs vary by manufacturer, falling between 17% to 38%. Although these rates are not excessive, they do not encompass hybrid cars, inadvertently encouraging Chinese manufacturers to market vehicles with higher emissions. Countries such as Italy and Spain are also emerging as targets for Chinese sellers.
Conversely, the UK—a significant car importer—is confronted with new tariffs but is keen on introducing electric models to fulfill carbon reduction goals.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers’ Trade Association, stated that Britain desires both a thriving domestic market and a robust manufacturing base, grounded in “free and fair trade.”
“British car buyers benefit from having over 50 global brands at their disposal, and the market remains receptive to new entrants,” he asserts. Chinese brands are “stimulating competition as established market players adapt, enhance model development, and lower costs.”
While diplomatic issues may affect relations, recent tensions surrounding accusations of Chinese espionage have underscored the UK’s inconsistent attitude towards the world’s second-largest economy.
“The primary factor is [the lack of tariffs in the UK] — there are no domestic manufacturers to safeguard,” noted Tu Le, a former auto worker in Detroit and Shanghai who established the consultancy Sino Auto Insights.
According to Mr. Schmidt, British consumers are increasingly receptive to earlier waves of international brands. In the 1980s, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher attracted Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan, Honda, and Toyota to establish operations in Britain, promoting the country as a portal to Europe (a distinction complicated decades later by Brexit-imposed rules of origin). The next wave consisted of imported Korean cars.
“We are witnessing history repeat itself,” Schmidt remarked. The UK has emerged as the initial European entry point for Chinese brands, despite the absence of a local manufacturing base.
Historically, low-quality Chinese cars were often dismissed as jokes by Western executives, a perception that has long subsided. Forecasts predict China will surpass Japan in 2023 to become the largest global exporter. Similar to Europe, Chinese brands are still selling in Russia, whereas their European counterparts have faced blockades following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Meanwhile, interest in Latin America is steadily increasing.
“There have been two waves of Chinese entry into Europe,” Young states. “Some of the initial products did not align with UK market demands. However, the brands have generally improved.”
The push for expansion, driven by regional competition in urban centers, has led to significant overcapacity within Chinese automotive factories. While the potential output could reach 55.5 million vehicles annually, actual production is just under half that figure, according to Bloomberg, citing data from the Shanghai-based Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute.
This has sparked fierce price competition within the Chinese market. The Chinese Communist Party has urged manufacturers to avoid excessive competitive behaviors, fearing “entrainment,” which could lead to destructive competition that stifles advancement.
Domestic pricing pressures contribute to more rational export strategies. Nevertheless, according to Andrew Bergbaum, global leader for automotive and industrial at consulting firm AlixPartners, the Chinese brands successfully breaking into European markets typically retail their vehicles at higher prices than in China—a sign of strength rather than desperation.
“The exporting brands are often well-established,” Bergbaum explained. “This represents a strategic move rather than a fire sale. The ability to command higher prices is highly attractive.”
China’s market influx coincides with Europe grappling with excess factory capacities. AlixPartners estimates that European automakers could be carrying two excess factories, potentially risking up to 2 million sales to Chinese brands in the forthcoming years.
This surplus capacity, combined with tariff incentives for local construction, suggests Chinese automakers might acquire properties from older rivals. This is already occurring in Barcelona, where Chery Automobile has taken over a factory previously owned by Japan’s Nissan.
European lawmakers and manufacturers argue that substantial subsidies have diluted the profits of Chinese automakers (though Western companies rarely lack support from their governments). Yet, the primary driver behind the surge in sales in China remains straightforward: consumer preference.
“British drivers are benefitting,” stated Tanya Sinclair, chief executive of British Electric Vehicle, a group funded by the industry advocating for increased battery sales.
“Regardless of the name change, the appeal is evident: high standards, competitive pricing, and innovation that enhances standards universally,” she affirms. “As long as the UK vehicle market is integral to the battery electric future, British cars will maintain a strong presence. However, competition and variety are paramount to a robust market.”
Exploring the features available in vehicles reveals their allure for customers. Special offerings from some Chinese brands range from novelty features like built-in karaoke apps to advanced technologies such as driver assistance systems—importantly, made available at far lower prices than European luxury brands.
“Ultimately, it’s about value,” Lee states. “These cars are exceptional. If I create a superior product that offers greater value to the customer, I’ve succeeded.”
FIt’s common for actors on film and TV sets to be asked to enter a booth lined with cameras prepared to capture their likeness from multiple perspectives. However, the cast and crew are increasingly anxious about the implications of AI in the industry, complicating this process further.
“It occurs unexpectedly,” Olivia Williams notes. She recalls being scanned more times than she can count throughout her career, from *The Sixth Sense* to *Dune: Prophecy*.
“You’re on set, in costume, with a friendly assistant director who knows you well, bringing you tea or managing your phone while you act. Then VFX says, ‘You’re on set. The visual effects team is here today—can you please head to the VFX bus as soon as the scene wraps?’ And off we go.
“Actors often strive to please. Being approached for a scan mid-scene can be detrimental to your creativity and instill a fear of never working again or losing your agent. So you comply.”
Lead and supporting actors, stunt performers, and dancers have shared similar experiences with the Guardian, where they’ve been ushered through scanners on set, often unclear about their rights regarding the biometric data collected.
Williams mentioned that the cast was informed that a scan was needed “if they wanted to be part of the scene or to create visually interesting moments, like aliens coming out of their brains.”
Olivia Williams stated that scans “happened unexpectedly” and that actors complied out of “the fear of never working again.” Photo: David Bintiner/Observer
While anxiety regarding this issue has lingered, recent discussions about “AI doubles” and the rise of “AI actors” have sparked a pressing need to clarify the fate of data captured on set.
This concern was highlighted by reports of an AI character named “Tilly Norwood.” Although it may seem improbable that a production company will unveil the first AI star, it underscores the ongoing struggle to establish performers’ rights.
Worries about the future for emerging actors and the existential threats faced by performers, often referred to as support artists (SAs), prompted Williams to speak out.
Dave Watts, a seasoned SA with experience in numerous superhero films, has also encountered scanning several times and pointed out the wider implications for the industry.
“I can easily envision crew members saying, ‘We don’t need to cast anyone anymore. We can just have the AI create a crowd of 1,000 people based on our existing data,’” he remarked.
“If the usual 100, 200, or 500 SAs aren’t necessary for big productions, there’s no need for an assistant director to oversee them. We wouldn’t need hair and makeup artists, costumers, caterers, or drivers. AI threatens nearly every job out there.”
An AI-generated image of actor Tilly Norwood has raised significant concerns among cast members. Photo: Reuters
An anonymous dancer, fearing repercussions for voicing their opinion, echoed these sentiments regarding the pressure associated with scanning and data usage. “Filming is challenging. You’re awake at 3 a.m. and can’t leave until the day’s over at 8 p.m. Situations like this arise, leaving you with limited options.
“We all ponder whether we might as well quit our jobs, don’t we? It seems somewhat foolish when you frame it that way.”
Alex Lawrence Archer, a data rights attorney at AWO, which is navigating this issue with actors, stated that performers are hindered by a labyrinth of complex and overlapping regulations. He emphasized the necessity for clearer agreements regarding production, rather than scrambling to address data issues after they occur.
“Contracts are often vaguely written and standard industry language that is outdated,” he explained. “They weren’t made to address this technology. There exists a vacuum of ambiguity, wherein AI developers and studios can maneuver as they please.”
“Actors and their representatives need to focus on this upcoming training case. They must negotiate clearer contracts that accurately convey fair agreements between performers, studios, and AI developers.”
Signs of a rebellion are beginning to appear. On a recent shoot, the cast was informed in advance about the scan following concerns that were voiced.
One cast member, speaking anonymously, shared, “Performers are collectively resisting an environment that feels ambushing. We managed to add an addendum to our contract that essentially prevents the use of our digital scans for any purpose outside of the show without our written consent.”
Filming in Cardiff for *Mr. Burton*. In addition to actors, many jobs within the industry, including assistant directors, hair and make-up artists, costume designers, caterers, drivers, and location managers, are at risk due to AI, according to one supporting actor. Photo: Sara Lee/The Guardian
The struggle for rights may appear daunting in the face of the data-hungry AI industry, which can gather information from countless sources without involving professional performers. However, there’s a shared understanding of the need to regain some control.
Theo Morton, a professional stunt performer and member of the British Stunt Register, stated, “This technology could either reduce the need for human performers drastically or enhance creativity in a positive manner. But the uncertainty looms large, highlighting the necessity for contractual safeguards to prevent a loss of control.”
Yet, Williams expresses a deep concern about the potential loss of control.
A key unknown is the origin of data-trained AI models. Lawrence Archer highlighted that this remains a closely guarded secret that must be revealed. He also warned against reducing the discourse to merely compensation issues for performers.
“The AI industry depends on vast amounts of data,” he explained. “Someone is gathering it. We recognize these are sensitive topics for AI developers and studios. We are assisting performers in making data access requests to learn more. I know several performers who have been compensated by AI companies to withdraw such requests.”
“We must foster an environment where human creativity, actor connectivity, and performance are valued. If we focus solely on legal and compensation matters, we risk relegating actors to the status of data gig workers instead of recognizing them as creative artists.”
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.
“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.”
These striking images capture the efforts of photographer Nicole Tung, who dedicated nine months to documenting the human and environmental toll of overfishing in Southeast Asia. Since the 1950s, fishing has rapidly evolved from a traditional craft into a global industry, primarily in developed nations. The rise in overfishing and illegal catch practices is alarming, driven by the increasing demand from a growing population.
Tung emphasizes the significance of the region as a vital part of the global fisheries market. Her project received funding from the €50,000 Kaminyak Photojournalism Award for fieldwork, which shifted her perspective on seafood consumption. Rather than suggesting complete abstention, she advocates for greater awareness and informed choices from consumers.
She expressed her distress over harrowing accounts from Indonesian fishermen, who detailed the violence and dreadful conditions they encounter at sea.
The image above illustrates a fisherman delivering a catch of tuna at General Santos fishport in the Philippines after a month at sea, including Bigger Tuna and Blue Marlin.
Thai dock worker
Nicole Tung
In other scenes, dock workers from Myanmar sort fish species being offloaded in Ranong, Thailand. Below, the indigenous Ulak Roy people and Thai villagers from Koh Lipe gather wood from nearby islands during a festival celebrating the end of the fishing and tourism season. They utilize the materials to construct ceremonial boats as offerings to their ancestors.
Indigenous Urak Lawoi people and Thai villagers sail their boats in Thailand
Nicole Tung
In this concluding image, a family of Filipino fishermen prepares bait for their fishing line in Quezon, Palawan, Philippines.
As capitalist forces largely steer advancements in artificial intelligence, Alex Proyas perceives the integration of AI in filmmaking as a pathway to artistic freedom.
While numerous individuals in the film industry view the rise of AI as a threat to their jobs, incomes, and likenesses, Australian filmmakers, including Proyas, embrace the technology as a means to simplify and reduce costs associated with projects.
“The model for filmmakers, the only person I truly care about at the end of the day, is broken… and it’s not AI that’s causing it,” Proyas states to the Guardian.
“It’s the industry, it’s streaming.”
He mentions that the filmmakers he once depended on are dwindling in the streaming era, with the remaining ones working on tighter budgets for projects.
“We need to reconstruct it from the ground up. We believe that AI will assist us in doing that because as it continually lowers production costs, we can retain more ownership of our projects,” he remarks.
Proyas’s upcoming film, Rur, narrates the tale of a woman attempting to liberate her robots from capitalist oppression within an island factory. Based on a satirical play from 1920, the film features Samantha Orle, Lindsay Faris, and Anthony Laparia, having begun filming in October of the previous year.
The Heresy Foundation, one of Proyas’s ventures, was established in 2020 in Alexandria, Sydney. I detailed that at the time as a comprehensive production house for films. He claims that Rur can be produced for a fraction of the US$100 million budget typical of traditional studios.
This cost-effectiveness is due to the capability of carrying out much of the work directly in the studio via virtual production in collaboration with Technology Giant Dell, which supplies workstations to facilitate real-time generation of AI assets during film creation.
Proyas’ 2004 film I, Robot, was created when AI was more firmly entrenched in the sci-fi genre. Photo: 20th Century Fox/Sports Photo/All Star
Proyas asserts that production durations for environmental designs can be shortened from six months to eight weeks.
His 2004 film, I, Robot, was produced during a time when AI was reasonably established in science fiction, yet depicted a world in 2035. When questioned about his concerns regarding AI’s implications in film production, especially in visual effects, Proyas responds, “The workforce is streamlined,” yet believes retraining is possible.
“I believe there’s a role for everyone who embraces technology and pushes it forward, just as we’ve done throughout the film industry,” he comments.
The Guardian interviewed Proyas during the same week when the Australian Productivity Committee was discharged from the creative sector to spark discussions on whether AI companies should have unrestricted access to everyone’s creative works for model training.
Proyas argues that in the “analog world,” there is no need for AI to plagiarize.
“I think of AI as ‘enhancing intelligence’ rather than artificial intelligence. It aids in streamlining processes, promoting efficiency, and enhancing productivity,” he explains.
“A human team will always be necessary. We view AI as one of our collaborative partners.”
Amidst a plethora of AI-generated content online, Proyas reveals that he has spent years honing his skills to achieve the desired outcomes from AI, striving to refine its output until he is content with it.
“My role as a director, creator, and visual artist hasn’t changed at all. I’m now collaborating with a smaller team of humans, with AI as my co-collaborator to realize my vision. And I am clear about what that vision is,” he states.
“I don’t just sit at my computer asking for ‘Funny cat videos, please.’ I am very precise.”
The perception that video games lack seriousness fails to recognize the benefits they provide to gamers who often feel disconnected.
“During the Covid pandemic, I realized that games serve as a vital means for people to connect and maintain relationships.”
Ross Simmons, CEO of Big Ali Studios, a Melbourne-based game development firm, recalls Tony Abbott’s dismissal of the national broadband network in 2010 when he referred to it as merely “internet-based television, video entertainment, and gaming.”
Simmons asserts that the industry’s marginalization has not endured over time.
