DOWNLOAD THE REPORT But despite this promise, industry adoption still lags. Data-sharing remains limited and companies across the value chain have vastly different needs and capabilities. There are also few standards and data governance protocols in place, and more talent and skills are needed to keep pace with the technological wave. All the same, progress is being made and the potential for AI in the food sector is huge. Key findings from the report are as follows: Predictive analytics are accelerating R&D cycles in crop and food science. AI reduces the time and resources needed to experiment with new food productsand turns traditional trial-and-error cycles into more efficient data-driven discoveries. Advanced models and simulations enable scientists to explore natural ingredients and processes by simulating thousands of conditions, configurations, and genetic variations until they crack the right combination. AI is bringing data-driven insights to a fragmented supply chain. AI can revolutionize the food industrys complex value chain by breaking operational silos and translating vast streams of data into actionable intelligence. Notably, large language models (LLMs) and chatbots can serve as digital interpreters, democratizing access to data analysis for farmers and growers, and enabling more informed, strategic decisions by food companies.Partnerships are crucial for maximizing respective strengths. While large agricultural companies lead inAI implementation, promising breakthroughs often emerge from strategic collaborations that leverage complementary strengths with academic institutions and startups. Large companies contribute extensive datasets and industry experience, while startups bring innovation, creativity, and a clean data slate. Combining expertise in a collaborative approach can increase the uptake of AI. Download the full report. This content was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not written by MIT Technology Reviews editorial staff.

2025-03-19T15:00:47Z Read in app Jon Bernthal as the Punisher and Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in "Daredevil: Born Again." Giovanni Rufino/Marvel Studios This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Jon Bernthal said he originally declined to return as the Punisher in "Daredevil: Born Again."The actor said the character's story originally didn't "make sense" to him.Marvel then creatively overhauled "Daredevil," and Bernthal was happy to come back.Jon Bernthal said he initially turned down returning as the Punisher in "Daredevil: Born Again" because the character's story didn't "make sense" to him."Daredevil: Born Again" is Marvel and Disney+'s continuation of Netflix's "Daredevil" show, which was canceled in 2018 after three seasons.Punisher appears in "Daredevil: Born Again" episode four, where Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) questions why corrupt police officers are using the Punisher's symbol as an excuse to murder criminals.The storyline references the way real-life officers were seen sporting the Punisher's skull logo on their uniforms.In the scene, Punisher has a haunting take on grief, loss, and retribution. But Bernthal almost didn't appear at all.Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the episode, the actor recalled being unimpressed by the original plan for Punisher's return."Ultimately, I didn't see it. I didn't see the version of Frank, and what they wanted from Frank [didn't] really make sense to me and I thought would not appeal to the fans and wouldn't be congruent," Bernthal said."It was not something I was really interested in doing. So we had to walk away."After filming six episodes of "Daredevil: Born Again," Marvel decided on a creative overhaul and brought "The Punisher" showrunner Dario Scardapane on board. Fresh ideas and a truer take on Punisher persuaded Bernthal to return. Jon Bernthal as the Punisher on the set of "Daredevil: Born Again." Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images "They really brought me into the conversation. We really got specific about where Frank is psychologically, where Frank's at physically," he said.Bernthal also touched on getting the chance to explore Punisher further in an upcoming special, which he's writing alongside Reinaldo Marcus Green."The story that we've laid out is, I think, really special. It's the visceral, psychologically complex, unforgiving, no-holds-barred version of Frank where he's going to turn his back to the audience," Bernthal teased."And nothing is easy and all violence has a cost, and we're going to see that cost. I'm grateful that they're letting me go to the places that I really want to go."

