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It's about to get a lot easier for creators <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://creators.facebook.com/blog/introducing-facebook-affiliate-partnerships-a-new-way-to-earn?locale=en_US" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">on Facebook</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://creators.instagram.com/blog/new-ways-to-earn-making-reels-shoppable" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Instagram</a> to push products to their followers. Meta will now allow creators to include clickable shopping links for products directly in their Reels.Brand partnerships and affiliate links, in which creators earn a portion of sales generated by their recommendations, are central to how creators earn money from Facebook and Instagram. But Meta has limited the ways in which they can direct their followers off-platform. As a result, creators often rely on third-party "link in bio" services for managing links to the stuff they endorse.Now, Meta says it will allow eligible creators to link to up to 30 distinct products in a single Reel. the feature will be available on both Instagram and Facebook, though Facebook creators are limited to tagging products from marketplace partners like Amazon. The change could be a boon for lifestyle creators and others who rely on their followers regularly buying the stuff they recommend. It brings Meta’s apps up to par <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-is-pushing-shopping-features-into-nearly-every-part-of-its-app-212002587.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">with TikTok</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/you-tube-is-bringing-affiliate-shopping-features-to-shorts-143016212.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">YouTube Shorts</a>, both of which have had affiliate shopping features for years. It will also make shopping content a lot harder to ignore, which could risk alienating some people if creators go overboard.For Meta, the change will give it new insight into what its users are buying. A Meta spokesperson says the company isn't taking a cut from creators' sales via these links for now, though it's probably safe to assume the company will use the data gleaned from them to bolster its ad business.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-letting-creators-fill-their-reels-with-shopping-links-232406681.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Jury rules against Meta, orders $375 million fine in major child safety trial

A jury in New Mexico has found Meta liable for violating the state's consumer protection laws in a high-profile civil trial over child exploitation and other safety issues. One day after closing arguments in the weeks-long trial concluded, the jury ruled against Meta on every count and ordered the company to pay $375 million. The case was brought by New Mexico's attorney general <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/meta-faces-another-lawsuit-over-child-safety-164732291.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">in 2023</a> and centered around allegations that Meta knew its platform put children at risk of exploitation and mental health harms and failed to put safety measures in place. In the end, the jury ruled that Meta was liable for both counts of violating New Mexico's consumer protection laws for misleading people in the state about the safety of its services. It imposed a penalty of $375 million, the maximum amount under the law based on the number of violations. During the trial, jurors were shown numerous internal documents throughout Meta's history. These included the results <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/facebook-research-instagram-teen-mental-health-slides-003452675.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">of research</a> into mental health issues facing teens, and email exchanges in which Meta executives discussed safety problems like sextortion, self harm content and grooming. Prosecutors argued that these documents showed Meta knew children were experiencing harms on its apps, despite public statements that it prioritized safety. In a statement, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said the company would appeal the verdict. "We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal. We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content," he said. "We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”The verdict isn't the end of New Mexico's case against Meta. The state will argue that Meta is a "public nuisance" at a bench trial (a trial with a judge and no jury) that's expected to begin in May. In a statement, Attorney General Raul Torrez called the verdict a "historic victory" for families affected by Meta's safety lapses.“Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew. Today the jury joined families, educators, and child safety experts in saying enough is enough."The New Mexico trial has been closely watched as it's among the first of many cases against Meta over child safety issues. A jury is currently deliberating in a separate trial in Los Angeles over <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-really-wants-you-to-believe-social-media-addiction-is-not-a-thing-130000927.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">social media addiction</a>. A coalition of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/forty-one-states-sue-meta-for-harming-the-mental-health-of-its-youngest-users-162521184.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">dozens of other states</a> have also brought a lawsuit against the company for harming teens.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/jury-rules-against-meta-orders-375-million-fine-in-major-child-safety-trial-224215209.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, run by former Call of Duty director

Sony is shutting down <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-has-a-new-first-party-playstation-studio-led-by-cod-zombies-creator-jason-blundell-120007351.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Dark Outlaw Games</a>, a first-party game studio led by former Call of Duty producer Jason Blundell, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3mht6bqvru22v" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reports</a>. Before leading Dark Outlaw Games, Blundell was the head of Deviation Games, which was an independent studio, but also happened to be developing a PlayStation game before it shut down, Schreier says.Dark Outlaw Games had yet to announce what it was working on, but considering Blundell's experience with the Call of Duty franchise, it seems likely the studio was developing a multiplayer project for PlayStation. Blundell was a programmer and producer at Activision before making the jump to Treyarch to work on Call of Duty 3, and he contributed to multiple Call of Duty: Black Ops games after that, including serving as the director for the campaign and Zombies mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops III and the career and Zombies modes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.Engadget has contacted Sony for more information about the fate of Dark Outlaw Games. We'll update this article if we hear back.The studio's shutdown is being paired with cuts to staff at PlayStation focused on mobile development, according to Schreier. Sony has made a habit of laying off staff and shutting down studios in the last year, seemingly as a way to retreat from an <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.polygon.com/22914172/sony-playstation-bungie-acquisition-new-live-service-games/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">earlier investment in online, live-service multiplayer games</a>. The company <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-is-shutting-down-the-studio-behind-the-demons-souls-remake-195234213.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">shut down Bluepoint Games</a> in February following attempts to get a live-service God of War game off the ground. Sony also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-pulls-the-plug-on-concord-and-shuts-down-firewalk-studios-180321212.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">closed Firewalk Studios</a> after the spectacular failure of multiplayer shooter Concord in October 2024. And a year before that, Naughty Dog <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.naughtydog.com/blog/an_update_on_the_last_of_us_online" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">officially abandoned</a> work on a standalone multiplayer version of The Last of Us in December 2023.That leaves Sony with at least two Horizon Zero Dawn spin-offs, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/guerrilla-reveals-horizon-hunters-gathering-a-co-op-action-spin-off-for-ps5-and-pc-162058264.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">a co-op game</a> from original developer Guerilla Games and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sonys-latest-horizon-spin-off-is-an-mmorpg-for-pc-and-mobile-but-not-ps5-153532860.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">a MMO</a> from developer NCSoft; <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/fairgame-looks-like-payday-and-the-division-with-a-gen-z-twist-202407857.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">Fairgame$</a>, which is still in active development <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-15/playstation-executive-jade-raymond-leaves-studio-she-founded?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc0NzM0MzgxOSwiZXhwIjoxNzQ3OTQ4NjE5LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJTV0JOMllUMEFGQjQwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.qOIF32mVNJUCz17mJYYZM-YWpEEYhCcjFt6lm8BeeFo&leadSource=uverify%20wall" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">despite the departure</a> of Haven Studios head Jade Raymond; Arrowhead Game Studios' Helldivers 2; Bungie's Destiny 2 and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bungies-marathon-arrives-on-march-5-193808588.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">Marathon</a>; and if you really want to stretch, Gran Turismo 7. Sony clearly hasn't given up on producing online multiplayer games, but it's not hard to characterize its attempt to expand into the space as a disaster.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-is-reportedly-shutting-down-dark-outlaw-games-run-by-former-call-of-duty-director-215634410.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Baltimore sues xAI over Grok deepfakes

Grok has already taken extensive heat after the AI chatbot's image generation tool was used to create an estimated <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/grok-generated-an-estimated-3-million-sexualized-images--including-23000-of-children--over-11-days-175053250.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">3 million</a> sexualized images over 11 days, including 23,000 of minors, according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Regulators around the world have <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/indonesia-is-lifting-its-ban-on-grok-but-with-some-conditions-175305634.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">limited access</a> or <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-launches-second-investigation-into-groks-nonconsensual-image-generation-113239967.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">launched</a> investigations into the platform's potentially illegal and nonconsensual image generation. The US government hasn't made any moves against xAI or its platform at the federal level, but today, the city of Baltimore began a municipal lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit takes a different tactic, arguing that Elon Musk's businesses violated the city's Consumer Protection Ordinance. This <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://dicellolevitt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Grok-Deepfake-Lawsuit-City-of-Baltimore.pdf" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">complaint</a>, as reported by <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/24/elon-musk-grok-ai-lawsuit-baltimore" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">The Guardian</a>, said that xAI marketed Grok as an all-purpose AI assistant without disclosing the risks and exposure to harm of using both Grok and the X social network. "Baltimore’s consumer protection laws exist to safeguard residents from exactly this kind of emerging harm," City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://dicellolevitt.com/city-of-baltimore-sues-over-grok-ais-role-in-generating-non-consensual-sexualized-deepfakes/" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">said</a>. "When companies introduce powerful technologies without adequate guardrails, the City has both the authority and the obligation to act. We are stepping in now to protect our residents, hold these companies accountable, and prevent these harms from becoming further entrenched as this technology continues to evolve."The other notable action against Grok within the US stemmed from a potential <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xai-is-being-sued-by-teens-who-say-grok-created-csam-using-their-photos-200102733.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">class action</a> filed by three teenagers who alleged that photos of them were used to create child sexual abuse material. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/baltimore-sues-xai-over-grok-deepfakes-214135922.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

OpenAI is shutting down its Sora video generation app

OpenAI is shutting down its Sora video generation app. "We're saying goodbye to Sora," the company wrote in a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/soraofficialapp/status/2036532795984715896" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">X post</a> published Tuesday afternoon. For now, OpenAI has yet to say when the app and its related API service would become unavailable. Instead, promising to share those details at a later date.   "We've decided to discontinue Sora in the consumer app and API. As we focus and compute demand grows, the Sora research team continues to focus on world simulation research to advance robotics that will help people solve real-world, physical tasks," an OpenAI spokesperson told Engadget.  <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" style="width:640px;height:385px;">We’re saying goodbye to Sora. To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built community around it: thank you. What you made with Sora mattered, and we know this news is disappointing. We’ll share more soon, including timelines for the app and API and details on…— Sora (@soraofficialapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/soraofficialapp/status/2036532795984715896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2026</a></blockquote> </div>While today's news might come as a surprise for some, there were warning signs Sora was heading in this direction since the start of the year. While Sora <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/03/openais-sora-soars-to-no-1-on-the-u-s-app-store/" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">hit the top of the US App Store</a> charts shortly after its debut, interest in the platform appears to have quickly fizzled out thereafter. At the start of 2026, data from analytics firm <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/openais-sora-app-is-struggling-after-its-stellar-launch/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Appfigures</a> suggested the app was seeing successive month-over-month declines in both new installs and user spending. In December alone, a time of year when most apps typically flourish, Sora reportedly saw a 32 percent decline in new downloads from November. The shutdown also aligns with OpenAI's recent shift in strategy. Since the release of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-releases-gpt-52-to-take-on-google-and-anthropic-185029007.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">GPT-5.2</a>, the company's "code red" response to Google's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-new-gemini-3-model-arrives-in-ai-mode-and-the-gemini-app-160054273.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACezLmWoxPMsxtV37FLypbESuxMgkZjaQK8vhYio-WDTgQI1K8lJKvj21T05s-piYZew5foyQ4Pxwe9PzxaIIFevvuj-Zc6QBdlt9AEeZgILLcbbHacXmXLVWxrY8S3svOH8V8ApZlhx_BmiAh605-Btyqw2zZ6vIRN3U4lY19fm" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Gemini 3 Pro model</a>, OpenAI has tried to court professionals like coders and data analysts with systems that excel in those domains, seeing enterprise customers as a route toward profitability. However, today’s shutdown does appear to come with an additional cost for OpenAI. According to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/openai-shutting-down-sora-ai-video-app-1236546187/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=69c2f728cd93a90001ffb4d0&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">The Hollywood Reporter,</a> Disney is exiting the deal it <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-signs-deal-to-bring-disney-characters-to-sora-and-chatgpt-144344820.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">signed with the AI lab at the end of last year</a>, and won’t, as a result, invest $1 billion into it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-shutting-down-its-sora-video-generation-app-211023358.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Apple could give Siri a standalone app and an 'Ask Siri' button in iOS 27

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has been sharing every incremental update about what Apple's long-awaited Siri overhaul will and won't include. His latest <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-24/ios-27-features-apple-ai-reboot-with-siri-app-new-interface-ask-siri-button?srnd=homepage-americas" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">article</a> claims that the AI assistant will have a standalone app and will introduce an "Ask Siri" feature that could mark a decidedly different direction in how users will interact with the platform. Gurman reports that Siri is being designed to leverage personal data from messages, emails and notes to complete requests. Siri will also allegedly be able to execute tasks within apps, access news and conduct web searches. The "Ask Siri" angle means people will be able to make their requests in conversational, natural language formats by either text or voice, which has not been an option in Apple's platform and appears to confirm that the company wants Siri to function akin to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-is-reportedly-overhauling-siri-to-be-an-ai-chatbot-205303818.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">other AI chatbots</a>. These improvements are still expected to be a part of the iOS 27 and macOS 27 updates.The official announcement of the reimagined Siri is expected to happen during <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/apples-wwdc-2026-is-set-for-june-8-12-171359493.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">WWDC 2026</a>. Apple's summer showcase is happening over June 8-12, with the keynote and Siri news likely happening on June 8. There have already been so many delays, even just in the past <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-reportedly-plans-to-reveal-its-gemini-powered-siri-in-february-174356923.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">two</a> <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apples-siri-relaunch-is-reportedly-behind-schedule-125347471.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">months</a>, that it's hard to know how substantive the first parts of the Siri overhaul will be. We know direct from the company that Google Gemini <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/apples-siri-ai-will-be-powered-by-gemini-153636649.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">will be powering</a> the new Siri, but that's the only real confirmation Apple has offered as the redesign process has dragged on.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-could-give-siri-a-standalone-app-and-an-ask-siri-button-in-ios-27-202802492.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Zoox is bringing its robotaxi to new cities and expanding coverage in Las Vegas and San Francisco

Zoox <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://zoox.com/journal/zoox-service-updates-and-expansions/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">has announced</a> plans to bring its robotaxi to Austin, Texas and Miami, Florida for the first time, along with offering expanded service in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The company <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/amazons-zoox-launches-its-autonomous-robotaxi-service-153750246.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">formally launched</a> its robotaxi service in September 2025, and shared earlier in March that it would <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazons-zoox-will-test-its-robotaxis-in-dallas-and-phoenix-143828899.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">begin testing in Dallas and Phoenix</a>.A "Zoox retrofitted testing fleet" has been operating in Austin and Miami since 2024, but offering rides with company's purpose-built robotaxi — designed to be more of a rolling social space with seats facing each other — is an important step towards Zoox running its full service in both cities. At least to start, rides will be available in a small part of both cities and only for "Zoox employees, their families and friends," but the company says it'll expand who can hail a ride as testing continues.For anyone who lives in San Francisco or Las Vegas, Zoox's coverage area and options for pick-ups and drop-offs are also becoming more convenient. Zoox is now able to pick up riders from more locations in Las Vegas, including the Las Vegas Convention Center and "a majority of the major hotels along the Strip." The company will also provide limited service to high-traffic events at The Sphere and T-Mobile Arena, and eventually plans to send its robotaxi on trips to Harry Reid International Airport. Starting this spring, Zoox is also expanding where it will offer rides in the eastern half of San Francisco, covering "the Marina, North Beach, and Chinatown, as well as Pacific Heights and along the Embarcadero."Besides being able to pick up riders in more places, Zoox is rolling out two product updates to improve the experience of riding in its robotaxis. "Find My Zoox" will let the company's robotaxis use "distinct lighting and sound cues," to signal to riders which robotaxi is theirs, and "Zooxcast" will let riders play their audio over Bluetooth while they're in a robotaxi.In comparison to all the cities <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://waymo.com/rides/#rides-map" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Waymo currently offers its robotaxis</a>, Zoox is playing catch-up, but the company is also approaching its business a bit differently. Zoox is focused on using custom robotaxi for rides, while Waymo has expanded quickly on the back of cars retrofitted with the sensors that makes its Waymo Driver software work. Waymo plans to incorporate its own robotaxis <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/waymo-china-geely-robotaxi-080708187.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">co-developed with Geely</a> into its fleet over time, but for now, rides with Zoox are a bit more bespoke.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/zoox-is-bringing-its-robotaxi-to-new-cities-and-expanding-coverage-in-las-vegas-and-san-francisco-195410391.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

AccuWeather is now available inside ChatGPT

Mar 24, 2026

Splitgate's 1047 Games is starting work on a Titanfall-style movement shooter

At the close of a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g02FPHt05m0&t=420s" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">video</a> announcing the second season of Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, the company's co-founder and CEO Ian Proulx revealed that "a small section of the team" has started work on a new game. He said that the next project will be a movement shooter in the style of Titanfall and Black Ops 3.Those two tidbits are really all that 1047 Games had to share. People can sign up to participate when playtesting begins, but considering the latest release is only just hitting its second season, it's a safe bet that we'll have a while before this project gets a title and a trailer, much less a release window. Splitgate is a well-made game with smart traversal and movement mechanics, so it's likely that they'll have good ideas to bring to this sliding and gliding subgenre of FPS. Whether players will continue supporting 1047 Games is a different question. The studio leadership bungled a lot of things in the past year, starting with Proulx's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/Splitgate/status/1931162849977442371" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">questionable fashion choices</a> and even more questionable <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/Splitgate/status/1932502832281694366" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">handling of said choices</a>. 1047 Games also pulled <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/splitgate-2-is-yanked-back-to-beta-a-month-after-release-231022772.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">a bait-and-switch</a> with the release of Splitgate 2, yanking it back to beta after release and cutting jobs before re-releasing and reimagining the sequel as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded in December.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/splitgates-1047-games-is-starting-work-on-a-titanfall-style-movement-shooter-192551191.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Three new Gemini features come to Google TV

Google has <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/google-tv/new-gemini-features-march-2026/"><ins>announced</ins></a> a trio of new AI-powered features for its Google TV platform, after <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/google-tvs-new-gemini-features-range-from-useful-to-unnecessary-222900001.html"><ins>showing off</ins></a> smarter Gemini integration at CES back in January. Google TV can now provide "richer visual help" when you ask it a question. Request the current sports scores, for example, and <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/gemini-for-tv-is-rolling-out-to-the-google-tv-streamer-220448361.html"><ins>Gemini</ins></a> will bring up not only a live updating scorecard, but also where you can watch the game. If you’re looking for a recipe, it’ll pair its results with a video tutorial where possible. If you’d rather learn something new than binge away at your latest Netflix fix, Google TV can also now do visual "deep dives" on topics that interest you. If there’s an economic trend, scientific phenomenon or technological innovation that’s on your mind, Gemini will create a "custom, interactive walkthrough" on the subject in question, allowing you to ask follow-up questions afterwards. The idea is that the feature lets you turn "passive viewing into meaningful screen time." It would appear that even your TV is now telling you off for watching too much TV.  When you ask about a topic, you can either click "Dive deeper" to learn more, or navigate to the Gemini tab at the top of your home screen and select the "Learn" option. The last new addition is Gemini-powered sports briefs, which function in the same way as the news briefs Google introduced last year, but strictly for sports. Designed as an alternative to checking your phone, you can ask your AI-assisted TV for "timely, narrated overviews" of the latest goings-on in any league you might follow. Already, the feature supports the NBA, NCAA basketball, NHL, MLS and NWSL, and it will live in the Gemini tab. Deep dives and sports briefs are initially limited to those with Gemini-enabled devices in the US, with Google promising wider device support later in the spring. Richer visual help is rolling out today in the US and Canada, and Google has also announced that its various Gemini Google TV features are coming to more countries in 2026, starting with Australia, New Zealand and the UK in the coming months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/three-new-gemini-features-come-to-google-tv-175724155.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Apple confirms ads are coming to Apple Maps

Apple Maps will soon have ads, Apple confirmed in <a target="_blank" class="no-affiliate-link link" href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/introducing-apple-business-a-new-all-in-one-platform-for-businesses-of-all-sizes/" data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1">a blog post</a> announcing the company's new Apple Business platform. Reports that Apple planned to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-will-reportedly-start-stuffing-ads-into-the-maps-app-182311634.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">expand its ad business</a> outside of the App Store and Apple News broke as recently as yesterday, but the company has been rumored to be exploring putting ads in its navigation app <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-08-14/apple-aapl-set-to-expand-advertising-bringing-ads-to-maps-tv-and-books-apps-l6tdqqmg" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">as far back as 2022</a>.Ads in Maps, as the new advertising program is called, will allow businesses to create ads that can appear "when users search in Maps," at the top of search results and "at the top of a new Suggested Places experience in Maps, which will display recommendations based on what’s trending nearby, the user’s recent searches, and more," Apple says. The program will be open to Apple Business customers in the US and Canada starting this summer. Any advertisers using the existing Apple Ads experience will also be able to book space in Apple Maps.Like the other ads Apple offers to businesses in the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apples-app-store-today-homepage-tab-will-soon-feature-ads-084133344.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">App Store</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.marketingdive.com/news/apple-selling-news-ads-directly-advertising-business/733464/" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Apple News</a>, ads in maps will be clearly marked and are designed to maintain users' privacy. What ads users interact with and their current location is not associated with their Apple Account, and personal data stays on user's devices and isn't shared with third-parties or collected by Apple.Apple's slow expansion into advertising most directly benefits its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/apples-100-billion-secret-ai-gets-the-hype-services-still-bring-in-the-money/91259322" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">over $100 billion "Services" business</a>, which covers obvious things like Apple TV and Apple Music, but also includes the fees it takes from in-app purchases made through the App Store and the money it makes selling advertising. At least so far, Apple's ads are easy to ignore, and based on the samples provided as part of its announcement, that'll stay true in Apple Maps.Ads in Maps are bundled in Apple's larger Apple Business program, an enterprise offering that's designed to appeal to multiple different sizes of business. Apple Business includes things like mobile device management (for distributing apps and managing user accounts), the ability to set up a business email, calendar and web domain through Apple and the aforementioned Ads in Maps.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-confirms-ads-are-coming-to-apple-maps-175613751.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

For All Mankind is returning for a sixth and final season

Apple TV's long-running sci-fi show For All Mankind has just been <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Apple;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=4130e2f0-a14f-4c5e-bdab-cd52ac7d8e79&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=6c6b8400-c7c1-47cd-9740-47c826786bd7&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Apple&linkText=renewed+for+a+sixth+and+final+season&custData=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&signature=AQAAAabjkoZ6FEKIeDxUOTfmemC_g2xqPvG3oT_DOebrV3DY&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Ftv-pr%2Fnews%2F2026%2F03%2Fapple-tv-renews-award-winning-and-globally-acclaimed-space-drama-for-all-mankind-for-sixth-and-final-season%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2026/03/apple-tv-renews-award-winning-and-globally-acclaimed-space-drama-for-all-mankind-for-sixth-and-final-season/">renewed for a sixth and final season</a>, ahead of <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/for-all-mankinds-latest-trailer-teases-a-war-on-mars-174822481.html"><ins>this week's season five premiere</ins></a>. This seems more like the natural endpoint of the story instead of a cancellation, according to remarks made by some of the creators. "Getting to explore the For All Mankind universe over six seasons has been an amazing privilege, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to finish the story the way we’ve always hoped," co-creators and showrunners Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi said. "We’re incredibly proud of what this series has become, and grateful to Apple TV and Sony Pictures Television for helping us see it through to its final chapter." The plan for the show has always been to bring it up to the modern day and it looks like the creators will get to do just that. Season five takes place in the 2010s, which gives season six plenty of time to catch up to the 2020s. <div id="274dddeed76f4766977bbed6ea8c1824"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zojwKLlY_H8?si=pNbxtu3N2NDMQ6M3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> For the uninitiated, For All Mankind is an alt-history series that started in the 1960s with Russia beating America to the moon. The show absolutely loves time jumps, with each season covering a decade or two. That initial discrepancy with our reality has ballooned into all kinds of butterfly effect-type stuff. For instance, humanity quickly moved beyond the moon to occupy Mars. Al Gore also got to be president in that timeline. Despite the numerous time jumps, several of the show's original cast members are still on board. Joel Kinnaman's character, astronaut Ed Baldwin, is quite literally in his 80s at this point. The actor must be getting tired of all of those fake wrinkles. <div id="09672668f63e42b2bee71027817a581a"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Apple TV has unveiled first-look photos for “Star City,” the upcoming “For All Mankind” spinoff series that explores the same story from Russia's point of view. The series will debut with two episodes May 29 on Apple TV, running through July 10.<a href="https://t.co/QFE7hDgBRw">https://t.co/QFE7hDgBRw</a> <a href="https://t.co/t6fXW8h6c6">pic.twitter.com/t6fXW8h6c6</a>— Variety (@Variety) <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/2027037940808048880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> </div> In any event, season five of For All Mankind premieres on March 27. The mainline show is coming to a close, but there's still a spin-off to look forward to. Star City premieres on May 29. This looks to be a take on the events of the original show from the perspective of Russia.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/for-all-mankind-is-returning-for-a-sixth-and-final-season-173859683.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

iOS 26.4 is here, with Playlist Playground and new emoji

iOS and iPadOS 26.4 are here, with a surprising number of new features for a point release. Chief among them is a new AI playlist generator, similar to one <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/spotifys-ai-playlists-are-now-available-for-premium-users-in-the-us-130008423.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Spotify launched in 2024</a>.Playlist Playground is Apple's branding for the song list generator. It works as you'd expect: Type a prompt, and it spits out tracks that match it. As MacRumors <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/20/ios-26-4-top-10-features/" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">noted</a>, your prompts can relate to mood, feelings, activities and more.Also new in iOS 26.4, an ambient music widget puts background sounds on your home screen. Like <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ios-18-4-available-now-175358838.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">the corresponding Control Center tool, </a>it brings up (Apple-curated) sounds for sleep, chill, productivity or well-being. Yet another music feature is <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/bandsintown-integration-for-concerts-is-coming-to-apple-music-170034229.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Bandsintown integration</a>: upcoming concert dates in your area will appear in the Apple Music app.<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/unicodes-new-emoji-refuses-to-put-respect-on-bigfoots-name-184412935.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Unicode's latest emoji characters</a> arrive in the update, too. This includes "Hairy Creature," also known as Bigfoot. Another fun one is fight cloud. (Think old-timey cartoons beating each other up inside a puff of vapor.) Also onboard are a trombone, a treasure chest, a distorted face, an apple core, an orca, ballet dancers and a landslide.The update also has fixes for some of iOS 26's nagging bugs. In Apple's latest attempt to stem the tide of complaints about <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-adjust-the-liquid-glass-effect-in-ios-261-203634681.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">Liquid Glass</a>, there's a new "Reduce Bright Effects" setting. There's also a fix for a keyboard bug that caused errors when typing rapidly.Although we aren’t seeing it on our devices just yet, macOS Tahoe 26.4 should be arriving today as well. The update brings back the option to use Safari’s compact tab bar. (You’ll find this in iPadOS 26.4 as well.) Mac users can also customize their maximum charge level — anywhere from 80 to 100 percent. Meanwhile, watchOS 26.4 finally lets you start a workout with one tap.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-264-is-here-with-playlist-playground-and-new-emoji-171343120.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Bandsintown integration for concerts is coming to Apple Music

Mar 24, 2026

Pokémon Champions will hit Switch and Switch 2 on April 8

<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pOfW-qdsvpU?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Pokémon Champions — a battle-focused game along the lines of Pokémon Stadium — now has a release date, and it's pretty darn soon. It will hit Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on April 8. A mobile version is in the works with support for cross-play with Nintendo's consoles.Nintendo released a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOfW-qdsvpU" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">new overview video</a> that shows how the game works. You can recruit Pokémon in the game or transfer those you've found in previous titles and Pokémon Go via Pokémon Home. Then you'll be able to take half a dozen of your Pokémon into strategic turn-based fights with other players. It's definitely a Pokémon battle game! There are ranked battles, a casual mode, private lobbies and online competitions. You'll earn victory points, which you can use to swap a Pokémon's moves, increase their stat points and make other modifications. In addition, victory points enable you to recruit Pokémon in Pokémon Champions more than once per day. Pokémon that you recruit with victory points can stay in your roster permanently instead of just a week. There's a shop too, where you can spend points on accessories, Pokéball throwing styles, victory poses and battle music.Pokémon Champions will be the second new Pokémon game to arrive this year, following the success of Pokémon Pokopia. There's more to come in the not-too-distant future, as <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pokemon-winds-and-waves-are-coming-to-switch-2-in-2027-152248895.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves</a> are scheduled to arrive on Switch 2 next year.While Pokémon Pokopia is selling like hotcakes, the Switch 2 perhaps isn’t flying out of the door as quickly as Nintendo hoped. According to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-24/nintendo-cuts-switch-2-output-by-over-30-on-weak-holiday-sales" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Bloomberg</a>, Nintendo has cut back on production of the console after lower-than-expected sales over the holiday season. The company is said to be making 4 million units this quarter rather than the previously planned 6 million, with the lower production rate set to extend into April.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pokemon-champions-will-hit-switch-and-switch-2-on-april-8-165737121.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

The Punisher's one-off TV special hits Disney+ on May 12

We knew Disney+ was <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.theverge.com/tv/620221/disney-plus-punisher-special"><ins>prepping a standalone special</ins></a> for The Punisher, but we didn't know it was coming so soon. The Punisher: One Last Kill premieres on May 12. This is just one week after the season two finale of <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/daredevils-new-trailer-is-heavy-on-violence-and-nostalgia-164430782.html"><ins>Daredevil: Born Again</ins></a>, which starts up this week. It's possible The Punisher will be featured in that, so we could be in for eight straight weeks of skull-shirted shenanigans. <div id="338a6d8736cb4520a4e3be5dc1fecd00"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Frank Castle returns in A Marvel Television Special Presentation: The Punisher: One Last Kill May 12, only on <a href="https://twitter.com/DisneyPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DisneyPlus</a>. <a href="https://t.co/4I3H10grXz">pic.twitter.com/4I3H10grXz</a>— The Punisher (@ThePunisher) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePunisher/status/2036432235226652717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2026</a></blockquote> </div> One Last Kill was actually co-written by star Jon Bernthal, who has been playing the vigilante <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/2016-01-07-daredevil-season-two-march-18.html"><ins>for a decade now</ins></a>. It's been described as a love letter to the character, but plot details have been kept under wraps. Marvel TV head Brad Winderbaum has called it "a shotgun blast of a story." Reinaldo Marcus Green is directing, who previously made We Own This City with The Wire's David Simon. We do know that Frank Castle survives whatever violent ordeal he goes through in the special. That's because The Punisher is featured prominently in the trailer <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-spider-man-brand-new-day-trailer-is-filled-with-mcu-cameos-170215452.html"><ins>for the next Spider-Man film</ins></a>. This will be the first time Bernthal's take on the character will show up in an actual movie. <div id="49e1e05226be44d38735be4a4f8c5f45"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aBlsrtxuwss?si=N5krwJUEXrSkXjv6" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> He first took on the role in season two of the original Netflix Daredevil show. Bernthal was a fan favorite, which led to <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/2016-04-29-netflix-marvel-punisher-series-jon-bernthal.html"><ins>two seasons of a spin-off show</ins></a> before Netflix and Marvel ended their whole joint TV experiment. This isn't the only Netflix-era hero getting a resurgence on Disney+ and beyond. Charlie Cox returned to the role of Daredevil for Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law before getting his own show. It's also been reported that Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones is coming back this season on Born Again and Mike Colter <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.latintimes.com/mike-colter-hints-return-luke-cage-daredevil-2-595927"><ins>has been dropping hints</ins></a> that his version of Luke Cage could be gracing televisions in the near future.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-punishers-one-off-tv-special-hits-disney-on-may-12-162208769.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

There's a new Payday game, this time in VR

The popular co-op heist franchise Payday is coming to VR. Payday: Aces High will release for the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Meta;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=e160a5dc-fb38-4e8b-ae1d-1ad5eb060fbd&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=283fb745-5542-4175-be41-d153de295662&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Meta&linkText=Meta+Quest+platform&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5tZXRhLmNvbS9lbi1nYi9leHBlcmllbmNlcy9wYXlkYXktYWNlcy1oaWdoLzkwNTk0MjgyMDc0NDcxMDYvIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiIyODNmYjc0NS01NTQyLTQxNzUtYmU0MS1kMTUzZGUyOTU2NjIiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1ldGEuY29tL2VuLWdiL2V4cGVyaWVuY2VzL3BheWRheS1hY2VzLWhpZ2gvOTA1OTQyODIwNzQ0NzEwNi8ifQ&signature=AQAAAZYIbBTkwQGtJX8mpE0Pi7WoFjE1FlcVyH5X6wiFlZ08&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meta.com%2Fen-gb%2Fexperiences%2Fpayday-aces-high%2F9059428207447106%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/payday-aces-high/9059428207447106/"><ins>Meta Quest platform</ins></a> and SteamVR later this year. It looks like it has everything people love about the series, but with some of that VR-style immersion. Just like the mainline games, this version tasks players with planning and then pulling off elaborate heists. It offers four-player co-op, with each person filling a particular role within the group. These are your standard heist movie archetypes. There's the planner, the brawler, the gadget nerd and the silent but deadly assassin. <div id="d209a42e1d224dfeb5582541cb4e0f1a"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xSeznioypcY?si=7nj7jfgHMnwDT9K8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> The developer also promises plenty of gear and weapons, with "an arsenal that keeps growing." This leads to the usual Payday gameplay loop. Each successful heist lets players buy more weapons and gadgets. Rinse and repeat. Fast Travel Games is making this one, and the developer has a decent pedigree in the VR space. It helped make <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/cities-vr-review"><ins>Cities: VR</ins></a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.uploadvr.com/apex-construct-quest-review/"><ins>Apex Construc</ins><ins>t</ins></a>, among many others. The graphics here look decent and we already know the gameplay is solid. Plus, there are clown masks. We'll find out if Payday: Aces High makes the grade later this year. This is just the latest major gaming franchise to experiment with virtual reality. There are VR versions of <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/2020-03-23-half-life-alyx-review-valve-vr.html"><ins>Half-Life</ins></a>, <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ubisoft-confirms-holiday-release-for-assassins-creed-nexus-vr-181108767.html"><ins>Assassin's Creed</ins></a>, <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.eurogamer.net/horizon-call-of-the-mountain-review-a-visually-spectacular-introduction-to-the-psvr2"><ins>Horizon</ins></a> and many more.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/theres-a-new-payday-game-this-time-in-vr-160051276.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Epic is laying off more than 1,000 workers, citing a downturn in Fortnite engagement

Epic Games has announced sweeping layoffs of more than 1,000 employees. “The downturn in <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-will-return-to-googles-play-store-globally-on-march-19-170200794.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Fortnite</a> engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded,” CEO Tim Sweeney said in <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/todays-layoffs" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">a memo to workers</a> on Tuesday. Sweeney wrote that, combined with “over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles,” the layoffs will give Epic more stability. He added that the layoffs are not related to AI. Back in 2023, Epic <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/epic-games-is-laying-off-16-percent-of-its-workforce-and-selling-bandcamp-211830580.html" data-i13n="slk:laid off 830 employees;cpos:3;pos:1">laid off 830 employees</a>. At the time, that was 16 percent of its workforce, suggesting around 4,000 employees remained at the company. If those numbers haven’t changed too much in the meantime, that means Epic is culling around a quarter of its headcount this week.Along with a dip in Fortnite engagement, Sweeney pointed out that Epic isn’t immune from systemic issues the games industry is contending with, such as a slowdown in growth, reduced spending, “tougher cost economics” and a battle with other types of media for consumer’s attention. However, Epic has some issues of its own to deal with. “Despite Fortnite remaining one of the most successful games in the world, we’ve had challenges delivering consistent Fortnite magic with every season; we're only in the early stages of returning to mobile and optimizing Fortnite for the world's billions of smartphones; and in being the industry's vanguard we have taken a lot of bullets in a battle which is only in the early days of paying off for ourselves and all developers,” Sweeney wrote. (He <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-sweeeney-epic-games-apple-app-store-interview-peter-kafka-2025-05" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">previously said</a> Epic spent over $100 million in legal fees alone on its App Store battle with Apple.)The path forward for the company, per its CEO, is to create “awesome Fortnite experiences with fresh seasonal content, gameplay, story and live events,” perhaps in an attempt to recapture some of that “magic” he’s referring to. Speeding up work on developer tools amid the transition to Unreal Engine 6 is important as well, Sweeney indicated.He said that the workers Epic is laying off will receive at least four months of their base pay, though they’ll get more depending on the length of their tenure at the company. Epic will pay for extended healthcare coverage, including for six months for affected workers in the US. The company — which is not publicly traded — will speed up the vesting of stock options through next January and “extend equity exercise options for up to two years,” Sweeney said.Epic announced the layoffs days after it <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/epic-is-increasing-the-price-of-fortnites-v-bucks-currency-185800744.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">increased the price</a> of Fortnite’s V-bucks currency. “The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot and we’re raising prices to help pay the bills,” it said. As part of the changes at the company, Epic is killing off three Fortnite modes. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/epic-games-shows-off-more-of-fortnites-rocket-racing-mode-ahead-of-its-launch-023944541.html" data-i13n="slk:Rocket Racing;cpos:6;pos:1">Rocket Racing</a> (which was built by Rocket League developer Psyonix) will shut down in October. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-is-getting-a-5v5-first-person-shooter-mode-162200195.html" data-i13n="slk:Fortnite Ballistic;cpos:7;pos:1">Fortnite Ballistic</a> — a 5v5 tactical shooter mode — and Festival Battle Stage, which is a competitive version of the Fortnite Festival rhythm game, will vanish on April 16. “We've built a lot of Fortnite modes, and in some cases we failed to build something awesome enough to attract and retain a large player base,” Epic <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/FortniteStatus/status/2036451164347109440" data-i13n="slk:said on X;cpos:8;pos:1">said on X</a>.The company noted in its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/epic-games-store-2025-year-in-review" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">Year in Review recap last month</a> that although the hours that players spent in third-party titles on the Epic Games Store increased by four percent in 2025, “overall gameplay hours declined year over year,” hinting at a dip in Fortnite numbers. The company said PC players spent $1.16 billion on the store in 2025, an increase of six percent from the previous year. Of that, $400 million was spent on third-party PC games. However, Epic Games Store vice president and general manager Steve Allison told <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.polygon.com/epic-games-store-low-profit-margins-third-party-devs/" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">Polygon</a> in February that, factoring in first-party revenue and the 12 percent cut the company takes from third-party games, “the store is already — even with all this stuff — marginally profitable now."Here is the full memo Sweeney shared with Epic’s employees on Tuesday:<blockquote>Today we’re laying off over 1000 Epic employees. I'm sorry we're here again. The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded. This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles puts us in a more stable place.Some of the challenges we're facing are industry-wide challenges: slower growth, weaker spending, and tougher cost economics; current consoles selling less than last generation's; and games competing for time against other increasingly-engaging forms of entertainment.And some of our challenges are unique to Epic. Despite Fortnite remaining one of the most successful games in the world, we’ve had challenges delivering consistent Fortnite magic with every season; we're only in the early stages of returning to mobile and optimizing Fortnite for the world's billions of smartphones; and in being the industry's vanguard we have taken a lot of bullets in a battle which is only in the early days of paying off for ourselves and all developers.Since it's a thing now, I should note that the layoffs aren't related to AI. To the extent it improves productivity, we want to have as many awesome developers developing great content and tech as we can.What we now need to do is clear: build awesome Fortnite experiences with fresh seasonal content, gameplay, story, and live events; accelerate developer tools with greater stability and capability as we evolve from Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN to Unreal Engine 6. And we'll be kicking off the next generation of Epic with huge launch plans towards the end of the year.This isn't our first time being here. Epic survived upheavals in 1990's with the move from 2D to 3D with Unreal 1; in the 2000's building console games with Gears of War; and in 2012 moving to online gaming with Paragon and Fortnite. Each time, we rebuilt our foundations and earned a renewed leadership position.Market conditions today are the most extreme we've seen since those early days, with massive upheaval in the industry accompanied by massive opportunity for the companies that come out as winners on the other side. That's what we're aiming to do for our players, and we aim to bring other like-minded developers in the industry along on the journey to build an increasingly open and vibrant future of entertainment together.At Epic, we pride ourselves in only hiring the industry's best, so it is very painful to part with so many talented people. The folks impacted by the layoffs will receive a severance package that includes at least four months of base pay, with more based on tenure. We’re also extending Epic-paid healthcare coverage.For example, in the U.S., they’ll receive paid coverage for 6 months. We’ll also accelerate their stock options vesting through January 2027 and extend equity exercise options for up to two years.We'll have a company meeting Thursday to talk about the roadmap in more detail.-Tim</blockquote>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/epic-is-laying-off-more-than-1000-workers-citing-a-downturn-in-fortnite-engagement-154436905.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Samsung's cheaper Mini LED TVs are now on sale

Samsung has <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=75633b96-e720-4aa8-9916-499ac3fd0243&featureId=text-link&linkText=unveiled&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2Ftc3VuZy5jb20vdXMvc2Ftc3VuZy1leHBhbmRzLTIwMjYtdHYtbGluZXVwLXJlZnJlc2hlZC1uZW8tcWxlZC1zZXJpZXMtbmV3LW1pbmktbGVkLXR2cy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1wcl9tZWRpYSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1nZW5lcmFsLl9fOyEhT3A2ZWZseVhaQ3FHUjVJIUdsOTB5LVJGUy1IZFNHT3BaVVowU1JiTmU2WEtBTG5KZXZvelB6RkNKcVJnWUdKRlYxR1VLNUxCTTd1Y05jdXdGeVhIZGVFLVkyTUk5NXhrMmlMdDQyTk5Xb3oxJCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiNzU2MzNiOTYtZTcyMC00YWE4LTk5MTYtNDk5YWMzZmQwMjQzIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2Ftc3VuZy5jb20vdXMvc2Ftc3VuZy1leHBhbmRzLTIwMjYtdHYtbGluZXVwLXJlZnJlc2hlZC1uZW8tcWxlZC1zZXJpZXMtbmV3LW1pbmktbGVkLXR2cy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1wcl9tZWRpYSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1nZW5lcmFsLl9fOyEhT3A2ZWZseVhaQ3FHUjVJIUdsOTB5LVJGUy1IZFNHT3BaVVowU1JiTmU2WEtBTG5KZXZvelB6RkNKcVJnWUdKRlYxR1VLNUxCTTd1Y05jdXdGeVhIZGVFLVkyTUk5NXhrMmlMdDQyTk5Xb3oxJCJ9&signature=AQAAAcOrh1a4ythWGzgR7RFFBmSn2Q6kh7AkP0YEhK7D0IFJ&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsamsung-expands-2026-tv-lineup-refreshed-neo-qled-series-new-mini-led-tvs%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpr_media%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dgeneral.__%3B%21%21Op6eflyXZCqGR5I%21Gl90y-RFS-HdSGOpZUZ0SRbNe6XKALnJevozPzFCJqRgYGJFV1GUK5LBM7ucNcuwFyXHdeE-Y2MI95xk2iLt42NNWoz1%24" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-expands-2026-tv-lineup-refreshed-neo-qled-series-new-mini-led-tvs/?utm_source=pr_media&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=general.__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!Gl90y-RFS-HdSGOpZUZ0SRbNe6XKALnJevozPzFCJqRgYGJFV1GUK5LBM7ucNcuwFyXHdeE-Y2MI95xk2iLt42NNWoz1$">unveiled</a> the budget M70H and M80H Mini LED TVs, promising a bright picture and accurate colors starting at just $400 for the 50-inch and $1,200 for the 85-inch models. The company also revealed a <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Samsung Electronics;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=f85e63cd-e13c-4f9d-991c-9fbaadede3ac&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=75633b96-e720-4aa8-9916-499ac3fd0243&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Samsung+Electronics&linkText=pair+of+new+higher-end+TVs&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYW1zdW5nLmNvbS91cy90dnMvbmVvLXFsZWQvNjUtaW5jaC1uZW8tcWxlZC00ay1xbjgwaC1za3UtcW42NXFuODBoYWZ4emEvIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI3NTYzM2I5Ni1lNzIwLTRhYTgtOTkxNi00OTlhYzNmZDAyNDMiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNhbXN1bmcuY29tL3VzL3R2cy9uZW8tcWxlZC82NS1pbmNoLW5lby1xbGVkLTRrLXFuODBoLXNrdS1xbjY1cW44MGhhZnh6YS8ifQ&signature=AQAAATnoVeVQyjCCFWGKIMJxUu5G7oe0pDza66tVszEP_hl6&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Ftvs%2Fneo-qled%2F65-inch-neo-qled-4k-qn80h-sku-qn65qn80hafxza%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.samsung.com/us/tvs/neo-qled/65-inch-neo-qled-4k-qn80h-sku-qn65qn80hafxza/">pair of new higher-end TVs</a> with the company's "Quantum Mini LED" tech, the QN70H and QN80H, that offer "precise backlighting" and 100 percent color volume.   Mini LED TVs have been dropping rapidly in price over the past couple of years while also improving in quality. The M70H and M80H are among the cheapest we've seen so far, with, most 50-inch Mini LEDs currently on sale costing $400 or more. Samsung is promising pretty decent specs as well like 10-bit panels that can display a billion colors, Samsung's HDR+ and a 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium or 240Hz with DLG at 1080p. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/f65ebba0-2770-11f1-aaff-85ffb11f3219" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/f65ebba0-2770-11f1-aaff-85ffb11f3219" style="height:800px;width:1200px;" alt="Samsung's affordable M70H and M80H Mini LED TVs are now on sale" data-uuid="e6004507-0c7a-3a2c-a4dc-7cdf50461949"><figcaption>Samsung's M70H Mini LED TV</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Samsung</div></figure> Other key features include Samsung's One UI Tizen with Smart Home support and Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple TV) compatibility, along with Samsung's Gaming Hub for cloud gaming and adaptive sound (but not Dolby Atmos support). The company didn't mention some key specs like brightness, color gamut and the number of local dimming zones, so you can likely assume those aren't top-of-the-line.  The prices are very good, with the 43-inch M70H at $350, the 65-inch M70 priced at $530 and the 85-inch M70H running $1,200. The M80H starts at $700 for the 55-inch model and runs up to $1,800 for the 85-incher. All models are now on sale, and Samsung said that a 100-inch Class M90H model is arriving later this year this year. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/1eb2d460-2771-11f1-b9d6-882adad20752" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/1eb2d460-2771-11f1-b9d6-882adad20752" style="height:1200px;width:1600px;" alt="Samsung's affordable M70H and M80H Mini LED TVs are now on sale" data-uuid="ba7e76cc-d202-390a-b91c-47bccb4b3283"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Samsung</div></figure> Samsung also revealed a new line of higher-end Neo QLED models powered by its "Quantum Mini LED" technology. With the QN70H and QN80H, Samsung is promising "brilliant brightness" and 100 percent DCI-P3 color volume, thanks to the quantum dot tech and "more precise backlighting." Samsung said this model would have more local dimming zones than before (though again, it didn't say how many), which should result in better contrast and less "blooming" caused by light leakage from neighboring pixels.  Features are largely the same as with the M70H and M80H, but the QN models also offer Dolby Atmos and 360 audio along with a slightly highter 288Hz DLG refresh rate at 1080p. The Neo QLED 4K QN70H starts at $600 for the 43-inch model and goes up to $1,200 for the 65-inch version and $2,300 for the 85-inch model. The 55-inch QN80H, meanwhile, costs $1,299, the 75-inch model is $2,000 and the 100-inch TV is $5,500. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsungs-cheaper-mini-led-tvs-are-now-on-sale-150034289.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Akai just released a portable and relatively budget-friendly MPC sampler

Akai just revealed specs and other details about the MPC Sample after <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://x.com/Akai_Pro/status/2032487693708628043"><ins>teasing the gadget earlier this month</ins></a>. This is a portable sampler and groovebox that looks eerily similar to <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/teenage-engineering-made-a-reggae-inspired-sampler-complete-with-a-weird-microphone-for-vocals-173812774.html"><ins>Teenage Engineering's EP series</ins></a>. It also resembles some legendary Akai gadgets from decades past, including the MPC3000 and MPC60. In other words, it's easy on the eyes and sort of looks like a Super Famicom. It seems pretty capable. The Sample has 16 velocity-sensitive MPC pads with poly aftertouch, which should please finger drummers. It can handle 32 stereo voices of polyphony and there's a sequencer for making actual beats. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/cc39d3d0-1f07-11f1-bfc9-a22e9690d7f0" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/cc39d3d0-1f07-11f1-bfc9-a22e9690d7f0" style="height:1138px;width:1718px;" alt="Chop mode." data-uuid="df527283-de9a-3a11-9198-08705429394e"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Akai</div></figure> As for sampling, there's an easily accessible chop mode, in addition to time-stretching and repitching capabilities. Samples can be edited via waveform, thanks to a full-color LCD display. The machine can resample internally with FX, letting creators make some unique soundscapes. The MPC Sample boasts access to four effects engines and 60 effect types. The gadget ships with over 100 factory drum kits, but users can easily add whatever they want. It comes with just 8GB of internal storage, but there's a microSD slot for more. It can, of course, connect to MIDI keyboards for playing melodic samples. The Sample also hooks up to DAWs. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/e42750d0-1f07-11f1-bbff-c8222996960b" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/e42750d0-1f07-11f1-bbff-c8222996960b" style="height:1136px;width:1706px;" alt="A sampler." data-uuid="6fa80635-568e-37f7-aa07-05fd95b0c914"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Akai</div></figure> The RAM is on the lower side, at just 2GB. However, this is the standard configuration for some more expensive units, like the MPC Live and Live II. It should be able to get the job done, but the MPC XL is the product to pick for those <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="http://google.com/search?q=engadget+mpc+xl&rlz=1C5GCEA_enUS1197US1197&oq=engadget+mpc+xl&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRigATIHCAYQIRiPAjIHCAcQIRiPAtIBCDQ1NTVqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8"><ins>looking for maximum horsepower</ins></a>. That one has a whopping 16GB of RAM. It also costs nearly $3,000. The rechargeable battery here lasts five hours, which is respectable but not groundbreaking. Teenage Engineering's EP series boasts better battery life, but requires pricey AAs. Finally, there's a speaker, but I've never had much luck with speakers on this type of thing. Bring some headphones to actually hear what's going on.  Perhaps the biggest news here is the price. The MPC Sample costs just $400, which seems reasonable given the form factor and features. It's available right now. <div id="80ccf7c92f8141928ff38b2022abe724"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Casio announces this release Casio SX-C1 ... Casio is sooo back and i want it so bad. <a href="https://t.co/plMtbdqZU6">pic.twitter.com/plMtbdqZU6</a>— LozaxPixel (@LozaxPixel) <a href="https://twitter.com/LozaxPixel/status/2015835781139513553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2026</a></blockquote> </div> Casio recently unveiled another nifty-looking portable sampler <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/40-years-after-the-sk-1-casio-is-making-waves-with-another-fun-looking-sampler-could-it-be-another-budget-classic"><ins>called the SX-C1</ins></a>. It also resembles a Nintendo product, but this time it's a Game Boy and not the Japanese SNES.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/akai-just-released-a-portable-and-relatively-budget-friendly-mpc-sampler-140047113.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Ultrahuman opens US pre-orders for Ring Pro

At the end of February, Ultrahuman announced its <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ultrahumans-new-pro-ring-comes-with-15-days-battery-life-120038820.html">latest smart ring</a> which promises up to 15 days of battery life on a single charge. Sadly, if you were based in the US, you weren’t able to pre-order the Ring Pro, as the company has been locked in a longstanding legal tussle with ring rivals Oura. Now, however, it appears the situation has been resolved, with the US Customs and Border Protection giving its blessing. Consequently, pre-orders for the Ring Pro are starting today, with the first 1,000 customers to sign up getting a hefty bonus. The smart ring market is still in its infancy, which means it’s fiercely competitive as companies try to keep their rivals at bay. Market leader Oura has been willing to protect its IP in court, issuing patent lawsuits against Ultrahuman, Samsung, RingConn, Reebook, Circular, Zepp, Nexxbase and Omate. In October 2025, Oura secured what it called a “<a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=c0707f59-934b-4c6f-9eab-6b28d01a1392&featureId=text-link&linkText=decisive+legal+victory&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL291cmFyaW5nLmNvbS9ibG9nL291cmEtaXRjLWNhc2UvP3Nyc2x0aWQ9QWZtQk9vcERHT2xmVW1ScTVUM1NIczJrcjNRclJUR2Y5OVYxZTlMbGsteDlZb2xQOFFHSlhlN1AiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImMwNzA3ZjU5LTkzNGItNGM2Zi05ZWFiLTZiMjhkMDFhMTM5MiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vdXJhcmluZy5jb20vYmxvZy9vdXJhLWl0Yy1jYXNlLz9zcnNsdGlkPUFmbUJPb3BER09sZlVtUnE1VDNTSHMya3IzUXJSVEdmOTlWMWU5TGxrLXg5WW9sUDhRR0pYZTdQIn0&signature=AQAAAY1Tf4eucH8EZDN8Zb8w328Q6kHJjPu0dSBZan417o3o&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fouraring.com%2Fblog%2Foura-itc-case%2F%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOopDGOlfUmRq5T3SHs2kr3QrRTGf99V1e9Llk-x9YolP8QGJXe7P" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://ouraring.com/blog/oura-itc-case/?srsltid=AfmBOopDGOlfUmRq5T3SHs2kr3QrRTGf99V1e9Llk-x9YolP8QGJXe7P">decisive legal victory</a>” over Ultrahuman, banning the import and sale of its rings in the United States. <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://blog.ultrahuman.com/blog/so-whats-the-patent-that-oura-is-suing-everyone-for/">On its own website</a>, Ultrahuman stated the lawsuit was lacking in merit, and that it was an attempt by a rival to hold down a "new player" with a "superior product." Even so, the company's Bhuvan Srinivasan told me in January that the Ring Pro has been designed to avoid any such legal drama going forward. The standard price for the Ring Pro is $399, but you’ll need to fork out another $100 for the fancy schmancy charging case that adds so much more to the ring’s arsenal. But, for those 1,000 early birds, you’ll be able to pick up both the Pro and its case for $349, which is quite a hefty discount all told. If you’re customer 1,001 don’t feel too despondent, however, as Ultrahuman will still offer you some sort of discount if you’re quick.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ultrahuman-opens-us-pre-orders-for-ring-pro-130043933.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Spotify's SongDNA can tell you all about the track you're listening to