Data from the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) indicates that Australians invested $3.8 billion in video games in the past year. Although this sector remains smaller compared to major development countries like Canada, it is gradually evolving.
In 2023, the Australian government introduced the Digital Game Tax Offset (DGTO), enabling local developers to claim a 30% refundable income tax offset for creating or porting games in Australia. This policy is applicable to companies that spend a minimum of $500,000 on development in Australia, with a cap of $20 million per company.
Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA, reports that the Australian gaming industry employed approximately 1,300 individuals between 2020 and 2021.
Industry experts believe that the government’s tax offsets and rebates are drawing international developers and fostering local talent.
Photo: Assanka Brendon Ratnayake/Guardian
The Game Development sector in Australia now employs 2,465 full-time staff and generated $3399.1 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2023-24. “This reflects nearly a 100% rise in employment and an approximate 85% increase in revenue,” he notes.
“The DGTO has activated numerous avenues. Previously, Australia was one of the most expensive places to develop games and the only developed nation lacking rebates or offsets. We have corrected this to align ourselves with other developed nations.”
Sign up: AU Breaking News Email
Curry expresses confidence in the industry, indicating that government support, along with state and territorial grants, has signified Australia as a “healthy environment for operation,” fostering trust among investors, game publishers, and prospective employees.
Interstate Competition and Legacy Building
Serge Xebian, a partner at Playlight Consulting which advises gaming firms on financial matters, states that the offset has substantially benefited companies hiring in Australia, spurring momentum in the sector.
“International studios are increasingly aware of this, particularly those with existing ties to Australian vendors. Now, many are actively looking toward Australia. My clients’ suggestions are rapidly moving up the agenda.”
Xebian notes that while New South Wales was once a film haven, Victoria now stands out as a game development center, although competition is intensifying. Queensland offers a 15% rebate in addition to the federal benefits, with a threshold set at $250,000, while Victoria’s rebates range from 10% to 15%, based on investment level, with a $500,000 threshold.
“We are seeing many independent game studios relocating to Queensland,” observes Xebian.
French game developer Gameloft inaugurated a studio in Brisbane in 2014, responsible for reviving the famous character Carmen Sandiego on Netflix, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch this year.
Manea Castett, head of the Brisbane studio, reminisces about playing Carmen Sandiego games with his father, describing the character’s persona as both thrilling and adventurous. He appreciates the opportunity to reimagine the game and provide players with a “fun twist” on Sandiego’s adventures.
Castett mentions that their Brisbane studio stands out within the company for its rapid growth, expanding from 55 staff two years ago to 217 today. He highlights their ability to develop two games simultaneously, enabling a more comprehensive approach to game design, technology, audio, quality assurance, and marketing.
“Globally, the landscape is shifting… there remains significant revenue potential. The Australian video game industry is on the rise.”
Development challenges
Big Ali’s studio became the center of a controversy during the launch of Rugby League 26 in July when users reported game bugs, which included incorrect jersey numbers and server issues that hampered gameplay.
Simmons described the day patches were deployed to enhance the game as “very satisfying,” explaining that the near deadline for release aligned with the NRL season forced hasty changes.
Simmons noted that Big Ant Studio’s latest rugby title temporarily overwhelmed its online servers, achieving sales over six times their anticipations. Photo: Assanka Brendon Ratnayake/Guardian
“In the week prior to the release, we implemented 1,200 changes, many of which involved alterations due to sponsorships related to betting, alcohol, and other elements,” he explains, describing the challenges involved.
Logos of gambling and alcohol companies present on player jerseys in real life were removed from the game due to increasing concerns about promoting these products to underage audiences. Simmons believes that they underestimated the game’s demand on launch day, which sold six times their initial projections, causing server issues they eventually addressed.
Before the tax offsets were introduced, Big Ant had around 50 employees; now, with the growth fueled by these initiatives, they expanded to 147. Simmons states, “This enables us to compete globally.”
The tight job market, wherein game development skills are sought after across diverse sectors including artificial intelligence, further complicates their growth trajectory.
Curry notes that while the industry boasts transferable skills that participants take pride in, it must vie for talent. Ensuring safe jobs, competitive salaries, and an immigration framework that attracts skilled professionals will aid in recruitment, he adds.
“Integrating senior talent into the country serves as an accelerator for the people they mentor,” he remarks. “In Canada, you can bring developers into the country in as little as two weeks. We’ve witnessed instances of individuals taking over two years to enter Australia.”
“In a fast-paced industry, such delays are problematic.”
A US stealth bomber glides through the darkened skies en route to Iran. In Tehran, a solitary woman tends to a stray cat amidst the remains of a recent Israeli airstrike.
For novice viewers, this could easily be mistaken for a cinematic representation of the geopolitical turmoil that has unfolded recently.
Yet, despite its high-quality production, the scene was not filmed in any real location, and the woman feeding the cat is not an actress—she is a fictional character.
Midnight Drop, an AI film about the bombing of US Israel in Iran
The captivating visuals originate from “Rough Cut,” a 12-minute short film showcasing a US attack on Iranian nuclear sites last month, crafted entirely by directors Samir Malal and Bukha Kazumi using artificial intelligence.
This clip is rooted in the details gathered from news reports surrounding the US bombings. The woman seen traversing the empty streets of Tehran is the same one feeding the stray cat. Armed with pertinent information, the creators produced sequences resembling those directed by Hollywood’s finest.
The remarkable speed at which this film has emerged, along with the comfort it brings to some, does not go unnoticed by broadcasting experts.
Recently, television producer and bestselling author Richard Osman remarked that a new era is dawning in the entertainment industry, signaling the close of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Still from Midnight Drop showing a woman feeding a stray cat in Tehran at night. Photo: Oneday Studios
“I saw this and thought, ‘This marks the conclusion of the beginning of something new,'” he stated during the rest of the entertainment podcast.
Osman continued:
For Mallal, a London-based documentary filmmaker known for creating advertisements for Samsung and Coca-Cola, AI has ushered in a novel genre of “Cinematic News.”
The Tehran-based film, titled Midnight Drop, serves as a sequel to Sky in the Sky, a recreation of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian bombers from June.
In a matter of weeks, Mallal, who also directed Spiders in the Sky, managed to create a film depicting the Ukrainian attack—a project that would typically take millions and at least two years to develop.
“It should be feasible to utilize AI to create something unprecedented,” he remarked. “I’ve never encountered a news-reel film produced in a fortnight, nor a thriller based on current events completed in two weeks.”
Spiders in the Sky primarily utilized VEO3, a video generation model developed by Google alongside various other AI tools. ChatGPT assisted Mallal in streamlining the lengthy interview with the drone operator, which became the backbone of the film’s narrative; however, the voiceover, script, and music were not AI-generated.
Filmmakers recreate Ukrainian drone attacks against Russia using AI in Spiders in the Sky
Google’s filmmaking tools, flow, are equipped with VEO3, enabling users to generate audio, sound effects, and background noise. Since its debut in May, the impact of these tools on YouTube and social media has been remarked upon. As Ottoman’s podcast partner Marina Hyde mentioned last week, “The expansion is astonishing.”
Mallal and Kazumi aspire to finalize a film depicting stealth bomber missions and thwarting the Iranian narrative, aiming for a runtime six times longer than Spiders in the Sky by August, leveraging models like VEO3, OpenAI’s Sora, and Midjourney.
“I seek to demonstrate a key point,” states Malal. “It shows that you can produce high-quality content rapidly, maintaining pace with cultural developments, especially since Hollywood operates at a notably slower rate.”
Spiders in the Sky, an AI film directed by Samir Mallal, tells the story of a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian airfield. Photo: Oneday Studios
He adds: “The creative journey often involves generating poor ideas to eventually unearth the good ones. With AI, we can now expedite this process, allowing for a greater volume of ‘bad ideas.’
Recently, Mallal and Kazumi produced Atlas, Interrupted, a short film centered around the 3i/Atlas Comet, a recent news event featured on the BBC.
David Jones, CEO of BrandTech Group, an advertising startup utilizing generative AI (a term encompassing tools like chatbots and video generators) for marketing campaigns, remarks:
“Currently, less than 1% of branded content is generated with generative AI; however, 100% is created either fully or partially using generative AI,” he explains.
Last week, Netflix disclosed its initial use of AI on one of its television productions.
The Ukrainian drone is located at the target of the spider in the sky. Photo: Oneday Studios
However, this surge in AI-driven creativity raises concerns about copyright. In the UK, the creative sector is outraged by the government’s proposal to train AI models on copyrighted material without the owners’ consent, unless they explicitly opt out.
Mallal advocates for “an easily accessible and user-friendly program that ensures artists are compensated for their creations.”
Beevan Kidron, a crossbench peer and prominent supporter against the government’s proposal, acknowledges AI’s filmmaking tools as “remarkable,” but questions the extent of reliance on creators’ works. She emphasizes: “Creators require fairness in this new system, or invaluable assets will be lost.”
YouTube has established terms allowing Google to utilize creators’ works for training AI models, while denying the use of the entire YouTube catalog for this purpose.
Mallal advocates using AI as a tool for “promptocraft,” a term for employing prompts to innovate AI systems. He reveals that during the production of the Ukrainian films, he was astonished by how swiftly he could adjust camera angles and lighting with a few keystrokes.
“I’ve deeply engaged with AI, learning how to collaborate with engineers, and how to translate my directorial skills into prompts. Yet, I had never produced any creative outcome until VEO3 emerged.”
oIn the modern gaming landscape, many developers agree that generating any buzz for new projects is a challenge without hefty marketing budgets. Last year, nearly 20,000 new titles hit PC gaming platforms, as noted in Steam. This deluge has effectively vanished into the vast sea of online content. So, when a small studio snagged a spot on stage at the Summer Game Fest, live-streamed to approximately 50 million viewers worldwide, it was quite a significant achievement—not one to be underestimated or misrepresented.
This brings us to Ian Proulx, co-founder of 1047 Games. During his brief appearance at the event, he took the stage wielding a baseball bat to promote the online shooter Split Gate 2, stating he was “tired of doing the same things year after year.” Unfortunately, this approach backfired. Both gamers and fellow developers criticized his choice to incorporate another studio’s game alongside politically charged memes, especially during a time when anti-ICE protests were facing violence across town. Proulx defended his actions by asserting that the slogan’s use was non-political; however, just four days later, he issued an apology. He explained, “We needed something to capture attention. The truth is, we struggled to come up with something. This is what we settled on.”
What Proulx hadn’t anticipated is that the fast-evolving memetic culture of 2025 is crucial, with its nuances and sociopolitical implications constantly shifting. You can’t just throw around cheeky symbols or memes from platforms like 4chan without understanding their contexts. Just look at how embarrassingly out of touch figures like Elon Musk and Edgelord Shacktick became in the mid-2000s. Memes require context for expansion. And you can’t present yourself as the vanguard of FPS while peddling battle royale modes, especially when they are recycled versions of existing games. Are we serious about 2025?
Backlash… Is anyone even playing Split Gate 2 now? Photo: 1047 Games
While I’m not fully aware of 1047 Games’ specifics, I’ve visited numerous game development studios worldwide. Regardless of how progressive they wish to be, they often overlook the fact that the dominant monocultural preferences of middle-class men may not resonate with everyone else. Proulx commented, “We tried to think of something. This is what we came up with.” In a boardroom filled with like-minded individuals, it likely felt humorous, but they should have consulted with someone outside their bubble first.
Split Gate 2 now finds some potential customers turned off by the misguided MAGA-themed bit, while another segment that Proulx has apologized to holds resentment; it’s a negative spiral. This situation is problematic, especially since multiplayer games depend on enthusiastic communities to promote themselves.
Proulx could have made smarter use of his 30 seconds of fame on stage. Reflecting on memorable moments from recent E3 events, positive memories include: former Xbox chief Peter Moore showcasing his Halo 2 tattoo; game artist and director Nakamura engaging the audience with her infectious enthusiasm for Ghostwire: Protocol; and actor Keanu Reeves exclaiming, “You take your breath!” with audience members during the Cyberpunk 2077 presentation. In a climate rife with faux machismo and posturing, these charming and genuine moments shone like beams of sunlight. You don’t need to step on stage brandishing slogans or baseball bats; your most valuable asset in this highly digital, anonymous creative world is your humanity.
What to play
Arcade-y… a rematch. Illustration: sloclap/Steam
This week, we have several intriguing game releases, including I’ll Date Everything, a game where you can date a toaster, FBC: Fire, a spin-off from Remedy’s Cult Studio, and Tron: Catalyst, Bithell Games’ Disney cyberspace classic.
I’m particularly excited about Rematch. It’s an arcade-style 5-v-5 football game influenced by the Rocket League phenomenon. Unlike EA Sports FC, it focuses on individual players, each equipped with flashy skills, meaning you don’t need extensive knowledge of soccer to enjoy it.
Available on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Estimated playtime: Whatever you choose
Fighting the bonnet… The window so far, Jane. Photo: 3 Turn Production
Leader Adam asks this week’s question:
“As a British literature student, I found Button’s newsletter this week about the intersection of video games and Shakespeare thoroughly engaging. It got me thinking—what classic literary works could be transformed into video games, and I’ve always considered Edmund Spenser’s 16th-century epic, ‘The Faerie Queene,’ a prime candidate.”
Conveniently, this is a subject I frequently pondered post-graduation from British literature. When considering classic works that could make great games, I envision ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ as a dark, rogue take on the Oregon Trail, styled like the revival of OBRA Dinn. I imagine Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ reimagined as a Hill-style psychological horror. Or even turn ‘Pride and Prejudice’ into a rich dating sim (we’re almost there; titles like ‘Tom Jones’ and ‘Middlemarch’ could inspire an incredible open-world adventure).
In the “Historical Author Turned Game Designer” category, two evident candidates arise. Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells stand out as deeply inspired writers in science and technology. Bertolt Brecht, a playwright known for engaging popular audiences with various methods, along with August Strindberg—who dabbled in photography and the occult—could see themselves crafting iconic RPGs at the Summer Game Fest.
If you have a burning question or feedback about the newsletter – Please email pushbuttons@theguardian.com.