2025-03-19T15:00:26Z Read in app Ryan Reynolds is seeking to dismiss Justin Baldoni's lawsuit against him and his wife Blake Lively. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Ryan Reynolds is seeking to dismiss Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit.Reynolds argues that calling Baldoni a "predator" is a "constitutionally protected opinion."Baldoni sued Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively after Lively filed a sexual harassment suit against Baldoni.Ryan Reynolds is trying to get Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against him and his wife Blake Lively thrown out, arguing in court papers that Baldoni's "hurt feelings do not give rise to legal claims."In a motion to dismiss Baldoni's defamation lawsuit, Reynolds said that allegations that he called Baldoni a "predator" can't be defamatory since that would boil down to a "constitutionally protected opinion."The motion, filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, says that the "entirety" of Baldoni and his business associates' defamation claim "appears to be based on two times that Mr. Reynolds allegedly called Mr. Baldoni a 'predator.'"Baldoni's lawsuit, Reynolds' attorneys argue in the motion, "alleges no plausible facts that suggest Mr. Reynolds did not believe this comment to be true."Instead, the allegations in Baldoni's lawsuit "suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni's behavior is reflective of a 'predator,'" the court papers say.The motion adds that the law "establishes that calling someone a 'predator' amounts to constitutionally protected opinion."Hollywood couple Reynolds and Lively have been embroiled in a contentious legal fight with Baldoni since December.Lively initiallysued Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of"It Ends With Us" the 2024 box office hit she starred in opposite Baldoni, who also directed the movie.Lively's suit, which names Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer Studios, his fellow producers, and his publicists as defendants, also accuses Baldoni and his associates of engaging in a retaliatory online smear campaign against her after she spoke out about the allegations.Baldoni, who has denied the accusations, then countersued Lively and Reynolds in a defamation complaint. Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively starred opposite each other in the movie "It Ends With Us." Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures Entertainment Reynolds' motion to dismiss Baldoni's lawsuit says that his wife sued Baldoni and his associates after they collectively launched a "retaliatory 'social manipulation' campaign to 'destroy' and 'bury' her.""So what does Ryan Reynolds have to do with that, legally speaking, other than being a supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational, and financial devastation Ms. Lively has suffered? Nothing," the motion says.Reynolds' attorneys argue in the court papers that Reynolds is only named as a defendant because Wayfarer Studios billionaire cofounder Steve Sarowitz "promised to spend up to $100 million to 'ruin' Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds."Bryan Freedman, an attorney who represents both Baldoni and Sarowitz, told Business Insider in a statement that Reynolds' involvement extends "far beyond just being a 'supportive husband.'""Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justin's career however possible," Freedman said, adding that Reynolds' "fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one."Freedman said his clients won't stop until Reynolds is "held accountable for his actions."Reynolds' motion to dismiss says that Baldoni's lawsuit is "long on hyperbole, prose, and 'claims,' but devoid of any facts necessary to state ones recognized by law.""It is, in essence, a burn book filled with grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the kind of man who is 'confident enough to listen' to the woman in his life and to hold her 'anguish and actually' stand with her," the motion says.Baldoni's lawsuit alleges that during the 2024 premiere of "Deadpool & Wolverine," which Reynolds starred in, Reynolds approached an executive from the talent agency WME, which was representing Baldoni at the time, and "expressed his deep disdain" for Baldoni.The suit alleges that Reynolds suggested the agency was working with a "sexual predator" and at a later date, demanded that the agent "drop" Baldoni.The lawsuit also accuses Reynolds of calling Baldoni's then-WME agent and slamming Baldoni as a "deranged predator." WME dropped Baldoni as a client after Lively filed her lawsuit.Reynolds' lawyers Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson told BI in a statement that those allegations are "not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true.""The complaint doesn't allege that, and just the opposite, the allegations in the complaint suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator," Reynolds' lawyers said."Mr. Reynolds' wife has accused Mr. Baldoni privately and in multiple complaints of sexual harassment and retaliation, and as pointed out by Mr. Reynolds' motion, Mr. Baldoni has also openly spoken about his past of mistreating women and pushing the boundaries of consent," the lawyers continued.Reynolds' attorneys said their client has a "First Amendment right to express his opinion of Mr. Baldoni, which should be comforting to a group of people who have repeatedly called Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds 'bullies' and other names over the past year."If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

