It is a slippery slope from experimentation via integration to reliance and full blown AI addiction. ... More Which stage are you on?gettyThe rise of artificial intelligence is transforming our professional, and personal lives. From automated email responses to complex decision-making algorithms, AI is seeping into our screens, and minds. Set amid the unraveling political landscape of 2025 it increasingly feels as if we are living in a science fiction scenario. Among the uncomfortable questions that this raises is for how much longer we will be producers and screenwriters, rather than mere actors who say what has been written, and do what they are told. The ongoing, seemingly relentless AI integration, has introduced a subtle but significant risk: agency decay.What is happening does not relate to a dystopian takeover by machines; it's about the gradual erosion of our capacity, and volition to make decisions autonomously and exert control, on screen and offline. Agency, fundamentally, is the ability to act intentionally. It's the sense that we are the initiators of our actions, capable of influencing our environment and shaping the outcomes of our actions. In the context of AI, it means preserving the power to initiate and execute an act independently, while deliberately harnessing the power of technology. It is a balancing act between using AI as a tool and becoming dependent on it.The 4 Stages Of Agency Decay Amid AIOur interaction with AI often follows a predictable pattern, a progression that can lead to diminished agency if we're not attentive. Here's a breakdown of the four stages:1. Exploration: Initial EngagementThis stage marks our first encounters with AI. We're driven by curiosity, experimenting with new tools and exploring their potential applications without a full understanding of their mechanisms.Characterized by: Low ability and low affinity. Were interested in AI but lack the expertise or understanding to utilize it effectively.2. Integration: Growing FamiliarityAs we gain experience, we begin to integrate AI into our daily workflows. We recognize its efficiency gains and start relying on it for routine tasks.Characterized by: Increasing ability and increasing affinity. Were developing the skills to use AI and appreciating its benefits3. Reliance: Developing DependenceAI transitions from being a helpful tool to a critical component of our operations. We depend on it for decision support and task execution, sometimes without critically evaluating its outputs.Characterized by: Strong technological ability, but a potential decrease in independent thought. We become proficient in using AI, but our growing skills subtly diminishes our critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and our appetite to push our intellectual boundaries, rather than asking ChatGTP to do so.4. Dependency: Diminished AutonomyWe find ourselves struggling to perform tasks, such as writing a text or code, or to make decisions without AI (when did you last go into Netflix with a clear plan of the movie that you want to watch?), resulting in a decrease in our sense of agency. We've become overly reliant, losing the capacity, and desire to act, autonomously.Characterized by: High affinity, but low ability to function without AI. We are comfortable with AI's convenience but have lost the skills and confidence to operate independently.This progression illustrates a potential slide from empowered use to unhealthy dependence.Agency decay isn't a sudden event; it's a gradual process, often unnoticed until it's deeply entrenched. It manifests in several interconnected ways. We increasingly outsource cognitive tasks to AI, from memory recall to complex analysis, leading to what's known as cognitive offloading. While this can enhance efficiency, it may also lead to an atrophy of our cognitive abilities. We become more efficient, but especially if AI is taking over tasks that are closely related to our professional pride, and self identity this delegation may make us less satisfied with our job.At the same time as our ability decreases our models become more sophisticated while still being prone to hallucinations. The "black box" nature of many AI systems, where the decision-making process is opaque, combined with dwindling human desire and capacity for fact-checking is dangerous, and erodes trust.Mitigate the risk of agency decay, means to counteract, individually and institutionally.Curating Agency Amid AI Use: The Four A'sTo mitigate the risk of acute agency decay, we must proactively manage AI integration and navigate the aforementioned stages effectively. The key to this proactive management lies in 4 As:Awareness: Cultivating awareness of both AI's capabilities and limitations is the first step. Individuals and organizations must foster a deep understanding of how AI works, its potential impact, and the importance of maintaining human oversight. This awareness should extend to the ethical considerations surrounding AI, promoting responsible development