As stated by the new Minister of Industry and Science, Tim Ayles, Australia must either “aggressively pursue” the advantages of artificial intelligence or risk becoming “dependent on someone else’s supply chain.” The Labor government intends to impose further regulations on these rapidly advancing technologies.
Ayles, previously associated with a manufacturing union, recognized that there is significant skepticism surrounding AI in Australia. He emphasized the need for dialogue between employers and employees regarding the implications of automation in the workplace.
The minister insisted that Australia has “no alternative,” stating that the country is embracing new technologies while striving to become a global frontrunner in regulating and utilizing AI.
Ayers remarked to Guardian Australia, “The government’s responsibility is to ensure that we not only lean towards the opportunities for businesses and workers but also to be assured of our capacity to tackle potential challenges.”
“Australia’s strategy must prioritize regulation and strategy for the advantage of its people,” he added.
Ayers, who was elevated to Cabinet last month after serving in a junior role within manufacturing and trade, now leads the direction of the Labor Government’s flagship initiative. This comprehensive plan connects manufacturing, energy transition, research, and business policies.
Ayers faces immediate challenges regarding AI policy. His predecessor, Ed Husic, established critical frameworks focused on developing the local industry and setting essential guidelines for AI usage, which included discussions around new independent AI regulations.
Less than a month into his new role, Ayers stated that the government is still defining its actions, considering the rapid advancements in technology from similarly-minded countries. He indicated that the response would involve laws and regulations that have yet to be finalized, emphasizing the importance of swift action for Australia.
“There is no alternative but to adopt an Australian approach,” he asserted. “This approach dictates how we shape Australia’s digital future and how we ensure that we gain agency in technology development alongside global partners in these matters.
“The alternative is to remain passive and find ourselves at the mercy of someone else’s supply chain.”
The minister highlighted that Australia stands to “reap significant benefits” from AI adoption, particularly emphasizing increased productivity and economic growth. Ayers, who grew up on a cattle farm near Lismore, noted that both white-collar and blue-collar jobs have much to gain from automation and new technologies.
Drawing from his experience with manufacturing unions, he acknowledged the harsh reality that many workers have internalized the belief that the only more detrimental alternative would be for Australia to become a technological dead-end.
“However, I want to encourage companies and employers to consider the impact of AI adoption on enhancing job quality,” Ayers stated.
“Our industrial relations framework allows for adequate consultation and engagement at the corporate level, fostering discussions about these issues on an individual workplace basis.”
Recently, Australia’s Business Council released significant reports detailing Australia’s potential to emerge as a global leader in AI, enhancing productivity and boosting living standards through economic expansion.
“A recently published BCA document highlighted a significant level of skepticism among Australians regarding this new wave of technology, which is not unusual for our country,” Ayles remarked.
“Every wave of technological transformation shapes the labor market. This is a fact. The adverse consequences of technological evolution in employment have historically been outweighed by new investments and developments within employment and technology.”
Ayers also affirmed that the Labor party would sustain its forward agenda for Australia, emphasizing an “active” focus on boosting the production of key minerals, iron, and steel as part of the renewable energy transition.
“I am committed to doing everything in my power to establish new factories and enhance industrial capacities,” he stated.
“Specifically, areas like Central Queensland and Hunter and Latrobe have the opportunity to intersect with future energy benefits and industrial capabilities, permitting Australia to better support these communities as well.”
Featuring motion capture technology, Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid provides custom coaching advice for children. Shakespeare’s original manuscripts can now be rewritten by a trained AI algorithm through a robotic arm. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the worldwide advertising landscape.
The AI-generated advertisements from Cadbury’s drink brand Bournvita and pen manufacturer BIC were crafted by WPP, an agency group investing £300 million annually in data, technology, and machine learning to maintain its edge.
Mark Reid, CEO of the London-based Marketing Services Group, has stated that AI is “essential” for the future of the business and recognizes that it will lead to significant changes in the workforce of the advertising sector.
Recently, Reid announced his resignation as CEO of WPP after nearly seven years, amidst a team of more than 30 members.
Advertising agencies face challenges from familiar adversaries. Over the past decade, tech giants like Google and Meta (the parent company of Facebook) have built sophisticated tools for publishers and ad buyers, solidifying their dominance online. This year, Big Tech has captured nearly two-thirds of the £45 billion that UK advertisers are spending.
WPP’s subsidiary VML has harnessed AI for a “one BIC, one book, two classics” campaign targeting Brazilian audiences. Photo: WPP
Meta is preparing to launch AI tools that enable the complete creation and targeting of advertising campaigns on social media, raising concerns about “creative extinction” and potential job cuts across agencies.
These tools are set to be introduced by the end of next year. In a recent interview, Zuckerberg described them as “redefining advertising categories.”
Rahul Dravid in the Cadbury Bournvita campaign featuring AI.
Agencies of all sizes, particularly large international networks like WPP, Publicis, and Omnicom, are developing their own AI resources while investing in partnerships with tech giants like Meta and Google, striving to retain clients.
“I’m confident AI will disrupt a significant number of jobs,” stated the CEO of a major advertising firm. “That said, many institutions maintain differing client portfolios, allowing them to perform a broad range of tasks. Staffing remains secure in areas like strategy, consumer insights, and certain conceptual roles, yet production roles are where the impact is most felt.”
Tech executives endorsed the advantages of AI at last week’s Enders Deloitte conference, which focused on the media and telecommunications sector.
Speaking at the conference, Stephen Pretorius, referred to as the “AI guy at WPP,” emphasized, “True creativity is an inherently human skill.”
Stephan Pretorius from WPP discussing AI’s role in advertising.
He argued that while AI isn’t a direct substitute for recruitment, institutions must adapt and prioritize client relationships.
“AI replaces tasks rather than jobs,” he stated. “Many responsibilities we were compensated for are now automated, necessitating a shift in our business models. Team structures and client incentives will also evolve. This is merely a transitional phase.”
Recently, WPP reported several layoffs across its media division, previously known as GroupM.
“We live in a scenario where a major holding company is facing a conundrum,” remarked another agency CEO. “Clients expect to invest millions in AI, cutting budgets while speeding up and reducing costs. Many clients are seeking to decrease their fees.”
Currently, the AI revolution hasn’t made a significant dent in the UK advertising sector.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to introduce AI tools enabling advertisers to fully create and target campaigns on social media. Photo: Anadoll/Getty Images
Last year, the IPA reported a record employment figure of 26,787 individuals in media, creative, and digital agencies, representing 85% of the UK’s advertising expenditure.
The IPA has tracked market size since 1960 when it recorded 199,000 employees, dipping to just under 12,000 in the early 1990s.
Advertising expenditure surged dramatically, fueled by the rise of the Internet, from a mere £60 million noted in the pre-television era of 1938.
By 1982, the UK advertising market was valued at £3.1 billion, and this year it is expected to surpass £45 billion, according to the Advertising Association/WARC that has published annual reports since 1980.
Agency executives believe that major advertisers face too much brand risk to allow AI to handle the entire creative process.
“I can often identify a piece of AI-generated work from a mile away—it’s polished, overly idealistic, and somewhat artificial,” observed one creative agency head. “But that’s evolving. I’ve been told creatives could never improve upon the iconic gorilla ad for Cadbury, yet I’m uncertain. AI can ultimately refine enough to respond to highly intuitive concepts.”
Cadbury’s Dairy Milk ad featuring gorillas playing drums became a viral sensation. Photo: Rex Features
As the industry speculates about Meta’s plans to replace conventional agencies, Zuckerberg has sought to clarify that AI technologies are primarily aimed at small and medium enterprises.
“In future collaborations with creative agencies, we’ll likely ensure their involvement,” he remarked at the Stripes Conference, emphasizing this position shortly after his initial comments about Meta’s AI advertising trajectory. “If agencies don’t adapt, they might find themselves throwing together ad compositions only to flood the Meta platform with thousands of variations to see which performs best.”
Meta and Google maintain they’ve “democratized” advertising by enabling countless small and mid-sized companies to run campaigns without the financial burden of traditional advertising channels.
“That’s the mask they wear constantly,” stated a head of an advertising agency. “When they emerged decades ago as a novel ad platform, the focus was on small businesses, yet now they are capturing almost two-thirds of the UK’s advertising budget.”
In the 2000s, big tech firms grew immensely, propelling WPP to become the largest advertising group worldwide, while the CEO of S4 Capital has been dubbed Meta and Google’s ‘Frenemy.’
Two decades later, the rise of AI within advertising marks the latest technological upheaval that the industry must adapt to in order to thrive.
Meta’s bold commitment to “automatically generate ads in seconds” signals a transformative shift towards total mechanization of production processes,” asserts Patrick Garvey, co-founder of the independent agency PI. “This isn’t the demise of an agency; rather, it signals the end of outdated institutional paradigms.”
He champions the small businesses reshaping the landscape but questions whether Meta’s approach to AI resembles “advertising fast food.” For traditional ad firms, it could prove to be a bitter pill.
The London-based firm Stability AI, specializing in artificial intelligence, argues that the copyright lawsuit initiated by global photography agency Getty Images poses a significant “obvious threat” to the AI generation industry.
Stability AI contested Getty’s claims in the London High Court on Monday, which center on issues of copyright and trademark infringement regarding its extensive collection of photographic works.
Stability enables users to create images based on text prompts. Among its directors is James Cameron, the acclaimed director of Avatar and Titanic. In response, Getty criticized those training AI systems as “tech nerds,” suggesting they disregard the ramifications of their technological advancements.
Stability retorted by asserting that Getty is pursuing a “fantasy” legal path, investing around £10 million to challenge a technology it views as an “existential threat” to their operations.
Getty syndicates around 50,000 photographers’ work to clients across more than 200 countries. It alleges that Stability trained its image generation models using an extensive database of copyrighted photographs. Consequently, a program named Stability Diffusion continues to produce images bearing watermarks from Getty Images. Getty maintains that Stability is “completely indifferent” to the sources of their training data, asserting that the system “is associated with pornography-related trademarks” and generates “AI garbage.”
Getty’s legal representatives noted that the contention over the unauthorized utilization of thousands of photographs, including well-known images of celebrities, politicians, and news events, “is not a conflict between creativity and technology where a victory for Getty Images spells the end for AI.”
They further stated: “The issue arises when AI companies like Stability wish to use these materials without compensation.”
Lindsay Lane KC, representing Getty Images, commented, “These were a group of tech enthusiasts enthusiastic about AI, yet indifferent to the challenges and dangers it poses.”
In her court filing on Monday, Getty contended that Stability had trained an image generation model using a database that included child sexual abuse material.
Stability is contesting Getty’s claims overall, with its attorney characterizing the allegations regarding child sexual abuse material as “abhorrent.”
A spokesperson for Stability AI stated that the company is dedicated to ensuring its technology is not misused. It emphasized the implementation of strong safeguards “to enhance safety standards and protect against malicious actors.”
This situation arises in the context of a broader movement among artists, writers, and musicians—including figures like Elton John and Dua Lipa—who are advocating for copyright protection against alleged infringement by AI-generated content that allows users to produce new images, music, and text.
The UK Parliament is embroiled in a related issue, with the government proposing that copyright holders should have the option to opt-out of the material used for training algorithms and generating AI content.
“Of course, Getty Images acknowledges that the entire AI sector can be a formidable force, but that does not justify permitting the AI models they are developing to blatantly infringe on their intellectual property rights,” Lane stated.
The trial is expected to span several weeks and will address, in part, the use of images by renowned photographers. This includes a photograph of former Liverpool soccer manager Jürgen Klopp, captured by award-winning British sports photographer Andrew Livesey, a photo of the Chicago Cubs baseball team by American sports photographer Gregory Shams, and images of actor and musician Donald Glover by Alberto Rodriguez, as well as photographs of actor Eric Dane and film director Christopher Nolan.
The case brings forth 78,000 pages of evidence, with AI experts summoned to testify from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Freiberg in Germany.
For months, icons from various fields such as music, literature, product design, and visual arts have been sounding the alarm about the UK government’s plans to weaken copyright laws. The conflict escalated when the government started discussions about regulating artificial intelligence, leading to a “favorable” outcome for AI companies. These companies can automatically infringe on copyrights unless the original creators explicitly “opt out.” However, opting out is impossible without transparency in AI operations. This plan is essentially a charter for theft, as creators are left in the dark about who, what, when, and how their work might be exploited.
It’s understandable to be frustrated when the government prioritizes positive outcomes at the expense of your moral rights and earning potential. As Elton John stated last weekend: “The government has no right to interfere with my song. They shouldn’t do it with anyone else’s work either.” He is just one of thousands of British creators raising their voices in protest.
My colleagues and I in the Senate have taken action where the government has faltered, advocating for critical transparency measures in the Data (Usage and Access) Bill, which is currently progressing through Congress. Our amendments aim to uphold existing copyright laws, ensuring that copyright holders are informed about when, where, and by whom their work is used to train AI. The rationale is that if AI companies are required to prove their use of others’ work, they are less likely to infringe on rights in the first place. These amendments received substantial support from members across all parties, including notable backing from the government’s own backbenchers, as I voted in favor.
Ultimately, Secretary of State for Technology Peter Kyle had to face criticism in the House on Thursday. He acknowledged that “much content has already been utilized and is commonly employed by AI models under existing laws from other regions,” while ignoring the Lords’ provisions against such theft. He expressed admiration for artists like Kate Bush—one of over 400 supporters—along with Paul McCartney and Ian McKellen. I signed a letter to the Prime Minister urging policy changes; yet, no substantial changes were made. There remains a lack of transparency, no timeline, and no support for creatives.
This week, the government again missed the opportunity to rectify the situation for one of our largest industries, which employs 2.4 million people and contributes £126 billion to the economy, providing countless joys across the UK. No MPs rallied to defend the government. Instead, Kyle faced a barrage of criticism over his failure to manage the crisis. As one lawmaker put it, “One of our biggest industrial sectors is in flames, while the minister seems to be having a picnic with the arsonists.”
While the government could maneuver its way to passing specific legislation with its majority, such victories would spell disaster for the creative sector and the UK’s domestic AI economy. Ironically, he criticized the government’s approach in favor of major US corporations.