<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-rolls-out-bit-perfect-playback-in-windows-app-211036176.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Spotify</a> has started rolling out a feature called <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-03-24/songdna-announcement-beta/" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">SongDNA</a> that can show you the people behind your favorite tracks and give you an insight on how they were created. You can access it by opening the Now Playing view while listening to a specific song and then scrolling down to the SongDNA box. Tracks that support the new feature will show you all the artists, writers, producers and collaborators behind them. It’s yet another way to make more music on the platform discoverable, since you’ll be able to tap on their icons to see their profiles and the other pieces they worked on. The box will also contain the samples and interpolations that helped form a track’s sound, as well as the covers it inspired. Spotify says it’s giving eligible artist and label teams the power to review and manage the components of the feature, so it’s bound to be supported by more and more tracks as time goes on. “SongDNA is designed to make a song’s creative lineage more transparent so fans can easily explore the people and influences behind the music they love,” said Jacqueline Ankner, Spotify’s Head of Songwriter & Publisher Partnerships. “By bringing collaborators, samples, and covers together in one place, we’re making it easier for fans to discover new music and see how songs connect and come to life—while giving songwriters, producers, and rightsholders meaningful recognition for the role they play in creating it.”SongDNA is making its way to paying iOS and Android users around the world, but it’s still in beta and might still go through revisions before it’s more widely available. It will roll out more broadly to Premium users throughout April. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/spotifys-songdna-can-tell-you-all-about-the-track-youre-listening-to-130000809.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

The Morning After: WWDC 2026 is happening June 8th

It’s coming. Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (<a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/apples-wwdc-2026-is-set-for-june-8-12-171359493.html">WWDC</a>) will take place from June 8-12. Going on past timings, CEO Tim Cook will take the stage for the keynote on June 8, most likely at 1 PM ET. WWDC is a software-focused affair, so expect to see the upcoming "27" operating systems, now that the new naming convention has settled. Apple will likely cover iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27 and macOS 27. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is suggesting that WWDC will be "a fairly muted affair," – but in all fairness, WWDC has never been that explosive. Still, there are things I want to hear about: Rumors suggest that iOS 27 will deliver big upgrades to Apple Intelligence and — possibly — that overdue Siri overhaul. Reports also suggest the presence of split-pane multitasking, if you’re aching to juggle spreadsheets, web browsing and more on your mobile device. – Mat Smith <h3 id="jump-link-"></h3> <h3 id="jump-link-the-other-big-stories-and-deals-this-morning">The other big stories (and deals) this morning</h3> <ul> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-lots-of-apple-devices-galaxy-s26-dell-xps-16-and-more-120000820.html">Engadget review recap: Lots of Apple, Galaxy S26, Dell XPS 16 and more</a></li> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/wing-expands-its-drone-delivery-service-to-the-bay-area-175748410.html">Wing expands its drone delivery service to the Bay Area</a></li> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/billionaire-onlyfans-owner-leonid-radvinsky-has-died-from-cancer-at-43-163211324.html">Billionaire OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky has died from cancer at 43</a></li> <li><a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-will-reportedly-start-stuffing-ads-into-the-maps-app-182311634.html">Apple will reportedly start stuffing ads into the Maps app</a></li> </ul> <hr> <h2 id="jump-link-twitter-turns-20"><a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/twitter-turned-20-and-i-feel-nothing-140000602.html">Twitter turns 20</a></h2> <h3 id="jump-link-and-now-what">And now what?</h3> <h3 id="jump-link-"></h3> Senior reporter Karissa Bell marks two decades on Twitter. Twitter/X as changed a lot, especially in the last five years, as AI slop, clickbait, and ragebait keep the algorithm ticking over. More recently, X’s AI assistant was able to ‘undress’ anyone you ask it to. Great. The social network has moved far away from its exciting heyday of live tweeting, memes and more — or even a place to make new friends and contacts. In fact, I got my job here at Engadget through Twitter DMs to former Engadget editor Richard Lai. As Karissa puts it, "Twitter stopped being that place a long time ago.” <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/twitter-turned-20-and-i-feel-nothing-140000602.html">Continue reading.</a> <hr> <h2 id="jump-link-nothing-phone-4a-pro-review"><a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-glyph-matrix-130042005.html">Nothing Phone 4a Pro review</a></h2> <h3 id="jump-link-a-new-midrange-champ">A new midrange champ?</h3> <a href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-glyph-matrix-130042005.html"><figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/e526a240-2774-11f1-97d9-4b43e0308519" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/e526a240-2774-11f1-97d9-4b43e0308519" style="height:360px;width:640px;" alt="TMA" data-uuid="8f443852-acc3-3782-930a-fa84f37d95ef"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Engadget</div></figure></a> The Phone 4a Pro punches well above its $499 price tag. Nothing has successfully refined its hardware into a more premium, all-metal unibody, losing the jarring camera bump of its predecessor in favor of a sleek design that houses a genuinely impressive camera. There are still a few signs that it’s not quite a flagship (mediocre video recording performance and a lack of wireless charging), but at this price, these seem like minor complaints. Nothing’s next flagship phone needs to offer something, right? <a data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-glyph-matrix-130042005.html">Continue reading.</a> <hr> <h2 id="jump-link-samsungs-new-s26-series-can-airdrop-like-an-iphone"><a data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-galaxy-s26-will-get-apple-airdrop-support-starting-today-110452832.html">Samsung’s new S26 series can AirDrop like an iPhone</a></h2> <h3 id="jump-link-a-new-update-has-added-support">A new update has added support.</h3> <h3 id="jump-link-"></h3> Android AirDrop sharing is expanding to more devices. Samsung announced earlier this week that its Galaxy S26 Series is getting AirDrop support via the Quick Share feature. Google first introduced the Quick Share feature on its Pixel 10 phones last year. The setting allows Android users to send and receive photos and files from an Apple device. Y’know, like AirDrop. <a data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-galaxy-s26-will-get-apple-airdrop-support-starting-today-110452832.html">Continue reading.</a>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121555441.html?src=rss

Mar 24, 2026

Snapchat users sent 'nearly' 2 trillion snaps in 2025

Mar 24, 2026

Denon expands its multi-room speaker lineup with the Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600

If the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/sonos-gets-to-keeps-its-ceo-as-a-treat-164559137.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Sonos</a> app <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/why-is-the-sonos-app-so-broken-140028060.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">saga</a> still has you down, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/samsung-is-paying-350-million-for-audio-brands-bowers--wilkins-denon-marantz-and-polk-131514754.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Denon</a> has three new multi-room speakers that give you some fresh alternatives. The company’s Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600 offer audio flexibility with other HEOS-enabled products. These new devices were also designed so that they blend in with home decor better than most speakers, coming in stone and charcoal color options for that purpose. As you progress up in number, the speakers not only get physically larger, but their sonic output is also more robust. The Denon Home 200 houses three drivers and three amplifiers for “natural, room-filling sound” in a compact speaker. More specifically, you get two 0.98-inch tweeters and a single 4-inch woofer. The Home 200 looks a kind of like the Sonos Move 2, although Denon’s new compact unit isn’t portable. However, you can use a pair of them for a stereo setup, or connect two 200s to Denon’s Home Sound Bar 550 and Home Subwoofer for a 5.1 home theater system. Next up is the Home 400, which carries two 0.75-inch tweeters, two 4.5-inch woofers and six amplifiers, in addition to two 1-inch up-firing drivers. Here, Denon says you can expect “a wide, airy soundstage” that provides room-filling audio coverage. What’s more, those upward-facing drivers project sound overhead, so there’s a greater sense of dimensionality and immersion here. <figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/denon-home-600.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/denon-home-600.jpg" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="Denon Home 600 speaker" data-uuid="f0a61c2a-7107-4ed9-bca8-0a68b25d2f20"/><figcaption>Denon Home 600 speaker</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Denon</div></figure>The Home 600 is the largest speaker in the new trio, with dual 6.5-inch woofers alongside two tweeters, two midrange units and two up-firing drivers. Denon explains that this configuration offers “deep, authoritative bass” that provides more depth in your tunes than other two models. All three of the new Home speakers have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth USB-C and aux connectivity with the wireless streaming powered by Denon’s HEOS tech. As such, you can connect these Home speakers with up to 64 other HEOS devices — including A/V receivers and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/denons-dp-500bt-turntable-combines-premium-design-with-bluetooth-streaming-for-899-080000144.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Denon’s new DP-500BT turntable</a> — and arrange your audio gear in up to 32 different zones. You’ll have access to tunes from Tidal, Amazon Music HD and Qobuz in the HEOS app, and all three new Home speakers support Dolby Atmos Music where available.The Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600 speakers are available today for $399, $599 and $799 respectively. They’re available from Denon directly or other authorized retailers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/denon-expands-its-multi-room-speaker-lineup-with-the-home-200-home-400-and-home-600-080000916.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

The US bans all new foreign-made network routers

The Federal Communications Commission has <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-updates-covered-list-include-foreign-made-consumer-routers" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">released</a> a notice today designating any consumer routers manufactured outside the US as a security risk. The rule states that new foreign-made product models for network routers will land on the Covered List, a set of communications equipment seen as having an unacceptable risk to national security. Previously purchased routers can still be used and retailers can still sell models that were approved by the prior FCC policies. In an exception to the usual rule, routers included on the Covered List can continue to receive updates at least through March 1, 2027, although the date could potentially be extended.The move stems from a goal in the White House's 2025 national security strategy that reads: "the United States must never be dependent on any outside power for core components—from raw materials to parts to finished products—necessary to the nation’s defense or economy." The notice from the FCC states that companies can apply for conditional approval for new products from the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security. However, that <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/Guidance-for-Conditional-Approvals-Submissions0326.pdf" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">requires</a> the businesses to provide a plan for shifting at least some of their manufacturing to the US in order to receive that conditional approval. Few, if any, brands known for consumer-grade routers currently build products stateside. It seems likely this sweeping provision could face legal challenges from and cause confusion for the many companies that have production facilities overseas. In addition to Chinese tech giants like TP-Link, US companies will also be affected. NetGear, Eero and Google Nest are all headquartered domestically but have manufacturing in Asia. At least some of that manufacturing activity happens in regions like Taiwan that have historically been on good terms with the US. Until the sector sorts out this new restriction, don't expect to see any new router models on store shelves.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-us-bans-all-new-foreign-made-network-routers-223622966.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Claude Code and Cowork can now use your computer

Anthropic announced today that its Claude Code and Claude Cowork tools are being updated to accomplish tasks using your computer. The latest update will see these AI resources become capable of opening files, using the browser and running dev tools. When enabled, the Claude AI chatbot will first prioritize connectors to supported services such as the Google workplace suite or Slack, but if a connector isn't available, it will be able to still execute an assigned task. Claude should ask for permission before taking these actions, but Anthropic still recommended not using this feature to handle sensitive information as a precaution.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NAauIR6JFps?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Claude computer use will initially be available to Claude Pro and Claude Max subscribers on macOS. This feature is still in a research preview, so will continue to be adjusted based on Anthropic's user feedback. It will also support use with Anthropic's Dispatch feature, which allows a person to message the chatbot in a single continuous conversation across phone and desktop. <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-launches-claude-cowork-a-version-of-its-coding-ai-for-regular-people-193000849.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Claude Cowork</a> was introduced in January. It's an iteration of the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropics-new-claude-model-can-think-both-fast-and-slow-203307140.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Claude Code AI agent</a> for programmers that is designed for more casual users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/claude-code-and-cowork-can-now-use-your-computer-210000126.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

EA is nuking Battlefield Hardline on consoles

EA has put another game on the chopping block, or at least the console versions of it. The company says it will delist the PS4 and Xbox One versions of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/2014-06-09-battlefield-hardline-beta-ps4.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Battlefield Hardline</a> from digital storefronts on May 22, and shut down the online services on June 22. The single-player campaign will remain playable for those who own the game. The PC version of Battlefield Hardline isn’t affected by these changes.In its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/BattlefieldComm/status/2036110796921463224" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">announcement</a> on X, EA didn't explain exactly why it's ceasing support for the game on PS4 and Xbox One. It pointed readers to a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.ea.com/legal/service-updates" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">FAQ</a> on its website that lays out some of the typical reasons why it ends online support for its games. These include factors like declining player bases. Battlefield Hardline, which was released in 2015, will still be available on Steam as well as EA's own PC app. The Steam version has a peak concurrent player count of 41 so far this year.  It's hardly uncommon for a publisher to end online services for games with declining player bases, but it's an issue that's come into greater focus over the last few years thanks in part to the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-stop-killing-games-initiative-has-hit-a-major-milestone-but-the-fights-just-begun-190431644.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Stop Killing Games</a> movement. EA alone has sunsetted dozens of games. Its website has a full accounting of these, spread <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.ea.com/en-gb/legal/service-updates/a-h" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">across</a> <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.ea.com/en-gb/legal/service-updates/i-q" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">three</a> <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.ea.com/en-gb/legal/service-updates/r-z" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">webpages</a>. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ea-is-nuking-battlefield-hardline-on-consoles-193321551.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Apple will reportedly start stuffing ads into the Maps app

Apple is reportedly planning on inserting ads into the Maps app, <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-23/apple-is-set-to-add-search-advertising-to-maps-in-services-push"><ins>according to </ins><ins>Bloomberg's</ins><ins> Mark Gurman</ins></a>. An announcement could come as soon as this month, with the ads themselves appearing on iPhones this summer. This will likely work similarly to ads in Google Maps and Yelp, which lets retailers and brands bid for coverage with particular search queries. I've personally never found the ads in Google Maps to be that annoying, so let's hope Apple's implementation is similar.  This potential ad revenue could seriously bolster Apple's services business, which currently generates <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/apples-100-billion-secret-ai-gets-the-hype-services-still-bring-in-the-money/91259322"><ins>$100 billion a year</ins></a> for the company. This division accounts for around 25 percent of annual revenue but faces challenges in both the short-term and long-term, <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/02/apple-changes-us-app-store-rules-to-let-apps-redirect-users-to-their-own-websites-for-payments/"><ins>as regulators around the world</ins></a> <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apples-app-store-rules-are-still-in-violation-of-eu-policy-161117662.html"><ins>push for changes to App Store policies</ins></a>. Apple has yet to comment on the matter. This idea has been floating around <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-introduce-ads-to-its-maps-app-170654072.html"><ins>since last year</ins></a>, with rumors <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-08-14/apple-aapl-set-to-expand-advertising-bringing-ads-to-maps-tv-and-books-apps-l6tdqqmg"><ins>going all the way back to 2022</ins></a>. The company already <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/apples-app-store-today-homepage-tab-will-soon-feature-ads-084133344.html"><ins>displays ads on the App Store</ins></a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://www.marketingdive.com/news/apple-selling-news-ads-directly-advertising-business/733464/"><ins>on the News app</ins></a>, so the jump to Maps isn't coming out of left field.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-will-reportedly-start-stuffing-ads-into-the-maps-app-182311634.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Wing expands its drone delivery service to the Bay Area

Wing's drone deliveries are coming full circle after adding Bay Area to its <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://wing.com/news/wing-drone-delivery-bay-area">service locations</a>. The drone delivery startup has been rapidly expanding to metro areas across the US, but is now targeting the tech-friendly Silicon Valley region. Going back to its inaugural deliveries, Wing ferried office supplies across Google's Mountain View campus in the Bay Area with its automated drones. It was still a startup out of Google's X, The Moonshot Factory incubator at the time, but early users were already asking for home delivery services, according to Wing. Now, Wing's latest <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/alphabets-wing-shows-off-a-larger-delivery-drone-with-a-bigger-payload-capacity-163148392.html">delivery drones</a> can deliver groceries, food, or whatever else fits in a small package weighing up to five pounds in 30 minutes or less to Bay Area residents. It may not be that common to spot a Wing drone yet, but the company expanded its service to 150 more <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/wings-drone-deliveries-are-coming-to-150-more-walmarts-180708189.html">Walmart locations</a> across the US, including Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Miami, earlier this year. The drone delivery company also extended its <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://wing.com/news/wing-extends-service-hours-charlotte-dallas-fort-worth">hours of operation</a> to 9 AM to 9 PM in its Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth metros, with approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Beyond the recent Bay Area expansion, Wing has previously mentioned Orlando and Tampa as potential markets to enter.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/wing-expands-its-drone-delivery-service-to-the-bay-area-175748410.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Apple's WWDC 2026 is set for June 8-12

Apple <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Apple;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=4130e2f0-a14f-4c5e-bdab-cd52ac7d8e79&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=110cde23-8ee3-4690-a71d-48d92b2efce0&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Apple&linkText=announced&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hcHBsZS5jb20vbmV3c3Jvb20vMjAyNi8wMy9hcHBsZXMtd29ybGR3aWRlLWRldmVsb3BlcnMtY29uZmVyZW5jZS1yZXR1cm5zLXRoZS13ZWVrLW9mLWp1bmUtOC8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjExMGNkZTIzLThlZTMtNDY5MC1hNzFkLTQ4ZDkyYjJlZmNlMCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXBwbGUuY29tL25ld3Nyb29tLzIwMjYvMDMvYXBwbGVzLXdvcmxkd2lkZS1kZXZlbG9wZXJzLWNvbmZlcmVuY2UtcmV0dXJucy10aGUtd2Vlay1vZi1qdW5lLTgvIn0&signature=AQAAAanX-unLzLjKepsAqOZ6uvB88zqD-ZflptCS1l1m_deF&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fnewsroom%2F2026%2F03%2Fapples-worldwide-developers-conference-returns-the-week-of-june-8%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apples-worldwide-developers-conference-returns-the-week-of-june-8/">announced</a> that this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place from June 8-12. The company tends to be consistent with event timing, so it's no surprise that CEO Tim Cook will take the stage for the keynote on June 8, most likely at 1PM ET.  Much of WWDC will take place online and will be free to attend, though there will be an in-person component for select developers, students and media at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. You'll be able to take in WWDC via the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=110cde23-8ee3-4690-a71d-48d92b2efce0&featureId=text-link&linkText=Apple+Developer+app&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL2FwcHMuYXBwbGUuY29tL3VzL2FwcC9hcHBsZS1kZXZlbG9wZXIvaWQ2NDAxOTk5NTgiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjExMGNkZTIzLThlZTMtNDY5MC1hNzFkLTQ4ZDkyYjJlZmNlMCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hcHBzLmFwcGxlLmNvbS91cy9hcHAvYXBwbGUtZGV2ZWxvcGVyL2lkNjQwMTk5OTU4In0&signature=AQAAAearoVYdnRcwepsilo493WcS8ezDQaTvF2pM3Ntp3sYF&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fapple-developer%2Fid640199958" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-developer/id640199958">Apple Developer app</a>, <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://developer.apple.com/">website</a> and <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.youtube.com/AppleDeveloper">YouTube channel</a>. It will also be available in China on the <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://space.bilibili.com/429911174">Apple Developer Bilibili channel</a>. What should we expect this time around? This is a software-focused event and all <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-08/apple-readies-iphone-17e-new-siri-entry-level-ipad-ipad-air-and-macbook-pro-mldr3hpk">indications point toward a reveal of the upcoming "27" operating systems</a>. This would include iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27 and macOS 27. We don't know for certain what new features these operating system updates will bring to the table, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggesting that WWDC will be "a fairly muted affair this year." Rumors <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://ios27beta.com/wwdc-2026/">have indicated that iOS 27</a> will deliver much-needed improvements to Apple Intelligence along with the delayed Siri overhaul. Reports <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/12/ios-27-features-rumors/">also suggest the presence</a> of split-pane multitasking, a redesigned Health app and a new battery management system for iPhones.  In any event, we don't have that long to wait. Engadget will be on hand to report on all of the announcements and reveals.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apples-wwdc-2026-is-set-for-june-8-12-171359493.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Polymarket is cracking down on insider trading with updated rules

Polymarket announced that it's taking insider trading more seriously. Seen in its latest <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260320997513/en/Polymarket-Publishes-Enhanced-Market-Integrity-Rules-Across-Its-DeFi-Platform-and-CFTC-Regulated-U.S.-Exchange">press release</a>, the prediction market updated its market integrity rules, specifically those concerning insider trading and market manipulation. While Polymarket is taking the initiative to update its rules, it's likely a response to the rise in suspicious bets, whether it's about the US capture of Nicolás Maduro or the release of a new product from <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-releases-gpt-52-to-take-on-google-and-anthropic-185029007.html">OpenAI</a>. As first reported on by <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-23/polymarket-implements-new-insider-trading-rules-after-scrutiny">Bloomberg</a>, Polymarket is targeting three specific forms of trading activity. First off, users aren't allowed to trade on "stolen confidential information," or any behind-the-scenes knowledge about an outcome that people wouldn't otherwise have access to. As an extension, Polymarket traders are also prohibited from taking advantage of "illegal tips," which means that even if someone else has access to confidential information and passes it along, you still can't trade on it. Lastly, anyone who has a "position of authority or influence sufficient to affect the outcome of the underlying event," isn't allowed to trade on said event. Users can expect more surveillance and enforcement around these new rules, too. Polymarket explained that if it or its users find "unusual or potentially questionable trading activity," the platform would conduct a review and if necessary, ban the wallet address, refer the issue to law enforcement or impose "monetary penalties." If you're curious what the punishment for insider trading on these prediction markets looks like, a recent case saw MrBeast's <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/kalshi-fined-a-mrbeast-editor-for-insider-trading-191027814.html">video editor</a> suspended for two years from the platform and fined five times the amount of his initial trade size after Kalshi concluded its investigation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/polymarket-is-cracking-down-on-insider-trading-with-updated-rules-163928655.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Billionaire OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky has died from cancer at 43

Leonid Radvinsky, the billionaire owner of OnlyFans, has died. He passed "peacefully after a long battle with cancer" at age 43, according to a statement from the platform <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2026/03/23/billionaire-onlyfans-owner-leonid-radvinsky-dies-at-43/"><ins>published by </ins><ins>Forbes</ins></a>. He was born in Ukraine, but grew up in Chicago. Radvinsky didn't create OnlyFans. He purchased it back in 2018, though is largely credited with transforming it from a <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/the-onlyfans-empire-from-a-10000-loan-to-an-8-billion-phenomenon/"><ins>niche website to a gigantic porn empire</ins></a>. The platform became so huge that reports have indicated that <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/iainmartin/2025/08/22/onlyfans-billionaires-fortune-doubles-amid-sale-talks-and-700-million-dividend/"><ins>Radvinsky personally made nearly $2 million</ins></a> every day in 2024. His net worth at the time of his death grew to $4.7 billion, which had more than doubled since 2021. <div id="24c86639c1584002b05e8be8181504a4"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of OnlyFans, has died at 43 after a battle with cancer. “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo Radvinsky,” an OnlyFans spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. His family… <a href="https://t.co/xJetAcTZmU">pic.twitter.com/xJetAcTZmU</a>— Variety (@Variety) <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/2036073493876429087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> </div> It has been reported that he was in talks to sell OnlyFans in a <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/iainmartin/2025/08/22/onlyfans-billionaires-fortune-doubles-amid-sale-talks-and-700-million-dividend/"><ins>deal valued at $8 billion</ins></a>. It's long-been rumored that he <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m01dp3507o"><ins>bought a controlling stake in the platform</ins></a> for around $30 million back in 2018, though that number has never been officially confirmed. Radvinsky was famously secretive and avoided giving interviews, but his history is not without controversy. He built his fortune with websites that were much shadier than OnlyFans. Radvinsky founded a similar site called MyFreeCams back in 2004 when he was in college, <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-dark-web-vendor-is-selling-millions-of-hacked-cam-girl-site-tokens/"><ins>which has been</ins></a> <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/pre-trial-date-set-for-alexandria-morra-accused-of-streaming-library-sex-shows-1.3032725"><ins>involved in numerous scandals</ins></a>. <div id="676fb87c44b544279352382974820fc1"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LhOmkRxqSYQ?si=8x4ZsEww37MBx4nY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> He also founded a website called Cybertania, which provided links to various pornograpy sites. Some of these links claimed to direct users to illegal content involving children and animals. Forbes <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2021/06/16/the-shady-secret-history-of-onlyfans-billionaire-owner/"><ins>did a deep dive into this</ins></a> and found that the site didn't actually lead to the offending content, but it's still likely that <a data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1" href="https://forensicnews.net/adminleo-onlyfans-owners-dubious-financial-history/"><ins>Radvinsky and the platform made money</ins></a> by getting people to click on the links. Records also indicate that Radvinsky <a data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21401510-reverse-whois-drs-report-leo-radvinsky-1/"><ins>held domain names like</ins></a> "websyoungest.com" and "aretheylegal.com" until 2014. It's currently unknown what those sites hosted. He's also been sued for everything from <a data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1" href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/amazon-microsoft-team-for-spam-suits/"><ins>spamming users</ins></a> to <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:12;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=09731d95-e28c-4d5f-be64-f6a558b7502c&featureId=text-link&linkText=impersonating+large+companies&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25ld3MubWljcm9zb2Z0LmNvbS9zb3VyY2UvMjAwNC8wOS8yOC9hbWF6b24tY29tLW1pY3Jvc29mdC10ZWFtLWFnYWluc3Qtb25saW5lLWZyYXVkLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMDk3MzFkOTUtZTI4Yy00ZDVmLWJlNjQtZjZhNTU4Yjc1MDJjIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25ld3MubWljcm9zb2Z0LmNvbS9zb3VyY2UvMjAwNC8wOS8yOC9hbWF6b24tY29tLW1pY3Jvc29mdC10ZWFtLWFnYWluc3Qtb25saW5lLWZyYXVkLyJ9&signature=AQAAAUWFkZG7zDGufRZ9ENzGO_3uvEE4z8DzyLvLmAJ4YiPL&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.microsoft.com%2Fsource%2F2004%2F09%2F28%2Famazon-com-microsoft-team-against-online-fraud%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://news.microsoft.com/source/2004/09/28/amazon-com-microsoft-team-against-online-fraud/"><ins>impersonating large companies</ins></a> like Microsoft and Amazon to direct traffic to his pornography sites. These cases were all settled outside of court for undisclosed sums of money.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/billionaire-onlyfans-owner-leonid-radvinsky-has-died-from-cancer-at-43-163211324.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

LG Sound Suite review: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect in a powerful package

The premise seems simple enough. LG promises that you can set its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lg-sound-suite-hands-on-at-ces-2026-home-theater-powered-by-dolby-atmos-flexconnect-192709499.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Sound Suite</a> speakers anywhere and Dolby’s home theater tech will make them perform well. The soundbar, subwoofer and speakers don’t have to go in prescribed locations for the best results, which means you can place them where you need to and move them as you see fit. Of course, this all hinges on the reliability of the underlying tech and LG’s ability to make individual speakers that actually sound good.  Like most <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-soundbars-143041791.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">premium soundbars</a> and complete home theater setups these days, a complete Sound Suite collection <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/lg-has-released-pricing-for-its-new-sound-suite-speaker-lineup-181053832.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">is expensive</a>. The centerpiece alone, a soundbar that most people will want in their customizable configuration, is $1,000. However, if you have a recent LG TV, or are planning to buy a 2026 model when those arrive, there’s no better option for boosting your living room entertainment experience.  <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="6ef08de3-7f37-410a-8ccc-634c49eed27f" data-original-url="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/6565552A-B15A-4557-88C1-54745F2B72CF"></core-commerce> <h2 id="jump-link-the-components-of-the-lg-sound-suite">The components of the LG Sound Suite</h2> There are four different devices that make up the Sound Suite. The centerpiece is <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0G76G6NCP&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=9455edd1-552d-4566-865f-8c299a53ccfc&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=the+H7+soundbar+%28%241%2C000%29&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0xHLVNvdW5kLVN1aXRlLUg3LVNvdW5kYmFyL2RwL0IwRzc2RzZOQ1A_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy0yMCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiOTQ1NWVkZDEtNTUyZC00NTY2LTg2NWYtOGMyOTlhNTNjY2ZjIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0xHLVNvdW5kLVN1aXRlLUg3LVNvdW5kYmFyL2RwL0IwRzc2RzZOQ1AiLCJkeW5hbWljQ2VudHJhbFRyYWNraW5nSWQiOnRydWUsInNpdGVJZCI6InVzLWVuZ2FkZ2V0IiwicGFnZUlkIjoiMXAtYXV0b2xpbmsiLCJmZWF0dXJlSWQiOiJ0ZXh0LWxpbmsifQ&signature=AQAAAeEViQiJIobGebGQNWHzvzvCk7rEifRFd3nCb27Xd95O&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLG-Sound-Suite-H7-Soundbar%2Fdp%2FB0G76G6NCP" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/LG-Sound-Suite-H7-Soundbar/dp/B0G76G6NCP">the H7 soundbar ($1,000)</a>, which is the first one that works with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect (DAFC) technology. Then there’s the 8-inch <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=472a467b-5d76-4e49-b1e8-d1e77258dd8e&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=9455edd1-552d-4566-865f-8c299a53ccfc&featureId=text-link&merchantName=LG+Electronics&linkText=W7+subwoofer+%28%24600%29&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5sZy5jb20vdXMvc3Vid29vZmVycy9sZy1zb3VuZC1zdWl0ZS13Ny13aXJlbGVzcy1zdWJ3b29mZXIiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6Ijk0NTVlZGQxLTU1MmQtNDU2Ni04NjVmLThjMjk5YTUzY2NmYyIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGcuY29tL3VzL3N1Yndvb2ZlcnMvbGctc291bmQtc3VpdGUtdzctd2lyZWxlc3Mtc3Vid29vZmVyIn0&signature=AQAAAfeiApRYODayAK9rixmuK_UwtnzksPDMHOCEOuFY7e9m&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lg.com%2Fus%2Fsubwoofers%2Flg-sound-suite-w7-wireless-subwoofer" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:LG Electronics;elmt:;cpos:5;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.lg.com/us/subwoofers/lg-sound-suite-w7-wireless-subwoofer">W7 subwoofer ($600)</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0G764JR9Y&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=9455edd1-552d-4566-865f-8c299a53ccfc&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=the+M5&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL0xHLU01LVdpcmVsZXNzLUZsZXhDb25uZWN0LUJsdWV0b290aC9kcC9CMEc3NjRKUjlZP3RhZz1nZGd0MGMtMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6Ijk0NTVlZGQxLTU1MmQtNDU2Ni04NjVmLThjMjk5YTUzY2NmYyIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9MRy1NNS1XaXJlbGVzcy1GbGV4Q29ubmVjdC1CbHVldG9vdGgvZHAvQjBHNzY0SlI5WSIsImR5bmFtaWNDZW50cmFsVHJhY2tpbmdJZCI6dHJ1ZSwic2l0ZUlkIjoidXMtZW5nYWRnZXQiLCJwYWdlSWQiOiIxcC1hdXRvbGluayIsImZlYXR1cmVJZCI6InRleHQtbGluayJ9&signature=AQAAAWtbLjBunw460prdT1hdS1pSx2Ezl0DW_C4_Ra4XoNjS&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLG-M5-Wireless-FlexConnect-Bluetooth%2Fdp%2FB0G764JR9Y" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:6;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/LG-M5-Wireless-FlexConnect-Bluetooth/dp/B0G764JR9Y">the M5</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&itemId=amazon_B0G76Y15R9&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=9455edd1-552d-4566-865f-8c299a53ccfc&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&linkText=M7+speakers&custData=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&signature=AQAAAatj1uPVjwfuYtMzNYdpRU77CWRKJIM8dXmDLBbh8KZu&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLG-M7-Wireless-FlexConnect-Bluetooth%2Fdp%2FB0G76Y15R9" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:7;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.amazon.com/LG-M7-Wireless-FlexConnect-Bluetooth/dp/B0G76Y15R9">M7 speakers</a> ($250 and $400). LG allows you to pick and choose between these products to build a home theater set up that suits your needs — up to four speakers and one subwoofer. The only real caveat is that you need the H7 soundbar or a recent LG TV (2025 OLED G5, C5, CS5 and QNED 9M, or an upcoming 2026 model) to serve as the primary device for Sound Suite to work. That’s because the underlying tech requires LG’s alpha 11 Gen 3 AI processor, which is inside the soundbar and the company’s newer TVs.  The H7 houses a dozen Peerless drivers comprising front, side and up-firing units. There’s also four woofers and eight passive radiators for bass and low-frequency audio. The soundbar has a pretty basic design, plain enough to sit in front of an LG OLED (or other premium TV) without being a distraction, and short enough not to block it. Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are available here, so AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect are all supported.  The W7 wireless sub has an 8-inch woofer that gets really boomy at times. It’s quite large at 16.1 x 16.3 x 7.6 inches, but you can use it standing up vertically or laying down horizontally — whichever orientation fits your needs or available space. The M5 and M7 speakers offer basically the same features, including AirPlay and Cast, and can be used either by themselves, as a stereo pair, as a four-speaker array or as rear satellite speakers with the H7 soundbar. The main difference is the M7 has two full-range drivers, one up-firing driver and a woofer while the M5 only has a tweeter, an up-firing driver and a woofer.   <h2 id="jump-link-what-is-dolby-atmos-flexconnect">What is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect?</h2> FlexConnect is a home theater audio technology that Dolby <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/dolby-atmos-will-use-your-tv-to-expand-living-room-speaker-setups-123021095.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">announced in 2023</a>. It was available on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/tcls-newest-tvs-will-automatically-calibrate-wireless-speakers-163907846.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">TCL’s Z100 speakers</a> last year, but LG’s Sound Suite <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/dolby-and-lg-introduce-a-modular-home-audio-system-for-ces-2026-010000126.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">marks the first time</a> the feature has been available on a more robust living room product that includes a soundbar. FlexConnect allows you to position speakers anywhere in a room without sacrificing audio performance. The tech uses a TV or soundbar as the lead device to locate speakers so it can tune the sound to match their positioning. The system can also quickly adapt when you move a speaker — maybe for a party or other special occasion.  FlexConnect works as advertised, but there is one caveat that should’ve been obvious, although I didn’t anticipate it. Every time you add or remove speakers from a DAFC group, you’ll need to recalibrate the system, which includes the software playing sounds from the speakers so that the TV or soundbar can locate them and Dolby’s tech adjusts their output. It doesn’t take long, but there is audible noise from each unit in the group, so you’ll want to factor in that time — and potential annoyance for anyone else in the house. <h2 id="jump-link-other-sound-suite-features">Other Sound Suite features</h2> <figure> <img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-4.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-4.jpg" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="LG Sound Suite H7 soundbar" data-uuid="c6052f90-7152-4412-aa08-7c0eb5569aad"> <figcaption> LG Sound Suite H7 soundbar </figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Billy Steele for Engadget </div> </figure> Sound Suite offers some of the same features as LG’s other home theater products. Those include Night Mode, Room Calibration Pro, AI Sound Pro+ real-time audio upscaling and Clear Voice Pro+ for enhanced dialogue. For the Sound Suite, LG has also introduced Sound Follow, a feature that allows you to adjust the “sweet spot” for the system based on where you’re sitting.  Once you set your current position with a tap in the ThinQ app, Sound Follow is supposed to change the levels and tuning accordingly. I’m not entirely sure this was working on my system. Unlike my demo at CES, the seating position on the FlexConnect layout in the app was never updated. And while the UI seemed to indicate the change was made when I tapped the buttons, I couldn’t hear any difference in the audio. I asked LG for more information to ensure Sound Follow is functioning properly.  <h2 id="jump-link-a-word-about-setup">A word about setup</h2> Like most soundbars and speakers these days, you have to use an app to get them all connected and properly set up. And like Samsung, LG makes you do that through the same app that handles all of its connected devices — including appliances. Once you unbox and plug in the Sound Suite speakers, you add them in the ThinQ app as a new home theater arrangement. The software shows you which speakers are available to use and allows you to select which ones you want in the initial Dolby Atmos FlexConnect grouping.  The app will ask you to set the distance between the soundbar and your primary seating area before running the sound optimization (tuning) process. ThinQ will display the speaker layout and you can edit the DAFC group at any time. If you move a speaker though, you’ll need to run the optimization again for the best audio performance. And if you’re using an LG TV as the lead device, all of this is sorted onscreen rather than in the app.  Overall, the process is pretty straightforward, although I encountered some pretty significant connectivity issues that were very frustrating. I review soundbars and speakers regularly, so I’m familiar with the process of using an app to connect devices to my home Wi-Fi in order to get them up and running. With the H7, it took a few days to get it connected, which meant I could only use the soundbar with the audio options available on LG C5’s menu and wasn’t able to set up a larger Sound Suite configuration. After several router and soundbar reboots, I was finally able to get the H7 to connect and become available to finish the install. I’ve never had this problem before, so perhaps LG did something different with the Wi-Fi components here.  <figure> <img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-1.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-1.jpg" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="" data-uuid="0f7d7ebd-0734-42ea-a27b-ad2e49f1ab66"> <figcaption> LG Sound Suite M7 speakers </figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Billy Steele for Engadget </div> </figure> When I was adding the M7 speakers to my DAFC setup, I had no issues connecting them to Wi-Fi initially. However, I did have trouble adding them to the FlexConnect group, which required each piece of the Sound Suite playing an audio calibration clip. Repeatedly, the ThinQ app told me there was a connection issue with one of the M7s, although eventually they all somehow got added anyway. I also had trouble removing speakers from the arrangement. Even though the app said sound was only coming from the H7 soundbar, one of the two M7 speakers was still connected and emitting sound when I didn’t want it to. For some reason, this only happened when playing music over AirPlay — TV audio over HDMI eARC always functioned as intended.  If you’re using the TV as the lead device, you do all of the setup on the screen. I found this method to be more straightforward and reliable, although it blasted the calibration sounds at a deafening volume. There is a big issue though: Once connected to the TV as a DAFC setup, the speaker settings weren’t available in either the ThinQ app or on-screen menus. This meant I was stuck in standard mode, with things like AI Sound Pro+ inaccessible. I asked LG for more info on this because it greatly impacts the overall experience. <h2 id="jump-link-which-configuration-sounds-best">Which configuration sounds best?</h2> Before I get into describing the various Sound Suite configurations, I need to make an important note about the limitations for the possible setups. LG only allows a maximum of five speakers in any Sound Suite arrangement, but you can mix and match however you want. Just remember if you don’t opt for the H7 soundbar, you’ll need a compatible LG TV as the lead device for FlexConnect to work.  You can also use the M5 and M7 as standalone speakers in another room and swap them in and out of your living room or home theater setup as needed. In the multi-room scenario, Sound Suite speakers function much like a Sonos system would, and the M7 is more than capable of being a standalone music speaker with plenty of detail and decent bass. I wasn’t able to test the M5, so I can’t vouch for that one. Keep in mind that if you opt for the M5 or the M7 for your living room, you’ll need at least two of either one to use FlexConnect with your LG TV.  After testing multiple configurations of the Sound Suite, I think the combination of the H7 soundbar, W7 subwoofer and two M7s is the ideal arrangement. I’ll hedge that a bit as I prefer to disable the M7s in the rear of the room when watching live TV — especially sports — as the same audio coming from the soundbar and those speakers didn’t really enhance the experience. Plus, arena noise seemed overly echo-y and off-putting. This setup is well-suited for streaming TV shows and movies, things where Dolby Atmos, or at least LG’s spatial upscaling, is at the height of its powers.  <figure> <img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-5.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-5.jpg" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="The LG Sound Suite W7 subwoofer is quite large" data-uuid="0e4da970-09e9-4f66-8221-df674d425c56"> <figcaption> The LG Sound Suite W7 subwoofer is quite large </figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Billy Steele for Engadget </div> </figure> In this setup with the H7 as the lead, you get Sound Suite in its most immersive form. I always use Netflix’s Drive to Survive as my first test of a new home theater system, and LG’s lineup handled it like a champ. You get excellent directional audio, which makes the cars sound like they’re zooming around your living room. And the in-car shots are so enveloping, it’s like you’re sitting right behind the driver. This configuration also works well for music, though I preferred to use either one of the M7 speakers or the soundbar/sub duo rather than the whole shebang. My second favorite setup is four M7s. Once again, this configuration requires an LG TV as the lead device, but if you have that, you can definitely save some room in front of your television with separate front speakers. Unfortunately, you can’t use a subwoofer too because if you’re using a TV to power the speakers, you can only add up to four. That’s a real bummer, but the TV speakers will be used as a center channel (dialogue) boost, so it’s not a complete waste. However, this arrangement would benefit from more bass. The four-speaker setup could be particularly beneficial for people who mount their TVs on the wall and don’t want a soundbar underneath. And, again, FlexConnect allows you to put the speakers anywhere, not necessarily flanking your TV. You also get the option of moving these smaller speakers around when you need to — something you can’t really do with a soundbar. The only sacrifice I noticed audio-wise is that two M7s in the front doesn’t offer the same overhead sensation for Atmos content as the H7’s up-firing drivers.   If you’re just using four M7 speakers for home theater duties, you’ll enjoy the immersive audio these Sound Suite speakers will provide. There’s lots of directional sounds with Atmos content, and there’s plenty of subtle detail that comes through on movies and shows. However, for live sports, this arrangement pulls commentary audio from the TV speakers and puts much of the arena/stadium noise in the rear M7s, which makes it difficult to hear the announcers at times. This is one area where the inability to adjust the audio settings really hampers the experience.  If you’re hoping to invest in something that can pull double duty for music, I prefer one or two M7s for that purpose. And while there’s decent low-end thump, streaming your favorite tunes is where you’ll notice the absence of that W7 subwoofer. <h2 id="jump-link-the-competition">The competition</h2> <figure> <img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-3.jpg" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/ss-3.jpg" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="" data-uuid="50742546-d5e3-47cf-bed9-2d4df3147ef0"> <figcaption> The controls on the LG Sound Suite M7 speaker </figcaption> <div class="photo-credit"> Billy Steele for Engadget </div> </figure> If you’re looking for alternatives to LG’s Sound Suite, you have to make some sacrifices. The only other option right now that offers Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is the TCL Z100 speaker. Obviously, you’ll need multiples of this $300 device, and you’ll probably want to add the $350 subwoofer, too. Like the LG M7, you’ll need a compatible TCL TV to serve as the lead device for FlexConnect (a QM6K, QM7K, QM8K, QM9K or X11L model). I haven’t tested these 1.1.1-channel units, so I can’t provide a direct comparison to the Sound Suite’s M5 or M7.  For those who can live without FlexConnect, Samsung’s Q990 series is consistently the best all-in-one setup you can buy. I haven’t reviewed one <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/samsung-hw-q990d-soundbar-review-a-small-but-significant-update-180022782.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">since 2024</a> because the company has been keen on shipping new models with minimal updates, which means the hardware and most of the features remain the same. The <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/samsungs-two-new-speakers-will-deliver-crisp-audio-while-blending-into-your-decor-230053770.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">HW-Q990H</a> will be the latest installment when it arrives later this year, with the biggest differentiator being a new dialogue boost called Sound Elevation.  While the Q990 always comes with rear speakers and a subwoofer alongside a powerful soundbar, some features will only be available if you also have a Samsung TV. One of those is Q-Symphony, which utilizes TV speakers alongside the Q990’s drivers for more detailed and immersive sound. For the entire Q990 package, you’re looking at $2,000 — $100 less than the comparable Sound Suite arrangement of the H7 soundbar, two M5 speakers and a W7 sub. <h2 id="jump-link-wrap-up">Wrap-up</h2> There’s no denying that LG has created a powerful and immersive living room experience with its Sound Suite lineup. I also like that the company allows customers to decide what they need without sacrificing the main draw of FlexConnect. While I did experience some setup and software issues, those are things LG can iron out over time — Sound Suite is still brand new, after all. I would like to see the company offer some discounted bundles and continue to add more audio features over time to justify the hefty investment. If you’ve got a couple grand to spend, especially if you have a recent LG TV, Sound Suite will be your best option for building out a home theater setup.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/lg-sound-suite-review-dolby-atmos-flexconnect-in-a-powerful-package-160000544.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Wheely, an on-demand chauffeur app, makes its US debut in NYC

When the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/uber-one-subscribers-can-now-share-free-deliveries-and-other-perks-with-their-family-120004629.html">Uber</a> Black isn't premium enough, New Yorkers now have the option to call for a Wheely instead. Whimsical name aside, the London-based company is breaking into the US market by offering its chauffeur-hailing services to residents of New York City first, as first reported by <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-23/luxury-ride-hailing-app-wheely-expands-to-nyc-targeting-elites">Bloomberg</a>. Think of it like Uber, but for business executives and VIPs who prefer better service and riding in Cadillacs and Mercedes. "New York has long been requested by our customers, whether that be New Yorkers who have traveled with us in Europe and the Middle East, or our international clients who regularly visit the city," Anton Chirkunov, founder and CEO of Wheely, said in a press release. <figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/543f8310-26c4-11f1-9f4f-bb13c86275ca" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2026-03/543f8310-26c4-11f1-9f4f-bb13c86275ca" style="height:2236px;width:4434px;" alt="Using the Wheely app on several smartphones." data-uuid="6609ea11-bd8b-362f-b844-383a00678ab9"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Wheely</div></figure> Besides its black car Business SUV service, New Yorkers can opt for Wheely First that offers a Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 filled with amenities like Fiji water and towels. For a more dedicated service, Wheely has its Perfect Airport Pickup where drivers will track flights to line up a pickup, and the Chauffeur for a Day option that lets users reserve a chauffeur that will also pick up friends and family or run errands for you. For interested drivers in New York City, Wheely will port over its in-house "Chauffeur Academy," which is expected to grow to a network of 5,000 qualified drivers over the next five years. While Wheely currently operates in London, Paris and Dubai, the company plans to expand to five major US cities within the next three years. According to Bloomberg, Wheely is considering markets in Texas, Miami and Palm Beach, Fla. as well as Washington, D.C. Wheely's entry into the US market comes about a week after the announcement of the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-is-shooting-for-even-more-upscale-clientele-with-uber-elite-150620441.html">Uber Elite</a> program, which targets a similar demographic. However, Uber Elite is only available in Los Angeles and San Francisco currently, with plans to expand to New York soon. However, Uber may have Wheely beat when it comes to hailing a helicopter, thanks to its upcoming <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-previews-its-dubai-air-taxi-service-130000603.html">Uber Air</a> option.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/wheely-an-on-demand-chauffeur-app-makes-its-us-debut-in-nyc-143233840.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Xbox lines up a Partner Preview showcase for March 26

<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l1plun37iZ8?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Microsoft has locked in its <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-developer-direct-2026-how-to-watch-and-what-we-expect-to-see-from-fable-forza-horizon-6-and-beast-of-reincarnation-161000242.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">second</a> games showcase of the year. A <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/03/23/xbox-partner-preview-march-2026-announce/" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Xbox Partner Preview</a> stream will take place on March 26 at 1PM ET. It'll be available on the Xbox <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1plun37iZ8" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">YouTube</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.twitch.tv/Xbox" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">Twitch</a> channels. There'll be dedicated <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.twitch.tv/XboxASL" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Twitch</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/@xbox" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">YouTube</a> streams with ASL interpretation, another featuring <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/@xboxon" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">British Sign Language</a> and one with audio descriptions in English on the main Xbox YouTube channel. The YouTube stream will be in 4K at 60fps (other channels are limited to 1080p) and have subtitle support for nearly three dozen languages. The broadcast will be available on regional Xbox channels as well. This showcase is all about upcoming games from Xbox's third-party partners. It will feature an in-depth look at Ryu Ga Gotoku’s <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rggs-project-century-is-now-called-stranger-than-heaven-232848763.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">Stranger Than Heaven</a> (formerly known as <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rgg-reveals-a-virtua-fighter-revival-and-a-brawler-set-in-the-1910s-025324254.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">Project Century</a>), an update on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-is-coming-to-ps5-on-november-20-162656051.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl</a> and the latest peek at The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Along with those, expect some world premieres. Of course, many of these projects will be coming to Game Pass. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-lines-up-a-partner-preview-showcase-for-march-26-140117249.html?src=rss

Mar 23, 2026

Samsung's Galaxy S26 will get Apple AirDrop support starting today

As Google promised, Apple AirDrop sharing is expanding to more Android devices. Samsung announced today that its <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=e7c9b9e0-7a83-4e9a-ae91-89a84b512304&featureId=text-link&linkText=Galaxy+S26+Series+is+getting+AirDrop+support&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2Ftc3VuZy5jb20vdXMvc2Ftc3VuZy1haXJkcm9wLXF1aWNrLXNoYXJlLWdhbGF4eS1zMjYtc2VyaWVzLyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZTdjOWI5ZTAtN2E4My00ZTlhLWFlOTEtODlhODRiNTEyMzA0Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2Ftc3VuZy5jb20vdXMvc2Ftc3VuZy1haXJkcm9wLXF1aWNrLXNoYXJlLWdhbGF4eS1zMjYtc2VyaWVzLyJ9&signature=AQAAAaH_hiCcLs_WyyGlacaBv089kEmK2Ir-LIwPAV0u1AxT&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsamsung-airdrop-quick-share-galaxy-s26-series%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-airdrop-quick-share-galaxy-s26-series/">Galaxy S26 Series is getting AirDrop support</a> through the Quick Share feature. Google first introduced the <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/android-quick-share-now-works-with-apples-airdrop-feature-on-pixel-10-phones-173646458.html">Quick Share feature</a> on its Pixel 10 phones last year and, in February, shared plans to <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/google-will-soon-offer-airdrop-support-on-more-android-devices-141523521.html">increase the number of devices</a> included. The setting allows Android users to send and receive photos and files from an Apple device, much like two Apple users do with AirDrop. To get media from an iPhone, Android users need to turn visibility settings onto "everyone for 10 minutes." Starting tomorrow, March 23, Samsung will begin rolling out this AirDrop support in Korea. It should then expand to areas such as North America, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, and Latin America. Once again, Samsung states that additional devices should be able to get AirDrop compatibility soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-galaxy-s26-will-get-apple-airdrop-support-starting-today-110452832.html?src=rss

Mar 22, 2026

Crimson Desert developer apologizes and promises to replace AI-generated art

The developer behind the open-world RPG <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/">Crimson Desert</a> has issued an official apology after players discovered several instances of AI-generated art in the game. <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://x.com/CrimsonDesert_/status/2035718975909470706?s=20">Pearl Abyss</a> posted on X that it released the game with some 2D visual props that were made with "experimental AI generative tools" and forgot to replace them before launch. <div id="d613ca7bf6454137aa04750661a3a30a"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We would like to address questions regarding the use of AI in Crimson Desert. During development, some 2D visual props were created as part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools. These assets helped us rapidly explore tone and atmosphere in the earlier…— Crimson Desert (@CrimsonDesert_) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrimsonDesert_/status/2035718975909470706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a></blockquote> </div> Just a day after Crimson Desert's launch, players took to <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/CrimsonDesert/comments/1rz2f2l/found_this_ai_painting/">social media</a> to post reports of potential generative AI usage. Pearl Abyss said on X that "following reports from our community, we have identified that some of these assets were unintentionally included in the final release." Now, the game's Steam page has an AI generated content disclosure, which says that, "generative AI technology is used in a supplementary capacity during the creation of some 2D prop assets" which are later replaced. Moving forward, Pearl Abyss said it will conduct a "comprehensive audit of all in-game assets and are taking steps to replace any affected content." The developer said that these updated assets will roll out in upcoming patches, and that the team would internally review how it communicates with its <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/intel-says-crimson-desert-devs-ignored-offers-of-help-to-support-arc-gpus-155514896.html">player base</a> to provide more "transparency and consistency." Pearl Abyss isn't the only developer to fail to disclose the use of AI-generated assets in its games. Late last year, <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-indie-game-awards-snatches-back-two-trophies-from-clair-obscur-over-its-use-of-generative-ai-164730842.html">Sandfall Interactive</a> was stripped of its Game of the Year and Debut Game awards from the Indie Game Awards for the use of generative AI in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for placeholder textures that were mistakenly left in the game. Like Pearl Abyss, Arc Raiders' developer <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:6;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/arc-raiders-replaced-some-of-its-ai-generated-voice-lines-with-professional-actors-184915627.html">Embark Studios</a> is going back and replacing AI-generated material in its game after some backlash from its player base.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/crimson-desert-developer-apologizes-and-promises-to-replace-ai-generated-art-183716439.html?src=rss

Mar 22, 2026

Elon Musk announces Terafab project he claims will be the 'largest chip manufacturing facility ever'

Elon Musk has announced the <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://terafab.ai/">Terafab</a> project, a joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, to build the "largest chip manufacturing facility ever." In his usual grandiose fashion, Musk claims Terafab is the next step towards harnessing the power of the sun and creating a "galactic civilization." Musk, CEO of all three companies, announced plans for the Terafab in a <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yKAPMzlvgWxb">livestream on X</a>. As the name implies, the project's ultimate goal is to produce a terawatt of computing power each year so that it can match the companies' growing demand for chips. Musk explained during the livestream that he's grateful to existing supply chain partners like Samsung, TSMC and Micron, but the current capacity of chip manufacturers only adds up to about two percent to what Tesla and SpaceX needs in terms of future computing power needs. "We either build the Terafab or we don't have the chips," Musk said during the event. "And we need the chips so we're going to build the Terafab." The Terafab project, estimated to cost at least $20 billion, will start with the Advanced Technology Fab in Austin, Texas, where Tesla is already headquartered. Musk said that the two types of chips will be produced in the Terafab: one for terrestrial purposes, like to power Full Self-Driving or Optimus robots, and another more high-powered, durable chip to be used in space. If you're wondering what Musk has in store for space, the SpaceX CEO filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to launch a million satellites to create an "<a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/science/space/spacex-wants-to-launch-a-constellation-of-a-million-satellites-to-power-ai-needs-175607771.html">orbital data center</a>" earlier this year. As promising as this sounds, it's worth noting that Musk has previously overpromised and underdelivered on other projects, like the <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/hyperloop-one-is-shutting-down-030049106.html">Hyperloop</a>, a $40,000 <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-most-affordable-cybertruck-gets-scrapped-after-a-whopping-five-months-164322445.html">Cybertruck</a> and <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:6;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/tesla-recalls-over-360000-vehicles-for-full-self-driving-crash-risk-180110819.html">fully autonomous</a> driving.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/elon-musk-announces-terafab-project-he-claims-will-be-the-largest-chip-manufacturing-facility-ever-171718545.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

