In Brief Posted: 10:12 AM PDT · April 20, 2025 Image Credits:Nathan Laine/Bloomberg / Getty Images Your politeness could be costly for OpenAI “I wonder how much money OpenAI has lost in electricity costs from people saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their models.” It was a seemingly random question posed by a user on X (formerly Twitter), but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman jumped in to reply that typing those words has added up to “tens of millions of dollars well spent — you never know.” Judging from Altman’s tongue-in-cheek tone, it’s probably safe to assume he didn’t do a precise calculation. But his response prompted Futurism to speculate about whether it’s actually a waste of time and electricity to be polite to ChatGPT and other generative AI chatbots. Apparently, being polite to AI isn’t just an unnecessary habit, misplaced anthropomorphism, or fear of our future computer overlords. instead, Kurt Beavers, a director on the design team for Microsoft Copilot, said that “using polite language sets a tone for the response,” and that when an AI model “clocks politeness, it’s more likely to be polite back.” That said, profanity has its uses, too. Topics

Brain computer interface in transhumanism connected hybrid mindgetty Examining the mesh between humans and machines provides insight into the future. Science is already making significant progress in the development of brain/computer interface (BCI) technologies, such as brain mapping and neuromorphic circuits. A system that connects the brain directly to an external device is known as a brain-computer interface. These technologies gather brain impulses using sensors implanted in assistive devices, then use those signals to power external equipment. This implies that the conversion of brain impulses into various actions or even commands occurs without requiring human movement. BCIs then rely on brain activity that is recorded by a sensor and typically converted into digital form so that devices can interpret it. The goal of neuromorphic computing with BCI is to mimic the brain’s energy efficiency and processing capacity. To achieve this, the system architecture must be redesigned to allow for in-memory computing (IMC), and electronic devices that simulate the actions of synapses and neurons must be created. Artificial intelligence, conceptual image.getty Neuromorphic Development BCIs have over a hundred years of history. Hans Berger discovered the brain’s electrical activity in 1924. The first EEG recordings of brain waves were produced as a result of his investigations, which used electrodes to record electrical activity from the human scalp. He accomplished the first non-invasive BCI-assisted robot control in 1988. Cyberkinetics’ BrainGate project successfully controlled a prosthetic hand in 2005. A comprehensive timeline of BCI can be found at: The history of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) - Timeline - RoboticsBiz In 2018, research funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) proved that a person with a brain chip could pilot a swarm of drones using signals from the brain. There have been various studies and experiments since then, and no doubt, science combining neural networks and artificial intelligence is on a path to enhance and even upgrade human cognitive capabilities. We could implant nanochips into our brains in the future to enhance our cognitive abilities and enable intelligent data uploads. Advancements in brain/computer interface technologies are progressing rapidly in 2025. There is a breakthrough that is impacting the meshing of mind and machine. When used unconventionally, a single, conventional silicon transistor can simulate a biological neuron and synapse, according to research from the National University of Singapore (NUS). This study, led by Associate Professor Mario Lanza of NUS's College of Design and Engineering's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, suggests scalable, energy-efficient hardware for artificial neural networks (ANNs). "We need hardware that is both scalable and energy-efficient to enable true neuromorphic computing, where microchips behave like biological neurons and synapses," Professor Lanza stated. The Neuralink logo on a laptop arranged in New York, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Elon Musk said ... More that the first human patient has received a brain implant from his startup Neuralink Corp., a significant step forward for the company that aims to one day let humans control computers with their minds. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg© 2024 Bloomberg Finance LP Elon Musk has been a pioneer in the neuromorphic field. The core business that develops Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is Neuralink, which he created in 2016. To improve human potential and restore freedom for people with disabilities, Neuralink is developing implanted brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that allow direct brain-to-computer communication. To help people with paralysis, the technique uses a surgical robot to implant gadgets in the brain. The procedure allows users to operate computers or other equipment with their thoughts. A 30-year-old man from Arizona, USA, named Noland Arbaugh became the first person to receive a brain chip implant from Neuralink, marking a significant milestone in neurotechnology. After a diving accident in 2016, Arbaugh