The Switch 2 is probably mere months away (Nintendo)As we approach Aprils all-important Nintendo Direct, here are the latest rumours around the price, release date, and games for the Nintendo Switch 2.Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially announced we still know very little about the console, with a brief trailer only showing its expanded size, revamped Joy-Cons, and hinting at its mouse-like functionality.Some of these details have been reaffirmed through patents, but Nintendo is expected to announce the major details in a Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday, April 2 at 2pm BST. As ever with Nintendo though, its difficult to predict what itll actually talk about.If official details are thin on the ground, there are a bunch of leaks and predictions around the consoles price and release date which seem increasingly convincing especially as many of the leaks prior to the Switch 2s reveal were later proved to be accurate.What is the Nintendo Switch 2 release date?Nintendo has not announced an official release date for the Switch 2, but it is widely predicted to launch in the early summer, most likely June.Prominent leaker NateTheHate, who was correct about the consoles reveal date, has said the Switch 2s release window is late May to June. A former employee at Nintendo Of America also predicted it will launch in maybe mid-June.Although some Nintendo fans have theorised it could be as early as May 15.None of this is confirmed, but it would align with Nintendos plans to hold public Switch 2 hands-on sessions throughout April, May, and June so all signs point to the console coming out within that window.What is the price of the Nintendo Switch 2?Nintendo has not announced a price for the Switch 2 but analysts expect it will be around $400. In the UK, that would translate to 400 or a little less.While this price appears to be the best guess, some have speculated it could be as high as $499, or at least upwards of $449. Nintendo may not be certain themselves yet, especially with the threat of US tariffs looming with more due to go into effect worldwide on April 2, the exact same date as the Nintendo Direct.For comparison, the original Switch cost 279.99 at launch and the OLED Model is priced at 309.99. The Switch 2 will almost certainly be more than that.What games are confirmed for the Switch 2?Nintendo has confirmed a new Mario Kart for the Switch 2, which was shown during the consoles reveal, but it doesnt have a name yet.Several smaller indie titles have also announced Switch 2 versions, including role-playing game Bestiario, the Star Fox-like Fur Squadron Phoenix, My Time At Evershine, action role-player Synth Beasts, and Yooka-Laylee remaster Yooka-Replaylee.All Nintendo Switch games will work on the next console through backwards compatibility but some upcoming titles, notably Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, are rumoured to be cross-gen titles in the same vein as The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, which launched simultaneously across the Wii U and Switch. Mario Kart is the only Switch 2 exclusive announced so far (YouTube)Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is slated to come out in 2025 and is tipped to be a key focus of the upcoming April Nintendo Direct.That means the best guess for the Switch 2s launch line-up, in terms of first party games, is Metroid Prime 4 and the new Mario Kart.Although therell hopefully be a glimpse of at least one or two brand new IP, in the April Direct, its not hard to guess what other Nintendo franchises will arrive on Switch 2, especially based on when the last entry was released.Animal Crossing and Splatoon are both likely to arrive in the first year or two, as is a new 3D Super Mario and/or a rumoured Donkey Kong title. A new mainline Zelda is not expected for several years but a new spin-off or remaster will no doubt be announced sooner rather than later.What third party support will the Nintendo Switch 2 have?Beyond that, third party titles like Tekken 8, Red Dead Redemption 2, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero are all rumoured for the console.More TrendingUbisoft is also believed to be going all out for the console, with ports of Assassins Creed Mirage and Assassins Creed Shadows.Theres a chance several games slated for May could also be planned for the Switch 2, including Doom: The Dark Ages and Elden Ring Nightreign.What other third party games will be available after that will largely depend on exactly how powerful the Switch 2 is, but it is expected to have very enthusiastic support, from all major publishers, right from the start. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is tipped to be a cross-gen game (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Powering spacecraft with solar energy may not seem like a challenge, given how intense the Suns light can feel on Earth. Spacecraft near the Earth use large solar panels to harness the Sun for the electricity needed to run their communications systems and science instruments. However, the farther into space you go, the weaker the Suns light becomes and the less useful it is for powering systems with solar panels. Even in the inner solar system, spacecraft such as lunar or Mars rovers need alternative power sources. As an astrophysicist and professor of physics, I teach a senior-level aerospace engineering course on the space environment. One of the key lessons I emphasize to my students is just how unforgiving space can be. In this extreme environment where spacecraft must withstand intense solar flares, radiation and temperature swings from hundreds of degrees below zero to hundreds of degrees above zero, engineers have developed innovative solutions to power some of the most remote and isolated space missions. So how do engineers power missions in the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond? The solution is technology developed in the 1960s based on scientific principles discovered two centuries ago: radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs. RTGs are essentially nuclear-powered batteries. But unlike the AAA batteries in your TV remote, RTGs can provide power for decades while hundreds of millions to billions of miles from Earth.Nuclear power Radioisotope thermoelectric generators do not rely on chemical reactions like the batteries in your phone. Instead, they rely on the radioactive decay of elements to produce heat and eventually electricity. While this concept sounds similar to that of a nuclear power plant, RTGs work on a different principle. Most RTGs are built using plutonium-238 as their source of energy, which is not usable for nuclear power plants since it does not sustain fission reactions. Instead, plutonium-238 is an unstable element that will undergo radioactive decay.Radioactive decay, or nuclear decay, happens when an unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously and randomly emits particles and energy to reach a more stable configuration. This process often causes the element to change into another element, since the nucleus can lose protons. Plutonium-238 decays into uranium-234 and emits an alpha particle, made of two protons and two neutrons. NASA When plutonium-238 decays, it emits alpha particles, which consist of two protons and two neutrons. When the plutonium-238, which starts with 94 protons, releases an alpha particle, it loses two protons and turns into uranium-234, which has 92 protons. These alpha particles interact with and transfer energy into the material surrounding the plutonium, which heats up that material. The radioactive decay of plutonium-238 releases enough energy that it can glow red from its own heat, and it is this powerful heat that is the energy source to power an RTG.The nuclear heat source for the Mars Curiosity rover is encased in a graphite shell. The fuel glows red hot because of the radioactive decay of plutonium-238. Idaho National Laboratory, CC BY Heat as power Radioisotope thermoelectric generators can turn heat into electricity using a principle called the Seebeck effect, discovered by German scientist Thomas Seebeck in 1821. As an added benefit, the heat from some types of RTGs can help keep electronics and the other components of a deep-space mission warm and working well. In its basic form, the Seebeck effect describes how two wires of different conducting materials joined in a loop produce a current in that loop when exposed to a temperature difference.The Seeback effect is the principle behind RTGs. Devices that use this principle are called thermoelectric couples, or thermocouples. These thermocouples allow RTGs to produce electricity from the difference in temperature created by the heat of plutonium-238 decay and the frigid cold of space. Radioisotope thermoelectric generator design In a basic radioisotope thermoelectric generator, you have a container of plutonium-238, stored in the form of plutonium-dioxide, often in a solid ceramic state that provides extra safety in the event of an accident. The plutonium material is surrounded by a protective layer of foil insulation to which a large array of thermocouples is attached. The whole assembly is inside a protective aluminum casing. The interior of the RTG and one side of the thermocouples is kept hot close to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) while the outside of the RTG and the other side of the thermocouples are exposed to space. This outside, space-facing layer can be as cold as a few hundred degrees