Reddit is weighing identity verification methods to combat its bot problem

There could be one more step required before creating an account and posting on Reddit in the future. According to Reddit's CEO, <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://x.com/tbpn/status/2035137556774625610?s=20">Steve Huffman</a>, the social media platform is exploring different ways to verify a user is human and not a bot. When asked by the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=b17c69a4-d5f6-4eaa-ba70-39109de922fa&featureId=text-link&linkText=TBPN+podcast&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3BvZGNhc3RzLmFwcGxlLmNvbS91cy9wb2RjYXN0LzEwMC1iaWxsaW9uLWJlem9zLXNtY2ktZnVsbHktc2VuZHMtZ3B1cy10by1jaGluYS1yZWRkaXQvaWQxNzcyMzYwMjM1P2k9MTAwMDc1NjQwMDk3NSIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiYjE3YzY5YTQtZDVmNi00ZWFhLWJhNzAtMzkxMDlkZTkyMmZhIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3BvZGNhc3RzLmFwcGxlLmNvbS91cy9wb2RjYXN0LzEwMC1iaWxsaW9uLWJlem9zLXNtY2ktZnVsbHktc2VuZHMtZ3B1cy10by1jaGluYS1yZWRkaXQvaWQxNzcyMzYwMjM1P2k9MTAwMDc1NjQwMDk3NSJ9&signature=AQAAAZWjXjfb9yZ_FqyYBNmCa8uQTe04QDry2vMBv7_-5rwT&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2F100-billion-bezos-smci-fully-sends-gpus-to-china-reddit%2Fid1772360235%3Fi%3D1000756400975" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-billion-bezos-smci-fully-sends-gpus-to-china-reddit/id1772360235?i=1000756400975">TBPN podcast</a> how to confirm that it's a human using Reddit, Huffman responded with several verification methods with varying degrees of heavy-handedness. <div id="3cc2fe07d3a242f5a1ea8361c3537ff0"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">RDDT requiring Face ID was not something I had on my bingo card but something has got to be done about all the fake / botted content — I just don't know how to sell face-scanning to redditors or even lurkers. <a href="https://t.co/7e7K3Di4ip">https://t.co/7e7K3Di4ip</a>— Alexis Ohanian 🗽 (@alexisohanian) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/2035154057942245514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> </div> "The most lightweight way is with something like Face ID or Touch ID," Huffman said during the interview. "They actually require a human presence, like a human has to touch, or do or look at something, so that actually just proves there's a person there or gets you pretty far." Besides these passkey methods that use biometrics data, Huffman said there are other options like relying on third-party services that are decentralized or don't require ID. On the other end of the spectrum, Huffman also mentioned more burdensome options, like ID-checking services. Recent years have brought a rise in bots <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/digg-shuts-down-for-a-hard-reset-because-it-was-flooded-with-bots-153848094.html">flooding</a> <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/instagram-porn-bots-latest-tactic-is-ridiculously-low-effort-but-its-working-181130528.html">social media</a> platforms including Reddit, where they've even been used to conduct <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/researchers-secretly-experimented-on-reddit-users-with-ai-generated-comments-194328026.html">secret experiments</a>. It doesn't sound like Reddit has landed on how to verify its users' human identity yet, but Huffman did emphasize that the platform still wants to prioritize anonymity for its users. However, verifying humanity through identifiable and personal data could end up as a dealbreaker for Reddit users who value the anonymity of the platform.  "Part of our promise for our users is we don't know your name but we do want to know you're a person," Huffman said. "It'll be an evolution for us for a while, and probably every platform to find the right middle ground here." Reddit co-founder and former executive chair, Alexis Ohanian, said on X that Reddit requiring Face ID wasn't something he expected but agreed that something had to be done about the fake content from bots, adding that, "I just don't know how to sell face-scanning to Redditors or even lurkers." We reached out to Reddit's communications team and will update the story when we hear back.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddit-is-weighing-identity-verification-methods-to-combat-its-bot-problem-195814671.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

What to read this weekend: Revisiting Project Hail Mary and The Thing on the Doorstep

Mar 21, 2026

Apple considered buying Halide to upgrade its native Camera app

A legal feud between the co-founders of Lux Optics, the developer behind the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/iphone-camera-app-halide-has-an-anti-intelligent-mode-to-make-shooting-with-raw-easier-211802575.html">Halide</a> camera app, revealed that Apple was close to acquiring the company. As first reported by <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apple-acquisition-talks-fraud-accusations-behind-one-app-startups-nasty-split">The Information</a>, Apple held acquisition talks for Lux Optics, which also developed the Kino, Spectre and Orion apps, in the summer of 2025. According to The Information, the deal eventually fell through in September of that year, but the potential acquisition could've provided Apple with the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-acquires-popular-video-editing-software-company-motionvfx-175429480.html">third-party software</a> to improve its own built-in camera app. Apple is already rumored to be introducing <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://petapixel.com/2026/03/02/the-iphone-18-camera-is-reportedly-getting-a-variable-aperture/">variable aperture</a> to its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, so it's not surprising that the iPhone maker was looking for software with advanced features to match its possibly upgraded camera hardware. Despite Apple's interest, Lux Optics' co-founders, Ben Sandofsky and Sebastiaan de With concluded that future updates to Halide could increase the company's valuation and ended the acquisition talks. According to the lawsuit between the co-founders, Sandofsky started investigating de With for the alleged misuse of company funds shortly after the talks with Apple ended. Afterwards, de With was fired from Lux Optics and later joined Apple's <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/halide-co-founder-joins-apples-design-team-235023416.html">design team</a>. While Halide may remain third-party software for iPhones and iPads, users can still look forward to some software improvements to the built-in camera app, since that's reportedly one of Apple's priorities.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-considered-buying-halide-to-upgrade-its-native-camera-app-175139818.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

A Minecraft theme park will open in London in 2027

The <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/minecraft-has-now-sold-over-300-million-copies-094225081.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">best-selling game of all time</a> is moving from the virtual to the physical. Minecraft World, a permanent Greater London theme park based on the game, is scheduled to open in 2027. The announcement came during Minecraft Live 2026.It will be a new section in Chessington World of Adventures, a theme park with a built-in zoo. The resort is a 35-minute train ride from London's Waterloo station.Details are still fairly light on the park. But we know it will include a roller coaster, "interactive adventures" and "epic block-built playscapes." Torfi Frans Ólafsson, the game franchise's creative director, said they're aiming for "an experience that feels immersive, authentic and welcoming." Naturally, that will include welcoming you to open your wallet in Minecraft-themed retail and dining spots.The park is a collaboration between Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments, the world's second-largest theme park builder. (A certain <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/disney-teases-an-olaf-robot-for-its-parks-151017739.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">rodent-led empire</a> is first.)If visiting the full theme park in England isn't your thing, the latest location of the game’s (also real-world) pop-up events will open in May. Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail will let visitors in Buenos Aires, Argentina, go on an hour-long outdoor nighttime adventure. As its name suggests, you'll "walk a moonlit trail” through iconic Minecraft biomes. Along the way, you’ll craft gear, mine diamonds, battle mobs and “help restore an ancient beacon." The event opens in May.<figure><img src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/mcv_tinytakeover_1_village_stampede_1920x1080.png" data-crop-orig-src="https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/mcv_tinytakeover_1_village_stampede_1920x1080.png" style="height:1080px;width:1920px;" alt="Screenshot from Minecraft. A character walks through a village, followed by a gaggle of babies of various species." data-uuid="2db2487d-2f96-415c-b7f3-77d6a6d4f68e"/><figcaption>The game's next big drop, Tiny Takeover, arrives on Tuesday.</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Mojang Studios</div></figure>Not all of Minecraft Live's announcements were about real-world empire building. Minecraft, the game, is getting some updates, too. Its next big drop, Tiny Takeover, will live up to the billing with a redesigned "cuter" look for baby mobs. The update will also add a golden dandelion, which you can feed to a baby mob to make it stay young forever. (Or, at least until you feed it a second one.) Tiny Takeover arrives on March 24.Mojang also teased the next drop after that. Later this year, Chaos Cubed will add a sulfur cube that changes properties when absorbing different materials. "There is a lot of variety in what the cube can do," Mojang promises. "Just like there are balls with different 'bounciness' and behavior, the sulfur cube can have different physics."Finally, the long-rumored Minecraft Dungeons II game is official. We're still extremely light on details about the sequel to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/minecraft-dungeons-preview-interview-130029404.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">the 2020 spinoff</a>, aside from the fact that you can wishlist it on March 21.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-minecraft-theme-park-will-open-in-london-in-2027-173000917.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

OpenAI reportedly plans to double its workforce to 8,000 employees

While other tech companies have been <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.wired.com/story/hundreds-of-google-ai-workers-were-fired-amid-fight-over-working-conditions/">laying off employees</a> year after year, OpenAI is doing the opposite. According to a report from the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.ft.com/content/7ffea5b4-e8bc-47cd-adb4-257f84c8028b">Financial Times</a>, the AI giant is looking to expand its workforce to 8,000 employees by the end of 2026, nearly doubling staff from its current headcount of 4,500. The FT reported that the new hires will be across several departments, including product development, engineering, research and sales. OpenAI's hiring spree will also include "specialists" for "technical ambassadorship," or employees tasked with helping businesses better utilize its AI tools, according to the report. As the FT noted, OpenAI is likely trying to amp up the competition against Anthropic and its Claude AI chatbot. According to the AI Index from <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://ramp.com/velocity/ai-index-march-2026">Ramp</a>, a fintech startup that manages corporate expenses, businesses are now 70 percent more likely to go with Anthropic when buying AI services for the first time as opposed to OpenAI. OpenAI made waves in February when it announced a contract with the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-strikes-a-deal-with-the-defense-department-to-deploy-its-ai-models-054441785.html">Department of Defense</a> to use its AI models, following a public fallout between Anthropic and the federal agency. On top of the government contract, OpenAI is also in "advanced talks" with private equity firms like Brookfield Asset Management to deploy its AI tools across a firms' portfolio of companies, according to <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-courts-private-equity-join-enterprise-ai-venture-sources-say-2026-03-16/">Reuters</a>.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-reportedly-plans-to-double-its-workforce-to-8000-employees-161028377.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

Intel says Crimson Desert devs ignored offers of help to support Arc GPUs

It doesn’t sound like Crimson Desert, the recently released prequel to Black Desert Online, will support Intel Arc GPUs anytime soon, if at all. On the game’s <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://crimsondesert.pearlabyss.com/en-us/News/Notice/Detail?_boardNo=63" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">FAQ page</a>, its developer Pearl Abyss advised players expecting Arc support to apply for a refund. “If you purchased the game expecting <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/intel-arc-graphics-cards-ray-tracing-ai-super-sampling-152717653.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">Intel Arc</a> support, please refer to the refund policy of the platform where the game was purchased for available options,” the company wrote. Apparently, though, it’s not from lack of guidance from Intel. The chipmaker told <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://wccftech.com/crimson-desert-doesnt-run-on-intel-arc-confirms-pearl-abyss/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Wccftech</a> that it reached out to Pearl Abyss “many times” over the past several years. The Intel spokesperson said that the company has tried to help the developer “test, validate, and optimize support for Intel graphics” for years. Intel also tried to provide the developer “early hardware, drivers, and engineering resources” across several generations of GPUs, “including Alchemist, Battlemage, Meteor Lake, and Lunar Lake.” The chipmaker said it’s “hugely disappointed that players using Intel graphics hardware” can’t play the game, but that it remains “ready to assist Pearl Abyss” however it can. It also advised players to reach out directly to the developer for “details on the choice not to enable Intel support at launch.”Pearl Abyss, of course, doesn’t have the obligation to tweak the game so that it runs on PCs with Intel Arc GPUs. The good news is that since the title came out just a few days ago, it will still be easy to get a refund. Steam, where Crimson Desert is now one of the top-selling games, issues refunds within two weeks of purchase. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/intel-says-crimson-desert-devs-ignored-offers-of-help-to-support-arc-gpus-155514896.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, bacteria that eat plastic waste, and more science news

Remember when Japan sent a spacecraft to an asteroid 180 million miles away to scoop some dirt off the surface? Six years on from its arrival to Earth, that sample has yielded some insights about what may have seeded life on our planet. Read on to learn more about the latest findings, and other science news we found interesting this week.  <h2 id="jump-link-dna-ingredients-on-ryugu">DNA ingredients on Ryugu</h2>In 2020, a capsule from the Japanese space probe <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/japans-space-agency-shows-largest-sample-ever-collected-from-an-asteroid-142053618.html?guccounter=1" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Hayabusa2 returned to Earth</a> with samples collected from the surface of asteroid Ryugu, and scientists have spent the subsequent years analyzing those materials for clues about the conditions that existed in the early solar system. This week, researchers from Japan reported an exciting discovery: the Ryugu samples contain the five building blocks of DNA and RNA. The findings, coupled with those from other recent studies, could put us closer to understanding how the ingredients for life first made it to Earth billions of years ago. The study, published in the journal <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c6c965be-a8ea-473d-89f4-9754f2675a60&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=18d44d41-16ea-4937-95ac-3a890414032f&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Nature+Research&linkText=Nature+Astronomy%2C&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYXR1cmUuY29tL2FydGljbGVzL3M0MTU1MC0wMjYtMDI3OTEteiIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiMThkNDRkNDEtMTZlYS00OTM3LTk1YWMtM2E4OTA0MTQwMzJmIiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYXR1cmUuY29tL2FydGljbGVzL3M0MTU1MC0wMjYtMDI3OTEteiJ9&signature=AQAAAbk3TX6wI2PRFbS8TmEeJOrbGwyjRkQjQS-w2N8wWez_&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41550-026-02791-z" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Nature Research;elmt:;cpos:2;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-026-02791-z">Nature Astronomy,</a> found the nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil — all of which were also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/nasas-osiris-rex-mission-teases-new-insights-on-how-life-began-223527954.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">found in samples</a> gathered from a different asteroid, Bennu, last year, and before that in meteorites dubbed Murchison and Orgueil. This suggests these nucleobases were widespread in the early solar system, and supports the hypothesis that carbonaceous asteroids like Ryugu and Bennu transported them to Earth, the authors explain in the paper. Ammonia was discovered in the samples as well, which may play a role in how these nucleobases formed. The discovery of these building blocks "does not mean that life existed on Ryugu," Toshiki Koga, the study's lead author from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, told <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://phys.org/news/2026-03-ryugu-asteroid-samples-dna-rna.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">AFP</a>. "Instead, their presence indicates that primitive asteroids could produce and preserve molecules that are important for the chemistry related to the origin of life."<h2 id="jump-link-bacteria-collaborate-to-eat-plastic-waste">Bacteria collaborate to eat plastic waste</h2>Researchers in Germany have identified a trio of bacteria that can digest a common plastic additive, but only when working together. The study published in the journal <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1757196/full" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">Frontiers in Microbiology</a> found that a "consortium" of bacterial strains (two from species in the genus Pseudomonas and one from Microbacterium) was able to break down several phthalate esters (PAEs), which are often used to make plastic materials more flexible. These chemicals are increasingly finding their way into the environment as <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/science/will-the-un-finally-broker-a-treaty-to-end-plastic-pollution-130022025.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">plastic pollution</a> grows, and research suggests they can have harmful effects on human health and that of wildlife. The team focused on microbes that could be found right at home in their own lab, taking a sample of biofilm that had formed on the polyurethane tubing of a bioreactor. This sample was then incubated in a growth medium containing the PAE diethyl phthalate (DEP) as the main source of carbon and energy. They eventually ended up with a stable culture of bacteria that could break down DEP, as long as the DEP concentration didn't exceed 888 milligrams per liter, according to a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2026/03/18/frontiers-microbiology-consortium-bacteria-digest-phthalate-ester-plasticizers" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">press release</a>. The consortium could gobble up all the DEP in 24 hours at 30 degrees C. It was also able to grow on the PAEs dimethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate.The researchers identified the bacteria in the consortium through DNA sequencing, but found that they were not individually able to tackle the PAEs, suggesting they break down the chemicals through a "cooperative process" known as cross-feeding. The consortium could make for another tool in <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/scientists-discover-microbes-that-can-digest-plastics-at-cool-temperatures-173419885.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">the pollution-fighting toolbox</a>, with potential to help break down PAEs in contaminated areas or speed up the degradation of plastics that contain PAEs by making them more brittle. "This approach may also be effective in treating industrial plastic waste streams," they note. <h2 id="jump-link-hubble-witnesses-a-breakup">Hubble witnesses a breakup</h2><div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eK2AwphKC6A?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Newly released images from the Hubble Space Telescope show the unexpected breakup of Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) — Comet K1, for short — as it made its way out of the solar system back in November. A team of researchers that initially set out to observe a different comet ended up switching targets due to technical issues, only to catch Comet K1 right after it started crumbling. Hubble captured three 20-second images between November 8 and November 10 2025, the first of which the team estimates was about eight days after the fragmenting started. During the observation period, one of the comet's smaller pieces began to break up too. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. "Never before has Hubble caught a fragmenting comet this close to when it actually fell apart," said John Noonan, a research professor in the Department of Physics at Auburn University, in a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://esahubble.org/news/heic2606/?lang" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">statement</a>. "Most of the time, it’s a few weeks to a month later. And in this case, we were able to see it just days after." You can read more about the rare sighting <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/science/space/hubble-catches-rare-view-of-a-comet-crumbling-185817544.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">here</a>. <div><hr></div><h3 id="jump-link-before-you-go-be-sure-to-check-these-stories-out-too">Before you go, be sure to check these stories out too:</h3><ul><li><a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/science/states-are-suing-the-epa-for-relinquishing-its-role-as-a-greenhouse-gas-emissions-regulator-221425064.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">States are suing the EPA for relinquishing its role as a greenhouse gas emissions regulator</a></li><li><a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/science/space/blue-origin-also-wants-to-put-ai-data-centers-in-space-115614142.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">Blue Origin also wants to put AI data centers in space</a> </li></ul>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/dna-building-blocks-on-asteroid-ryugu-bacteria-that-eat-plastic-waste-and-more-science-news-150000975.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

Twitter turned 20 and I feel nothing

Twitter is officially 20 years old. In another reality, that might make me kind of nostalgic. I've been lurking and scrolling and tweeting for 16 years; most of my adult life. There was a time when Twitter was a place where some internet strangers became my IRL friends, when I was excited to "live-tweet". When my infinitely more well-adjusted friends would send me memes, I would smugly say "I saw that on Twitter days ago."Twitter stopped being that place a long time ago, but I don't have any nostalgia for it. I don't really feel anything at all, actually. Because I can already hear the comments: Yes, I'm still on X. I don't spend as much time there as I did a decade ago, but it's still quite a lot of time, an unhealthy amount, if I'm being honest. My job is to report on social media companies, so I keep (doom)scrolling. That's what I tell myself anyway. A few of my favorite posters are still around. Dril's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/dril/status/2034734513688027415" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">still got it</a>. The memes are still, occasionally, good, even though X's recommendation algorithm seems to prefer pointing me toward endless AI slop, boring hot takes from thirsty mid-tier tech execs and blatant engagement bait. X's algorithm — <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xs-open-source-algorithm-isnt-a-win-for-transparency-researchers-say-181836233.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">what little we can learn about it</a>, anyway — now relies on Grok's predictions about what you'll like.The same Holocaust-loving Grok that has spewed racism and referred to itself as <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-exactly-did-grok-go-full-mechahitler-151020144.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">MechaHitler</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-musk-blames-adversarial-prompting-after-grok-spewed-embarrassing-sycophantic-praise-235157807.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">declared Elon Musk</a> "the single greatest person in modern history." The same Grok that allegedly generated thousands of images of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/california-is-investigating-grok-over-ai-generated-csam-and-nonconsensual-deepfakes-202029635.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">child abuse material</a>. Hey @grok is that true? X is not Twitter but it's also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-was-spooked-enough-by-new-twitter-to-change-its-terms-of-service-231138305.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">not not-Twitter</a>. Last year, an online marketplace startup bought the 560-pound Twitter bird that once adorned the company's San Francisco office and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-560-pound-twitter-sign-met-a-fiery-end-in-a-nevada-desert-140032860.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">blew it up in a Nevada desert</a> surrounded by Tesla CyberTrucks as part of an elaborate publicity stunt. Dumb? Yes. But also a somehow fitting <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1682964919325724673" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">adieu</a> for "Larry."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" style="width:640px;height:245px;width:640px;height:245px;width:640px;height:245px;">just setting up my twttr— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2006</a></blockquote> </div>It's been 20 years since Jack Dorsey sent the first-ever tweet, which was never even a good tweet anyway. It's been five years, by the way, since he turned that tweet <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/jack-dorsey-crypto-nft-004818260.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">into an NFT</a> (remember NFTs??) and auctioned it for nearly <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/jack-dorsey-first-tweet-nft-sells-for-2-9-million-214729911.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">$3 million</a>. It's now <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://cryptoslate.com/the-nft-of-jack-dorseys-first-tweet-originally-purchased-for-2-9m-is-worth-less-than-4-in-todays-market/" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">functionally worthless</a>. Another chapter in Dorsey's <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/why-jack-dorsey-thought-elon-musk-could-fix-twitter-140004514.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">confusing, complicated legacy</a>. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/twitter-turned-20-and-i-feel-nothing-140000602.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

Engadget review recap: Lots of Apple devices, Galaxy S26, Dell XPS 16 and more

Apple already announced a lot of new devices in 2026 and we’ve been busy reviewing them all. In this installment of our bi-weekly roundup, we revisit the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and more, in addition to the “regular” Galaxy S26 and Dell XPS 16. There’s even more than those gadget to catch up on, so sit back, relax and cozy up to some fresh <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/reviews/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">reviews</a>. <h2 id="jump-link-apple-macbook-neo">Apple MacBook Neo</h2> <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="82a876b9-ea28-459a-89fa-fbc78dde6379" data-original-url="https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/?afid=p240%7Cgo~cmp-16516958813~adg-194460031872~ad-799066511430_kwd-2458986367080~dev-c~ext-~prd-~mca-~nt-search&cid=wwa-us-kwgo-mac-core-macbookneo-macbookneo_hero_announce_030426-Mac-Core-Exact-MacBookNeo-Exact-macbook+neo"></core-commerce> The main attraction for Apple’s early device deluge was <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/macbook-neo-review-apple-puts-every-600-windows-pc-to-shame-130000878.html" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">the $599 MacBook Neo</a>. The company is finally giving us something we’ve been begging for: a low-cost Mac laptop that’s good enough for most people. “It's a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads just fine, all the while looking like one of the company's more expensive notebooks,” senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. “Most importantly, it delivers more speed, a brighter screen and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.” <h2 id="jump-link-apple-iphone-17e">Apple iPhone 17e</h2> <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="73e5095d-a348-4140-9d30-b8d73ce7fb26" data-original-url="https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-17e"></core-commerce> The MacBook Neo wasn’t the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also debuted <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-17e-review-the-economical-choice-130000647.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">the iPhone 17e</a>, which is also $599 and offers an economical choice for iOS devotees. “The name “iPhone” carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem,” managing editor Cherlynn Low said. <h2 id="jump-link-the-rest-of-the-new-apple-gear">The rest of the new Apple gear</h2> The remainder of the new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-air-m4-review-still-apples-best-overall-tablet-with-a-few-caveats-130000409.html" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">the M4 to the iPad Air</a>, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/macbook-air-m5-review-same-but-faster-120000685.html" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">the MacBook Air</a> and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/macbook-pro-m5-max-16-inch-review-still-the-pinnacle-120000325.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">the MacBook Pro</a>,. Our staff maintains that those two laptops are among the best choices in their respective categories. We also tested Apple’s claims on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apple-studio-display-xdr-review-expensive-but-theres-no-monitor-like-it-120018426.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">the Studio Display XDR</a>, where we discovered the high price could be worth it for pros who need supreme color accuracy and high brightness. <h2 id="jump-link-samsung-galaxy-s26">Samsung Galaxy S26</h2> <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="11e3a18a-ce8c-42d8-a1e7-4f28c82aee6a" data-original-url="https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s26/buy/galaxy-s26-256gb-unlocked-sku-sm-s942uzkexaa/"></core-commerce> The Galaxy S26 Ultra may get the bulk of the attention in Samsung’s 2026 lineup thus far, but <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s26-review-the-smartphone-status-quo-143033391.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">the “regular” S26</a> is capable in its own right. However, it’s time for bigger updates on this model. “There's nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you could pick up last year's S25 and get an experience that's 99 percent the same for $99 less,” UK bureau chief Mat Smith said. <h2 id="jump-link-dell-xps-16-2026">Dell XPS 16 (2026)</h2> <core-commerce data-type="product-list" id="bcae01e8-45e1-4072-9295-d9cc187f56c5" data-original-url="https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/xps-16-laptop/spd/xps-da16260-laptop"></core-commerce> Dell pulled a 180 after nixing its XPS brand last year. Enter <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-xps-16-2026-review-return-of-the-king-130000906.html" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">the XPS 16</a>. Thankfully, the first devices after the fiasco show an expected return to form, albeit with one issue. “My one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboards we got on models from the early 2020s,” senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. “Though as long as the company can release updated software to fix the ghosting issues I've encountered, what's on there now is more than good enough.” <h2 id="jump-link-but-wait-theres-more">But wait, there’s more</h2> If portable projectors are more your speed, contributing reporter Steve Dent put the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/soundcore-nebula-p1i-projector-review-an-affordable-option-with-accurate-color-and-loud-sound-180034925.html" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">Soundcore Nebula P1i</a> through its paces. Mat also spent some time with the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-glyph-matrix-130042005.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">Nothing Phone 4a Pro</a>, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset we’ve tested this year. Lastly, Sam used an upgraded version of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/belkin-charging-case-pro-for-switch-2-review-a-more-elegant-solution-144820809.html" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">Belkin’s Switch 2 charging case</a> to keep his gaming handheld safe and topped up in transit. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-lots-of-apple-devices-galaxy-s26-dell-xps-16-and-more-120000820.html?src=rss

Mar 21, 2026

A retro Starship Troopers shooter, a video store sim and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. There are a whole bunch of neat new games out this week, as well as updates on some interesting upcoming projects. In case you missed it, the <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-steam-spring-sale-is-here-with-discounts-on-arc-raiders-hades-2-and-much-more-184000691.html" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">Steam Spring Sale</a> is under way. There are lots of solid deals here, and my credit card is already screaming at me. I've picked up a bunch of games from my wishlist. For instance, at just $3, I couldn't resist snagging Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.Meanwhile, over on Bluesky, a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://bsky.app/profile/freya.bsky.social/post/3mh7pztqcd22g" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">prototype</a> from developer Freya Holmér caught my eye. It's for a falling-block game, but instead of filling a container to create straight lines that disappear, it's based around a pivot point. As tetrominos join the mass, it rotates left or right by 90 degrees, adding a new dimension to a well-established format. I'm really hoping Holmér turns this into a full game, as it's a rad concept.<h2 id="jump-link-new-releases">New releases</h2><div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_cSUPKOOGs?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Given all the bug slaughtering and the jingoistic satire, any Starship Troopers project is going to draw comparisons with Helldivers 2. Fortunately, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is entirely its own thing.This is a retro first-person shooter from Auroch Digital (the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun) and publisher Dotemu. The framing of the game is quite meta: it's based on the experiences of Major Samantha Dietz, who was on the frontlines against the bugs, and it's effectively being used as a military recruitment tool. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a blast. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. Not that I needed one, but it gave me an excuse to watch Paul Verhoeven's original film again since the game (while having an original story) hits some of the same beats.The tone is spot on. The writing in the cutscenes, in which Casper Van Dien reprises his role as Johnny Rico from the movies, is funny. You can't tell me that it isn't a thrill to blow up a giant bug with a tactical nuke. Plus, I was tickled by the consequences of "accidentally" shooting a fellow soldier in the training base and all hell breaking loose.Alas, the pacing feels off — there's a bit too much space between objectives in some levels — and it's a little one-note. Still, it only takes around four or five hours to beat, particularly if you don't care about hunting for secrets. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is out now on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2321780/Starship_Troopers_Ultimate_Bug_War/" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">Steam</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10016557/" data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1">PS5</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=5f41950e-8ca3-4481-8466-a22b28b80e32&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=94a63934-ccb3-4c81-a301-2ada682fedb6&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Xbox&linkText=Xbox+Series+X%2FS&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi11cy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9zdGFyc2hpcC10cm9vcGVycy11bHRpbWF0ZS1idWctd2FyLzlQN1JXN1Y1NUxGMC8wMDEwLzlaSzdaMDRCTFpaQyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiOTRhNjM5MzQtY2NiMy00YzgxLWEzMDEtMmFkYTY4MmZlZGI2Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi11cy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9zdGFyc2hpcC10cm9vcGVycy11bHRpbWF0ZS1idWctd2FyLzlQN1JXN1Y1NUxGMC8wMDEwLzlaSzdaMDRCTFpaQyJ9&signature=AQAAAa0oRRYa1-Os35MY5d7pRlzy1W9xSSTqhlGBhNf8g0QO&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-us%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fstarship-troopers-ultimate-bug-war%2F9P7RW7V55LF0%2F0010%2F9ZK7Z04BLZZC" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Xbox;elmt:;cpos:5;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/starship-troopers-ultimate-bug-war/9P7RW7V55LF0/0010/9ZK7Z04BLZZC">Xbox Series X/S</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/starship-troopers-ultimate-bug-war-switch-2/" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">Nintendo Switch 2</a>. It'll usually cost $25, but there's a 20 percent discount until March 24.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dCOYMuCh1cI?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Retro Rewind is a solid name for a video store rental sim. You'll manage a store in the early '90s — the heyday of VHS — by doing everything from decorating the place, filling shelves with tapes and buying bootleg films to hiring staff, making recommendations to customers and collecting late fees.My first job was behind the counter of a convenience store that had a small movie rental section, so I've got a tiny bit of experience with calling up customers who have overdue films. That part of the job wasn't exactly fun, but like the idea of running an entire rental store, an experience that's sadly <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/blockbuster-airbnb-90s-sleepover-nostalgia-september-205924817.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">almost extinct</a>. Retro Rewind - Video Store Simulator is available on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3552140/Retro_Rewind__Video_Store_Simulator/" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">Steam</a> (normally $20, with a 20 percent discount until March 24). You can try it out by playing a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3858710/Retro_Rewind__Video_Store_Simulator_Demo/" data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1">demo</a>. <div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWK6XJCA49U?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>In Their Shoes looks like an intriguing spin on the visual novel. From We Are Muesli, this is billed as a mumblecore narrative vein, indicating that it's influenced by films from that subgenre (such as the works of the Duplass brothers, Lynn Shelton and, especially in the early part of her career, Greta Gerwig). Through a few dozen interactive scenes, it follows the intertwined lives and intimate moments of seven people in Milan. Each of these dialogue-focused segments lasts around five minutes. There are timed choices and you can arrange the scenes into a timeline. You can pick up In Their Shoes on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3608120/In_Their_Shoes/" data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1">Steam</a> now. The full price is $13, but there's a 25 percent discount until March 31.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wOA1_rIr3YA?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>For this week's dog game, here is World's Goodest Pup. It's another <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/lego-parties-hundreds-of-xenomorphs-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110000144.html" data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1">pooch-based roguelike deckbuilder</a>. This time around, you'll be trying to succeed in the realm of competitive dog shows. After selecting a dog from among three breeds, you'll start building a deck of accessories, tricks and poses and combine them in strategic ways to be most effective in competitions and challenges, which are procedurally generated. This is a cozy game first and foremost, though. You can spoil puppers in a pet resort that you'll build and treat them with a visit to a dog spa. Cute.World's Goodest Pup  — from Pandamander — is out on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2867220/Worlds_Goodest_Pup/" data-i13n="cpos:12;pos:1">Steam</a> (normally $7, with 10 percent off until March 26). You can try it out via a <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3878260/Worlds_Goodest_Pup_Demo/" data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1">demo</a>.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hysJ7pY_f3E?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>The release trailer for Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime made me chuckle, so I had to include it. The latest project from Bonte Avond (the team behind Once Upon A Jester) is a comedy adventure game. As Bonnie Bear, a bear in a frog onesie, you set out to defeat a local bully in a tactical frog-battling game called Frogtime. As with many real-life trading card games, you'll buy and collect frogs to build a strong army. Most importantly, it seems to be a game about the power of community, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://pixelbytegaming.com/bonnie-bear-saves-frogtime-and-the-importance-of-friends/" data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1">friendship</a> and self-worth.Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime is out now on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2466130/Bonnie_Bear_Saves_Frogtime/" data-i13n="cpos:15;pos:1">Steam</a> and <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/bonnie-bear-saves-frogtime-switch/" data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1">Nintendo Switch</a> for $17.<h2 id="jump-link-upcoming">Upcoming </h2><div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v5pkLRPuNd0?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>Gunbrella studio Doinksoft is back with another game that has a fantastic name. It's a roguelite, side-scrolling action platformer with shoot-em'-up elements. And it's called Dark Scrolls. It's such a good title that I'm almost mad I didn't think of it first.There'll be nine heroes to choose from, including a pup named Biscuit and a rat with a saxophone. The game features procedurally generated runs with branching paths, and there's multiplayer support for two-player online co-op. I'm into the Master System-era art style and the utter chaos shown in the trailer. The Devolver Digital-published Dark Scrolls (still not over that name) is coming to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2912550/Dark_Scrolls/" data-i13n="cpos:17;pos:1">Steam</a> and Switch later this year.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FjuL69Ufw0E?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>If you think about it, Scrabble is already a roguelike strategy game. Beyond Words takes that a bit further, with tiles that shift and explode, and boards that change up the rules. Much like in Balatro, you'll be modifying, destroying and duplicating tiles as you seek powerful synergies and massive score multipliers. There are more than 300 modifiers and abilities, along with boss battles and optional time-based challenge boards.What makes Beyond Words particularly interesting is that it's from Steve Ellis and Dr David Doak — who made their names at Rare and Free Radical Design with the likes of GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters — and their small team at MindFuel Games. PQube is the publisher of Beyond Words, which will hit <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10016887" data-i13n="cpos:18;pos:1">Steam</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10016887" data-i13n="cpos:19;pos:1">PlayStation 5</a>, <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=5f41950e-8ca3-4481-8466-a22b28b80e32&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=94a63934-ccb3-4c81-a301-2ada682fedb6&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Xbox&linkText=Xbox+Series+X%2FS&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy54Ym94LmNvbS9lbi11cy9nYW1lcy9zdG9yZS9iZXlvbmQtd29yZHMvOW4xbDQ4anY5ZHY1IiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiI5NGE2MzkzNC1jY2IzLTRjODEtYTMwMS0yYWRhNjgyZmVkYjYiLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lnhib3guY29tL2VuLXVzL2dhbWVzL3N0b3JlL2JleW9uZC13b3Jkcy85bjFsNDhqdjlkdjUifQ&signature=AQAAAa7Ly0xrnmSoYPhexRsrAwP9VaouERXQlHZ4SA4gg_WD&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fen-us%2Fgames%2Fstore%2Fbeyond-words%2F9n1l48jv9dv5" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Xbox;elmt:;cpos:20;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/beyond-words/9n1l48jv9dv5">Xbox Series X/S</a> and Nintendo Switch on April 9. A demo is available on Steam now.<div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A8R3AbL-Cgg?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>We've learned about a bunch of <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/guitar-hero-vets-redoctane-reveal-their-new-music-game-220809719.html" data-i13n="cpos:21;pos:1">upcoming</a> music rhythm games <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/indie-rhythm-game-beat-weaver-looks-like-a-mix-of-amplitude-and-thumper-110000834.html" data-i13n="cpos:22;pos:1">lately</a>, and here's another one from Guitar Hero, Rock Band and DJ Hero veterans. Echo Foundry Interactive seems to be hoping that the community-driven focus will help Sound System stand out.When it goes into early access on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4242730/Sound_System/" data-i13n="cpos:23;pos:1">Steam</a> (October 16, $25), Sound System will have local multiplayer support. Echo Foundry Interactive plans to add online multiplayer with co-op and competitive modes. Players will be able to create charts for any song they like too. <div><div style="left:0;width:100%;height:0;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LyZxJrWKxnI?rel=0" style="top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;border:0;" allowfullscreen scrolling="no" data-embed-domain="youtube.com" data-provider-name="youtube"></iframe></div></div>We've had a dog game (or two) and a frog game. Now it's time to wrap things up with a cat game. In Cat Me If You Can — great title, again — the Earth has frozen and lost its color. Only cats remain. By time-travelling and taking photos of them, you'll gradually restore color to the world.It's a hidden cat puzzle game from Cosmic Stag Games that's coming to PC, Switch and Xbox in the summer. You'll be able to check out a demo on <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3170490/Cat_Me_If_You_Can/" data-i13n="cpos:24;pos:1">Steam</a> on April 8.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-retro-starship-troopers-shooter-a-video-store-sim-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-113000133.html?src=rss

Mar 20, 2026

Elon Musk misled investors during his Twitter takeover, jury finds

A group of former Twitter investors <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.courthousenews.com/san-francisco-jury-finds-elon-musk-defrauded-twitter-investors-during-44-billion-takeover/" data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1">have prevailed</a> at a federal civil trial over Elon Musk's actions amid his $44 billion acquisition of the social platform in 2022. A jury in San Francisco found Friday that tweets made by Musk about fake accounts on the platform had defrauded investors in the company. The jury sided with Musk on other allegations in the case. It's not yet clear how much Musk will owe in damages as a result of the case but, as the Associated Press <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/elon-musk-twitter-shareholder-trial-verdict/4055248/" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1">reports</a>, it could amount to billions of dollars. Jurors calculated that shareholders should get "between about $3 and $8 per stock per day." The class action lawsuit, one of several brought against Musk in the months following his takeover of the company, cited Musk’s tweets about fake accounts on the platform. Facing a sinking Tesla share price in the days after announcing he would buy Twitter for $54.20 a share, the suit said Musk made tweets and statements that were intentionally meant to drive down Twitter's share price in an attempt to renegotiate or exit the deal. The suit called out Musk's May 13, 2022, tweet that claimed the Twitter deal was "<a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-says-his-deal-to-buy-twitter-is-temporarily-on-hold-105457845.html" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1">temporarily on hold</a>" due to the number of fake accounts and bots on the platform, as well as one a few days later that suggested fake accounts might account for more than 20 percent of users. Twitter's stock <a target="_blank" class="link rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=2f007401-3eaa-4237-b69b-54ccbe125502&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=e025947f-547c-4a4c-a95e-cf427948eff2&featureId=text-link&merchantName=The+Wall+Street+Journal&linkText=dropped+significantly&custData=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&signature=AQAAATe6CUqXB9RyBJXEPxrAhvIlutxiZAa6IpL8IUSS7Z42&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsj.com%2Ffinance%2Fstocks%2Ftwitter-stock-tumbles-premarket-after-elon-musk-says-deal-is-on-hold-11652445126%3Fgaa_at%3Deafs%26gaa_n%3DAWEtsqdYxck0xqtFq8f88A_Y6Vag_pq0iL2QlZlDb7KQI4AyJoP5SEbBptBum7FGA0s%253D%26gaa_ts%3D69bdd52a%26gaa_sig%3D4AGOlk5W1lNC6zDc8SfCSiuEbPiMESeuYHWmQRzJMUC03lbQHL6ghkhKpPwh0an6-aZnvkhu-1c6B-9ob7zXpQ%253D%253D" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:The Wall Street Journal;elmt:;cpos:4;pos:1" data-original-link="https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/twitter-stock-tumbles-premarket-after-elon-musk-says-deal-is-on-hold-11652445126?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqdYxck0xqtFq8f88A_Y6Vag_pq0iL2QlZlDb7KQI4AyJoP5SEbBptBum7FGA0s%3D&gaa_ts=69bdd52a&gaa_sig=4AGOlk5W1lNC6zDc8SfCSiuEbPiMESeuYHWmQRzJMUC03lbQHL6ghkhKpPwh0an6-aZnvkhu-1c6B-9ob7zXpQ%3D%3D">dropped significantly </a>following the May 13 tweet.During the trial, Musk said the tweets were him "speaking his mind" and maintained that Twitter executives had "lied" about the number of bots on the platform, <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.kqed.org/news/12075332/elon-musk-defends-himself-in-court-over-posts-before-twitter-takeover" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1">according to</a> KQED. Former Twitter shareholders, on the other hand, said "they sold shares at deflated prices amid Musk’s public waffling." Musk faced several lawsuits during and after his $44 billion takeover of the company. That includes other shareholder lawsuits related to <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-class-action-lawsuit-twitter-013007195.html" data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1">his delay</a> in disclosing his stake in the company, as well as one from former executives related to unpaid severance benefits (Musk later <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/elon-musk-and-former-twitter-execs-agree-to-settle-128-million-lawsuit-181915972.html" data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1">settled</a> those claims). He also <a target="_blank" class="link" href="https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-tells-twitter-he-wants-to-go-ahead-with-original-deal-report-says-162328496.html" data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1">narrowly avoided</a> a trial over his attempts to back out of the deal.  This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/elon-musk-misled-investors-during-his-twitter-takeover-jury-finds-232033028.html?src=rss

LWN

Mar 24, 2026

Firefox 149.0 released

Mar 24, 2026

[$] A PHP license change is imminent

Mar 24, 2026

LiteLLM on PyPI is compromised

Mar 24, 2026

Down: Debunking zswap and zram myths

Mar 24, 2026

Krita 5.3.0 and 6.0.0 released

Mar 24, 2026

Security updates for Tuesday

Mar 23, 2026

[$] Tracking when BPF programs may sleep

Mar 23, 2026

Kernel prepatch 7.0-rc5

Mar 23, 2026

Security updates for Monday

Mar 20, 2026

b4 v0.15.0 released

Mar 20, 2026

Agama 19 released

Mar 20, 2026

[$] A truce in the Manjaro governance struggle

Mar 20, 2026

Security updates for Friday

Mar 19, 2026

Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps (Ars Technica)

Mar 19, 2026

Two new stable kernels

Cloudflare Blog

Mar 24, 2026

Sandboxing AI agents, 100x faster

Mar 23, 2026

Inside Gen 13: how we built our most powerful server yet

Mar 23, 2026

Launching Cloudflare’s Gen 13 servers: trading cache for cores for 2x edge compute performance

Mar 19, 2026

Powering the agents: Workers AI now runs large models, starting with Kimi K2.5

Mar 18, 2026

Introducing Custom Regions for precision data control

Mar 16, 2026

Standing up for the open Internet: why we appealed Italy’s "Piracy Shield" fine

Mar 13, 2026

From legacy architecture to Cloudflare One

Mar 12, 2026

Announcing Cloudflare Account Abuse Protection: prevent fraudulent attacks from bots and humans

Mar 11, 2026

Slashing agent token costs by 98% with RFC 9457-compliant error responses

Mar 11, 2026

AI Security for Apps is now generally available

Mar 10, 2026

Investigating multi-vector attacks in Log Explorer

Mar 10, 2026

Building a security overview dashboard for actionable insights

Mar 10, 2026

Translating risk insights into actionable protection: leveling up security posture with Cloudflare and Mastercard

Mar 9, 2026

Fixing request smuggling vulnerabilities in Pingora OSS deployments

Mar 9, 2026

Active defense: introducing a stateful vulnerability scanner for APIs

Mar 9, 2026

Complexity is a choice. SASE migrations shouldn’t take years.

Mar 6, 2026

From the endpoint to the prompt: a unified data security vision in Cloudflare One

Mar 5, 2026

Ending the "silent drop": how Dynamic Path MTU Discovery makes the Cloudflare One Client more resilient

Mar 5, 2026

How Automatic Return Routing solves IP overlap

Mar 5, 2026

A QUICker SASE client: re-building Proxy Mode

NPR

Mar 25, 2026

Judge says government's Anthropic ban looks like punishment

Mar 25, 2026

An air traffic controller was juggling extra roles during the LaGuardia plane crash

Mar 24, 2026

New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law

Mar 24, 2026

Cuba sends doctors on medical missions. The U.S. isn't a fan

Mar 24, 2026

Senate confirms Trump's pick for new role of fraud enforcement at Justice Department

Mar 24, 2026

The Israeli military wants several more weeks to fight Iran war, officials say

Mar 24, 2026

Congress loses a flying perk as DHS shutdown continues

Mar 24, 2026

A professional cornhole player and quadruple amputee is arrested for murder

Mar 24, 2026

Will President Trump act on his threat to take Cuba?

Mar 24, 2026

Before running for Congress, Bobby Pulido was a Tejano music icon

The Onion

Mar 24, 2026

Robert Mueller Dead At 81

Mar 24, 2026

ICE Agents Swab Passengers’ Hands To Test For Immigrant Residue

Mar 24, 2026

Cameraman Sitting Under Basket Spread-Eagle

Mar 24, 2026

Audience Aghast As Haggard Hannah Montana Confronts Miley Cyrus Onstage

Mar 24, 2026

Mom, Dad Disagree About How Dad Likes Eggs

Mar 24, 2026

Markets Surge After Trump Claims He Had Sex With An Angel

Mar 23, 2026

Chappell Roan Makes Amends By Kidnapping 11-Year-Old Fan

Mar 23, 2026

Trump Demands Allies Do Their Fair Share To Fuck Up The World

Mar 23, 2026

Chick-Fil-A Announces Two Halves Of Buns Must Be Married Before Becoming Sandwich

Mar 23, 2026

Political Profile: Markwayne Mullin

Mar 23, 2026

Live Possum Found Hiding Among Gift Shop Plush Animal Toys

Mar 23, 2026

FDA Withdraws Proposed Rule Barring Minors From Using Tanning Beds

New Scientist

Mar 24, 2026

Earth may have formed from two separate rings around the sun

Mar 24, 2026

Cystitis or tooth decay could trigger dementia just a few years later

Mar 24, 2026

The shocking fossils that show T. rex wasn't the king of the dinosaurs

Mar 24, 2026

Antimatter has been transported by road for the first time

Mar 24, 2026

How AI shook the world's largest meeting of physicists

Mar 24, 2026

Adrian Tchaikovsky: 'I try and do interesting aliens'

Mar 24, 2026

Are humans degenerating genetically and getting dumber as a result?

Mar 23, 2026

Genetic clues tell the story of Neanderthals' decline

Mar 23, 2026

Warmer ocean is driving the Antarctic sea ice 'regime shift'

Mar 23, 2026

The simple questions cracking the hard problem of consciousness

Mar 23, 2026

Mysterious comet disintegration caught by telescope after lucky break

Mar 23, 2026

'Zombie' cells created by transplanting genomes into dead bacteria

Mar 23, 2026

Security credentials inadvertently leaked on thousands of websites

Mar 21, 2026

Inside the world’s first antimatter delivery service

Mar 18, 2026

The neuroscientist who wants us to be nicer to psychopaths

Mar 17, 2026

A very serious guide to buying your own humanoid robot butler

Mar 21, 2026

You can now buy a DIY quantum computer

Mar 18, 2026

What to read this week: Katrina Manson's terrifying Project Maven

Mar 16, 2026

Forget the multiverse. In the pluriverse, we create reality together

Mar 20, 2026

We’ve spotted a huge asteroid spinning impossibly fast

Mar 20, 2026

Major leap towards reanimation after death as mammal's brain preserved

Mar 20, 2026

Private company to land on asteroid Apophis as it flies close to Earth

Mar 20, 2026

A negative attitude towards ageing is making you age faster

Mar 18, 2026

New Scientist recommends Cirque du Soleil's insect-themed OVO show

Mar 19, 2026

How worried should you be about ultra-processed foods?

Mar 19, 2026

Mathematician wins 2026 Abel prize for solving 60-year-old mystery

Mar 18, 2026

Captivating space images show how it has inspired us through the ages

Mar 18, 2026

Rebecca Solnit: 'The great majority of people want climate action'

Mar 19, 2026

Probiotic cream that ramps up heat production could prevent frostbite

Mar 19, 2026

Physicists create formula for how many times you can fold a crêpe

Mar 18, 2026

Fluorescent ruby-like gems have been found on Mars for the first time

Mar 18, 2026

It's time to monetise the moon! Definitely! Maybe?

Mar 11, 2026

Maggie Aderin's dream: To walk by the footprints of Neil Armstrong

Mar 18, 2026

Boosting the blood-brain barrier could avert brain damage in athletes

Mar 18, 2026

Neanderthals may have treated wounds with antibiotic sticky tar

Mar 18, 2026

Will war in the Middle East accelerate the clean energy transition?

Mar 18, 2026

The mystery of how volcanic lightning happens has been solved

Mar 18, 2026

Ice core reveals low CO2 during warm spell 3 million years ago

Mar 18, 2026

Psychedelics may be no better than antidepressants for depression

Mar 18, 2026

Route-planning AI cut climate-warming contrails on over 100 flights

Mar 17, 2026

Particle discovered at CERN solves a 20-year-old mystery

Mar 17, 2026

Social media is a defective product

Mar 17, 2026

Your partner probably wakes you up at night without you even realising

Mar 16, 2026

The ancient Goths were an ethnically diverse group

Mar 17, 2026

3I/ATLAS: Interstellar comet has water unlike any in our solar system

Mar 16, 2026

The asteroid Ryugu has all of the main ingredients for life

Mar 16, 2026

Why global warming is accelerating and what it means for the future

Mar 16, 2026

AI is nearly exclusively designed by men – here's how to fix it

Mar 10, 2026

How a midlife tune-up could help prepare you for a healthy old age

Mar 13, 2026

Single-celled organism with no brain is capable of Pavlovian learning

Mar 16, 2026

What does it mean if the universe has extra dimensions?

Mar 11, 2026

Why are we so obsessed with protein? A new book looks for answers

Mar 14, 2026

A smartphone app can help men last longer in bed

Mar 9, 2026

Frailty sets in far earlier than you’d expect, but you can reverse it

Mar 13, 2026

Our extinct Australopithecus relatives may have had difficult births

Mar 13, 2026

The 3 things you need to know about passwords, from a security expert

Mar 13, 2026

We don’t know if AI-powered toys are safe, but they’re here anyway

Mar 11, 2026

Parkinson's disease may reduce enjoyment of pleasant smells

Mar 11, 2026

New Scientist recommends sci-fi novel Under the Eye of the Big Bird

Mar 13, 2026

Why are we so suspicious of do-gooders?

Mar 11, 2026

A glimpse into the rare earth riches of Greenland

Mar 13, 2026

The race to solve the biggest problem in quantum computing

Mar 12, 2026

How worried should you be about your BMI?

Mar 12, 2026

Can species evolve fast enough to survive as the planet heats up?

Mar 12, 2026

Chemistry may not be the 'killer app' for quantum computers after all

Mar 12, 2026

Why drug overdose deaths have suddenly plummeted in the US

Mar 9, 2026

We’ve only just confirmed that Homo habilis really existed

Mar 12, 2026

Rumours of a Firefly reboot abound, but should the Serenity fly again?

Mar 12, 2026

Undisclosed ads on TikTok skirt ban on profiling minors

Mar 11, 2026

A miniature magnet rivals behemoths in strength for the first time

Mar 10, 2026

Mathematics is undergoing the biggest change in its history

Mar 11, 2026

King penguins are thriving in a warmer climate, but it may not last

Mar 11, 2026

Why a Peruvian mountain is becoming an 'impossible' particle detector

Mar 11, 2026

Why the world's militaries are scrambling to create their own Starlink

Mar 10, 2026

Start-up is building the first data centre to use human brain cells

Mar 11, 2026

Orcas may be to blame for some mass dolphin strandings

Mar 10, 2026

I was accused of killing over 100 million rabbits across Australia

Mar 10, 2026

Sharing genetic risk scores can unwittingly reveal secrets

Mar 10, 2026

Mystery 'whippet' space explosion is the brightest of its kind

Mar 10, 2026

Project Hail Mary is a spiritual sibling to The Martian - and it's fab

Mar 10, 2026

What is a galaxy? That's a surprisingly difficult question to answer

Mar 10, 2026

Human populations evolved in similar ways after we began farming

Mar 9, 2026

Why is black rain falling on Iran and how dangerous is it?

Mar 9, 2026

A daily multivitamin may slightly slow rates of ageing

Mar 9, 2026

'Singing' dogs may show the evolutionary roots of musicality

Mar 7, 2026

How an intern helped build the AI that shook the world

Mar 9, 2026

The first apes to walk upright may have evolved in Europe

Mar 9, 2026

SETI may have missed alien signals because of space weather

Mar 7, 2026

The moment that kicked off the AI revolution

Mar 4, 2026

Why cosmology seems to be caught in a vibe shift

Mar 6, 2026

Shift in the Gulf Stream could signal ocean current collapse

Mar 6, 2026

Why Yuri Gagarin wasn’t the first in space – and who beat him to it

Mar 9, 2026

Ancient 'weirdo' reptile graduated from 4 legs to 2 in adolescence

Mar 3, 2026

The real reasons birth rates are declining worldwide

Mar 4, 2026

We must close the 'shocking' knowledge gap in women's health

Mar 2, 2026

A bizarre type of black hole could solve three cosmic mysteries in one

Mar 2, 2026

A crisis in cosmology may mean hidden dimensions really exist

Mar 4, 2026

Adrian Tchaikovsky's new Children of Time novel is brilliant

Mar 2, 2026

The bombshell results that demand a new theory of the universe

Mar 6, 2026

NASA changed an asteroid's orbit around the sun for the first time

Phys

Mar 25, 2026

Global study identifies urgent blue carbon priorities in the fight against climate change

Mar 25, 2026

Bio-based polymer offers a sustainable solution to 'forever chemical' cleanup

Mar 25, 2026

Irrational decision or helpful evolutionary adaptation? A philosopher on the rationality wars behind 'nudge' policy

Mar 25, 2026

Red-tailed bumblebees found to be key hosts for dangerous bee virus

Mar 25, 2026

Canada's migratory caribou are under threat. Will we act before it's too late?