suffered a paralysis below the shoulders. The BBC claimed that since receiving the chip in January 2024, the outcomes have been nothing short of remarkable. Arbaugh is now able to use a brain-computer interface (BCI) to operate a computer with just his thoughts thanks to this technology. Recalling his early battles with paralysis, he remarked, "You just have no control, no privacy, and it’s hard." However, he was able to control a computer cursor after the surgery by simply considering moving his fingers.An article in Frontiers in Science, which involved cooperation between scientists, institutes, and academics, further highlights the promise of the human-computer interface. "We can imagine the possibilities of what may come next with the human brain machine interface," the conclusion reads. Neural nanorobotics-based human brain-computer interface systems could boost human intelligence and learning by giving people quick access to all the knowledge available in the cloud. Furthermore, it could elevate fully immersive virtual and augmented reality to previously unheard-of heights, allowing users to express themselves more completely and have more meaningful experiences. By addressing new difficulties for the human species, these improvements may help humanity adjust to emerging artificial intelligence systems and human augmentation technologies. * Please see Frontiers | Interface between Human Brain and Cloud (frontiersin.org)Additionally, there is hope for a quantum brain made of intelligent material that can change physically to learn. In their pursuit of this "quantum brain," physicists have made significant progress. They have shown that they can replicate the independent actions of neurons and synapses in the brain as well as pattern and link a network of individual atoms. Refer to The Initial Steps Toward a Quantum Brain: An Intelligent Substance That Acquires Knowledge by Changing Itself Physically (scitechdaily.com). Future applications of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) may enable instant communication, thought transfers, dream recording, and AI-consciousness integration. While these advancements hold potential for human augmentation, they also raise significant ethical concerns related to cyborg rights and the regulation of super AI. Additionally, cybersecurity and privacy issues are critical, as BCIs directly interact with brain impulses and could be susceptible to misuse or compromise. As this technology becomes more widespread, protecting user data and ensuring ethical usage will become increasingly imperative. Human-machine interaction is here, despite technological, security, and ethical challenges. It will shape our future and could define the Fifth Industrial Revolution. The key will be steering its applications with a focus on a positive impact that enhances lives.

Home HP Agrees to $4 Million Settlement for Deceptive Advertising News HP Agrees to $4 Million Settlement for Deceptive Advertising 4 min read Published: April 20, 2025 Key Takeaways HP agrees to a $4 million settlement to end a lawsuit that accuses it of deceptive advertising tactics. The settlement covers all administrative costs, lawsuit expenses, and compensation to aggrieved consumers. A similar case has also been filed against Amazon for mis-advertising its Fire TV. HP has agreed to enter into a $4 million settlement to rest the allegations that it had resorted to deceptive pricing on its website to defraud customers. The lawsuit alleged that HP has misused strike-through pricing by showing a higher crossed price in the name of special deals or discount prices. However, these striked-out prices were nowhere close to the original or recent price of the products. The Lawsuit’s Backstory The lawsuit was filed by Rodney Carvalho, who purchased a desktop PC from the company’s website for $899.99. The PC was advertised as $100 off as against the original price of $999.99. However, a year later, when this lawsuit was filed, Rodney found out that HP never actually sold that particular model for $999.99. Later, Mark Maher also joined the lawsuit, and together they filed a class-action lawsuit against HP. The $4 million settlement amount includes compensation for affected customers, attorney fees, administrative costs, and service awards to lead plaintiffs. The compensation will only be provided to eligible customers, i.e., those who purchased HP laptops, desktops, keyboards, or mice between 5 June 2021 and 28 October 2024. The exact compensation per plaintiff can range from $10 to hundreds of dollars, depending upon the product that was purchased. A very interesting angle to the settlement is that HP does not require admitting to any wrongdoing. The settlement appears to us as hush money to sweep the matter under the carpet. This means that there will be no legal repercussions for the misleading selling tactics followed by the company. Had the matter gone to court, there might have been a higher penalty or restrictions on doing so again in the future. However, with this settlement, there’s no guarantee that HP won’t do it again. Although the final approval is still due for hearing on August 21, 2025, it’s more or less a formality now. Aggrieved members are also required to submit the claims by June 9 to be eligible for the compensation. Another rather uncomforting condition of the settlement is that the plaintiff and their attorneys are not allowed to speak to the media or issue press releases