Fahrenheit below zero.This strong temperature difference allows an RTG to turn the heat from radioactive decay into electricity. That electricity powers all kinds of spacecraft, from communications systems to science instruments to rovers on Mars, including five current NASA missions. But dont get too excited about buying an RTG for your house. With the current technology, they can produce only a few hundred watts of power. That may be enough to power a standard laptop, but not enough to play video games with a powerful GPU. For deep-space missions, however, those couple hundred watts are more than enough. The real benefit of RTGs is their ability to provide predictable, consistent power. The radioactive decay of plutonium is constant every second of every day for decades. Over the course of about 90 years, only half the plutonium in an RTG will have decayed away. An RTG requires no moving parts to generate electricity, which makes them much less likely to break down or stop working.Additionally, they have an excellent safety record, and theyre designed to survive their normal use and also be safe in the event of an accident. RTGs in action RTGs have been key to the success of many of NASAs solar system and deep-space missions. The Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and the New Horizons spacecraft that visited Pluto in 2015 have all used RTGs. New Horizons is traveling out of the solar system, where its RTGs will provide power where solar panels could not.However, no missions capture the power of RTGs quite like the Voyager missions. NASA launched the twin spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in 1977 to take a tour of the outer solar system and then journey beyond it. Each craft was equipped with three RTGs, providing a total of 470 watts of power at launch. It has been almost 50 years since the launch of the Voyager probes, and both are still active science missions, collecting and sending data back to Earth.Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are about 15.5 billion miles and 13 billion miles (nearly 25 billion kilometers and 21 billion kilometers) from the Earth, respectively, making them the most distant human-made objects ever. Even at these extreme distances, their RTGs are still providing them consistent power. These spacecraft are a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who first designed RTGs in the early 1960s. Benjamin Roulston, Assistant Professor of Physics, Clarkson University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

For some people around the world, it may feel like spring. For us in Gadget Land, its affordable phone season. Last month, we had Apples iPhone 16e make a grand entrance with its $600 offering of all the best parts of the iPhone 16 for a less eye-popping price. This month, its Googles turn with the Pixel 9a. For $500, you get a Google device with all the best parts of the Pixel 9 (plus all that Gemini stuff Google wants you to use). It should remain be one of the best deals in Android land, especially if youre after a cheaper phone with more-than-decent camera capabilities. The Pixel 9a looks a little different from last years Pixel 8a. The corners arent as rounded and instead match that iPhone-like style the rest of the Pixel 9 family adopted. Its boring until you consider the Pixel 9a shines in design in all the places Apples diehard fans wish the iPhone 16e did. The Pixel 9a comes in four colorways, two more than the iPhone 16e. The colors include black, white, a stark pink called Peony, and a super gorgeous purple shademy favoritecalled Iris. The rest of the phone chassis matches the color of the backside. There are also matching cases to keep the colorway intact, though Google lauds this as the most durable A-series phone yet. The Pixel 9a is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. Florence Ion / Gizmodo Florence Ion / Gizmodo Florence Ion / Gizmodo Florence Ion / Gizmodo Florence Ion / Gizmodo Florence Ion / Gizmodo Florence Ion / Gizmodo The display on the Pixel 9a is the same size as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. Its a 6.3-inch Actua display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. Theres still a 120Hz display to boast here, like last years Pixel 8a, with up to 2,700 nits peak brightness if you need it in direct sunlight. Its nice to see that Google can use such a good display in a mid-range phone. Previously, the best was Samsung with its mid-range A-series. I still prefer the deep blacks of Samsungs AMOLED, but Googles Actua displays have significantly improvedand impressed. The Pixel 9as internal hardware remains a solid deal for its price. Its powered by the same Google Tensor G4 processor inside the rest of the Pixel 9 series and 8GB of RAM. Theres a hefty 5,000 mAh battery in there, which seems to be the standard offering among mid-range Android devices trying to offer an edge. Google promises up to 30 hours of battery life on a charge, a little more than Apple promises with the iPhone 16e. Itll be interesting to see which