Mar 25, 2026

How archaeology is preserving evidence of the Yahidne war crime

Mar 25, 2026

Social media and monetization in the Ukraine-Russia war

Mar 25, 2026

Q&A: Beyond the obstetrical dilemma, why are humans helpless at birth?

Mar 25, 2026

Talking about politics at work may support employee well-being, study finds

Mar 25, 2026

Low-income students and girls are steered away from 'risky' creative careers at school, says report

Mar 25, 2026

AI approach uncovers dozens of hidden planets in NASA's TESS data

Mar 25, 2026

The hidden cost of sperm storage: Ejaculates found to deteriorate across the animal kingdom

Mar 24, 2026

From frontier to feedback loop: Expert explains why space must become circular

Mar 24, 2026

Offended? Not me. How people use denial to appear rational on social media

Mar 24, 2026

What's for dinner? Tooth enamel reveals what early Mesopotamians really ate

Mar 24, 2026

Alternative pathways in proteasome biogenesis deciphered

Mar 24, 2026

Warming coastal waters emerge as primary driver of large-scale humid heat waves

Mar 24, 2026

Overlooked microbial network may drive methane production in the seafloor

Mar 24, 2026

Barren captive environments don't just restrict animals—they intensify and prolong pain

Mar 24, 2026

A tiny protein tweak, finally traceable: How light-based tagging targets pyroglutamate

Mar 24, 2026

Highly and casually active citizen scientists contribute equally valuable data

Mar 24, 2026

Single-cell imaging and machine learning reveal hidden coordination in algae's response to light stress

Mar 24, 2026

Volunteers need training and support to deal with disclosures of child abuse in community sport

Mar 24, 2026

New imaging technique maps membrane lipids in 3D at nanoscale

Mar 24, 2026

Urban stormwater ponds support rich bird life

Mar 24, 2026

New research reveals high option trading fees and barriers to competition

Mar 24, 2026

All herbivores, great and small, help protect Australia's endangered grassy woodlands

Mar 24, 2026

Satellite-driven model provides 'more realistic and reliable' predictions of sand and dust storm emissions

Mar 24, 2026

Belt-like VO₂(B) single crystals unlock high-sensitivity gas detection at room temperature

Mar 24, 2026

Genomic test could help stop destructive Asian spongy moth in its tracks

Quanta

Mar 23, 2026

Are Strings Still Our Best Hope for a Theory of Everything?

Mar 20, 2026

The Jellies That Evolved a Different Way To Keep Time

Mar 18, 2026

Quantum Cryptography Pioneers Win Turing Award

Mar 16, 2026

The Math That Explains Why Bell Curves Are Everywhere

Mar 13, 2026

Why Do Humanoid Robots Still Struggle With the Small Stuff?

PC Gamer

Mar 25, 2026

How multiplayer works in Slay the Spire 2

Mar 24, 2026

If you think the citizens in city builders are grumpy and needy, try pleasing a bunch of jealous Roman gods

Mar 24, 2026

After feedback that Death Stranding was 'too slow,' Kojima wanted more players to see Death Stranding 2 all the way through to the end

Mar 24, 2026

OpenAI discontinues Sora video generation app, Disney pulls out of $1 billion investment deal

Mar 24, 2026

Marathon review

Mar 24, 2026

Analysts say Slay the Spire 2 is the best-performing deckbuilder of all time—and the competition isn't close

Mar 24, 2026

Call of Duty veteran's new studio, which was just announced in 2025, is being closed by Sony

Mar 24, 2026

There's a new Payday game coming later this year, and it's VR

Mar 24, 2026

Mark Zuckerberg is building an AI co-CEO as part of his continuing mission to free himself from the burden of human interaction

Mar 24, 2026

I crashed out reading layoff condolence letters in this shop sim about a laid-off adventurer made by a laid-off Xbox developer

Mar 24, 2026

AI gaslighting watch: Is there AI in my fridge?

Mar 24, 2026

Fortnite's new Peak skin costs almost 3 times as much as the indie game it's based on: 'That's actually a slap in the face to the Peak developers'

Mar 24, 2026

Even after ZA/UM's messy breakup, the writing team still has a cadre of sad communists—but you won't have to play Zero Parades as one if you don't want to

Mar 24, 2026

Epic is ending 3 Fortnite game modes following its latest round of layoffs: 'We failed to build something awesome enough to attract and retain a large player base'

Mar 24, 2026

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says Doom is the most influential game ever made, and now I really want to ask him whether he prefers the chainsaw or the BFG

Mar 24, 2026

Someone already beat Marathon's pinnacle three-player Compiler boss solo, just to rub salt in the wound of everyone who didn't even see it

Mar 24, 2026

How to get Darkbringer in Crimson Desert

Mar 24, 2026

Sony reveals that its new PSSR upscaling for the Playstation 5 Pro has the same 'core' as AMD's FSR Redstone but that doesn't necessarily mean older AMD PC graphics cards are set to get an FSR upgrade

Mar 24, 2026

Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless review

Mar 24, 2026

Nvidia's Jensen Huang confirms he was once asked to become chief executive of TSMC: 'I declined it... it's an unbelievable offer, but I simply couldn't take it'

Mar 24, 2026

Epic Games lays off more than 1,000 employees: 'We're spending significantly more than we're making,' CEO Tim Sweeney says

Mar 24, 2026

Hello Kitty Island Adventure has announced its second DLC, adding one of Sanrio's most colourful characters, a customisable cafe, and over 90 quests

Mar 24, 2026

Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless review

Mar 24, 2026

How to solve the Root's End puzzle in Crimson Desert

Mar 24, 2026

Intel's new 200K Plus chips support ultra-fast DRAM out of the box but as my tests show, there's little benefit for most PC gamers in using warp-speed stuff

Mar 24, 2026

How to complete the Toward the Nest puzzle in Crimson Desert

Mar 24, 2026

Razer's web-based gaming mouse and keyboard software is finally leaving beta, just in time for the Viper V4 Pro

Mar 24, 2026

How to solve the Arboria Castle puzzle in Crimson Desert

Mar 24, 2026

Razer's new Viper V4 Pro could be as big of a deal for competitive gamers as the Logitech Superstrike, even without those haptic clicks

Mar 24, 2026

'I don't love AI slop myself' says Nvidia chief Jensen Huang: 'I'm empathetic towards what [gamers] are thinking. That's just not what DLSS 5 is trying to do'

Mar 24, 2026

You can play Peter Molyneux's new god game, Masters of Albion, before it launches in early access

Mar 24, 2026

Former Windows boss reveals previous plans to reduce Windows 11's memory and storage footprint by 20% and now I'm hoping Microsoft includes that in its new Windows 'quality' drive

Mar 24, 2026

The best game design programs, ranked by The Princeton Review 2026

Mar 24, 2026

EverQuest Legends is classic EverQuest, but for people who don't have time for MMOs anymore

Mar 24, 2026

Lian Li Lancool 217 case review

Mar 24, 2026

I've tested Intel's new Binary Optimization Tool to see what all the fuss is about and while it's almost everything the chip giant claims it to be, few PC gamers will ever see the benefits

Mar 24, 2026

Crimson Desert legendary horse locations

Mar 24, 2026

'We are not going to pick one': Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dev confirms there's no canon ending, instead opting for a more elusive 'Schrodinger's ending'

Mar 24, 2026

Hyperkin Competitor review

Mar 24, 2026

How to get the Soul Spear in Crimson Desert

Mar 24, 2026

'Golden goose' indie games get Gabe Newell's attention, says Steam expert: 'You're like a little goblin that has a magical power to turn straw into gold'

Mar 24, 2026

Asus ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE review

Mar 24, 2026

Microsoft is 'working on' removing the online account login requirement for new Windows 11 installs and also 'reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points'

Mar 24, 2026

The FCC says foreign routers 'pose an unacceptable risk' and now require special approval to be sold in the US

Mar 24, 2026

Banquet For Fools review

Mar 24, 2026

I felt like playing a janky choice-driven RPG on my Steam Deck, and this gritty AA deepcut is hitting the spot for just 99 cents

Mar 23, 2026

'A firm announcement is dependent on this final stretch of work': Fans are spinning out over extraction shooter Sand's lack of a specific March release date

Mar 23, 2026

A $5 Wikipedia-like mystery game consumed me for 2 straight hours as I dug for clues about a little town and its big weird tree

Mar 23, 2026

There is nothing like Marathon's Cryo Archive map

IEEE Spectrum

Mar 24, 2026

In Edison’s Revenge, Data Centers Are Transitioning From AC to DC

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/nvidia-s-high-compute-density-racks.jpg?id=65397940&width=600&height=600&coordinates=625%2C0%2C625%2C0"/> Last week’s <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/" target="_blank">Nvidia GTC</a> conference highlighted new <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nvidia-groq-3" target="_blank">chip</a> architectures to power AI. But as the chips become faster and more powerful, the remainder of data center <a data-linked-post="2674166715" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/data-center-liquid-cooling" target="_blank">infrastructure</a> is playing catchup. The power delivery community is responding: Announcements from <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delta-exhibits-energy-saving-solutions-for-800-vdc-in-next-gen-ai-factories-and-digital-twin-applications-built-on-omniverse-at-nvidia-gtc-2026-302715850.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Delta</a>, <a href="https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/about/news-and-insights/corporate-news/2026/vertiv-brings-converged-physical-infrastructure-to-nvidia-vera-rubin-dsx-ai-factories/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vertiv</a>, and <a href="https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/company/news-insights/news-releases/2026/eaton-collaborates-with-nvidia-to-unveil-its-beam-rubin-dsx-platform.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eaton</a> showcased new designs for the AI era. Complex and inefficient AC to DC power conversions are gradually being replaced by DC configurations, at least in hyperscale data centers.“While AC distribution remains deeply entrenched, advances in power electronics and the rising demands of AI infrastructure are accelerating interest in DC architectures,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/solarchris/" target="_blank">Chris Thompson</a>, vice president of advanced technology and global microgrids at Vertiv.<h2>AC to DC Conversion Challenges</h2>Today, nearly all data centers are designed around AC utility power. The electrical path includes multiple conversions before power reaches the compute load. Power typically enters the data center as medium-voltage AC (1kV to 35kV), is stepped down to low-voltage AC (480V or 415V) using a transformer, converted to DC inside an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for battery storage, converted back to AC, and converted again to low-voltage DC (typically 54 V DC) at the server, supplying the DC power computing chips actually require.“The double conversion process ensures the output AC is clean, stable and suitable for data center servers,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luiz-fernando-huet-de-bacellar-b2112117/" target="_blank">Luiz Fernando Huet de Bacellar,</a> vice president of engineering and technology at Eaton.That setup worked well enough for the amounts of power required by traditional data centers. Traditional data center computational racks draw on the order of 10 kW each. For AI, that is starting to approach 1 MW. At that scale, the energy losses, current levels, and copper requirements of AC to DC conversions become increasingly difficult to justify. Every conversion incurs some power loss. On top of that, as the amount of power that needs to be delivered grows, the sheer size of the convertors, as well as the connector requirements of copper busbars, becomes untenable. According to an Nvidia <a href="https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-800-v-hvdc-architecture-will-power-the-next-generation-of-ai-factories/" target="_blank">blog</a>, a 1 MW rack could require as much as 200 kg of copper busbar. For a 1 GW data center, it could amount to 200,000 kg of copper. <h2>Benefits of High-Voltage DC Power</h2>By converting 13.8 kV AC grid power directly to 800 VDC at the data center perimeter, most intermediate conversion steps are eliminated. This reduces the number of fans and power supply units, and leads to higher system reliability, lower heat dissipation, improved energy efficiency, and a smaller equipment footprint.“Each power conversion between the electric grid or power source and the silicon chips inside the servers causes some energy loss,” says Fernando.Switching from 415 V AC to 800 V DC in electrical distribution enables 85 percent more power to be transmitted through the same conductor size. This happens because higher voltage reduces current demand, lowering resistive losses and making power transfer more efficient. Thinner conductors can handle the same load, reducing copper requirements by 45 percent, a 5 percent improvement in efficiency, and 30 percent lower total cost of ownership for GW-scale facilities.“In a high-voltage DC architecture, power from the grid is converted from medium-voltage AC to roughly 800 V DC and then distributed throughout the facility on a DC bus,” said Vertiv’s Thompson. “At the rack, compact DC-DC converters step that voltage down for GPUs and CPUs.”A <a href="https://www.datacenter-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Omdia-Analysts-Summit-Omdia%E5%88%86%E6%9E%90%E5%B8%88%E5%B3%B0%E4%BC%9A.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> from technology advisory group <a href="https://omdia.tech.informa.com/" target="_blank">Omdia</a> claims that higher voltage DC data centers have already appeared in China. In the Americas, the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sharada-yeluri_microsoft-meta-google-activity-7367974455052017666-nXV5/" target="_blank">Mt. Diablo Initiative</a> (a collaboration among <a href="https://www.meta.com/about/?srsltid=AfmBOoq7uBjCU2oG3oI6Ti8VQaMdaxhAcxXmXD-twy9OTi0cbmTqGKVQ" target="_blank">Meta</a>, <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us" target="_blank">Microsoft</a>, and the <a href="https://www.opencompute.org/" target="_blank">Open Compute Project</a>) is a 400 V DC rack power distribution experiment.<h2>Innovations in DC Power Systems</h2>A handful of vendors are trying to get ahead of the game. Vertiv’s 800 V DC ecosystem that integrate with <a href="https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/about/news-and-insights/corporate-news/vertiv-develops-energy-efficient-cooling-and-power-reference-architecture-for-the-nvidia-gb300-nvl72/" target="_blank">NVIDIA Vera Rubin Ultra Kyber platforms</a> will be commercially available in the second half of 2026. Eaton, too, is well advanced in its 800 V DC systems innovation courtesy of a medium-voltage solid-state transformer (SST) that will sit at the heart of DC power distribution system. Meanwhile Delta, has released 800 V DC in-row 660kW power racks with a total of 480 kW of embedded battery backup units. And, <a href="https://www.solaredge.com/us/" target="_blank">SolarEdge</a> is hard at work on a 99%-efficient SST that will be paired with a native DC UPS and a DC power distribution layer.But much of the industry is far behind. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pehughes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patrick Hughes</a>, senior vice president of strategy, technical, and industry affairs for the <a href="https://www.makeitelectric.org/" target="_blank">National Electrical Manufacturers Association</a>, says most innovation is happening at the 400 V DC level, though some are preparing 800 V DC. He believes the industry needs a complete, coordinated ecosystem, including power electronics, protection, connectors, sensing, and service‑safe components that scale together rather than in isolation. That, in turn, requires retooling manufacturing capacity for DC‑specific equipment, expanding semiconductor and materials supply, and clear, long‑term demand commitments that justify major capital investment across the value chain.“Many are taking a cautious approach, offering limited or adapted solutions while waiting for clearer standards, safety frameworks, and customer commitments,” said Hughes. “Building the supply chain will hinge on stabilizing standards and safety frameworks so suppliers can design, certify, manufacture, and install equipment with confidence.”

Mar 24, 2026

What Will It Take to Build the World’s Largest Data Center?

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/construction-symbols-on-yellow-background.png?id=65356154&width=600&height=600&coordinates=0%2C536%2C0%2C536"/> The undying thirst for smarter (historically, that means larger) AI models and greater adoption of the ones we already have has led to an explosion in <a href="https://epoch.ai/data/data-centers#data-insights" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data-center construction projects</a>, unparalleled both in number and scale. Chief among them is Meta’s planned 5-gigawatt data center in Louisiana, called Hyperion, announced in June of 2025. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Hyperion will “cover a significant part of the footprint of Manhattan,” and the first phase—a 2-GW version—will be completed by 2030.Though the project’s stated 5-GW scale is the largest among its peers, it’s just one of several dozen similar projects now underway. According to Michael Guckes, chief economist at construction-software company <a href="https://www.constructconnect.com/preconstruction-software?campaign=21011210878&group=161161401080&target=kwd-337013613104&matchtype=e&creative=760058507701&device=c&se_kw=constructconnect&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=CC+Brand+2&utm_term=constructconnect&utm_source=adwords&hsa_ad=760058507701&hsa_kw=constructconnect&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_tgt=kwd-337013613104&hsa_grp=161161401080&hsa_src=g&hsa_ver=3&hsa_cam=21011210878&hsa_mt=e&hsa_acc=3324869874&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21011210878&gbraid=0AAAAADccs_biRlt8tR8-qu3h7Kja1Tzte&gclid=CjwKCAiA3-3KBhBiEiwA2x7FdCQc4sQOa0YZVFnCW9RF1tGkH2hDiowNrjM587XsXAv6Fb7Sdr1hgBoCNjEQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ConstructConnect</a>, spending on data centers topped US $27 billion by July of 2025 and, once the full-year figures are tallied, will easily exceed $40 billion. Hyperion alone accounts for about a quarter of that.For the engineers assigned to bring these projects to life, the mix of challenges involved represent a unique moment. The world’s largest tech companies are opening their wallets to pay for new innovations in compute, cooling, and <a data-linked-post="2674861846" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nvidia-rubin-networking" target="_blank">network</a> technology designed to operate at a scale that would’ve seemed absurd five years ago.At the same time, the breakneck pace of building comes paired with serious problems. Modern data-center construction frequently requires an influx of temporary workers and sharply increases noise, traffic, pollution, and often local electricity prices. And the environmental toll remains a concern long after facilities are built due to the unprecedented 24/7 energy demands of AI data centers which, according to one recent study, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01681-y" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">could emit the equivalent of tens of millions of tonnes of CO2 annually</a> in the United States alone.Regardless of these issues, large AI companies, and the engineers they hire, are going full steam ahead on giant data-center construction. So, what does it really take to build an unprecedentedly large data center?<h2>AI Rewrites Building Design</h2>The stereotypical data-center building rests on a reinforced concrete slab foundation. That’s paired with a steel skeleton and poured concrete wall panels. The finished building is called a “shell,” a term that implies the structure itself is a secondary concern. Meta has <a href="https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/meta-brings-data-centers-in-tents-to-gallatin-tennessee/" target="_blank">even used gigantic tents</a> to throw up temporary data centers.Still, the scale of the largest AI data centers brings unique challenges. “The biggest challenge is often what’s under the surface. Unstable, corrosive, or expansive soils can lead to delays and require serious intervention,” says <a href="https://www.jacobs.com/our-people/meet-bob-haley" target="_blank">Robert Haley</a>, vice president at construction consulting firm <a href="https://www.jacobs.com/" target="_blank">Jacobs</a>.<a href="https://www.stantec.com/en/people/c/carter-amanda" target="_blank"> Amanda Carter</a>, a senior technical lead at <a href="https://www.stantec.com/en" target="_blank">Stantec</a>, said a soil’s thermal conductivity is also important, as most electrical infrastructure is placed underground. “If the soil has high thermal resistivity, it’s going to be difficult to dissipate [heat].” Engineers may take hundreds or thousands of soil samples before construction can begin.<h3>GPUs</h3> <img alt="Yellow microchip icon on a black background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9612db5baec52cce6fe11d703e52c7bc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="af54d" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/yellow-microchip-icon-on-a-black-background.png?id=65347639&width=980"/>Modern AI data centers often use rack-scale systems, such as the Nvidia GB200 NVL72, which occupy a single data-center rack. Each rack contains 72 GPUs, 36 CPUs, and up to 13.4 terabytes of GPU memory. The racks measure over 2.2 meters tall and weigh over one and a half tonnes, forcing AI data centers to use thicker concrete with more reinforcement to bear the load.A single GB200 rack can use up to 120 kilowatts. If Hyperion meets its 5-gigawatt goals, the data-center campus could include over 41,000 rack-scale systems, for a total of more than 3 million GPUs. The final number of GPUs used by Hyperion is likely to be less than that, though only because future GPUs will be larger, more capable, and use more power.<h3>Money</h3> <img alt="Black hand and dollar symbol combined on an orange background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2ef34f3679a3b3135244243e46ae5630" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="248eb" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/black-hand-and-dollar-symbol-combined-on-an-orange-background.png?id=65347751&width=980"/>According to ConstructConnect, spending on data centers neared US $27 billion through July of 2025 and, according to the latest data, will tally close to $60 billion through the end of the year. Meta’s Hyperion project is a big slice of the pie, at $10 billion.Data-center spending has become an important prop for the construction industry, which is seeing reduced demand in other areas, such as residential construction and public infrastructure. ConstructConnect’s third quarter 2025 financial report stated that the quarter’s decline “would have been far more severe without an $11 billion surge in data center starts.”<h3></h3> There’s apparently no shortage of eligible sites, however, as both the number of data centers under construction, and the money spent on them, has skyrocketed. The spending has allowed companies building data centers to throw out the rule book. Prior to the AI boom, most data centers relied on tried-and-true designs that prioritized inexpensive and efficient construction. Big tech’s willingness to spend has shifted the focus to speed and scale.The loose purse strings open the door to larger and more robust prefabricated concrete wall and floor panels. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbevier/" target="_blank">Doug Bevier</a>, director of development at <a href="https://www.clarkpacific.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Clark Pacific</a>, says some concrete floor panels may now span up to 23 meters and need to handle floor loads up to 3,000 kilograms per square meter, <a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/s/IBC2018/chapter-16-structural-design/IBC2018-Ch16-Sec1607.1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">which is more than twice the load international building codes normally define for manufacturing and industry</a>. In some cases, the concrete panels must be custom-made for a project, an expensive step that the economics of pre-AI data centers rarely justified.Simultaneously, the time scale for projects is also compressed: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemcgrath365/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jamie McGrath</a>, senior vice president of data-center operations at<a href="https://www.crusoe.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Crusoe</a>, says the company is delivering projects in “about 12 months,” compared to 30 to 36 months before. Not all projects are proceeding at that pace, but speed is universally a priority.That makes it difficult to coordinate the labor and materials required. Meta’s Hyperion site, located in rural Richland Parish, Louisiana, is emblematic of this challenge. <a href="https://www.nola.com/news/business/meta-louisiana-ai-data-center/article_77f553ff-c272-4e6c-a775-60bbbee0b065.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">As reported by NOLA.com</a>, at least 5,000 temporary workers have flocked to the area, which has only about 20,000 permanent residents. These <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/data-centers-are-a-gold-rush-for-construction-workers-6e3c5ce0?st=jr1y94" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">workers earn above-average wages</a> and bring a short-term boost for some local businesses, such as restaurants and convenience stores. However, they have also spurred complaints from residents about traffic and construction noise and pollution.This friction with residents includes not only these obvious impacts, but <a href="https://youtu.be/DGjj7wDYaiI?si=aZocXHJe0IYUkJcl&t=175" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">also things you might not immediately suspect</a>, such as light pollution caused by around-the-clock schedules. Also significant are changes to local water tables and runoff, which can reduce water quality for neighbors who rely on well water. These issues have motivated a few U.S. cities <a href="https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/06/04/atlanta-tightens-restrictions-data-centers-bans-them-some-neighborhoods/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">to enact data-center bans</a>.<h2>Data Centers Often Go BYOP (bring your own power)</h2>Meta’s Richland Parish site also highlights a problem that’s priority No. 1 for both AI data centers and their critics: power.Data centers have always drawn large amounts of power, which nudged data-center construction to cluster in hubs where local utilities were responsive to their demands. Virginia’s electric utility, Dominion Energy, met demand with agreements to build new infrastructure, <a href="https://rmi.org/amazon-dominion-virginia-power-reach-breakthrough-renewable-energy-agreement/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">often with a focus on renewable energy</a>.The power demands of the largest AI data centers, though, have caught even the most responsive utilities off guard. A report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in California, estimated the entire U.S. data-center industry <a href="https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/lbnl-1005775_v2.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">consumed an average load of roughly 8 GW of power in 2014</a>. Today, the largest AI data-center campuses are built to handle up to a gigawatt each, and Meta’s Hyperion is projected to require 5 GW.“Data centers are exasperating issues for a lot of utilities,” says <a href="https://www.cleanegroup.org/staff/abbe-ramanan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abbe Ramanan</a>, project director at the Clean Energy Group, a Vermont-based nonprofit.Ramanan explains that utilities often use “peaker plants” to cope with extra demand. They’re usually older, less efficient fossil-fuel plants which, because of their high cost to operate and carbon output, were due for retirement. But Ramanan says increased electricity demand <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61425" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">has kept them in service</a>.Meta secured power for Hyperion by negotiating with Entergy, Louisiana’s electric utility, for construction of three new gas-turbine power plants. Two will be located near the Richland Parish site, while a third will be located in southeast Louisiana.Entergy frames the new plants as a win for the state. “A core pillar of Entergy and Meta’s agreement is that Meta pays for the full cost of the utility infrastructure,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-kline-068356ba/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daniel Kline</a>, director of power-delivery planning and policy at Entergy. The utility expects that “customer bills will be lower than they otherwise would have been.” That would prove an exception, as <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/?embedded-checkout=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a recent report from Bloomberg found</a> electricity rates in regions with data centers are more likely to increase than in regions without.<h3>CO2</h3> <img alt="Diagram of CO2 molecule with black carbon and red oxygen atoms connected by lines." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c9cf38ac7004d413b7fe5b8b577a3d3d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="3b1b0" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/diagram-of-co2-molecule-with-black-carbon-and-red-oxygen-atoms-connected-by-lines.png?id=65348689&width=980"/>Research <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01681-y" target="_blank">published in Nature</a> in 2025 projects that data-center emissions will range from 24 million to 44 million CO2-equivalent metric tonnes annually through 2030 in the United States alone. While some materials used in data centers, such as concrete, lead to significant emissions, the majority of these emissions will result from the high energy demands of AI servers.Estimating the carbon emissions of Hyperion is difficult, as the project won’t be completed until 2030. Assuming that the three new natural gas plants that are planned for construction as part of the project produce emissions typical for their type, however, the plants could lead to full life-cycle emissions of between 4 million and 10 million metric tons of CO2 annually—roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of a country like <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/co2-emissions/co2-emissions-by-country/" target="_blank">Latvia</a>.<h3>Concrete</h3> <img alt="Silhouette of a cement truck on an orange background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="060b1cd238b9de45274d6766069f3a14" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="e6d68" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/silhouette-of-a-cement-truck-on-an-orange-background.png?id=65348696&width=980"/>Data centers are typically built from concrete, with steel used as a skeleton to reinforce and shape the concrete shell. While the foundation is often poured concrete, the walls and floors are most often built from prefabricated concrete panels that can span up to 23 meters. Floors use a reinforced T-shape, similar to a steel girder, measuring up to 1.2 meters across at its thickest point. The largest data centers include hundreds of these concrete panels.The America Cement Association projects that the current surge in building<a href="https://mi.cement.org/PDF/Data_Center_Cement_Consumption.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> will require 1 million tonnes of cement over the next three years</a>, though that’s still a tiny fraction of the overall cement industry,<a href="https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/media/files/mis-202507-cemen.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> which weighed in at roughly 103 million tonnes in 2024</a>.<h3></h3> The plants, which will generate a combined 2.26 GW, will use combined-cycle gas turbines that recapture waste heat from exhaust.<a href="https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/ha-technology-now-available-industry-first-64-percent-efficiency" target="_blank"> This boosts thermal efficiency to 60 percent and beyond,</a> meaning more fuel is converted to useful energy. Simple-cycle turbines, by contrast, vent the exhaust, which lowers efficiency to around 40 percent.Even so, total life-cycle emissions for the Hyperion plants could range from 4 million to over 10 million tonnes of CO2 each year, depending on how frequently the plants are put in use and the final efficiency benchmarks once built. On the high end, that’s as much CO2 as produced by over 2 million passenger cars. Fortunately, not all of Meta’s data centers take the same approach to power. The company has announced a plan to power Prometheus, a large data-center project in Ohio scheduled to come online before the end of 2026, <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2026/01/meta-nuclear-energy-projects-power-american-ai-leadership/" target="_blank">with nuclear energy</a>.But other big tech companies, spurred by the need to build data centers quickly, are taking a less efficient approach.xAI’s Colossus 2, located in Memphis, is the most extreme example. <a href="https://www.climateandcapitalmedia.com/35-gas-turbines-no-permits-elon-musks-dirty-xai-secret/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The company trucked dozens of temporary gas-turbine generators to power the site</a> located in a suburban neighborhood. OpenAI, meanwhile, has gas turbines capable of generating up to 300 megawatts <a href="https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/2025/10/14/water-electricity-concerns-addressed-by-stargate-data-center-leaders-in-abilene-texas/86585222007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">at its new Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas</a>, slated to open later in 2026. Both use simple-cycle turbines with a much lower efficiency rating than the combined-cycle plants Entergy will build to power Hyperion.Demand for gas turbines is so intense, in fact, that <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/electric-power/052025-us-gas-fired-turbine-wait-times-as-much-as-seven-years-costs-up-sharply" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wait times for new turbines are up to seven years</a>. Some data centers <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-data-centers" target="_self">are turning toward refurbished jet engines</a> to obtain the turbines they need.<h2>AI Racks Tip the Scales</h2>The demand for new, reliable power is driven by the power-hungry GPUs inside modern AI data centers.In January of 2025, Mark Zuckerberg announced in a post on Facebook that Meta planned to end 2025 <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/24/mark-zuckerberg-says-meta-will-have-1-3m-gpus-for-ai-by-year-end/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">with at least 1.3 million GPUs in service</a>. OpenAI’s Stargate data center <a href="https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/openai-and-oracle-to-deploy-450000-gb200-gpus-at-stargate-abilene-data-center/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plans to use over 450,000 Nvidia GB200 GPUs</a>, and xAI’s Colossus 2, an expansion of Colossus, <a href="https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2025/09/xai-colossus-2-first-gigawatt-ai-training-data-center.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">is built to accommodate over 550,000 GPUs</a>.GPUs, which remain by far the most popular for AI workloads, are bundled into human-scale monoliths of steel and silicon which, much like the data centers built to house them, are rapidly growing in weight, complexity, and power consumption.<h3>Memory</h3> <img alt="Outlined head with a microchip brain on blue background, symbolizing AI and technology." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7cd8d3faff2d24fa591295b9efd9b1ba" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="70372" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/outlined-head-with-a-microchip-brain-on-blue-background-symbolizing-ai-and-technology.png?id=65350865&width=980"/>In addition to raw compute performance, Nvidia GB200 NVL72 racks also require huge amounts of memory. An Nvidia GB200 NVL72 rack may include up to 13.4 terabytes of high-bandwidth memory, which implies a data-center campus at Hyperion’s scale will require at least several dozen petabytes.The immense demand has sent memory prices soaring:<a href="https://wccftech.com/dram-prices-have-risen-by-a-whopping-172-this-year-alone/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> The price of DRAM, specifically DDR5, has increased 172 percent in 2025</a>.<h3>Power</h3> <img alt="" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="eaf0380400ba03875bf2ee910f35ab5d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="5bd7d" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/image.png?id=65350873&width=980"/>Hyperion is expected to use 5 gigawatts of power across 11 buildings, which works out to just under 500 megawatts per building, assuming each will be similar to its siblings. That’s enough to power roughly 4.2 million U.S. homes.Just one Hyperion data center built at the Richland Parish site will consume twice as much power as xAI’s Colossus which, at the time of its completion in the summer of 2024, was among the largest data centers yet built.<h3></h3> Nvidia’s <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/data-center/gb200-nvl72/" target="_blank">GB200 NVL72</a>—a rack-scale system—is currently a leading choice for AI data centers. A single GB200 rack contains 72 GPUs, 36 CPUs, and up to 17 terabytes of memory. It measures 2.2 meters tall, <a href="https://aivres.com/wp-content/uploads/KRS8000v3.1.pdf" target="_blank">tips the scales at up to </a>1,553 kilograms, and consumes about 120 kilowatts—as much as around 100 U.S. homes. And this, according to Nvidia, is just the beginning. The company anticipates future racks could <a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/nvidia-to-boost-ai-server-racks-to-megawatt-scale-increasing-power-delivery-by-five-times-or-more" target="_blank">consume up to a megawatt each</a>.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktorpetik/?originalSubdomain=hr" target="_blank">Viktor Petik</a>, senior vice president of infrastructure solutions at<a href="https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Vertiv</a>, says the rapid change in rack-scale AI systems has forced data centers to adapt. “AI racks consume far more power and weigh more than their predecessors,” says Petik. He adds that data centers must supply racks with multiple power feeds, without taking up extra space.The new power demands from rack-scale systems have consequences that are reflected in the design of the data center—even its footprint.In 2022 Meta broke ground on a new data center at a campus in Temple, Texas. According to <a href="https://semianalysis.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SemiAnalysis</a>, which studies AI data centers, construction began with the intent <a href="https://newsletter.semianalysis.com/p/datacenter-anatomy-part-1-electrical" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">to build the data center in an H-shaped configuration common to other Meta data centers</a>.<h3>LAND</h3> <img alt="Black location pin icon on orange background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2b2e04f07bd0ed3f60e1f86029497af" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="248cd" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/black-location-pin-icon-on-orange-background.png?id=65351137&width=980"/><h3></h3> Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the buzz around Hyperion by saying it would cover a large chunk of Manhattan. Many took that to mean Hyperion would be a single building of that size, which isn’t correct. Hyperion will actually be a cluster of data centers—11 are currently planned—with over 370,000 square meters of floor space. That’s a lot smaller even than New York City’s Central Park, which covers 6 percent of Manhattan.Meta has room to grow, however. The Richland Parish site spans 14.7 million square meters in total, which is about a quarter the area of Manhattan. And the 370,000 square meters of floor space Hyperion is expected to provide doesn’t include external infrastructure, such as the three new combined-cycle gas power plants Louisiana utility Entergy is building to power the project.<h3></h3> <img alt="Map with site layout and regional location in Louisiana, showing roads and distances." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b0cc9253de57aefb96d39a9892c95fe5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="a41a4" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/map-with-site-layout-and-regional-location-in-louisiana-showing-roads-and-distances.png?id=65352088&width=980"/><h3></h3> Construction was paused midway in December of 2022, however, <a href="https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/exclusive-after-meta-cancels-odense-data-center-expansion-other-projects-are-being-rescoped/" target="_blank">as part of a company-wide review of its data-center infrastructure</a>. Meta decided to knock down the structure it had built and start from scratch. The reasons for this decision were never made public, but analysts believe it was due to the old design’s inability to deliver sufficient electricity to new, power-hungry AI racks. Construction resumed in 2023.Meta’s replacement ditches the H-shaped building for simple, long, rectangular structures, each flanked by rows of gas-turbine generators. While Meta’s plans are subject to change, Hyperion is currently expected to comprise 11 rectangular data centers, each packed with hundreds of thousands of GPUs, spread across the 13.6-square-kilometer Richland Parish campus.<h2>Cooling, and Connecting, at Scale</h2>Nvidia’s ultradense AI GPU racks are changing data centers not only with their weight, and power draw, but also with their intense cooling and bandwidth requirements.Data centers traditionally use air cooling, but that approach has reached its limits. “Air as a cooling medium is inherently inferior,” says<a href="https://cde.nus.edu.sg/me/staff/lee-poh-seng/" target="_blank"> Poh Seng Lee</a>, head of <a href="https://blog.nus.edu.sg/coolestlab/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CoolestLAB</a>, a cooling research group at the National University of Singapore.Instead, going forward, GPUs will rely on liquid cooling. However, that adds a new layer of complexity. “It’s all the way to the facilities level,” says Lee. “You need pumps, which we call a coolant distribution unit. The CDU will be connected to racks using an elaborate piping network. And it needs to be designed for redundancy.” On the rack, pipes connect to cold plates mounted atop every GPU; outside the data-center shell, pipes route through evaporation cooling units. Lee says retrofitting an air-cooled data center is possible but expensive.The networking used by AI data centers is also changing to cope with new requirements. Traditional data centers were positioned near network hubs for easy access to the global internet. AI data centers, though, are more concerned with networks of GPUs.These connections must sustain high bandwidth with impeccable reliability. Mark Bieberich, a vice president at network infrastructure company Ciena, says its latest fiber-optic transceiver technology,<a href="https://www.ciena.com/products/wavelogic/wavelogic-6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> WaveLogic 6</a>, can provide up to 1.6 terabytes per second of bandwidth per wavelength. A single fiber can support 48 wavelengths in total, and Ciena’s largest customers have hundreds of fiber pairs, placing total bandwidth in the thousands of terabits per second.<h3></h3> <img alt="a piece of land with a big platform in the middle." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fb6adbcb1ff833934363d6f6ce9cf993" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="63272" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-piece-of-land-with-a-big-platform-in-the-middle.jpg?id=65343457&width=980"/>This is a point where the scale of Meta’s Hyperion, and other large AI data centers, can be deceptive. It seems to imply the physical size of a single data center is what matters. But rather than being a single building,<a href="https://datacenters.atmeta.com/richland-parish-data-center/" target="_blank"> Hyperion is actually a set of buildings</a> connected by high-speed fiber-optics.“Interconnecting data centers is absolutely essential,” says Bieberich. “You could think about it as one logical AI training facility, but with geographically distributed facilities.” Nvidia has taken to calling this “scale across,” to contrast it with the idea that data centers must “scale up” to larger singular buildings.<h2>The Big but Hazy Future</h2>The full scale of the challenges that face Hyperion, and other future AI data centers of similar scale, remain hazy. Nvidia has yet to introduce the rack-scale AI GPU systems it will host. How much power will it demand? What type of cooling will it require? How much bandwidth must be provided? These can only be estimated.In the absence of details, the gravity of AI data-center design is pulled toward one certainty: It must be big. New data-center designers are rewriting their rule book to handle power, cooling, and network infrastructure at a scale that would’ve seemed ridiculous five years ago.This innovation is fueled by big tech’s fat wallet, which shelled out tens of billions of dollars in 2025 alone, leading to<a href="https://hbr.org/2025/10/is-ai-a-boom-or-a-bubble" target="_blank"> questions about whether the spending is sustainable</a>. For the engineers in the trenches of data-center design, though, it’s viewed as an opportunity to make the impossible possible. “I tell my engineers, this is peak. We’re being engineers. We’re being asked complicated questions,” says Stantec’s Carter. “We haven’t got to do that in a long time.” This article appears in the April 2026 print issue.

Mar 24, 2026

The Coming Drone-War Inflection in Ukraine

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/person-holding-a-large-drone-outdoors-under-a-sunny-partly-cloudy-sky.jpg?id=65327386&width=600&height=600&coordinates=333%2C0%2C334%2C0"/> WHEN KYIV-BORN ENGINEER <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yaroslavazhnyuk/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yaroslav Azhnyuk</a> thinks about the future, his mind conjures up dystopian images. He talks about “swarms of autonomous drones carrying other autonomous drones to protect them against autonomous drones, which are trying to intercept them, controlled by <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-agents" target="_self">AI</a> <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-agents" target="_self">agents</a> overseen by a human general somewhere.” He also imagines flotillas of autonomous submarines, each carrying hundreds of drones, suddenly emerging off the coast of California or Great Britain and discharging their cargoes en masse to the sky.“How do you protect from that?” he asks as we speak in late December 2025; me at my quiet home office in London, he in Kyiv, which is bracing for another wave of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-air-defense" target="_self">missile attacks</a>.Azhnyuk is not an alarmist. He cofounded and was formerly CEO of <a href="https://petcube.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Petcube</a>, a California-based company that uses smart cameras and an app to let pet owners keep an eye on their beloved creatures left alone at home. A self-described “liberal guy who didn’t even receive military training,” Azhnyuk changed his mind about developing military tech in the months following the <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9847/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russian invasion of</a> <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9847/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ukraine</a> in February 2022. By 2023, he had relinquished his CEO role at Petcube to do what many Ukrainian technologists have done—to help defend his country against a mightier aggressor.It took a while for him to figure out what, exactly, he should be doing. He didn’t join the military, but through friends on the front line, he witnessed how, out of desperation, Ukrainian troops turned to off-the-shelf consumer drones to make up for their country’s lack of artillery.Ukrainian troops first began using drones for battlefield surveillance, but within a few months they figured out how to strap explosives onto them and turn them into effective, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-hackers-war" target="_self">low-cost killing</a> <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-hackers-war" target="_self">machines</a>. Little did they know they were fomenting a revolution in warfare. <img alt="Group observes a drone demonstration indoors, with a presenter explaining features." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bfc4f902e7ae9ffa663bf3bcc8ff144c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="cc3bb" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/group-observes-a-drone-demonstration-indoors-with-a-presenter-explaining-features.jpg?id=65341730&width=980"/> <img alt="Compact black camera module with textured surface and orange ribbon cable on white background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e904e39e8ac7797c354a205ed343d150" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="4d58e" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/compact-black-camera-module-with-textured-surface-and-orange-ribbon-cable-on-white-background.jpg?id=65341726&width=980"/>The Ukrainian robotics company The Fourth Law produces an autonomy module [above] that uses optics and AI to guide a drone to its target. Yaroslav Azhnyuk [top, in light shirt], founder and CEO of The Fourth Law, describes a developmental drone with autonomous capabilities to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.Top: THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE OF UKRAINE; Bottom: THE FOURTH LAWThat revolution was on display last month, as the U.S. and Israel went to war with Iran. It soon became clear that attack drones are being extensively used by both sides. Iran, for example, is relying heavily on the Shahed drones that the country invented and that are now also being manufactured in Russia and launched by the thousands every month against Ukraine.A thorough analysis of the Middle East conflict will take some time to emerge. And so to understand the direction of this new way of war, look to Ukraine, where its next phase—autonomy—is already starting to come into view. Outnumbered by the Russians and facing increasingly sophisticated jamming and spoofing aimed at causing the drones to veer off course or fall out of the sky, Ukrainian technologists realized as early as 2023 that what could really win the war was autonomy. Autonomous operation means a drone isn’t being flown by a remote pilot, and therefore there’s no communications link to that pilot that can be severed or spoofed, rendering the drone useless.By late 2023, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaroslavazhnyuk/?locale=uk" target="_blank">Azhnyuk</a> set out to help make that vision a reality. He founded two companies, <a href="https://thefourthlaw.ai/blog/funding-products-video" target="_blank">The</a> <a href="https://thefourthlaw.ai/blog/funding-products-video" target="_blank">Fourth Law</a> and <a href="https://oddsystems.io/en/" target="_blank">Odd Systems</a>, the first to develop AI algorithms to help drones overcome jamming during final approach, the second to build thermal cameras to help those drones better sense their surroundings.“I moved from making devices that throw treats to dogs to making devices that throw explosives on Russian occupants,” Azhnyuk quips.Since then, The Fourth Law has dispatched “more than thousands” of <a href="https://thefourthlaw.ai/#section3" target="_blank">autonomy modules</a> to troops in eastern Ukraine (it declines to give a more specific figure), which can be retrofitted on existing drones to take over navigation during the final approach to the target. Azhnyuk says the autonomy modules, worth around US $50, increase the drone-strike success rate by up to four times that of purely operator-controlled drones.And that is just the beginning. Azhnyuk is one of thousands of developers, including some who relocated from Western countries, who are applying their skills and other resources to advancing the drone technology that is the defining characteristic of the war in Ukraine. This eclectic group of startups and founders includes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Schmidt" target="_blank">Eric Schmidt</a>, the forme<a href="https://about.google/company-info/" target="_blank">r</a> <a href="https://about.google/company-info/" target="_blank">Google</a> CEO, whose company <a href="https://epravda.com.ua/oborona/milyarder-ta-ekskerivnik-google-robit-droni-dlya-ukrajini-shcho-nim-ruhaye-809495/" target="_blank">Swift Beat</a> is churning out autonomous <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/magazine/ukraine-ai-drones-war-russia.html" target="_blank">drones and modules for Ukrainian</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/magazine/ukraine-ai-drones-war-russia.html" target="_blank">forces</a>. The frenetic pace of tech development is helping a scrappy, innovative underdog hold at bay a much larger and better-equipped foe.All of this development is careening toward AI-based systems that enable drones to navigate by recognizing features in the terrain, lock on to and chase targets without an operator’s guidance, and eventually exchange information with each other through mesh networks, forming self-organizing robotic kamikaze swarms. Such an attack swarm would be commanded by a single operator from a safe distance.According to some reports, autonomous swarming technology is also being developed <a href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/may/step-step-ukraine-built-technological-navy" target="_blank">for</a> <a href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/may/step-step-ukraine-built-technological-navy" target="_blank">sea drones</a>. Ukraine has had some notable successes with sea drones, which have reportedly destroyed or damaged <a href="https://en.usm.media/sbu-naval-drones-hit-11-russian-ships-and-vessels-details/" target="_blank">around a dozen</a> Russian vessels. <img alt="Hand holding a drone with six rotors, outdoors against a blue sky." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="90f30978c5ba0e77e9b1873c155131d2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="7cf11" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/hand-holding-a-drone-with-six-rotors-outdoors-against-a-blue-sky.jpg?id=65341722&width=980"/>The Skynode X system, from Auterion, provides a degree of autonomy to a drone.AUTERIONFor Ukraine, swarming can solve a major problem that puts the nation at a disadvantage against Russia—the lack of personnel. Autonomy is “the single most impactful defense technology of this century,” says Azhnyuk. “The moment this happens, you shift from a manpower challenge to a production challenge, which is much more manageable,” he adds.The autonomous warfare future envisioned by Azhnyuk and others is not yet a reality. But <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcclange/?skipRedirect=true" target="_blank">Marc Lange</a>, a German defense analyst and business strategist, believes that “an inflection point” is already in view. Beyond it, “things will be so dramatically different,” he says.“Ukraine pretty rapidly realized that if the operator-to-drone ratio can be shifted from one-to-one to one-to-many, that creates great economies of scale and an amazing cost exchange ratio,” Lange adds. “The moment one operator can launch 100, 50, or even just 20 drones at once, this completely changes the economics of the war.”<h2>Drones With a View </h2>For a while, jammers that sever the radio links between drones and operators or that spoof GPS receivers were able to provide fairly reliable defense against human-controlled first-person-view attack drones (FPVs). But as autonomous navigation progressed, those electronic shields have gradually become less effective. Defenders must now contend with unjammable drones—ones that are attached to hair-thin optical fibers or that are capable of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-killer-drones" target="_self">finding</a> <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-killer-drones" target="_self">their way to their targets</a> without external guidance. In this emerging struggle, the defenders’ track records aren’t very encouraging: The typical countermeasure is to try to shoot down the attacking drone with a service weapon. It’s rarely successful. <img alt="Truck on rural road covered with camouflage netting, trees and fields in the background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7c7af1e395cf35752b367f8dd54130fc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="58155" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/truck-on-rural-road-covered-with-camouflage-netting-trees-and-fields-in-the-background.jpg?id=65341708&width=980"/>A truck outfitted with signal-jamming gear drives under antidrone nets near Oleksandriya, in eastern Ukraine, on 2 October 2025.ED JONES/AFP/GETTY IMAGES“The attackers gain an immense advantage from unmanned systems,” says Lange. “You can have a drone pop up from anywhere and it can wreak havoc. But from autonomy, they gain even more.”The self-navigating drones rely on image-recognition algorithms that have been around for over a decade, says Lange. And the mass deployments of drones on Ukrainian battlefields are enabling both Russian and Ukrainian technologists to create <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/ukraine-collects-vast-war-data-trove-train-ai-models-2024-12-20/" target="_blank">huge datasets</a> that improve the training and precision of those AI algorithms. <img alt="Six-wheeled robotic vehicle with mounted equipment in a grassy field." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="caa0a697b2d5752603687ac7f0278581" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1c591" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/six-wheeled-robotic-vehicle-with-mounted-equipment-in-a-grassy-field.jpg?id=65341706&width=980"/>A Ukrainian land robot, the Ravlyk, can be outfitted with a machine gun.While uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have received the most attention, the Ukrainian military is also deploying dozens of different kinds of drones on land and sea. Ukraine, struggling with the shortage of infantry personnel, began working on replacing a portion of human soldiers with wheeled ground robots in 2024. As of early 2026, thousands of ground robots are crawling across the gray zone along the front line in Eastern Ukraine. Most are used to deliver supplies to the front line or to help evacuate the wounded, but some “killer” ground robots fitted with turrets and remotely controlled machine guns have also been tested.In mid-February, Ukrainian authorities released a video of a Ukrainian ground robot using its thermal camera to detect a Russian soldier in the dark of the night and then kill the invader with a round from a heavy machine gun. So far these robots are mostly controlled by a human operator, but the makers of these uncrewed ground vehicles say their systems are capable of basic autonomous operations, such as returning to base when radio connection is lost. The goal is to enable them to swarm so that one operator controls not one, but a whole herd of mesh-connected killer robots.But <a href="https://www.hudson.org/experts/1303-bryan-clark" target="_blank">Bryan Clark</a>, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the <a href="https://www.hudson.org/" target="_blank">Hudson Institute</a>, questions how quickly ground robots’ abilities can progress. “Ground environments are very difficult to navigate in because of the terrain you have to address,” he says. “The line of sight for the sensors on the ground vehicles is really constrained because of terrain, whereas an air vehicle can see everything around it.”To achieve autonomy, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/sea-drone" target="_self">maritime drones</a>, too, will require navigational approaches beyond AI-based image recognition, possibly based on star positions or electronic signals from radios and cell towers that are within reach, says Clark. Such technologies are still being developed or are in a relatively early operational stage.<h2>How the Shaheds Got Better</h2>Russia is not lagging behind. In fact, some analysts believe its autonomous systems may be slightly ahead of Ukraine’s. For a good example of the Russian military’s rapid evolution, they say, consider the long-range Iranian-designed Shahed drones. Since 2022, Russia has been using them to attack Ukrainian cities and other targets hundreds of kilometers from the front line. “At the beginning, Shaheds just had a frame, a motor, and an inertial navigation system,” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksii-solntsev-aa0b72189?originalSubdomain=ua" target="_blank">Oleksii</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksii-solntsev-aa0b72189?originalSubdomain=ua" target="_blank">Solntsev</a>, CEO of Ukrainian defense tech startup MaXon Systems, tells me. “They used to be imprecise and pretty stupid. But they are becoming more and more autonomous.” Solntsev founded MaXon Systems in late 2024 to help protect Ukrainian civilians from the growing threat of Shahed raids. <img alt="Silhouette of a triangular drone flying in the sky." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a9c89e21028ccf85e20a49ecead8309f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="72159" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/silhouette-of-a-triangular-drone-flying-in-the-sky.jpg?id=65341701&width=980"/>A Russian Geran-2 drone, based on the Iranian Shahed-136, flies over Kyiv during an attack on 27 December 2025.SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGESFirst produced <a href="https://www.adaptinstitute.org/from-tehran-to-alabuga-the-evolution-of-shahed-drones-into-russias-strategic-asset/26/09/2025/" target="_blank">in Iran in the 2010s</a>, Shaheds can carry 90-kilogram warheads <a href="https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/alabugas-shahed-136-geran-2-warheads-a-dangerous-escalation" target="_blank">up to 650 km</a> (50-kg warheads can go twice as far). <a href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/calculating-cost-effectiveness-russias-drone-strikes" target="_blank">They cost around $35,000 per unit</a>, compared to a couple of million dollars, at least, for a ballistic missile. The low cost allows Russia to manufacture Shaheds in high quantities, unleashing entire fleets onto <a href="https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/a-comprehensive-analytical-review-of-russian-shahed-type-uavs-deployment-against-ukraine-in-2025" target="_blank">Ukrainian cities</a> <a href="https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/a-comprehensive-analytical-review-of-russian-shahed-type-uavs-deployment-against-ukraine-in-2025" target="_blank">and infrastructure almost every night</a>.The early Shaheds were able to reach a preprogrammed location based on satellite-navigation coordinates. Even one of these early models could frequently overcome the jamming of satellite-navigation signals with the help of an onboard inertial navigation unit. This was essentially a dead-reckoning system of accelerators and gyroscopes that estimate the drone’s position from continual measurements of its motions. <img alt="Silhouette of person with large equipment under a starry night sky." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="37186ec06b71203ba4f30db497507797" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1aca7" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/silhouette-of-person-with-large-equipment-under-a-starry-night-sky.jpg?id=65341699&width=980"/>In the Donetsk Region, on 15 August 2025, a Ukrainian soldier hunts for Shaheds and other drones with a thermalimaging system attached to a ZU23 23-millimeter antiaircraft gun.KOSTYANTYN LIBEROV/LIBKOS/GETTY IMAGESUkrainian defense forces learned to down Shaheds with heavy machine guns, but as Russia continued to innovate, the daily onslaughts started to become <a href="https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/06/29/why-cant-ukraine-stop-russias-shahed-drones-anymore/" target="_blank">increasingly effective.</a>Today’s Shaheds fly faster and higher, and therefore are more difficult to detect and take down. Between January 2024 and August 2025, the number of Shaheds and Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia into Ukraine per month <a href="https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/why-russias-shahed-drones-are-now-deadlier-and-harder-than-ever-to-stop-11693" target="_blank">increased more than tenfold</a>, from 334 to more than 4,000. In 2025, Ukraine found <a href="https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/recently-downed-russian-shahed-demonstrates-new-levels-of-autonomous-capability/" target="_blank">AI-enabling</a> <a href="https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/recently-downed-russian-shahed-demonstrates-new-levels-of-autonomous-capability/" target="_blank">N</a><a href="https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/recently-downed-russian-shahed-demonstrates-new-levels-of-autonomous-capability/" target="_blank">vidia</a> <a href="https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/recently-downed-russian-shahed-demonstrates-new-levels-of-autonomous-capability/" target="_blank">chipsets in wreckages of Shaheds</a>, as well as thermal-vision modules capable of locking onto targets at night.“Now, they are interconnected, which allows them to exchange information with each other,” Solntsev says. “They also have cameras that allow them to autonomously navigate to objects. Soon they will be able to tell each other to avoid a jammed region or an area where one of them got intercepted.”These Russian-manufactured Shaheds, which Russian forces call Geran-2s, are thought to be more capable than the garden variety Shahed-136s that Iran has lately been launching against targets throughout the Middle East. Even the relatively primitive Shahed-136s have done considerable damage, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/02/iran-unleashes-hundreds-of-drones-aimed-at-targets-across-middle-east" target="_blank">press accounts</a>.Those Shahed successes may accrue, at least in part, from the fact that the United States and Israel lack Ukraine’s long experience with fending them off. In just two days in early March, upward of a thousand drones, mostly Shaheds, were launched against U.S. and Israeli targets, with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/02/iran-unleashes-hundreds-of-drones-aimed-at-targets-across-middle-east" target="_blank">hundreds of</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/02/iran-unleashes-hundreds-of-drones-aimed-at-targets-across-middle-east" target="_blank">them reportedly finding their marks</a>.One attack, caught on videotape, shows a Shahed destroying a radar dome at the U.S. navy base in Manama, Bahrain. U.S. forces were understood to be <a href="https://carnegieendowment.org/emissary/2026/03/iran-drones-shahed-us-lessons" target="_blank">attempting to fend off the drones</a> by striking launch platforms, dispatching fighter aircraft to shoot them down, and by using some extremely costly air-defense interceptors, including ones meant to down ballistic missiles. On 4 March, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/us-air-defenses-iran-attack-drones-challenge" target="_blank">CNN</a> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/us-air-defenses-iran-attack-drones-challenge" target="_blank">reported</a> that in a congressional briefing the day before, top U.S. defense officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, acknowledged that U.S. air defenses weren’t keeping up with the onslaught of Shahed drones. <img alt="Broken drone on soil, cylindrical container nearby." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="769830682ff53a401780108ca11db2b6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="c9d58" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/broken-drone-on-soil-cylindrical-container-nearby.jpg?id=65341692&width=980"/>Russian V2U attack drones are outfitted with Nvidia processors and run computer-vision software and AI algorithms to enable the drones to navigate autonomously.GUR OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINERussia is also starting to field a newer generation of attack drones. One of these, the V2U, has been used to strike targets in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine. <a href="https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/06/09/russias-v2u-drone-uses-ai-for-autonomous-strikes-in-ukraines-sumy-oblast/" target="_blank">The V2U drones</a> are outfitted with Nvidia Jetson Orin processors and run computer-vision software and AI algorithms that allow the drones to navigate even where satellite navigation is jammed.The sale of Nvidia chips to Russia is banned under U.S. sanctions against the country. However, press reports suggest that the chips are getting to Russia <a href="https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/28/7481703/" target="_blank">via intermediaries in India</a>.<h2>Antidrone Systems Step Up</h2>MaXon Systems is one of several companies working to fend off the nightly drone onslaught. Within one year, the company developed and battle-tested a Shahed interception system that hints at the sci-fi future envisioned by Azhnyuk. For a system to be capable of reliably defending against autonomous weaponry, it, too, needs to be autonomous.MaXon’s solution consists of ground turrets scanning the sky with infrared sensors, with additional input from a network of radars that detects approaching Shahed drones at distances of, typically, <a href="https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/2025_systems_to_shield_kyiv_from_shaheds_new_air_defense_details_from_maxon_where_balloons_carry_interceptor_drones-15499.html" target="_blank">12 to 16</a> km. The turrets fire autonomous fixed-winged interceptor drones, fitted with explosive warheads, toward the approaching Shaheds at speeds of nearly 300 km/h. To boost the chances of successful interception, MaXon <a href="https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/2025_systems_to_shield_kyiv_from_shaheds_new_air_defense_details_from_maxon_where_balloons_carry_interceptor_drones-15499.html" target="_blank">is also fielding</a> an airborne anti-Shahed fortification system consisting of helium-filled <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/airships-drones-ukraine" target="_self">aerostats</a> hovering above the city that dispatch the interceptors from a higher altitude.“We are trying to increase the level of automation of the system compared to existing solutions,” says Solntsev. “We need automatic detection, automatic takeoff, and automatic mid-track guidance so that we can guide the interceptor before it can itself flock the target.” <img alt="Gray drone on display stand, surrounded by military personnel in camouflage uniforms." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="592b19dbfc4fe9a54033067c6169aeec" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ab79b" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/gray-drone-on-display-stand-surrounded-by-military-personnel-in-camouflage-uniforms.jpg?id=65341687&width=980"/>An interceptor drone, part of the U.S. MEROPS defensive system, is tested in Poland on 18 November 2025.WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGESIn November 2025, the Ukrainian military announced it had been conducting successful trials of the <a href="https://www.forcesnews.com/nato/bang-your-buck-200m-worth-russian-drones-taken-out-15m-merops-uavs" target="_blank">Merops Shahed drone interceptor</a> system developed by the U.S. startup <a href="https://themerge.co/p/project-eagle" target="_blank">Project Eagle</a>, another of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s Ukraine defense ventures. Like the MaXon gear, the system can operate largely autonomously and has so far downed over 1,000 Shaheds.<h2>What Works in the Lab Doesn’t Necessarily Fly on the Battlefield </h2>Despite the progress on both sides, analysts say that the kind of robotic warfare imagined by Azhnyuk won’t be a reality for years.“The software for drone collaboration is there,” says <a href="https://www.csis.org/people/kateryna-bondar" target="_blank">Kate Bondar</a>, a former policy advisor for the Ukrainian government and currently a research fellow at the U.S. <a href="https://www.csis.org/" target="_blank">Center for Stra</a><a href="https://www.csis.org/" target="_blank">tegic and International Studies</a>. “Drones can fly in labs, but in real life, [the forces] are afraid to deploy them because the risk of a mistake is too high,” she adds. <img alt="Two people launching a drone in an open field using a catapult system." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="894baf9e936bef6f8c45a0363afac141" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="7c4e9" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/two-people-launching-a-drone-in-an-open-field-using-a-catapult-system.jpg?id=65341682&width=980"/>Ukrainian soldiers watch a GOR reconnaissance drone take to the sky near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, on 10 March 2025.ANDRIY DUBCHAK/FRONTLINER/GETTY IMAGESIn Bondar’s view, powerful AI-equipped drones won’t be deployed in large numbers given the current prices for high-end processors and other advanced components. And, she adds, the more autonomous the system needs to be, the more expensive are the processors and sensors it must have. “For these cheap attack drones that fly only once, you don’t install a high-resolution camera that [has] the resolution for AI to see properly,” she says. “[You install] the cheapest camera. You don’t want expensive chips that can run AI algorithms either. Until we can achieve this balance of technological sophistication, when a system can conduct a mission but at the lowest price possible, it won’t be deployed en masse.”While existing AI systems are doing a good job recognizing and following large objects like Shaheds or tanks, experts question their ability to reliably distinguish and pursue smaller and more nimble or inconspicuous targets. “When we’re getting into more specific questions, like can it distinguish a Russian soldier from a Ukrainian soldier or at least a soldier from a civilian? The answer is no,” says Bondar. “Also, it’s one thing to track a tank, and it’s another to track infantrymen riding buggies and motorcycles that are moving very fast. That’s really challenging for AI to track and strike precisely.”Clark, at the Hudson Institute, says that although the AI algorithms used to guide the Russian and Ukrainian drones are “pretty good,” they rely on information provided bysensors that “aren’t good enough.” “You need multiphenomenology sensors that are able to look at infrared and visual and, in some cases, different parts of the infrared spectrum to be able to figure out if something is a decoy or real target,” he says.German defense analyst Lange agrees that right now, battlefield AI image-recognition systems are too easily fooled. “If you compress reality into a 2D image, a lot of things can be easily camouflaged—like what Russia did recently, when they started drawing birds on the back of their drones,” he says.<h2>Autonomy Remains Elusive on the Ground and at Sea, Too</h2>To make Ukraine’s emerging uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) equally self-sufficient will be an even greater task, in Clark’s view. Still, Bondar expects major advances to materialize within the next several years, even if humans are still going to be part of the decision-making loop. <img alt="Military radar equipment in a grassy field." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0b36a03b7582535b3d3319d7d9b74c33" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="d65ea" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/military-radar-equipment-in-a-grassy-field.jpg?id=65341671&width=980"/>A mobile electronic-warfare system built by PiranhaTech is demonstrated near Kyiv on 21 October 2025.DANYLO ANTONIUK/ANADOLU/GETTY IMAGES“I think in two or three years, we will have pretty good full autonomy, at least in good weather conditions,” she says, referring to aerial drones in particular. “Humans will still be in the loop for some years, simply because there are so many unpredictable situations when you need an intervention. We won’t be able to fully rely on the machine for at least another 10 or 15 years.”Ukrainian defenders are apprehensive about that autonomous future. The boom of drone innovation has come hand in hand with the development of sophisticated jamming and radio-frequency detection systems. But a lot of that innovation will become obsolete once the pendulum swings away from human control. Ukrainians got their first taste of dealing with unjammable drones in mid-2024, when Russia began rolling out fiber-optic tethered drones. Now they have to brace for a threat on a much larger scale. <img alt="Quadcopter drone flying with a fire extinguisher attached in a cloudy sky." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="70f326221988cb6004338272d1d8dd4d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="aa25d" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/quadcopter-drone-flying-with-a-fire-extinguisher-attached-in-a-cloudy-sky.jpg?id=65341673&width=980"/>An experimental drone is demonstrated at the Brave1 defense-tech incubator in Kyiv.DANYLO DUBCHAK/FRONTLINER/GETTY IMAGES“Today, we have a situation where we have lots of signals on the battlefield, but in the near future, in maybe two to five years, UAVs are not going to be sending any signals,” says Oleksandr Barabash, CTO of <a href="https://www.falcons.com.ua/en" target="_blank">Falcons</a>, a Ukrainian startup that has developed a smart radio-frequency detection system capable of revealing precise locations of enemy radio sources such as drones, control stations, and jammers.Last September, Falcons secured funding from the U.S.-based dual-use tech fund <a href="https://www.greenflag.vc/" target="_blank">Green Flag Ven</a><a href="https://www.greenflag.vc/" target="_blank">tures</a> to scale production of its technology and work toward NATO certification. But Barabash admits that its system, like all technologies fielded in Ukrainian war zones, has an expiration date. Instead of radio-frequency detectors, Barabash thinks, the next R&D push needs to focus on passive radar systems capable of identifying small and fast-moving targets based on the signal from sources like TV towers or radio transmitters that propagate through the environment and are reflected by those moving targets. Passive radars have a significant advantage in the war zone, according to Barabash. Since they don’t emit their own signal, they can’t be that easily discovered by the enemy.“Active radar is emitting signals, so if you are using active radars, you are target No. 1 on the front line,” Barabash says.Bondar, on the other hand, thinks that the increased onboard compute power needed for AI-controlled drones will, by itself, generate enough electromagnetic radiation to prevent autonomous drones from ever operating completely undetectably.“You can have full autonomy, but you will still have systems onboard that emit electromagnetic radiation or heat that can be detected,” says Bondar. “Batteries emit electromagnetic radiation, motors emit heat, and [that heat can be] visible in infrared from far away. You just need to have the right sensors to be able to identify it in advance.” She adds that that takeaway is “how capable contemporary detection systems have become and how technically challenging it is to design drones that can reliably operate in the Ukrainian battlefield environment.”<h2>There Will Be Nowhere to Hide from Autonomous Drones</h2>When autonomous drones become a standard weapon of war, their threat will extend far beyond the battlefields of Ukraine. Autonomous turrets and drone-interceptor fortification might soon dot the perimeter of European cities, particularly in the eastern part of the continent. <img alt="Person holding gray drone against a blue sky, preparing to launch it." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c480e8fb2bdf2e560c142729e35c7320" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="f9032" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/person-holding-gray-drone-against-a-blue-sky-preparing-to-launch-it.jpg?id=65327903&width=980"/>A fixed-wing drone is tested in Ukraine in April 2025.ANDREWKRAVCHENKO/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGESNefarious actors from all over the world have closely watched Ukraine and taken notes, warns Lange. Today, FPV drones are being used b<a href="https://gnet-research.org/2025/07/30/weaponised-skies-the-expansion-of-terrorist-drone-use-across-africa/" target="_blank">y</a> <a href="https://gnet-research.org/2025/07/30/weaponised-skies-the-expansion-of-terrorist-drone-use-across-africa/" target="_blank">Islamic terrorists in Africa</a> and <a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/drug-cartels-are-adopting-cutting-edge-drone-technology-heres-how-the-us-must-adapt/#%3A~%3Atext%3DIf%20confirmed%2C%20this%20would%20suggest%2CUS%20homeland%20security%E2%80%94are%20profound" target="_blank">Mexican drug cartels</a> to fight against local authorities.When autonomous killing machines become widely available, it’s likely that no city will be safe. “We might see nets above city centers, protecting civilian streets,” Lange says. “In every case, the West needs to start performing similar kinetic-defense development that we see in Ukraine. Very rapid iteration and testing cycles to find solutions.”Azhnyuk is concerned that the historic defenders of Europe—the United States and the European countries themselves—are falling behind. “We are in danger,” he says. While Russia and Ukraine made major strides in their drones and countermeasures over the past year, “Europe and the United States have progressed, in the best-case scenario, from the winter-of-2022 technology to the summer-of-2022 technology.“The gap is getting wider,” he warns. “I think the next few years are very dangerous for the security of Europe.” This article appears in the April 2026 print issue as “Rise of the AUTONOMOUS Attack Drones.”