and deployment.Appreciation: Building on awareness, it becomes possible to develop appreciation for the value of both natural intelligence and artificial intelligence. Moving beyond the binary understanding of either-or this means recognizing that AI is a tool to augment, not replace, human capabilities. Fostering a culture of collaboration between humans and AI can lead to more effective problem-solving and innovation.Acceptance: Acceptance involves embracing AI as a fundamental part of the modern landscape. This doesnt mean blindly adopting every new shape that this technology is going to take; but rather strategically integrating AI into personal decisions that are cumbersome and time consuming, such as shopping, or inefficient workflows where it can provide the benefit. Acceptance also entails adapting organizational structures and roles to optimize human-AI collaboration, with careful attention to the optimization of human wellbeing. Accountability: Finally, accountability is crucial for maintaining agency. Organizations must establish clear lines of responsibility for AI systems, ensuring that humans remain accountable for decisions and actions, even when AI is involved. This includes developing robust governance frameworks, auditing AI systems for bias and errors, and implementing mechanisms for redress when things go wrong.Mastering AI As Mean To An EndUnderstanding the dynamics of agency in the AI age, involves recognizing the slippery slope from experimentation to dependency, and proactively cultivating our own agency. AI is a means to an end, not an end in itself. If it can make us happier and our coexistence with nature more sustainable (which is a big IF considering the energy footprint of current models) then we have cracked the code. To master this balance we need to curate hybrid intelligence, as a stronghold to agency decay.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsA good riddance with AIThe weird stylus dealA terrible keyboard situationiPadOS needs some attention, tooI just finished testing the new entry-level iPad, and so far, I am fairly impressed by the tablet. You cant get a better value than this slate for $349. From the external hardware to the innards, there is hardly any alternative from the Android side that can deliver a superior experience. This year, Apple delivered a couple of surprises, in addition to the expected chip upgrade. You now get twice the storage for the same ask, and the RAM has also been bumped up. In a nutshell, its faster, better at multi-tasking, and without any storage headaches, even if your budget is tight. Recommended VideosApple, however, hasnt fixed the software situation with iPadOS, which continues to bother with its fair share of quirks in tow. This year, however, the software gulf is even wider between the baseline iPad and every other tablet in Apples portfolio. Stage Manager has been the big differentiator so far, but in 2025, we have another deep chasm.Please enable Javascript to view this contentA good riddance with AINadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsA lot has been written about Apples AI stack, and not necessarily in a positive light. Google has progressed to the Gemini era on Android and Chrome OS. Amazon has entered the generative AI era with Alexa+ assistant. The likes of ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are quickly emerging as a new breed of far more capable virtual assistants. Siri, on the other hand, has been a sore laggard. The situation is so bad that the capabilities paraded at last years developer event are yet to ship, and now, the online marketing material has been accordingly scrubbed off. As per Bloomberg, we are in for a long wait, one that could extend well until 2027. As a stop-gap, Apple has offloaded things to ChatGPT via a clever integration. It hasnt quite delivered any revolutionary leap yet. I had abetter experience putting Gemini everywhere on my iPhone, from the home page to the Lock Screen widgets. And it works better than I expected.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsBut at $349, I am not complaining, neither am I clamoring for a turbocharged Siri. Or the entire Apple Intelligence bundle, for that matter. Its a resource burden. You need an A17 Pro processor (or an M-series chip) at the very minimum and 8GB of RAM. The entry-level iPad can afford neither. The iPads core audience doesnt care about the AI stack either, certainly not at that asking price. The iPad mini supports Apple Intelligence, and look where the asking price has landed. Hint: $150 more than the iPad. Has AI transformed it into a better small tablet? For the most part, no!Apples $349 tablet is targeted at an audience that wants to watch videos, take it to school for note-taking, play a few games, and then call it a day. It excels at all those parameters. It will exceed your expectations at even demanding games, and with better stability than top-tier Android phones.