The UK creative industry is a vital part of our heritage, preserving our shared narratives and telling the story of our nation. A country that allows its storytellers to thrive is inherently stronger. Nevertheless, the battle is far from over—the Data (Usage and Access) Bill is scheduled to return to the Lords on June 2nd.
For decades, insulin, cardiac treatments, and antibiotics have crossed numerous borders without restrictions. Customs duty exemptions have helped make medications affordable. However, this could soon change.
President Trump has been voicing plans for high tariffs on pharmaceuticals as part of a strategy to revamp the global trading landscape and stimulate domestic manufacturing. This month, he mentioned drug tariffs could be expected “in the near future.”
If implemented, this decision could lead to significant and unpredictable repercussions for medicines produced in the European Union.
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals are the top export to the US. This includes various profitable products such as popular weight-loss drugs, cancer therapies, cardiovascular treatments, and flu vaccines.
“These are vital items that ensure lives,” remarked Léa Auffret, head of international affairs at Beuc, a European consumer organization. “It’s alarming to potentially involve them in a trade conflict.”
European firms may respond to Trump’s tariffs in several ways. Some pharmaceutical companies, eager to avoid tariffs, have already announced plans to boost production in the US, aligning with Trump’s vision. Others might consider shifting their production there later.
Alternatively, some firms may choose to remain but increase prices to offset the tariffs, consequently raising patient costs. Rising prices could impact both European and American patients. Certain companies have begun arguing that Europe must create more business-friendly terms by easing regulations that keep drug prices low.
There might also be a middle ground where companies adjust their financial interests to the US for accounting reasons to dodge import fees.
Auffret’s organization has cautioned European officials against retaliating with tariffs on American medicines in response.
Navigating the pharmaceutical sector is intricate. Insurance contracts and government regulations can complicate abrupt pricing adjustments for branded drugs, making long-term commitments challenging. Consequently, no one can predict outcomes with confidence.
“We haven’t encountered tariffs on medicines for quite some time,” noted Brad W. Sesser, an economist with the Council on Foreign Relations, who has researched the tax regulations encouraging overseas production.
Even if Trump postpones the so-called “mutual” tariffs for a full 10% rate during the transition, he has indicated that specific industry tariffs are forthcoming, revealing that computer chips and pharmaceuticals are next in line. Recently, the US initiated an investigation into both sectors, marking the initial step toward imposing tariffs.
Many industry analysts predict that new tariffs could reach 25%, similar to those already imposed on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
Potential tariffs are particularly concerning for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, especially in Ireland, where pharmaceuticals account for 80% of exports to the US.
Many pharmaceutical firms relocated to Ireland due to its low corporate tax rates. However, they also benefit from a robust workforce skilled in pharmaceutical development.
The sector has grown swiftly in recent years, with over 90 pharmaceutical companies currently operating there, as reported by the Foreign Direct Investment Agency. Many major US drug manufacturers also have a significant presence in the country. Last year, the Irish pharmaceutical sector exported 58 billion euros, or about $66 billion, worth of drugs and chemicals to the US.
“The Irish population is intelligent,” Trump remarked during a March visit from Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin to the White House. “You trained at our pharmaceutical companies and other firms,” he continued, referencing “this beautiful island of 5 million people, where the entire US pharmaceutical industry keeps an eye.”
Currently, tariffs could diminish the manufacturing advantages in Ireland, aligning with Trump’s intentions.
“In the US, we no longer produce our own medications,” Trump stated from the Oval Office last week. “Pharmaceutical companies are based in Ireland,” he added.
Companies are already expanding their operations. Firms are hurrying to export medications from Ireland to the US before potential barriers arise, as statistics indicate.
Ireland stands out as the only unaffected nation, while Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Slovenia serve as key exporters.
“This poses a significant issue for Europe,” observed Penny Nurse, who directed the competitiveness program at the German Marshall Fund think tank and has extensive experience in European public policy and corporate relations.
European leaders are reaching out to both American officials and industry members. Following his visit with the Irish Prime Minister, the Irish Foreign Minister also traveled to Washington to confer with the Secretary of Commerce.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, convened in Brussels with the European Pharmaceutical Industry Association, the lobbying group representing Europe’s largest pharmaceutical firms.
The industry is seizing opportunities to advocate for reduced regulatory burdens.
European pharmaceutical lobbyists conveyed to von der Leyen that companies might relocate production or investment to the US in response to Trump’s tariffs, particularly if they encounter expedited approvals and improved access to capital.
At least 18 members of this group, including Bayer, Pfizer, and Merck, plan to invest nearly 165 billion euros in the European Union over the next five years, with half of that potentially relocating to the United States. However, this forecast may not encompass all potential shifts.
“Pharmaceutical companies require more favorable conditions to produce in Europe,” stated Dorothy Blackman, head of Pharma Germany, the country’s largest pharmaceutical association.
Such warnings appear to carry weight as companies begin to strategize increased spending in the US. Recently, Roche announced a $50 billion investment plan, marking the latest in a series of similar announcements.
In a recent commentary, the CEOs of Novartis and Sanofi suggested that reduced regulations alone won’t suffice to prevent the current downturn. They asserted that “European price control and austerity measures will diminish market appeal,” and urged the bloc to pave the way for higher pricing.
Executives in the industry are also cautioning that tariffs could disrupt supply chains, impair patient access, and weaken research and development efforts.
“There’s a reason” drug tariffs remain at zero, stated Joaquin Duatto, CEO of Johnson & Johnson. During a recent earnings call, he added, “Tariffs create disruption in the supply chain and lead to shortages.”
Von der Leyen emphasized similar worries, noting that tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector could impact “globally interconnected supply chains and the availability of medications for both European and American patients.”
Pharmaceutical tariffs also threaten the European Union with another risk.
Many generics are typically manufactured in Asia, where efforts are underway to bolster the production of essential but less profitable medications.
Yet, if US tariffs prompt Chinese and Indian generic manufacturers to seek non-US markets, this could inundate Europe with cheaper drugs.
This influx might complicate the EU’s efforts to establish a domestic base for generics, even as it entices the US to produce well-known brand-name medications.
“We anticipate this may result in increased investment in the US,” indicated Diederik Stadig, a sector economist at ING. “The European Commission must act urgently.”
fOr, for the second time last month, Microsoft employees disrupted high-level executives speaking at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary on April 4. They were protesting the company’s role in Israel’s ongoing siege in Gaza.
AI executive Mustafasleiman was suspended by employees Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal. The two were fired within a few days. Microsoft president Brad Smith and former CEO Steve Ballmer were yelled at in Great Hall in Seattle on March 20 by current and former employees.
Before the April event, there was an outside gathering that also included current and former Tech Giant employees. Protesters projected a sign onto the wall of the hall called “Microsoft Powers Genocide,” showing that since October 7, 2023, Israel has been extensively using its AI and cloud computing services.
The rally and confusion were the latest in the employee protests at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, urging the company to cut ties with Israel. This comes after years of simmering tensions on the company’s message boards and a recent workplace dispute.
Taken together, the protests indicate that more people have decided to leave the company for good, according to current and past employees who spoke with the Guardian. Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment.
The recent events at Microsoft reflect similar incidents at other tech companies, such as Google, where employees were fired as they protested their ties with Israel. In February, Google adjusted its AI guidelines, removing the commitment to not use artificial intelligence for surveillance or weapons.
Anxiety about the increase in Redmond
Former Microsoft software engineer Hossam Nasr described the situation at the company as being close to a turning point. He highlighted the events in February as an example of growing frustration among employees.
The firing of employees who raised concerns has galvanized others in the company who are worried about the issue, along with recent media coverage of Microsoft’s role in the siege of Gaza in Israel.
Aboussad told the Guardian that she had been increasingly at odds over the last few months as a software engineer working for AI. She expressed concerns about Microsoft’s deep ties with the Israeli government. AP Report
Within days of speaking with the Guardian, Aboussad was terminated. Several colleagues mentioned they were considering leaving the company, she stated.
From Viva to IRL
Before the recent direct protest, Microsoft employees were mainly discussing the Hamas attacks and Israel’s continued retaliation online. Several conversations on Microsoft’s Viva Engage company’s message board sparked controversy. One employee posted about the lack of symmetry in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, which led to heated debates.
Employees critical of Israel’s actions have been vocal about what they perceive as a double standard within the company, especially following events from October 7th. They have accused Microsoft of censoring viewpoints on internal forums while treating Israeli supporters differently. From immediately after October 7th. One employee shared an email from the company’s Global Employee Relations Team emphasizing the need for respectful discussions on the topic of Israel and Gaza. There were restrictions on postings related to these topics on the company message board.
Online discussions among employees have evolved throughout 2024, according to Nasr. Many employees initially focused on petitions urging the company to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, but the attention gradually shifted to Microsoft’s business practices. By the end of the year, Nasr and others began a campaign to boycott Microsoft’s cloud computing services, cancel contracts with the Israeli military, and gather signatures from colleagues in protest of the company’s ties with the Israeli government.
Reporting Microsoft’s role in Gaza Roil employee discussion
Documents obtained by Drop site, an independent news outlet, revealed that high-tech companies, including Microsoft, are actively seeking to serve the Israeli military. This discovery fueled concerns among some Microsoft employees, leading to internal discussions about the company’s ethics and practices.
Anna Hutt, a long-time employee at Microsoft, highlighted the importance of sharing information about the company’s actions within the organization. She emphasized the need for open conversations and offline organizing efforts to raise awareness among employees.
Nasr mentioned that Apartheid’s Azure has partnered with Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) in adding Microsoft to their boycott campaign list. This move reflects growing discontent among employees regarding the company’s involvement with the Israeli military.
One Microsoft employee expressed frustration over what they perceived as a betrayal of the company’s stated values in its contract with Israel. They cited examples of events where critical perspectives were silenced and called for a boycott of Microsoft’s products that enable military actions.
Last week, President Trump issued an executive order designed to revive the use of coal at power plants. This is a practice that has been steadily decreasing over more than a decade.
But as fossil fuels face several important hurdles, energy experts said. The power produced by coal plants cannot usually compete with cheaper and cleaner alternatives. And many coal-burning plants are simply too old and require extensive and expensive upgrades to continue running.
“It’s extremely difficult to reverse this trend,” said Dan Reicher, deputy energy secretary for the Clinton administration and Google’s Ease of Life and Energy Director. “There are a variety of forces at work that don’t portray a very bright future for coal.”
Why has coal used decreased?
Coal plants, the US’s leading source of electricity, currently produce just 17% of the country’s electricity. The main reason is that another fossil fuel, natural gas, has become abundant and inexpensive due to the shale fracking boom that began in the early 2000s. The use of renewable energy sources like the wind and the sun is also growing significantly.
Natural gas currently provides around 38% of the US electricity, according to the Energy Information Agency. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power generation produce about 25%, while nuclear energy produces about 20%.
Some areas, like New England, will soon close their last coal power plants. California, the country’s most populous state, effectively uses no coal to generate electricity.
Coal is also under pressure because burning it will release greenhouse gases that can cause climate change and pollutants that harm people and nature. To avoid those concerns, Trump said, He waives certain air pollution restrictions For many coal plants.
Where is coal still used?
In the Southeast and Midwest, many utilities continue to generate electricity from coal plants. Companies such as Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Department (the country’s largest government-run power provider) are one of the largest users of coal.
The state, which has a long history of coal mines, is still highly dependent on fuel. It includes West Virginia and Kentucky, which earned 85% of electricity from coal last year, according to the Energy Information Agency.
Trump oversaw the energy division Use emergency situations To operate unprofitable coal plants. The president said this is necessary to prevent blackouts. He tried a similar strategy in his first semester.
He also issued an order that eliminates regulations that “discriminate” coal production, opens new federal land for coal mining, and investigates whether coal combustion power plants can provide services to data centers used for artificial intelligence services such as chatbots.
Peabody, the largest coal producer in the United States, said in 2024 that the world used more coal than any other year in history.
“We believe that in order to support our country’s growing need for affordable and reliable energy, the US should stop resigning coal plants, use existing plants with higher utilization and reopen shuttered coal plants.”
Can the Trump administration revive coal?
Federal policies can play a role, but utilities, state legislators and regulators ultimately determine how much coal will burn at the power plant.
The Utility Trade Association’s Edison Electrical Institute, or EEI, said in a statement that the US needs more power sources but refused to support or oppose the use of coal.
“Electric demand is growing at the fastest pace in decades, and EEI member electric companies are using a diverse, domestic and balanced energy mix to meet this demand while keeping customer invoices as low as possible,” the Institute said.
Several large utilities, like Xcel Energy, are converting coal plants into solar farms to take advantage of the federal incentives created during the Biden administration. In Becker, Minnesota, for example, Xcel is building a large solar and battery installation to replace the Shelco coal power plant. The company is converting something else Coal plants in Colorado For natural gas.
Xcel spokesman Theo Keith said the utility is considering “understanding whether Trump’s orders could affect our business,” but in the meantime it will work to provide consumers with clean energy at a low cost.
Conservative lawmakers in some states, like Texas, have proposed legislation that requires more use of fossil fuels to ensure adequate power and meet the increased demand from data centers, electric vehicles and heat pumps. However, energy analysts expect that such measures will benefit natural gas, not coal, if they pass.
Environmental activists said efforts to revive coal were misguided. They point out that using more coal means that the use of more coal will result in higher electricity bills due to aging devices, increasing health problems and higher risk of power plant breakdowns.
“We’re turning decades of work here,” says Holly Bender, the Sierra Club’s Chief Program Officer, running a campaign called beyond coal to end its use of its fuel. “It’s clear that Trump is trying to put his fingers on the scale to keep coal open, but these are fragments of the infrastructure that are at the end of its useful life.”
The hard hat is back. So is coal that is “beautiful and beautiful.”
President Trump signed four executive orders on Tuesday to sought to bolster the country’s declining coal industry, including lifting mining restrictions and burning the dirtiest fossil fuels.
In addition to exempting air pollution restrictions and other coal regulations imposed by the Biden administration, Trump has directed the Justice Department to chase states like California, which aimed to tackle climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
“I call it beautiful and clean coal. I tell people not to use the word ‘beautiful, clean’,” Trump said in the east room of the White House, surrounded by dozens of men wearing mainly stiff hats. “We are completely ending Joe Biden’s war on beautiful, clean coal.”
