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GFN Thursday: 17 Games in Feb on GeForce NOW

Emerson Blake
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GFN Thursday: 17 Games in Feb on GeForce NOW

GeForce NOW turns five this February, marking five incredible years of high-performance gaming. Since exiting beta in 2020, GeForce NOW has changed how gamers access and enjoy their favorite titles. The cloud has come a long way, introducing groundbreaking new features and supporting over 2,000 games from celebrated publishers for members to play.

Magical New Games

Build a kingdom one medieval dream at a time. Pax Dei is a vast, social sandbox MMO where myths are real, ghosts wander, and magic shapes a breathtaking medieval world. Choose a path and forge a legacy as a master builder, fearless explorer, skilled warrior, or dedicated craftsman. Build thriving villages in the Heartlands, craft resources alongside Clans, and venture into the dangerous Wilderness to battle dark forces, uncover ancient secrets, and vie for power.

GFN Thursday

This GFN Thursday, check out the nine titles available to stream this week, including standout title Pax Dei, a medieval massively multiplayer online (MMO) game from Mainframe Industries. Whether seeking mythical exploration or heart-pounding sci-fi combat thrills, GeForce NOW provides unforgettable experiences for every kind of gamer.

Games Available to Stream

Here are the games available to stream in the cloud this week:

  • Space Engineers 2 (New release on Steam, Jan. 27)
  • Eternal Strands (New release on Steam, Jan. 28)
  • Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (New release on Steam, Jan. 28)
  • Sniper Elite: Resistance (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Jan. 30)
  • Heart of the Machine (New release on Steam, Jan. 31)
  • Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (New release on Steam, Jan. 31)
  • Dead Island 2 (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • Pax Dei (Steam)
  • Sifu (Steam)

February Lineup

Here’s what to expect for the rest of February:

  • Kingdom Come Deliverance II (New release on Steam, Feb. 4)
  • Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator (New Release on Steam, Feb. 6)
  • SWORN (New release on Steam, Feb. 6)
  • Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (New release on Steam and Epic Games Store, Feb. 11)
  • Legacy: Steel & Sorcery (New release on Steam, Feb. 12)
  • Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (New release on Steam, Feb. 14)
  • Avowed (New release on Steam, Battle.net, and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Feb. 18)
  • Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (New release on Steam, Feb. 18)
  • Abiotic Factor (Steam)
  • Alan Wake (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • HUMANITY (Steam)
  • Murky Divers (Steam)
  • Somerville (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • Songs of Silence (Steam)
  • UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes (Steam)

Joyful January

In addition to the 14 games announced last month, 15 more joined the GeForce NOW library:

  • Road 96 (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Jan. 7)
  • Aloft (New release on Steam, Jan. 15)
  • Assetto Corsa EVO (New release on Steam, Jan. 16)
  • Among Us (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • Amnesia: Collection (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • DREDGE (Epic Games Store)
  • Generation Zero (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED 2 – Turbocharged (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • Lawn Mowing Simulator (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • Marvel Rivals (Steam)
  • Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • SMITE 2 (Steam)
  • STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)
  • Townscaper (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store)

Conclusion

GeForce NOW is celebrating five incredible years of high-performance gaming. With new games joining the library every week, there’s never been a better time to experience the magic of cloud gaming. Whether you’re a fan of medieval MMOs or sci-fi combat, GeForce NOW has something for everyone.

FAQs

Q: What games are available to stream this week on GeForce NOW?
A: The nine titles available to stream this week include Space Engineers 2, Eternal Strands, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap, Sniper Elite: Resistance, Heart of the Machine, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Dead Island 2, Pax Dei, and Sifu.

Q: What’s the February lineup looking like on GeForce NOW?
A: The February lineup includes 17 new game releases, including Kingdom Come Deliverance II, Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, SWORN, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, and many more.

Q: How do I access the GeForce NOW library?
A: You can access the GeForce NOW library by becoming a member of the cloud gaming platform. Membership options include a free tier and a premium tier with additional features and benefits.

Google’s ‘Ask for Me’ feature calls businesses on your behalf to inquire about services, pricing

Avery Winslow
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Google’s ‘Ask for Me’ feature calls businesses on your behalf to inquire about services, pricing

Google is testing a new “Ask for Me” feature that uses AI to call local businesses on your behalf, for information about availability and pricing. The feature is available on desktop and mobile for users who have opted into the company’s Search Labs experiments.