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsAI is not going to add anything meaningful in those scenarios. I am glad that Apple chose to skip the AI burden hardware and kept the iPads price in a territory where it remains accessible for people who want the signature Apple tablet experience. In that regard, the 2025 iPad is a huge win. The weird stylus deal I wont be proud of this charging design fiasco. Joe Maring / Digital TrendsNow, where do I start on this one? Lets begin with the stylus. This one supports only the first-gen Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil with USB-C. Look at the image above, and you will realize just how cumbersome it is to live with that stylus, its wonky charging situation, and a prone-to-lose USB-C adapter. The Apple Pencil USB-C model? Well, it costs $80. You cant use the second-gen Apple Pencil that charges wirelessly, nor the Apple Pencil Pro, with the 2025 iPad. That also means losing out on next-gen features such as pressure sensitivity, barrel role, haptic feedback, and Find My support. Plus, they are pricier, too. It makes little sense to spend 37% of the tablets sticker price on a stylus, either way. Will Apple launch a stylus thats cheaper to fit the iPads niche? Unlikely. Is there an alternative? Definitely. Look no further than the ESR Geo Digital Stylus, which costs a mere $30, but even puts the $130 Apple Pencil Pro to shame.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsIt has a fantastic build quality, magnetic attachment, a neat multi-function button at the top, and offers a smooth sketching experience. The best part? You even get the support for Find My tracking, a perk you wont even get on the second-gen Apple Pencil, which costs nearly four times as much.A terrible keyboard situation Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsNow, lets move on to the keyboard situation. The Magic Keyboard Folio is fantastic. It also costs $250, which is roughly two-thirds of the tablets market worth. Its a great kit, but a terrible value, especially for budget-conscious shoppers who are picking the iPad over an Air or Pro for a reason.The problem is not just the price. Apple serves a functionally worse package at a higher premium. Take for example the Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case for the iPad. It offers a pencil holder, all-side bumper protection, and more importantly, a backlit keyboard for just $149.LogitechAt $249, Apples keyboard case is not backlit. Then you have the ESR Rebound Magnetic keyboard case for the 11th gen iPad. This one essentially replicates the far pricier Magic Keyboard with its cantilever design, but at a lower price than even Logitech.ESRFor an even smaller hit on the wallet, the ESR Ascend keyboard case copies the Magic Folio keyboard design, but with side protection, a pencil slot, and a backlit keyboard facility. Its almost as if Apple is oblivious to the iPads sticker price and target audience, and hawking them accessories at a price that makes no sense. iPadOS needs some attention, too IPadOS is fluid, and the app ecosystem is fantastic, as well. Gaming is another area where the iPad excels over Android tablets. But the superiority of app experience over Android is mostly limited to in-house software, or a select few third-party apps. For the remaining part, the iPadOS experience is notoriously rigid.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsSome of the worlds most popular apps are not optimized for the iPad. Take for example Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, and Bluesky. Youre either stuck with a terrible overstretched look, or ugly pillarboxing. Android, on the other hand, has grown a lot more flexible with aspect ratio and resolution adjustment. You can even force full-screen view for apps where you really want them to span across the whole screen. Window resizing is absurdly limited on iPadOS, even with Stage Manager enabled. The back gesture in apps is also inconsistent in iPadOS and remains a sore functional hassle.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsIs it a swipe, or should I look for a back button in a corner, or should I open a side window? Lets just admit it. Androids universal edge gestures are far superior, and most importantly, a lot more reliable. Apple has done a decent job of optimizing keyboard shortcuts for iPadOS, much better than the fragmented Android ecosystem, but it needs to fix the touch-based navigation experience.The software experience doesnt need a monumental overhaul. All it requires is a few functional improvements at the very foundations of human-machine interaction. Apple has the resources to pull it off. Its just a matter of commitment, and paying heed to the community feedback.