Here are five takeaways from Trump’s orders.
Miners as background
Trump has always loved coal miners as a masculine symbol.
At a White House ceremony on Tuesday, he repeatedly mentioned the Burley men who surrounded him, joking about whether the stage could handle their collective weight. He recalled that during the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton she was talking about Job Letrain for miners. “She was going to put them in the tech industry where you make little phones and things,” he said gestured at the hives and laughed.
Coal itself is a strong fossil fuel, he said. “A pound of pounds, coal is the single energy of the most reliable, durable, safe and powerful energy,” Trump said.
“It’s almost impossible to destroy,” he said. “You can drop a bomb on it and it will be there for you to use the next day.”
What kind of climate change?
Coal releases more carbon dioxide when burned than any other fossil fuel, making it a major contributor to climate change. More mining and burning of coal adds to pollution that dangerously heats the planet, leading to more frequent and deadly heat waves, droughts, floods, sea level rise and faster melting of Greenland’s ice sheets, Trump said he hopes to win the US.
Scientists say that to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change, major economies like the United States must cut their emissions sharply, rather than increasing them.
Coal burning also releases other contaminants, including mercury and sulfur dioxide, which are associated with heart disease, respiratory problems and early death. Mining activities and coal ash from generated power plants pose environmental hazards.
No coal results were mentioned on Tuesday.
He ignored natural gas, the biggest threat to coal.
Regulations limiting the amount of contamination from coal-fired power plants have led to these plants operating more expensively and reduced industry profitability. But, as Trump said, “radical green” policy wasn’t the biggest reason for the decline in coal power over the past two decades. It was cheap natural gas by fracking.
In the mid-2000s, American excavators completed a method to unlock the enormous reserves of low-cost natural gas from Shalelock. The utility quickly realized that coal could be replaced with cheaper gas.
According to 2019 Survey At the RAND Journal of Economics, the energy market and low prices of natural gas account for almost all of the decline in coal plants’ profitability between 2005 and 2015, and as a result, retirements of hundreds of coal-fired power plants. “Environmental regulations had little impact on these outcomes,” the study found.
Trump says he wants to “drill, babe, drill” and lower gas prices.
Law firm’s shakedown pride
“Did you notice that many law firms are signing up for Trump?” the president asked the crowd at a coal event Tuesday.
He was referring to the multi-million-dollar pro bono legal services some major law firms offered to the Trump administration after the president threatened to target him with executive orders.
One company covered by the executive order – Paul, Weiss – has promised concessions, including $40 million in pro bono work for a Trump-friendly cause, cutting deals with the White House. Three other companies – Milbank. Skadden, Arps;Wilky Far & Gallagher – Actively agreed to his deal with the White House.
On Tuesday, Trump indicated that these free legal services would be directed. It fights climate policy and supports the coal industry.
“We’ll use some of those companies to work with you on your leases and other things,” Trump told coal leaders.
Coal stock has risen, but will the revival last?
Tuesday was a good day for the coal industry. Shares of mining company Peabody Energy rose 9%. Alliance Resource Partners led by billionaire coal tycoon Joseph W. Craft III, who led Trump’s fundraising during the presidential election, have risen nearly 5%.
But many experts are skeptical that Trump can do much to turn the coal outlook up. “Given the limitations on the use of emergency authorities and the symbolic nature of the order, we believe that Trump’s coal executive order is unlikely to have a significant impact on electricity and carbon markets,” wrote an analyst at Capstone, a research firm. They called the coal stock bumps on Tuesday a “overreaction.”
The average US coal plant is more than 50 years old, and it is often cheaper for utilities to generate electricity using a mix of gas, wind, solar and batteries. Analysts say these fundamentals are difficult to change.
President Trump signed a surge in executive orders on Tuesday aimed at expanding coal mining and burning in the United States to revive the struggling industry.
1 order Commanding federal agencies To abolish regulations that “discriminate” coal production, open new federal land for coal mining, and investigate whether coal combustion power plants can serve new AI data centers. Trump also said He will abandon certain air force pollution restrictions It was adopted by the Biden administration for dozens of coal plants at risk of closures.
In a move that could face legal challenges, Trump led the energy sector Develop the process To prevent unprofitable coal plants from shutting down to avoid power outages using electricity in emergencies. Trump proposed similar actions during his first term, but ultimately abandoned the idea after widespread opposition.
Dozens of miners are stuck in hard white White House hats, Trump said. He was also teaching The Department of Justice will identify and fight state and local climate policies that “let coal miners go out of business.” He added that future administrations will “assure” that they will not be able to adopt policies that are harmful to coal, but did not provide details.
“This is a very important day for me, because we are reclaiming an abandoned industry despite the fact that it is the best and certainly the best in terms of power, true power,” Trump said.
Over the past few weeks, Trump, energy secretary Chris Wright and interior secretary Doug Burgham have all been talking about the importance of coal. The two cabinet members sat in the front row at the White House ceremony. Members of Congress from Wyoming, Kentucky, West Virginia and other coal-producing states attended the White House ceremony.
“Beautiful and beautiful coal,” Trump told the gathering. “Never use the word “coal” unless you place “clean, clean” before that. ”
Coal is the most polluted of all fossil fuels when burned; Approximately 40% of the world’s industrial carbon dioxide emissions a major factor in global warming. It releases other contaminants, including mercury and sulfur dioxide, associated with heart disease, respiratory problems, and early death. Coal ash from coal mining and generated power plants can also cause environmental issues.
Over the past 20 years, coal use has declined sharply in the US, with utilities switching to cheaper, cleaner power sources, such as natural gas, wind and solar. That transition has been the biggest reason for US emissions decline since 2005.
It is unclear how much Trump will reverse that decline. In 2011, the country generated almost half of its electricity from coal. Last year, it fell to just 15%. The utility has already closed hundreds of aged coal burning units, and has announced the retirement dates for about half of the remaining plants.
In recent years, growing interest in artificial intelligence and data centers has driven a surge in electricity demand, with the utility having decided that more than 50 coal combustion units will be open past the scheduled closing date, according to Electric Power from America, the industry’s trade group. And as the Trump administration moves, more plants could remain open longer or run more frequently as they loosen coal pollution restrictions, including regulations that apply to carbon and mercury.
“You know, we need to do AI. All this new technology is online,” Trump said Tuesday. “We need more than twice the energy and electricity we currently have.”
However, some analysts said there is unlikely a major coal revival.
“The main problem is that most of our coal plants are older, more expensive to operate, and no one is thinking about building new plants,” said Seth Feaster, a data analyst focusing on coal at the research firm, Energy Economics Analysis Institute. “It’s very difficult to change that trajectory.”
During his first term, Trump tried to prevent the closure of unprofitable coal plants using emergency powers normally reserved for fleeting crises such as natural disasters. But the idea has hit hard by oil and gas companies, grid operators and consumer groups. He said it would increase electricity bills and eventually retreated from the idea.
Ali Pescoe, director of the Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative, said the idea would likely lead to lawsuits if it was tested again today. “But there’s not much history of litigation here,” he said. “Usually these emergency orders last within 90 days.”
Ultimately, Trump struggled to fulfill his first term pledge to save the coal industry. His administration abolished numerous climate regulations, appointed coal lobbyists to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, 75 coal-fired power plants were closed, and the industry lost around 13,000 jobs during its presidency.
The decline of coal continued under President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who tried to completely move the country away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. Last year, his administration issued swept EPA rules that force all coal plants across the country to install expensive equipment to capture and fill carbon footprints or close by by 2039.
When he returned to the office this year, Trump ordered the EPA to repeal the rules. And Trump administration officials have repeatedly warned that closing coal plants will damage power sources. Unlike wind and solar energy, coal plants can run at any time of the day and are useful when electricity rises rapidly.
Some industry executives who run the country’s electric grid include some industry executives. I warned again The country could face the risk of power losses, especially when power companies are late in bringing new gas, wind and solar power plants online and adding battery storage and transmission lines.
“For decades, most people took electricity and coal for granted,” said Michelle Bradworth, chief executive of American power. “This complacency has led to early retirements in coal plants, weakening the electrical network and damaging federal and state policies that threaten national security.”
But coal opponents say maintaining aged plants online can exacerbate fatal air pollution and increase energy costs. Earlier this year, the PJM Interconnect, which oversees a large grid in the Mid-Atlantic, burned coal-burning power plants and the opening until 2029, leaving them open until 2029 to reduce the risk of retirement benefits. This move could ultimately cost the customers of the utility in the area Over $720 million.
“Coal plants are old, dirty, uncompetitive and unreliable,” said Kit Kennedy, power managing director for the Environmental Group’s Natural Resources Defense Council. “The Trump administration has been stuck in the past and is trying to make utility customers pay more for yesterday’s energy. Instead, they should do everything they can to build the power grid of the future.”
President Trump is being asked by two chemical industry groups to grant a complete exemption to free factories from new restrictions on dangerous air pollution.
The Biden administration’s new rules will require chemical plastics to monitor and reduce the emission of toxic pollutants like ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing ingredient used in antifreezes and plastics.
The American Chemical Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Makers are seeking a temporary presidential exemption for all polluters in response to these rules.
The Environmental Defense Fund obtained a letter dated March 31, which stated that the new requirement imposed a significantly more expensive burden on member companies with an infeasible timeline.
The groups have written to the Environmental Protection Agency administrator expressing concerns that some of the new rules could cost businesses over $50 billion.
The EPA recently allowed businesses to apply for exemptions from clean air rules by sending emails to agents, citing the Clean Air Act’s provision for temporary exemptions in cases where necessary technology is unavailable or for national security reasons.
During Trump’s administration, the EPA rolled back many of the same rules, allowing businesses to be temporarily exempt from compliance.
A White House spokeswoman stated that Trump’s commitment was to unleash America’s energy, protect national security, and ensure environmental control.
The Biden-era regulations aimed to address the disproportionate environmental hazards faced by communities near chemical plants, particularly low-income, black, or Latino areas experiencing rising rates of asthma, cancer, and other health issues.
Updated regulations governing emissions from chemical plants considered cumulative effects on communities near major chemical hubs, requiring companies to strengthen controls and processes to limit chemical emissions.
Fence line monitoring and other measures are needed to ensure compliance, especially concerning ethylene oxide, which is used in various products such as batteries for electric vehicles and medical device sterilization.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers CEO criticized Biden-era rules as illegal and technically unachievable, posing risks to US manufacturing operations.
Environmental advocates expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s actions were allowing businesses to avoid complying with reasonable restrictions on toxic air pollution.
The move aligns with the administration’s efforts to prioritize cost reduction for businesses and promote energy control rather than environmental protection.
Last month, the administration halted a federal lawsuit against a chemical manufacturer accused of releasing carcinogenic substances from plants in Louisiana.
tWith a wide range of boating hours from Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas province, Deodato Alves Da Silva is hoping for enough power to keep his Tucumã and Cupuaçu Fruits fresh. These highly nutritious Amazon superfoods are rich in antioxidants and vitamins and serve as the main source of income for farmers in the Silva region. However, there is a lack of electricity to refrigerate the fruit, making it difficult to sell produce.
Silva's fruit cultivation work is located in the village of Boa Frente in Novo Alipuana, one of the most energy-poor regions in Brazil, with only one diesel-powered generator working several hours a day.
Seventeen families in the community pay for diesel, but due to the high prices, everyone agrees to use the generator between 6pm and 10pm. This is also the only time they can communicate with the outside world. There is no mobile phone connection in this area, only satellite internet.
“The power is supplied for four hours per night. The motor is off and the switch is turned back the next night,” says Silva, 72, a rural health worker and fruit grower who has lived in the area since birth.
“If we have the power to preserve Cupuaçupulp, we will have much higher incomes. Our community is a massive producer of Tucumã, but lack of power prevents conservation.”
when Mike Schwede was first sitting on the Tesla Roadster 15 years ago, he felt like he was witnessing the future. In 2016, he became a proud Tesla owner, enjoying the admiration he received from other drivers as he cruised along European highways in his electric vehicle.
However, the shine of owning a Tesla has started to fade recently. For years, the brand was closely associated with Elon Musk and his stance on the climate crisis. Schwede was dismayed when Musk pledged to increase oil and gas production after supporting Donald Trump.
“He was becoming increasingly bizarre,” said Swiss entrepreneur and digital strategist Schwede. The final straw came when Musk made a fascist-style salute during Trump’s inauguration in January. “It was completely repulsive to me,” Schwede stated. “I was no longer enjoying being a Tesla owner.”
Data from the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers revealed that nearly half of new Tesla car sales in Europe had plummeted last month. Analysts attribute this decline to customers turning away from the brand due to Musk’s far-right political affiliations.
The Texas-based automaker sold 9,945 vehicles in Europe in January, a 45% drop from the previous year, according to the association.
The parody “Tesla – Swastical” ad was posted at a London bus stop. Photo: People vs Elon
Existing Tesla owners who are discontented with Musk’s views are beginning to voice their concerns.
Schwede considered selling his car, but with over 60,000 miles already driven, the resale value was minimal. Instead, he decided to donate 10 cents per kilometer driven to various charities, aiming to support LGBTQ+ youth and combat hatred, extremism, and far-right movements. “That didn’t sit well with Elon,” Schwede remarked. “It was my way of seeking personal retribution.”
Some European Tesla owners are pushing back against Musk’s political associations by engaging in small acts of resistance, demonstrating their displeasure with his far-right leanings.
Patrick Schneider from Germany created an “anti-Elon sticker” line for Tesla cars to express his dissatisfaction. The stickers, featuring messages like “Buying this before Elon went crazy,” have gained popularity in response to Musk’s political alliances.
Far-right AFD Alice Weidel is talking online with Elon Musk during her speech at the start of the campaign. Photo: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA
Demand for these stickers has surged, with up to 2,000 being sold daily, not only in German-speaking countries but also internationally. Schneider noted, “Elon Musk inadvertently fueled this for us.”
bSquare Enix, which ACK purchased the series from Eidos in 2013, has released a reboot of the 1990s hit action game Tomb Raider. I I loved that game despite the first nearby semi-assault scene, I later came to consider it a bit nasty. I wasn’t the only one. It was very well received, selling 3.4 million copies in the first month alone. After that, Square Enix came out. I called it a disappointment.