one lasts the longest. Florence Ion / Gizmodo The back of the Pixel 9a look familiar to you? It looks familiar to me, and Ive seen a lot of phones in my lifetime. Google says the Pixel 9as camera design was inspired by nature and water droplets. I dont see it. Instead, what I see is a rear-facing camera configuration thats quite similar to the iPhone 16e. Look at the back! Theyre both single cameras staring you on. The camera on the Pixel 9a is a 48-MP sensorlike on the iPhone 16e!with macro focus capabilities. But it also has the Pixels camera algorithm magic, including AI-led features like Add Me, which I still havent successfully used to add myself to a photo.Its interesting to compare the abilities of the Google Pixel 9a and what Apple is offering with the iPhone 16e this year. Each is offering a less-pricey smartphone bundled with each brands best featurescamera algorithms for Google and a ticket to access the walled garden for Apple. The price difference between the two devices is about $100, with the iPhone 16e requiring that Apple tax. Only you can decide if its worth the extra cash. But you should wait for the review of the Pixel 9a first. Google did not let us paw with the software on the phones I got hands-on with. However, I was able to take a picture of some grapes on a plate with the 9as new camera. The camera app felt just as responsive as the Pixel 9 Pro, my daily driver, but all smartphones feel amazing within the first few moments of handling them. Its after you bog them down with apps, data, and drama that it truly shows its colors. If you want to take a spin, the Pixel 9a will be available in April at $500 from the Google Store and other retailers. Stay tuned for our review.

Boksto Skveras Mixed-Use Center / Studio Seilern ArchitectsSave this picture! Norbert TukajLithuaniaArchitects: Studio Seilern ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:13265 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Norbert Tukaj, Roland HalbeManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Dinesen, Janesen, KIKUKAWAMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Boksto is a 13,265 sqm mixed-use project in the center of Lithuania's capital city Vilnius, which includes a performing arts space, jazz bar/restaurant and spa, residential and office accommodation. The overall complex consists of 6 buildings and large courtyards and gardens that have evolved and have been modified over a period of 500 years. Now deemed a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Boksto Skveras overlooks one of the oldest streets in the historic centre of Vilnius.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!SSA, led by Christina Seilern, felt the building was a natural asset that should be restored and showcased, rather than demolished and rebuilt. SSA began working on the project in 2008 and undertook several years of complex exploratory research and planning while navigating building permissions rooted in post-Soviet legislation. Working closely with a local conservation architecture practice to ensure as much of the original building was saved as possible, the design went through several iterations before deciding on a mixed-use concept.Save this picture!With such a rich, varied and protected history, the conservation and restoration concept became crucial. Any new build element had to be a carefully considered insertion into the existing fabric, and, where possible, the historic elements of the site should be restored and preserved. Planning legislation agreed that all buildings in the Old Town could have ceramic roof tiles and Velux windows. It was agreed that this would be detrimental to the Baroque building mass of a large uninterrupted pitched roof, so this was constructed with vertical steel slats that reveal areas of glazing underneath, allowing roof openings to be integrated into the roofing system.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The concept combines restoring the baroque and Gothic buildings to their original state, whilst embracing the buildings' original assets. Inspired by the example of the Alhambra, where building and landscape merge and morph into one another, we suggested that the new builds could reflect the historical fabric, rather than imitate it. By using highly polished stainless steel to clad the new build insertions, the contemporary element pays homage to the historical fabric.Save this picture!Boksto Skveras is the culmination of over 10 years of design, development, and collaboration with local partners. The studio utilized the Gothic vaulted cellars for the sunken restaurant, opening up the surroundings so that natural light floods into the space and links to the public courtyard where visitors can dwell. Boksto Skveras's status as a protected asset meant the brickwork of the underground cellars could not be broken up or modified. The exposed bricks now create part of the visitor experience to the subterranean health spa with a 25-meter swimming pool. The ancient clock tower is repurposed as office space, utilizing glass foundations to weave elements of the old building into the new design. For the roof, SSA used an arrangement of steel slats to allow natural light into the building while maintaining the appearance of a solid roof, another condition of the planning permissions to keep the building in line with neighbouring architecture.