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsIf you can, just wait it outVoting with your walletDont normalise the worst aspectsIf you absolutely have to, do it rightGraphics cards are an absolute mess right now. I know, Ive talked a few times about how awesome the RX 9070 XT is, and its certainly the best of the bunch, but just look at the state of things. Even that value buy in 2025 is out of stock everywhere and the alternatives are even worse. And it shouldnt be rewarded.I probably shouldnt be telling you this. DigitalTrends makes good money from affiliate links, and I love new hardware as much as the next person. But graphics cards are not affordable right now, and buying them when theyre at these inflated prices, paying for access to stock trackers and special groups just to give you the chance to pay more money to someone else, is a bad idea. It might work in the short term, but its not something we want to establish for the future.Now is not the time to buy a new graphics card.Recommended VideosTheres an old adage with computer hardware that its never the right time to upgrade, because theres always something new and shiny over the horizon. Even if you bought an RTX 5090 and a 9950X3D with all the other high-end components that make your PC as fast as it gets in 2025, it wont be long before something else comes along to supplant it. New monitors will arrive that makes yours look dull and slow, or Intel will refresh its 200 Series CPUs and make a new workhorse monster chip, or Nvidia and AMD will refresh their GPU lineups, making yours feels decidedly less-super.Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsBut this is one time where you really should wait it out. Although the march of progress will continue on, and any delay in upgrading does mean youll have less time before something better comes along, the prices and availability this time around are that ridiculous. You really should just wait it out, if you can. If you have a new game you want to play and need a new GPU for it, I get it. But if you can delay it that bit longer to save yourself several hundred dollarsand dont reward bad business practices, thats better for you and the industry as a whole.I love to get into the back and forth rivalries in the hardware industry. Intel vs. AMD, AMD vs. Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple, its all in good fun. Its a silly team sport about numbers going up. But at the end of the day, even the plucky underdog AMD is a company worth almost $200 billion. The CEOs are all worth hundreds of millions or billions. They might play at being the good guy, but none of them have our interests at heart. Theyre trying to make money, which is why the only real weight any of our concerns have, is with our money.Buying GPUs at inflated prices rewards bad behaviour. It tells these companies that you dont mind paying the crazy prices. But if cards sit on shelves for long enough, prices always come down. Weve seen it generation after generation that the cards priced badly get price cuts. All GPUs are priced badly at the moment, even AMDs new ones. Making them bring the prices down is a game of chicken that we can win if we work together.Nvidia could even start to focus more on gaming again. Nah, probably not.I completely understand the mindset of everyone for themselves, when prices and availability are this bad. If you want a new GPU and you sit outside a Micro Center for days before the launch to get it, I do understand even if my ass would never survive sitting on concrete for more than 10 minutes. But the one thing you can do that is worse than paying over-inflated retail prices, is paying other people for the privilege of doing so.NeweggThat includes paying for stock tracking apps and services, playing in lotteries, or paying for VIP access to stores. Getting to spend money on something isnt a privelege. Its a transation that should be properly honored, not gatekept behind even more financial investment.Youve gotta do what youve gotta do, but if you can avoid rewarding the scalpers and chancers taking advantage of this situation to sell shovels in this GPU gold rush, itll help normalise the scene once stock levels return, and make it less likely theyll come back when this happens again.You dont owe me anything and you certainly dont owe the industry anything. Your individual purchase is not going to sway anything one way or another. I (and by extension, gamers in general) would appreciate the solidarity and the help in stopping these kind of practices, if you would be willing to hold off on buying.But if you have to, I get it. Just make sure you do it the right way.My colleague Monica put together a great guide on how to buy a graphics card right now, but Ill summarise her suggestions:Try smaller retailers, as they often have stock left over because people dont think to check there as often.Buy direct from the manufacturer, as that can help avoid scalper prices and added middle-man fees.Buy a pre-built PC: These are often more fairly priced because the retailer can make profit on the other components, too.You can consider buying second-hand or older last-generation cards, but be careful. Prices are inflated there too, and the cards dont come with all the latest features, and may not have a warranty. Theres also no guarantee a second-hand card wasnt used for cryptocurrency mining, which can shorten its lifespan.Editors Recommendations