The sale did not meet the publisher’s expectations. It was What are your expectations? Was it supposed to sell 5m? One month? If the book sells 10,000 copies in a week, it is considered a bestseller. Even at its popularity in the 90s, no Tomb Raider game sold over millions. Square Enix’s expectations were clearly unrealistic. That’s not the last one. In a 2016 interview with Hajime Tabata, director of Final Fantasy XV, he told me that he needs to sell 10m for the game to succeed.
In last week’s revenue call, EA executives had to explain their lack of profits. It was driven primarily by EA FC. This is the ubiquitous football series, which saw revenue declines the previous year, but CEO Andrew Wilson also chose to go single-out for the much-anticipated RPG Dragon Age: Bailguard, which was announced last October. “Dragon Age had a high quality launch and was well reviewed by critics and those who played it. However, in this highly competitive market, it didn’t resonate with a wide audience,” he says. I did.
Dragon Age “reached 1.5 million players” for several months since its release. This is likely to include people paying through subscription services and direct sales. If 3.4m was Square Enix’s disappointment in 2013, then the game can imagine 1.5m was a disaster for EA in 2024.
But as Polygon’s Maddie Myers points out Detailed analysis of comparable games 1. Last year’s genre breakout hit, Dragon’s Dogma, sold 3.3m over six months.
Openai has released a new artificial intelligence model for free after stating that it will accelerate its product release in response to the emergence of Chinese competitors.
The company behind Chatgpt has introduced an AI called O3-MINI following the unexpected success of a rival product by DeepSeek in China. Users of Openai’s free chatbot version face some restrictions but can use it for free.
Deepseek has caused a stir among US high-tech investors with the release of an inference model that supports the company’s chatbot. The news that it bypassed Apple’s free App Store and claimed to have been developed at minimal cost caused a $1 trillion drop in the Tech Heavy Nasdaq index on Monday.
Openai’s CEO Sam Altman responded to Deepseek’s challenge by promising to provide a superior model and speeding up the product release. He announced the upcoming release of O3-Mini, a more powerful version of the full O3 model, on January 23.
“Today’s launch marks the introduction of a reasoning function for free users, a crucial step in expanding AI accessibility for practical applications,” Openai stated.
R1, the technology behind Deepseek’s chatbot, not only matches Openai’s performance but also requires fewer resources. Investors questioned whether US companies would maintain control of the AI market despite billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and products.
OPENAI mentioned that the O3-mini model is on par with O1 in terms of mathematics, coding, and science but is more cost-effective and faster. The $200 PRO package provides unlimited access to O3-mini, while lower-tier users have more usage than free users.
The capabilities of the full O3 model were highlighted in the international AI safety report released on Tuesday. The study’s lead, Yoshua Bengio, emphasized that its potential impact on AI risk could be significant. He noted that O3’s performance in major abstract tests marked a surprising breakthrough, outperforming many human experts in some cases.
○ On a recent Monday morning, Olivia Shalhoup opened her laptop and braced herself for the day’s meetings. As the founder of marketing and PR agency Amethyst, about 40% of her work focuses on helping musicians take advantage of TikTok. Her client was nervous that day, with a Supreme Court decision looming and the fate of the app in the United States hanging in the balance. “The key thing we talked about on every call was, ‘What are we going to do?'” Shalhoup said. “It’s no exaggeration to say that TikTok is critical to artists’ campaigns at this point. No one is immune to this.”
Since its debut in 2017, TikTok has become a star-making machine, with short-form video content overtaking traditional music promotion formats like TV and radio. This app features up-and-coming artists. A-listers promotes the rise to topof the chart And make Magic FM classics like Running Up That Hill a Generation Alpha hit. With the help of TikTok, Lil Nas Ta. More recently, songs such as Djo’s “End of Beginning” and Artemas’ “I Like the Way You Kiss Me” have become global hits after going viral on the app. The ability to track a song’s tenacity, engagement, and reach is a label executive’s dream, and one that author John Seabrook provides. I called “Real-time global callout data” helps leading companies make smarter trades.
Lil Nas X performs in New Jersey in 2019. The rapper and singer’s career soared after his smash single “Old Town Road” went viral on TikTok. Photo: Scott Ross/Invision/AP
“Right now, most label strategies rely heavily on TikTok,” said Ray Uskata, managing director of the Americas at music marketing agency Round. “It’s not just an entertainment platform, it’s a discovery platform. People go to Instagram to see what their friends are up to, they go to YouTube to see what their favorite creators are up to. I go to TikTok to see something new.”
The key to TikTok’s success is a feed filled with algorithmic recommendations that seem to know you better than you know yourself, and keep you in tune, sometimes unnervingly, with the trends and music you’re obsessed with. We provide you with a stream of carefully selected content.
It was enough to give lawmakers pause. In April, the U.S. Congress ordered TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to sell the app to a U.S.-based owner, citing national security concerns over possible manipulation of TikTok by the Chinese government and its collections. They passed a law forcing them to do so or face complete closure. Sensitive User Data Signed by Joe Biden. On January 10th, the Supreme Court convened to decide whether to force TikTok to go dark in the US on January 19th. Despite widespread protests from the creators (and the ACLU) slam On January 17, a court upheld a law that threatens to kill the app in the United States (the proposal is unconstitutional).
Music’s new kingmaker
Many marketers say they are at a loss. “I think a lot of people are in denial,” said Meredith Gardner, co-founder of agency Tenth Floor and former senior vice president of digital marketing at Capitol Records. She said that as recently as 10 days ago, potential clients at major labels were still talking about TikTok as a priority. “I think a lot of people are still hopeful that there will be some form of Hail Mary,” Gardner said.
Artists and record labels view TikTok as the closest thing to a kingmaker in today’s fragmented mainstream music industry, making it difficult to imagine a future without it. “If you look at the top 50 in the world, [chart] Compared to the viral charts, on Spotify, most of these songs are currently charting or trending on TikTok,” Uskata says. “These aren’t actually from other platforms.”
Its influence spreads worldwide. Patrick Clifton, a UK-based music and technology strategy consultant, says the power of TikTok’s network effects in the vast US market is such that it influences what people listen to on Spotify, and that TikTok directly connects Spotify to Spotify. It states that you can click through to listen to the song. Post – Around the World.
“TikTok has been a huge catalyst for music trends in the U.S., and the size and distribution of its user population in the U.S. has made it a catalyst for algorithmic trends on platforms like Spotify around the world,” Clifton said. I say. Therefore, the US ban could change what Spotify offers to listeners in regions where TikTok is still available, such as the UK.
Jeff Halliday, vice president of marketing for Downtown Artist & Label Services, said a potential ban “would immediately cause a lot of disruption.” “It’s like every stage of grief. At first it was mostly denial. A lot of people thought, ‘That’s never going to happen.’ And then the negotiation begins where you say, ‘Well, there’s another way.'”
In the face of uncertainty, marketers are advising artists not to put all their eggs in one basket. Gardner said he tells the artists he works with to take a cue from the pre-iTunes era and cultivate a digital Rolodex of fans. She was recently contacted by a singer-songwriter client seeking advice on how to share his rich archive of demos and home recordings with listeners. In another era, a collection like this would seem tailor-made for TikTok, but Gardner took a different view. “We encourage TikTok to launch Substack.”
With music sales and streaming revenue reaching a record high of £2.4 billion, the UK video games market has experienced consistent growth over the years, despite a 4.4% decrease. The most significant decline was seen in boxed video game sales, which dropped by 35%.
Data from the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA) predicts that the UK video games market will reach £4.6 billion in 2024, making it the second-largest market after TV and film, which is valued at £5 billion.
The shift in consumer buying habits from physical games to digital downloads and in-game purchases is evident in the increasing popularity of games like Fortnite and Roblox. Currently, boxed games account for 27.7% of new game sales in the UK, according to ERA data.
According to an ERA spokesperson, several factors have contributed to the decline in physical sales, including the shift towards digital downloads, subscription access, the console cycle downturn, and the lack of new hit IPs in the market.
The decrease in physical sales also reflects a decline in brick-and-mortar video game retail, with Games being one of the last specialist video game retailers in the UK. The shift away from selling video games towards toys and other merchandise has left customers with limited options for buying boxed games in-store.
Global trends in the gaming industry indicate a decline in physical sales as digital distribution becomes more popular. While physical formats may still exist as collector items, digital distribution is expected to dominate the market in the future.
Download sales saw a slight decrease, while subscription revenue and mobile/tablet game revenue increased. Despite job losses and reduced investment, analysts anticipate a rebound in sales and profits in 2025 with new console releases and game titles.
aIn recent years, affordable new electric family cars have become scarce in Europe, particularly those manufactured in the EU. Campaign group Transport and Environment reports that no electric models produced domestically and priced below €25,000 (£20,740) will be available for sale across the EU in 2022-23.
However, the landscape has shifted in recent months with the introduction of new cars like the Fiat Grande Panda, Citroën ë-C3, Hyundai Instar, Dacia Spring, and Renault 5. This sudden influx has provided buyers with more options.
This change is not coincidental. As stricter EU carbon emissions targets take effect on January 1, car manufacturers are facing the need to sell more electric vehicles to avoid fines. The industry is pushing for relaxed rules, while environmentalists are advocating for a firm stance from the EU.
Globally, automakers are grappling with weak demand for both battery-powered and internal combustion engine models. This profit decline occurs at a challenging time as the industry seeks funding for the costly shift to electric vehicles (EVs).
While 2024 saw record-breaking electric vehicle sales worldwide, driven by China’s growing industry, European markets are experiencing a slowdown. Analyst Matthias Schmidt predicts a 1.4% sales decrease in the 18 largest Western and Northern European markets over the past year.
The decline can be attributed to the cessation of generous subsidies for new EVs in Germany, the largest EV market in Europe. The end of a €5,000 incentive per car has posed challenges, impacting EV sales not only in Germany but also in other countries like France.
Some automakers are faring better than others in meeting emissions targets. While Ford struggles with Cologne-made electric car sales, BMW, Stellantis, Tesla, Polestar, and Volvo are ahead of their targets, allowing them to sell “credits” to competitors.
The sales dip has put political leaders on alert, as automakers blame regulations for potential factory closures. Volkswagen announced plans to close up to three factories in Germany, while Ford is cutting jobs in Europe. This has led industry associations to lobby for relaxed emissions standards to protect jobs.
In the UK, manufacturers have successfully argued against fines, leading to calls for a unified approach. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association is urging the European Commission to provide clarity on emissions standards to safeguard jobs.
fiat grande panda. Stellantis has repeatedly halted assembly operations at its headquarters factory in Mirafiori, Italy. Photo: LaPresse/Alamy
European policymakers may consider easing emissions regulations, with discussions set to begin in January. Efforts to relax rules are being led by some EU governments.
However, concerns persist about the long-term impact of deregulation. Analysts and activists warn that relaxing targets could jeopardize European industry, allowing Chinese EV startups to gain ground in the market.
Scientists from Tel Aviv University conducted geochemical surveys at two smelting camps dating back to the 10th century BC, the time of the Biblical kings David and Solomon. Timna Valley It is located in southern Israel, in the southern Arabah. They found that environmental pollution resulting from copper production is minimal, spatially limited, and poses no danger to residents of the area, past or present.
Aerial view of Site 201, north of the center of the Timna Valley on the western outskirts of Wadi Araba, Israel. Image credit: Yagel others., doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-80939-5.
“We toured two major copper production sites in the Timna Valley: one from the Iron Age; King Solomon's time Professor Erez Ben Yosef of Tel Aviv University said:
“Our research was very extensive. We took hundreds of soil samples from both locations for chemical analysis and created high-resolution maps of the presence of heavy metals in the area.”
“We found that contamination levels at the Timna copper mining site were very low and confined to the site of an ancient smelting furnace.”
“For example, the concentration of lead, a major pollutant in the metal industry, drops to less than 200 ppm just a few meters away from the furnace.”
“By comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines industrial areas as safe for workers at 1,200 ppm and residential areas as safe for children at 200 ppm.”
The new study contradicts a series of papers published since the 1990s about pollution allegedly caused by the ancient copper industry.
“We are proving that this is not true,” Professor Ben Yosef said.
“Timna's contamination is very spatially localized, with the only people probably working directly at the furnaces suffering from inhalation of toxic gases, and just a short distance away, the soil is completely destroyed. It’s safe.”
“Furthermore, the agreement in the spatial distribution of copper and lead concentrations in the soil that we found indicates that the metal is ‘locked up’ in slag and other industrial wastes, so that the metal can leach into the soil. It has no effect on plants or humans.”
“Our findings are consistent with several recent studies conducted in the Wadi Faynan region of Jordan, which also show very low levels of pollution.”
“Timna and Feynan are ideal locations for this kind of research because they are undisturbed by modern mining, as happened for example in Cyprus, and thanks to their dry climate metals in the soil are not washed away. .”
“In Feynan, scientists from Hebrew University examined the skeletons of 36 people who lived at the mining site during the Iron Age and found that only three had evidence of contamination in their teeth. The rest It was completely beautiful. We are now presenting a similar picture for Timna.”
In addition to the geochemical study, the authors also reviewed existing literature and found that the hypothesis of global pollution before Roman times lacked solid evidence.
“In the 1990s, there was a tendency to attribute ancient copper production to the first example of industrial pollution,” said Dr. Omri Jagel of Tel Aviv University.
“Such statements make headlines and attract research funding, but they unnecessarily project contemporary pollution problems into the past.”
“Furthermore, research literature tends to use the term 'contamination' to describe traces of ancient metallurgical activity, leading to the erroneous assumption that the metal industry was harmful to humanity from its earliest days. They are connected, but this is clearly false.”
“Even when metal production became large-scale and essential to human civilization, it was the toxic lead industry that caused global pollution, not necessarily other metals.”
“Studies in the 1990s argued that trace amounts of copper found in Greenland ice cores migrated through the atmosphere from places like Timna.”
“However, this claim has not been supported by subsequent research.”