Introducing Ask for Me

The idea is to help users access information without having to actually pick up the phone and talk to someone.

How it Works

To start, Ask for Me can be used to inquire about services at nail salons and auto shops. If you are enrolled in Search Labs, you can access the new feature by searching for local services like “oil change” or “nail salons nearby.” You will then see an “Ask for me” option with a “Get started” button.

You’re then prompted enter details about that service, such as a “tire replacement,” “factory scheduled maintenance,” “french manicure,” “nail art,” and more. From there, you can enter information about timeframe. Google’s AI will then make calls to local businesses on your behalf and send you a summary of prices and availability.

Benefits

The feature gets rid of the need for users to wait countless minutes, and sometimes hours, listening to hold music trying to get connected to a customer service agent.

Previous Features

The launch comes as Google has been looking for ways to help users save time when contacting businesses with the help of AI. Last year, the company released a feature called “Talk to a Live Rep” that places a call to a business on your behalf, waits on hold, and then gives you a call once a live representative is available.

The company has also recently launched “Daily Listen,” which is personalized AI-powered audio experience that is designed to help you stay up to date with a personalized news feed.

Conclusion

Ask for Me is a convenient feature that uses AI to help users get the information they need quickly and efficiently. By making calls on behalf of the user, the feature eliminates the need to wait on hold or deal with busy signals.

FAQs

Q: Who can use Ask for Me?

A: Ask for Me is available to users who have opted into the company’s Search Labs experiments on desktop and mobile.

Q: What types of services can I ask for?

A: Ask for Me currently supports inquiries about services at nail salons and auto shops, such as “tire replacement,” “factory scheduled maintenance,” “french manicure,” “nail art,” and more.

Q: Will I be charged for using Ask for Me?

A: No, using Ask for Me is free. You will receive a summary of prices and availability from local businesses.

Q: Is my information secure when using Ask for Me?

A: Yes, Google ensures that your personal and financial information is secure when using Ask for Me.

Serverless AI Chatbot on AWS: OpenAI and Telegram Integration

Parker Lennox
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Serverless AI Chatbot on AWS: OpenAI and Telegram Integration

Introduction

Let me share how I built an AI chatbot using AWS, OpenAI, and Telegram. The main goal was to create a smart, cost-effective chatbot without dealing with server maintenance. A serverless approach was a perfect fit for this task.

The Project Requirements

The project needed to solve these main challenges:

  • Create an intelligent chatbot using OpenAI
  • Keep running costs low with serverless architecture
  • Ensure secure handling of sensitive data
  • Guarantee reliable message delivery

Serverless Architecture

The tech stack includes:

  • AWS services (Lambda, API Gateway, SQS, DynamoDB, KMS)
  • OpenAI’s GPT-4 for message processing
  • Telegram as a messaging platform
  • Terraform for infrastructure setup
  • AWS Lambda Powertools for monitoring

Architecture Overview

The system processes messages in a simple flow:

  1. User sends a message to the Telegram bot
  2. Telegram forwards it to AWS API Gateway
  3. Message goes through processing pipeline
  4. User receives response from OpenAI

Core Components

Each component has a specific role in the system:

  • API Gateway serves as an entry point
  • SQS Queue handles message buffering
  • Lambda Function processes messages

Logging Strategy

We use structured logging to make debugging easier:

  • The system logs information about each processed event
  • The logs are stored in a centralized location
  • The system can be configured to send logs to a specific destination

Conclusion

Building a serverless AI chatbot taught us that:

  • Simple architecture can handle complex tasks
  • AWS services work well together
  • Proper monitoring is crucial
  • Cost management needs constant attention

Getting Started

Want to try it yourself? Here’s a quick start:

  1. Clone the repository
  2. Set up AWS credentials
  3. Deploy with Terraform
  4. Update SSM parameters with your API keys
  5. Set up the Telegram webhook

FAQs

Q: What is the main goal of this project?
A: The main goal is to create a smart, cost-effective chatbot without dealing with server maintenance.

Q: What are the requirements for this project?
A: The project requires creating an intelligent chatbot using OpenAI, keeping running costs low with serverless architecture, ensuring secure handling of sensitive data, and guaranteeing reliable message delivery.

Q: What is the tech stack used in this project?
A: The tech stack includes AWS services (Lambda, API Gateway, SQS, DynamoDB, KMS), OpenAI’s GPT-4, Telegram, Terraform, and AWS Lambda Powertools.