The FDA recalled hundreds of cases of ground coffee mislabeled as decaffeinated Yasin Baturhan Ergin/Anadolu via Getty Images 2025-03-29T22:08:44Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? The FDA recalled over 4,000 bags of ground coffee mislabeled as decaffeinated across 15 states.The recall applies to 12-ounce bags of Our Family's Traverse City Cherry Decaf Light Roast.The Michigan company said customers should return mislabeled packages for a refund or replacement.Does your decaf have you twitching? It might be mislabeled coffee.The FDA issued recalls for more than 4,000 bags of Our Family coffee grounds that were mislabeled as decaffeinated, according to a notice released by the agency on March 13.The recall applies to 12-ounce bags of the Traverse City Cherry Artificially Flavored Decaf Light Roast Ground Coffee from Our Family, according to the notice. "A portion of the production of Our Family Traverse City Ground Coffee was mislabeled as decaffeinate," the FDA said in the notice.The mislabeled coffee was distributed to 15 states primarily in the Midwest through food distributor SpartanNash Company, per the notice.Cases of the mislabeled coffee grounds were distributed and sold in Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.Our Family Coffee and SpartanNash Company did not immediately return requests for comment from Business Insider on Saturday. SpartanNash told USA Today in a statement that consumer safety is its "top priority.""We issued the recall on March 13 immediately after being notified by our supplier that the product had been mislabeled," the company said in the statement. "All recalled product was already removed from store shelves and destroyed prior to the FDA's classification of the recall earlier this week."Our Family said one "lot code" of its Traverse City Cherry Decaf flavor, which has a best-use-by date of August 3, had been recalled.The Michigan-based company encouraged customers who bought the mislabeled decaf to return it to the store for a refund or a replacement."We are committed to your health and safety, and we follow best practices to ensure the quality and safety of the products we sell," the company said. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."Recommended video

NordVPN has always been the master of selling a phenomenal product at a feasible price. March is a great month, as the VPN is yet again on a flashy sale that drops the price of the VPN by up to 77%.Youll be able to spend as little as $3.09 a month, yet enjoy the internet in total privacy, by your rules. Well see how NordVPN helps you achieve that and explore its four amazing biennial plans stay tuned.See Offers At NordVPNGo Private With NordVPNNordVPN simplifies online privacy with one-click connections. Once you get it, all you have to do is choose the VPN server, and boom your activities are safe and sound.The VPN endorses this with 256-bit AES encryption, mighty RAM-only servers, and a no-log policy, which guarantees total privacy. The VPN lets you enjoy blocked content thanks to 7,400+ servers in 118 countries.Thus, apart from security and privacy, its great for streaming and accessing blocked online bookies. NordVPN pairs this with reliable P2P servers, which many use for torrenting. Lest we forget its Double VPN feature.It encrypts your traffic twice, rendering you a ghost online!NordVPN spans all devices, allowing for end-to-end privacy protection on Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, and iOS. With 10 simultaneous connections, you can connect on every device you own at no added cost.As a premium VPN, it comes with essentials like unlimited bandwidth, 10 Gbps server ports, 24/7 customer support, and much more. All of this at three monthly quids must be a joke, right?Flash Sale: Get Your Discount NowNo were dead serious and NordVPN is as well.The flashiest sale so far allows you to jump on the hype train and save up to 77% on NordVPNs 24-month plans, all of which are now enriched by 3 free months. NordVPNThe Basic plan at $3.09/mo comes with the VPN only, which is still fantastic and very affordable. Instead of hundreds of dollars, youll spend less than $84 for 27 months.Try NordVPN Risk-FreeBy far, the best savings are made on the Prime plan at $6.99/mo, which includes NordLocker, NordPass, and NordProtect all three amazing privacy tools! NordVPNs self-proclaimed best value is the Plus plan.At $3.99/mo or $107 for 27 months, its an ideal plan to cover all your needs. Besides, it can block ads with Threat Protection Pro and includes NordPass, a popular password manager to make each login simpler.Last but not least, NordVPN advertises its 30-day money-back guarantee as a risk-free means of testing it. If youre dissatisfied or dont want to pay anymore, get a full refund in 30 days, no questions asked.Youre not late to the party explore NordVPN and choose a plan.

