Apples Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone adapter may be going awayApples Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone adapter may be going away / One more Lightning product meanders into the sunset.By Wes Davis, a weekend editor who covers the latest in tech and entertainment. He has written news, reviews, and more as a tech journalist since 2020. Nov 17, 2024, 11:58 PM UTCShare this storyI havent been able to find mine for years. Image: AppleThe Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter may have bitten the dust, as its sold out at Apples online store in the US and much of the world, MacRumors reports. The accessory is reportedly still available from Apple in some countries, including France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.If its truly gone, then this feels like the end of an era. Apple introduced the Lightning headphone adapter in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, when it first courageously ditched the headphone jack. The company even included it with new iPhones for a couple of generations before it stopped doing that for 2018s iPhone XS, leaving customers to buy one themselves, pick up Lightning EarPods, or get on the AirPods train (which many of us had started begrudgingly admitting were actually good). RelatedThe writing has been on the wall for whats left of the Apple Stores Lightning selection since last years introduction of USB-C to the iPhone 15 line. Now, the Apple Store has dwindled to a handful of Lightning adapters, cables (including that special audio cable for AirPods Max), and Lightning EarPods. And Im sorry to report that, at least in the US Apple Store, Apples Lightning-to-VGA adapter appears to be gone, too.Most PopularMost Popular

An Ohio man named Larry Dean Harmon will serve three years in prison and forfeit more than $400 million worth of cryptocurrency and other assets, the Department of Justice announced on Friday. Harmon was indicted in 2020 on money laundering conspiracy charges related to Helix, a darkweb cryptocurrency mixer service he ran.Also known as crypto tumbling, services like Helix are designed to hide cryptocurrency transactions often for illegal drugs and the identity of people involved. From 2014 to 2017, Harmon processed more than 350,000 Bitcoin (about $311 million USD at the time) in such transactions, according to the DOJs announcement. Harmon, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in August 2021, will be on the hook for three years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence. He also received a $311,145,854 forfeiture money judgment.RelatedHe faced a possible 20 years in prison, but the judge in the case gave him a more lenient sentence after he helped with multiple other investigations, as The Wall Street Journal notes. That reportedly included his testimony in the trial of Roman Sterlingov, who ran another crypto mixer called Bitcoin Fog.

Evaluating and Monitoring LLM Agents: Tools, Metrics, and Best Practices 0 like November 17, 2024Share this postAuthor(s): Chinmay Bhalerao Originally published on Towards AI. This blog includes the tools that you can use to monitor and assess the performance of the Agentic approachThis member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Image created by author, Background image by Hollywood reporterImagine a team of virtual assistants collaborating to handle customer support queries seamlessly. Each assistant specializes in a specific task, ensuring accurate, efficient, and optimized responses. This is the essence of the agentic approach in LLMs.RAG or Retrieval-Augmented Generation pipelines are now integral parts of LLM applications. There are tools like Arize Phoenix, ragas, TrueLens, etc. that use a wide variety of metrics for the evaluation of RAGs. After the advancements in RAG pipelines, the Agentic approach has become a new approach for developing LLM applications. Everyone is eager to convert their existing or new products into agentic workflows. Its exciting to see fully capable LLMs who can interact with each other, engage in proper group chats, and collaboratively arrive at optimized and comprehensive solutions, with or without human intervention.Agents are orchestration platforms or tools in LLMs, designed to combine multiple LLMs or even with no LLMs to perform tasks with little to no human intervention. Each agent works autonomously on individual tasks but also can discuss, ask, brainstorm, and refine their work. We can use any LLM to create an Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