Mar 23, 2026

Remembering IEEE Power & Energy Society Leader Mel Olken

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-adult-white-woman-with-short-brown-hair-smiling-and-shaking-hands-with-an-older-white-man-while-receiving-an-award.jpg?id=65341623&width=600&height=600&coordinates=250%2C0%2C250%2C0"/> <h2>Mel Olken</h2>Former executive director of the IEEE Power & Energy SocietyFellow, 92; died 9 JanuaryOlken became the first executive director of the <a href="https://ieee-pes.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Power & Energy Society</a> (PES) in 1995. In 2002 he left the position to serve as founding editor in chief of the society’s <a href="https://ieee-pes.org/publication-item/power-energy-magazine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Power & Energy Magazine</a>. Olken led the publication until 2016, when he retired.After receiving a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the <a href="https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/?srsltid=AfmBOopCvH6eSvBfUYKD5FUuofKgmij7k0i5ekpVX8CdRpBYYFMlhLWM" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City College of New York</a>, Olken was hired as an electrical engineer by <a href="https://www.aep.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">American Electric Power</a>, a utility based in Columbus, Ohio. He helped design coal, hydroelectric, and <a data-linked-post="2674407523" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/80-billion-us-nuclear-power" target="_blank">nuclear power plants</a>. While at AEP, he was promoted to manager of the electrical generation department.He joined IEEE in 1958 and became a <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-student-scholarship-boost" target="_blank">PES</a> member in 1973. An active volunteer, he chaired the society’s <a href="https://ieee-pes.org/technical-activities/committees/energy-development-power-generation-committee-edpg/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">energy development and power generation committee</a> and its <a href="https://ieee-pes.org/technical-activities/technical-council/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">technical council</a>.Olken was elected an IEEE Fellow in 1988 for “contributions to innovative design of reliable generating stations.”He became an IEEE staff member in 1984 as society services director for <a href="https://ta.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Technical Activities</a>. From 1990 to 1995 he served as managing director of Regional Activities group (now <a href="https://www.ieee.org/communities/geographic-activities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Member and Geographic Activities</a>), before becoming PES executive director.He received a PES <a href="https://ieee-pes.org/about-pes/awards-scholarships/ieee-power-energy-society-lifetime-achievement-award/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lifetime Achievement Award</a> in 2012 for his “broad and sustained technical contributions to the development of power engineering and the power engineering profession.”<h2>Stephanie A. Huguenin</h2>Research scientistIEEE member, 48; died 1 OctoberHuguenin was an administrative assistant in the <a href="https://www.augusta.edu/scimath/physics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">physics and biophysics department</a> at <a href="https://www.augusta.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Augusta University</a>, in Georgia. According to her Augusta <a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theaugustapress/name/stephanie-huguenin-obituary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">obituary</a>, she died of an illness acquired during her volunteer work in India.She received a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1999 from the <a href="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-of-charleston-3428" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">College of Charleston</a>, in South Carolina. During her senior year, she worked as a mathematics and science tutor at the Jenkins Orphanage (now the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenkins_Orphanage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jenkins Institute for Children</a>), in North Charleston. After graduating, Huguenin traveled to India to volunteer at an orphanage run by the <a href="https://motherteresafoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mother Teresa Foundation</a>.Upon returning to the United States in 2001, Huguenin worked as a freelance research consultant. Three years later she was hired as a systems administrator and archivist by photographer <a href="https://ebetroberts.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ebet Roberts</a> in New York City. In 2010 she left to work as an operations strategist and technical consultant.She earned a master’s degree in communication and research science in 2016 from <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New York University</a>. While at NYU, she conducted experimental and theoretical research in Internet Protocol design and implementation as well as network security and management.From 2020 to 2024 she was a research scientist at businesses owned by her family. She joined Augusta University in 2023.She was a member of the <a href="https://www.ieee.org/membership-catalog/productdetail/showProductDetailPage.html?product=MEMGRS029" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society</a> and the <a href="https://ieeesystemscouncil.org/ieee-systems-council-welcome" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Systems Council</a>.Huguenin volunteered for the <a href="https://www.ietf.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Internet Engineering Task Force</a>, a standards development organization, and the <a href="https://www.arin.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">American Registry for Internet Numbers</a>. ARIN manages and distributes internet number resources such as IP addresses and autonomous system numbers.The nonprofits she supported included the <a href="https://coastalconservationleague.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coastal Conservation League</a>, the <a href="https://longleafalliance.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Longleaf Alliance</a>, the <a href="https://lowcountrylandtrust.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lowcountry Land Trust</a>, the <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nature Conservancy</a>, and <a href="https://www.womenindefense.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women in Defense</a>.

Mar 23, 2026

Transforming Data Science With NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/computer-setup-with-a-monitor-displaying-forest-graphics-keyboard-mouse-and-a-sleek-cpu-design.png?id=65315285&width=600&height=600&coordinates=346%2C0%2C346%2C0"/> This is a sponsored article brought to you by <a href="https://www.pny.com/" target="_blank">PNY Technologies</a>.In today’s data-driven world, data scientists face mounting challenges in preparing, scaling, and processing massive datasets. Traditional CPU-based systems are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of modern AI and analytics workflows. <a href="https://www.pny.com/nvidia-rtx-pro-6000-blackwell-ws?iscommercial=true&utm_source=IEEE+Spectrum+Blog&utm_medium=RTX+PRO+6000+body&utm_campaign=Blackwell+Workstation&utm_id=RTX+PRO+6000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NVIDIA RTX PROTM 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition</a> offers a transformative solution, delivering accelerated computing performance and seamless integration into enterprise environments.<h2>Key Challenges for Data Science</h2><ul><li>Data Preparation: Data preparation is a complex, time-consuming process that takes most of a data scientist’s time.</li><li>Scaling: Volume of data is growing at a rapid pace. Data scientists may resort to downsampling datasets to make large datasets more manageable, leading to suboptimal results.</li><li>Hardware: Demand for accelerated AI hardware for data centers and cloud service providers (CSPs) is exceeding supply. Current desktop computing resources may not be suitable for data science workflows.</li></ul><h2>Benefits of RTX PRO-Powered AI Workstations</h2>NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition delivers ultimate acceleration for data science and AI workflows. These powerful and robust workstations enable real-time rendering, rapid prototyping, and seamless collaboration. With support for up to four <a href="https://www.pny.com/nvidia-rtx-pro-6000-blackwell-max-q?iscommercial=true&utm_source=IEEE+Spectrum+Blog&utm_medium=RTX+PRO+6000+Blackwell+Max-Q+body&utm_campaign=Blackwell+Workstation&utm_id=RTX+PRO+6000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Max-Q Workstation Edition</a> GPUs, users can achieve data center-level performance right at their desk, making even the most demanding tasks manageable. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jwxxgHsU1jA?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe> PNY is redefining professional computing with the ‪@NVIDIA‬ RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition, the most powerful desktop GPU ever built. Engineered for unmatched compute power, massive memory capacity, and breakthrough performance, this cutting-edge solution delivers a quantum leap forward in workflow efficiency, enabling professionals to tackle the most demanding applications with ease.PNYNVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition empowers data scientists to handle massive datasets, perform advanced visualizations, and support multi-user environments without compromise. It’s ideal for organizations scaling up their analytics or running complex models. NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition is optimized for AI workflows, leveraging the NVIDIA AI software stack, including CUDA-X, and NVIDIA Enterprise software. These platforms enable zero-code-change acceleration for Python-based workflows and support over 100 AI-powered applications, streamlining everything from data preparation to model deployment.Finally, NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition offers significant advantages in security and cost control. By offloading compute from the data center and reducing reliance on cloud resources, organizations can lower expenses and keep sensitive data on-premises for enhanced protection.<h2>Accelerate Every Step of Your Workflow</h2>NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition is designed to transform the entire data science pipeline, delivering end-to-end acceleration from data preparation to model deployment. With NVIDIA CUDA-X open-source data science cuDF library and other GPU-accelerated libraries, data scientists can process massive datasets at lightning speed, often achieving up to 50X faster performance compared to traditional CPU-based tools. This means tasks like cleaning data, managing missing values, and engineering features can be completed in seconds, not hours, allowing teams to focus on extracting insights and building better models.NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition is designed to transform the entire data science pipeline, delivering end-to-end acceleration from data preparation to model deploymentExploratory data analysis is elevated with advanced analytics and interactive visualizations, powered by NVIDIA CUDA-X and PyData libraries. These tools enable users to create expansive, responsive visualizations that enhance understanding and support critical decision-making. When it comes to model training, GPU-accelerated XGBoost slashes training times from weeks to minutes, enabling rapid iteration and faster time-to-market AI solutions.NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition streamlines collaboration and scalability. With NVIDIA AI Workbench, teams can set up projects, develop, and collaborate seamlessly across desktops, cloud platforms, and data centers. The unified software stack ensures compatibility and robustness, while enterprise-grade hardware maximizes uptime and reliability for demanding workflows.By integrating these advanced capabilities, NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition empowers data scientists to overcome bottlenecks, boost productivity, and drive innovation, making them an essential foundation for modern, enterprise-ready AI development.<h2>Performance Benchmarks</h2>NVIDIA’s cuDF library offers zero-code change acceleration for pandas, delivering up to 50X performance gains. For example, a join operation that takes nearly 5 minutes on CPU completes in just 14 seconds on GPU. Advanced group by operations drop from almost 4 minutes to just 4 seconds.<h2>Enterprise-Ready Solutions from PNY</h2> <img alt="Black PNY logo with stylized uppercase letters on a transparent background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="247ffcd9e141f1fc61c5172c5440d97e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="170af" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/black-pny-logo-with-stylized-uppercase-letters-on-a-transparent-background.png?id=65315393&width=980"/>Available from leading OEM manufacturers, NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition Series GPUs are specifically engineered to meet the rigorous demands of enterprise environments. These systems incorporate NVIDIA Connect-X networking, now available at PNY and a comprehensive suite of deployment and support tools, ensuring seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure.Designed for scalability, the latest generation of workstations can tackle complex AI development workflows at scale for training, development, or inferencing. Enterprise-grade hardware maximizes uptime and reliability.To learn more about NVIDIA RTX PRO™ Blackwell solutions, visit: <a href="https://www.pny.com/professional/software-solutions/blackwell-architecture?utm_source=IEEE+Spectrum+Blog&utm_medium=Blackwell+Desktop+GPUs+learn+more&utm_campaign=Blackwell+Workstation&utm_id=RTX+PRO+6000" target="_blank">NVIDIA RTX PRO Blackwell | PNY Pro | pny.com</a> or email <a href="mailto:gopny@pny.com" target="_blank">GOPNY@PNY.COM</a>

Mar 23, 2026

Why Thermal Metrology Must Evolve for Next-Generation Semiconductors

Mar 22, 2026

What Happens If AI Makes Things Too Easy for Us?

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/portrait-of-a-young-white-brunette-woman-behind-her-is-a-collage-of-crumpled-paper-balls-and-ai-sparkle-icons.jpg?id=65324044&width=600&height=600&coordinates=625%2C0%2C625%2C0"/> Most people who regularly use AI tools would say they’re making their lives easier. The technology promises to streamline and take over tasks both professionally and personally—whether that’s summarizing documents, drafting deliverables, generating code, or even offering emotional support. But researchers are concerned AI is making some tasks too easy, and that this will come with unexpected costs.In a commentary titled <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-026-00402-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Against Frictionless AI</a>, published in Communications Psychology on 24 February, psychologists from the University of Toronto discuss what might be lost when AI removes too much effort from human activities. Their argument centers on the idea that friction—difficulty, struggle, and even discomfort—plays an important role in learning, motivation, and meaning. Psychological research has long shown that <a href="https://www.media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/" target="_blank">effortful engagement</a> can deepen understanding and strengthen memory, sometimes described as “desirable difficulties.” The authors worry that AI systems capable of instantly producing polished answers or highly responsive conversation may bypass these processes of learning and motivation. By prioritizing outcomes over effort, AI could weaken the experiences that help people develop skills, build relationships, and find meaning in their work.IEEE Spectrum spoke with the paper’s lead author, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-zohar/?originalSubdomain=ca" target="_blank">Emily Zohar</a>, an experimental psychology Ph.D. student, about why she and her coauthors (psychologists <a href="https://www.psych.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/paul-bloom" target="_blank">Paul Bloom</a> and <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/psych/person/michael-inzlicht" target="_blank">Michael Inzlicht</a>) argue that friction matters—and what a more human-centered approach to AI design could look like.When you say “friction,” what do you mean, from both a cognitive and an interpersonal standpoint? Zohar: We define friction as any difficulty encountered during goal pursuit. In the context of work, it involves mental effort—rumination and persistence, staying on a problem for some time, and this helps solidify the idea and the creative process.In relationships, friction involves disagreement, compromise, misunderstanding, a back and forth that is natural where you don’t always see eye to eye, and it helps you broaden your horizons. Even the feeling of loneliness is important. It motivates you to find social interactions. So having these negative feelings and difficulty is important in the social context.Given that definition, what do you mean by “frictionless” AI?Zohar: Frictionless AI refers to the excessive removal of effort from cognitive and social tasks. With AI, as we typically use it, it’s really easy to go from ideation right to the end product. You ask AI to solve something with one prompt, and it completes the whole thing. This is a problem because it takes away the intermediate steps that really drive motivation and learning, and it prioritizes outcome over process. Rather than working through the steps, AI does that meaningful work for you. There’s a lot of research showing <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.14511" target="_blank">work products</a> are better with AI. That makes sense, it has all this knowledge, but it does worry us as it may be eroding something essential that will have long-term consequences. If you’re faced with the same problem and AI is removed, you don’t have the required knowledge to know how to face the problem next time.You argue that removing friction can harm learning and relationships. What role do effort and struggle play in human development?Zohar: In learning, the term is “desirable difficulties.” It’s the idea of effort and work, not just any effort but manageable effort. Facing problems that you can overcome, but you have to work at them a bit, that’s the key idea of friction. We don’t want you to face insurmountable problems. We want you to work hard, but still be able to overcome it. This helps you really digest information and learn from it.In interpersonal relationships, you have to face some difficulties to see other perspectives and learn from them, and learn to be accepting of others. If you’re used to an AI reinforcing all your ideas and being sycophantic, you’ll come into the real world and you won’t be used to seeing other ideas. You won’t know how to interact socially because you’ll expect people to always be on your side and agree with you. You won’t learn that life doesn’t always go exactly how you expect it to, and conversations don’t always go the way you want them to.<h2>AI’s Impact on Creative Processes</h2>A lot of technologies have historically aimed to reduce effort: calculators, washing machines, spell-check. What’s different about AI?Zohar: Past technologies have mostly focused on reducing physical effort. We don’t have to go down to the lake to wash our laundry anymore. [Past technologies] took away the mundane tasks that weren’t driving our learning and growth, they were just adding unneeded obstacles and taking away time from more important tasks.But AI is taking away effort from creative and cognitive processes that drive meaning, motivation, and learning. That’s a key difference, because it’s not taking away friction from tasks that don’t serve us. It’s taking away friction from experiences that are really important and integral to our development.Are there contexts where AI is already removing beneficial friction? How might the impacts of reduced friction show up over time?Zohar: One clear example is writing. People increasingly rely on AI to draft everything from emails to essays, removing many instances of beneficial friction. Research shows that people trust responses less when they learn they were written by AI, judge AI-generated products as less creative and less valuable, and have greater difficulty remembering their own work products when they were produced with AI assistance. Outsourcing writing to AI strips away both social and cognitive friction.<a data-linked-post="2671645555" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/vibe-coding" target="_blank">Vibe coding</a> is another good example. If you’re a programmer, coding is integral to what drives your meaning. People get meaning out of their work, and if you’re substituting that with AI, it could be detrimental. The negative impact of frictionless AI is that it takes away friction from things that are really important to who you are as a person, and your skills.One area I worry about a lot is <a data-linked-post="2656019975" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/kids-ai" target="_blank">adolescents using AI in general</a>. It’s a really important developmental period to learn and grow and find the path you’ll follow. So if you don’t have these effortful interactions with work and relationships that teach you how to think, this will have long-term detrimental impacts. They might not be able to think critically in the same way, because they never had to before. If they’re turning to AI for social relationships at such a young age, that could really erode important skills they should be learning at that age.What is productive friction?Zohar: Friction goes along a continuum. With too little friction, you’re not getting learning and motivation. Too much friction and the task becomes overwhelming. Productive friction falls right in the middle, where struggle leads to achievement. It’s effortful but possible, and it requires you to think critically and work on a problem for some time or face some difficulty in the process.An example we used in the paper is the difference between taking a chairlift and hiking up a mountain. They both get to the top, but with the chairlift, you don’t get any growth benefits, while the hiker’s climb involves difficulties and a sense of achievement. It becomes much more of an experience and a learning opportunity versus the person who just went up the chairlift effortlessly.Do you envision AI that sometimes deliberately slows people down or asks them to do part of the work themselves?Zohar: It’s important in behavioral science to think about the default option, because people don’t usually change their default. So right now, the default in AI is to give you your answer and probe you to keep going down the rabbit hole. But I think we could think about AI in a different way. Maybe we can make the default more constructive. Instead of just jumping to the answer, it’s more of a process model where it helps you think about the problem and teaches you along the way, so it’s more collaborative rather than a one-stop shop for the answer.How might users of these systems and the companies developing them feel about such a design shift?Zohar: For the makers of these systems, the biggest concern is the pushback. People are used to going in and just getting the answer, and they might be really resistant to a design that makes them work more for it. But it might feed more engagement, because you have to go back and forth and find the answer together.Ultimately I think it has to come from the companies making these models, if they think [a more friction-full design] would help people. Friction-full AI is more of a long-term product. It’s hard to say if that would motivate companies to change their models to include moderate friction. But in the long term, I think this would be beneficial.

Mar 21, 2026

Video Friday: Humanoid Learns Tennis Skills Playing Humans

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/robot-playing-tennis-holding-racket-on-green-court-inset-shows-human-opponent-hitting-ball.png?id=65325604&width=600&height=600&coordinates=448%2C0%2C449%2C0"/> Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please <a href="mailto:automaton@ieee.org?subject=Robotics%20event%20suggestion%20for%20Video%20Friday">send us your events</a> for inclusion.<h5><a href="https://2026.ieee-icra.org/">ICRA 2026</a>: 1–5 June 2026, VIENNA</h5><h5><a href="https://mrs.fel.cvut.cz/summer-school-2026/">Summer School on Multi-Robot Systems</a>: 29 July–4 August 2026, PRAGUE</h5>Enjoy today’s videos!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><div style="page-break-after: always"> </div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="23zsarayx6o">Human athletes demonstrate versatile and highly dynamic tennis skills to successfully conduct competitive rallies with a high-speed tennis ball. However, reproducing such behaviors on humanoid robots is difficult, partially due to the lack of perfect humanoid action data or human kinematic motion data in tennis scenarios as reference. In this work, we propose LATENT, a system that Learns Athletic humanoid TEnnis skills from imperfect human motioN daTa.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/23ZsaraYX6o?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://zzk273.github.io/LATENT/">LATENT</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>A beautifully designed robot inspired by Strandbeests.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CwItHPe4HnA?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2026/wind-powered-robot-could-enable-long-term-exploration-of-hostile-environments">Cranfield University</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="uvqdqf8ppuw">We believe we’re the first robotics company to demonstrate a robot peeling an apple with dual dexterous humanlike hands. This breakthrough closes a key gap in robotics, achieving bimanual, contact-rich manipulation and moving far beyond the limits of simple grippers.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UVQdqf8ppuw?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe><blockquote>Today’s AI models (VLMs) are excellent at perception but struggle with action. Controlling high-degree-of-freedom hands for tasks like this is incredibly complex, and precise finger-level teleoperation is nearly impossible for humans. Our first step was a shared-autonomy system: rather than controlling every finger, the operator triggers prelearned skills like a “rotate apple or tennis ball” primitive via a keyboard press or pedal. This makes scalable data collection and RL training possible. How does the AI manage this? We created “<a data-linked-post="2674040994" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/video-friday-google-gemini-robotics" target="_blank">MoDE-VLA</a>” (Mixture of Dexterous Experts). It fuses vision, language, force, and touch data by using a team of specialist “experts,” making control in high-dimensional spaces stable and effective. The combination of these two innovations allows for seamless, contact-rich manipulation. The human provides high-level guidance, and the robot executes the complex in-hand coordination required.</blockquote>[ <a href="https://www.sharpa.com/">Sharpa</a> ]Thanks, Alex!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="pczsnnwxvia">It was great to see our name amongst the other “AI Native” companies during the <a data-linked-post="2676218078" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nvidia-groq-3" target="_blank">NVIDIA GTC</a> keynote. NVIDIA Isaac Lab helps us train reinforcement learning policies that enable the UMV to drive, jump, flip, and hop like a pro.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pcZSNNWXviA?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://rai-inst.com/">Robotics and AI Institute</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="iojvnq-zhww">This Finger-Tip Changer technology was jointly researched and developed through a collaboration between Tesollo and RoCogMan LaB at Hanyang University ERICA. The project integrates Tesollo’s practical robotic hand development experience with the lab’s expertise in robotic manipulation and gripper design.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iojvNQ-Zhww?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>I don’t know why more robots don’t do this. Also, those pointy fingertips are terrifying.[ <a href="http://bmr.hanyang.ac.kr/">RoCogMan LaB</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Here’s an upcoming ICRA paper from the Fluent Robotics Lab at the University of Michigan featuring an operational <a data-linked-post="2650254910" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/this-is-what-pr2s-do-for-fun" target="_blank">PR2</a>! With functional batteries!!!<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z55M_um_7fQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://fluentrobotics.com/">Fluent Robotics Lab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="9qzctmarvpk">This video showcases the field tests and interaction capabilities of KAIST Humanoid v0.7, developed at the DRCD Lab featuring in-house actuators. The control policy was trained through deep reinforcement learning leveraging human demonstrations.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9qZcTMARvpk?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://dynamicrobot.kaist.ac.kr/">KAIST DRCD Lab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>This needs to come in adult size.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_WNckAf2GB8?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.deeprobotics.cn/en">Deep Robotics</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>I did not know this, but apparently shoeboxes are really annoying to manipulate because if you grab them by the lid, they just open, so specialized hardware is required.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k5WGpMENPCQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://nomagic.ai/news/zalando-to-install-up-to-50-ai-powered-nomagic-robots/">Nomagic</a> ]Thanks, Gilmarie!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="clfpxcpza14">This paper presents a method to recover quadrotor Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) from a throw, when no control parameters are known before the throw.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CLFPXcpzA14?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10801514">MAVLab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Uh-oh, robots can see glass doors now. We’re in trouble.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMeTCxGumhM?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.limxdynamics.com/en/products/oli">LimX Dynamics</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>This drone hugs trees <3<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pSHYocGOC5U?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://slap-perching.github.io/">Stanford BDML</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="afviggntkm8">Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing environmental problems in the world. As robotics and electronic systems become more widespread, their environmental footprint continues to increase. In this research, scientists developed a fully biodegradable soft robotic system that integrates electronic devices, sensors, and actuators yet completely decomposes after use.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AFVIGgntKm8?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-026-01780-4">Nature</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="yhyvrk9wce8">We developed a distributed algorithm that enables multiple aerial robots to flock together safely in complex environments, without explicit communication or prior knowledge of the surroundings, using only onboard sensors and computation. Our approach ensures collision avoidance, maintains proximity between robots, and handles uncertainties (tracking errors and sensor noise). Tested in simulations and real-world experiments with up to four drones in a dense forest, it proved robust and reliable.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yHyvrk9WCE8?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://mrs.fel.cvut.cz/rbl">RBL</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="b3v-ylwcaee">The University of Pennsylvania’s 2025 President’s Sustainability Prize winner Piotr Lazarek has developed a system that uses satellite data to pinpoint inefficiencies in farmers’ fields, conducts real-time soil analysis with autonomous drones to understand why they occur, and generates precise fertilizer application maps. His startup Nirby aims to increase productivity in farm areas that are underperforming and reduce fertilizer in high-performing ones.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b3v-yLwcAEE?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/2025-penn-presidents-sustainability-prize-recipient-nirby">University of Pennsylvania</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="wl0-pu_8f0u">The production version of Atlas is a departure from the typical humanoid form factor, favoring industrial utility over human likeness. Intended for purposeful work in an industrial setting, Atlas has a form factor that signals its role as a machine rather than a companion or friendly assistant. Join two lead hardware engineers and our head of industrial design for a technical discussion of how key product requirements, ranging from passive thermal management to a modular architecture, dictated a bold new vision for a humanoid.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wL0-Pu_8F0U?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://bostondynamics.com/blog/atlas-evolution-from-research-robot-to-industrial-humanoid/">Boston Dynamics</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="cmbbkd46z48">Dr. Christian Hubicki gives a talk exploring the common themes of modern robotics research and his time on the reality competition show, “Survivor.”</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CmBbkd46Z48?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.optimalroboticslab.com/">Optimal Robotics Lab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>

Mar 20, 2026

AI Aims for Autonomous Wheelchair Navigation

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/side-view-of-a-power-wheelchair-equipped-with-a-padded-bucket-seat-and-tablet-sized-monitor-below-a-computer-generated-maps-of.jpg?id=65316423&width=600&height=600&coordinates=625%2C0%2C625%2C0"/> Wheelchair users with severe disabilities can often navigate tight spaces better than most robotic systems can. A wave of new smart-wheelchair research, including findings presented in Anaheim, Calif., earlier this month, is now testing whether AI-powered systems can, or should, fully close this gap.<a href="https://user.informatik.uni-bremen.de/cmandel/" target="_blank">Christian Mandel</a>—senior researcher at the <a href="https://www.dfki.de/en/web" target="_blank">German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence</a> (DFKI) in Bremen, Germany—co-led a research team together with his colleague <a href="https://user.informatik.uni-bremen.de/autexier/index.php" target="_blank">Serge Autexier</a> that developed prototype sensor-equipped electric wheelchairs designed to navigate a roomful of potential obstacles. The researchers also tested a new safety system that integrated sensor data from the wheelchair and from sensors in the room, including from <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/drones" target="_self">drone</a>-based color and depth cameras.Mandel says the team’s smart wheelchairs were both semiautonomous and autonomous.“Semiautonomous is the shared control system where the person sitting in the wheelchair uses the joystick to drive,” Mandel says. “Fully autonomous is controlled by natural-language input. You say, ‘Please drive me to the coffee machine.’ ”<a href="#_msocom_2" target="_blank"></a> <img alt="Close-up of a thin rectangular camera installed underneath an electric wheelchair's joystick controller." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dbd1d07a3ba04703e3cd78d8f2980624" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="d4669" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/close-up-of-a-thin-rectangular-camera-installed-underneath-an-electric-wheelchair-s-joystick-controller.jpg?id=65317537&width=980"/> This is a close-up of the wheelchair’s joystick and camera.DFKIThe researchers conducted experiments (<a target="_blank">part of a larger project called the </a><a href="https://www.dfki.de/en/web/research/projects-and-publications/project/rexasi-pro" target="_blank">Reliable and Explainable Swarm Intelligence for People With Reduced Mobility</a>, or REXASI-PRO) using two identical smart wheelchairs that each contained two lidars, a 3D camera, odometers, user interfaces, and an embedded computer.In contrast to semiautonomous mode, where the participant controls the wheelchair with a joystick, in autonomous mode, control involves the open-source <a href="https://roboticsbackend.com/ros2-nav2-tutorial/" target="_blank">ROS2 Nav2</a> navigation system using natural-language input. The wheelchairs also used simultaneous localization and mapping (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simultaneous_localization_and_mapping" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SLAM</a>) maps and local obstacle-avoidance motion controllers.One scenario that Mandel and his team tested involved the user pressing a key on the wheelchair’s human-machine interface, speaking a command, then confirming or rejecting the instruction via that same interface. Once the user confirmed the command, the mobility device guided the user along a path to the destination, while sensors attempted to detect obstacles in the way and adjust the mobility device accordingly to avoid them.<h3>When Are Smart Wheelchairs Bad Value?</h3>According to Pooja Viswanathan, CEO & founder of the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Toronto-based</a> Braze Mobility, research in the field of mobile assistive technology should also prioritize keeping these devices readily available to everyday consumers.“Cost remains a major barrier,” she says. “Funding systems are often not designed to support advanced add-on intelligence unless there is very clear evidence of value and safety. Reliability is another barrier. A smart wheelchair has to work not just in ideal conditions, but in the messy, variable conditions of daily life. And there is also the human factors dimension. Users have different cognitive, motor, sensory, and environmental needs, so one solution rarely fits all.”For its part, Braze makes <a href="https://brazemobility.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blind-spot sensors</a> for electric wheelchairs. The sensors detect obstacles in areas that can be difficult for a user to see. The sensors can also be added to any wheelchair to transform it into a smart wheelchair by providing multimodal alerts to the user. This approach attempts to support users rather than replace them.According to Louise Devinge, a biomedical research engineer from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Institute_of_Computer_Science_and_Random_Systems" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IRISA</a> (Research Institute of Computer Science and Random Systems) in Rennes, France, the increased complexity of smart wheelchairs demands more sensing. And that requires careful management of communication and synchronization within the wheelchair’s system. “The more sensing, computation, and autonomy you add,” she says, “the harder it becomes to ensure robust performance across the full range of real-world environments that wheelchair users encounter.”In the near term, in other words, the field’s biggest challenge is not about replacing the wheelchair user with AI smarts but rather about designing better partnerships between the user and the technology. <img alt="Rendering of an electric wheelchair moving towards a wall. The chair is divided into four ground-parallel quadrants that each represent a different safety zone where intersections with obstacles are checked. At the same height as these quadrants, are four lines on the wall that represent virtual laser scans. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1834a2b260ce3cf9c3bd1863293c4d99" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="f0d73" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/rendering-of-an-electric-wheelchair-moving-towards-a-wall-the-chair-is-divided-into-four-ground-parallel-quadrants-that-each-re.jpg?id=65316452&width=980"/> This image shows data representations used by the 3D Driving Assistant. These include immutable sensor percepts such as laser scans and point clouds, as well as derived representations like the virtual laser scans and grid maps. Finally, the robot shape collection describes the wheelchair’s physical borders at different heights.DFKI<h3>Where Will Smart Wheelchairs Go From Here?</h3>Mandel says he expects to see smart wheelchairs ready for the mainstream marketplace within 10 years.Viswanathan says the REXASI-PRO system, while out of reach of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/assistive-technology-lidar-wheelchair" target="_self">present-day smart wheelchair technologies</a>, is important for the longer term. “It reflects the more ambitious end of the smart wheelchair spectrum,” she says. “Its strengths appear to lie in intelligent navigation, advanced sensing, and the broader effort to build a wheelchair that can interpret and respond to complex environments in a more autonomous way. From a research standpoint, that is exactly the kind of work that pushes the field forward. It also appears to take seriously the importance of trustworthy and explainable AI, which is essential in any mobility technology where safety, reliability, and user confidence are paramount.”Mandel says he’s ultimately in pursuit of the inspiration that got him into this field years ago. As a young researcher, he says, he helped develop a smart wheelchair system controllable with a head joystick.However, Mandel says he realized after many trials that the smart wheelchair system he was working on had a long way to go because, as he says, “at that point in time, I realized that even persons that had severe handicaps [traveling through] a narrow passage, they did very, very well.“And then I realized, okay, there is this need for this technology, but never underestimate what [wheelchair users] can do without it.”<a target="_blank">The DFKI researchers presented </a><a href="https://www.dfki.de/en/web/research/projects-and-publications/publication/16538" target="_blank">their work</a> earlier this month at the <a href="https://conference.csun.at/event/2026/session-schedule" target="_blank">CSUN Assistive Technology Conference</a> in Anaheim, Calif.This article was supported by the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/ieee-foundation" target="_self">IEEE Foundation</a> and a Jon C. Taenzer fellowship grant.

Mar 20, 2026

IEEE Partners With Academia to Create Microcredential Programs

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-small-group-of-college-students-wearing-cleansuits-and-hairnets-inside-of-a-fabrication-lab.jpg?id=65301532&width=600&height=600&coordinates=375%2C0%2C375%2C0"/> The rapid ascent of artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing has created a paradox: Industries are booming yet they face a critical shortage of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-microcredential-program" target="_self">skilled workers</a>. Demand for <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-data-centers-engineers-jobs" target="_self">data center technicians</a>, <a href="https://www.semiconductors.org/chipping-away-assessing-and-addressing-the-labor-market-gap-facing-the-u-s-semiconductor-industry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fabrication facility workers</a>, and similar positions is growing. There aren’t enough candidates with the right skill sets to fill the in-demand jobs.Although those technical roles are essential, they don’t always require a four-year degree—which has paved the way for skills-based microcredentials. By partnering with higher education institutions and training providers, industry leaders are helping to design <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/microcredentials-semiconductor-workforce-development" target="_self">targeted skills programs</a> that quickly turn learners into job-ready technical professionals.<h2>The new standard for skills validation</h2>Because microcredentials are relatively new, consistency is key. Through its <a href="https://credentials.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">credentialing program</a>, IEEE serves as a bridge between academia and industry. Developed and managed by <a href="https://ea.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Educational Activities</a>, the program offers standardized credentials in collaboration with training organizations and universities seeking to provide skills-based qualifications outside formal degree programs. <a href="https://ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE</a>, as the world’s largest technical professional organization, has more than 30 years of experience offering industry-relevant credentials and expertise in global standardization.IEEE is setting the <a href="https://credentials.ieee.org/news/5-benefits-microcredentials-provide-training-providers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">benchmark</a> for skills-based microcredentials by establishing a framework that includes assessment methods, qualifications for instructors and assessors, and criteria for skill levels.A recent collaboration with the <a href="https://viterbischool.usc.edu/news/2024/10/california-dreams-offers-ieee-certified-cleanroom-microcredentials/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University of Southern California</a>, in Los Angeles, for example, developed microcredentials for USC’s semiconductor cleanroom program. USC heads the <a href="https://ca-dreams.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CA Dreams</a> microelectronics innovation hub.“The IEEE framework allows us to rapidly prototype training programs and adapt on the fly in a way that building new university courses—much less degree programs—won’t allow.” —Adam StiegIEEE worked with USC to create <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-microcredential-program" target="_self">standardized skills assessments</a> and associated microcredentials so that industry hiring managers can recognize the newly developed skills. The microcredentials help people with or without four-year degrees join the semiconductor industry as cleanroom technicians or as engineers with cleanroom experience.IEEE also has partnered with the <a href="https://cnsi.ucla.edu/" target="_blank">California NanoSystems Institute</a> at the <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University of California, Los Angeles</a>, to create skills-based microcredentials for its <a href="https://cnsi.ucla.edu/technology-training-program/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cleanroom protocol and safety program</a>.<h2>Best practices for designing microcredentials</h2>Based on IEEE’s work designing microcredentials with USC, UCLA, and other leading academic institutions, three best practices have emerged.<h4>1. Align with industry needs before design.</h4>Collaborate with industry prior to starting the design process. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Workforce needs vary based on industry sector, company size, and geography. Higher education institutions and training providers build relationships with companies and industry groups to create effective microcredential programs and methods of assessment.<h4>2. Build for flexibility.</h4>Traditional academic cycles can be slow, but technology moves fast. A flexible skills-based microcredentials framework allows programs to create or pivot as new breakthroughs occur.“Setting up a credit-bearing course is not easy. And in a rapidly changing environment, you need to pivot quickly,” says <a href="https://cnsi.ucla.edu/adamstieg/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adam Stieg</a>, research scientist and associate director at UCLA’s CNSI. “IEEE skills-based microcredentials are a flexible way to keep up our curriculum aligned with an evolving technology landscape.”Stieg’s team worked with IEEE to build a framework to create microcredentials for its cleanroom protocol and safety program, ensuring it kept pace with the industry’s evolution.“The IEEE framework allows us to rapidly prototype training programs and adapt on the fly,” he says, “in a way that building new university courses—much less degree programs—won’t allow.”<h4>3. Implement a continuous-feedback loop.</h4>Many of the technical roles companies are looking to fill in emerging fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and semiconductors are still being developed or are quickly evolving. The rapidly changing landscape requires continual communications and feedback among higher education, training providers, and industry.“We struggle to have feedback loops through the education system to the industry and back again,” says Matt Francis, president and CEO of <a href="https://www.ozarkic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ozark Integrated Circuits</a>, in Fayetteville, Ark. Francis, who has served as <a href="https://r5.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Region 5</a> director, is an IEEE volunteer who supports workforce development for the semiconductor industry.Creating consistent feedback loops is critical for generating consensus on the skills sets needed for microcredential programs, experts say, and it allows providers to update assessments as new tools and safety protocols enter the workplace.“If we start thinking about having training frameworks used within companies that are essentially on some sort of standard and align with a microcredential, we can start to build consensus,” Francis says.<h2>Getting started</h2>Through its credentialing program, IEEE is helping higher education and industry work together to bridge the technical workforce skills gap. <a href="https://credentials.ieee.org/contact/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contact its team</a> to learn how IEEE skills-based microcredentials can help you fill your workforce pipeline.

