Microsoft has finally realized that not everyone cares about Copilot
Despite making claims to the contrary, Microsoft is not really thought of as being a company that takes much notice of user opinion. All too often it seems that incredibly unpopular options, features and changes are introduced with little regard for what users actually want.
But, to buck the trend, Microsoft has apparently been listening to feedback from people who are unhappy about the encroachment of Copilot into... well, pretty much everything, really. The decision to include a physical Copilot key on keyboards has been one such unpopular move, and the reaction from Windows 11 users has forced Microsoft’s hand.
Google reveals ZAPBench to predict brain activity in zebrafish and unlock new AI-powered neuroscience research
If we are lucky, Artificial intelligence might one day help scientists understand the human brain the same way language models predict the next word in a sentence. And now, that future is closer to becoming reality thanks to a new project from Google Research, Harvard University, and HHMI Janelia. You see, these teams have introduced the Zebrafish Activity Prediction Benchmark, better known as “ZAPBench,” which could help researchers create more accurate models for predicting brain activity.
ZAPBench isn’t just another dataset, folks. Actually, this new tool is based on two hours of brain recordings from larval zebrafish, capturing how roughly 70,000 neurons fired in response to different virtual reality scenarios. These tiny fish were shown various environmental changes, including shifting light patterns and moving water currents, while researchers recorded brain activity at an impressively detailed scale.
Making AI agents 'smarter' with connected data
The latest buzzy concept in the world of AI is now transcending its initial hype. Advances in Agentic AI are accelerating the development of autonomous business systems, building upon progress in machine learning. Acting as an independent ‘agent’, the technology can make informed decisions based on the multimodal data and algorithms they’re built on and then ‘learn’ from its experiences.
But even more excitingly, Agentic AI aims to execute tasks independently. It’s this ability to adapt, plan, and execute complex tasks without direct human intervention is what differentiates Agentic AI from its predecessors.
What is an AI agent and why should you build one?
AI agents are having a moment. From automating customer service to optimizing supply chains, AI agents are constantly promising to transform how organizations operate -- faster, smarter and more efficiently. In fact, recent research from Salesforce shows that 93 percent of IT leaders plan to implement AI agents in the next two years. But what exactly is an AI agent?
An AI agent is a software system that can autonomously perform tasks like answering customer inquiries and translating documents in multiple languages, improving overall efficiency and customer experience. Unlike traditional automation tools that follow static rules, AI agents continuously learn from data and adapt to changing conditions to make decisions on their own, in real time. That’s what makes AI agents powerful and risky.
What does the future of AI-powered software development look like -- and how secure is it?
AI and machine learning tools have had an important role in software development for many years, helping to drive efficiency and automation. The new generation of AI tools has the potential to supercharge this transformation, bringing even greater improvements to efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovation cycles.
However, these tools also come with new risks, including security vulnerabilities, governance challenges, and regulatory uncertainty. As with any new technological approach, organizations bringing new AI tools and specifically AI-generated code into their development lifecycles must balance benefits with the potential risks.
Four common AI pitfalls -- and how to avoid them
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transitioning from an emerging technology to a business mainstay. While many businesses are already reaping the benefits of strategic AI implementation, others are adopting AI solutions without first considering how to integrate the tools strategically. While some AI tools offer tangible gains in automation and efficiency, others overpromise and underdeliver, leading to costly investments with little return.
Distinguishing marketing buzz from real-world impact is critical for businesses looking to make AI a true driver of operational success. Despite AI’s potential, many businesses fall into common pitfalls that prevent them from realizing the full value of innovative technology. From unclear objectives to poor integration and security risks, these challenges can turn AI from a competitive advantage into an expensive mistake.
Google warns DOJ breakup plan could destroy Android and Chrome -- plus hurt the US economy
Google is hitting back at the Department of Justice over a proposed plan that could force massive changes to how the company operates. The DOJ, which sued Google back in 2020 over search distribution practices, is now pushing for remedies that Google says go way too far -- and could end up hurting American consumers, innovation, and even national security!
In a new blog post, the search giant says the proposed changes are not only unnecessary but also dangerous. At the heart of the issue is how Google partners with phone makers and browsers to make its search engine the default. According to Google, people use its search because they want to -- not because they’re forced to. The company says blocking these deals would just make it harder for people to get to the services they prefer, with alternatives like Microsoft’s Bing being pushed on users instead.
deepin Linux 23.1 released with DeepSeek AI support -- Donald Trump’s Chinese tariffs can’t stop open source
Donald Trump may be trying to slow down Chinese imports, but his tariffs are no match for free open source software! You see, Chinese Linux distribution deepin just dropped version 23.1, and no policy can stop it from reaching American citizens. With a ton of awesome updates and refinements, this new version delivers both improved stability and better ease of use. So what that it comes from our friends in China?