unless required by law. The question we’re asking is: If there’s nothing to hide or admit, why would HP place such a condition? Not Just a One-off Case This HP case is just one of many such instances and dangers of online marketing and shopping. Sellers often resort to surge pricing to lure in customers, especially during the holiday seasons. Recently, Dell was also fined AU$10 million for overstating discounts on bundled monitors. Allegedly, the company was charging customers more for bundle purchases as compared to purchasing those items separately. Amazon is also facing a lawsuit for fake limited-time discount offers on its Fire TV products. Such deceptive pricing also affects fair competition in any industry. Imagine two companies selling laptops for $500 each. However, the first company advertises its laptops as $800 and slashes the price to offer them at $500. This gives the company an edge because customers think that their laptops are worth $800 (and hence are of superior quality), which was never really the case. Although this case is now a lost cause for the consumers at large, we hope that some of the other lawsuits bring out a definitive law against such advertising malpractices. Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence.  Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide.  A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides.  Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh.  Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts.  When he's not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial process The Tech Report editorial policy is centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written by real authors. More from News View all View all

What just happened? Microsoft has introduced BitNet b1.58 2B4T, a new type of large language model engineered for exceptional efficiency. Unlike conventional AI models that rely on 16- or 32-bit floating-point numbers to represent each weight, BitNet uses only three discrete values: -1, 0, or +1. This approach, known as ternary quantization, allows each weight to be stored in just 1.58 bits. The result is a model that dramatically reduces memory usage and can run far more easily on standard hardware, without requiring the high-end GPUs typically needed for large-scale AI. The BitNet b1.58 2B4T model was developed by Microsoft's General Artificial Intelligence group and contains two billion parameters – internal values that enable the model to understand and generate language. To compensate for its low-precision weights, the model was trained on a massive dataset of four trillion tokens, roughly equivalent to the contents of 33 million books. This extensive training allows BitNet to perform on par with – or in some cases, better than – other leading models of similar size, such as Meta's Llama 3.2 1B, Google's Gemma 3 1B, and Alibaba's Qwen 2.5 1.5B. In benchmark tests, BitNet b1.58 2B4T demonstrated strong performance across a variety of tasks, including grade-school math problems and questions requiring common sense reasoning. In certain evaluations, it even outperformed its competitors. What truly sets BitNet apart is its memory efficiency. The model requires just 400MB of memory, less than a third of what comparable models typically need. As a result, it can run smoothly on standard CPUs, including Apple's M2 chip, without relying on high-end GPUs or specialized AI hardware. This level of efficiency is made possible by a custom software framework called bitnet.cpp, which is optimized to take full advantage of the model's ternary weights. The framework ensures fast and lightweight performance on everyday computing devices. Standard AI libraries like Hugging Face's Transformers don't offer the same performance advantages as BitNet b1.58 2B4T, making the use of the custom bitnet.cpp framework essential. Available on GitHub, the framework is currently optimized for CPUs, but support for other processor types is planned in future updates. The idea of reducing model precision to save memory isn't new as researchers have long explored model compression. However, most past attempts involved converting full-precision models after training, often at the cost of accuracy. BitNet b1.58 2B4T takes a different approach: it is trained from the ground up using only three weight values (-1, 0, and +1). This allows it to avoid many of the performance losses seen in earlier methods. // Related Stories This shift has significant implications. Running large AI models typically demands powerful hardware and considerable energy, factors that drive up costs and environmental impact. Because BitNet relies on extremely simple computations – mostly additions instead of multiplications – it consumes far less energy. Microsoft researchers estimate it uses 85 to 96 percent less energy than comparable full-precision models. This could open the door to running advanced AI directly on personal devices, without the need for cloud-based supercomputers. That said, BitNet b1.58 2B4T does have some limitations. It currently supports only specific hardware and requires the custom bitnet.cpp framework. Its context window – the amount of text it can process at once – is smaller than that of the most advanced models. Researchers are still investigating why the model performs so well with such a simplified architecture. Future work aims to expand its capabilities, including support for more languages and longer text inputs.