Q: How does the system process messages?
A: The system processes messages in a simple flow: user sends a message to the Telegram bot, Telegram forwards it to AWS API Gateway, message goes through processing pipeline, and user receives response from OpenAI.

Q: What is the logging strategy used in this project?
A: The system uses structured logging to make debugging easier.

ISG Buyers’ Guide to the Best Solutions

Parker Lennox
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ISG Buyers’ Guide to the Best Solutions

Data Management in the Age of DataOps

The world of data management is more complex than ever. Information Services Group (ISG), a global technology research and advisory firm, predicts more than half of enterprises will embrace DataOps by 2026. However, with the plethora of software platforms and service providers available, it can be challenging to find the right solutions for your organization’s data pipelines, observability, and orchestration needs.

DataOps: The New Reality

ISG highlights that as enterprises scale their AI and analytics initiatives, the need for agile, collaborative, and automated data operations is becoming increasingly critical. Traditional approaches to data management, such as manual, batch-based methods, are no longer sufficient to keep up with modern data demands.

Five ISG Buyers Guides to Help You Navigate DataOps

To make it easier to identify and select the most suitable data management solutions, ISG offers five buyers guides that evaluate software providers across five key DataOps categories: DataOps, Data Orchestration, Data Observability, Data Pipelines, and Data Products.

DataOps

ISG defines DataOps as the practice of automating, orchestrating, and observing data operations to ensure the quality, reliability, and efficiency of data. The best DataOps solutions, as identified by ISG, integrate with enterprise ecosystems, reducing manual effort, enhancing efficiency, and providing real-time monitoring for accuracy and reliability.

Top DataOps Providers

ISG ranks Informatica, Microsoft, and IBM as the leading providers of DataOps solutions.

Data Orchestration

Businesses striving to innovate with data face a growing challenge in managing an intricate web of data pipelines. Data orchestration comes in to automate and accelerate the flow of data, ensuring it reaches the right systems at the right time.

Key Capabilities

ISG defines data orchestration as a means to automate and accelerate the flow of data, encompassing three key capabilities: data collection, data transformation, and data activation.

Top Data Orchestration Providers

Based on ISG findings, the top three data orchestration providers are Databricks, Microsoft, and Alteryx.

Data Observability

Enterprises rely on data observability to ensure the quality and reliability of data flowing through pipelines. Most enterprises will be turning to automated data observability tools by 2026 to build trust in their data. However, not all solutions are created equal.

Key Capabilities

ISG defines data observability tools as those that monitor not just the data in an individual environment for a specific purpose at a given point in time but also the associated upstream and downstream data pipelines.

Top Data Observability Providers

Monte Carlo, DQLabs, and Acceldata were picked as the top three providers of data observability solutions.

Data Pipelines

ISG research shows that 22% of enterprises analyze data in real-time, with an additional 10% doing so hourly. To meet this growing demand, buyers should look for platforms that enable real-time and event-driven data processing.

Key Capabilities

ISG advises buyers to explore AI-driven platforms for future scalability and solutions with Change Data Capture (CDC) to improve real-time data updates by tracking changes at the source.

Top Data Pipeline Providers

Microsoft, Alteryx, and Databricks were named by ISG as the top data pipeline solutions providers.

Data Products

ISG defines data products as reusable data assets developed using product thinking and consumed by others on a self-service basis. ISG research forecasts that by 2027, more than 60% of enterprises will adopt technologies that enhance the delivery of data as a product. This shift will be driven by businesses refining their cultural and organizational strategies for data ownership within data mesh environments.

Key Capabilities

ISG advises buyers to look for platforms that offer self-service discovery, AI-driven automation, and data product development. Tools with strong governance can address the challenge highlighted by the ISG finding that only 16% of organizations report high trust in their data.

Top Data Product Providers

According to ISG, the leading vendors to consider in this category are Microsoft, Informatica, and SAP.

Conclusion

The 2024 ISG Buyers Guide provides valuable insights into the evolving DataOps landscape, helping enterprises assess leading software providers. The Buyers Guides are based on an in-depth evaluation of 49 leading software providers, who were assessed on the product experience, customer experience, and other parameters. The complete reports and detailed research findings are available by contacting ISG Software Research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is DataOps?

A: DataOps is the practice of automating, orchestrating, and observing data operations to ensure the quality, reliability, and efficiency of data.