The heart of this update lies in major kernel upgrades to versions 6.6.84 and 6.12.20, delivering enhanced compatibility with the latest hardware. Got NVIDIA graphics or rocking an Intel or AMD CPU? You’re in luck, as deepin has integrated updated graphics drivers and CPU microcode that promise better performance across the board. Plus, Vietnamese users will appreciate the improved language input with the latest fcitx5-unikey update.
Enhancing data security in an AI-driven era
For many years, the IT community has consistently emphasized the inherent value and significance of data. Data is one of the greatest resources within a business, even referred to as an organization’s crown jewels, and as a result, has become a vital part of business’ security strategies.
However, as the global interconnectivity of technology continues to grow, securing data and its integrity has become one of the most complex parts of cybersecurity. The driving factor behind this increasing complexity is the broadening use of generative AI (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs), for which training data has largely become the world’s publicly available data.
Beyond words: What AI is really learning -- and what it knows that we never taught it
Imagine you had to finish every sentence in every book ever written -- with just your best guess of the next word. That’s how large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 start learning.
LLMs use self-supervised learning, meaning they don’t need someone to label or explain the data to them. Instead, they learn by reading vast amounts of text from books, code, academic papers, Wikipedia (and its 57 million+ articles), Reddit forums, and news articles, in addition to billions of others, and then predicting what word comes next in a sentence -- over and over again.
Microsoft thinks its controversial Recall feature is ready for some Windows 11 users to try out... install it if you dare
When Microsoft first added the AI-powered Recall feature to Windows 11, it could hardly have been expecting the backlash that came from users. Concerns about privacy and security forced the company to delay the rollout of the activity and screen monitoring snapshot tool.
Now Microsoft thinks it has made the improvements required to calm the concerns of those who spoke out very loudly against the tool. A new preview version of Recall is making its way to some users right now.
Is AI adoption the next great risk to data resilience?
With cyberattacks surging across every sector from critical national infrastructure to commercial businesses, it’s never been more vital for organizations to get control of their digital footprint and restrict access to their most sensitive data. Instead, organizations are being pulled in the opposite direction by AI, which is demanding access to as much data as possible to deliver much-hyped business solutions.
Organizations worldwide are pouring resources into AI innovation, with spending set to hit an astronomical $632 billion by 2028, according to Gartner. Some are even redesigning their organizational structure, introducing new AI-focused roles and even rerouting workflows as they deploy generative AI into day-to-day operations. At the same time, AI organizations are generating unthinkable amounts of investment with OpenAI raising another $40 billion already this year. It’s clear that AI is here to stay, but have organizations lost sight of their data resilience in a bid to keep up with the AI race?
Microsoft makes a browser-based, AI-generated version of Quake II to promote Copilot -- play it now!
Continually seeking new ways to make Copilot seem appealing, Microsoft has turned to retro gaming as a lure. The company has released a browser-based version of Quake II to serve as a Copilot Gaming Experiences demonstration of AI capabilities.
Microsoft has married its own Research lab’s MuseWorld and Human Action Model (WHAM) to show some of the different powers of generative AI. The company says that “by generating gameplay in real time, the underlying Muse shows how classic games like Quake II can be reimagined through modern AI techniques”. But what will matter to most people is that it is available to try out now, for free.
The intersection of wellness and technology: How AI is revolutionizing personalized health
Today’s patients expect medical care with a level of efficiency, accuracy, and convenience than ever before. Unfortunately, in a world where medical professionals are overworked and there is a significant shortage in the availability of labor in the healthcare industry, achieving this is easier said than done, which is why many medical professionals have turned to tools like artificial intelligence to boost their efficiency.
In the medical industry, AI has already been used by medical researchers for years, helping them with their experiments and research. However, innovators throughout the health and wellness industry -- including doctors and leaders of supplement companies -- are beginning to find ways to leverage the power of AI to make their operations more efficient and effective.
AI-driven video is ushering in a new era of collaboration
The shift to hybrid and remote jobs continues to redefine the modern workplace. For the past several years, video conferencing has made global collaboration possible, breaking down barriers that once made a fully remote workforce seem like a far reality. And while this technology will continue to be a core component of day-to-day business, it has only scratched the surface of how video can support increasingly dispersed teams.
In fact, it actually may no longer be enough to sustain remote environments. As workers and employers continue to clash around return to office (RTO) mandates and employee engagement reaches a record low, it’s clear that we need a new approach.
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