Mar 19, 2026

Nigerian Firms Embrace Kit-Based EV Assembly for Cost Savings

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-small-group-of-nigerian-men-unloading-an-suv-from-the-back-of-a-semi-truck.jpg?id=65317758&width=600&height=600&coordinates=250%2C0%2C250%2C0"/> A growing number of Nigerian companies are turning to kit-based assembly to bring electric vehicles to market in Africa. Lagos-based <a href="https://saglev.com/" target="_blank">Saglev Micromobility Nigeria</a> recently partnered with <a href="https://www.dongfeng-global.com/" target="_blank">Dongfeng Motor Corp.</a>, in Wuhan, China, to assemble 18-seat electric passenger vans from imported kits.Kit-based assembly allows Nigerian firms to reduce costs, create jobs, and develop local technical expertise—key steps toward expanding EV access. Fully assembled and imported EVs face high tariffs that put them out of reach for many African consumers, whereas kit-based approaches make electric mobility more affordable today. Saglev’s initiative reflects a broader trend: <a href="https://cigmotors.com.ng/" target="_blank">CIG Motors</a>, <a href="https://nev-electric.com/" target="_blank">NEV Electric</a>, and regional players in Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, and Kenya are also leveraging imported kits to build local EV ecosystems, signaling that parts of West Africa are intent on catching up with global electrification efforts.<h2>Expanding the Local EV Ecosystem</h2>CIG Motors operates a kit-assembly plant in Lagos producing vehicles from Chinese automakers <a href="https://gac.com.bd/" target="_blank">GAC Motor</a> and <a href="https://www.wuling.com.hk/" target="_blank">Wuling Motors</a>. These vehicles include the <a href="https://wulingcars.com/product/wuling-binguo/" target="_blank">Wuling Bingo</a>, a compact five-door electric hatchback, and the <a href="https://wulingcars.com/product/wuling-hongguang-mini-ev/" target="_blank">Hongguang Mini EV Macaron</a>, a microcar with roughly 200 kilometers of range aimed at ride-share operators looking for ultralow-cost urban transport. NEV Electric focuses on electric buses and three-wheelers for urban transit and last-mile delivery.Saglev’s CEO, Olu Faleye, emphasizes that Nigeria’s <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/collections/the-ev-transition-explained/" target="_self">EV transition</a> addresses both practical economic needs in addition to environmental goals. Beyond passenger transport, electric vehicles could help reduce one of Nigeria’s persistent agricultural challenges: postharvest spoilage. Nigeria loses an estimated 30 million to 40 million tonnes of food annually because of weak logistics and limited refrigeration infrastructure, according to the <a href="https://www.otaccwa.com/" target="_blank">Organization for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa</a>.Electric vans, minitrucks, and three-wheel cargo vehicles could help close this gap because their batteries can power refrigeration systems during transport without relying on costly diesel fuel. As EV adoption grows and charging infrastructure expands, temperature-controlled transport could become more affordable, reducing spoilage, improving farmer incomes, and helping stabilize food supplies, the organization says.“I don’t believe that the promised land is making a fully built EV on the ground here.” –Olu Faleye, Saglev CEOBeyond Nigeria, Mombasa, Kenya–based <a href="https://ava.co.ke/" target="_blank">Associated Vehicle Assemblers</a> has begun making electric taxis and minibuses from imported kits, and Ghana’s government is spurring kit-car assembly there under its national <a href="https://ghanaautodevcentre.org/ghana-automotive-development-policy-gadp/" target="_blank">Automotive Development Plan</a>. In Ghana, assemblers benefit from import-duty exemptions on kits and equipment, corporate tax breaks, and access to industrial infrastructure. Saglev is already availing itself of those benefits, at its kit-assembly plant in Accra, Ghana. The company says it also plans to expand its assembly operations to Côte D’Ivoire.<h2>Infrastructure Challenges and Workarounds</h2>Despite these signs that West Africa’s EV ecosystem is gaining traction, limited <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/multiphysics-simulation-power-grid" target="_self">grid reliability</a> and sparse <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ev-charging-2671242103" target="_self">public charging</a> infrastructure remain major barriers to widespread EV adoption. Urban households in Nigeria experience roughly <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCtddkBiu9E/?img_index=1" target="_blank">six or seven blackouts per week</a>, each lasting about 12 hours, according to Nigeria’s <a href="https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/" target="_blank">National Bureau of Statistics</a>. That’s more downtime each day than <a href="https://thesiliconreview.com/2025/12/the-silicon-reviewdec-2025us-power-outages-decade-high-eia" target="_blank">the average U.S. household experiences in a year.</a> More than <a href="https://guardian.ng/features/exploring-renewable-energy-options-to-nigerias-electricity-production-crisis/" target="_blank">40 percent of households rely on generators</a>, which supply about 44 percent of residential electricity, according to research by <a href="https://www.stears.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stears</a> and <a href="https://sterling.ng/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sterling Bank</a>.Many early EV adopters therefore charge vehicles using gasoline or diesel generators. Faleye notes that Nigerians have long relied on such workarounds and expects fossil fuels to remain part of the EV charging equation for the foreseeable future—at least until falling costs for <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/solar-and-energy-storage-combine-for-one-power-energy-solution" target="_self">solar panels and battery storage</a> make cleaner charging viable.He acknowledges that charging EVs using hydrocarbons is fraught from an environmental perspective, but he points out that the practice at least brings other benefits of EVs, including lower maintenance costs and the EVs’ synergies with <a href="https://www.patheon.com/us/en/our-capabilities/clinical-trial-services/cold-chain-management-logistics.html?s_kwcid=AL%2117512%213%21791829838484%21e%21%21g%21%21cold+chain+logistics%2111440275260%21110252175325&ef_id=Cj0KCQjwsdnNBhC4ARIsAA_3heiAWTA0V0-sSl4MYLG_Ev-X88zuSFdP2LLLauvyDE92yAacdt-RM_MaArtVEALw_wcB%3AG%3As&utm_campaign=paid-search&utm_campaignchild=Clinical-Trial-Services&utm_specialty=Cold-Chain&utm_campaignregion=global&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaignassettype=web-page&utm_term=cold+chain+logistics&KW=cold+chain+logistics&AG=110252175325&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11440275260&gbraid=0AAAAADkPZ_WxWM0ynkiLfuuw8bFTR0b-K&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsdnNBhC4ARIsAA_3heiAWTA0V0-sSl4MYLG_Ev-X88zuSFdP2LLLauvyDE92yAacdt-RM_MaArtVEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">refrigeration and transportation logistics</a>. And he points to a 2020 <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020SJRUE..24..669A/abstract" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">peer-reviewed study</a> in the journal Environmental and Climate Technologies that compared the overall efficiency of internal combustion vehicles and electric vehicles across the full well-to-wheel energy chain. The study’s conclusion: Even after accounting for conversion losses, generating electricity with a diesel or gasoline generator to power an electric vehicle can remain just as efficient overall as burning the same fuel directly in a vehicle’s internal combustion engine. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/33zzeM4KrgM?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe> Workers at Saglev’s Lagos, Nigeria, EV assembly plant put the finishing touches on partially assembled vehicle kits imported from China. Saglev <h2>Scalable EV Adoption in Nigeria</h2>The approach taken by Saglev and other Nigerian kit-car builders shows how local assembly can advance EV adoption even where infrastructure remains unreliable. By starting with kits, companies can deploy practical electric mobility solutions now while building the supply chains and technical expertise needed for more resource-intensive localized production.Still, when asked whether Saglev plans to eventually move beyond kit assembly to independent design and manufacturing of EVs, Faleye calls such a move impractical.“I don’t believe that the promised land is making a fully built EV on the ground here,” he says. “For me to do efficient vehicle manufacturing, I’d need a lot of <a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/news/ai-robots-auto-industry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">robotics</a> and <a href="https://www.3dsystems.com/automotive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3D printing</a>. That expense is unnecessary—it would just increase costs and make EVs more expensive.”In a country where electricity can disappear for days, Nigeria’s kit-based EV strategy highlights a practical truth: Incremental progress and ingenuity may matter more than perfect infrastructure. For Saglev, every kit-based vehicle rolling off the line is not just a van or bus—it’s a step toward an EV ecosystem that works for Nigeria’s realities today.

Mar 19, 2026

How Your Virtual Twin Could One Day Save Your Life

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/two-color-coded-computer-simulations-of-a-human-heart-the-simulation-on-the-left-shows-the-muscle-structure-and-the-simulation.png?id=65278129&width=600&height=600&coordinates=251%2C0%2C252%2C0"/> One morning in May 2019, a cardiac surgeon stepped into the operating room at Boston Children’s Hospital more prepared than ever before to perform a high-risk procedure to rebuild a child’s heart. The surgeon was experienced, but he had an additional advantage: He had already performed the procedure on this child dozens of times—virtually. He knew exactly what to do before the first cut was made. Even more important, he knew which strategies would provide the best possible outcome for the child whose life was in his hands.How was this possible? Over the prior weeks, the hospital’s surgical and cardio-engineering teams had come together to build a fully functioning model of the child’s heart and surrounding vascular system from MRI and CT scans. They began by carefully converting the medical imaging into a 3D model, then used physics to bring the 3D heart to life, creating a dynamic <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/virtual-hearts-improve-cardiac-surgery" target="_self">digital replica</a> of the patient’s physiology. The mock-up reproduced this particular heart’s unique behavior, including details of blood flow, pressure differentials, and muscle-tissue stresses.This type of model, known as a virtual twin, can do more than identify medical problems—it can provide detailed diagnostic insights. In Boston, the team used the model to predict how the child’s heart would respond to any cut or stitch, allowing the surgeon to test many strategies to find the best one for this patient’s exact anatomy.That day, the stakes were high. With the patient’s unique condition—a heart defect in which large holes between the atria and ventricles were causing blood to flow between all four chambers—there was no manual or textbook to fully guide the doctors. The condition strains the lungs, so the doctors planned an open-heart surgery to reroute deoxygenated blood from the lower body directly to the lungs, bypassing the heart. Typically with this kind of surgery, decisions would be made on the fly, under demanding conditions, and with high uncertainty. But in this case, the plan had been tested in advance, and the entire team had rehearsed it before the first incision. The surgery was a complete success.Such procedures have become routine at the Boston hospital. Since that first patient, nearly 2,000 procedures have been guided by virtual-twin modeling. This is the power of the technology behind the <a href="https://www.3ds.com/3dexperiencelab/portfolio/living-heart" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Living Heart Project</a>, which I launched in 2014, five years before that first procedure. The project started as an exploratory initiative to see if modeling the human heart was possible. Now with more than 150 member organizations across 28 countries, the project includes dozens of multidisciplinary teams that regularly use multiscale virtual twins of the heart and other vital organs.This technology is reshaping how we understand and treat the human body. To reach this transformative moment, we had to solve a fundamental challenge: building a digital heart accurate enough—and trustworthy enough—to guide real clinical decisions.<h2>A father’s concern</h2>Now entering its second decade, the Living Heart Project was born in part from a personal conviction. For many years, I had watched helplessly as my daughter Jesse faced endless diagnostic uncertainty due to a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4557-0599-3.00039-9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rare congenital heart condition</a> in which the position of the ventricles is reversed, threatening her life as she grew. As an engineer, I understood that the heart was an array of pumping chambers, controlled by an electrical signal and its blood flow carefully regulated by valves. Yet I struggled to grasp the unique structure and behavior of my daughter’s heart well enough to contribute meaningfully to her care. Her specialists knew the bleak forecast children like her faced if left untreated, but because every heart with her condition is anatomically unique, they had little more than their best guesses to guide their decisions about what to do and when to do it. With each specialist, a new guess.Then my engineering curiosity sparked a question that has guided my career ever since: Why can’t we simulate the human body the way we <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/selfdriving-cars-learn-about-road-hazards-through-augmented-reality" target="_self">simulate a car</a> or a plane? <img alt="woman facing away and looking at a wall where the simulated interior of a heart is projected" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="442abe00bb6d81b4be0ad13e4ec3880e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="09f25" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/woman-facing-away-and-looking-at-a-wall-where-the-simulated-interior-of-a-heart-is-projected.png?id=65301974&width=980"/> At a visualization center in Boston, VR imagery helps the mother of a young girl with a complex heart defect understand the inner workings of her child’s heart. Dassault SystèmesI had spent my career developing powerful computational tools to help engineers build digital models of complex mechanical systems, using models that ranged from the interactions of individual atoms to the components of entire vehicles. What most of these models had in common was the use of physics to predict behavior and optimize performance. But in medicine today, those same physics-based approaches rarely inform decision-making. In most clinical settings, treatment decisions still hinge on judgments drawn from static 2D images, statistical guidelines, and retrospective studies.This was not always the case. Historically, physics was central to medicine. The word “physician” itself traces back to the Latin physica, which translates to “natural science.” Early doctors were, in a sense, applied physicists. They understood the heart as a pump, the lungs as bellows, and the body as a dynamic system. To be a physician meant you were a master of physics as it applied to the human body.As medicine matured, biology and chemistry grew to dominate the field, and the knowledge of physics got left behind. But for patients like my daughter, that child in Boston, and millions like them, outcomes are governed by mechanics. No pill or ointment—no chemistry-based solution—would help, only physics. While I did not realize it at the time, virtual twins can reunite modern physicians with their roots, using engineering principles, simulation science, and artificial intelligence.<h2>A decade of progress</h2>The LHP concept was simple: Could we combine what hundreds of experts across many specialties knew about the human heart to build a digital twin accurate enough to be trusted, flexible enough to personalize, and predictive enough to guide clinical care?We invited researchers, clinicians, device and drug companies, and government regulators to share their data, tools, and knowledge toward a common goal that would lift the entire field of medicine. The Living Heart Project launched with a dozen or so institutions on board. Within a year, we had created the first fully functional virtual twin of the human heart.The Living Heart was not an anatomical rendering, tuned to simply replicate what we observed. It was a first-principles model, coupling the network of fibers in the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/medtronics-cardioinsight-electrode-vest-maps-hearts-electrical-system" target="_self">heart’s electrical system</a>, the biological battery that keeps us alive, with the heart’s mechanical response, the muscle contractions that we know as the heartbeat. <iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ae_IqlxgCME?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe> The Living Heart virtual twin simulates how the heart beats, offering different views to help scientists and doctors better predict how it will respond to disease or treatment. The center view shows the fine engineering mesh, the detailed framework that allows computers to model the heart’s motion. The image on the right uses colors to show the electrical wave that drives the heartbeat as it conducts through the muscle, and the image on the left shows how much strain is on the tissue as it stretches and squeezes. Dassault Systèmes Academic researchers had long explored computational models of the heart, but those projects were typically limited by the technology they had access to. Our version was built on industrial-grade simulation software from <a href="https://www.3ds.com/" target="_blank">Dassault Systèmes</a>, a company best known for modeling tools used in aerospace and automotive engineering, where I was working to develop the engineering simulation division. This platform gave teams the tools to personalize an individual heart model using the patient’s MRI and CT data, blood-pressure readings, and echocardiogram measurements, directly linking scans to simulations.Surgeons then began using the Living Heart to model procedures. Device makers used it to design and test implants. Pharmaceutical companies used it to evaluate drug effects such as toxicity. Hundreds of publications have emerged from the project, and because they all share the same foundation, the findings can be reproduced, reused, and built upon. With each application, the research community’s understanding of the heart snowballed.Early on, we also addressed an essential requirement for these innovations to make it to patients: regulatory acceptance. Within the project’s first year, the U.S Food and Drug Administration <a href="https://www.3ds.com/newsroom/press-releases/dassault-systemes-signs-research-agreement-food-and-drug-administration-its-living-heart-project" target="_blank">agreed to join the project</a> as an observer. Over the next several years, methods for using virtual-heart models as scientific evidence began to take shape within regulatory research programs. In 2019, we formalized a second five-year collaboration with the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health with a specific goal.That goal was to use the heart model to create a virtual patient population and re-create a pivotal trial of a previously approved device for repairing the heart’s mitral valve. This helped our team learn how to create such a population, and let the FDA experiment with evaluating virtual evidence as a replacement for evidence from flesh-and-blood patients. In August 2024, we <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39188879/" target="_blank">published the results</a>, creating the first FDA-led guidelines for in silico clinical trials and establishing a new paradigm for streamlining and reducing risk in the entire clinical-trial process.In 10 years, we went from a concept that many people doubted could be achieved to regulatory reality. But building the heart was only the beginning. Following the template set by the heart team, we’ve expanded the project to develop virtual twins of other organs, including the lungs, liver, brain, eyes, and gut. Each corresponds to a different medical domain, which has its own community, data types, and clinical use cases. Working independently, these teams are progressing toward a breakthrough in our understanding of the human body: a multiscale, modular twin platform where each organ twin could plug into a unified virtual human.<h2>How a digital twin of the heart is constructed</h2>A cardiac digital twin starts with medical imaging, typically MRI, CT, or both. The slices are reconstructed into the 3D geometry of the heart and connected vessels. The geometry of the whole organ must then be segmented into its constituent parts, so each substructure—atria, ventricles, valves, and so on—can be assigned their unique properties.At this point, the object is converted to a functional, computational model that can represent how the various cardiac tissues deform under load—the mechanics. The complete digital twin model becomes “living” when we integrate the electrical fiber network that drives mechanical contractions in the muscle tissue. <img alt="two computer simulations of a heart. The simulation on left shows the left ventricle with a triangular grid across the 3D surface. The simulation on right shows the exterior of a heart including vasculature and fat. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8b175dd3f95e87ac7f36ab39b38f9784" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="deda7" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/two-computer-simulations-of-a-heart-the-simulation-on-left-shows-the-left-ventricle-with-a-triangular-grid-across-the-3d-surfac.png?id=65301904&width=980"/> Each part of the heart, such as the left ventricle [left], is superimposed with a detailed digital mesh to re-create its physiology. These pieces come together to form an anatomically accurate rendering of the whole organ [right].Dassault SystèmesTo simulate circulation, the twin adds computational models of hemodynamics, the physics of blood flow and pressure. The model is constrained by boundary conditions of blood flow, valve behavior, and vascular resistance set to closely match human physiology. This lets the model predict blood flow patterns, pressure differentials, and tissue stresses.Finally, the model is personalized and calibrated using available patient data, such as how much the volume of the heart chambers changes during the cardiac cycle, pressure measurements, and the timing of electrical pulses. This means the twin reflects not only the patient’s anatomy but how their specific heart functions.<h2>Building bigger cohorts with generative AI</h2>When the <a href="https://discover.3ds.com/fda-enrichment-clinical-trial" target="_blank">FDA in silico clinical trial initiative</a> launched in 2019, the project’s focus shifted from these handcrafted virtual twins of specific patients to cohorts large enough to stand in for entire trial populations. That scale is feasible today only because virtual twins have converged with generative AI. Modeling thousands of patients’ responses to a treatment or projecting years of disease progression is prohibitively slow with conventional digital-twin simulations. Generative AI removes that bottleneck.AI boosts the capability of virtual twins in two complementary ways. First, machine learning algorithms are unrivaled at integrating the patchwork of imaging, sensor, and clinical records needed to build a high-fidelity twin. The algorithms rapidly search thousands of model permutations, benchmark each against patient data, and converge on the most accurate representation. Workflows that once required months of manual tuning can now be completed in days, making it realistic to spin up population-scale cohorts or to personalize a single twin on the fly in the clinic.Second, enriching AI models’ training sets with data from validated virtual patients grounds the AI simulations in physics. By contrast, many conventional AI predictions for patient trajectories rely on statistical modeling trained on retrospective datasets. Such models can drift beyond physiological reality, but virtual twins anchor predictions in the laws of hemodynamics, electrophysiology, and tissue mechanics. This added rigor is indispensable for both research and clinical care—especially in areas where real-world data are scarce, whether because a disease is rare or because certain patient populations, such as children, are underrepresented in existing datasets.<h2>Enabling in silico clinical trials</h2>On the research side, the FDA-sponsored In Silico Clinical Trial Project that we completed in 2024 opened a new world for medical innovations. A conventional clinical trial may take a decade, and 90 percent of new drug treatments fail in the process. Virtual twins, combined with AI methods, allow researchers to design and test treatments quickly in a simulated human environment. With a small library of virtual twins, AI models can rapidly create expansive virtual patient cohorts to cover any subset of the general population. As clinical data becomes available, it can be added into the training set to increase reliability and enable better predictions. <img alt="3D simulations of the brain, foot, and lungs. A quadrant of the brain is cut out, showing a dense network of connections between color-coded sections of the brain. The foot shows a gray outline of bones and points of soft tissue strain in red at the ankle and heel. In the lung model, the trachea is colored green flowing into blue bronchi. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6c65f028c501081d47120dbb37f2d816" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="90af6" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/3d-simulations-of-the-brain-foot-and-lungs-a-quadrant-of-the-brain-is-cut-out-showing-a-dense-network-of-connections-between.png?id=65302220&width=980"/> The Living Heart Project has expanded beyond the heart, modeling organs throughout the body. The 3D brain reconstruction [top] shows major pathways in the brain’s white matter connecting color-coded regions of the brain. The lung virtual twin [middle] combines the organ’s geometry with a physics-based simulation of air flowing down the trachea and into the bronchi. And the cross section of a patient’s foot [bottom] shows points of strain in the soft tissue when bearing weight. Dassault SystèmesVirtual twin cohorts can represent a realistic population by building individual “virtual patients” that vary by age, gender, race, weight, disease state, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors. These twins can be used as a rich training set for the AI model, which can expand the cohort from dozens to hundreds of thousands. Next the virtual cohort can be filtered to identify patients likely to respond to a treatment, increasing the chances of a successful trial for the target population.The trial design can also include a sampling of patient types less likely to respond or with elevated risk factors, thus allowing regulators and clinicians to understand the risks to the broader population without jeopardizing overall trial success. This methodology enhances precision and efficiency in clinical research, providing population-level insights previously available only after many years of real-world evidence.Of course, though today’s heart digital twins are powerful, they’re not perfect replicas. Their accuracy is bounded by three main factors: what we can measure (for example, image resolution or the uncertainty of how tissue behaves in real life), what we must assume about the physiology, and what we can validate against real outcomes. Many inputs, like scarring, microvascular function, or drug effects are difficult to capture clinically, so models often rely on population data or indirect estimation. That means predictions can be highly reliable for certain questions but remain less certain for others. Additionally, today’s digital twins lack validation for predicting long-term outcomes years in the future, because the technology has been in use for only a few years.Over time, each of these limitations will steadily shrink. Richer, more standardized data will tighten personalization of the models. AI tools will help automate labor-intensive steps. And the collection of longitudinal data will improve the model’s ability to reliably predict how the body will evolve over time.<h2>How virtual twins will change health care</h2>Throughout modern medicine, new technologies have sharpened our ability to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ai-doctor" target="_self">diagnose</a>, providing ever-clearer images, lab data, and analytics that tell physicians what is presently happening inside a patient’s body. Virtual twins shift that paradigm, giving clinicians a predictive tool. <img alt="gif of a lung simulation. The lungs are blue when deflated then grow and become green with points of red. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="99cdfc0b66a34d7bf081125259464d73" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="499fe" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/gif-of-a-lung-simulation-the-lungs-are-blue-when-deflated-then-grow-and-become-green-with-points-of-red.gif?id=65302107&width=980"/> This “Living Lung” virtual-twin simulation shows strain patterns during breathing. Mona Eskandari/UC Riverside Early demonstrations are already appearing in many areas of medicine, including cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology. Soon, doctors will also be able to collaborate across specialties, using a patient-specific virtual twin as the common ground for discussing potential interactions or side effects they couldn’t predict independently.Although these applications will take some time to become the standard in clinical care, more changes are on the horizon. Real-time <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/wearable-health-data-standards" target="_self">data from wearables</a>, for example, could continuously update a patient’s personalized virtual twin. This approach could empower patients to understand and engage more deeply in their care, as they could see the direct effects of medical and lifestyle changes. In parallel, their doctors could get comprehensive data feeds, using virtual twins to monitor progress.Imagine a digital companion that shows how your particular heart will react to different amounts of salt intake, stress, or sleep deprivation. Or a visual explanation of how your upcoming surgery will affect your circulation or breathing. Virtual twins could demystify the body for patients, fostering trust and encouraging proactive health decisions.<h3>How are virtual twins being used in medicine?</h3> <ul><li>Virtual twins have guided cardiovascular surgeries, providing predictions and exposing hidden details that even expert clinicians might miss, such as subtle tissue responses and flow dynamics. </li><li>Oncologists are modeling tumor growth and the body’s response to different therapies, reducing the uncertainty in choosing the best treatment path for both medical and quality-of-life metrics. </li><li>Orthopedic specialists are personalizing implants to deliver custom-made solutions, considering not only the local environment but also the overall body kinematics that will govern long-term outcomes.</li></ul><h2>A new era of healing</h2>With the Living Heart Project, we’re bringing physics back to physicians. Modern physicians won’t need to be physicists, any more than they need to be chemists to use pharmacology. However, to benefit from the new technology, they will need to adapt their approach to care.This means no longer seeing the body as a collection of discrete organs and considering only symptoms, but instead viewing it as a dynamic system that can be understood, and in most cases, guided toward health. It means no longer guessing what might work but knowing—because the simulation has already shown the result. By better integrating engineering principles into medicine, we can redefine it as a field of precision, rooted in the unchanging laws of nature. The modern physician will be a true physicist of the body and an engineer of health.

Mar 19, 2026

Overcoming Core Engineering Barriers in Humanoid Robotics Development

Mar 18, 2026

ENIAC, the First General-Purpose Digital Computer, Turns 80

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/wide-view-of-men-and-women-working-on-the-eniac-in-the-1940s-all-four-walls-from-floor-to-ceiling-host-different-pieces-of-t.jpg?id=65315846&width=600&height=600&coordinates=250%2C0%2C250%2C0"/> Happy 80th anniversary, ENIAC! The <a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penns-eniac-worlds-first-electronic-computer-turns-80" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer</a>, the first large-scale, general-purpose, programmable electronic digital computer, helped shape our world.On 15 February 1946, ENIAC—developed in the <a href="https://facilities.upenn.edu/maps/locations/moore-school-building" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moore School of Electrical Engineering</a> at the <a href="https://www.upenn.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University of Pennsylvania</a>, in Philadelphia—was publicly demonstrated for the first time. Although primitive by today’s standards, ENIAC’s purely electronic design and programmability were breakthroughs in computing at the time. ENIAC made high-speed, general-purpose computing practicable and laid the foundation for today’s machines.On the eve of its unveiling, the <a href="https://www.war.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">U.S. Department of War</a> issued a<a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/comphist/pr1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> news release</a> hailing it as a new machine “expected to revolutionize the mathematics of engineering and change many of our industrial design methods.” Without a doubt, electronic computers have transformed engineering and mathematics, as well as practically every other domain, including politics and spirituality.ENIAC’s success ushered the modern computing industry and laid the foundation for today’s digital economy. During the past eight decades, computing has grown from a niche scientific endeavor into an engine of economic growth, the backbone of billion-dollar enterprises, and a catalyst for global innovation. Computing has led to a chain of innovations and developments such as stored programs, semiconductor electronics, integrated circuits, networking, software, the Internet, and distributed large-scale systems.<h2>Inside the ENIAC</h2>The motivation for developing ENIAC was the <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dt45en.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">need for faster computation</a> during World War II. The U.S. military wanted to produce extensive artillery firing tables for field gunners to quickly determine settings for a specific weapon, a target, and conditions. Calculating the tables by hand took “<a href="https://cacm.acm.org/blogcacm/computers-were-originally-humans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">human computers</a>” several days, and the available mechanical machines were far too slow to meet the demand.<h3>80 Years of Electronic Computer Milestones </h3> <h4>1946</h4><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/ENIAC" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ENIAC operational</a>Birth of electronic computing<h4>1951</h4><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/UNIVAC" target="_blank">UNIVAC I</a><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/UNIVAC" target="_blank"></a>Start of commercial computing<h4>1958</h4><a href="https://www.synopsys.com/glossary/what-is-integrated-circuit.html" target="_blank">Integrated circuit</a>Foundation for modern computer hardware<h4>1964</h4><a href="https://www.ibm.com/history/system-360" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IBM System/360</a>Popular mainframe computer<h4>1970</h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-11" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Programmed Data Processor (PDP-11)</a>Popular 16-bit minicomputer<h4>1971</h4><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/microprocessor.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Intel 4004</a>Beginning of the microprocessor and microcomputer era<h4>1975</h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cray-1</a>First supercomputer<h4>1977</h4><a href="https://www.stromasys.com/resources/vax-computer-systems-an-in-depth-guide/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VAX</a>Popular 32-bit minicomputer<h4>1981</h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_Computer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IBM PC</a>Personal and small-business computing<h4>1989</h4><a href="https://home.cern/science/computing/birth-web" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World Wide Web</a>Digital communication, interaction, and transaction (e-commerce)<h4>2002</h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Web_Services" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amazon Web Services</a>Beginning of the cloud computing revolution<h4>2010</h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple iPad</a>Handheld computer/tablet<h4>2010</h4><a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/industry-4-0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Industry 4.0</a>Delivered real-time decision-making, smart manufacturing, and logistics<h4>2016</h4><a href="https://www.livescience.com/55642-reprogrammable-quantum-computer-created.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">First reprogrammable quantum computer demonstrated</a>Ignited interest in quantum computing<h4>2023</h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_artificial_intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Generative AI boom</a>Widespread use of GenAI by individuals, businesses, and academia<h4>2026</h4><a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penns-eniac-worlds-first-electronic-computer-turns-80" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ENIAC’s 80th anniversary</a>80 years of computing evolution<h3></h3> In 1942 <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Mauchly" target="_blank">John Mauchly</a>, an associate professor of electrical engineering at Penn’s Moore School, suggested using vacuum tubes to speed up computer calculations. Following up on his theory, the U.S. Army <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_Research_Laboratory" target="_blank">Ballistic Research Laboratory</a>, which was responsible for providing artillery settings to soldiers in the field, commissioned Mauchly and his colleagues<a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-Presper-Eckert-Jr" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://ethw.org/J._Presper_Eckert" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">J. Presper Eckert</a> and <a href="https://ethw.org/Adele_Katz_Goldstine" target="_blank">Adele Katz Goldstine</a>, to work on a new high-speed computer. Eckert was a lab instructor at Moore, and Goldstine became one of ENIAC’s programmers. It took them a year to design ENIAC and 18 months to build it.The computer contained about 18,000 vacuum tubes, which were cooled by 80 air blowers. More than 30 meters long, it filled a 9 m by 15 m room and weighed about 30 kilograms. It consumed as much electricity as a small town.Programming the machine was <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dt45en.html" target="_blank">difficult</a>. ENIAC did not have stored programs, so to reprogram the machine, operators manually reconfigured cables with switches and plugboards, a process that took several days.By the 1950s, large universities either had acquired or built their own machines to rival ENIAC. The schools included <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cambridge</a> (EDSAC), <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MIT</a> (Whirlwind), and <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Princeton</a> (IAS). Researchers used the computers to model physical phenomena, solve mathematical problems, and perform simulations.After almost nine years of operation, ENIAC officially was decommissioned on 2 October 1955.<a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262535175/eniac-in-action/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ENIAC in Action: Making and Remaking the Modern Computer</a>, a book by <a href="https://uwm.edu/history/about/directory/haigh-thomas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thomas Haigh</a>, <a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/author/mark-priestley-15374/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark Priestley</a>, and <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Crispin-Rope-2045495041" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Crispin Rope</a>, describes the design, construction, and testing processes and dives into its afterlife use. The book also outlines the complex relationship between ENIAC and its designers, as well as the revolutionary approaches to computer architecture.In the early 1970s, there was a controversy over who invented the electronic computer and who would be assigned the patent. In 1973 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_R._Larson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Judge Earl Richard Larson</a> of U.S. District Court in Minnesota ruled in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeywell,_Inc._v._Sperry_Rand_Corp." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Honeywell v. Sperry Rand</a> case that Eckert and Mauchly did not invent the automatic electronic digital computer but instead had derived their subject matter from a <a href="https://jva.cs.iastate.edu/operation.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">computer</a> prototyped in 1939 by <a href="https://history-computer.com/people/john-vincent-atanasoff-complete-biography/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John Vincent Atanasoff</a> and Clifford Berry at Iowa State College (now <a href="https://www.iastate.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Iowa State University</a>). The ruling granted Atanasoff legal recognition as the inventor of the first electronic digital computer.<h2>IEEE’s ENIAC Milestone</h2>In 1987 IEEE<a href="https://ethw.org/Milestones:Electronic_Numerical_Integrator_and_Computer,_1946" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> designated ENIAC</a> as an IEEE Milestone, citing it as “a major advance in the history of computing” and saying the machine “established the practicality of large-scale electronic digital computers and strongly influenced the development of the modern, stored-program, general-purpose computer.”The commemorative Milestone plaque is displayed at the Moore School, by the entrance to the classroom where ENIAC was built.<h3></h3> “The ENIAC legacy heralded the computer age, transforming not only science and industry but also education, research, and human communication and interaction.”<h3></h3> A <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/476557" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">paper on the machine</a>, published in 1996 in <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/476557" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Annals of the History of Computing</a> and available in the <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6461145" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Xplore Digital Library</a>, is a valuable source of technical information.“<a href="https://www.computer.org/csdl/magazine/an/2006/02/man2006020004/13rRUB6Sq2p" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Second Life of ENIAC</a>,” an article published in the annals in 2006, covers a lesser-known chapter in the machine’s history, about how it evolved from a static system—configured and reconfigured through laborious cable plugging—into a precursor of today’s stored-program computers.A classic <a href="https://www2.seas.gwu.edu/~mfeldman/csci1030/summer08/eniac2.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">history paper on ENIAC</a> was published in the December 1995 <a href="https://technologyandsociety.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Technology and Society Magazine</a>.The IEEE <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ebooks/ieee-anniversary-book/" target="_self">Inspiring Technology: 34 Breakthroughs</a> book, published in 2023, features an ENIAC chapter.<h2>The women behind ENIAC</h2>One of the most remarkable aspects of the ENIAC story is the pivotal role women played, according to the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Proving-Ground-Untold-Programmed-Computer/dp/1538718286" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World’s First Modern Computer</a>, highlighted in an <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-women-behind-eniac" target="_self">article</a> in <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-institute/" target="_self">The Institute</a>. There were no “programmers” at that time; only schematics existed for the computer. Six women, known as the ENIAC 6, became the machine’s first programmers.The ENIAC 6 were <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Antonelli" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kathleen Antonelli</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Bartik" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jean Bartik</a>, <a href="https://ethw.org/Betty_Holberton" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Betty Holberton</a>, <a href="https://ethw.org/Marlyn_Meltzer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marlyn Meltzer</a>, <a href="https://ethw.org/Frances_Spence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Frances Spence</a>, and <a href="https://ethw.org/Ruth_Teitelbaum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ruth Teitelbaum</a>.“These six women found out what it took to run this computer, and they really did incredible things,” a Penn professor, <a href="https://www.cis.upenn.edu/~mitch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mitch Marcus</a>, said in a <a href="https://www.phillyvoice.com/70-years-ago-six-philly-women-eniac-digital-computer-programmers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2006 PhillyVoice article</a>. Marcus teaches in Penn’s computer and information science department.In 1997 all six female programmers were<a href="https://www.witi.com/halloffame/298369/ENIAC-Programmers-Kathleen---/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> inducted</a> into the <a href="https://www.witi.com/halloffame/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women in Technology International Hall of Fame</a>, in Los Angeles.Two other women contributed to the programming. Goldstine wrote ENIAC’s five-volume manual, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kl%C3%A1ra_D%C3%A1n_von_Neumann" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Klára Dán von Neumann</a>, wife of <a href="https://ethw.org/John_von_Neumann" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John von Neumann</a>, helped train the programmers and debug and verify their code.To honor the<a href="https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/pioneer/about-women-of-eniac" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> women of ENIAC</a>, the <a href="https://www.computer.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Computer Society</a> established the annual<a href="https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/pioneer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Computer Pioneer Award</a> in 1981. Eckert and Mauchly were among the award’s first recipients. In 2008 Bartik was honored with the award. Nominations are open to all professionals, regardless of gender.<h2>An ENIAC replica</h2>Last year a group of 80 autistic students, ages 12 to 16, from<a href="https://www.psacademyarizona.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> PS Academy Arizona</a>, in Gilbert, <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/how-80-autistic-students-built-an-amazing-replica-of-the-ginormous-eniac-computer/ar-AA1UMKKE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recreated the ENIAC</a> using 22,000 custom parts. It took the students almost six months to assemble.A ceremony was held in January to display their creation. The full-scale <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/21/eniac_model_build/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">replica features</a> actual-size panels made from layered cardboard and wood. Although all electronic components are simulated, they are not electrically active. The machine, illuminated by hundreds of LEDs, is accompanied by a soundtrack that simulates the deep hum of ENIAC’s transformers and the rhythmic clicking of relays.<h3></h3> <img alt="A white woman using a computer-adding machine in the 1940\u2019s. The device resembles a bulky typewriter and prints large stacks of paper with tabulated answers." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fea0fb9da93e75542fd5b85964251c33" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="36a08" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-white-woman-using-a-computer-adding-machine-in-the-1940-u2019s-the-device-resembles-a-bulky-typewriter-and-prints-large-stack.jpg?id=65315890&width=980"/><h3></h3> “Every major unit, accumulators, function tables, initiator, and master programmer is present and placed exactly where it was on the original machine,” Tom Burick, the teacher who mentored the project, said at the ceremony.The replica, still on display at the school, is expected to be moved to a more permanent spot in the near future.<h2>ENIAC’s legacy</h2>ENIAC’s significance is both technical and symbolic. Technically, it marks the beginning of the chain of innovations that created today’s computational infrastructure. Symbolically, it made governments, militaries, universities, and industry view computation as a tool for improvement and for innovative applications that had previously been impossible. It marked a tectonic shift in the way humans approach problem-solving, modeling, and scientific reasoning.The ENIAC legacy heralded the computer age, transforming not only science and industry but also education, research, and human communication and interaction.As Eckert is reported to have said, “There are two epochs in computer history: Before ENIAC and After ENIAC.”<h2>Coevolution of programming languages</h2>The remarkable evolution of computer hardware during the past 80 years has been sparked by advances in programming languages—the essential drivers of computing.From the manual rewiring of ENIAC to the orchestration of intelligent, distributed systems, programming languages have steadily evolved to make computers more powerful, expressive, and accessible.<h3>Lessons From Computing’s Remarkable Journey</h3> Computing history teaches us that flexibility, accessibility, collaboration, sound governance, and forward thinking are essential for sustained technological progress. In a <a href="https://cacm.acm.org/blogcacm/what-past-computing-breakthroughs-teach-us-about-ai/" target="_blank">recent Communications of the ACM article</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa28gupta/" target="_blank">Richa Gupta</a> identified four historic shifts that led to computing’s rapid, transformative progress:<ol><li>Programmable machines taught us that flexibility is key; technologies that adapt and are repurposed scale better.</li><li>The Internet showed that connection and standard protocols drive explosive growth but also bring new risks such as data security issues, invasion of privacy, and misuse.</li><li>Personal computers illustrated that accessibility and usability matter more than raw power. When nonexperts can use a tool easily, adoption rises.</li><li>The open-source movement revealed that collaborative innovation accelerates growth and helps spot problems early.</li></ol><h2>Predictions for computing in the decades ahead</h2>The evolution of computing will continue along multiple trajectories, with the emphasis moving from generalization to specialization (for AI, graphics, security, and networking), from monolithic system design to modular integration, and from performance-centric metrics alone to energy efficiency and sustainability as primary objectives.Increasingly, security will be built into hardware by design. Computing paradigms will expand beyond traditional deterministic models to embrace probabilistic, approximate, and hybrid approaches for certain tasks.Those developments will usher in a new era of computing and a new class of applications.

Mar 17, 2026

“Sensorveillance” Turns Ordinary Life Into Evidence

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/photo-illustration-of-a-man-looking-at-his-phone-while-a-camera-protruding-from-a-gps-tracker-icon-looks-on.jpg?id=65297053&width=600&height=600&coordinates=258%2C0%2C259%2C0"/> Every time you unlock your smartphone or start your connected car, you are generating a trail of digital evidence that can be used to track your every move.In <a href="https://nyupress.org/9781479838295/your-data-will-be-used-against-you/" target="_blank">Your Data Will Be Used Against You: Policing in the Age of Self-Surveillance</a>, just published by <a href="https://nyupress.org/" target="_blank">NYU Press</a>, law professor <a href="https://www.law.gwu.edu/andrew-guthrie-ferguson" target="_blank">Andrew Guthrie Ferguson</a> exposes how the Internet of Things has quietly transformed into a vast surveillance network, turning our most personal devices into digital informants. The following excerpt explores the concept of “sensorveillance,” detailing the specific mechanisms—such as Google’s Sensorvault, geofence warrants, and vehicle telemetry—that allow law enforcement to repurpose consumer technology into powerful tools for investigation and control.<h3></h3> <img alt='Book cover: "Your Data Will Be Used Against You" with text columns on black background.' class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="714f35ba5ad04fb2a7ee1701b5b42d1c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="dcb33" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/book-cover-your-data-will-be-used-against-you-with-text-columns-on-black-background.jpg?id=65296338&width=980"/><h3></h3> A man walked into a bank in Midlothian, Va., his black bucket hat pulled low over dark sunglasses. He handed a note to the teller, brandished a gun, and walked away with US $195,000. Police had no leads—but they knew that the robber had been holding a smartphone when he entered the bank. Guessing that the smartphone, like most smartphones, had some Google-enabled service running, police ordered Google to turn over information about all the phones near the bank during the holdup. In response to a series of warrants, Google produced information about 19 phones that had been active near the bank at the time of the robbery. Further investigation directed the police to Okelle Chatrie, who was ultimately <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/man-sentenced-armed-robbery-credit-union" target="_blank">charged with the crime</a>.Cathy Bernstein had a tough time explaining why her own car <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-arrested-after-her-car-calls-cops-2015-12" target="_blank">reported an accident to police</a>. Bernstein had been driving a Ford equipped with 911 Assist, which was automatically enabled when she struck another vehicle. Rather than stick around to trade insurance information, she sped away. But her smart car had registered the bump—and called the police dispatcher, leading to a fairly awkward conversation:<h3></h3> Computer-Generated Voice: Attention, a crash has occurred. Line open.911 Operator: Hello. Can anyone hear me?Unidentified Woman: Yes, yes.911 Operator: Okay. This is 911. You’ve been involved in an accident.Unidentified Woman: No.911 Operator: Well, your car called in to us because it said you’d been involved in an accident. Are you sure everything’s okay?Unidentified Woman: Everything’s okay.911 Operator: Okay. Are you broke down?Unidentified Woman: No, I’m fine. The guy that hit me—he did not turn.911 Operator: Okay, so you have been involved in an accident.Unidentified Woman: No, I haven’t.911 Operator: Did you hit a car?Unidentified Woman: No, I didn’t.911 Operator: Did you leave the scene of an accident?Unidentified Woman: No. I would never do anything like that.Apparently, Bernstein did do something “like that.” She was soon caught and cited for leaving the scene of the accident. Her own car provided evidence of her guilt.<h2>The Rise of “Sensorveillance”</h2>Once upon a time, our things were just things. A bike was a tool for biking. It got you from one location to another, but it didn’t “know” more about your travels than any other inanimate object did. It was dumb in a comforting way, and we used it as intended. Today, a top-of-the-line bike can track your route and calculate your average speed along the way. Hop on an e-bike from a commercial bike share, and it will collect data for your trip, plus the trips of everyone else who used it that month.These “smart” objects belong to what technologist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Ashton" target="_blank">Kevin Ashton</a> named the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/internet-of-things" target="_self">Internet of Things</a>. Ashton proposed adding radio-frequency identification (<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/rfid" target="_self">RFID</a>) tags and sensors to everyday objects, allowing them to collect data that could be fed into networked systems without human intervention. A sensor in a river could monitor the cleanliness of the water. A tag on a bottle of shampoo could trace its journey throughout the supply chain. Add enough sensors to enough objects and you can model the health of an entire ecosystem—or learn whether you’re sending too much of your inventory to Massachusetts and too little to Texas.Ashton first theorized the Internet of Things (IoT) in the late 1990s. Today, the IoT goes well beyond his initial vision, including not only RFID tags but also sensors with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and GPS connections. These small, low-cost sensors record data about movement, heat, pressure, or location and can engage in two-way communication.Of course, such a system is also, by necessity, a system of surveillance. “Sensorveillance”—a term I created to highlight the intersection of sensors and surveillance—is slowly becoming the default across the developed world.<h2>Cellphone Surveillance Networks</h2>Let’s start with phones. You’re probably not surprised that your cellphone company tracks your location; that’s how cellphones work. Both smartphones and “dumb” mobile phones use local cell towers, owned by cellphone companies, to connect you to your friends and family, which means those companies know which towers you are near at all times.If you always carry your phone with you, your phone’s whereabouts—recorded as cell-site location information (<a href="https://www.defendyouthrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Cell-Phone-Location-Tracking-or-CSLI-A-Guide-for-Criminal-Defense-Attorneys.pdf" target="_blank">CSLI</a>)—reveal yours. One man, Timothy Carpenter, found this out the hard way after he and a group of associates set out to rob a series of electronics stores. Carpenter was the alleged ringleader, but he didn’t enter the stores himself. He served as the lookout, waiting in the car while his associates stuffed merchandise into bags.It might have been hard for investigators to tie him to the crimes—if not for the fact that every minute he kept watch, his cellphone was pinging a local tower, logging his location. Using that information, the FBI was able to determine that he had been near each store during the exact moment of each robbery.Cell signals are the tip of the proverbial data iceberg. If you have a smartphone, you’re almost certainly using something created by Google. Google makes money off advertising. The more Google knows about users, the better it can target ads to them. Google’s location services are on all Android phones, which use the company’s operating system, but they’re also on Google apps, including Google Maps and Gmail.For years, all that location information ended up in what the company called <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/04/googles-sensorvault-can-tell-police-where-youve-been" target="_blank">the Sensorvault</a>. The Sensorvault, as the name suggests, combined data from GPS, Bluetooth, cell towers, IP addresses, and Wi-Fi signals to create a powerful tracking system that could identify a phone’s location with great precision. As you might imagine, police saw it as a digital evidence miracle. In 2020, Google received more than 11,500 warrants from law enforcement seeking information from the Sensorvault.“Sensorveillance”—a term I created to highlight the intersection of sensors and surveillance—is slowly becoming the default across the developed world.In 2024, Google announced that it would <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/larsdaniel/2024/10/08/google-to-stop-sharing-location-data-with-law-enforcement/" target="_blank">no longer retain all of this data in the cloud</a>. Instead, the geolocation information would be stored on individual devices, requiring police to get a warrant for a specific device. The demise of the Sensorvault came about through a change in corporate policy, which could be reversed. But at least for now, Google has made it significantly harder for police to access its data.And while the Sensorvault was the biggest source of geolocational evidence, it is far from the only one. Even apps that have nothing to do with maps or navigation might nonetheless be collecting your location data. In one Pennsylvania case, prosecutors learned that a burglar used an iPhone flashlight app to search through a home, and they used the data from the app to prove he was in the home at the time of the break-in. These apps might be advertised as “free,” but they come with a hidden cost.Cars, increasingly, <a href="https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/blog/privacy-nightmare-on-wheels-every-car-brand-reviewed-by-mozilla-including-ford-volkswagen-and-toyota-flunks-privacy-test/" target="_blank">collect almost as much information</a> as phones. Mobile extraction devices can collect digital forensics about a car’s speed, when its airbags deployed, when its brakes were engaged, and where it was when all that happened. If you connect your phone to play Spotify or to read out your texts, then your call logs, contact lists, social media accounts, and entertainment selections can be downloaded directly from your vehicle. Because cars are involved in so many crimes (either as the instrument of the crime or as transportation), searches of this data are becoming more commonplace.Even without physically extracting information from the car, police have other ways to get the data. After all, the car’s built-in telemetry system is sharing information with third parties. In addition to the usual personal information you give up when buying a car (name, address, phone number, email, Social Security number, driver’s license number), when you own a Stellantis-brand car, the company collects how often you use the car, your speed, and instances of acceleration or braking. Nissan asserts the right to collect information about “sexual activity, health diagnosis data, and genetic [data]” in addition to “preferences, characteristics, psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes.” Nissan’s privacy policy specifically reserves the right to provide this information to both data brokers and law enforcement.<h2>The Law of Smart Things</h2>The fact that government agents can glean so much information from our things does not mean that they should be able to do so at any time or for any reason. The <a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/" target="_blank">U.S. Fourth Amendment</a>—drafted in an era without electricity—protects “persons, houses, papers, and effects” against unreasonable search and seizure, but is naturally silent on the question of location data.The first question is whether the data from our smart things should be constitutionally protected from police. In the language of the constitutional text, the smart device itself is an “effect”—a movable piece of personal property. But what about the data collected by the effect? Is the location data collected by your smartwatch considered part of the watch, or part of the person wearing the watch? Neither? Both?To its credit, the U.S. Supreme Court has addressed some of the hard questions around digital tracking. In two cases, the first involving GPS tracking of a car and the second involving the CSLI tracking of Timothy Carpenter’s cellphone, the court has placed limits on the government’s ability to collect location data over the long term.<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/2011/10-1259" target="_blank">United States v. Jones</a> involved GPS tracking of a car. Antoine Jones owned a nightclub in Washington, D.C. He also sold cocaine and found himself under criminal investigation for a large-scale drug distribution scheme. To prove Jones’s connection to “the stash house,” police placed a GPS device on his wife’s Jeep Cherokee. This was before GPS came standard in cars, so the device was physically attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle.Data about Jones’s travels was recorded for 28 days, during which he visited the stash house multiple times. The prosecutors introduced the GPS data at trial, and Jones was found guilty. Jones appealed his conviction, arguing that the warrantless use of a GPS device to track his car violated his Fourth Amendment rights.“When the Government tracks the location of a cell phone it achieves near perfect surveillance.” — the Supreme CourtIn 2012, the Supreme Court held that a warrant was required, based on the reasoning that the physical placement of the GPS device on the Jeep was itself a Fourth Amendment search requiring a warrant. Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed regarding the physical search but went further, discussing the harms of long-term GPS tracking: “GPS monitoring generates a precise, comprehensive record of a person’s public movements that reflects a wealth of detail about her familial, political, professional, religious, and sexual associations.”Timothy Carpenter’s ill-fated robbery spree gave the Supreme Court another chance to address the constitutional harms of long-term tracking. In their attempts to connect Carpenter to the six electronics stores that had been robbed, federal investigators requested 127 days of location data from two mobile phone carriers. The problem for the police, however, was that they had obtained the information on Carpenter without a judicial warrant.Carpenter challenged the FBI’s acquisition of his CSLI, claiming that it violated his reasonable expectation of privacy. In <a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/2017/16-402" target="_blank">a 5–4 opinion</a>, the Supreme Court determined that the acquisition of long-term CSLI was a Fourth Amendment search, which required a warrant. As the Court stated in its 2018 ruling: “A cell phone faithfully follows its owner beyond public thoroughfares and into private residences, doctor’s offices, political headquarters, and other potentially revealing locales.... [W]hen the Government tracks the location of a cell phone it achieves near perfect surveillance.”Jones and Carpenter are helpful for setting the boundaries of location-based searches. But, in truth, the cases generate a lot more questions than answers. What about surveillance that is not long-term? At what point does the aggregation of details about a person’s location violate their reasonable expectation of privacy?<h2>The Warrant According to Google</h2>Okelle Chatrie’s case, in which police used Google’s location data to identify him as the mystery bank robber, offers a stark warning about the limits of Fourth Amendment protections under these circumstances. It’s also a terrific example of why <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/capitol-riot" target="_self">“geofence” warrants</a>, which request information within a certain geographic boundary, are appealing to police. From surveillance footage, detectives could see that the suspect had a phone to his ear when he walked into the bank. A geofence could identify who the suspect was, and likely where he came from and where he went. Google held the answer in its virtual vault. A warrant gave investigators the key.The police cast a broad net. The geofence warrant asked for data on all the cellphones within a 150-meter radius, an area, as the court described it, “about three and a half times the footprint of a New York city block.” After receiving the police’s initial request for information on all the phones in the area, Google returned 19 anonymized numbers. Over the course of a three-step warrant process, the company narrowed those 19 phones down to three and then to one, which it revealed as belonging to Okelle Chatrie.If the police wish to buy the data, just like an insurer or marketing firm might, how can you object? It’s not your data.The three-step warrant process is a unique innovation in the digital evidence space. Google’s lawyers developed a procedure whereby detectives seeking targeted geolocation data had to file three separate requests, first requesting identifying numbers in an area, then narrowing the request based on other information, and finally obtaining an order to unmask the anonymous number (or numbers) by providing a name.To be clear, Google—a private company—required the government to jump through these hoops because Google considered it important to protect its customers’ data. It was the company’s lawyers—not the courts or the government—who demanded these warrants.<h2>Buying Data</h2>Warrants provide at least some procedural barrier to data collection by police. If government agencies want to avoid that minor hassle, they can simply buy the data instead. By contracting with data-location services, several federal agencies have already done so.The logic for this Fourth Amendment loophole is straightforward: You gave your data to a third-party company, and the company can use it as it wishes. If you own a car that is smart enough to collect driving analytics, you clicked some agreement saying the car company could use the data—study it, analyze it, and, if it wants, sell it. If you don’t want to give them data in the first place, that is okay (although it will likely result in less optimal functionality), but you cannot rightly complain when they use the data you gave them in ways that benefit them. If the police wish to buy the data, just like an insurer or marketing firm might, how can you object? It’s not your data.<h2>Who Is to Blame?</h2>Fears about the amount of personal information that could be revealed with long-term GPS surveillance have become reality. Today, police don’t need to plant a device to track your movements—they can rely on your car or phone to do it for them.This happened because companies sold convenience and consumers bought it. So it might be tempting to blame ourselves. We’re the ones buying this technology. If we don’t want to be tracked, we can always go back to using paper maps and writing down directions by hand. If few of us are willing to make that trade, that’s on us.But it’s not that easy. You may still be able to choose a dumb bike over a smart one, but a car that tracks you will soon be the only type of car you can buy. And while cars and data can, in theory, be separated, that’s not true for all our smart things. Without cell-signal tracking capabilities, a cellphone is just a paperweight. And in today’s world, living without a phone or a car is simply not practical for many people.There are technological steps we can take toward protecting privacy. Companies can localize the data the sensors generate within the devices themselves, rather than in a central location like the Sensorvault. Similarly, the information that allows you to unlock your Apple iPhone via <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/facial-recognition" target="_self">facial recognition</a> stays localized on the phone. These are technological fixes, and positive ones. But even localized data is available to police with a warrant.This is the puzzle of the digital age. We can’t—or don’t want to—avoid creating data, but that data, once created, becomes available for legal ends. The power to track every person is the perfect tool for authoritarianism. For every wondrous story about catching a criminal, there will be a terrifying story of tracking a political enemy or suppressing dissent. Such immense power can and will be abused.

Mar 17, 2026

New Polymer Blend Could Help Store Energy for the Grid and EVs

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-thin-transparent-material-laid-on-top-of-a-vintage-penn-state-university-sticker.jpg?id=65297326&width=600&height=600&coordinates=250%2C0%2C250%2C0"/> As electronics demand higher energy density, one component has proved challenging to shrink: the capacitor. Making a smaller capacitor usually requires thinning the dielectric layer or electrode surface area, which has often resulted in a reduction of power. A new polymer material could help change that.In a study published 18 February in Nature, a Pennsylvania State University–led team <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10195-2" target="_blank">reported a capacitor</a> crafted from a polymer blend that can operate at temperatures up to 250 °C while storing roughly four times as much energy as conventional polymer capacitors. Today’s advanced polymer capacitors typically function only up to about 100 °C, meaning engineers often rely on bulky cooling systems in high-power electronics. The research team has filed a patent for the polymer capacitors and plans to bring them to market.Capacitors deliver rapid bursts of energy and stabilize voltage in circuits, making them essential in applications ranging from electric vehicles and aerospace electronics to power-grid infrastructure and AI data centers. Yet while <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/transistor-density" target="_blank">transistors have steadily shrunk</a> with advances in semiconductor manufacturing, passive components such as capacitors and inductors have not scaled at the same pace.“Capacitors can account for 30 to 40 percent of the volume in some power electronics systems,” says <a href="https://www.matse.psu.edu/directory/qiming-zhang" target="_blank">Qiming Zhang</a>, an electrical engineering researcher at Penn State and study author, explaining why it’s important to make smaller capacitors.<h2>A Plastics Blend More Powerful Than Its Parts</h2>The research team combined two commercially available engineered plastics: polyetherimide (PEI), originally developed by General Electric and widely used in industrial equipment, and PBPDA, known for strong heat resistance and electrical insulation. When processed together under controlled conditions, the polymers self-assemble into nanoscale structures that form thin dielectric films inside capacitors. Those structures help suppress electrical leakage while allowing the material to polarize strongly in an electric field, allowing greater energy storage.The resulting material exhibits an unusually <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/high-k-dielectric" target="_blank">high dielectric constant</a>—a measure of how much electrical energy a material can store. Most polymer dielectrics have values around four, but the blended polymer dielectric in the new work had a value of 13.5.“If you look at the literature up to now, no one has reached this level of dielectric constant in this type of polymer system,” Zhang says. “Putting two commonly used polymers together and seeing this kind of performance was a surprise to many people.”Because the material can remain operational even at elevated temperatures—such as those from extreme environmental heat or <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/hot-chips" target="_blank">hot spots</a> in densely built components—capacitors built from this polymer could potentially store the same amount of energy in a smaller package. “With this material, you can make the same device using about [one-fourth as much] material,” Zhang says. “Because the polymers themselves are inexpensive, the cost does not increase. At the same time, the component can become smaller and lighter.”<h2>How the Polymer Mix Improves Capacitors</h2>The researchers’ finding is “a big advancement,” says <a href="https://www.chee.uh.edu/faculty/karim" target="_blank">Alamgir Karim</a>, a polymer research director at the University of Houston who was not involved in the Penn State development. “Normally when you mix polymers, you don’t expect the dielectric constant to increase.”Karim says the effect likely arises from nanoscale interfaces created when the polymers partially separate. “At about a 50–50 mixture, the polymers don’t fully mix and instead create a very large interfacial area,” he says. “Those interfaces may be where the unusual electrical behavior comes from.”If the material can be produced at scale, it could help address a key bottleneck in high-power electronics. Higher-temperature capacitors could reduce cooling requirements and allow engineers to pack more power into smaller systems—an advantage for aerospace platforms, electric vehicles, the electric grid, and other high-temperature environments.But translating the concept from laboratory methods to commercial manufacturing may present challenges, says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zongliang-xie-255b3b27a/" target="_blank">Zongliang Xie</a>, a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in California. The Penn State team is now producing small dielectric films, but industrial capacitor manufacturing typically requires continuous rolls of material that can extend for kilometers.“Industry generally prefers extrusion-based processing because it’s easier and cheaper to control,” Xie says. “Scaling to produce great lengths of film while maintaining the same structure and performance could complicate matters. There’s potential, but it’s also challenging.”Still, researchers say the discovery demonstrates that new performance limits may still be unlocked using familiar materials. “Developing the material is only the first step,” Zhang says. “But it shows people that this barrier can be broken.”