Q: What are the key categories of DataOps?

A: The five key categories of DataOps are DataOps, Data Orchestration, Data Observability, Data Pipelines, and Data Products.

Q: What are the top DataOps providers?

A: ISG ranks Informatica, Microsoft, and IBM as the leading providers of DataOps solutions.

Q: How can I navigate the DataOps landscape?

A: The 2024 ISG Buyers Guide provides valuable insights and assessments of leading software providers, helping you make informed decisions about DataOps solutions.

NVIDIA Releases New AI SDKs and Tools for GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs

Jordan Waverly
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NVIDIA Releases New AI SDKs and Tools for GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs

Improved AI Frameworks: CUDA, TensorRT, and PyTorch

To ensure compatibility with GeForce RTX 50 Series, it’s recommended that developers update to the latest version of the AI frameworks.

For details about updating your applications to the latest AI frameworks, see Software Migration Guide for NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPUs: A Guide to CUDA 12.8, PyTorch, TensorRT, and Llama.cpp.

TensorRT 10.8 introduces support for FP4, which supercharges the latest diffusion-based models like Flux by more than 2x compared to FP16 precision on the RTX 4090. Additionally, TensorRT 10.8 offers weight-stripped engines to prevent weight duplication when shipping dedicated engines for different GPU arch families, thereby improving memory utilization. Moreover, NVIDIA TensorRT-Cloud now supports the latest GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, enabling developers to remotely build optimized inference engines.

AI-Powered Gaming

The GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and the latest SDK updates enable you, as a developer, to build revolutionary games using the following technologies.

Neural Rendering with NVIDIA DLSS

NVIDIA DLSS is a suite of neural rendering technologies that uses AI to boost FPS, reduce latency, and improve image quality. Powered by GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and fifth-generation Tensor Cores, DLSS 4 introduces DLSS Multi Frame Generation which generates up to three additional frames and works in unison with the complete suite of DLSS technologies to multiply frame rates by up to 8x over traditional brute-force rendering. Additionally, DLSS Ray Reconstruction, DLSS Super Resolution, and DLAA technologies are now powered by transformer-based models to improve image and lighting detail and stability for all GeForce RTX GPUs.

Get started with DLSS through NVIDIA Streamline, an open-source cross-IHV solution that simplifies integration of the latest NVIDIA and other super-resolution technologies into applications and games.

Bring Game Characters to Life with NVIDIA ACE

NVIDIA ACE is a suite of digital human technologies that bring game characters and digital assistants to life with generative AI. ACE now enables you to easily add agentic capabilities to digital humans within your game or app. It includes the following:

* New multimodal SLMs, in early access, for advanced and autonomous agentic workflows, with support for longer-context and complex reasoning tasks.
* Audio2Face 3D NIM provides state-of-the-art lipsync and facial animation using real-time audio.

Streamline AI Model Deployment with NVIDIA In-Game Inferencing SDK

NVIDIA In-Game Inferencing (IGI) SDK streamlines AI model deployment and integration for PC game developers. The SDK preconfigures the PC with the necessary AI models, engines, and dependencies. It orchestrates in-process AI inference for C++ games with support for all major inference backends across different hardware accelerators (GPU, NPU, CPU). The IGI SDK is now available in beta for select partners with general availability coming soon.

Accelerated Content Creation

New and updated SDKs with support for content creation on Blackwell RTX GPUs include the following.

Enhance Video Conferencing with NVIDIA Maxine

NVIDIA Maxine is a collection of high-performance, easy-to-use, NVIDIA NIM microservices and SDKs for deploying AI features that enhance audio, video, and augmented reality effects for video conferencing and telepresence. New features include the following:

* Studio Voice makes any mic sound like a professional mic.
* Virtual Key Light relights a face as if it were using a virtual keylight (coming soon).

Generate Photorealistic Imagery with NVIDIA Iray

NVIDIA Iray SDK is an intuitive, physically based rendering technology to generate photorealistic imagery for interactive and batch rendering workflows. Updates include:

* Improved diffuse and sheen BRDFs with the new NVIDIA MDL SDK 1.10
* Improved geometry tesselation and displacement
* Precise and robust rendering of caustics
* New mode to automatically enable and disable the sampling of caustics, to improve either quality or performance of the renderings
* Support for faster clustering or network rendering

Hardware-Accelerated Video Encoding with NVIDIA Video Codec SDK

NVIDIA Video Codec SDK is a set of APIs for hardware-accelerated video encode and decode on Windows and Linux. Updates include:

* Support for 4:2:2 H.264 encoding and decoding to take advantage of the ninth-generation NVENC encode in Blackwell
* Improved MV-HEVC, and the new AV1 UHQ mode to provide the best quality
* Optimized memory and 2xH.64 the throughput over previous generations, with NVDEC decode in Blackwell

These updates are now available for use through FFMPEG, and the Microsoft DXVA and MFT frameworks.