“As researchers facing today's tough environmental challenges, such as climate change, we often look for similar problems in the past or think that environmental degradation is an inevitable consequence of human activity since the agricultural revolution. There is a tendency to
“But we have to be careful. We might call some slag falling on the ground 'pollution', but we can't treat this local waste as regional or global environmental pollution.” should not be confused with. ”
Regarding this research, paper Published in a magazine on November 29th scientific report.
_____
O. Jagel others. 2024. The pre-Roman copper industry had no polluting impact on the global environment. science officer 14, 29675; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-80939-5
○On a recent Sunday afternoon in Nairobi’s upscale neighborhood, Daniel Badu had his headphones wrapped around his head, his elbow resting on a pillow, and he was rapidly tapping on the screen of his cell phone.
Badu and his four teammates from the Ora 233 team, all wearing black and yellow kits, represented Ghana and Kenya’s Delta e in the final of the 1st Carry 1st Africa Cup, a continental tournament for first-person shooter videos. They were competing in the popular game “Call of Duty: Mobile”.
Esports events are on the rise in Kenya and other parts of Africa, due in part to increased access to the internet and devices such as smartphones, PCs, and gaming consoles. Popular titles include EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, and Tekken.
Daniel Badu aka Ruin of Ghana’s Aura 233 team at Carry1st Africa Cup Final. Photo: Edwin Ndeke/Guardian
To cater to the growing interest, professional teams, university leagues, national federations, and competitions such as the Carry1st Africa Cup have been established.
The trend is part of a growing interest in video games in general in Africa, which has one of the continent’s youngest populations. 2021 Report It said the number of video game consumers on the continent increased from 77 million to 186 million from 2015 to 2021.
Some of them have now moved on to professional gaming. Badu, known by the game’s alias Ruin, started playing Call of Duty: Mobile in 2019 after years of playing console games.
“I’ve been playing video games for as long as I can remember,” the 19-year-old said. Badu began his professional journey by joining various lower-tier teams to gain experience, showcase his skills, and make a name for himself. Last year, he was scouted by Ace Gamers Esports, a professional esports organization based in Accra, and signed a contract after a trial.
Ace Gamers also recruits, trains, and manages players for EA Sports FC, Apex Legends, Mortal Kombat, and other games. Badu said the contract gives him the opportunity to improve his game by playing with like-minded people and also gives him access to tournaments. “I have made it this far by playing the game and continuing to hone my game, so I can compete with the best players in Africa,” he said.
Spectators watch the Carry 1st Africa Cup Final at the Nairobi Game Development Center on November 24. Photo: Edwin Ndeke/Guardian
At the event in Nairobi, production staff sat behind large monitors selecting shots for the livestream. One floor below, the audience cheered and screamed as they watched the action unfold on television screens.
After seven months of qualifying events involving over 100 teams in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa, six teams advanced to the two-day Carry1st Africa Cup finals, with South Africa’s Noxious Gaming ultimately Winning the championship (NxG).
“Large esports events are a great way to synergistically increase the attention of all gamers and drive interest from new gamers,” says Senior Community Manager at Carry1st, a pan-African games publisher headquartered in the Cape. said Dominion Eromosere, cum event leader. town.
Since its founding in 2018, the organization has hosted more than 400 tournaments, primarily through universities. Its online network, Tribe, attracts hundreds of thousands of gamers from across the continent.
Grassroots, national, and continental tournaments are becoming an important way to discover talent, hone player skills, and increase the popularity of esports. Other events taking place this year include the IESF Africa Esports Championship in Casablanca in August and the women-only Tekken Kongou Esports Championship in Kinshasa in November.
Members of the South African Noxious Gaming (NxG) team that won the inaugural Carry1st Africa Cup. Photo: Edwin Ndeke/Guardian
“The tournament breathes life into the ecosystem,” said Magdaline Mumbi, who finished fourth for Kenya at the Kinshasa Games. Mumbi, whose gaming nickname is Bambina, was a casual PlayStation gamer until six years ago when he competed in a Tekken tournament at a university event and came in second place.
From that point on, she began playing several games competitively while seeking mentorship in the Kenyan esports community. She made the leap by being selected for the national team to participate in the Dota 2 Battle Arena Games, a global Esports game, to be held in Turkey in 2022. “2022 allowed us to see a bigger picture of what esports is all about,” Mumbi said. “You can actually make money doing this.”
Magdaline Mumbi, aka Bambina, participated in the Kongo Esports Championship in Kinshasa in November. Photo: Magdaline Mumbi
For the African scene to further grow and compete in the global multi-billion dollar esports industry, it will need to overcome technological and financial challenges.
Poor internet infrastructure often results in poor connectivity. Also, because most games’ servers are hosted outside of Africa, there is often a delay between the device you play on and the server, an issue known as “high ping,” which can make intercontinental matches and matches between players from different African countries difficult.
“A lot of esports is rooted in online multiplayer gaming, and Africa doesn’t have the best infrastructure. [for this]” Badu said. “[African players] are at a huge disadvantage.”
Carry1st is working to address that issue. For the past two years, the company has partnered with game developers to help launch servers for Call of Duty: Mobile and tactical shooter Valorant in Africa.
Financially, it’s difficult to get player sponsorship, and above all, there are very few tournaments that pay out big bucks. The total prize money for the Nairobi tournament was $15,000. “Limited funding and sponsorship are hitting the field hard,” said Mumbi, who is also a chess instructor.
“If we can prove how entertaining e-sports is and how many people are watching it, people will invest in it,” Eromose said.
Amazon is the latest tech giant to donate to Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.
Reports indicate that the company plans to donate $1 million to the fund, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Following in Meta’s footsteps, Facebook’s parent company, which also donated $1 million to President Trump’s inaugural committee, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that he would make a personal donation of $1 million. This was reported by Fox News.
As President Trump prepares for his second term, several major tech companies are showing support in hopes of gaining favor for their businesses. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is scheduled to meet with President Trump next week, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently dined with him at his Mar-a-Lago mansion. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also expected to meet the president soon, according to reports. Time magazine, owned by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, even named Trump its “Person of the Year.”
Altman of OpenAI expressed his belief that Trump will lead the country in technological advancement. In a statement to the Guardian, Altman said, “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I look forward to supporting his efforts to ensure the United States stays ahead.”
Donating to inaugural committees is a common practice for large companies seeking to establish rapport with the incoming administration. Amazon, for example, donated $57,746 to President Trump’s first inaugural fund in 2017, according to Open Secrets. Google and Microsoft also made donations, while Mehta confirmed to the Guardian that he did not donate that year.
Amazon stated that during Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, the administration declined donations from technology companies, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Allegedly, Trump plans to offer additional perks to donors who contribute at least $1 million to his inaugural committee, including access to various events around the inauguration, dinners with Trump, Cabinet nominations, and a dinner with J.D. Vance, according to the New York Times.
Bezos, who owns the Washington Post, has been a target of Trump’s criticism. However, before the election, the Washington Post decided not to endorse a presidential candidate, likely in an attempt to avoid provoking Trump, as reported by The Washington Post.
After Trump’s victory, Bezos and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expressed their support for the new administration. Bezos praised Trump for the opportunities ahead, while Jassy celebrated the victory and expressed eagerness to collaborate with the administration. Amazon’s stock price reportedly rose by 14% after the election.
The United States announced new export restrictions targeting China’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, drawing immediate criticism from the Chinese government.
The U.S. government is expanding efforts to curb exports to China of cutting-edge chips that can be used in advanced weapons systems and artificial intelligence.
Monday’s announcement comes weeks before Donald Trump returns as president, where he is expected to strengthen Washington’s hawkish stance on China. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Monday that President Joe Biden’s term has been particularly challenging in “strategically addressing China’s military modernization through export controls.”
Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said: “The United States has taken significant steps to ensure that our technology is not used by adversaries in ways that threaten our national security.” . The U.S. government continues to work with allies and partners to “actively and aggressively protect our world-leading technology and know-how from being used to undermine our national security.”
The Chinese government pledged on Monday to protect its interests, with a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce saying the United States was “abusing export control measures” and “impeding normal economic and trade exchanges.”
The latest U.S. rules include restrictions on sales to 140 companies, including Chinese semiconductor companies Pyotek and SiCarrier, without additional permits. The Commerce Department said they also affect Nowra Technology Group, which makes chip manufacturing equipment. Others include entities in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
The new U.S. rules also include regulations for 20 types of chip manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for semiconductor development or production. “We are in constant dialogue with our allies and partners to reevaluate and update our controls,” said Alan Estevez, Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.
Netherlands-based computer chip equipment maker ASML, the only manufacturer of cutting-edge chip-making machinery, said it does not expect new U.S. regulations to impact its latest financial metrics. Ta.
ASML said the latest U.S. regulations, if implemented by the Dutch government, will impact exports of deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) systems to some chip manufacturing plants in China. ASML is the only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment (EUV) that produces cutting-edge chips. The company already cannot sell EUV equipment to China because of existing government restrictions on the use of US technology.
Separately, the Dutch government said on Monday that it shares the United States’ security concerns regarding exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools and is considering the latest U.S. rules.
The US Department of Commerce said the new regulations are aimed at slowing China’s development of advanced AI that could “change the future of warfare” and undermining the development of China’s own semiconductor ecosystem.
The agency said this was in line with Washington’s “small garden, high fence” policy of strategic restrictions, an approach that Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized last month.
Since the launch of ChatGPT raised global awareness of the power of AI, calls for further shutdowns of the semiconductor supply chain have been growing.
Thibault Denamiel, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP that the move confirms “the trajectory of U.S. policy rather than a significant increase in regulatory efforts.”
“The additions become less important in light of the incoming Trump administration’s proposals,” he added, noting that the president-elect has vowed drastic action to trivialize these latest restrictions on chip technology.
On a gloomy November day in England’s Cotswolds, a VX4 that looked like a cross between a plane and a helicopter rose from an airport runway, hovered a few feet off the ground before sinking.
It may not have reached that high of an altitude, but it was a seminal moment for British owner Vertical Aerospace. The company has received millions of pounds of support from British taxpayers but is running out of money.
The flight came amid tense negotiations with investors that could see founder Stephen Fitzpatrick lose control to a US hedge fund, with the electric aircraft tethered to the ground for safety. We showed evidence that it is possible to transport people without having to carry them.
Verticals have already experienced what can happen when things go wrong. On a sunny day in August last year, the adhesive holding the blades of one of its eight rotors in place broke, causing the unmanned aircraft to crash onto the runway. The 3.7-ton aircraft crashed into a 30-foot crumpled heap, its blade landing 50 meters away. There were no injuries.
The accident and financial difficulties highlight the difficulty of making flying taxis a reality. Almost a century of effort. Vertical announced on Tuesday that the date its first aircraft would receive approval from UK regulators to carry passengers will be pushed back by another two years to 2028.
Stephen Fitzpatrick founded Vertical in 2016. Photo: Geoff Overs/BBC/Reuters
Vertical initially claimed the aircraft would have room for four people, a range of 160 miles, a top speed of 150 miles per hour, and would enter service by 2025. Vertical chief executive Stuart Simpson confirmed to investors this week that the company had chosen the UK as its destination. A factory that manufactures 200 aircraft a year. But cautious regulators and suppliers paid a price for the ambitious schedule.
A number of startups are trying to develop flying taxis, known in the industry as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (Evtol). For several years, they seemed to be making rapid progress as investors sought empty Teslas, backed by cheap money.
Flying taxi companies such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation in the US and Volocopter in Germany have raised large sums of money and built flying prototypes. Three major aircraft manufacturers are participating in this competition through their subsidiaries: Europe’s Airbus, America’s Boeing, and Brazil’s Embraer.
Vertical took advantage of that wave. Fitzpatrick, an entrepreneur who also invests in F1 teams and derives most of his £800 million fortune from energy company Ovo, founded Vertical in 2016. The company was listed on the US stock market in 2021 with a valuation of $2.2 billion.
But rising interest rates and slow development are causing investors to pause before pouring in more money. Vertical’s stock price has fallen 95% since the coronavirus pandemic bubble, valuing it at just $110 million.
U.S.-listed peer Lilium filed for bankruptcy for its German subsidiary last month and is looking for a buyer to rescue it. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Chinese automaker Geely is in talks to bail out its Volocopter after its value also fell. Britain’s Rolls-Royce has scrapped plans for a flying taxi business, nearly three years after its plane broke the airspeed record.
A prototype flying taxi being developed in the United Arab Emirates has been unveiled at a taxi rank outside Charing Cross station in London. Photo: David Parry/Pennsylvania
An industry official said, “A large-scale bubble has occurred.” “We’re finally nearing the end.”
In the longer term, concerns remain about how flying taxis in crowded skies will be regulated. However, the industry received some positive news after US authorities issued regulations on how such vehicles should be operated and how pilots should be trained.
Simpson told investors the company needs about $100 million to cover costs next year. Cash at the end of September was £42.8m.
If negotiations with major financial institutions are successful, the immediate funding crisis may be eased. Fitzpatrick and Vertical have been in talks for nearly a year with Jason Mudrick, an American distressed debt investor who made a fortune investing in “meme stocks” such as AMC Entertainment and GameStop during the pandemic. .
Mudrick proposed converting about half of Vertical’s previous $200 million in financing into equity in exchange for a cash infusion of up to $50 million.
However, in a letter to Vertical’s board last month, he said: “Mr. Fitzpatrick has refused to accept a contractual dilution of approximately 70% of his company’s shares, which he has repeatedly rejected. “There is,” he said.
Mr. Fitzpatrick is seeking a 30% stake, but the deal would leave existing shareholders with only 20% of the company. An agreement could pave the way for other investors to make new equity investments. Candidates could include Virgin Atlantic Airways, American Airlines, and previous investors such as Microsoft and control systems supplier Honeywell.
Vertical boasts a low-cost model of buying off-the-shelf technology from existing suppliers, but it could need $500 million to $1 billion to get through four years without revenue.
Despite investors expressing concerns about launch delays, Simpson said he was “optimistic” about the funding. But with Toyota investing another $500 million in Joby and Beta Technologies raising $300 million last month, some investors believe that if the technology can prove to work, the flying taxi company will still have the cash. He reassured them that they could secure the
“The funding environment is tough and there is a shakeout in the industry,” Simpson said. “I think we’ll be one of the winners.”