House in Tama / Cheng Hao Chung ArchitectSave this picture! Toshihiro SobajimaArchitects: Cheng Hao Chung ArchitectAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:116 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Toshihiro Sobajima, Takumi Otsuki Lead Architect: Cheng Hao Chung More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Located in Tama, on the border of Kanagawa and Tokyo, this house sits on the southern slope of a hill, surrounded by rolling terrain. The serene atmosphere of the Buddhist cemetery on the northern slope extends across the ridge, blending into the quiet residential streets to the south. Despite being in a dense neighborhood, the corner site benefits from ample sunlight and a sense of clarity.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The house is divided into two levels: a ground floor and a partially submerged basement. The basement contains washrooms, two bedrooms, and a garage. The bedrooms and washrooms are enclosed within a concrete box, while the garage opens fully to the street. This concrete core sits at the center of the site and supports the upper floor slab alongside the natural slope.Save this picture!On the ground floor, four freestanding concrete walls with tapered profiles resemble large monoliths placed on a platform. These walls create a sense of heaviness and mystery while establishing a continuous spatial flow, dissolving the boundary between the site and the street. Entering the house from the highest point at the northeast corner feels like stepping onto a suspended platform, detached from the terrain. The walls fragment the exterior view, transforming the streetscape into an abstract geometric composition.Save this picture!Save this picture!A wooden flat roof rests on the northern walls, forming both the interior space and a terrace-like area. The living room and kitchen are sunken 40 cm below platform level, with darkened wood flooring reinforcing the sense of depth. This sunken area resembles a ceremonial altar where daily life unfolds in privacy. A staircase in the southwest corner leads to the basement, where the bedrooms, shielded from the street, offer a tranquil, cocoon-like atmosphere with only skylights connecting to the sky.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The living space opens to a luminous and abstract world, in which two skylights and the monolithic walls are all special objects. One skylight overlooks the garage below, while the other connects to the most private space, bathing it in sunlight and moonlight.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeMaterialConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on March 29, 2025Cite: "House in Tama / Cheng Hao Chung Architect" 29 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028297/house-in-tama-cheng-hao-chung-architect&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

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Senior 3D Rigging Artist Farid M. Panah showcased the detailed rig of huge wings created for the Indian feature film Aghathiyaa.Learn more about the movie creation: https://80.lv/articles/take-a-look-at-this-highly-detailed-wings-rig-made-for-a-movie/

Hogwarts Legacy DLC Has Reportedly Been CanceledHogwarts Legacy was a successful Harry Potter game for its developer Avalanche Software and publisher Warner Bros. Games, so it would make sense to try and milk the franchise with more content. And there was some in the making, apparently, but the production has reportedly been canceled.According to @Bloomberg, the expansion was part of restructuring at the Warner Bros. video game unit. Planned for launch this year together with a Definitive Edition, it was supposed to add new storylines but was shelved "due to concerns that the amount of content was not substantial enough to justify the price being considered," Bloomberg says.The DLC was in development by Avalanche and Rocksteady, the creator of Batman: Arkham and Suicide Squad.Warner Bros. had a tough time last year, losing $384 million. So, it decided to shut down Player First Games, WB Games San Diego, and Monolith Productions the developer of Middle-earth, F.E.A.R., and a Wonder Woman game, which was canceled together with its maker.In fall, reports of a Hogwarts Legacy sequel surfaced; hopefully, the restructuring won't affect the game.

Following the conclusion of the second season, Solo Leveling fans are excited for the action, drama, and high-stakes battles that await them in the next few arcs. The third season is expected to resolve some pressing mysteries and force Jinwoo to adapt by challenging his worldview.