Optimize Ray Tracing with NVIDIA OptiX

NVIDIA OptiX SDK is an application framework for achieving optimal ray tracing performance on the GPU. It provides a simple, recursive, and flexible pipeline for accelerating ray tracing algorithms. Updates to OptiX 9.0 include:

* Clusters API to accelerate BVH builds of massive dynamic triangle meshes
* Cooperative Vectors API for executing small AI networks within OptiX Shader programs, accelerated by NVIDIA Tensor Cores
* Hardware-accelerated linear curves on Blackwell GPUs

Boost AI-Enhanced Effects with NVIDIA RTX Video SDK

NVIDIA RTX Video SDK provides AI-enhanced effects technologies for creative and media playback apps to improve sharpness, clarity, and the automatic conversion of SDR video to HDR. The updates bring new neural networks that are 40% more performant, apply AI upscaling to 10-bit HDR video, and support for CUDA.

Get Started

Ready to experiment, develop, and optimize with the latest AI capabilities on over 100 million RTX PCs worldwide? Get started with AI on NVIDIA RTX PCs. To learn more about adding support for NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPUs to your AI application for maximum performance, check out the Software Migration Guide for NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPUs: A Guide to CUDA 12.8, PyTorch, TensorRT, and Llama.cpp.

Conclusion

The GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and the latest SDK updates offer a wide range of AI-powered technologies for developers to build revolutionary games and accelerate content creation. With improved AI frameworks, neural rendering, digital human technologies, and more, developers can unlock new levels of performance and creativity.

FAQs

Q: What is the recommended update for AI frameworks to ensure compatibility with GeForce RTX 50 Series?
A: Update to the latest version of the AI frameworks.

Q: What is the new feature in TensorRT 10.8?
A: Support for FP4, which supercharges the latest diffusion-based models like Flux by more than 2x compared to FP16 precision on the RTX 4090.

Q: What is the new feature in NVIDIA DLSS 4?
A: DLSS Multi Frame Generation, which generates up to three additional frames and works in unison with the complete suite of DLSS technologies to multiply frame rates by up to 8x over traditional brute-force rendering.

Q: What is the new feature in NVIDIA ACE?
A: New multimodal SLMs, in early access, for advanced and autonomous agentic workflows, with support for longer-context and complex reasoning tasks.

Q: What is the new feature in NVIDIA Iray?
A: Improved diffuse and sheen BRDFs with the new NVIDIA MDL SDK 1.10.

Google Offers Voluntary Exit to All US Platforms and Devices Employees

Avery Winslow
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Google Offers Voluntary Exit to All US Platforms and Devices Employees

Google’s Voluntary Exit Program Sparks Fear of Layoffs Among Employees

A year ago, Google started off 2024 with some layoffs. It hasn’t taken similar steps (yet) in 2025, but employees are fearing the worst. And if the Platforms and Devices team is anything to go by, there’s ample reason for concern.

Voluntary Exit Program for Android and Pixel Hardware Teams

Google has distributed a memo to all US employees working on Android, Pixel hardware, and other projects that offers a “voluntary exit program” guaranteeing severance for anyone willing to step away from their role at the company. The memo went out from platforms and devices SVP Rick Osterloh, according to 9to5Google.

“This comes after we brought two large organizations together last year,” Osterloh wrote. “There’s tremendous momentum on this team and with so much important work ahead, we want everyone to be deeply committed to our mission and focused on building great products, with speed and efficiency.” Voluntary buyouts can often be a precursor to layoffs if not enough employees take Google up on its offer and choose to leave.

Cost-Cutting Measures and Priorities

A few months later in October, Alphabet’s chief finance officer Anat Ashkenazi said she would prioritize “cost efficiencies” throughout the company. “There’s really good work that was done, started by Ruth, Sundar and the rest of the lead team to re-engineer the cost base,” she said during her first earnings call as CFO. “But I think any organization can always push a little further and I’ll be looking at additional opportunities.” The cost-cutting measures are partly designed to offset Google pouring so much money into AI.