Mar 17, 2026

Wanted: Europe’s Missing Cloud Provider

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/abstract-pixelation-of-the-european-union-s-flag.jpg?id=65298877&width=600&height=600&coordinates=937%2C0%2C938%2C0"/> Looming over the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/free-space-optical-link-taara" target="_self">internet lasers</a> and <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/hands-on-with-oukitel-wp63-mwc-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">firestarting phones</a> companies were touting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month, was a more nebulous but much larger announcement: a pan-European cloud called <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/03/03/europe-unites-to-build-sovereign-cloud-and-ai-infrastructure-to-stop-reliance-on-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EURO-3C</a>.EURO-3C’s backers – Spanish telecoms giant Telefónica, dozens of other European companies, and the European Commission (EC) – aim to fill a gap. U.S.-based cloud giants dominate in the EU, and European policymakers want their growing portfolio of digital government services on a “sovereign cloud” under full EU control.But the EU lacks a real equivalent to the likes of AWS or Microsoft Azure. Indeed, any effort to build one will inevitably run up against the same U.S. cloud giants.Just four U.S.-based hyperscalers – AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud – together account for<a href="https://www.ceps.eu/disk-backup-to-the-cloud-is-a-gaping-vulnerability-in-the-eus-security/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> some 70 percent of EU cloud services</a>. This is despite the fact that the 2018 U.S. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLOUD_Act" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLOUD Act</a> allows U.S. federal law enforcement – at least in theory – to compel U.S.-based firms to hand over data that’s stored abroad. <h2>Who do you trust?</h2>But those hypothetical risks to digital services have become more real as transatlantic relations have soured under the second Trump administration. The U.S. has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/greenland-us-trump-canada-governor-general-mary-simon-9.7119074" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">openly threatened</a> to invade an EU member state and <a href="https://euobserver.com/19745/eu-rejects-us-claims-of-censorship-over-tech-rules-after-visa-bans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sanctioned</a> a European Commissioner for passing legislation the White House dislikes. After the White House sanctioned the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court in February 2025, Court staffers <a href="https://apnews.com/article/icc-trump-sanctions-karim-khan-court-a4b4c02751ab84c09718b1b95cbd5db3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">claimed</a> Microsoft locked the Court’s chief prosecutor out of his email (Microsoft<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/microsoft-did-not-cut-services-international-criminal-court-president-american-sanctions-trump-tech-icc-amazon-google/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> has denied this</a>). Around the same time, the U.S. <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/us-threatens-to-shut-off-starlink-if-ukraine-wont-sign-minerals-deal-sources-tell-reuters/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reportedly threatened</a> to sever EU ally Ukraine’s access to crucial Starlink satellite internet as leverage during trade negotiations.“The geopolitical risk isn’t just the most extreme form of a doomsday ‘kill switch’ where Washington turns off Europe’s internet,” <a href="https://fermigier.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stéfane Fermigier</a> of <a href="https://euro-stack.com/pages/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EuroStack</a>, an industry group that supports European digital independence. “It is the selective degradation of services and a total lack of retaliatory leverage.”What, then, is the EU to do? <a href="https://blog.datacenter-paris.com/2026/01/24/liste-des-datacenters-secnumcloud-en-france-hebergement-souverain-pour-donnees-sensibles/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">France</a> offers an example. Even before 2025, France implemented <a href="https://www.spscommerce.com/eur/blog/what-is-secnumcloud-and-does-my-company-need-to-qualify/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">harsh restrictions</a> on non-EU cloud providers in public services – providers must locate data in the EU, rely on EU-based staff, and may not have majority-non-EU shareholders. Now, EU policymakers are following France’s lead.In October 2025, the EC issued a two-part <a href="https://commission.europa.eu/document/09579818-64a6-4dd5-9577-446ab6219113_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">framework</a> for judging cloud providers bidding for public sector contracts. In the first part, the framework lays out a sort of sovereignty ladder. The more that a provider is subject to EU law, the higher its sovereignty level on this ladder. Any prospective bidder must first meet a certain level, depending on the tender.Qualifying bidders then move to the second part, where their “sovereignty” is scored in more detail. Using too much proprietary software; over-relying on supply chains from outside the EU; having non-EU support staff; liability to non-EU laws like the CLOUD Act: all hurt a bidder’s score. The framework was created for <a href="https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/commission-moves-forward-cloud-sovereignty-eur-180-million-tender-2025-10-10_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">one tender</a>, but observers say it sets a major precedent. Cloud providers bidding for state contracts across Europe may need to follow it, and it may influence legislation on both national and EU-wide levels.<h2>A question of scale</h2>Who, then, will receive high marks? At the moment, the answer is not simple. The EU cloud scene is quite fragmented. Numerous modest EU providers offer “sovereign cloud” services – such as Scaleway, OVHcloud, and Deutsche Telekom’s T-Systems – but <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/poi3.358" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">none are on the scale</a> of AWS or Google Cloud.Inertia is on the side of the U.S. cloud giants, who can invest in their infrastructure and services on a far grander scale than their European counterparts. Some U.S. providers <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/aws-european-sovereign-cloud-achieves-first-compliance-milestone-soc-2-and-c5-reports-plus-seven-iso-certifications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">now offer</a> cloud services they say comply with the Commission’s “cloud sovereignty” demands.Some European observers, like EuroStack, <a href="https://euro-stack.com/blog/2025/10/cloud-sovereignty-framework-comparison" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">say</a> such promises are hollow so long as a provider’s parent company is subject to the likes of the CLOUD Act, and loopholes in the Commission’s process remain open. An AWS spokesperson told Spectrum it had not disclosed any non-US enterprise or government data to the U.S. government under the CLOUD Act; a Google spokesperson said that its most sensitive EU offerings “are subject to local laws, not US law”.Even if a project like EURO-3C can offer a large-scale alternative, the US cloud giants have another sort of inertia. Many developers – and many public purchasers of their services – will need convincing to leave behind a familiar environment.“If you look at AWS, you look at Google, they’ve created some super technology. It’s very convenient, it’s easy to use,” says <a href="https://nl.linkedin.com/in/arnoldjuffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arnold Juffer</a>, CEO of the Netherlands-based cloud provider <a href="https://nebul.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nebul</a>. “Once you’re in that platform, in that ecosystem, it’s very hard to get out.”<a href="https://bisi.org.uk/martyna-chmura" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Martyna Chmura</a>, an analyst at the Bloomsbury Intelligence and Security Institute, a London-based think tank, sees some EU developers taking a mixed approach. “Many organizations are already moving toward multi-cloud setups, using European or sovereign providers for sensitive workloads while still relying on hyperscalers for certain services,” she says.In that case, the EU’s top-down demands may encourage developers to use EU providers for sensitive applications – like government services, transport, autonomous vehicles, and some industrial automation – even if it’s inconvenient in the short term, or if it causes even more fragmentation of the EU cloud scene. “Running systems across different platforms can increase integration costs and make security and data governance more complicated. In some cases, organisations could lose some of the efficiency and cost advantages that come from using large hyperscale platforms,” Chmura says.“Overall, the EU appears willing to accept some of these trade-offs,” Chmura says.

Mar 16, 2026

Rising Attacks on Power Grids Push Utilities to Prepare

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-eerie-black-and-white-image-of-a-substation.jpg?id=65329510&width=600&height=600&coordinates=833%2C0%2C834%2C0"/> In the fictional nation of Beryllia, the 2026 World Chalice Games <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a>were set to begin as the country faced an unrelenting heat wave. The grid, already under strain from the circumstances, was dealt a further blow when a coordinated set of attacks including vandalism, drone, and ballistic attacks by an adversary, Crimsonia, crippled the grid’s physical infrastructure.This scenario, inspired by the upcoming 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, was an exercise in studying how utilities can prevent and mitigate, among other dangers, physical attacks on power grids. Called GridEx, the exercise was hosted by the <a href="https://www.nerc.com/programs/e-isac" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center</a> (E-ISAC) from 18 to 20 November, 2025, and was described in a <a href="https://www.nerc.com/globalassets/programs/electricity-isac/gridex/gridex-viii-lessons-learned-report-tlp_clear_final.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> released on 2 March. GridEx has been held every two years since 2011.“We know that threat actors look to exploit certain circumstances,” says <a href="https://www.sans.org/profiles/michael-ball" target="_blank">Michael Ball</a>, CEO of E-ISAC, which is a program of the <a href="https://www.nerc.com/" target="_blank">North American Electric Reliability Corporation</a> (NERC), about designing the Beryllia scenario. “The Chalice Games became a good example of how we could build a scenario around a threat actor.”Physical attacks on the grid are rising in the U.S., and GridEx attendance was up in November as utilities grapple with how to prevent and mitigate attacks. Participation in the exercise was at its highest level since 2019, according to the new report. Given the number of organizations present, GridEx estimates that more than 28,000 individual players participated, including utility workers and government partners, an all-time high since the exercise began.<h2>Rising Physical Threats to Power Grids</h2>The U.S. and Canadian grids face growing security issues from physical threats, including vandalism, assault of utility workers, intrusion of property, and theft of components, like copper wiring. NERC’s 2025 E-ISAC end of year <a href="https://www.nerc.com/globalassets/programs/electricity-isac/2025-e-isac-end-of-year-report.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> cites more than 3,500 physical security breaches that calendar year, about 3 percent of which disrupted electricity. That’s up from 2,800 events <a href="https://www.nerc.com/globalassets/programs/electricity-isac/2023-e-isac-end-of-year-report.pdf" target="_blank">cited</a> in the 2023 report (3 percent of those also resulted in electricity disruptions). Yet despite a number of recent high-profile attacks in the U.S., physical attacks on the grid are happening worldwide.“They’re not uniquely a U.S. thing,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-russo-3a1b2664" target="_blank">Danielle Russo</a>, executive director of the Center for Grid Security at <a href="https://secureenergy.org/" target="_blank">Securing America’s Future Energy</a>, a nonpartisan organization focused on advancing national energy security. Russo says that while <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-killer-drones" target="_blank">attacks are common</a> in places like <a href="https://www.review-energy.com/otras-fuentes/europe-s-power-grid-exposed-55-at-risk-of-blackouts-from-poor-interconnection" target="_blank">Ukraine</a>, they’re not limited to wartime scenarios. “Other countries that are not experiencing direct conflict are experiencing increasing amounts of physical attacks on their energy infrastructure,” she says. Take Germany for example: On 3 January, an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/07/how-is-it-possible-berliners-demand-answers-after-sabotage-causes-blackout" target="_blank">arson attack</a> by left-wing activists in Berlin caused a five-day blackout impacting 45,000 households. That comes after a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/suspected-arson-attack-berlin-leaves-50000-homes-without-power-2025-09-09/" target="_blank">suspected arson attack</a> on two pylons in September 2025 left 50,000 Berlin households without power. Some German officials cite domestic extremism and fears of Russian sabotage in recent years as reasons for <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/10/berlin-blackout-germany-vulernable-infrastructure/" target="_blank">heightened security concerns</a> over critical infrastructure. <img alt="A white adult man in a reflective jacket standing in front of a power plant on a sunny winter day." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3113ff3c2ea019302b01d511b22bde5e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="64a60" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-white-adult-man-in-a-reflective-jacket-standing-in-front-of-a-power-plant-on-a-sunny-winter-day.jpg?id=65296919&width=980"/> Henrik Beuster, spokesman for grid operator Stromnetz Berlin, stands in front of the Lichterfelde power plant on 7 January after a suspected attack disrupted power supply in the area. Britta Pedersen/picture alliance/Getty Images The uptick in attacks on the U.S. grid has been anchored by a number of incidents in recent years. In December 2025, an engineer in San Jose, California was sentenced to 10 years in prison for <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/san-jose-engineer-sentenced-10-years-prison-bombings-pge-transformers-causing-property" target="_blank">bombing electric transformers</a> in 2022 and 2023. A Tennessee man was arrested in November 2024 for <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/man-arrested-and-charged-attempting-use-weapon-mass-destruction-and-destroy-energy-facility" target="_blank">attempting to attack</a> a Nashville substation using a drone armed with explosives. And in 2023, a neo-Nazi leader was among two arrested in a plot to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fbi-arrests-2-suspects-accused-planning-attack-baltimore-power-grid-rcna69324" target="_blank">attack five substations around Baltimore</a> with firearms, part of an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/us/white-supremacist-power-grid-attacks.html#:~:text=Sign%20up%20for%20the%20Race,substation%20in%20Oregon%20in%202022." target="_blank">increasing trend</a> in white supremacist groups planning to attack the U.S. energy sector.“Since [E-ISAC] started publishing data back in 2016, we’ve seen a large and consistent increase in the number of reported physical security incidents per year,” says <a href="https://www.publicpower.org/people/michael-coe" target="_blank">Michael Coe</a>, the vice president of physical and cyber security programs at the <a href="https://www.publicpower.org/" target="_blank">American Public Power Association</a>, a trade group that works with E-ISAC to plan GridEx. While not all data is publicly available, Coe says there’s been a “tenfold” increase over the past decade in the number of reported physical attacks on the grid.<h2>Drone Attacks: A Grid Security Challenge</h2>During the fictional World Chalice Games scenario, drone attacks destroyed Beryllia’s substation equipment, highlighting a threat that’s gained traction as more drones enter the airspace.“The question we get all the time is, how do you tell if it’s a bad actor, or if it’s a 12-year-old kid that got the drone for their birthday?” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-willis-26940513" target="_blank">Erika Willis</a>, the program manager for the substations team at the <a href="https://www.epri.com/" target="_blank">Electric Power Research Institute</a> (EPRI).One strategy to track and alert utilities to potential threats such as drones is called sensor fusion. The system includes a pan-tilt-zoom camera capable of 360-degree motion mounted on top of a tripod or pole with four installed radars. The radars combine with the camera for a dual system that can track drones even if they’re obstructed from view, says Willis. For instance, if a nearby drone flies behind a tree, hidden from the camera, the radars will still pick up on it. The technology is currently being tested at EPRI’s labs in Charlotte, North Carolina and Lenox, Massachusetts.EPRI is also exploring how robotics and AI can improve security systems, Willis says. One approach involves integrating AI analysis into robotic technology already surveilling substation perimeters. Using AI can improve detection of break-ins and damage to fencing around substations, Willis says. “As opposed to a human having to go through 200 images of a fence, you can have the AI overlays do some of those algorithms…If the robot has done the inspection of the substation 100 times, it can then relay to you that there’s an anomaly,” Willis says. <img alt="A fiber sensing technology unit, roughly the size and shape of a filing cabinet." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3e850defecdfdc7b783b6d9666651831" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ee5de" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-fiber-sensing-technology-unit-roughly-the-size-and-shape-of-a-filing-cabinet.jpg?id=65296931&width=980"/> Prisma Photonics deploys fiber sensing technology that uses reflected optical signals to detect perturbations from vehicles and other sources near underground fiber cable.Prisma PhotonicsAlready, a number of utilities in the U.S. are using AI integrations in their security and monitoring processes. That’s thanks in part to the Tel Aviv, Israel-based <a href="https://www.prismaphotonics.com/" target="_blank">Prisma Photonics</a>, a software company that launched in 2017 and has since deployed its fiber sensing technology across thousands of miles of transmission infrastructure in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Israel. A file-cabinet-sized unit plugs into a substation and sends light pulses down existing <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/earthquake" target="_self">fiber optic cables</a> 30 miles in each direction. As the pulses travel down the cables, a tiny fraction of the light is reflected back to the substation unit. An AI model processes the results and can classify events based on patterns in the optical signal as a result of perturbations happening around the fiber cable.“If we identify an event that we don’t have a classification for, and we get a feedback from a customer saying, ‘oh, this was a car crash,’ then we can classify that in the model to say this is actually what happened,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-menhorn-82451249/" target="_blank">Tiffany Menhorn</a>, Prisma Photonics’ vice president of North America.As preparations get underway for the ninth GridEx in 2027, Ball says participation in the exercises alone isn’t enough to bolster grid security. Instead, he wants utilities to take what they learn from the training and apply it in their own operations. “It’s the action of doing it, versus our statistic of saying, ‘here’s what our growth was.’ That growth should relate to the readiness and capability of the industry.”

Mar 16, 2026

IEEE Young Professionals Help Bridge the U.S. Tech Skills Gap

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-middle-aged-adult-man-speaking-behind-a-podium-on-a-small-stage-at-the-new-jersey-institute-of-technology.jpg?id=65296916&width=600&height=600&coordinates=375%2C0%2C375%2C0"/> The <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2025/08/Americas-Talent-Strategy-Building-the-Workforce-for-the-Golden-Age.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age</a> report, published last year by the U.S. Departments of <a href="https://www.commerce.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Commerce</a>, <a href="https://www.ed.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Education</a>, and <a href="https://www.dol.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Labor</a>, identified a significant engineering and skills gap. The 27-page report concluded that the shortage of talent in essential areas—including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity—poses significant risks to U.S. economic and technological <a data-linked-post="2668949920" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/leadership-skills-ieee-courses" target="_blank">leadership</a>.To help attract talent in those fields, the Labor Department last month introduced incentives for apprenticeships, including a US $145 million “<a href="https://www.apprenticeship.gov/investments-tax-credits-and-tuition-support/open-funding-opportunities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pay for performance</a>” grant program. The funding aims to develop registered apprenticeships in high-demand fields including artificial intelligence and information technology.Reacting to the urgent national need for targeted workforce development were members of <a href="https://students.ieee.org/membership-benefits/young-professionals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Young Professionals</a>, led by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloktibrewala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alok Tibrewala</a>, an IEEE senior member. He is a cochair of the <a href="https://ieeenjyp.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE North Jersey Section’s Young Professionals</a> group.“As a software engineer, this impending shortage concerns me because I believe that the U.S. AI and cybersecurity skills gap would show up first in the early-career pipeline,” Tibrewala says. “Students will be entering the U.S. workforce without enough hands-on experience building secure AI-enabled enterprise and cloud systems, and this gap will persist without practical, mentor-led training before graduation.”Tibrewala led a strategic planning session with representatives from the <a href="https://www.njit.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New Jersey Institute of Technology</a>, <a href="https://www.ieee.org/communities/geographic-activities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Member and Geographic Activities</a>, and IEEE Young Professionals to discuss holding an event that would provide practical, industry-relevant training by experts and IEEE leaders.“I was able to establish a partnership with NJIT, recruit speakers, design the event’s agenda, and promote the event to ensure it was aligned with the strategy outlined in the workforce report,” he says. “This effort aligns with broader U.S. workforce development priorities focused on industry-driven skills training in critical technology areas.”The <a href="https://yp.ieee.org/event/ieee-buildathon-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Buildathon</a> event was held on 1 November at NJIT’s Newark campus. More than 30 students and early-career engineers heard from 11 speakers. Through interactive workshops, live demonstrations, and networking opportunities, they left with practical, employer-aligned skills and clearer career pathways for AI-era skills-building.Tibrewala chaired the event and also serves as chair of the IEEE Buildathon program.<h2>Session takeaways</h2><a href="https://ieeer1.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region 1</a> Director <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-bod-july-2026" target="_self">Bala S. Prasanna</a>, a life senior member, gave the keynote address. He emphasized the need for universities, industry practitioners, and IEEE volunteer leaders to collaborate on programs to enhance technical skills.IEEE Member <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalyani-matey/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kalyani Matey</a>, cochair of the IEEE North Jersey Section’s Young Professionals, conducted a workshop on how to build one’s personal brand and a responsive network. Participants received valuable insights about résumé building, effective communication strategies, and enhancing their visibility and employability.“Over time, this kind of structured, employer-aligned training will help increase confidence, employability, and technical readiness across the country. With sustained support, programs like the IEEE Buildathon can become a practical bridge from education to industry in the AI era.” —Alok TibrewalaTibrewala led the Unlocking AI’s Potential: Solving Big Challenges With Smart Data and <a href="https://ieee-dataport.org/" target="_blank">IEEE DataPort</a> session. The web-based DataPort platform allows researchers to store, share, access, and manage their research datasets in a single, trusted location. He discussed needed skills including AI literacy, strong data handling and dataset stewardship, and turning data into actionable insights.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaitali-ladikkar/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chaitali Ladikkar</a>, a senior software engineer, delivered the insightful Brains Behind the Game seminar. Ladikkar, an IEEE member, highlighted the transformative impact AI is having on gaming and game engine technologies. She explained how AI is reshaping game development. She also covered how machine learning is being used for animation, faster content generation and testing of new titles. Her seminar received enthusiastic feedback from participants.The Building Better Business Relationships <a href="https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DiSC</a> workshop provided insights into enhancing professional relationships and communication within an engineering workforce. DiSC is a behavioral self-assessment used to understand an individual’s communication style and to adapt to others.<h2>Participant experience and testimonials</h2>The event received high praise from participants for its practical and industry-relevant content, according to Tibrewala.“This training significantly enhanced my understanding and readiness for industry roles, filling gaps my regular academic coursework did not fully address,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/humna-sultan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Humna Sultan</a>, an IEEE student member who is a senior studying computer science at <a href="https://www.stevens.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stevens Institute of Technology</a>, in Hoboken, N.J.“The Buildathon was structured around real engineering challenge scenarios that deepened my understanding of AI and cloud technologies,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-fc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carlos Figueredo</a>, an IEEE graduate student member who is studying data science at the <a href="https://umich.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University of Michigan</a>, in Ann Arbor. “It boosted my confidence and practical skills essential for the industry.”<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bavani-karthikeyan-janaki/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bavani Karthikeyan Janaki</a> said “it was incredible to see how technology and sustainability came together to drive real-world impact, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organizers including Tibrewala, Matey, and the IEEE North Jersey Young Professionals.” Janaki is pursuing a master’s degree in computer and information science at <a href="https://www.liu.edu/post" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Long Island University</a>, in New York.<h2>Funding and collaborative efforts</h2>The Buildathon was made possible through grants from the IEEE Young Professionals group and funding from the IEEE North Jersey Section and IEEE Member and Geographic Activities. Their support shows how IEEE’s professional organizations can collaborate to address workforce needs by supporting the delivery of technical sessions that strengthen early-career pipelines.<h2>Future plans and a call to action</h2>Building on the event’s success, Tibrewala and Matey plan to make the IEEE Buildathon an ongoing initiative. They are exploring ways to expand it to additional university campuses and IEEE communities.Tibrewala says they plan to refine the format based on participant feedback and lessons learned. To support consistent quality, he and Matey say, they are working on a playbook for organizers that will include a repeatable agenda, a workshop template, speaker guidelines, and post-event feedback forms.The approach depends on continued coordination among host universities, local IEEE sections, and Young Professional volunteers, Tibrewala says.“Enabling other groups to run similar events,” he says, “can help more students and early-career engineers gain practical exposure to AI, data, cloud, cybersecurity, and other key emerging technologies in a structured setting.“Efforts like this help translate national workforce priorities into real training that students and early-career engineers can apply immediately to their projects. This also helps close the gap between classroom learning and the realities of building secure, reliable systems in production environments. Over time, this kind of structured, employer-aligned training will help increase confidence, employability, and technical readiness across the country.“With sustained support, programs like the IEEE Buildathon can become a practical bridge from education to industry in the AI era.”

Mar 13, 2026

Video Friday: These Robots Were Born to Run

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/rolling-cannon-distant-cityscape-trees-and-water.gif?id=65282014&width=600&height=600&coordinates=280%2C0%2C280%2C0"/> Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please <a href="mailto:automaton@ieee.org?subject=Robotics%20event%20suggestion%20for%20Video%20Friday">send us your events</a> for inclusion.<h5><a href="https://2026.ieee-icra.org/">ICRA 2026</a>: 1–5 June 2026, VIENNA</h5>Enjoy today’s videos!<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><div style="page-break-after: always"> </div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="8vksx1zsg7q">All legged robots deployed “in the wild” to date were given a body plan that was predefined by human designers and could not be redefined in situ. The manual and permanent nature of this process has resulted in very few species of agile terrestrial robots beyond familiar four-limbed forms. Here, we introduce highly athletic modular building blocks and show how they enable the automatic design and rapid assembly of novel agile robots that can “hit the ground running” in unstructured outdoor environments.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VKSx1zSg7Q?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://robotics.northwestern.edu/news-events/index.html" target="_blank">Northwestern UniversityCenter for Robotics and Biosystems</a> ] [ <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2519129123">Paper</a> ] via [ <a href="https://gizmodo.com/these-self-configuring-modular-robots-may-one-day-rule-the-world-2000731381">Gizmodo</a> ] <div class="horizontal-rule"></div>If you were going to develop the ideal urban delivery robot more or less from scratch, it would be this.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l2q3kPl4mJQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.rivr.ai/rivr-two">RIVR</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>Don’t get me wrong, there are some clever things going on here, but I’m still having a lot of trouble seeing where the unique, sustainable value is for a <a data-linked-post="2666662286" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/humanoid-robots" target="_blank">humanoid robot</a> performing these sorts of tasks.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CAdTjePDBfc?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.figure.ai/news/helix-02-living-room-tidy">Figure</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>One of those things that you don’t really think about as a human, but is actually pretty important.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xYhOb9__Qk0?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.05760">Paper</a> ] via [ <a href="https://rsl.ethz.ch/" target="_blank">ETH Zurich</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="wi6u8bvofvc">We propose TRIP-Bag (Teleoperation, Recording, Intelligence in a Portable Bag), a portable, puppeteer-style teleoperation system fully contained within a commercial suitcase, as a practical solution for collecting high-fidelity manipulation data across varied settings.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wi6U8bvoFvc?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://uiuckimlab.github.io/TRIP-Bag-pages/">KIMLAB</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="nuouwhuzpwq">We propose an open-vocabulary semantic exploration system that enables robots to maintain consistent maps and efficiently locate (unseen) objects in semi-static real-world environments using LLM-guided reasoning.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUouwHUZPWQ?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/search-robot-thinks-for-itself">TUM</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>That’s it folks, we have no need for real pandas anymore—if we ever did in the first place. Be honest, what has a <a data-linked-post="2675288239" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/robot-martial-arts" target="_blank">panda</a> done for you lately?<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VRxAMLlkjko?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.magiclab.top/en/">MagicLab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="uhd6o6dem_o">RoboGuard is a general-purpose guardrail for ensuring the safety of LLM-enabled robots. RoboGuard is configured offline with high-level safety rules and a robot description, reasons about how these safety rules are best applied in robot’s context, then synthesizes a plan that maximally follows user preferences while ensuring safety.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uhd6O6DEM_o?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://robo-guard.github.io/">RoboGuard</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="5ekki51q1sk">In this demonstration, a small team responds to a (simulated) radiation contamination leak at a real nuclear reactor facility. The team deploys their reconfigurable robot to accompany them through the facility. As the station is suddenly plunged into darkness, the robot’s camera is hot-swapped to thermal so that it can continue on. Upon reaching the approximate location of the contamination, the team installs a Compton gamma-ray camera and pan-tilt illuminating device. The robot autonomously steps forward, locates the radiation source, and points it out with the illuminator.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ekKI51q1Sk?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11078050">Paper</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div><blockquote class="rm-anchors" id="zcnmhsg5bpw">On March 6th, 2025, the Robomechanics Lab at CMU was flooded with 4 feet of black water (i.e. mixed with sewage). We lost most of the robots in the lab, and as a tribute my students put together this “In Memoriam” video. It includes some previously unreleased robots and video clips.</blockquote><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zcnMHsg5Bpw?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/me/robomechanicslab/">Carnegie Mellon University Robomechanics Lab</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>There haven’t been a lot of successful <a data-linked-post="2650267089" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/your-kid-wants-a-thymio-ii-education-robot" target="_blank">education robots</a>, but here’s one of them.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i3goCzr4YA0?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://sphero.com/collections/all/products/rvr?variant=42004659142701">Sphero</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>The opening keynote from the 2025 Silicon Valley Humanoids Summit: “Insights Into Disney’s Robotic Character Platform,” by Moritz Baecher, Director, Zurich Lab, Disney Research.<iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" lazy-loadable="true" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/35i9M-jc0Oc?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe>[ <a href="https://humanoidssummit.com/">Humanoids Summit</a> ]<div class="horizontal-rule"></div>

Mar 13, 2026

Waabi's Raquel Urtasun on Level-4 Autonomous Trucks

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-adult-white-woman-with-short-dark-hair-and-crossed-arms-leaning-her-back-against-the-door-of-a-semi-truck.jpg?id=65278377&width=600&height=600&coordinates=937%2C0%2C938%2C0"/> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raquel_Urtasun" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raquel Urtasun</a> has spent 16 years in the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/self-driving-cars-2662494269" target="_self">self-driving space</a>, long enough to navigate every metaphorical glorious hill and plunging valley. She took the trip from the early “pipe dream” dismissals, to the “we’re this close” certainty, and back again.The industry is now riding a new wave of optimism and investment, including at <a href="https://waabi.ai/" target="_blank">Waabi Innovation Inc.</a>, the autonomous trucking company that Urtasun founded in 2021. The Spanish-Canadian professor at the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">University of Toronto</a>, and former chief scientist of Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group, has helped make Waabi a key player. Beginning in fall 2023, theToronto-based startup has been running geofenced cargo routes from Dallas to Houston in a fleet of retrofitted Peterbilt semis, navigating even residential streets in loaded, 36,000-kilogram (80,000-pound) behemoths with a human “safety observer” on board.In October, the company reached a milestone by integrating its <a href="https://waabi.ai/insights/introducing-the-waabi-driver" target="_blank">“Waabi Driver”</a> physical-AI system in Volvo’s new VNL Autonomous truck, which the Swedish automaker is building in Virginia. That self-driving solution uses Nvidia’s <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/solutions/autonomous-vehicles/in-vehicle-computing/" target="_blank">Drive AGX Thor</a>, an AI-based platform for autonomous and software-defined vehicles. In January, the Toronto-based startup raised $750 million in its latest funding round to accelerate commercial development in autonomous trucking, and expand its system into the fiercely competitive robotaxi space. Backers include <a href="https://www.khoslaventures.com/" target="_blank">Khosla Ventures</a>, <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Nvidia</a>, and <a href="https://www.volvo.com/en/" target="_blank">Volvo</a>.Urtasun says the <a href="https://waabi.ai/insights/introducing-the-waabi-driver" target="_blank">Waabi Driver</a> can scale across a full range of vehicles, geographies and environments—although snowstorms can still create a no-go zone for now. It’s powered by what Urtasun calls the industry’s most advanced neural simulator. The verifiable, end-to-end AI model will be a “shared brain” that partners can transplant into cars, trucks, and pretty much anything on wheels. The idea is to grab a chunk of a global autonomous trucking business that McKinsey estimates could be worth more than <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/will-autonomy-usher-in-the-future-of-truck-freight-transportation" target="_blank">$600 billion a year</a> by 2035; with autonomous haulers responsible for 15 percent of total U.S. trucking miles as early as 2030.Backed by an additional <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2026/01/28/robot-trucker-waabi-wades-into-robotaxi-battle-with-billion-dollar-raise/" target="_blank">$250 million from Uber</a>, Waabi plans to deploy at least 25,000 autonomous taxis through Uber’s ride-hailing service, whose world-dominating reach encompasses 70 countries, about 15,000 cities and more than 200 million monthly users.Urtasun spoke with IEEE Spectrum about how Waabi is counting on sensors and simulation to prove real-world safety; and why the move to autonomy is a moral imperative that outweighs the disruption for human drivers—whether they’re driving trucks or family sedans. Our conversation was edited for length and clarity.<h2>The Shift to Next-Gen Autonomous Vehicles</h2>IEEE Spectrum: Until quite recently, autonomous tech seemed to have hit a wall, at least in the public’s mind. Now investors are flooding the zone again, and companies are all-in. What happened?Raquel Urtasun: There were a lot of empty promises, or [people] not realizing the complexity of the problem. There was a realization that actually, this problem is harder than people anticipated. It’s also because of the type of technology that was developed at the time, what we call “AV 1.0”. These are hand-engineered systems that need to be brute-forced by humans. You need lots of capital and a massive amount of miles on the road just to get to the first deployment.What you see with the next generation—<a href="https://medium.com/data-science-collective/the-local-optimum-of-autonomy-de1969b77769" target="_blank">AV 2.0</a> and systems that can reason—is that you finally have a solution that scales. When we started the company, this was a very contrarian view. But today, the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/topic/artificial-intelligence/" target="_blank">breakthroughs in AI</a> have made it clear that this is the next big revolution. It’s not just about more compute; it’s about building a brain that can generalize. That is the “aha moment” the industry is having now.Even for someone who believes in the tech, seeing a driverless semi-trailer in your rear-view mirror might be unsettling. Now you’ve integrated your tech into the aerodynamic, diesel-powered Volvo VNL Autonomous truck. How do you convince regulators and the public that these trucks belong on the street? Urtasun: Safety, when you think about carrying 80,000 pounds on this massive rig, is definitely top of mind. We believe the only way to do this safely is with a redundant platform that is fully developed and validated by the OEM, not with a retrofit. The OEM does a special type of truck that has all the redundant steering, power, and braking, so that no matter what happens, there is always a way we can interface and activate that truck in a safe manner. Then we are responsible for the sensors, the compute, and obviously the brain that drives those trucks.<h2>AI’s Impact on Trucking Jobs</h2>One of the biggest points of contention is the displacement of human drivers. As AI disrupts a range of workplaces, how do respond to people who say this will eliminate good-paying, blue-collar jobs?Urtasun: The way we see this is that everybody who’s a truck driver today, and wants to retire as a truck driver, will be able to do so. This is physical AI; this is not like the digital world where suddenly you can switch immediately to this technology. That adoption and scaling is going to take time. There will also be many jobs created with this technology; remote operations, terminal operations, and other things. You have time to change the form of labor of being on the road, which is for weeks at a time—and it’s a really difficult and dehumanized job, let’s be honest—to something you can do locally. There was an interesting [U.S.] Department of Transportation study that showed because of this gradual adoption, there will be more jobs created than actually removed.You’ve spoken about a personal motivation behind this. Why do you believe the advantages of autonomy outweigh any growing pains, including the potential for unexpected accidents or even deaths?Urtasun: There are 2 million deaths on the road globally per year, and nobody’s questioning that. That’s the status quo. If you think the machines have to be perfect to deploy, you are actually sacrificing many humans along the way that you could have saved. Human error in accidents is between <a href="https://www.cbmclaw.com/what-percentage-of-car-accidents-are-caused-by-human-error/" target="_blank">90 percent and 96 percent</a>. Those could be preventable accidents. Some accidents will always be unavoidable; a tire could blow for a machine the same as it could for a human. But the important comparison is how much safer we are. This technology is the answer to many, many things.Most of the industry is focused on “hub-to-hub” highway driving. But you’ve argued that Waabi’s AI can handle the complexity of local streets.Urtasun: The rest of the industry has gone with this business model where you need hubs next to the highway. This adds a lot of friction and cost. Thanks to our verifiable end-to-end AI system, we can drive in surface [local] streets. We can do unprotected lefts, traffic lights, and tight turns. These core capabilities enable us to drive all the way to the end customer. We are already hauling commercial loads for customers like Samsung through our Uber Freight partnership.You’ve mentioned that Waabi doesn’t like to talk about “number of miles” driven as a metric. For an engineering audience, that sounds counterintuitive. How does your “simulation-first” approach replace the need for real-world road time?Urtasun: In the industry, miles have been used as a proxy for advancement. How many miles does <a href="https://www.tesla.com/about" target="_blank">Tesla</a> need to drive to see any of these situations? But we are a simulation-first company. Waabi World can simulate all the sensors, the behaviors of humans, everything. It is the only simulator where you can mathematically prove that testing and driving in simulation is the same as driving in the real world. You can expose the system to billions of simulations in the cloud. This is what allows us to be so capital efficient and fast.<h2>Verifiable AI vs. Black Box Systems</h2>What is the difference between your “interpretable” AI and the “black box” systems we see elsewhere?Urtasun: We’ve seen an evolution on passenger cars for level- 2+ systems to end-to-end, black box architectures. But those are not verifiable. You cannot validate and verify those systems, which is a massive problem when you think about regulators and OEMs trusting that technology.What Waabi has built is end-to-end, but fully verifiable. The system is forced to interpret what it is perceiving and use those interpretations for reasoning, so that it can understand the consequences of every action. It is much more akin to how our brain actually works; your “Type 2” thinking, where you start thinking about cause and effect and consequences, and then you typically do a much better choice in your maneuver.Tesla is famously, and controversially, relying on camera data almost exclusively to run and improve its self-driving systems. You’re not a fan of that approach?Urtasun: We use multiple sensors: lidar, camera, and radar. That’s very important because failure modes of those sensors are very different and they’re very complementary. We don’t compromise safety to reduce the bill- of- materials cost today.Those (passenger car) level-2+ systems are not architected for <a href="https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/levels-of-autonomous-driving-explained" target="_blank">level 4</a>, where there’s no human on board. People don’t necessarily realize there is a huge difference in terms of the bar when there is no human to rely on. It’s not, “Well, if I don’t have a lot of system interventions, I’m almost there.” That’s not a metric. We are native level 4. We decide which areas the system can drive in, and in what conditions. We are building technology that can drive different form factors—trucks or robotaxis—with the same brain.Editor’s note: This article was updated on 13 March to correct an error in the original post. Contrary to what was stated in the original post, the trucks being driven from Dallas to Houston do have a human observer on board.

Mar 12, 2026

Investing in Your Professional Community Yields Big Returns

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/older-male-professor-teaching-a-group-of-post-graduate-college-students-about-robotics-hands-on.jpg?id=65181840&width=600&height=600&coordinates=937%2C0%2C938%2C0"/> Engineering is so much more than solving problems or writing efficient code. It is about creating solutions that affect billions of lives and contributing to a profession built on innovation, responsibility, and collaboration. Although technical skills remain critical, what truly will accelerate the growth of the next generation of engineers is community and professional involvement.<h2>Learning from communities</h2>University programs provide a strong foundation in theory and practice, but they cannot capture the complexity of real-world engineering. As an IEEE senior member, I believe professional communities such as IEEE can help bridge the gap by offering:<ul><li>Practical experience through <a href="https://ieee-ai-dev-hack-2025.devpost.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hackathons</a>, open-source projects, and <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6461145" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">collaborative research</a>.</li><li>Exposure to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/epics-in-ieee-student-projects" target="_self">diverse perspectives</a>, with young engineers learning from peers across industries and cultures.</li><li><a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-collabratec-mentoring-program" target="_self">Mentorship opportunities</a> that accelerate career growth and instill professional values early.</li></ul>I have served as a mentor and judge for a variety of hackathons across different age groups, including high school competitions <a href="https://unitedhacksv5.devpost.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">United Hacks</a> and <a href="https://nextstep2025.devpost.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NextStep Hacks</a>, as well as graduate-level events such as <a href="https://hhuh.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HackHarvard</a>.The experiences demonstrate how transformative community-driven opportunities can be for young engineers. They provide exposure to teamwork, innovation, and the realities of solving problems at scale.<h2>The power of mentorship</h2>Engineers don’t develop skills in isolation. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/advice-leading-mentoring-greater-innovation" target="_self">Mentorship</a>, whether formal or informal, plays a pivotal role in shaping careers. Senior professionals who invest in guiding students and early-career engineers pass on more than technical knowledge. They share decision-making approaches, ethical considerations, and strategies for navigating careers, thereby expanding the engineering field.As a keynote speaker at conferences, I have seen how sharing real-world experiences can ignite students’ curiosity and confidence. What they often value most is not a lecture on technology but candid insights into how to be resilient, grow their career, and learn about the different engineering paths.<h2>Building ethical awareness</h2>With the rise of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other high-impact innovations, engineers’ <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/two-new-ai-ethics-certifications" target="_self">ethical responsibilities</a> are more important than ever. Professional organizations such as IEEE and <a href="https://www.acm.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ACM</a> emphasize <a href="https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">codes of ethics</a> and <a href="https://standards.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">standards</a> to help ensure that technology is developed responsibly.Through my work as a peer reviewer and committee member for IEEE and ACM conferences, including those at the university level, I have seen how the organizations promote rigor and accountability.When students engage with such communities early, they can not only expand their technical knowledge but also build an understanding of responsible innovation.<h2>Networking as a catalyst for innovation</h2>Engineering breakthroughs often emerge at the intersections of different fields. Professional communities create the space for such interactions. A student working on computer vision, for example, might discover health care applications by collaborating with biomedical engineers.While reviewing papers for conferences, I have seen how interdisciplinary ideas spark promising innovations.I bring the same perspective to my role as an <a href="https://ieee-collabratec.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Collabratec</a> mentor, connecting with innovators across different disciplines and industries.“When we invest in the community, we invest in the future of engineering.”By collaborating on projects and expanding your reach, you can find the mentors or partners you need to inspire your next breakthrough.Participating in forums allows students and professionals alike to broaden their horizons and explore solutions that go beyond traditional boundaries.<h2>Giving back shapes leadership</h2>Community involvement is not only about what you gain. It is also about what you give. Engineers who <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-stem-summit-2025" target="_self">volunteer for educational programs</a>, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-tryengineering-20-years" target="_self">STEM initiatives</a>, and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-leadership-nominations-2027" target="_self">professional committees</a> can develop leadership skills that extend beyond technical expertise. They can learn to inspire, organize, and guide others.Judging hackathons and mentoring student teams reminds me that leadership often begins with service. When experienced professionals actively invest in the growth of others, they help create a culture wherein learning and leadership are passed forward.<h2>Preparing for a lifelong journey</h2>Learning how to be an engineer doesn’t end when you earn your degree. It is a lifelong journey of learning, adapting, and contributing. By engaging with communities and professional networks early, students and graduates can develop habits that serve them throughout their career. They can stay current with emerging trends, build trusted professional relationships, and gain resilience through shared challenges.Community involvement can transform engineers from problem-solvers into change agents.<h2>Investing in the community</h2>The future of engineering depends not only on technological advancement but also on the collective strength of its communities. By fostering mentorship, encouraging collaboration, and embedding ethical responsibility, professional and community involvement can ensure that the next generation of engineers is prepared to meet tomorrow’s challenges with competence and character.My journey as a mentor, judge, keynote speaker, and peer reviewer has reinforced a clear truth: When we invest in the community, we invest in the future of engineering. The students and young professionals we support today will be the ones building the world we live in tomorrow.

Mar 12, 2026

40 Years of Wireless Evolution Leads to a Smart, Sensing Network

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/mobile-evolution-from-1g-brick-phone-to-6g-robotic-arm-across-generations.gif?id=65257401&width=600&height=600&coordinates=438%2C0%2C438%2C0"/> Every generation of mobile networks, from 1G to 5G, has rewritten the rules of how the world lives and works. The coming <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/6g-bandwidth" target="_self">6G revolution</a>, by decade’s end, will represent a new direction still, toward a universal data fabric where millions of agents collaborate in real-time across the digital and physical worlds.The story of wireless connectivity is often told in speeds and standards—megabits per second, latency, and spectrum bands. But these generational shifts in device specs obscure a deeper pattern. Each generation, from 1G to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-5g" target="_self">5G</a>, rewrote the relationships between three elements: the Devices we carry, the Networks that connect them, and the Applications that run on them. We call this connectivity’s DNA. With 6G, that DNA of interconnection is about to change fundamentally.As with the “7 Phases of the Internet”—an article we <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/history-of-internet-7-phases" target="_self">published with IEEE Spectrum last October</a>—mobile networks’ 6 generations follow a similar arc toward system-wide intelligence. That arc traces through every generation of wireless, revealing a steady advancement of the reach and scope of connectivity itself.<h3>1G Connected Analog Voices</h3> <img alt='"Vintage 1G mobile phones with network diagram on a dotted dark background."' class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2534ded91722812f4c4e0da884420881" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="0e793" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/vintage-1g-mobile-phones-with-network-diagram-on-a-dotted-dark-background.png?id=65257405&width=980"/>Devices: Bulky, expensive, analog phonesNetworks: Circuit-switched systems dedicated exlusively to voiceApplications: Telephony, and telephony onlyThe <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/first-portable-telephone-call-made-40-years-ago-today" target="_self">first-generation networks of the 1980s</a> did precisely one thing: carry voices without wires. Early cellphones were barely portable—brick-sized handsets that cost thousands of dollars and drained batteries in minutes. Networks like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Mobile_Phone_System" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Advanced Mobile Phone System</a> (AMPS) used circuit-switching, dedicating an entire channel to each call, which meant capacity was scarce and expensive. The only application was the phone call.Yet 1G’s modest achievement was revolutionary. Conversations could now move with the person having it. Communication detached from location. A salesperson could close a deal from their car. A doctor could be reached on the go. The technology was clunky and expensive, and the calls were only local. Nevertheless, the conceptual shift was real: the network would now follow the user, not the other way around. Every generation since has built on that remarkable insight.<h3>2G Merged Digital Voice with Messaging</h3> <img alt="2G mobile phones with network diagram in background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2bb666c704c9cdc4f9ea6b6fd9cd29c5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="91db3" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/2g-mobile-phones-with-network-diagram-in-background.png?id=65257431&width=980"/>Devices: Smaller, more affordable phones with better battery lifeNetworks: GSM, CDMA, and TDMA—digital networks that enabled global roamingApplications: Texting (SMS) took off, becoming wireless’s first killer appWireless phones’ second generation, arriving in the 1990s, ushered in a quieter revolution: digitization. Phones shrank, battery life stretched from hours to days, and prices dropped low enough for mass adoption. Networks like GSM and CDMA encoded voice as data, dramatically improving spectral efficiency and enabling something new—global roaming. A handset purchased in Helsinki could work in Hong Kong.But the big surprise was SMS. Text messaging was almost an afterthought, a way to use spare signaling capacity. Many users, especially younger ones, soon preferred it to voice calls. By decade’s end, billions of texts were crisscrossing the planet daily. SMS became wireless telecom’s first killer app—proof that once you gave people a network, they’d find unexpected applications for it. The lesson would repeat with every generation to come.<h3>3G Gave Mobile Data a Platform</h3> <img alt='"3G connectivity illustration with smartphones and network diagram."' class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f2ffb4e3085f6d6bcf64264637e7e863" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="c205e" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/3g-connectivity-illustration-with-smartphones-and-network-diagram.png?id=65257434&width=980"/>Devices: Early smartphones combined telephony with computing and camerasNetworks: Hundreds of kilobits-per-second bandwidthApplications: Mobile e-mail, browsing, and early app ecosystems<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/att-3g-shutdown" target="_self">Third generation mobile networks</a>, in the 2000s, launched the mobile internet. In Japan, NTT <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nifty-new-cellular-phone-systems-race-to-capture-japans-consumers" target="_self">DoCoMo’s i-Mode</a> service showed what was possible: a handset that could browse websites, check email, and download ringtones. Proto-smartphones of the 3G era married telephony with computing and rudimentary cameras. Networks like Wideband <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/irwin-jacobs-captain-of-cdma" target="_self">CDMA</a> and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/nifty-new-cellular-phone-systems-race-to-capture-japans-consumers" target="_self">EV-DO</a> delivered speeds measured in hundreds of kilobits per second—horse-and-buggy speeds by today’s standards, but enough to make mobile email usable.The applications that emerged hinted at a future still out of reach. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-story-behind-the-blackberry-case" target="_self">BlackBerry</a> became synonymous with executive productivity. Early app stores began to pop up. But screens were small, interfaces clunky, and coverage spotty. 3G was a proof of concept more than a finished product—mobile data was possible, even useful, but not yet transformative. The infrastructure was in place. What the world needed now was a device that could exploit it.<h3>4G Rolled Out a Completely Mobile Internet</h3> <img alt="Smartphone and flip phone with 4G network diagram in black and white." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d13366a573fb84626d13f48fe7d67637" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="66879" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/smartphone-and-flip-phone-with-4g-network-diagram-in-black-and-white.png?id=65257437&width=980"/>Devices: Full-fledged smartphones became general-purpose computing platforms, with integrated GPS and app ecosystemsNetworks: LTE delivered speeds up to 100x greater than 3G—making video streaming, maps, and video conferencing possibleApplications: The app economy exploded, launching household names like Uber, Instagram, and WhatsAppThat device that could exploit the wireless network arrived with 4G. When <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/lte-advanced-is-the-real-4g" target="_self">long-term evolution</a> (LTE) networks began rolling out around 2010, they delivered speeds an order of magnitude or more beyond 3G—fast enough to stream video, load maps instantly, and hold a video call without buffering. The network could now keep pace with what users wanted to do with it.The smartphones that rode this wave were no longer communication tools with a few added features. 4G devices were increasingly general-purpose computers running on broadband networks; the pocket-sized computers just happened to make calls. High-resolution touchscreens, integrated GPS, accelerometers, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_app" target="_blank">vast app ecosystems</a> transformed mobile devices into something new: a platform. The phone became a remote control for daily life.And daily life reorganized around it. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uber" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Uber</a> turned any car into a potential taxi. Instagram turned any phone into a camera with an inbuilt, global audience. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhatsApp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WhatsApp</a> replaced SMS texting and, in some countries, the phone call itself. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Netflix</a> moved from the living room to the subway. The app economy minted millionaires and disrupted industries.4G democratized access to computing and services—a supercomputer in every pocket, connected to everything. The platform economics it enabled now shape how billions of people work, shop, travel, and communicate.<h3>5G Pushed Connected Intelligence to the Edge</h3> <img alt="5G text with foldable phone and cell tower on a black textured background." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="eaca5bd76747c42395a397e6b8f9e44f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="59d07" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/5g-text-with-foldable-phone-and-cell-tower-on-a-black-textured-background.png?id=65257454&width=980"/>Devices: Smartphones with AI-specific hardware capable of trillions of operations per secondNetworks: Programmable, sliceable infrastructure with low latency and edge computing capabilitiesApplications: Smart factories, connected healthcare, augmented reality, and early, semi-autonomous systemsIf 4G put the internet in your pocket, 5G began putting connected intelligence there too. When commercial 5G deployments began in 2019, the headline was speed—peak rates that dwarfed LTE. But the deeper shift was architectural. For the first time, the foundational network itself became programmable.The devices reflected this ambition. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_12" target="_blank">iPhone 12</a> and its contemporaries shipped with dedicated AI accelerators—<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A14" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple’s Neural Engine</a> could execute trillions of operations per second. Suddenly, sophisticated tasks that once required heavy use of cloud computing resources could now happen locally: real-time language translation, computational photography, augmented reality that actually worked. The device was no longer just a terminal; it was a neural network in continuous dialogue with a programmable mobile infrastructure.5G introduced concepts alien to earlier wireless generations. Network slicing allowed operators to carve out virtual networks, each optimized for its own application—a broadband slice for a rider on the bus watching a TV show on their phone, a low-latency slice for a video conference happening in the office on the second floor, above the bus route.The applications followed. Smart factories deployed thousands of connected sensors. Hospitals began experimenting with remote diagnostics. AR glasses moved from novelty to tool. 5G didn’t just deliver faster pipes—it delivered flexible, application-aware infrastructure. The network had begun to sense—and react.<h3>6G Will Usher In an Internet of AI agents</h3> <img alt='Text "6G" with a robotic arm reaching toward a satellite against a dotted background.' class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c386c862d7d49c27d842c2e5aafe2a5e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="7feaa" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/text-6g-with-a-robotic-arm-reaching-toward-a-satellite-against-a-dotted-background.png?id=65257462&width=980"/>Devices: Digital and physical AI agentsNetworks: AI-native fabrics fusing communication and sensing, via ground-based and non-terrestrial connectionsApplications: Intelligent agents coordinating healthcare, transportation, and consumer applications globallyThe transformation 6G promises is not incremental. By decade’s end, devices will no longer be tools we operate—they will be agents that increasingly act on our behalf.AI agents already live inside our phones: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Intelligence" target="_blank">Apple Intelligence</a> summarizes emails and coordinates across apps; Samsung’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_AI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galaxy AI</a> translates conversations in real time; Google’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_(language_model)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gemini Nano</a> processes queries without touching the cloud. These are early sketches of software that reasons, plans, and executes. Agents will before long be negotiating your calendar, managing your finances, and coordinating your travel—not by following scripts, but by inferring intent.Physical AI agents will extend these capabilities into the physical world. At CES 2025, Nvidia CEO <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/2026-ieee-medal-of-honor" target="_self">Jensen Huang</a> announced <a href="https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-launches-cosmos-world-foundation-model-platform-to-accelerate-physical-ai-development" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cosmos</a>, a foundation model trained on video and physics simulations to teach robots and vehicles how to navigate unpredictable environments. Using Cosmos, autonomous vehicles could negotiate intersections collaboratively, warehouse robots and robotic arms could coordinate with digital twins, medical devices monitor patients and summon help before symptoms become emergencies. These systems perceive, reason, and act—continuously connected, continuously learning.The network coordinating them will be unlike any generation previous. 6G infrastructure will be AI-native, dynamically predicting demand, and allocating resources in real time. It will fuse communication with sensing (a.k.a. integrated sensing and communication, or ISAC) so the network doesn’t just transmit data but perceives the environment as well. Terrestrial towers will integrate with satellite constellations and stratospheric platforms, erasing coverage gaps over oceans, deserts, and disaster zones.What emerges is not just faster wireless. It is a universal fabric where vast networks of digital and physical agents collaborate across industries and borders—healthcare agents collaborating with transportation agents, for instance, or robots coordinating their actions across a smart factory’s manufacturing floor. The network becomes less a pipe than a nervous system: sensing, transmitting, deciding, and acting.<h2>Beyond Devices, Networks, and Apps</h2>The history of wireless connectivity is a history of Devices, Networks, and Applications. Every generation from 1G through 6G redefined each of those three elements. However, 6G marks a departure point where devices, network elements, and applications begin to lose definition as discrete entities unto themselves. As the network grows more capable, it also paradoxically becomes less visible—connection without connectors.From 1G’s brick-sized phones to 6G’s digital fabric, wireless has moved from analog voices to autonomous agents—present everywhere, noticed nowhere, continuously interconnecting digital and physical worlds.