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Vilnius, LithuaniaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on March 19, 2025Cite: "Boksto Skveras Mixed-Use Center / Studio Seilern Architects" 19 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028094/boksto-skveras-mixed-use-center-studio-seilern-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Shaping Dubai's Urban Identity: Buildner Launches Design Challenge With a Half-Million Euro Prize FundSponsored ContentSave this picture!Courtesy of BuildnerBuildner in collaboration with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), invites architects, designers, and visionaries worldwide to participate in the Dubai Urban Elements Design Challenge. This international competition seeks innovative designs for small-scale architectural elements that enhance public spaces and contribute to Dubai's evolving urban identity.The Power of Small-Scale ArchitectureWhat truly gives a city its identity? Is it the towering skyline, or the spaces where people pause, gather, and connect? Cities are not merely built; they are feltexperienced in the subtle details that shape daily life. It's in the rhythm of pathways, the shade of a structure, the curve of a bridge, and the quiet moments of interaction that the essence of a city unfolds. These small-scale architectural forms, often overlooked, are the threads that weave together the vast urban fabricgiving depth, meaning, and identity to the places we inhabit.While grand landmarks may define a skyline, it's the human-scale elements that shape how we move, how we connect, and how we remember a place. These forms guide footsteps, foster community, and craft the everyday narratives that give a city its soul.Save this picture!Dubai: A City in Constant TransformationDubai is a city of ambitiona global symbol of innovation, culture, and rapid evolution. Yet, as it continues to expand and redefine itself, Dubai now turns its focus inward, seeking meaning not only in iconic structures but in the spaces that shape daily life. It looks to the in-betweenthe bridges, pathways, and gathering spacesto strengthen its urban identity and connect its communities.Competition OverviewParticipants are tasked with developing cohesive design concepts across seven distinct zones in Dubai, each characterized by unique attributes, density, and rhythm. The objective is to create thoughtful, context-driven solutions that strengthen Dubai's urban fabric while addressing the specific needs and identities of each zone.Key Objectives: Human-Scale Architecture: Focus on designing elements that foster community interaction and enrich daily urban experiences. Cultural Sensitivity: Incorporate designs that reflect and respect Dubai's rich cultural heritage. Sustainability: Propose environmentally responsible solutions that align with sustainable urban development principles. Public Engagement: Create spaces that encourage public interaction and engagement. Prize Fund and RecognitionThe competition offers a total prize fund of 500,000 EUR, recognizing outstanding proposals that effectively respond to the challenge. This includes a 250,000 EUR first prize, a 140,000 EUR second prize, 50,000 EUR third prize and 6 honorable mentions with prizes of 10,000 EUR each.EligibilityThe competition is free to enter and open to all, regardless of professional qualifications or experience.Save this picture!Pre-Registration and TimelineInterested participants are encouraged to pre-register until April 3, 2025. The registration deadline for the competition is May 7, 2025, while the deadline for submitting applications is May 28, 2025. Winners will be announced on July 1, 2025.How to ParticipateTo join the Dubai Urban Elements Design Challenge, visit the official Dubai Urban Elements Design Challenge page. Here, you can pre-register, download the competition brief, and access additional resources.This is an opportunity to influence the everyday experiences that define Dubai's urban landscape. Participants are invited to think beyond the monumental, shape the everyday, and help define the future of one of the world's most ambitious cities.Image gallerySee allShow lessCite: "Shaping Dubai's Urban Identity: Buildner Launches Design Challenge With a Half-Million Euro Prize Fund" 19 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028055/shaping-dubais-urban-identity-buildner-launches-design-challenge-with-a-half-million-euro-prize-fund&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00743-7Major investments to fuel AIs power demands are not the only way big tech is having an influence.

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00745-5Big data is key for the quality control needed to advance the field.