Pixel Phones’ Sales Performance

Google’s Pixel phones have never come anywhere close to the sales numbers enjoyed by Apple and Samsung, but the company is at least trending in the right direction; Counterpoint Research reported that Google recorded its highest-ever quarterly sales volume for smartphones in Q3 2024.

Employee Concerns and Petition

Some employees at Google have recently been circulating a petition that calls for CEO Sundar Pichai to offer exactly this type of optional buyout before resorting to involuntary layoffs. “Ongoing rounds of layoffs make us feel insecure about our jobs,” the petition said, according to CNBC. “The company is clearly in a strong financial position, making the loss of so many valuable colleagues without explanation hurt even more.”

Current Status

At least for the time being, it appears the voluntary exit program hasn’t been extended to other divisions within Google like search or the DeepMind AI team.

Conclusion

Google’s voluntary exit program has sparked fear among employees, who are concerned about potential layoffs. While the program is currently limited to the Platforms and Devices team, employees are calling for a company-wide optional buyout before resorting to involuntary layoffs. As Google continues to prioritize cost-cutting measures and invest in AI, employees are left wondering what the future holds.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of Google’s voluntary exit program?

A: The program is designed to offer a severance package to employees who are willing to leave the company, with the goal of reducing the need for involuntary layoffs.

Q: Is the program limited to specific teams?

A: Yes, the program is currently limited to the Platforms and Devices team, which includes employees working on Android and Pixel hardware.

Q: Will the program be extended to other teams within Google?

A: It is unclear at this time whether the program will be extended to other teams within Google, such as search or the DeepMind AI team.

Q: What are the cost-cutting measures being implemented by Google?

A: Alphabet’s chief finance officer Anat Ashkenazi has prioritized “cost efficiencies” throughout the company, which may include reducing expenses and streamlining operations.

Q: What is the impact of Google’s cost-cutting measures on employees?

A: The cost-cutting measures may lead to layoffs, which could have a significant impact on employees who are affected. Employees are calling for a company-wide optional buyout before resorting to involuntary layoffs.

Starward Vector: A Thrilling Adventure Awaits

Phil
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Starward Vector: A Thrilling Adventure Awaits

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector begins with a greater urgency than its predecessor. You once again play as a Sleeper, a digitised human consciousness transplanted into an android slave, who’s broken free of their contracted servitude. But this time you’re on the run from a nasty gang leader called Laine. If being in debt to corporations isn’t bad enough, he’s essentially the loan shark.

The threat of his closing in on you ramps up the stakes considerably, while also giving the sequel a new structure. No longer confined to a single location, you’ve got a stolen ship to traverse the rest of the Starward Belt. That also means besides managing your stress levels and earning enough to keep yourself from starving, you also need to earn enough cryo to buy enough fuel so that you can stay on the move, as your pursuer is constantly on your tail.

Roll with it, in Citizen Sleeper 2

Otherwise, the game’s cycles (or days) are similar to before, playing out like a tabletop RPG with dice rolls and skill checks. You’re given a random roll of dice at the start of each cycle, which you have to use to try to complete a choice of tasks, from ones that unlock new locations or advance the story, or jobs that can earn you a handful of much needed cryo.

It can be dismaying if you get a bad set of dice, but it’s that dilemma of whether to roll with the punches when the chips are down, or to end a cycle early to prioritise self-care (that is if you can afford to do that) that makes each cycle so tense and especially relatable in this age of precarity.

Found in Space

Fortunately, for contracts, more tactically focused quests that’s new to Citizen Sleeper 2, you also have the aid of characters you can recruit as you explore the Belt, such as data extractor Juni or air bike courier Kadet. Each has their own distinct specialty, as well as backstories with relevant questlines that further flesh out the world. They also come with their own dice to help out during contracts, though they’ll also drop out if you max their stress levels.

Your sleeper also has a new push ability for each cycle, depending on the class you choose at the start, which while raising stress can help turn the fortunes of your lowest dice around if you’re in a pinch. But if you really want to bet the odds, there’s also the chance of rolling glitch dice, which rolls either a 1 or 6, but where you only have a 20% chance of the latter, odds that you nonetheless may force yourself to risk.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Verdict

Insightful writing and tightly controlled tabletop RPG pacing makes this new expanded sequel worth your time, even if you’re new to the Citizen Sleeper universe.