Can you believe it? The 2024 holiday season is now upon us, and that means it's time to start your annual gift shopping for your friends and family members. If you're looking for the best gift ideas for any breed of gamer in your life, look no further. I've scoured those stores for the most popular gifts this season.Better yet, weve not just focused on the veterans. Collected below are some entry point purchases for anybody looking to get into this amazing hobby for the first time. Or, alternatively, anybody looking to make a platform switch to broaden their gaming horizons.Table of ContentsCurrent Game DealsGreat Console DealsMulti-platformGaming Inspired LEGOCurrent Gaming DealsNeed a cheap game or the best price on the hottest new title? We've got you covered for all of the major gaming platforms.Switch Game GiftsFC 25EA Sports FC 25 delivers a few bright spots, like the fun and refreshing Rush mode, but stagnating gameplay and incremental improvements leave it feeling like EA continues to play it too safe. Worth it at this price, though.What's hotOld gold stocking fillersOr gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Xbox Game GiftsStalker 2Two hours wasn't enough time for me to see all the branching stories, admire all the beautiful graphics, and discover all the secrets within the world of STALKER 2. But it is enough to be left impressed.What's hotStarfield (-67%) - A$39.70Starfield Constellation Ed. (-60%) - A$198Dragon Age: The Veilguard (-32%) - A$75Assassin's Creed Mirage (-65%) - A$28.89CoD: BLOPS 6 (-20%) - A$88Old gold stocking fillersOr just invest in an Xbox Card.PlayStation Game GiftsSpace Marine 2Space Marine 2 is a terrific third-person shooter with a compelling story, loads of weapons that are a blast to use, and a healthy variety of enemies to use them on. 8/10, great.What's hotOlder gold stocking fillersGTA Trilogy [Updated](-59%) - A$40.95GTA V (-53%) - A$28FF XVI (-25%) - A$64Marvels Spider-Man 2 (-21%) - A$99Avatar: Frontiers (-60%) - A$47Hogwarts Legacy (-55%) - A$49Prince Of Persia: TLC (-53%) - A$28Sonic Origins Plus (-40%) - A$36GT7 [PS4](-27%) - A$79.95Or purchase a PS Store Card.Back to topGreat Console DealsNewcomers to gaming ought to know about its constant platform vs. platform war. Obviously, you should be such tribalism. Pick a few different consoles. Enjoy 'em all.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch Zelda: $629 $539 | Switch Original: $499 $429 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $459 | Switch OLED White: $539 $469 | Switch Lite: $329 $299 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $309See itSwitch litter pick: Personally, I'd go with the Switch OLED Neon. Unlike the cheapest option (the Switch Lite) the OLED connects to your TV and the gaming experience looks so much better than the original Switch console.PC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamSteam Deck litter pick: Honestly, it depends on your preferences. Get an older LCD Deck with more storage (an imperative when some AAAs weigh in over 150GB+) or a sexier-looking OLED Deck with smaller space.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Series S Black: $549 $513 | Series S White:$499 $449 | Series X: $799 $729 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itXbox litter pick: Once again, it's a question of what you value. The Xbox Series X is a beast with generous storage. It's less beefy and cheaper variant, the Series S, can still be paired with a Game Pass subscription for a ton of (less than cutting edge) entertainment. What you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $759 | PS5 Slim Digital:$679 | PS VR2: $879 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $959 | PS Portal: $329See itPS5 litter pick: Yes, the PS5 Pro is the big, high end of 4K-to-8K-delivering beast right now. That said, I find better value in the PS5 Slim. Even more so if you get the disc version that keeps your options open to cheaper "bargain bin" physical games.Back to topGaming Inspired LEGOOutfit your gaming cave (or somebody else's) with these plastic fantastic conversation pieces...built from several hundred pieces.Game DioramasGreat Deku Tree 2-in-1 #770922025 pieces. Two configurations. 4 minifigs (BotW link, BotW Zelda, OOT adult Link, and OOT child Link). Oh, plus Navi, a Skulltula, and a bunch of Koroks to hide around.A$449.95 at LEGOSuper Mario WorldTurn the handle to make the pixelated Yoshi figure run with Mario on his back!Hardware ReplicationsLEGO Super Mario NES SystemA$379.00 at AmazonOld! Atari 2600 #10306Come September 1st, create all the details of this replica console, game cartridges and joystick. Gaming fans will love the 3 mini builds depicting themes from 3 popular games. Theres even a hidden 1980s scene to build for total nostalgia trip.A$383.00 at AmazonActual PlaysetsLEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone LEGO SetA$121.00 at AmazonMinecraft: Ender DragonBuild an IRL monument to your victory over one big old pain in the butt end boss.Sonic: Amys Island40 bucks off a 6-character set? Thats worth every ring.Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays at ludicrous difficulties on YouTube.