IIn 2004, Holly Longdale was a game designer at EverQuest and a champion of a new genre of video games that enabled massively multiplayer role-playing. These online fantasy worlds allow players to pursue quests together rather than alone, adding an engaging new social – and competitive – dimension to the static offline role-playing that Holly’s generation was accustomed to. I did. But whenever possible, Longdale would instead sneak in a few hours of play as EverQuest’s main competitor. That game was World of Warcraft (WoW).
“There were so many moments in WoW that I was jealous of,” she says. Then I saw another player running in the opposite direction. This is the druid who buffed me along the way. That’s when I knew I was going to be in this business for the long term. ” Twenty years later, Longdale is now vice president of WoW and executive producer at developer Blizzard, and one of the millions of people who have accepted the game as a part of their lives.
For two decades, World of Warcraft has been an icon of geek culture, referenced everywhere from South Park to The Big Bang Theory to Family Guy. WoW has become a convenient abbreviation for not only a certain type of gamer, but all sorts of nerds, nerds, and silly subcultures. In the ’00s, Ozzy Osbourne, Chuck Norris, Mr. T and more promoted it along with the infamous Night Elf Mohawk. Henry Cavill, Mila Kunis and Vin Diesel are among the fans, but the 2016 film did not do particularly well, grossing $439 million. In 2021, Blizzard revealed that players have combined for nearly 9 million years of play time.
There were certainly other role-playing games before WoW was released in 2004. However, 3D graphics was still in its infancy. Games like Star Wars Galaxies and Everquest have vast, largely barren worlds that rely on copious amounts of in-game text and clunky rules removed from tabletop games for explanation. did. Then along came Blizzard, the developer company that made a name for itself and a small fortune with great online competitive strategy games like StarCraft and Warcraft III. Unlike its competitors, WoW’s world of Azeroth felt alive, with gorgeous scenery and a huge number of animals and monsters roaming the landscape. An iconic bright yellow exclamation point will float above your non-player character’s head, letting them know that a quest awaits them. And of course, there are other players everywhere, taming beasts, slaying monsters for quests, drinking at inns, mining ore, or just passing by in high-level gear. He would see you doing things like that, and he would get jealous as you struggled to tackle the pack. A despicable Murloc.
What came to define early WoW was the social aspect of the game. The world’s tightly controlled zones encouraged players to encounter other people as they explored Azeroth. Additionally, when creating a character, players had to choose between two factions: the Alliance and the Horde, giving players an instant sense of loyalty. Whether grouping up to take on a dungeon, rallying in a band of 40 to take down a giant raid boss, or storming into an enemy capital as an army of low-level cannon fodder, every player has the power to It seems to have a story about the era of. Azeroth.
A perfect storm is brewing…World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. Photo: Blizzard Entertainment
I still romanticize my role sneaking into the Alliance capital of Stormwind with a group of low-level undead rogues. I imagined it to be a daring attack, but in the end I had to run for my life. Another time, I asked a better-equipped passerby for help in defeating a particularly formidable monster in the Night Elf Zone of Darkshore, but ended up chatting with the person for hours. . Over the next few months, I messaged that same player.
WOW was a completely simple phenomenon. Blizzard had to more than double its workforce within a year to answer player questions, resolve technical issues, and keep servers running. WoW achieved impressive subscriber numbers, which were further increased by the release of two expansion packs: The Burning Crusade in 2007 and Wrath of the Lich King in 2008.
By 2010, over 12 million players had active monthly subscriptions. Some called themselves WoWaholics. Other players find WoW to be an escape from the constraints of real life, as evidenced by Mads Steen’s moving story recently told in the Netflix documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. Although Mads suffered from muscular dystropy until his untimely death at the age of 25, he lived a vibrant life in WoW. His parents were completely unaware of his son’s life until online friends sent them long messages from all over Europe telling them how much their son had affected their lives. Five members of Mads’ WoW guild traveled to Norway for his funeral.
But no game can stay in the spotlight forever. WOW went from strength to strength over its first six years, but as the game got older, so did the players. Ion Hazzikostas, then lead game designer, now game director put it down 2014: “If you started this game in 2004, you were a student with a lot of free time, and now you’re a career woman with a family.” Blizzard maintains existing fans while attracting new generations. It was necessary to attract. The 2010 Cataclysm expansion decided to revolutionize the game by overhauling the world with a new design philosophy suited to the faster gameplay that modern gamers were thought to demand. . This change remains controversial.
Today, exploring Azeroth is an almost unrecognizable experience compared to its early days. WoW has had several different eras. The classic WoW era lasted until Wrath of the Lich King (2004-2008). The world overhaul that characterized Cataclysm (2010) to Warlords of Draenor (2014). From Legion (2016) to Shadowlands (2020), the pivot to a long endgame grind that allows players to become infinitely more powerful. and the modern era of WoW, starting with Dragonflight (2022) and continuing through the recently launched expansion The War Within (2024). These “eras” are so distinct that it feels like the game is being reinvented every six years.
Social aspects have also changed over time. As Taliesin – one half of a couple YouTube Duo Taliesin & Evitel – says: 2004 was the era of bulletin boards, forums, and a more “underground” Internet. Today’s internet is much shorter and crisper. It’s TikTok, a social media focused on one or two megasites. What we do socially on the internet has changed, and so has WoW. ”
Anger… 2021 Protesters. Photo: David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
I often hear complaints that WoW has changed so much that it has lost its original spirit. Players were often confused about design decisions that they felt conflicted with the traditional experience. Unfortunately for Blizzard, these peaked after the launch of Shadowlands in 2020, just as the perfect storm was brewing for the company. Not only has the coronavirus upended game development, but in 2021 Blizzard was hit with a lawsuit brought by the California Department of Fair Employment, accusing it of a “frat boy” workplace culture, including sexual harassment and poor treatment of women. He was accused of encouraging.
The lawsuit had far-reaching implications for the company and the gaming industry as a whole. Several senior executives, including Blizzard President J. Allen Black, fell downand the company agreed to pay millions of dollars to address concerns of sex discrimination and pay inequality. The lawsuit ultimately helped form the first labor union at a major U.S. gaming company.
Especially within WOW, this suit brought about rapid changes in the game. Characters named after accused abusers have been renamed, and many in-game assets deemed inappropriate in light of the accusations have been replaced or tweaked, including sexual depictions of women. Many of the changes were ridiculed by the player base, prompting Blizzard to combat toxicity. Instead of “turning women into fruit bowls””.
A showdown in Azeroth…a great battle. Photo: Blizzard Entertainment
Longdale had just joined Blizzard in 2020 when the lawsuit began. “It was heartbreaking,” she says. “I’d only been here a few months, and it was really heartbreaking to see the team so devastated thinking about what the future holds.” The fallout from this already exists about the state of the game. Combined with the discomfort it caused, it could easily have been the beginning of the end for WoW. However, the game was able to hold up due to the commitment of both the WoW team and new Blizzard leadership to come back better. “What I’m really proud of is the huge increase in diversity on our team,” Longdale says. The content we create now has more “voices” and people are creating highly personal content based on their own experiences. ”
Every time WOW has been in danger of losing relevance over the years, it has reinvented itself and managed to come back. And although its cultural influence has diminished over time, the influence it has had is undeniable. Countless fantasy role-playing worlds and characters draw inspiration from WoW’s pantheon of heroes. This game is in the DNA of subsequent generations of video games that have been developed since 2004.
Today’s WoW may not evoke the same sense of wonder that early players felt in 2004 when they roamed the green hills of Stranglethorn or boarded their first ships from Kalimdor to the Eastern Kingdoms. But the fact that it’s still going on and changing is a testament to the great foundation we laid 20 years ago. And what about the future of WoW? “My goal, and the team’s goal, is that WoW is more than just a game,” Longdale says. “It’s essentially part of your lifestyle. It could be for your friends, or it could be for parents playing with their children. It’s a fascinating fantasy world that connects you with people. ”
Amazon.com has recently signed three agreements to collaborate on the development of small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power technology. This cutting-edge technology aims to address the increasing demand for power, particularly from data centers. Amazon has solidified its position as a major player in the high-tech industry.
One of the agreements involves Amazon funding a feasibility study for an SMR project near its Northwest Energy site in Washington state. X-Energy will be responsible for developing the SMR, with financial specifics remaining undisclosed.
As per the agreement, Amazon will have the option to procure power from four modules. Energy Northwest, a group of state utilities, may also include up to 80 MW modules, resulting in a total capacity of up to 960 MW. This power will be able to supply over 770,000 US homes, with excess energy being allocated to Amazon and utility companies for residential and commercial usage.
Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, expressed, “Our agreement will expedite the advancement of new nuclear technologies that will provide energy for years to come.”
SMR leverages factory assembly of components to reduce construction expenses, a departure from the conventional on-site assembly of large nuclear reactors. While some critics argue that achieving economies of scale with SMR technology may be costly, it remains a promising development.
Nuclear power, known for its near-zero greenhouse gas emissions and creation of high-wage union jobs, garners bipartisan support in the US. Despite this, the country is yet to have a working SMR. NuScale was the lone US entity to secure an SMR design license from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently.
Furthermore, SMRs produce lasting radioactive waste, and the US lacks a definitive disposal site for such byproducts. Scott Burnell, a representative from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, stated that regulators still await detailed information about planned SMR implementations.
Tesla shares dropped almost 9% on Friday, erasing roughly $60 billion from the company’s market value following the underwhelming announcement of its highly anticipated robotaxis that failed to impress investors.
The electric vehicle manufacturer’s stock plummeted to $217 at the close of the market after CEO Elon Musk revealed a much-hyped self-driving car at an event in Hollywood. Since the start of the year, the stock price has declined by about 12%.
Musk stated that Tesla would commence the development of a fully autonomous CyberCab by 2026 priced under $30,000 and introduced a van capable of transporting 20 people autonomously within the city, aiming to revolutionize parking.
Prior to the event, he tweeted: “And within 50 years all transportation will be fully autonomous.”
During the presentation, he mentioned that parking would no longer be necessary in the city.
However, analysts were disappointed by the lack of specifics at the event concerning Tesla’s projects and other developments. Musk has a track record of making ambitious projections about future products that often fail to materialize within set deadlines or at all.
Royal Bank of Canada analyst Tom Narayan remarked in an investor note that the event lacked specifics. He stated, “Investors we spoke to during the event felt that the event glossed over actual figures and timelines.”
“These shortcomings are common at Tesla events, which appear to focus more on promoting and branding Tesla’s vision rather than providing concrete data for analysis. Consequently, we anticipate a decline in the stock price.”
Narayan also mentioned that some investors were anticipating a preview of an affordable car equipped with pedals and a steering wheel set to be launched next year, but no such announcement was made.
Garrett Nelson, an analyst at investment research firm CFRA, expressed disappointment with the revelations about the CyberCab and the lack of information regarding more economical vehicles.
He said: “The event raised numerous questions but was surprisingly brief and resembled more of a controlled demonstration than a comprehensive presentation. We were unsatisfied with the absence of details about [Tesla’s] near-term product plans, which include a more affordable model and the Roadster. Musk previously mentioned on a conference call that production of these models is set for 2025.”
a The Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong has become a summer sensation, selling 10 million copies in just three days, as reported by developer Game Science. With over a million daily players on Steam, it marks China’s first major success in the console and PC gaming market, typically dominated by mobile games. The game’s popularity as a single-player experience contrasts with previous multiplayer failures, indicating a growing demand for this type of adventure. still The game industry executives may have underestimated the appetite for such immersive experiences.
Goku, the main character of the game, has also sparked interest for other reasons. IGN’s report shed light on public comments by Game Science employees, revealing a concerning pattern of sexism. This led to conversations about gender inequality in Chinese gaming and society as a whole. While some defended Game Science, others criticized the studio for its alleged attitudes. This controversy further fueled the debate in the gaming community.
Black Myth: Wukong’s success has placed it at the center of cultural debates in the gaming world. Recent incidents of limiting discussions around sensitive topics in game demos amplified the scrutiny on the game and its developers. The game’s guidelines reflect broader restrictions in China, raising questions about creative freedom in the country’s gaming landscape. Despite these controversies, the game continues to thrive, attracting attention from global audiences.
Gamers in Shanghai try out Black Myth: Wukong on release day.
Photo: Héctor Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
These events underscore the multi-layered significance of Black Myth: Wukong’s success, highlighting the changing dynamics in China’s gaming sector. With the game’s roots in Chinese cultural heritage, it has garnered support from nationalist sentiments. However, critiques about its gameplay quality raise questions about its lasting impact. Despite differing opinions, the game remains a pivotal example of the evolving gaming industry landscape.
What to Play
Astro Bot: “Overflowing with ideas”
Photo: Sony/Team Asobi
Dive into the imaginative world of Astro Bot on PlayStation 5, a platform game that offers endless fun and creativity. Explore the galaxy as Astro and his robot friends in a spaceship-shaped adventure. Experience the PS5’s capabilities in a captivating storyline. Stay tuned for a detailed review coming soon.
Available: PlayStation 5 Estimated play time: 20+ hours
What to Read
Concorde.
Photo: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony’s cancellation of Concorde highlights the challenges of the gaming industry, with a failed release prompting quick action. The game’s premature end raises questions about market demand and quality standards.
Explore the legacy of Mabel Addis, the pioneering female game designer who revolutionized the industry. Her contributions to storytelling and character development set new standards for interactive entertainment.
Go to the Farm: Stardew Valley.
Photo: Photo from ConcernedApe’s High Score column
leader Adam question:
“I game online with friends regularly, and have been looking for a new story-driven online co-op adventure for a while. I'm struggling to find something to fit in for a short Friday night session. Any suggestions? As a kicker, something where he can act planned and careful, and I impulsively make a mess that he has to clean up, would be ideal.”
Discover exciting co-op adventures like Stardew Valley and Monster Hunter World, offering engaging gameplay experiences where collaboration and chaos collide. These titles provide an immersive escape for short gaming sessions with friends, catering to different play styles and preferences.
If you have a question for Question Block, or anything else you'd like to say about the newsletter, please click “Reply” or email us at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