Conclusion

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a game that will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its tense gameplay and relatable characters. The addition of new quests and characters adds depth to the game, and the ability to recruit allies and build a found family is a great touch. If you’re looking for a game that will challenge you and keep you engaged, Citizen Sleeper 2 is definitely worth checking out.

FAQs

Q: What is the main difference between Citizen Sleeper 2 and its predecessor?
A: The main difference is the addition of a stolen ship and the ability to traverse the Starward Belt, as well as the threat of being pursued by a gang leader.

Q: How does the gameplay work?
A: The gameplay is similar to a tabletop RPG, with dice rolls and skill checks determining the outcome of tasks and quests.

Q: Can I recruit allies in the game?
A: Yes, you can recruit characters with their own specialties and backstories, who can aid you in contracts and quests.

Q: Is the game suitable for new players?
A: Yes, the game is designed to be accessible to new players, with a gentle learning curve and a tutorial to help you get started.

AI Agents Will Match ‘Good Mid-Level’ Engineers

Emerson Blake
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AI Agents Will Match ‘Good Mid-Level’ Engineers

Meta CEO Predicts AI Engineering Agents in 2025

AI Engineering Agents: A New Era in Software Development

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced that 2025 will be the year when artificial intelligence (AI) will start to make possible autonomous software engineering "agents" that can take over significant programming tasks. According to Zuckerberg, these AI engineering agents will have coding and problem-solving abilities of around a good mid-level engineer.

Llama 4.0: The Key to Achieving AI Engineering Agents

Zuckerberg is counting on Meta’s open-source Llama large language model to achieve this goal. The latest version, Llama 4.0, is still in development but will lead the industry when it is released. Llama 4.0 will be natively multimodal, an omni model, and will have agentic capabilities.

Meta AI: A Personalized AI Assistant

Zuckerberg also disclosed that Meta’s AI tool, which is integrated with Facebook and other apps, has an average of 700 million users per month. He projected that number would reach a billion by the end of 2025. Meta AI will become "personalized," becoming more specific to an individual’s "context, their interests, their personality."

Economic Benefits of Llama

At the same time, Zuckerberg made the case that Llama will bring its own beneficial economics as it takes the lead in AI. As Llama becomes more used, it’s more likely that silicon providers and others will optimize their work more for that and basically drive down the costs of using it and drive improvements that Meta can, in some cases, use too.

Competition from DeepSeek AI

Meta now faces open-source competition from China’s DeepSeek AI model. When Zuckerberg was asked about DeepSeek, he responded with praise for the technology, noting that DeepSeek developers had "a number of novel things that they did that I think we’re still digesting [and] a number of things that they have advanced that we will hope to implement in our systems."

Conclusion

Zuckerberg’s prediction of AI engineering agents in 2025 marks a significant milestone in the development of AI. With Llama 4.0 and Meta AI, Meta is poised to lead the industry in AI innovation. As AI becomes more personalized and widespread, it will have a profound impact on software development and the economy.

FAQs

Q: What is an AI engineering agent?
A: An AI engineering agent is an autonomous software engineering tool that can take over significant programming tasks.

Q: What is Llama 4.0?
A: Llama 4.0 is the latest version of Meta’s open-source large language model, which will be natively multimodal, an omni model, and will have agentic capabilities.

Q: How many users does Meta AI have?
A: Meta AI has an average of 700 million users per month, and is projected to reach a billion by the end of 2025.

Q: What is the economic benefit of Llama?
A: As Llama becomes more used, it’s more likely that silicon providers and others will optimize their work more for that and basically drive down the costs of using it and drive improvements that Meta can, in some cases, use too.

SoftBank in Talks to Invest $25 Billion in OpenAI

Avery Winslow
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0
SoftBank in Talks to Invest Billion in OpenAI

OpenAI in Talks with SoftBank for $25 Billion Investment

OpenAI, the San Francisco artificial intelligence company, is in talks with Japanese conglomerate SoftBank for an investment of up to $25 billion, according to three sources familiar with the negotiations.

Stargate Project Funding

Some of the money could be used to cover OpenAI’s commitment to Stargate, the $100 billion data center project announced at the White House last week, the people said. However, the money would be separate from the investment SoftBank is already putting into the project.

Stargate Details

Stargate is a joint venture of SoftBank, OpenAI, and the software company Oracle, which could result in $500 billion of investment in computing infrastructure, the companies have said.