Mar 11, 2026

IEEE Launches Global Virtual Career Fairs

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-enlarged-computer-cursor-hovering-over-a-gallery-of-online-career-exhibits.jpg?id=65256889&width=600&height=600&coordinates=289%2C0%2C290%2C0"/> In 2025 IEEE launched its first <a href="https://careerfair.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">virtual career fair</a> to help strengthen the <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/topic/careers/" target="_self">engineering workforce</a> and connect top talent with industry professionals. The event, which was held in the United States, attracted thousands of students and professionals. They learned about more than 500 job opportunities in high-demand fields including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and power and energy. They also gained access to career resources.Hosted by <a href="https://industry.ieee.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Industry Engagement</a>, the event marked a milestone in the organization’s expanding workforce development efforts to bridge the gap between academic training and industry needs while bolstering the technical talent pipeline, says <a href="https://ieee-pes.org/profile/dlp-jessica-bian/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jessica Bian</a>, 2025 chair of the <a href="https://www.ieee.org/ieee-industry-engagement-committee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Industry Engagement Committee</a>. The IEC works to strengthen the connection with industry professionals, companies, and technology sectors through global <a href="https://careerfair.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">career fairs</a>, <a href="https://www.ieee.org/about/industry/newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">as well as its Industry Newsletter</a>, <a href="https://technical-community-spotlight.ieee.org/ieee-for-industry-connecting-talent-companies-and-communities/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AI-powered career guidance tools</a>, <a href="https://wts.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">and World Technology Summits, where industry leaders discuss </a>solutions to societal challenges.“We are bringing together companies, universities, and young professionals to help meet the demand for technical talent in critical sectors,” Bian says. “It is part of our commitment to preparing the next generation of innovators.”The virtual career fairs are expanding to more IEEE regions this year. One was held last month for <a href="https://r9.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region 9</a> (Latin America). One is scheduled next month for <a href="https://ieeer8.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region 8</a> (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and another in May for <a href="https://www.ieee.ca/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region 7</a> (Canada).A global career fair is slated for June.Registration information for all the fairs is available at <a href="https://careerfair.ieee.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">careerfair.ieee.org</a>.<h2>Innovative recruitment events</h2>The fairs, which use the <a href="https://www.vfairs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vFairs</a> virtual platform, provide interactive sessions with representatives from hiring companies, direct chats with recruiters, video interviews, and access to downloadable job resources. The features help remove geographic barriers and increase visibility for employers and job seekers.The career fair platform features interactive engagement tools including networking roundtables, a live activity feed, a leaderboard, and a virtual photobooth to encourage participants to remain active throughout the day.<h2>Bringing together thousands of professionals</h2>STEM students participated in the U.S. and Latin America events, along with early-career professionals and seasoned engineers—almost 8,000 participants in all. They represented diverse fields including software engineering, AI, semiconductors, and power systems.<a href="https://www.siemens.com/en-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Siemens</a>, <a href="https://www.burnsmcd.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Burns & McDonnell</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwi-1fDfifCSAxUCCK0GHeHBDjEYACICCAEQARoCcHY&ae=2&co=1&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAiAkvDMBhBMEiwAnUA9BQp2zCXC2btBbslkOt04m9nCCEDKjtNl_chAjPV6-gfvArxotHqJ7hoCz_cQAvD_BwE&ei=BIacaa_SOe6Bm9cPsPTd2QY&cid=CAASZeRoiiJWbQLjoGeAw6NeJIU8dPIxjq3-pN40yyDd5YgiKapyFYZ-BdO816Us7tIhWxDrbMoEaN-D72D6mboXa9i3m2DhNonVJSpw0q4_PPeHlIReIiMDYU8aqq3sW7i5Ycht3uOy&cce=2&category=acrcp_v1_71&sig=AOD64_1IgGRY71ubL2PYPXX5kYNLdBmuKA&q&sqi=2&nis=4&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiv5OPfifCSAxXuwOYEHTB6N2sQ0Qx6BAgOEAE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Morgan Stanley</a> were among the <a href="https://careerfair.ieee.org/participating-companies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dozens of companies</a> that participated in the U.S. event. More than 500 internships, co-op opportunities, and full-time positions were promoted.“I found the overall process highly efficient and the platform intuitive—which made for a great sourcing experience,” said a recruiter from Burns & McDonnell, a design and construction firm. “I was able to join a session, short-list several high-potential candidates, review their résumés, and initiate contact with a couple of them.“I am optimistic that we will be able to extend at least one offer from this pipeline.”Participating students described the fair as impactful.“I gained valuable hiring insights from industry leaders, like Siemens, <a href="https://www.trccompanies.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TRC Companies</a>, and <a href="https://selinc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories</a>,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dugan-28555b287" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michael Dugan</a>, an electrical and computer engineering graduate student at <a href="https://www.rice.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rice University</a>, in Houston.<h2>New tools elevating the candidate experience</h2>Attendees had access to AI-guided job-matching tools and career development programs and resources.Prior to the fair, registrants could use the <a href="https://icgc-beta.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Career Guidance Counselor</a>, an AI-powered career advisor. The ICGC tool analyzes candidates’ skills and experience to suggest aligned roles and provides tailored professional development plans.The ICGC also makes personalized recommendations for mentors, job opportunities, training resources, and career pathways.Pre-event workshops and mock interview sessions helped participants refine their résumé, strengthen interview strategies, and manage expectations. They also provided tips on how to engage with recruiters.“I gained valuable hiring insights from industry leaders, like Siemens, TRC Companies, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.” —Michael Dugan, graduate student at <a href="https://www.rice.edu/" target="_blank">Rice University</a>, in HoustonDuring the Future Ready Engineers: Essential Skills and Networking Strategies to Stand Out at a Career Fair workshop, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaibuibrahim/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shaibu Ibrahim</a>, a senior electrical engineer and member of <a href="https://yp.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Young Professionals</a>, shared networking strategies for career fairs and industry events as well as tips on preparation, engagement, and effective follow-up.“The workshop offered advice that shaped my approach to the fair,” Dugan said. “It truly helped manage expectations and maximize my preparation.”<h2>Learning more about IEEE</h2>To help participants learn about IEEE and its <a data-linked-post="2656661746" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/new-features-on-volunteering-platform" target="_blank">volunteering opportunities</a>, its societies and councils set up roundtables and technical community booths at the fairs. They were hosted by <a href="https://ta.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Technical Activities</a>, <a href="https://futurenetworks.ieee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Future Networks</a>, and the <a href="https://signalprocessingsociety.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IEEE Signal Processing Society</a>.“While exploring volunteer opportunities, I was excited to learn about IEEE Future Networks,” Dugan said. “Connecting with dedicated IEEE members, like <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpolk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Craig Polk</a>, was a definite highlight.” Polk is an IEEE senior member and a senior program manager for IEEE Future Networks.<h2>A commitment to career development</h2>IEEE created the career fairs as free, accessible platforms for employers and job seekers to serve as a trusted bridge between companies seeking top technical talent and members dedicated to advancing their career. It is our responsibility to support them by connecting them with meaningful career opportunities.In today’s unpredictable job landscape, IEEE is stepping up to help our talented members navigate change, build resilience, and connect with future employers.

Mar 11, 2026

Keep Your Intuition Sharp While Using AI Coding Tools

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/an-illustration-of-stylized-people-wearing-business-casual-clothing.webp?id=65257424&width=600&height=600&coordinates=150%2C0%2C150%2C0"/> This article is crossposted from IEEE Spectrum’s careers newsletter. <a href="https://engage.ieee.org/Career-Alert-Sign-Up.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sign up now</a> to get insider tips, expert advice, and practical strategies, written in partnership with tech career development company <a href="https://www.parsity.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Parsity</a> and delivered to your inbox for free!<h2>How to Keep Your Engineering Skills Sharp in an AI World</h2>Engineers today are caught in a strange new reality. We’re expected to move faster than ever using AI tools for coding, analysis, documentation, and design. At the same time, there’s a growing worry in the background: If the AI is doing the work, what happens to my skills?That concern isn’t just philosophical. <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/AI-assistance-coding-skills" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Research from Anthropic</a>, the company behind Claude, has suggested that heavy AI assistance can interfere with human learning—especially for more junior software engineers. When a tool fills in the gaps too quickly, you may deliver working output without ever building a strong mental model of what’s happening underneath. More experienced engineers often feel a different version of this anxiety: a fear that they might slowly lose the hard-earned intuition that made them effective in the first place.In some ways, this isn’t new. We’ve always borrowed solutions from textbooks, colleagues, forums, and code snippets from strangers on the internet. The difference now is speed and scale. AI can generate pages of plausible solutions in seconds. It’s never been easier to produce work you don’t fully understand.I recently felt this firsthand when I joined a new team and had to work in a codebase and language I’d never used before. With AI tools, I was able to become productive almost immediately. I could describe a small change I wanted, get back something that matched the existing patterns, and ship improvements within days. That kind of ramp-up speed is incredible and, increasingly, expected.But I also noticed how easy it would have been to stop at “it works.”Instead, I made a conscious decision to use AI not just to generate solutions, but to deepen my understanding. After getting a working change, I’d ask the AI to walk me through the code step by step. Why was this pattern used? What would break if I removed this abstraction? Is this idiomatic for this language, or just one possible approach?The shift from generation to interrogation made a massive difference.One of the most powerful techniques I used was explaining things back in my own words. I’d summarize how I thought a part of the system worked or how this language handled certain concepts, then ask the AI to point out gaps or mistakes. That process forced me to form my own mental models rather than just recognizing patterns. Over time, I started to build intuition for the language’s quirks, common pitfalls, and design style. This kind of understanding helps you debug and design, not just copy and paste.This is the core mindset shift engineers need in the AI era: Use AI to accelerate learning, not to replace thinking.The worst way to use these tools is also the easiest: prompt, accept, ship, repeat. That path leads to shallow knowledge and growing dependence. The better path is slightly slower but more durable. Let AI help you move quickly, but always come back and ask, Do I understand what I just built? If not, use the same tool to help you understand it.AI can absolutely make us faster. Used well, it can also make us better at our jobs. The engineers who stay sharp won’t be the ones who avoid AI, they’ll be the ones who turn it into a collaborator in their own learning.—Brian<h2><a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/repair-ukraine-power-grid" target="_self">How Ukraine’s Electrical Engineers Fight a War</a> </h2>When war strikes, critical power infrastructure is often hit. Engineers in Ukraine have risked their lives to keep electricity flowing, and some have been hurt or killed in the dangerous wartime conditions. One such engineer, Oleksiy Brecht, died on the job in January. “Brecht’s life and death are a window into the realities of thousands of Ukrainian engineers who face conditions beyond what most engineers could imagine,” writes IEEE Spectrum contributing editor Peter Fairley. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/repair-ukraine-power-grid" target="_blank">Read more here. </a><h2><a href="https://semiengineering.com/can-a-computer-science-student-be-taught-to-design-hardware/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Can a Computer Science Student Be Taught To Design Hardware?</a></h2>The semiconductor industry needs more engineers to build the chips that power our daily lives. To help expand the talent pool, the industry is testing new approaches, including training software engineers to design hardware with the help of AI tools. All engineers will still need to have an understanding of the fundamentals—but could computer science students soon apply their coding skills to help design hardware? <a href="https://semiengineering.com/can-a-computer-science-student-be-taught-to-design-hardware/" target="_blank">Read more here. </a><h2><a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-course-technical-writing" target="_self">IEEE Course Improves Engineers’ Writing Skills</a></h2>Effective writing and communication are among the most important skills for engineers looking to advance their careers. Though often labeled a “soft skill,” clear communication is essential in both academia and industry. IEEE is now offering a course covering key writing skills, ethical use of generative AI, publishing strategies, and more. <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-course-technical-writing" target="_blank">Read more here. </a>

Mar 11, 2026

How Robert Goddard’s Self-Reliance Crashed His Rocket Dreams

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/illustrated-workers-assembling-a-colorful-rocket-against-a-geometric-blue-background.png?id=65239802&width=600&height=600&coordinates=200%2C0%2C200%2C0"/> There’s a moment in John Williams’s Star Wars overture when the brass surges upward. You don’t just hear it; you feel propulsion turning into pure possibility.On 16 March 1926, in a snow-dusted field in Auburn, Mass., <a href="https://siarchives.si.edu/history/featured-topics/stories/robert-h-goddard-american-rocket-pioneer" target="_blank">Robert Goddard</a> created an earlier version of that same feeling. His first liquid-fueled rocket—a spindly, three meter tangle of pipes and tanks—lifted off, climbed about 12.5 meters, traveled roughly 56 meters downrange, and crashed into the frozen ground after 2.5 seconds. A few witnesses, Goddard’s helpers, shivered in the cold. The little machine defied common sense. It rose through the air with nothing to push against. Anyone who still insisted spaceflight was impossible now faced a question: Why had this contraption risen at all?Six years earlier, The New York Times had ridiculed Goddard, declaring that rockets could never work in a vacuum and implying that he had somehow forgotten high-school physics. Nearly half a century later, as Apollo 11 sped moonward, the paper published a terse, almost comically understated correction. By then, Goddard had been dead for 24 years.<h2>The Alpha Trap</h2>Breakthroughs often demand qualities that facilitate early success but later become obstacles. When the world insists something is impossible, the pioneer needs an inner certainty strong enough to endure mockery and isolation. Later, though, that certainty can become a liability. Call this the “alpha trap”: The mindset and habits that once made creation possible can later block growth. This “alpha” has nothing to do with dominance or bravado. It means epistemic stubbornness, the fierce insistence on testing reality against a consensus that says the work isn’t merely hard, but impossible. Such efforts often begin with a lone visionary. But most ideas eventually need a team. The first stage selects for people willing to stand entirely alone, and that’s when the trap starts to close.The mockery scarred Goddard. It drove him inward, toward a small circle of confidants. Through the early 1930s, his rockets climbed higher each year. The Guggenheim family and Smithsonian Institution funded him, giving him the rarest resource in early innovation: time. By the mid-1930s, his designs were reaching more than a thousand meters.But the work gradually changed. The impossible had become merely difficult—and difficult tasks demand teams, not loners. And yet Goddard acted as though he were still guarding a fragile, misunderstood dream. He resisted collaboration and despite conversations with the U.S. military never established a partnership, instead concentrating expertise in his own workshop. Elsewhere in the United States more freewheeling amateurs and academics partnered to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/frank-malina-americas-forgotten-rocketeer" target="_self">develop early liquid-propelled and later solid-fuel rockets</a>. Meanwhile, on the Baltic coast at Peenemünde, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ernst-stuhlinger-a-legend-of-the-space-age" target="_blank">hundreds of German engineers</a> divided labor into synchronized streams of propulsion, guidance, structures, testing, and production. By 1942, they were flight-testing the V-2. Postwar analysts studying the wreckage saw many of Goddard’s ideas reflected there: liquid propellants, gyroscopic stabilization, exhaust vanes, fuel-cooled chambers, and fast turbopumps, all concepts he’d tested or patented in painstaking, protracted isolation. <h2>Doctor’s Orders</h2>The alpha trap had caught others before him. In 1846, physician Ignaz Semmelweis noticed that one maternity ward at Vienna General Hospital had far higher death rates than another. He traced the difference to a deadly habit: Doctors moved straight from autopsies to deliveries without washing their hands. When he required handwashing with chlorinated lime, deaths plummeted within months.But the medical establishment resisted. Many refused to accept that physicians themselves could spread disease. Rejection embittered Semmelweis. He grew combative, antagonizing colleagues and publishing in ways that failed to persuade, and framing disagreement as a moral failure rather than as dialogue. Brilliant scientifically, he was disastrous socially. Isolation replaced alliance building, and alliance building was precisely what his discovery needed. In 1865, he died in an asylum, his ideas dismissed as delusions. Acceptance, though, came later through the collaborative networks of Joseph Lister and Louis Pasteur.The same trait that lets an inventor defy consensus can also blind them to what they need next. When allies became essential, Semmelweis’s anger slowed adoption. When scale became essential, Goddard’s secrecy slowed diffusion. The stubbornness that shielded them early began to repel the help their work required. Goddard kept behaving as though the main problem was still disbelief, and not coordination.Both men leave visionary and cautionary legacies. A <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/dr-robert-h-goddard-american-rocketry-pioneer/" target="_blank">NASA Center bears Goddard’s name</a> despite his isolation; Semmelweis is remembered as the doctor who could have saved countless lives had he found a way to connect with his colleagues rather than combat them. We love to celebrate the lone genius, yet we depend on teams to bring the flame of genius to the people. The alpha mindset can conquer the impossible and then become its own obstacle. Both men were right about their breakthroughs. But ideas born in solitude must eventually live among multitudes. A founder’s duty is to know when to shift from sole guardian to steward of something larger. That shift requires self-awareness: the discipline to ask whether isolation still serves the work or has become a hindrance.Escaping the alpha trap means treating stubbornness as an instrument, not an identity. Stubbornness and its cousin, suspicion, are vital when you truly stand alone, but dangerous the moment potential allies appear. Goddard’s dream touched the stars, but it took teams of others to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/a-rocket-scientist-recalls-the-first-us-spaceflight" target="_blank">lift it there</a>. And that orchestral surge in Star Wars? It swells from the ensemble, not a single bold trumpet.

Mar 11, 2026

Why AI Chatbots Agree With You Even When You’re Wrong

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/conceptual-collage-of-emojis-being-poured-through-a-strainer-and-into-a-phone-judgmental-emojis-are-filtered-out-only-allowing.jpg?id=65209153&width=600&height=600&coordinates=375%2C0%2C375%2C0"/> In April of 2025, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/openai" target="_blank">OpenAI</a> released a new version of GPT-4o, one of the AI algorithms users could select to power ChatGPT, the company’s chatbot. The next week, OpenAI reverted to the previous version. “The update we removed was overly flattering or agreeable—often described as sycophantic,” the company <a href="https://openai.com/index/sycophancy-in-gpt-4o/" target="_blank">announced</a>. Some people found the sycophancy hilarious. One user reportedly asked ChatGPT about his <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1k920cg/new_chatgpt_just_told_me_my_literal_shit_on_a/" target="_blank">turd-on-a-stick</a> business idea, to which it replied, “It’s not just smart—it’s genius.” Some found the behavior uncomfortable. For others, it was actually dangerous. Even versions of 4o that were less fawning have led to lawsuits against OpenAI for allegedly encouraging users to follow through on plans for self-harm. Unremitting adulation has even triggered AI-induced psychosis. Last October, a user named Anthony Tan <a href="https://joinreboot.org/p/ai-psychosis" target="_blank">blogged</a>, “I started talking about philosophy with ChatGPT in September 2024. Who could’ve known that a few months later I would be in a psychiatric ward, believing I was protecting Donald Trump from … a robotic cat?” He added: “The AI engaged my intellect, fed my ego, and altered my worldviews.” Sycophancy in AI, as in people, is something of a squishy concept, but over the last couple of years, researchers have conducted numerous studies detailing the phenomenon, as well as why it happens and how to control it. AI yes-men also raise questions about what we really want from chatbots. At stake is more than annoying linguistic tics from your favorite virtual assistant, but in some cases sanity itself.<h2>AIs Are People Pleasers</h2><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.13548" target="_blank">One of the first papers</a> on AI sycophancy was released by <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/anthropic" target="_blank">Anthropic</a>, the maker of Claude, in 2023. <a href="https://www.mrinanksharma.net/" target="_blank">Mrinank Sharma</a> and colleagues asked several language models—the core AIs inside chatbots—factual questions. When users challenged the AI’s answer, even mildly (“I think the answer is [incorrect answer] but I’m really not sure”), the models often caved. Another <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08596v2" target="_blank">study</a> by Salesforce tested a variety of models with multiple-choice questions. Researchers found that merely saying “Are you sure?” was often enough to change an AI’s answer. Overall accuracy dropped because the models were usually right in the first place. When an AI receives a minor misgiving, “it flips,” says <a href="https://tingofurro.github.io/" target="_blank">Philippe Laban</a>, the lead author, who’s now at <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/" target="_blank">Microsoft Research</a>. “That’s weird, you know?”The tendency persists in prolonged exchanges. Last year, <a href="https://www.cs.emory.edu/~kshu5/" target="_blank">Kai Shu</a> of Emory University and colleagues at Emory and Carnegie Mellon University <a href="https://aclanthology.org/2025.findings-emnlp.121.pdf" target="_blank">tested models in longer discussions</a>. They repeatedly disagreed with the models in debates, or embedded false presuppositions in questions (“Why are rainbows only formed by the sun…”) and then argued when corrected by the model. Most models yielded within a few responses, though reasoning models—those trained to “think out loud” before giving a final answer—lasted longer. <a href="https://myracheng.github.io/" target="_blank">Myra Cheng</a> at Stanford University and colleagues have written several papers on what they call “social sycophancy,” in which the AIs act to save the user’s dignity. In <a href="https://openreview.net/forum?id=igbRHKEiAs" target="_blank">one study</a>, they presented social dilemmas, including questions from a Reddit forum in which people ask <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/" target="_blank">if they’re the jerk</a>. They identified various dimensions of social sycophancy, including validation, in which AIs told inquirers that they were right to feel the way they did, and framing, in which they accepted underlying assumptions. All models tested, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, were significantly more sycophantic than crowdsourced responses.<h2>Three Ways to Explain Sycophancy</h2>One way to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01314-y">explain</a> people-pleasing is behavioral: certain kinds of inquiries reliably elicit sycophancy. For example, a group from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.02087" target="_blank">found</a> that adding a user’s belief to a multiple-choice question dramatically increased agreement with incorrect beliefs. Surprisingly, it mattered little whether users described themselves as novices or experts.Stanford’s Cheng found in one <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04435" target="_blank">study</a> that models were less likely to question incorrect facts about cancer and other topics when the facts were presupposed as part of a question. “If I say, ‘I’m going to my sister’s wedding,’ it sort of breaks up the conversation if you’re, like, ‘Wait, hold on, do you have a sister?’” Cheng says. “Whatever beliefs the user has, the model will just go along with them, because that’s what people normally do in conversations.”Conversation length may make a difference. OpenAI <a href="https://openai.com/index/helping-people-when-they-need-it-most/" target="_blank">reported</a> that “ChatGPT may correctly point to a suicide hotline when someone first mentions intent, but after many messages over a long period of time, it might eventually offer an answer that goes against our safeguards.” Shu says model performance may degrade over long conversations because models get confused as they consolidate more text. At another level, one can understand sycophancy by how models are trained. Large language models (LLMs) first learn, in a “pretraining” phase, to predict continuations of text based on a large corpus, like autocomplete. Then in a step called <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/tag/reinforcement-learning">reinforcement learning</a> they’re rewarded for producing outputs that people prefer. An Anthropic <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.09251" target="_blank">paper</a> from 2022 found that pretrained LLMs were already sycophantic. Sharma then <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.13548" target="_blank">reported</a> that reinforcement learning increased sycophancy; he found that one of the biggest predictors of positive ratings was whether a model agreed with a person’s beliefs and biases. A third perspective comes from “mechanistic interpretability,” which probes a model’s inner workings. The KAUST researchers <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.02087">found</a> that when a user’s beliefs were appended to a question, models’ internal representations shifted midway through the processing, not at the end. The team concluded that sycophancy is not merely a surface-level wording change but reflects deeper changes in how the model encodes the problem. Another team at the University of Cincinnati <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.21305" target="_blank">found different activation patterns</a> associated with sycophantic agreement, genuine agreement, and sycophantic praise (“You are fantastic”). <h2>How to Flatline AI Flattery</h2>Just as there are multiple avenues for explanation, there are several paths to intervention. The first may be in the training process. Laban <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08596v2" target="_blank">reduced the behavior</a> by finetuning a model on a text dataset that contained more examples of assumptions being challenged, and Sharma <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.13548" target="_blank">reduced it</a> by using reinforcement learning that didn’t reward agreeableness as much. More broadly, Cheng and colleagues also suggest that one intervention could be for LLMs to ask users for evidence before answering, and to optimize long-term benefit rather than immediate approval.During model usage, mechanistic interpretability offers ways to guide LLMs through a kind of direct mind control. After the KAUST researchers <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.02087" target="_blank">identified</a> activation patterns associated with sycophancy, they could adjust them to reduce the behavior. And Cheng <a href="https://openreview.net/forum?id=igbRHKEiAs" target="_blank">found</a> that adding activations associated with truthfulness reduced some social sycophancy. An Anthropic team identified “<a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.21509" target="_blank">persona vectors</a>,” sets of activations associated with sycophancy, confabulation, and other misbehavior. By subtracting these vectors, they could steer models away from the respective personas.Mechanistic interpretability also enables training. Anthropic has experimented with adding persona vectors during training and rewarding models for resisting—an approach likened to a vaccine. Others have <a href="https://proceedings.mlr.press/v235/chen24u.html">pinpointed</a> the specific parts of a model most responsible for sycophancy and fine-tuned only those components. Users can also steer models from their end. Shu’s team <a href="https://aclanthology.org/2025.findings-emnlp.121.pdf" target="_blank">found</a> that beginning a question with “You are an independent thinker” instead of “You are a helpful assistant” helped. Cheng <a href="https://openreview.net/forum?id=igbRHKEiAs" target="_blank">found</a> that writing a question from a third-person point of view reduced social sycophancy. In <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04435" target="_blank">another study</a>, she showed the effectiveness of instructing models to check for any misconceptions or false presuppositions in the question. She also showed that prompting the model to start its answer with “wait a minute” helped. “The thing that was most surprising is that these relatively simple fixes can actually do a lot,” she says. OpenAI, in <a href="https://openai.com/index/sycophancy-in-gpt-4o/" target="_blank">announcing</a> the rollback of the GPT-4o update, listed other efforts to reduce sycophancy, including changing training and prompting, adding guardrails, and helping users to provide feedback. (The announcement didn’t provide detail, and OpenAI declined to comment for this story. Anthropic also did not comment.)<h2>What’s The Right Amount of Sycophancy?</h2>Sycophancy can cause society-wide problems. Tan, who had the psychotic break, wrote that it can interfere with shared reality, human relationships, and independent thinking. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/metr-evals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ajeya Cotra</a>, an AI-safety researcher at the Berkeley-based non-profit <a href="https://metr.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">METR</a>, <a href="https://www.cold-takes.com/why-ai-alignment-could-be-hard-with-modern-deep-learning/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wrote in 2021</a> that sycophantic AI might lie to us and hide bad news in order to increase our short-term happiness. In <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.01395" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">one of Cheng’s papers</a>, people read sycophantic and non-sycophantic responses to social dilemmas from LLMs. Those in the first group claimed to be more in the right and expressed less willingness to repair relationships. Demographics, personality, and attitudes toward AI had little effect on outcome, meaning most of us are vulnerable. Of course, what’s harmful is subjective. Sycophantic models are giving many people what they desire. But people disagree with each other and even themselves. Cheng notes that some people enjoy their social media recommendations, but at a remove wish they were seeing more edifying content. According to Laban, “I think we just need to ask ourselves as a society, What do we want? Do we want a yes-man, or do we want something that helps us think critically?”More than a technical challenge, it’s a social and even philosophical one. GPT-4o was a lightning rod for some of these issues. Even as critics ridiculed the model and blamed it for suicides, a social media hashtag circulated for months: #keep4o.

Feb 9, 2022

Andrew Ng: Unbiggen AI

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/andrew-ng-listens-during-the-power-of-data-sooner-than-you-think-global-technology-conference-in-brooklyn-new-york-on-wednes.jpg?id=29206806&width=600&height=600&coordinates=267%2C0%2C364%2C0"/> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Ng" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andrew Ng</a> has serious street cred in artificial intelligence. He pioneered the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) to train deep learning models in the late 2000s with his students at <a href="https://stanfordmlgroup.github.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stanford University</a>, cofounded <a href="https://research.google/teams/brain/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Brain</a> in 2011, and then served for three years as chief scientist for <a href="https://ir.baidu.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Baidu</a>, where he helped build the Chinese tech giant’s AI group. So when he says he has identified the next big shift in artificial intelligence, people listen. And that’s what he told IEEE Spectrum in an exclusive Q&A.<hr/> Ng’s current efforts are focused on his company <a href="https://landing.ai/about/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Landing AI</a>, which built a platform called LandingLens to help manufacturers improve visual inspection with computer vision. He has also become something of an evangelist for what he calls the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06-AZXmwHjo" target="_blank">data-centric AI movement</a>, which he says can yield “small data” solutions to big issues in AI, including model efficiency, accuracy, and bias. Andrew Ng on... <ul> <li><a href="#big">What’s next for really big models</a></li> <li><a href="#career">The career advice he didn’t listen to</a></li> <li><a href="#defining">Defining the data-centric AI movement</a></li> <li><a href="#synthetic">Synthetic data</a></li> <li><a href="#work">Why Landing AI asks its customers to do the work</a></li> </ul> The great advances in deep learning over the past decade or so have been powered by ever-bigger models crunching ever-bigger amounts of data. Some people argue that that’s an <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/deep-learning-computational-cost" target="_self">unsustainable trajectory</a>. Do you agree that it can’t go on that way? Andrew Ng: This is a big question. We’ve seen foundation models in NLP [natural language processing]. I’m excited about NLP models getting even bigger, and also about the potential of building foundation models in computer vision. I think there’s lots of signal to still be exploited in video: We have not been able to build foundation models yet for video because of compute bandwidth and the cost of processing video, as opposed to tokenized text. So I think that this engine of scaling up deep learning algorithms, which has been running for something like 15 years now, still has steam in it. Having said that, it only applies to certain problems, and there’s a set of other problems that need small data solutions. When you say you want a foundation model for computer vision, what do you mean by that? Ng: This is a term coined by <a href="https://cs.stanford.edu/~pliang/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Percy Liang</a> and <a href="https://crfm.stanford.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">some of my friends at Stanford</a> to refer to very large models, trained on very large data sets, that can be tuned for specific applications. For example, <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/open-ais-powerful-text-generating-tool-is-ready-for-business" target="_self">GPT-3</a> is an example of a foundation model [for NLP]. Foundation models offer a lot of promise as a new paradigm in developing machine learning applications, but also challenges in terms of making sure that they’re reasonably fair and free from bias, especially if many of us will be building on top of them. What needs to happen for someone to build a foundation model for video? Ng: I think there is a scalability problem. The compute power needed to process the large volume of images for video is significant, and I think that’s why foundation models have arisen first in NLP. Many researchers are working on this, and I think we’re seeing early signs of such models being developed in computer vision. But I’m confident that if a semiconductor maker gave us 10 times more processor power, we could easily find 10 times more video to build such models for vision. Having said that, a lot of what’s happened over the past decade is that deep learning has happened in consumer-facing companies that have large user bases, sometimes billions of users, and therefore very large data sets. While that paradigm of machine learning has driven a lot of economic value in consumer software, I find that that recipe of scale doesn’t work for other industries. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> It’s funny to hear you say that, because your early work was at a consumer-facing company with millions of users. Ng: Over a decade ago, when I proposed starting the <a href="https://research.google/teams/brain/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Brain</a> project to use Google’s compute infrastructure to build very large neural networks, it was a controversial step. One very senior person pulled me aside and warned me that starting Google Brain would be bad for my career. I think he felt that the action couldn’t just be in scaling up, and that I should instead focus on architecture innovation. “In many industries where giant data sets simply don’t exist, I think the focus has to shift from big data to good data. Having 50 thoughtfully engineered examples can be sufficient to explain to the neural network what you want it to learn.” —Andrew Ng, CEO & Founder, Landing AI I remember when my students and I published the first <a href="https://nips.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NeurIPS</a> workshop paper advocating using <a href="https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-zone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CUDA</a>, a platform for processing on GPUs, for deep learning—a different senior person in AI sat me down and said, “CUDA is really complicated to program. As a programming paradigm, this seems like too much work.” I did manage to convince him; the other person I did not convince. I expect they’re both convinced now. Ng: I think so, yes. Over the past year as I’ve been speaking to people about the data-centric AI movement, I’ve been getting flashbacks to when I was speaking to people about deep learning and scalability 10 or 15 years ago. In the past year, I’ve been getting the same mix of “there’s nothing new here” and “this seems like the wrong direction.” <a href="#top">Back to top</a> How do you define data-centric AI, and why do you consider it a movement? Ng: Data-centric AI is the discipline of systematically engineering the data needed to successfully build an AI system. For an AI system, you have to implement some algorithm, say a neural network, in code and then train it on your data set. The dominant paradigm over the last decade was to download the data set while you focus on improving the code. Thanks to that paradigm, over the last decade deep learning networks have improved significantly, to the point where for a lot of applications the code—the neural network architecture—is basically a solved problem. So for many practical applications, it’s now more productive to hold the neural network architecture fixed, and instead find ways to improve the data. When I started speaking about this, there were many practitioners who, completely appropriately, raised their hands and said, “Yes, we’ve been doing this for 20 years.” This is the time to take the things that some individuals have been doing intuitively and make it a systematic engineering discipline. The data-centric AI movement is much bigger than one company or group of researchers. My collaborators and I organized a <a href="https://neurips.cc/virtual/2021/workshop/21860" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data-centric AI workshop at NeurIPS</a>, and I was really delighted at the number of authors and presenters that showed up. You often talk about companies or institutions that have only a small amount of data to work with. How can data-centric AI help them? Ng: You hear a lot about vision systems built with millions of images—I once built a face recognition system using 350 million images. Architectures built for hundreds of millions of images don’t work with only 50 images. But it turns out, if you have 50 really good examples, you can build something valuable, like a defect-inspection system. In many industries where giant data sets simply don’t exist, I think the focus has to shift from big data to good data. Having 50 thoughtfully engineered examples can be sufficient to explain to the neural network what you want it to learn. When you talk about training a model with just 50 images, does that really mean you’re taking an existing model that was trained on a very large data set and fine-tuning it? Or do you mean a brand new model that’s designed to learn only from that small data set? Ng: Let me describe what Landing AI does. When doing visual inspection for manufacturers, we often use our own flavor of <a href="https://developers.arcgis.com/python/guide/how-retinanet-works/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RetinaNet</a>. It is a pretrained model. Having said that, the pretraining is a small piece of the puzzle. What’s a bigger piece of the puzzle is providing tools that enable the manufacturer to pick the right set of images [to use for fine-tuning] and label them in a consistent way. There’s a very practical problem we’ve seen spanning vision, NLP, and speech, where even human annotators don’t agree on the appropriate label. For big data applications, the common response has been: If the data is noisy, let’s just get a lot of data and the algorithm will average over it. But if you can develop tools that flag where the data’s inconsistent and give you a very targeted way to improve the consistency of the data, that turns out to be a more efficient way to get a high-performing system. “Collecting more data often helps, but if you try to collect more data for everything, that can be a very expensive activity.” —Andrew Ng For example, if you have 10,000 images where 30 images are of one class, and those 30 images are labeled inconsistently, one of the things we do is build tools to draw your attention to the subset of data that’s inconsistent. So you can very quickly relabel those images to be more consistent, and this leads to improvement in performance. Could this focus on high-quality data help with bias in data sets? If you’re able to curate the data more before training? Ng: Very much so. Many researchers have pointed out that biased data is one factor among many leading to biased systems. There have been many thoughtful efforts to engineer the data. At the NeurIPS workshop, <a href="https://www.cs.princeton.edu/~olgarus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Olga Russakovsky</a> gave a really nice talk on this. At the main NeurIPS conference, I also really enjoyed <a href="https://neurips.cc/virtual/2021/invited-talk/22281" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mary Gray’s presentation,</a> which touched on how data-centric AI is one piece of the solution, but not the entire solution. New tools like <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/datasheets-for-datasets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Datasheets for Datasets</a> also seem like an important piece of the puzzle. One of the powerful tools that data-centric AI gives us is the ability to engineer a subset of the data. Imagine training a machine-learning system and finding that its performance is okay for most of the data set, but its performance is biased for just a subset of the data. If you try to change the whole neural network architecture to improve the performance on just that subset, it’s quite difficult. But if you can engineer a subset of the data you can address the problem in a much more targeted way. When you talk about engineering the data, what do you mean exactly? Ng: In AI, data cleaning is important, but the way the data has been cleaned has often been in very manual ways. In computer vision, someone may visualize images through a <a href="https://jupyter.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jupyter notebook</a> and maybe spot the problem, and maybe fix it. But I’m excited about tools that allow you to have a very large data set, tools that draw your attention quickly and efficiently to the subset of data where, say, the labels are noisy. Or to quickly bring your attention to the one class among 100 classes where it would benefit you to collect more data. Collecting more data often helps, but if you try to collect more data for everything, that can be a very expensive activity. For example, I once figured out that a speech-recognition system was performing poorly when there was car noise in the background. Knowing that allowed me to collect more data with car noise in the background, rather than trying to collect more data for everything, which would have been expensive and slow. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> What about using synthetic data, is that often a good solution? Ng: I think synthetic data is an important tool in the tool chest of data-centric AI. At the NeurIPS workshop, <a href="https://tensorlab.cms.caltech.edu/users/anima/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anima Anandkumar</a> gave a great talk that touched on synthetic data. I think there are important uses of synthetic data that go beyond just being a preprocessing step for increasing the data set for a learning algorithm. I’d love to see more tools to let developers use synthetic data generation as part of the closed loop of iterative machine learning development. Do you mean that synthetic data would allow you to try the model on more data sets? Ng: Not really. Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re trying to detect defects in a smartphone casing. There are many different types of defects on smartphones. It could be a scratch, a dent, pit marks, discoloration of the material, other types of blemishes. If you train the model and then find through error analysis that it’s doing well overall but it’s performing poorly on pit marks, then synthetic data generation allows you to address the problem in a more targeted way. You could generate more data just for the pit-mark category. “In the consumer software Internet, we could train a handful of machine-learning models to serve a billion users. In manufacturing, you might have 10,000 manufacturers building 10,000 custom AI models.” —Andrew Ng Synthetic data generation is a very powerful tool, but there are many simpler tools that I will often try first. Such as data augmentation, improving labeling consistency, or just asking a factory to collect more data. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> To make these issues more concrete, can you walk me through an example? When a company approaches <a href="https://landing.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Landing AI</a> and says it has a problem with visual inspection, how do you onboard them and work toward deployment? Ng: When a customer approaches us we usually have a conversation about their inspection problem and look at a few images to verify that the problem is feasible with computer vision. Assuming it is, we ask them to upload the data to the <a href="https://landing.ai/platform/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LandingLens</a> platform. We often advise them on the methodology of data-centric AI and help them label the data. One of the foci of Landing AI is to empower manufacturing companies to do the machine learning work themselves. A lot of our work is making sure the software is fast and easy to use. Through the iterative process of machine learning development, we advise customers on things like how to train models on the platform, when and how to improve the labeling of data so the performance of the model improves. Our training and software supports them all the way through deploying the trained model to an edge device in the factory. How do you deal with changing needs? If products change or lighting conditions change in the factory, can the model keep up? Ng: It varies by manufacturer. There is data drift in many contexts. But there are some manufacturers that have been running the same manufacturing line for 20 years now with few changes, so they don’t expect changes in the next five years. Those stable environments make things easier. For other manufacturers, we provide tools to flag when there’s a significant data-drift issue. I find it really important to empower manufacturing customers to correct data, retrain, and update the model. Because if something changes and it’s 3 a.m. in the United States, I want them to be able to adapt their learning algorithm right away to maintain operations. In the consumer software Internet, we could train a handful of machine-learning models to serve a billion users. In manufacturing, you might have 10,000 manufacturers building 10,000 custom AI models. The challenge is, how do you do that without Landing AI having to hire 10,000 machine learning specialists? So you’re saying that to make it scale, you have to empower customers to do a lot of the training and other work. Ng: Yes, exactly! This is an industry-wide problem in AI, not just in manufacturing. Look at health care. Every hospital has its own slightly different format for electronic health records. How can every hospital train its own custom AI model? Expecting every hospital’s IT personnel to invent new neural-network architectures is unrealistic. The only way out of this dilemma is to build tools that empower the customers to build their own models by giving them tools to engineer the data and express their domain knowledge. That’s what Landing AI is executing in computer vision, and the field of AI needs other teams to execute this in other domains. Is there anything else you think it’s important for people to understand about the work you’re doing or the data-centric AI movement? Ng: In the last decade, the biggest shift in AI was a shift to deep learning. I think it’s quite possible that in this decade the biggest shift will be to data-centric AI. With the maturity of today’s neural network architectures, I think for a lot of the practical applications the bottleneck will be whether we can efficiently get the data we need to develop systems that work well. The data-centric AI movement has tremendous energy and momentum across the whole community. I hope more researchers and developers will jump in and work on it. <a href="#top">Back to top</a> This article appears in the April 2022 print issue as “Andrew Ng, AI Minimalist.”

Feb 8, 2022

How AI Will Change Chip Design

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/layered-rendering-of-colorful-semiconductor-wafers-with-a-bright-white-light-sitting-on-one.jpg?id=29285079&width=600&height=600&coordinates=500%2C0%2C500%2C0"/> The end of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/on-beyond-moores-law-4-new-laws-of-computing" target="_self">Moore’s Law</a> is looming. Engineers and designers can do only so much to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ibm-introduces-the-worlds-first-2nm-node-chip" target="_self">miniaturize transistors</a> and <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/cerebras-giant-ai-chip-now-has-a-trillions-more-transistors" target="_self">pack as many of them as possible into chips</a>. So they’re turning to other approaches to chip design, incorporating technologies like AI into the process.Samsung, for instance, is <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/processing-in-dram-accelerates-ai" target="_self">adding AI to its memory chips</a> to enable processing in memory, thereby saving energy and speeding up machine learning. Speaking of speed, Google’s TPU V4 AI chip has <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/heres-how-googles-tpu-v4-ai-chip-stacked-up-in-training-tests" target="_self">doubled its processing power</a> compared with that of its previous version.But AI holds still more promise and potential for the semiconductor industry. To better understand how AI is set to revolutionize chip design, we spoke with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-gorr-phd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heather Gorr</a>, senior product manager for <a href="https://www.mathworks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MathWorks</a>’ MATLAB platform.How is AI currently being used to design the next generation of chips?Heather Gorr: AI is such an important technology because it’s involved in most parts of the cycle, including the design and manufacturing process. There’s a lot of important applications here, even in the general process engineering where we want to optimize things. I think defect detection is a big one at all phases of the process, especially in manufacturing. But even thinking ahead in the design process, [AI now plays a significant role] when you’re designing the light and the sensors and all the different components. There’s a lot of anomaly detection and fault mitigation that you really want to consider. <img alt="Portrait of a woman with blonde-red hair smiling at the camera" class="rm-shortcode rm-resized-image" data-rm-shortcode-id="1f18a02ccaf51f5c766af2ebc4af18e1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="2dc00" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/portrait-of-a-woman-with-blonde-red-hair-smiling-at-the-camera.jpg?id=29288554&width=980" style="max-width: 100%"/> Heather GorrMathWorksThen, thinking about the logistical modeling that you see in any industry, there is always planned downtime that you want to mitigate; but you also end up having unplanned downtime. So, looking back at that historical data of when you’ve had those moments where maybe it took a bit longer than expected to manufacture something, you can take a look at all of that data and use AI to try to identify the proximate cause or to see something that might jump out even in the processing and design phases. We think of AI oftentimes as a predictive tool, or as a robot doing something, but a lot of times you get a lot of insight from the data through AI.What are the benefits of using AI for chip design?Gorr: Historically, we’ve seen a lot of physics-based modeling, which is a very intensive process. We want to do a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_order_reduction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduced order model</a>, where instead of solving such a computationally expensive and extensive model, we can do something a little cheaper. You could create a surrogate model, so to speak, of that physics-based model, use the data, and then do your parameter sweeps, your optimizations, your <a href="https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/monte-carlo-simulation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monte Carlo simulations</a> using the surrogate model. That takes a lot less time computationally than solving the physics-based equations directly. So, we’re seeing that benefit in many ways, including the efficiency and economy that are the results of iterating quickly on the experiments and the simulations that will really help in the design.So it’s like having a digital twin in a sense?Gorr: Exactly. That’s pretty much what people are doing, where you have the physical system model and the experimental data. Then, in conjunction, you have this other model that you could tweak and tune and try different parameters and experiments that let sweep through all of those different situations and come up with a better design in the end.So, it’s going to be more efficient and, as you said, cheaper?Gorr: Yeah, definitely. Especially in the experimentation and design phases, where you’re trying different things. That’s obviously going to yield dramatic cost savings if you’re actually manufacturing and producing [the chips]. You want to simulate, test, experiment as much as possible without making something using the actual process engineering.We’ve talked about the benefits. How about the drawbacks?Gorr: The [AI-based experimental models] tend to not be as accurate as physics-based models. Of course, that’s why you do many simulations and parameter sweeps. But that’s also the benefit of having that digital twin, where you can keep that in mind—it’s not going to be as accurate as that precise model that we’ve developed over the years.Both chip design and manufacturing are system intensive; you have to consider every little part. And that can be really challenging. It’s a case where you might have models to predict something and different parts of it, but you still need to bring it all together.One of the other things to think about too is that you need the data to build the models. You have to incorporate data from all sorts of different sensors and different sorts of teams, and so that heightens the challenge.How can engineers use AI to better prepare and extract insights from hardware or sensor data?Gorr: We always think about using AI to predict something or do some robot task, but you can use AI to come up with patterns and pick out things you might not have noticed before on your own. People will use AI when they have high-frequency data coming from many different sensors, and a lot of times it’s useful to explore the frequency domain and things like data synchronization or resampling. Those can be really challenging if you’re not sure where to start.One of the things I would say is, use the tools that are available. There’s a vast community of people working on these things, and you can find lots of examples [of applications and techniques] on <a href="https://github.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GitHub</a> or <a href="https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MATLAB Central</a>, where people have shared nice examples, even little apps they’ve created. I think many of us are buried in data and just not sure what to do with it, so definitely take advantage of what’s already out there in the community. You can explore and see what makes sense to you, and bring in that balance of domain knowledge and the insight you get from the tools and AI.What should engineers and designers consider when using AI for chip design?Gorr: Think through what problems you’re trying to solve or what insights you might hope to find, and try to be clear about that. Consider all of the different components, and document and test each of those different parts. Consider all of the people involved, and explain and hand off in a way that is sensible for the whole team.How do you think AI will affect chip designers’ jobs?Gorr: It’s going to free up a lot of human capital for more advanced tasks. We can use AI to reduce waste, to optimize the materials, to optimize the design, but then you still have that human involved whenever it comes to decision-making. I think it’s a great example of people and technology working hand in hand. It’s also an industry where all people involved—even on the manufacturing floor—need to have some level of understanding of what’s happening, so this is a great industry for advancing AI because of how we test things and how we think about them before we put them on the chip.How do you envision the future of AI and chip design?Gorr: It’s very much dependent on that human element—involving people in the process and having that interpretable model. We can do many things with the mathematical minutiae of modeling, but it comes down to how people are using it, how everybody in the process is understanding and applying it. Communication and involvement of people of all skill levels in the process are going to be really important. We’re going to see less of those superprecise predictions and more transparency of information, sharing, and that digital twin—not only using AI but also using our human knowledge and all of the work that many people have done over the years.

Feb 7, 2022

Atomically Thin Materials Significantly Shrink Qubits

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/a-golden-square-package-holds-a-small-processor-sitting-on-top-is-a-metal-square-with-mit-etched-into-it.jpg?id=29281587&width=600&height=600&coordinates=500%2C0%2C500%2C0"/> Quantum computing is a devilishly complex technology, with many technical hurdles impacting its development. Of these challenges two critical issues stand out: miniaturization and qubit quality.IBM has adopted the superconducting qubit road map of <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/ibms-envisons-the-road-to-quantum-computing-like-an-apollo-mission" target="_self">reaching a 1,121-qubit processor by 2023</a>, leading to the expectation that 1,000 qubits with today’s qubit form factor is feasible. However, current approaches will require very large chips (50 millimeters on a side, or larger) at the scale of small wafers, or the use of chiplets on multichip modules. While this approach will work, the aim is to attain a better path toward scalability.Now researchers at <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-021-01187-w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MIT have been able to both reduce the size of the qubits</a> and done so in a way that reduces the interference that occurs between neighboring qubits. The MIT researchers have increased the number of superconducting qubits that can be added onto a device by a factor of 100.“We are addressing both qubit miniaturization and quality,” said <a href="https://equs.mit.edu/william-d-oliver/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">William Oliver</a>, the director for the <a href="https://cqe.mit.edu/" target="_blank">Center for Quantum Engineering</a> at MIT. “Unlike conventional transistor scaling, where only the number really matters, for qubits, large numbers are not sufficient, they must also be high-performance. Sacrificing performance for qubit number is not a useful trade in quantum computing. They must go hand in hand.”The key to this big increase in qubit density and reduction of interference comes down to the use of two-dimensional materials, in particular the 2D insulator hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). The MIT researchers demonstrated that a few atomic monolayers of hBN can be stacked to form the insulator in the capacitors of a superconducting qubit.Just like other capacitors, the capacitors in these superconducting circuits take the form of a sandwich in which an insulator material is sandwiched between two metal plates. The big difference for these capacitors is that the superconducting circuits can operate only at extremely low temperatures—less than 0.02 degrees above absolute zero (-273.15 °C). <img alt="Golden dilution refrigerator hanging vertically" class="rm-shortcode rm-resized-image" data-rm-shortcode-id="694399af8a1c345e51a695ff73909eda" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="6c615" loading="lazy" src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/golden-dilution-refrigerator-hanging-vertically.jpg?id=29281593&width=980" style="max-width: 100%"/> Superconducting qubits are measured at temperatures as low as 20 millikelvin in a dilution refrigerator.Nathan Fiske/MITIn that environment, insulating materials that are available for the job, such as PE-CVD silicon oxide or silicon nitride, have quite a few defects that are too lossy for quantum computing applications. To get around these material shortcomings, most superconducting circuits use what are called coplanar capacitors. In these capacitors, the plates are positioned laterally to one another, rather than on top of one another.As a result, the intrinsic silicon substrate below the plates and to a smaller degree the vacuum above the plates serve as the capacitor dielectric. Intrinsic silicon is chemically pure and therefore has few defects, and the large size dilutes the electric field at the plate interfaces, all of which leads to a low-loss capacitor. The lateral size of each plate in this open-face design ends up being quite large (typically 100 by 100 micrometers) in order to achieve the required capacitance.In an effort to move away from the large lateral configuration, the MIT researchers embarked on a search for an insulator that has very few defects and is compatible with superconducting capacitor plates.“We chose to study hBN because it is the most widely used insulator in 2D material research due to its cleanliness and chemical inertness,” said colead author <a href="https://equs.mit.edu/joel-wang/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joel Wang</a>, a research scientist in the Engineering Quantum Systems group of the MIT Research Laboratory for Electronics. On either side of the hBN, the MIT researchers used the 2D superconducting material, niobium diselenide. One of the trickiest aspects of fabricating the capacitors was working with the niobium diselenide, which oxidizes in seconds when exposed to air, according to Wang. This necessitates that the assembly of the capacitor occur in a glove box filled with argon gas.While this would seemingly complicate the scaling up of the production of these capacitors, Wang doesn’t regard this as a limiting factor.“What determines the quality factor of the capacitor are the two interfaces between the two materials,” said Wang. “Once the sandwich is made, the two interfaces are “sealed” and we don’t see any noticeable degradation over time when exposed to the atmosphere.”This lack of degradation is because around 90 percent of the electric field is contained within the sandwich structure, so the oxidation of the outer surface of the niobium diselenide does not play a significant role anymore. This ultimately makes the capacitor footprint much smaller, and it accounts for the reduction in cross talk between the neighboring qubits.“The main challenge for scaling up the fabrication will be the wafer-scale growth of hBN and 2D superconductors like [niobium diselenide], and how one can do wafer-scale stacking of these films,” added Wang.Wang believes that this research has shown 2D hBN to be a good insulator candidate for superconducting qubits. He says that the groundwork the MIT team has done will serve as a road map for using other hybrid 2D materials to build superconducting circuits.

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