Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
Latest coverage
Blizzard must now 'discuss, evaluate, and bargain' its AI usage with its developers
Blizzard Entertainment's union, in partnership with the Communications Workers of America, has secured a new contract that requires the company to discuss and bargain over the implementation of generative AI in the workplace. This landmark agreement, impacting around 1900 workers, also includes wage increases, job protections, and enhanced severance for layoffs, offering a significant victory for labor rights in the gaming industry.
After Google mapped an adult male fruit fly's brain, software engineers made it play Doom, Mario64, and Beat Saber
Software engineers have successfully trained a 3D model of a male fruit fly's brain, mapped by Google, to play video games including Doom, Super Mario 64, and Beat Saber. While the Doom playthrough is described as not very good, the Beat Saber performance is noted as surprisingly competent, with ongoing efforts to improve its reactive capabilities.
The Rare SNES game that became Banjo-Kazooie has been preserved thanks to a leaker who wants you to "delete…
A leaker has released the ROM files for Project Dream, a canceled Super Nintendo pirate RPG prototype that served as the basis for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie. The leaker cited concerns about the current state of the game industry, including layoffs, anti-preservation tactics, and Microsoft's management of Rare, as reasons for the release. The leaker also expressed strong negative sentiments towards Microsoft and Sony, urging boycotts.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with Microsoft
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by newly formed unions, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with parent company Microsoft. The contract, lasting four to five years, includes protections for generative AI use, crediting, remote work, and layoffs, establishing a 60-day notice period for job cuts and 14 months of recall rights. Meanwhile, Activision's subsidiary King has rejected a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish trade unions.
Blizzard Workers Win Historic Union Contract That Could Set A New Standard For Game Developers
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have secured a historic union contract with Microsoft. The agreement includes workplace flexibility, guaranteed wage increases, AI job automation guardrails, and job-recall rights for laid-off employees. This contract is seen as a potential blueprint for other video game industry unions.
iOS 27 with Siri AI will be available on September 14
iOS 27, featuring Siri AI, is scheduled for release on September 14. The update will integrate advanced artificial intelligence capabilities powered by Siri.
Siri AI will be available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish this October
Apple's Siri AI will expand its language support to include French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish starting in October. The company has been testing these new languages and will roll them out to the general public soon, following initial English testing.
Ex-Anthropic researcher argues AI progress 'could kill us all by the end of the decade' and 'progress is…
A former Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, has voiced concerns that both Anthropic and OpenAI are not acting responsibly in their pursuit of superintelligence, potentially leading to catastrophic outcomes by the end of the decade. Coxon believes these companies are aware of the risks but are driven by a competitive race, despite understanding the civilizational stakes.
"It's a new day at Blizzard": Union wins historic contract protecting 1,900 World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and more workers as Microsoft plans another 1,600 layoffs
Blizzard Entertainment union members, represented by the CWA, have secured a new contract covering 1,900 workers across titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. The agreement includes strong protections against layoffs and mandates negotiation over the use of AI in game development. This comes as parent company Microsoft plans further layoffs across Xbox.
Nearly two thousand Blizzard developers secure a union contract that includes AI safeguards and layoff protection
Nearly two thousand unionized Blizzard Entertainment developers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have secured a new contract. This agreement includes wage increases, a hybrid work week, and significant protections regarding layoffs and the use of artificial intelligence in development. CWA president Claude Cummings Jr. lauded the contract as a new industry standard.
AI Could “Kill All Humans” In Next Decade, Anthropic Lead Says
Anthropic's lead alignment scientist Evan Hubinger expressed a belief that AI could kill all humans within the next decade, citing concerns about superintelligence arising from recursive self-improvement. He and another researcher, Jacob Coxon, voiced worries about the safety practices of leading AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, suggesting they are prioritizing speed over caution. The comments have sparked debate, with some critics dismissing them as fear-mongering and others calling for stricter AI regulation.
Instacart now has its own AI assistant called Clementine
Instacart has launched its own AI assistant named Clementine. This new tool is designed to help users decide what products to purchase.
Blizzard union workers ratify historic contract covering 1,900 employees
Employees at Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Microsoft, have ratified a new union contract covering 1,900 workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The historic agreement includes protections for AI usage, layoff recall rights, improved severance, wage increases, and a three-day hybrid work week, setting a new industry standard.
US authorities accuse Chinese AI companies of industrial-scale campaigns to copy American models
US authorities, including the NSA, CISA, and FBI, have accused Chinese AI companies like DeepSeek and Moonshot of conducting industrial-scale campaigns to copy American AI models. These companies are alleged to be 'distilling' advanced American AI models for their own use.
What are the major changes coming to Apple HomeKit in iOS 27?
iOS 27 will include improvements and AI-related revamps for Apple's HomeKit and the Home app. The update is expected to enhance the smart home ecosystem.
What's going on with OpenAI and the Navier-Stokes controversy?
OpenAI has reportedly solved a significant problem related to the Navier-Stokes equations using artificial intelligence. However, the attribution and credit for this accomplishment are currently unclear.
How to use the AI Clean Up tool in iOS 27 to remove unwanted objects in iPhone Photos
The AI Clean Up tool in iOS 27 has been enhanced to further improve its ability to remove unwanted objects from iPhone photos. This feature, first introduced in iOS 18, offers users greater control over photo editing.
Meta reveals its AI agent that can shop, send emails and plan trips on your behalf
Meta has unveiled Muse, a new AI agent capable of autonomously performing tasks such as shopping, sending emails, and planning trips. The agent's ability to act independently relies on user trust.
The rise in drive prices is being driven by AI and even HDDs can't hide
The article discusses the rising prices of storage solutions, particularly Solid State Drives (SSDs), driven in part by the demand from Artificial Intelligence applications. While SSDs offer advantages, the increasing costs are making Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) a more sensible option in certain scenarios.
Battle of Aldebaran - First person space shooter made with AI for the Amiga
Fliegeralarm Games has released Battle of Aldebaran, a new AI-assisted first-person space combat game for the Amiga 1200 and 4000. Players pilot a Nordic saucer in the Aldebaran system, engaging in space battles against the Anunnaki with AI-driven flight patterns. The game features detailed cockpit management and advanced AI for enemy behavior.