The weekend is officially here, and we've rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, November 10, below:65" Samsung S90C 4K OLED Smart TV for $999.9965" Samsung S90C 4K OLED Smart TVThe Samsung S90C is a 2023 model (superseded by the S90D for 2024) and was considered one of the best OLED TVs on the market last year, superior to even the LG C3. The S90C uses Samsung's proprietary quantum dot (QD) OLED panel. QD OLED panels are brighter than traditional OLED panels without losing the color accuracy, range, and wide-viewing angles that OLEDs are known for. Compared to a traditional LED LCD TV, an OLED TV offers superior image quality, near-infinite blacks, near-infinite contrast ratio, and near-instantaneous response times.Save Up to 60% Off Keychron Mechanical KeyboardsUp to 60% off Keychron Mechanical KeyboardsUse code 'KEYCHRONFIVE' for an extra $5 off. See it at WootWoot has quite a few different Keychron Mechanical Keyboard models on sale this weekend, which are perfect if you're looking for a new keyboard. You can even save an extra $5 off the models on sale by using the code KEYCHRONFIVE! Be sure to get your order in while you can, as this coupon will end on Tuesday, November 19. Mario & Luigi: Brothership for $49.99Mario & Luigi: BrothershipMario & Luigi: Brothership is the first Mario & Luigi title on Nintendo Switch, acting as the first new entry in the series in over nine years. Developed by Acquire, this is the first 3D entry in the series, with plenty of new mechanics to discover. Join Mario and Luigi on this adventure to reconnect the world of Concordia and set sail to many islands on Shipshape Island!Save on ROG Ally at Best Buy$449.99 for My Best Buy Plus MembersAsus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme 512GB Gaming HandheldThis weekend at Best Buy, you can save on the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme model, where it's priced at $499.99. This handheld device is perfect for exploring your Steam library on the go, with PC Game Pass support also easily accessible. If you're a My Best Buy Plus member, you can save an additional $50 off this deal, scoring the ROG Ally for $449.99. Lies of P for $39.99Lies of P - PlayStation 5Amazon has Lies of P discounted to $39.99 this weekend, making now a perfect time to pick up on of 2023's most popular games. In our 8/10 review, we said "Lies of P might not branch out particularly far from its soulslike inspiration, but like a marionette controlled by a skilled puppet master, it plays the part extremely well in a wonderfully dark fantasy world."Metroid Dread for $39.99Metroid Dread - Nintendo SwitchMetroid Dread was the grand return of 2D Metroid on Nintendo Switch, with developer MercurySteam teaming up with Nintendo EPD to craft the long-awaited next chapter in Samus Aran's story. Challenging puzzles, fun boss fights, and wide exploration combine to create one of the best games on Nintendo Switch. Don't miss your chance to pick it up at a discount this weekend. AMD Ryzen CPU SaleAMD Ryzen CPU SaleSee it at AmazonCPUs can be quite expensive, especially if you're looking to build with the latest on the market. Amazon has a select group of Ryzen 5, 7, and 9 processors on sale this weekend, with up to 60% off. Both 5000 and 7000 series models are available, so now is a great time to score a CPU upgrade.Save on This M2 MacBook AirApple - MacBook Air 13-inch Apple M2 - 16GB Memory - 256GB SSDAs part of Best Buy's early Black Friday sales, you can save $250 off this M2 MacBook Air. With 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, this is a very solid option for those looking to either upgrade their current Mac or enter the ecosystem for the first time. This model includes features like TouchID for login, a display capable of up to 500 nits of brightness, and Apple Intelligence support.Persona 5 Royal (PC) for $19.99Persona 5 Royal: Standard Edition (PC)Persona 5 Royal is by far one of the most beloved games of the last ten years. With a vibrant cast of characters and impressive narrative, there are well over 100 hours of gameplay here to discover. The turn-based combat system the Persona series is known for feels better than ever, with new mechanics to customize your gameplay the way you like it. Balatro Special Edition On SaleBalatro Special EditionAmazon has Balatro Special Edition for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S on sale for just $19.99 this weekend. As one of the biggest games of the year, there's never been a better time to jump in and experience this deck-building roguelike.Outer Wilds: Archeologist Edition for $19.99Outer Wilds: Archeologist Edition - PlayStation 5If you've never wandered the solar system of Outer Wilds, an experience like no other awaits. As a new recruit of Outer Wilds Ventures, you will seek the answers that await within these hand-crafted planets and moons. This package includes both Outer Wilds and Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye, the game's expansion.

Warning: contains spoilers forThe Mirror and the Lightseason 2 episode 2.If only Hilary Mantel had lived 10 lifetimes, she might have rehabilitated 10 other historical figures as skilfully as she did Thomas Cromwell. Mantel overwrote historys shorthand for Cromwell, transforming him from a venal brute into a flesh-and-blood man capable, yes, of ruthlessness, but also of kindness, humour, love and grief. All of that was on display in this episode thanks to Mark Rylances many-faceted performance.Cromwells grief made the most lasting impression. Anyone whod observed the mans steely operations at court might have been less surprised to find a crocodile in the corridor of Shaftesbury Abbey than a sobbing Lord Chancellor. Were used to seeing Cromwell marshal his emotions and wear whichever face is required to reflect Henrys wishes, deflect Henrys anger, and intimidate Henrys enemies. Weeping in the open is a new look, and a new vulnerability that showed how greatly hurt Cromwell was by Dorotheas words.Unable to dissuade Dorothea of her bitterly held view that he had betrayed her father Cardinal Wolsey, Cromwell was broken. His love for Wolsey is a North star when it comes to interpreting this tricky character. Their imaginary conversations are some of the very few times inWolf Hallthat Cromwell drops his defences and stops measuring his every word. For him to think that Wolsey, in his final days, suspected him of betrayal must cause unthinkable pain. How do you remake your reputation with the dead? Not in this life.Who was it who poured that poison into Dorotheas ear? Perhaps the Cardinal himself, or perhaps Cromwells enemy the Duke of Norfolk.Norfolk was absent in person from episode two, but behind most of its drama. Cromwells deeply enjoyable interrogation of Thomas Tom Truth Howard Englands worst poet until Rick fromThe Young Ones ended with the rhetorical question of who put into his mind the thought of marrying the kings niece and one day becoming king himself. Of course it was Howards half-brother, Norfolk. As Lady Shelton warned, ever since his niece Anne Boleyn was separated from her head, the Duke has sought another route to the throne, and this was his latest.Norfolk too, is likely behind the destructive rumour that Henry intends to marry Cromwell to his daughter Mary, a fabrication clearly designed to put the king in a killing vein.Read more Unless Itisa fabrication, isnt it? Low-born Cromwell cant possibly entertain hopes of marrying the daughter of English and Spanish royalty. So why does he risk looking like it by giving Princess Mary a ring? Artist Hans Holbein looked rightly green about that idea, and even though Cromwell told Meg Douglas that a ring is not a pledge, he must know how it might be interpreted. And what are we to make of Cromwell dwelling on Marys intimate declaration that she would like a child of her own? Could our man be starting to push his luck?Whatever he may have dreamed could be possible with Mary, it certainly isnt now, and neither could Cromwell save his reputation with a quick kill-two-birds marriage to Dorothea.Cromwells luck either being pushed or running out was a preoccupation of Obedience. The episode started with a replay of series one scenes showing Wolseys downfall, and it was more than just a useful catch-up for anybody with a foggy memory it was a version in miniature of whats to come. Wolseys story a low-born rise to great wealth and influence followed by a cruel demise at the hands of Henry VIII is also Cromwells story. When he and George Cavendish discussed what brought Wolsey down, his pride or having made an enemy of Anne Boleyn (Wolsey stopped a younger Anne from marrying nobleman Lord Henry Percy due to the Boleyns taint of trade and she never forgave him), we can also ask the same of Cromwell. What will be the great mistake that leads to his own downfall? And has it already been committed?Some would say it was committed decades ago, in Putney, when this clever strategist was born to a blacksmith and yet strode into the corridors of power as if he were equal to them. English nobility doesnt take kindly to interlopers and parvenus, no matter how many royal portraits they commission to decorate their walls.Those portrait commissions showed Cromwell growing into his new place in society and planning for his legacy. The impassioned speech he gave to son Gregory on the wrongs of the papist church and the utopian future he envisages for the Church of England showed us a man motivated by far more than personal gain. So did his patient explanations to Gregory and cocky French servant Christophe. Hes teaching them both how to see the world, looking ahead to a time when hes no longer in it.When that day comes, it will be a duller place. What a pleasure it is to watch Cromwell at work, whether speaking in code to instruct Meg Douglas on how to wriggle her neck free of Henrys noose, taking Tom Truth to task for his terrible rhymes and treacherous scheme, or delicately edging away from sad Jane Seymours sad questions about her marriage bed. Contrast his deft cleverness with Henrys increasingly buffoonish behaviour the Turkish disguise indeed. Both men have blood on their hands, but only one in Peter Straughan and Peter Kosminskys meticulous adaptation just earned our sympathy.Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light continues on Sunday November 24 on BBC One and iPlayer. It will air on PBS Masterpiece in 2025.

Apple released its new MacBook Pros with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chipsets last week and early CPU benchmarks (via Geekbench) painted a very promising picture for Apples highest end M4 Max chipset. Now were taking a look at some GPU benchmarks, and the M4 Max continues to hold quite strong.These GPU benchmark scores come from Blender Open Data, a test where users can benchmark Blender performance on their device, both in CPU and GPU. Unlike synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench, the Blender benchmark can provide an idea of real world performance, if this suits your workflow.M4 Max vs comparable Nvidia offeringsAccording to Blender Open Data, the M4 Max averaged a score of 5208 across 28 tests, putting it just below the laptop version of Nvidias RTX 4080, and just above the last generation desktop RTX 3080 Ti, as well as the current generation desktop RTX 4070.Thats quite impressive, considering Apples graphics are entirely on-chip, unlike the discrete RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 4070, which occupy significant space inside a desktop PC.M4 Max vs best Nvidia offeringsThat being said, its not all sunshine and rainbows. If you compare it to the highest end comparable Nvidia offering, the RTX 4090 Laptop its still a fair bit behind. The laptop 4090 scores 6863 on average, making it around 30% faster than the highest end M4 Max.Obviously, theres the efficiency argument Apples M4 Max uses far less power than anything in the high end Windows laptop space. However, for those looking to maximize performance on the go, at all costs, M4 Max is not the best way to go, though it does still perform impressively given its efficiency.Wrap upOne interesting highlight is that the desktop RTX 4090 averages a score of 10880. Hypothetically, an M4 Ultra chip that doubled up on the M4 Max could beat that score, which would make the next generation Mac Studio a lot more interesting.What do you think of the latest Apple Silicon? Let us know in the comments.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Threads,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

According to Bloombergs Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing the release of AirTag 2 around the middle of next year. The design will stay pretty similar but will improve on the original model in three key ways.Although this isnt the first time were hearing of AirTag 2, this is the first time were getting a clear look at Apples plans for it.Apple originally released AirTag in early 2021, after nearly 2 years of long-lasting leaks that made everyone question whether or not the product was even gonna happen. All the way back in 2019 we knew of the B389 codename, and there were numerous references within iOS 13, and leaks to support it.The new AirTag model is codenamed B589, and according to Bloomberg, its progressed in manufacturing tests. This means the product will soon be coming to market, with three decent improvements:Better rangeImproved wireless chipImproved privacyBetter range and an improved wireless chip make sense, and were likely givens. However, its good to see that Apple will be focusing on privacy. Gurman makes reference to the fact that a number of people have used the device for stalking, and some have even modified AirTags to completely disable the speaker. Hopefully, Apple will be addressing those concerns head-on in a new model.Wrap upAre you excited for the release of AirTag 2? Let us know in the comments.If youre considering buying the current generation of AirTag, theyre currently on sale, with a single AirTag available for $19, and a 4-pack for $79.98.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Threads,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Bad to WorseNov 17, 8:30 AM EST/byNoor Al-SibaiAs 23andMe Crumbles, It Ceases All Efforts to Develop Drugs Using DNA Data"We continue to believe in the promise shown by our clinical and preclinical stage pipeline."Nov 17, 8:30 AM EST/Noor Al-SibaiImage by Getty ImagesGeneticsIn the year since its devastating hack, 23andMe has lost virtually all its stock value and most of its governing board and somehow, things just keep getting worse for the one-time DNA kit wunderkind.As CEO Anne Wojcicki announced in a press release, 23andMe is not only laying off 40 percent of its remaining workforce about 200 employees total but also completely kiboshing its therapeutics program that was seeking to use AI and the company's hoard of genetic information to develop new drugs."We are taking these difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe," the CEO said, "and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships."As is her nature, Wojciki put an optimistic spin on the news that her company is crumbling even worse than before."We continue to believe in the promise shown by our clinical and preclinical stage pipeline and will continue to pursue strategic opportunities to continue their development," she said. These "strategic opportunities" may include, per the announcement, licensing or selling the drugs its therapeutics arm has discovered or is developing.Just a day after the restructuring news dropped, 23andMe also announced in its latest quarterly earnings report that its revenue was down to $44 million in the second quarter of 2024, from $50 million over the same period last year. During its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company noted that without significant capital, there is "substantial doubt" it can stay afloat.Despite her tendency towards spin, Wojcicki seemed sober when recounting the company's financial difficulties in an investor call this week that referenced the board's abrupt resignation earlier this year, which led to the company's near-delisting by the NASDAQ, and the subsequent stock-split scheme last month that saved it from going under entirely."We have fulfilled our obligations as a public company and regained compliance with the NASDAQ listing standards by reconstituting our board and executing a reverse stock split," the CEO said, perCNBC.It's a sorry state of affairs for the company that was valued at $3.5 billion when it went public in 2021 and unless someone with a lot of money wants to throw some of it into the fire, it's hard to imagine a happy ending now.More on DNA kits: Fun New Mouth Swab Will Tell You When Youll DieShare This ArticleImage by Getty ImagesRead This Next

What could go wrong?Gun BotsUS Defense Department contractor Allen Control Systems (ACS) has developed an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous robotic gun system called the "Bullfrog," which can target small drones using proprietary computer vision software.As Wired reports, the Defense Department tested out the system during the Technology Readiness Experimentation event earlier this year, which allows contractors like ACS to showcase their prototype technologies to the Pentagon.Recent footage shows the vehicle-mounted gun shooting small drones out of the sky with ease.And that kind of capability is more relevant than ever as small, uncrewed aircraft are becoming increasingly common on the battlefield."During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we saw the proliferation of drones on both sides of the conflict, and we read in various news outlets the Ukrainians were firing AK-47s in the air at them," ACS cofounder and CEO Steve Simoni told Wired. "We thought, Thats a good robotics problem. It's hard to hit something flying so fast, but a robot can do that with modern-day computer vision and AI control algorithms."Computer KillAccording to Simoni, the goal was to remove humans from the equation entirely, particularly considering how fast these uncrewed drones can fly."We are electrical engineers, and we decided that in order to solve this problem of hitting a fast drone that's accelerating at five Gs at a couple hundred yards, you would need an incredibly high-end current that goes through a motor and encoders that know the position of your gun at all times," he told Wired. "To put that form factor in the hands of someone with an M4 seemed like a very tough problem."ACS' Bullfrog system is part of a much larger trend. The US military is dabbling in a whole range of remotely controlled and semi-autonomous weapons systems to shoot adversary drones out of the sky. Earlier this year, for instance, the US Army started experimenting with rifle-equipped robot dogs at a testing facility in the Middle East.The contractor claims the Bullfrog is incredibly cheap to use, especially compared to far more complicated and expensive laser or microwave weapons systems.So far, humans are still required to give the Bullfrog the green light before it can open fire. That's because there are strict policies when it comes to the use of lethal autonomous weapons.However, ACS is keen to reassure the military that it's technically capable of fully autonomous operation."Our system is fully autonomous-capable, were just waiting for the government to determine its needs," ACSs chief strategy officer Brice Cooper told Wired.But when or if those needs will change remains to be seen. Plenty of thorny ethical questions remain surrounding the use of such autonomous weapons."Anything with robotics requires software to make the determination of friend or foe, and that's a concern with anything that's automated," former congressional defense appropriator Mike Clementi told Wired. "The use of fully automated systems would be uncharted territory. There's always been a person in the loop before."More on AI and guns: The US Army Is Testing Killer Robot Dogs With AIShare This Article