OpenAI’s Recent Turmoil

OpenAI started the A.I. boom in late 2022 with the release of its online chatbot, ChatGPT. However, the company has had an unusually tumultuous few years since then. Executives are still trying to repair OpenAI’s reputation after its board of directors unexpectedly fired its chief executive, Sam Altman, about a year after ChatGPT was released.

In October, OpenAI completed a $6.6 billion fund-raising deal that valued the company at $157 billion, nearly doubling its valuation from just nine months earlier. SoftBank was part of that deal.

Recent Developments

In December, OpenAI unveiled new A.I. technology called OpenAI o3. However, not long after, a little-known Chinese start-up called DeepSeek shocked the tech industry with the release of an A.I. system that could match leading A.I. products made in the United States.

The Chinese company said it built its new A.I. technology at a lower price and with fewer hard-to-get computer chips than its American competitors, challenging an industrywide belief that bigger and better A.I. would cost many billions of dollars. OpenAI said on Wednesday that it was investigating whether DeepSeek may have improperly harvested OpenAI’s data to help build its own systems.

Conclusion

Despite recent challenges, OpenAI is reportedly in talks with SoftBank for a significant investment. The funding could be used to support OpenAI’s commitment to the Stargate project, which could result in $500 billion of investment in computing infrastructure. However, the outcome of the talks is not yet final, and the terms of the investment remain unclear.

FAQs

Q: What is the amount of investment being discussed between OpenAI and SoftBank?

A: The amount of investment being discussed is up to $25 billion.

Q: What is the Stargate project?

A: Stargate is a $100 billion data center project announced at the White House last week, which could result in $500 billion of investment in computing infrastructure.

Q: Has OpenAI’s valuation increased significantly?

A: Yes, OpenAI’s valuation has nearly doubled in just nine months, reaching $157 billion in October after a $6.6 billion fund-raising deal.

Q: Is OpenAI in trouble?

A: OpenAI has faced several challenges in recent years, including the unexpected firing and reinstatement of its chief executive, Sam Altman, and the loss of several prominent employees. However, the company is reportedly in talks with SoftBank for a significant investment.

Digital Divide Persists for Seniors

Taylor Marlowe
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Digital Divide Persists for Seniors

Most Adults Aged 50 to 80 in the United States Use Digital Health Technologies

A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that most adults aged 50 to 80 in the United States are now using digital health technologies (DHTs), with patient portals leading adoption rates.

Adoption Rates and Disparities

The analysis, based on data from over 2,100 participants and conducted by University of Michigan and Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, also revealed significant disparities in usage driven by race, income, education, and geography.

Demographic Factors

The study found 81 percent of older adults reported using at least one form of DHT, including telehealth services (49%) and mobile health apps (44%).

While younger participants in the 50 to 59 age range were more likely to adopt these tools than those aged 60 and older, gender also played a role, with women outpacing men in usage.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

However, the findings also uncovered concerning racial and ethnic disparities: Just 11% of Black respondents and 12% of Hispanic respondents reported using DHTs, compared to 70% of white respondents.

Researchers attributed the gap to factors like medical mistrust, language barriers, and systemic inequities.

Socioeconomic Factors

Socioeconomic factors further shaped adoption patterns. Older adults with higher incomes and educational attainment were more likely to engage with digital health tools, while those with annual incomes below $60,000 showed significantly lower usage rates.

Urban residents were also ahead of their rural counterparts, where limited broadband access remains a challenge.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need to carefully consider the unique characteristics of older adults when developing and deploying DHTs to avoid worsening the digital divide. Addressing these gaps is critical for improving healthcare outcomes, with expanding access to DHTs helping empower older adults to take a more active role in managing their health, enhance preventative care, and support aging in place.

FAQs

Q: What percentage of older adults reported using at least one form of DHT?

A: 81 percent of older adults reported using at least one form of DHT.

Q: Which demographic group was more likely to adopt digital health tools?

A: Women were more likely to adopt digital health tools than men.

Q: What were the main factors contributing to the racial and ethnic disparities in DHT usage?

A: Medical mistrust, language barriers, and systemic inequities were the main factors contributing to the racial and ethnic disparities in DHT usage.

Q: What is the significance of expanding access to DHTs for older adults?

A: Expanding access to DHTs can help empower older adults to take a more active role in managing their health, enhance preventative care, and support aging in place.

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