For being such an innovative narrative adventure game, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage still adheres to a release format that no longer works for the genre. Lost Records is one of the best games released in 2025 so far. It tells a timeless coming-of-age tale that isn’t afraid to revel in 90s nostalgia. It uses the choice-driven adventure game format trailblazed by Telltale and Don’t Nod’s early work, but infuses it with clever ideas like splitting perspectives between the past and future and letting players film the world with a gyroscopic-controlled camcorder. I highly recommend you go and play it now that it’s all out, but I feel awkward that I couldn’t wholeheartedly recommend it until now. Recommended Videos Dont’ Nod decided to release Lost Records in two parts. Tape 1 launched on February 18, while Tape 2 came out on April 15. While Don’t Nod hoped this approach would give players time to stop and reflect on the game, it had the opposite effect. In an era where so many games are coming out and simultaneously competing for attention, the episodic release isn’t nearly as alluring as it was in 2014, especially if it’s only in part. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage | LAUNCH TRAILER - Tape 2 Lost Records follows a group of friends over the summer of 1995. They’re a group of misfits who come together and create an inseparable bond, especially when they discover a hidden outcove and a glowing supernatural hole in the wilderness near their hometown. Tape 1 is mainly about the friend group meeting up and forming the titular band, Bloom & Rage. It culminates with the band’s first performance and a revelation that recontextualizes some of what has been going on. Related Tape 2 follows the group as they deal with the fallout of the event of the first game. Alongside all of this, Lost Records also follows three friends reuniting in the modern day to reflect on their past and open a mysterious box left for them. It’s a compelling story when all is said and done, but not one I think had to be chopped into two parts. The slower pace of the narrative makes the individual halves feel unfulfilling on their own. Narratively, many of the main themes and mysteries don’t coalesce until you play the whole thing. Don’t Nod has given its reasoning for releasing the game in two parts. Creative Director Michel Koch told Game Rant that he likes “media that values my time and doesn’t try to lock me into endless hours of content.” To Eurogamer, Koch elaborated that he enjoys weekly series on TV and that, after the ending of Tape 1, it made sense for Don’t Nod to give players space to “stop there and reflect a bit” so they can come back to Tape 2 “even more invested in the story because you have had some time to reflect on what happen.” Short games are just as important as 100+ hour live service experiences, and weekly TV has its charms. While I agree with Koch on both of those points, Tape 1 and Tape 2 of Lost Records aren’t structured like television episodes and the whole game only takes about 8 or 9 hours to complete. Even if there are aspects of its story to reflect on, having a two-month wait between two four-hour chunks of a cohesive story didn’t benefit Lost Records at large. If the goal was to emulate TV, then Lost Records‘ narrative structure could’ve been split up into a more TV episode-like structure. Don't Nod While I enjoyed Tape 1 of Lost Records, I might not have had the time to play Tape 2 had I not planned to write about it, because it’s coming out in a shockingly crowded month for games. I also couldn’t give it a wholehearted recommendation until now because it was an incomplete experience. Because so many games compete for players’ time and attention nowadays, it’s a risk to ask players to invest in the first half of your adventure game and then make them wait two months to finish the story. Looking at the limited data we have, the Tape 2 launch on Steam has accrued higher player counts than Tape 1’s launch did. Would the numbers have been stronger from release had the whole game come out simultaneously? I like Lost Records and hope lots of people play it, but part of me is retrospectively looking back and wondering if the episodic release model was a good fit for this new Don’t Nod narrative adventure. Thankfully, we no longer have to worry about that as all of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is now available across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s part of the PS Plus game catalog on PS5. Editors’ Recommendations

Paulo Sousa/Getty Images 2025-04-20T16:45:02Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? I am a therapist and mom of four. I spent months trying to "fix" my second child's emotional outbursts and meltdowns. Learning to work with sensitivity instead of fighting it changed my parenting approach. "I have good news! No big outbursts today or crying on the floor; he just needed some extra support during our transition times!"The sunny, early afternoon light streamed through Ms. Barb's preschool classroom window as she delivered what was meant to be encouraging news. But her description of my son's day hurt. How was it that a "good day" for him was not having a full-blown tantrum in the middle of class?As I drove him home, squinting against the bright sunshine, he napped quietly in the backseat. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, fighting back tears. I felt like I was messing everything up. Out of our four kids, his behavior felt uncontrollable, and I was constantly on the search for ways to "fix" him.The late-night search that changed everythingEvery night after tucking the kids in, I would end up in my usual spot on our couch, scrolling through parenting articles. My eyes would be heavy, but my mind would be racing. What could I be doing differently? That's when I saw an article about highly sensitive children, and I stopped scrolling.I sat up straighter as I read each line. These kids hate crowds. They can't stand loud noises. They pick up on everything around them, are highly intelligent, and feel emotions like they're turned up to full volume. The author learned about parenting a highly sensitive person Courtesy of the author This explained why he would cover his ears and cry when things got too chaotic around him. No wonder he melted down at preschool, church, and birthday parties — it was because he was overstimulated. Everything I'd been beating myself up about now made perfect sense. But there was something else. This list wasn't just describing my son, it was describing me too!Finding myself in my child's storyAs I read more about highly sensitive people (HSP), memories from my own childhood came rushing back to mind. At 14, I remember sitting in my bedroom after school, overwhelmed by my friend's breakup — feeling her pain as intensely as if it were my own. I called it "over-empathizing" back then, and it eventually led me to become a therapist. But until this moment, I never understood why I felt everything so much more deeply than others seemed to. It also explained why I pick up on tiny details that others miss and why I get easily overwhelmed. I realized in this moment that all this time, I had been trying to fix my son when, really, he was helping me understand a part of myself that had always felt like a flaw.A new way of parenting and livingThe discovery that night changed so much about how I live and parent now. I stopped seeing my son's sensitivity as something that needed to change. Instead, I saw it as a trait that was just a part of him and that we could work with.We now leave birthday parties a little early if he starts to get overwhelmed. We make sure that he has downtime after school to decompress. He and I talk about being HSP, which helps him process his big emotions.And just like him, I started to figure out how to schedule my life in a way that works with, not against my sensitivity. I no longer feel guilty about putting on noise-canceling headphones when my kids get too loud and overstimulating.Coming full circleWhat started as a desperate attempt to fix my son's tantrums turned into one of the best things that has happened in my life. It's finally having the permission to be exactly who I am and allowing my son to be exactly who he is. Now, when parents come to my therapy practice describing their "difficult" or "overly emotional" child, I see the familiar signs. I share my story, watching relief wash over their faces as they begin to understand their child differently.Last week, a mom teared up when I explained how her daughter's sensitivity wasn't a problem to fix but simply part of who she is. These sessions have shifted from problem-solving missions into conversations where parents discover new ways to work with their child's sensitivity.Because oftentimes, the very things that we are trying to change about our children are the things that can teach us the most about ourselves. Recommended video

All weekend at Star Wars Celebration Japan, the connection between the galaxy far, far away and its inspirational roots in Japanese media has been everywhere. But perhaps one of the most joyful celebrations of that connection was tucked away among the hustle and bustle of the show floor. At the back side of a special anime and manga pavilion on the Celebration show floor, primarily dedicated to displays of concept art and props from the first two volumes of Star Wars Visions, a whole wall of art invited congoers to see a special mashup gallery merging the worlds of Studio Ghibli and Star Wars. Featuring art from a bevy of talent from across Lucasfilm divisions—spearheaded by, of course, none other than noted Ghibli fan Dave Filoni himself—the gallery saw characters and ideas from across Star Wars merge with iconic Ghibli films and imagery, from Porco Rosso to Princess Mononoke, and even touching on Lucasfilm’s actual official collaboration with the studio, Zen: Grogu and Dust Bunnies. “Japan has always influenced my creativity. I grew up loving Tokusatsu, and was captivated by anime series like Macross,” Filoni wrote in a message accompanying his own art piece in the collection, “Ahsokanoke”, depicting Ahsoka and Grogu in a Ghibli-esque style. “After I saw Miyazaki’s film Princess Mononoke, it changed the way I thought about animation. I loved everything about that film and it made a lasting impression on me. When I went to create Ahsoka Tano, I knew I wanted to imbue her with a bit of San. So this is why Ahsoka has two ‘wolf fangs’ on her cheeks, in homage to Miyazaki’s film.” Check out a rundown of the Lucasfilm x Ghibli gallery below. Star Wars Celebration Japan Lucasfilm Ghibli Mashup Art Gallery © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 © James Whitbrook/io9 Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Nature, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08845-yBilateral grafts of cryopreserved human embryonic stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells into the putamen of patients with Parkinson’s disease in a phase I clinical trial showed safety, improvements in off-drug motor function and graft survival at 18 months after transplant.

A decorated duck egg discovered in a trash pit is the world's oldest "pysanka."

RT Creative ShrimpHave you heard about the TrueDepth addon that brings the DepthAnything model (monocular depth estimation) into Blender? We've just tested it: